A comparison of radiographic interpretation of silica exposed workers using the 1963 and the 1986 Chinese roentgenodiagnostic criteria of pneumoconioses.
As part of a larger study relating to silica exposure, silicosis, and lung cancer mortality in Chinese mine and factory workers, 1936 old posterior-anterior chest X-rays were re-interpreted according to the 1986 Chinese Roentgenodiagnostic Criteria of pneumoconioses. Each film was independently read by three individuals from a panel of eleven radiologists, and this reading was compared to the original one. Subsequent to the independent readings, a groups of three readers interpreted the films together, called the consensus readings. Comparisons were made by Chinese stage of pneumoconiosis. For the entire cohort, there was a crude agreement of 57.4% between the old and the new interpretations. Agreement within one step of full agreement was 92.5%. The interpretations done by median reading and by consensus were very similar. In general, there was a tendency for the old readings to be slightly higher compared to the new interpretations. This tendency was most marked in the tin mines, followed in decreasing order by the iron/copper mines, the potteries, and the tungsten mines. The agreement between the old and new interpretations is felt to be satisfactory.
Chen
R A
RA
Department of Labour Health and Occupational Diseases, Tongji Medical University, Wuhan.
Hodous
T K
TK
Liang
Z X
ZX
Petersen
M
M
Den
Y C
YC
Mclaughlin
J K
JK
Chen
J Q
JQ
Blot
W J
WJ
D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron; D008906:Mining; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011009:Pneumoconiosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011859:Radiography; D012015:Reference Standards; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014001:Tin
D014001:Tin; D012822:Silicon Dioxide; D007501:Iron