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Imaging Features of Systemic Sclerosis-Associated Interstitial Lung Disease
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A systematic review of the association between pleural plaques and changes in lung function
Leonid Kopylev1, Krista Yorita Christensen1, James S Brown1
1National Center for Environmental Assessment, Office of Research and Development, United States Environmental Protection Agency, Washington DC, USA.
Occupational and Environmental Medicine
|December 16, 2014
Summary
Pleural plaques in asbestos-exposed individuals are linked to small but significant decreases in lung function, specifically forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1). This finding highlights potential public health concerns regarding lung health in this population.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Medicine
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Asbestos exposure is a known cause of lung disease.
- Pleural plaques are a common marker of asbestos exposure.
- The impact of pleural plaques on lung function requires further clarification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and quantify changes in lung function associated with pleural plaques in asbestos-exposed populations.
- To assess the relationship between pleural plaques and key lung function parameters like FVC and FEV1.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of PubMed and Web of Science databases.
- Meta-analysis of 20 studies evaluating lung function decrements (FVC, FEV1).
- Assessment of methodological quality and consideration of confounders like smoking.
Main Results:
- Presence of pleural plaques associated with significant decrements in FVC (4.09%pred) and FEV1 (1.99%pred).
- Similar effect magnitudes observed across different imaging types and after excluding methodologically limited studies.
- Association between plaque size and degree of pulmonary impairment was noted.
Conclusions:
- Pleural plaques are associated with small but statistically significant reductions in FVC and FEV1.
- These lung function decrements, though small individually, may have public health implications for the exposed population.
- The findings underscore the importance of monitoring lung function in individuals with a history of asbestos exposure and pleural plaques.
