title: Absence of synergism between exposure to asbestos and cigarette smoking in asbestosis.
abstract: To assess both independent and synergistic effects of exposure to asbestos and cigarette smoking on the development of asbestosis, survey data from 4 groups of workers exposed to asbestos were analyzed with multivariate statistical models. Survey methods were standardized and included for the 383 subjects a respiratory symptoms questionnaire, occupational history, physical examination, pulmonary function testing, and a chest radiograph. Exposure to asbestos and cigarette smoking were assessed by questionnaire. Synergism between the 2 exposures was not present for previously identified manifestations of asbestosis including bilateral fine crackles, clubbing, dyspnea, radiographic abnormality, decreased forced vital capacity, and decreased single-breath diffusing capacity of the lung for CO. However, additive, independent effects of these 2 exposures were present for each of these parameters.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000393:Air Pollutants; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D001194:Asbestos; D001195:Asbestosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008487:Medical History Taking; D008875:Middle Aged; D011653:Pulmonary Diffusing Capacity; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012907:Smoking / Q000150:complications*; D013997:Time Factors; D014797:Vital Capacity
chemical_list: D000393:Air Pollutants; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D001194:Asbestos