High-Resolution Computed Tomography and Pulmonary Function Findings of Occupational Arsenic Exposure in Workers
Journal Title: Balkan Medical Journal - Year 2017, Vol 34, Issue 3
Abstract
Background: The number of studies where non-malignant pulmonary diseases are evaluated after occupational arsenic exposure is very few. Aims: To investigate the effects of occupational arsenic exposure on the lung by high-resolution computed tomography and pulmonary function tests. Study Design: Retrospective cross-sectional study. Methods: In this study, 256 workers with suspected respiratory occupational arsenic exposure were included, with an average age of 32.9±7.8 years and an average of 3.5±2.7 working years. Hair and urinary arsenic levels were analysed. High-resolution computed tomography and pulmonary function tests were done. Results: In workers with occupational arsenic exposure, high-resolution computed tomography showed 18.8% pulmonary involvement. In pulmonary involvement, pulmonary nodule was the most frequently seen lesion (64.5%). The other findings of pulmonary involvement were 18.8% diffuse interstitial lung disease, 12.5% bronchiectasis, and 27.1% bullae-emphysema. The mean age of patients with pulmonary involvement was higher and as they smoked more. The pulmonary involvement was 5.2 times higher in patients with skin lesions because of arsenic. Diffusing capacity of lung for carbon monoxide was significantly lower in patients with pulmonary involvement. Conclusion: Besides lung cancer, chronic occupational inhalation of arsenic exposure may cause non-malignant pulmonary findings such as bronchiectasis, pulmonary nodules and diffuse interstitial lung disease. So, in order to detect pulmonary involvement in the early stages, workers who experience occupational arsenic exposure should be followed by diffusion test and high-resolution computed tomography.
Authors and Affiliations
Recai Ergün, Ender Evcik, Dilek Ergün, Begüm Ergan, Esin Özkan, Özge Gündüz
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP380458
- DOI 10.4274/balkanmedj.2016.0795
- Views 36
- Downloads 0
Evaluation of the Diagnostic Role of Bedside Lung Ultrasonography in Patients with Suspected Pulmonary Embolism in the Emergency Department
Background: Despite the existence of detailed consensus guidelines, challenges remain regarding efficient, appropriate, and safe imaging methods for the diagnosis of suspected pulmonary embolism. Aims: To investigate the...
Association Between Superoxide Dismutase Isoenzyme Gene Expression and Total Antioxidant Status in Patients with an End-Stage Renal Disease
Background: Chronic renal failure, particularly end-stage renal disease, is a serious health problem associated with a high mortality rate. Uremic syndrome leads to increased oxidative stress, inflammation, and dyslipide...
Prognostic Effects of Predominant Histologic Subtypes in Resected Pulmonary Adenocarcinomas
Background: Predominant histologic subtypes have been reported as predictors of survival of patients with pulmonary adenocarcinoma. Aims: To evaluate the predictive value of histologic classification in resected lung ade...
Contribution of Balkan Medical Journal to the development and dissemination of medical science in the Balkans
.
Patient Privacy in the Era of Big Data
Protecting patient privacy requires various technical tools. It involves regulations for sharing, de-identifying, securely storing, transmitting and handling protected health information (PHI). It involves privacy laws a...