Factor analysis of clinical data from asbestos workers: implications for diagnosis and screening. Issue 11 (November 1987)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Harber, P; Lew, M; Tashkin, D P; Simmons, M
• Is Part Of: Occupational and environmental medicine. Volume 44:Issue 11(1987)
• Page Start: 780
• Page End: 784
• Publication Date: 1987-11
• Subjects: Medicine, Industrial -- Periodicals; Environmental health -- Periodicals; 616.980305
• DOI: 10.1136/oem.44.11.780
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1351-0711

Abstract

Abstract : Clinical data from 624 asbestos exposed workers were analysed by factor analysis. Fifteen clinical variables were found to reflect several underlying factors: "obstruction, " "interstitial disorder, " "x ray change, " "air tapping, " and "age/exposure." Scoring individual subjects along these axes can facilitate identifying early cases and avoiding false diagnosis. The analysis suggests that screening should be multimodal and that radiographic abnormality need not imply physiological impairment.