Risk and significance of chest radiograph and pulmonary function abnormalities in an elderly cohort of former nuclear weapons workers

Marek A Mikulski; Patrick G Hartley; Nancy L Sprince; Wayne T Sanderson; Spencer Lourens; Nicole E Worden; Kai Wang; Laurence J Fuortes

doi:10.1097/JOM.0b013e318229aaff

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Risk and significance of chest radiograph and pulmonary function abnormalities in an elderly cohort of former nuclear weapons workers

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Risk and significance of chest radiograph and pulmonary function abnormalities in an elderly cohort of former nuclear weapons workers

Marek A Mikulski, Patrick G Hartley, Nancy L Sprince, Wayne T Sanderson, Spencer Lourens, Nicole E Worden, Kai Wang and Laurence J Fuortes

Journal of occupational and environmental medicine, Vol.53(9), pp.1046-1053

09/2011

DOI: 10.1097/JOM.0b013e318229aaff

PMID: 21866051

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Abstract

To estimate prevalence and risk factors for International Labour Organization radiographic abnormalities, and assess relationship of these abnormalities with spirometry results in former Department of Energy nuclear weapons workers. Participants were offered chest x-ray (CXR) and lung function testing. Three occupational medicine physicians read CXRs. Forty-five (5.9%) of 757 screened workers were found to have isolated parenchymal abnormalities on CXR and this rate is higher than that in many Department of Energy studies. Parenchymal and pleural and isolated pleural abnormalities were found in 19 (2.5%) and 37 (4.9%) workers, respectively, and these rates are lower than those in other Department of Energy studies to date. Lung function impairment was associated with radiographic abnormalities. This study found an elevated rate of parenchymal abnormalities compared to other DoE populations but the effect of age or other causes could not be ruled out.

Spirometry

United States - epidemiology

Beryllium - immunology

Prevalence

Occupational Diseases - diagnostic imaging

Humans

Middle Aged

Male

Lung - diagnostic imaging

Lung Diseases - diagnostic imaging

Pleural Diseases - physiopathology

Barium - adverse effects

Pleura - physiopathology

Occupational Diseases - physiopathology

Pleural Diseases - diagnostic imaging

Statistics, Nonparametric

Aged, 80 and over

Female

Beryllium - adverse effects

Occupational Exposure - adverse effects

Logistic Models

Lung - physiopathology

Pleura - diagnostic imaging

Radiography

Explosive Agents - adverse effects

Pleural Diseases - epidemiology

Asbestos - adverse effects

Nuclear Weapons

Aged

Lung Diseases - physiopathology

Occupational Diseases - epidemiology

Lung Diseases - epidemiology

Details

Title: Subtitle: Risk and significance of chest radiograph and pulmonary function abnormalities in an elderly cohort of former nuclear weapons workers
Creators: Marek A Mikulski - Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, College of Public Health, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA. marek-mikulski@uiowa.edu
Patrick G Hartley
Nancy L Sprince
Wayne T Sanderson
Spencer Lourens
Nicole E Worden
Kai Wang
Laurence J Fuortes
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Journal of occupational and environmental medicine, Vol.53(9), pp.1046-1053
DOI: 10.1097/JOM.0b013e318229aaff
PMID: 21866051
NLM abbreviation: J Occup Environ Med
ISSN: 1076-2752
eISSN: 1536-5948
Publisher: United States
Grant note: T42 OH008491 / NIOSH CDC HHS
Language: English
Date published: 09/2011
Academic Unit: Occupational and Environmental Health; Epidemiology; Biostatistics; Internal Medicine
Record Identifier: 9983997339702771

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