Job exposure matrices for occupational respiratory disease: a narrative review.

Background: Job exposure matrices (JEMs) are epidemiological tools used to provide estimations of occupational exposures when it is not feasible to complete detailed individual occupational histories.

Aims: To identify and summarize the characteristics of published general population JEMs (GPJEM) of inhalable occupational exposures applied in studies of respiratory disease.

Methods: MEDLINE and EMBASE databases were searched using pre-defined search terms, with screening performed by two independent reviewers to identify studies reporting the use of a GPJEM.

Characteristics of hypersensitivity pneumonitis diagnosed by interstitial and occupational lung disease multi-disciplinary team consensus.

Introduction: The causes of hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) in the UK are changing as working practices evolve, and metalworking fluid (MWF) is now a frequently reported causative exposure. We aimed to review and describe all cases of HP from our UK regional service, with respect to the causative exposure and diagnostic characteristics.

Methods: In a retrospective, cross-sectional study, we collected patient data for all 206 cases of HP diagnosed within our UK-based regional NHS interstitial and occupational lung disease service, 2002-17.

Radiological neuro-Behçet's associated with bipolar disorder: first presentation of a multisystem disease.

Behçet's disease is a chronic, relapsing, systemic inflammatory disease affecting the orogenital mucosa, eyes, joints, blood vessels, nervous system and intestines. The prevalence of neurological involvement varies geographically and can include psychiatric manifestations. Current evidence for a causal association between Behçet's disease and bipolar disorder is limited to a small number of case reports.

Risk factors associated with the development of active tuberculosis among patients with advanced chronic kidney disease.

Objectives: The risk of developing active TB is greater in those receiving haemodialysis. This study aimed to describe the incidence of active tuberculosis among patients referred for management of kidney disease and dialysis in a high incidence UK city, with the purpose of informing latent TB testing and treatment practice.

Methods: Information from the tuberculosis register was cross-referenced with the Department of Renal Medicine patient information system.

Asbestosis is prevalent in a variety of construction industry trades.

A diagnosis of asbestosis, which is a long-latency, fibrotic lung disease, has implications for the patient in terms of prognosis, treatment and compensation. Identifying and quantifying asbestos exposure is difficult without a detailed occupational history, and the threshold dose of asbestos required to cause asbestosis is not well understood. We reviewed all cases of asbestosis diagnosed between 2001 and 2016 at the Birmingham Regional NHS Occupational Lung Disease Service to determine the industries and occupations most frequently implicated in causation, in order to help clinicians identify where asbestosis might enter the differential diagnosis for a patient with chronic respiratory symptoms.