François Laurent1,2,3, Ilyes Benlala1,2,3, Gael Dournes1,2,3, Celine Gramond4, Isabelle Thaon5, Bénédicte Clin6,7, Patrick Brochard1,8, Antoine Gislard9,10, Pascal Andujar11,12,13,14, Soizick Chammings14, Justine Gallet4, Aude Lacourt4, Fleur Delva4, Christophe Paris15,16, Gilbert Ferretti17,18,19, Jean-Claude Pairon11,12,13,14. 1. Faculté de Médecine, Université de Bordeaux, F-33000 Bordeaux, France. 2. Service d'Imagerie Médicale Radiologie Diagnostique et Thérapeutique, CHU de Bordeaux, F-33000 Bordeaux, France. 3. Centre de Recherche Cardio-Thoracique de Bordeaux, INSERM U1045, Université de Bordeaux, F-33000 Bordeaux, France. 4. Epicene Team, Bordeaux Population Health Research Center, INSERM UMR 1219, Université de Bordeaux, F-33000 Bordeaux, France. 5. Centre de Consultation de Pathologies Professionnelles, CHRU de Nancy, Université de Lorraine, F-54000 Nancy, France. 6. Service de Santé au Travail et Pathologie Professionnelle, CHU Caen, F-14000 Caen, France. 7. Faculté de Médecine, Université de Caen, ANTICIPE, INSERM U1086, F-14000 Caen, France. 8. Service de Médecine du Travail et de Pathologies Professionnelles, CHU de Bordeaux, F-33000 Bordeaux, France. 9. Centre de Consultations de Pathologie Professionnelle, UNIROUEN, UNICAEN, ABTE, F-76000 Rouen, France. 10. CHU de Rouen, Normandie Université, F-76031 Rouen, France. 11. Equipe GEIC20, INSERM U955, F-94000 Créteil, France. 12. Faculté de Santé, Université Paris-Est Créteil, F-94000 Créteil, France. 13. Service de Pathologies Professionnelles et de l'Environnement, Centre Hospitalier Intercommunal Créteil, Institut Santé-Travail Paris-Est, F-94000 Créteil, France. 14. Institut Interuniversitaire de Médecine du Travail de Paris-Ile de France, F-94000 Créteil, France. 15. Service de Santé au Travail et Pathologie Professionnelle, CHU Rennes, F-35000 Rennes, France. 16. Institut de Recherche en Santé, Environnement et Travail, INSERM U1085, F-35000 Rennes, France. 17. INSERM U 1209 IAB, F-38700 La Tronche, France. 18. Domaine de la Merci, Université Grenoble Alpes, F-38706 La Tronche, France. 19. Service de Radiologie Diagnostique et Interventionnelle Nord, CHU Grenoble Alpes, CS 10217, F-38043 Grenoble, France.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: the aim of this study was to evaluate the association between interstitial lung abnormalities, asbestos exposure and age in a population of retired workers previously occupationally exposed to asbestos. METHODS: previously occupationally exposed former workers to asbestos eligible for a survey conducted between 2003 and 2005 in four regions of France, underwent chest CT examinations and pulmonary function testing. Industrial hygienists evaluated asbestos exposure and calculated for each subject a cumulative exposure index (CEI) to asbestos. Smoking status information was also collected in this second round of screening. Expert radiologists performed blinded independent double reading of chest CT-scans and classified interstitial lung abnormalities into: no abnormality, minor interstitial findings, interstitial findings inconsistent with UIP, possible or definite UIP. In addition, emphysema was assessed visually (none, minor: emphysema <25%, moderate: between 25 and 50% and severe: >50% of the lung). Logistic regression models adjusted for age and smoking were used to assess the relationship between interstitial lung abnormalities and occupational asbestos exposure. RESULTS: the study population consisted of 2157 male subjects. Interstitial lung abnormalities were present in 365 (16.7%) and emphysema in 444 (20.4%). Significant positive association was found between definite or possible UIP pattern and age (OR adjusted =1.08 (95% CI: 1.02-1.13)). No association was found between interstitial abnormalities and CEI or the level of asbestos exposure. CONCLUSION: presence of interstitial abnormalities at HRCT was associated to aging but not to cumulative exposure index in this cohort of former workers previously occupationally exposed to asbestos.
OBJECTIVE: the aim of this study was to evaluate the association between interstitial lung abnormalities, asbestos exposure and age in a population of retired workers previously occupationally exposed to asbestos. METHODS: previously occupationally exposed former workers to asbestos eligible for a survey conducted between 2003 and 2005 in four regions of France, underwent chest CT examinations and pulmonary function testing. Industrial hygienists evaluated asbestos exposure and calculated for each subject a cumulative exposure index (CEI) to asbestos. Smoking status information was also collected in this second round of screening. Expert radiologists performed blinded independent double reading of chest CT-scans and classified interstitial lung abnormalities into: no abnormality, minor interstitial findings, interstitial findings inconsistent with UIP, possible or definite UIP. In addition, emphysema was assessed visually (none, minor: emphysema <25%, moderate: between 25 and 50% and severe: >50% of the lung). Logistic regression models adjusted for age and smoking were used to assess the relationship between interstitial lung abnormalities and occupational asbestos exposure. RESULTS: the study population consisted of 2157 male subjects. Interstitial lung abnormalities were present in 365 (16.7%) and emphysema in 444 (20.4%). Significant positive association was found between definite or possible UIP pattern and age (OR adjusted =1.08 (95% CI: 1.02-1.13)). No association was found between interstitial abnormalities and CEI or the level of asbestos exposure. CONCLUSION: presence of interstitial abnormalities at HRCT was associated to aging but not to cumulative exposure index in this cohort of former workers previously occupationally exposed to asbestos.