Relations between vital capacity, CO diffusion capacity and computed tomographic findings of former asbestos-exposed patients: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Asbestos-related lung diseases are one of the leading diagnoses of the recognized occupational diseases in Germany, both in terms of their number and their socio-economic costs. The aim of this study was to determine whether pulmonary function testing (spirometry and CO diffusion measurement (D)) and computed tomography of the thorax (TCT) are relevant for the early detection of asbestos-related pleural and pulmonary fibrosis and the assessment of the functional deficiency.

Methods: The records of 111 formerly asbestos-exposed workers who had been examined at the Institute for Occupational and Maritime Medicine, Hamburg, Germany, with data on spirometry, D and TCT were reviewed. Workers with substantial comorbidities (cardiac, malignant, silicosis) and/or pulmonary emphysema (pulmonary hyperinflation and/or TCT findings), which, like asbestosis, can lead to a diffusion disorder were excluded. The remaining data of 41 male workers (mean 69.8 years ±6.9) were evaluated. The TCT changes were coded according to the International Classification of High-resolution Computed Tomography for Occupational and Environmental Respiratory Diseases (ICOERD) by radiologists and ICOERD-scores for pleural and pulmonary changes were determined. Correlations (ρ), Cohens κ and accuracy were calculated.

Results: In all 41 males the vital capacity (VC in % of the predicted value (% pred.)) showed only minor limitations (mean 96.5 ± 18.0%). The D (in % pred.) was slightly reduced (mean 76.4 ± 16.6%; median 80.1%); the alveolar volume related value (D/VA) was within reference value (mean 102 ± 22%). In the TCT of 27 workers pleural asbestos-related findings were diagnosed whereof 24 were classified as pulmonary fibrosis (only one case with honey-combing). Statistical analysis provided low correlations of VC ( = - 0.12) and moderate correlations of D (- 0.25) with pleural plaque extension. The ICOERD-score for pulmonary fibrosis correlated low with VC (0.10) and moderate with D (- 0.23); D had the highest accuracy with 73.2% and Cohens κ with 0.45. D/VA showed no correlations to the ICOERD-score. The newly developed score, which takes into account the diffuse pleural thickening, shows a moderate correlation with the D ( = - 0.35,  < 0.05).

Conclusions: In formerly asbestos-exposed workers, lung function alterations and TCT findings correlated moderate, but significant using D and ICOERD-score considering parenchymal ligaments, subpleural curvilinear lines, round atelectases and pleural effusion in addition to pleural plaque extension. D also showed highest accuracy in regard to pulmonary findings. However, VC showed only weaker correlations although being well established for early detection. Besides TCT the determination of both lung function parameters (VC and D) is mandatory for the early detection and assessment of functional deficiencies in workers formerly exposed to asbestos.