Screening of Miners and Millers at Decreasing Levels of Asbestos Exposure: Comparison of Chest Radiography and Thin-Section Computed Tomography

Author(s)

Terra-Filho, Mario ^[1] ; Bagatin, Ericson ^{[2, 3]} ; Nery, Luiz Eduardo ^[4] ; Napolis, Lara Maris ^[4] ; Neder, Jose Alberto ^[4] ; Portes Meirelles, Gustavo de Souza ^{[5, 6]} ; Isabela Silva, C. ^{[7, 8]} ; Muller, Nestor L. ^[9]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Med, Hosp Clin, Inst Heart, Div Pulm, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] Univ Estadual Campinas, Fac Ciencias Med, Dept Social & Prevent Med, Occupat Hlth Area, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[3] Fac Med Jundiai, Dept Clin Med, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[4] Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Escola Paulista Med, Dept Med, Div Resp, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[5] Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Escola Paulista Med, Dept Radiol, Div Radiol, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[6] Fleury Grp, Div Radiol, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[7] Delfin Clin, Dept Radiol, Salvador, BA - Brazil

^[8] Portuguese Hosp, Salvador, BA - Brazil

^[9] Univ British Columbia, Dept Radiol, Vancouver, BC - Canada

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: PLoS One; v. 10, n. 3 MAR 19 2015.
• Web of Science Citations: 7

Abstract

Background Chest radiography (CXR) is inferior to Thin-section computed tomography in the detection of asbestos related interstitial and pleural abnormalities. It remains unclear, however, whether these limitations are large enough to impair CXR's ability in detecting the expected reduction in the frequency of these asbestos-related abnormalities (ARA) as exposure decreases. Methods Clinical evaluation, CXR, Thin-section CT and spirometry were obtained in 1418 miners and millers who were exposed to progressively lower airborne concentrations of asbestos. They were separated into four groups according to the type, period and measurements of exposure and/or procedures for controlling exposure: Group I (1940-1966/tremolite and chrysotile, without measurements of exposure and procedures for controlling exposure); Group II (1967-1976/chrysotile only, without measurements of exposure and procedures for controlling exposure); Group III (1977-1980/chrysotile only, initiated measurements of exposure and procedures for controlling exposure) and Group IV (after 1981/chrysotile only, implemented measurements of exposure and a comprehensive procedures for controlling exposure). Results In all groups, CXR suggested more frequently interstitial abnormalities and less frequently pleural plaques than observed on Thin-section CT (p < 0.050). The odds for asbestosis in groups of decreasing exposure diminished to greater extent at Thin-section CT than on CXR. Lung function was reduced in subjects who had pleural plaques evident only on Thin-section CT (p < 0.050). In a longitudinal evaluation of 301 subjects without interstitial and pleural abnormalities on CXR and Thin-section CT in a previous evaluation, only Thin-section CT indicated that these ARA reduced as exposure decreased. Conclusions CXR compared to Thin-section CT was associated with false-positives for interstitial abnormalities and false-negatives for pleural plaques, regardless of the intensity of asbestos exposure. Also, CXR led to a substantial misinformation of the effects of the progressively lower asbestos concentrations in the occurrence of asbestos-related diseases in miners and millers. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 96/10415-6 - Morbidity and mortality among workers exposed to asbestos in the mining activity: 1940-1966
• Grantee: Ericson Bagatim
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants