[Pulmonary CO diffusion and radiological findings in subjects formerly exposed to asbestos cement]

A cross-sectional study on 117 male former asbestos-cement workers was performed. The aims of the study were: evaluation of the prevalence of respiratory symptoms, measurement of pulmonary volumes, flows and DI(co) values, detection of asbestos-related diseases, and data collection for a medical follow-up of the participants. Medical examination included ECSC questionnaire, spirometry, DI(co) measurement and chest x-ray. Time since first exposure (latency) and duration of employment were used as exposure indices: participants were subdivided into three exposure groups, respectively for latency and duration of employment. For statistical analysis, multiple linear regression and logistic regression methods were applied; significance level was p < 0.05. In 28 participants abnormal DI(co) values (< 80% of predicted) were measured, 9 subjects (8%) had radiological asbestos-related abnormalities. Lower values of DI(co), after correcting for smoking, were observed in the third latency group of subjects; an increased risk of radiological asbestos-related abnormalities was observed in relation to the duration of employment and latency. This study confirmed DI(co) as an indicator of (asbestos-related) pulmonary interstitial disease.