Related Experiment Videos
Association between pleural plaques and coronary heart disease
O Korhola1, A Hiltunen, A Karjalainen
1Helsinki University Central Hospital, Department of Radiology, Finland.
Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health
|June 21, 2001
Summary
Patients with coronary heart disease showed a higher prevalence of calcified pleural plaques. This finding suggests a potential link between coronary artery disease and pleural plaque formation.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Cardiology
- Radiology
Background:
- Calcified pleural plaques are often associated with asbestos exposure.
- A clinical observation suggested a higher frequency of these plaques in patients with coronary heart disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between coronary heart disease and calcified pleural plaques.
- To compare the prevalence of calcified pleural plaques in coronary heart disease patients versus lung cancer patients.
Main Methods:
- Chest X-rays from 148 coronary angiography patients and 100 lung cancer patients were analyzed.
- Calcified pleural plaques were identified using the International Labour Office classification.
- A generalized linear model was used to calculate relative risks and 95% confidence intervals.
Main Results:
- The prevalence of calcified pleural plaques was 35% in coronary patients and 19% in lung cancer patients.
- Plaques were more common in men and increased with age.
- The adjusted relative risk of plaques in coronary patients compared to lung cancer patients was 2.19 (95% CI 1.44-3.32).
Conclusions:
- Coronary heart disease patients have a significantly higher risk of calcified pleural plaques.
- Further research is needed to explore the relationship with asbestos exposure and potential shared risk factors.
- The association may indicate an etiologic link or a common susceptibility factor.