Lung function impairment in relation to asbestos-induced pleural lesions with reference to the extent of the lesions and the initial parenchymal fibrosis.

Objectives: The study focused on the effect of pleural lesions on the lung function of asbestos-exposed workers.

Methods: A clinical check-up, chest radiography, high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT), and lung function testing were performed on 162 asbestos-exposed workers without any sign of parenchymal fibrosis on their chest radiographs. According to the HRCT scans, two subgroups were delineated, 97 subjects with pleural lesions and 65 referents without pleural lesions.