HRCT/CT and Associated Spirometric Effects of Low Libby Amphibole Asbestos Exposure. Issue 1 (January 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lockey, James E.; Dunning, Kari; Hilbert, Timothy J.; Borton, Eric; Levin, Linda; Rice, Carol H.; McKay, Roy T.; Shipley, Ralph; Meyer, Cristopher A.; Perme, Charles; LeMasters, Grace K.
• Is Part Of: Journal of occupational and environmental medicine. Volume 57:Issue 1(2015)
• Publication Date: 2015-01
• Subjects: Medicine, Industrial -- Periodicals; Environmental health -- Periodicals; Occupational Medicine -- Periodicals; Environmental Medicine -- Periodicals; Environmental health; Medicine, Industrial; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.9803
• DOI: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000000373
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1076-2752

Abstract

<abstract> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec> <title>Objective:</title> <p>Evaluate the relationship between cumulative fiber exposure and high-resolution or conventional chest computed tomography (HRCT/CT) changes and spirometry of workers with Libby amphibole asbestos exposure.</p> </sec> <sec> <title>Methods:</title> <p>Of the original 1980 cohort (<italic>n</italic> = 513), 431 were living and asked to participate. Images were evaluated for localized pleural thickening (LPT), diffuse pleural thickening (DPT), and parenchymal changes.</p> </sec> <sec> <title>Results:</title> <p>A total of 306 participants provided either HRCT/CT scans (<italic>n</italic> = 191) or chest radiographs (<italic>n</italic> = 115). Of the 191 with HRCT/CT, 52.9% had pleural changes and 13.1% had parenchymal changes. Those with LPT only, LPT and/or DPT, or DPT and/or parenchymal changes had mean 6.1, 8.0, and 18.0 loss in percent predicted forced vital capacity, respectively.</p> </sec> <sec> <title>Conclusions:</title> <p>Exposure to vermiculite containing amphibole fibers is associated with pleural and parenchymal HRCT/CT changes at low cumulative fiber exposure; these changes are associated with spirometric decrements.</p> </sec> </abstract>