Association between asbestos-related pleural plaques and resting hyperventilation.
This study reports an association between pleural plaques and resting hyperventilation in a group of workers exposed to asbestos. Information on exposure level, pack-years of cigarette smoking, chest radiographs, ventilation parameters, single-breath diffusing lung capacity, and arterial gases were obtained for 344 workers. After the exclusion of 37 workers for isolated parenchymal fibrosis, combined pleuroparenchymal fibrosis, or diffuse pleural thickening, 55 subjects with isolated pleural plaques were evaluated against 252 no-plaque workers. A quantitative pleural score revealed mild pleural disease. Forty-four workers with plaques (80%) had hypocapnia induced by resting hyperventilation. The quantitative pleural score correlated significantly with the partial pressure of carbon dioxide in arterial blood (correlation coefficient = 0.7). A decrement in forced vital capacity was associated with plaques, whether controlled for age, smoking, and exposure or not. It was concluded that the resting hyperventilation observed in some asbestos-exposed subjects is related to the presence of mild pleural plaques and a restrictive disorder.
Dujić
Z
Z
Department of Physiology, Zagreb University School of Medicine in Split, Croatia.
Eterović
D
D
Tocilj
J
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017638:Asbestos, Crocidolite / Q000009:adverse effects; D017632:Asbestos, Serpentine / Q000009:adverse effects; D001195:Asbestosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D017523:Croatia; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006801:Humans; D006985:Hyperventilation / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008168:Lung / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D008176:Lung Volume Measurements; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010994:Pleura / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D011653:Pulmonary Diffusing Capacity / Q000502:physiology; D011859:Radiography; D012146:Rest; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000503:physiopathology
D017632:Asbestos, Serpentine; D017638:Asbestos, Crocidolite