title: [Submaximal spiroergometric stress study in patients with mixed dust pneumoconiosis].
abstract: Disabilities of patients with coal-workers' pneumoconiosis (CWP) are currently estimated by changes in lung function at rest and the degree of dust equivalents in chest x-ray (ILO-classification 1980). Functional disturbances during exercise are not taken into consideration on a regular basis. We assumed that standardised sub-maximal exercise tests might be useful even in disabled patients to give additional information on functional disabilities of patients with CWP. The impact of low-grade anthracosilicosis on ventilation and gas exchange during exercise was assessed in 20 patients (all male, age 64.55 +/- 3.78 years) and 24 healthy volunteers (all male, age 58.13 +/- 4.68 years, never dust exposed). Data were also analysed according to ILO classification subgroups (group 1: ILO-classification 1/0 to 1/2, n = 11; group 2: ILO-classification 2/1 to 2/2, n = 9). Heart rate (HR), minute ventilation (VE), ventilatory equivalent for O2 (VE/VO2), ventilatory equivalent for CO2 (VE/VCO2), O2 uptake (VO2)CO2 output (VCO2), end-tidal oxygen partial pressure (PetO2), end-tidal carbon dioxide partial pressure (petCO2) and estimated dead space to tidal volume ratio (VD/VT) were determined breath-by-breath during a 50 watts constant work load protocol on an exercise bicycle. The VE/VO2 (patients: 32.9 +/- 4.2; controls: 25.7 +/- 2.9; p < 0.001), the VE/CO2 (patients: 39.4 +/- 4.6; controls; 31.0 +/- 3.9), the VE (patients: 30.1 +/- 5.6, controls: 23.5 +/- 3.0; p < 0.001) and the PetO2 (patients 115.6 +/- 4.8; controls: 99.1 +/- 27.4; p < 0.05) at an exercise of 50 watts were significantly higher in the patients' group, the PetCO2 (patients: 38.4 +/- 4.5; controls: 44.0 +/- 4.1) were significantly lower in the patients' group. The comparison of patients subgroups did not reveal any significant differences between group 1 and group 2. A higher VE/VO2 during 50 watts of exercise is attributable to an increased ventilation/perfusion mismatch. There was no correlation between the radiological grade of the CWP (ILO classification) and the ventilation and gas exchange during exercise. We conclude that a sub-maximal spiroergometry with a 50 watts constant work load might serve as a sensitive and easy to apply procedure add information about the functional impairment in CWP. The exercise test should be included in the evaluation for disability benefits.
authors.affiliation: Abteilung für Pneumologie, Allergologie und Schlafmedizin, Universitätsklinik Ruhr-Universität Bochum.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Duvenkamp
authors.forename: T T
authors.initials: TT
authors.lastname: Bauer
authors.forename: E W
authors.initials: EW
authors.lastname: Schmidt
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Emming
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Lemke
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Schultze-Werninghaus
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000874:Anthracosilicosis / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis*; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D004391:Dust / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005080:Exercise Test; D006801:Humans; D008176:Lung Volume Measurements; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012016:Reference Values; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013147:Spirometry
chemical_list: D004391:Dust