title: Lower limit of normal based spirometric abnormalities associated with radiographic abnormality in an elderly cohort at low risk for exposure.
abstract: Although the relation between radiographic abnormalities and spirometric impairment in people with asbestosis has been studied extensively, the extent of spirometric impairment associated with milder radiographic abnormalities is not established.
  
  
  
  To test associations between mild radiographic abnormalities and Lower Limit of Normal (LLN)-based spirometry interpretation.
  
  
  
  Spirometry and CXRs were collected for 1,026 at low risk of exposure to pneumoconiotic agents participants in a medical screening program.
  
  
  
  Individuals with each type of isolated or combined International Labour Organization (ILO) abnormalities had up to over sixfold statistically significant increase in odds of LLN-based restrictive pattern physiology (OR = 1.96, 95%CI 1.03-3.73 for parenchymal to OR = 6.09, 95%CI 1.94-19.10 for parenchymal and pleural) compared to those with normal films.
  
  
  
  The findings from this study confirm the association of mild profusion abnormalities with clinically relevant, LLN-based lung function abnormalities.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, College of Public Health , The University of Iowa , 2213 Westlawn, Iowa City , IA 52242 , USA.
authors.forename: Marek A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Mikulski
authors.affiliation: b Department of Internal Medicine , The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics , Iowa City , IA , USA.
authors.forename: Alicia K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Gerke
authors.affiliation: c Department of Radiology , The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics , Iowa City , IA , USA.
authors.forename: John D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Newell
authors.affiliation: d Roy J. and Lucille Carver College of Medicine, The University of Iowa , Iowa City , IA , USA.
authors.forename: Ann M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Murray
authors.affiliation: e Department of Biostatistics , College of Public Health, The University of Iowa , Iowa City , IA , USA.
authors.forename: Carmen J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.affiliation: a Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, College of Public Health , The University of Iowa , 2213 Westlawn, Iowa City , IA 52242 , USA.
authors.forename: Laurence J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Fuortes
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D000072356:Parenchymal Tissue / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D010994:Pleura / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D011859:Radiography; D012907:Smoking / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D013147:Spirometry; D014797:Vital Capacity
keywords: ILO; Lower limit of normal; Pneumoconiosis; Spirometric abnormalities; Spirometry