[Asbestos exposure and pleural calcification : functional effects in 34 patients]

Respiratory function disturbances were evaluated in 34 patients, mostly retired naval shipyard workers, with asbestos-related pleural calcifications. All patients had spirography tests, while 20 of them were studied by CO transfer in steady-state and measurements of arterial gases. Results were correlated with previous clinical history (chronic bronchopathy and/or pleural effusions), smoking habits, and the duration of exposure to asbestos dust. Patients with no previous history had mean spirographic values close to the normal (VC: 96% of lower limits; TC: 113%, mean VEMS/CV: 72.5%). Previous clinical history had a very much more marked effect on spirographic results than on gas exchanges: whereas CO transfer and blood gases were usually fairly normal (97% of normal for TCO and DuCO, mean PaO2 at 78 mmHg, mean PaCO2 at 34,5 mmHg), many patients had markedly altered altered values. A clear correlation was found for TCO, DuCO, Du a and PaCO2 with the duration of exposure. This suggests that in some cases there is a certain degree of pulmonary fibrosis associated with the pleural thickening.