In:
Respiration, S. Karger AG, Vol. 74, No. 1 ( 2007), p. 80-87
Abstract:
〈 i 〉 Background: 〈 /i 〉 Respiratory disability induced by dust exposure in coal workers is assessed by pulmonary function tests and radiological evidence of pneumoconiosis. High-resolution computed tomography (HR-CT) improves the visibility of tissue changes, but the value of the findings for the clinical evaluation is controversial. 〈 i 〉 Objectives: 〈 /i 〉 It was the aim of this study to evaluate the correlation between the International Labour Office (ILO) classification and the degree of emphysema in HR-CT with self-reported dyspnea and pulmonary function tests including diffusion capacity for CO (D 〈 sub 〉 L,CO 〈 /sub 〉 ). 〈 i 〉 Methods: 〈 /i 〉 We investigated 87 coal miners (aged 67 ± 6 years), having worked underground for 26 ± 9 years, with pulmonary function tests and HR-CT. Univariate associations were tested with correlation coefficients, and multivariable analyses used a stepwise forward regression model. 〈 i 〉 Results: 〈 /i 〉 No aspect of the ILO classification showed a univariate correlation with dyspnea or forced expiratory flow in 1 s (FEV 〈 sub 〉 1 〈 /sub 〉 ). Emphysema CT score was strongly associated with D 〈 sub 〉 L,CO 〈 /sub 〉 (r 〈 sub 〉 s 〈 /sub 〉 = –0.40; p 〈 0.001) and FEV 〈 sub 〉 1 〈 /sub 〉 /maximal vital capacity (r = –0.38; p 〈 0.001) in univariate analysis, but not with the clinical grade of dyspnea (r = –0.14; p = 0.256). CT emphysema score but not ILO classification was associated with FEV 〈 sub 〉 1 〈 /sub 〉 in multivariable analyses (r 〈 sub 〉 s 〈 /sub 〉 = –0.37; p 〈 0.001). Dyspnea was best approximated by D 〈 sub 〉 L,CO 〈 /sub 〉 (r = –0.312; p = 0.008). 〈 i 〉 Conclusion: 〈 /i 〉 The clinical grade of breathlessness was best approximated by D 〈 sub 〉 L,CO 〈 /sub 〉 . HR-CT showed a good association with expiratory flow limitation. ILO classification of the chest radiograph may be a marker of exposure but conveys little information about the degree of respiratory impairment.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
0025-7931
,
1423-0356
Language:
English
Publisher:
S. Karger AG
Publication Date:
2007
detail.hit.zdb_id:
1464419-8
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