Abstract
Forty-two patients diagnosed as having asbestosis were examined. Bilateral crackles were heard in 64% of subjects and finger clubbing was observed in 42%. Chest films were normal in two patients with proven fibrosis. FVC was below 80% in 42% of patients and DLCO in 78%. The lung function profile of each subject was classified according to two methods. Restrictive patterns were the most frequent, but obstructive and mixed profiles were not rare. The distribution of five diagnostic criteria (1/1 or more in radiographs, bilateral crackles, finger clubbing, FVC and DLCO less than 80%) was as follows: two subjects had one criterion (low FVC or DLCO) and in both of them the diagnosis was made by lung biopsy. Nine subjects had two criteria; twelve had three; fifteen had four and four had five. If the diagnosis had been established according to Murphy et al. (at least three of the following: bilateral crackles, radiographs 2/1 or more, FVC and DLCO less than 80% predicted), only 18 patients would have been diagnosed.
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Supported in part by grant from Instituto Nacional de la Salud (INSALUD), Spain
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Picado, C., Roisin, R.R., Sala, H. et al. Diagnosis of asbestosis. Lung 162, 325–335 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02715665
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02715665