Atherosclerotic and pleural calcifications are related among asbestos-exposed workers.
METHODS
We studied the relationship between calcified chest atherosclerosis and pleural plaques among 505 construction workers with computed tomography. The extent and thickness of pleural plaques and the score of visceral pleural thickening were estimated, as was calcification of both pleural disease and chest atherosclerosis.


RESULTS
Adjusted for age, BMI, smoking, and asbestos exposure, pleural calcification was associated with calcification in coronary arteries (P<0.001) and in the aorta (P<0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
These associations may be due to susceptibility factors common to both conditions. Calcification in pleural plaques may be a hint of atherosclerosis at least among asbestos-exposed people.
Vehmas
Tapio
T
Health and Work Ability, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Topeliuksenkatu 41 a A, FIN-00250 Helsinki, Finland. tapio.vehmas@ttl.fi
Hiltunen
Asta
A
Kivisaari
Leena
L
Leino-Arjas
Päivi
P