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Annals of Global Health Jan 2019More than 100 different conditions are grouped under the term interstitial lung disease (ILD). A diagnosis of an ILD primarily relies on a combination of clinical,... (Review)
Review
More than 100 different conditions are grouped under the term interstitial lung disease (ILD). A diagnosis of an ILD primarily relies on a combination of clinical, radiological, and pathological criteria, which should be evaluated by a multidisciplinary team of specialists. Multiple factors, such as environmental and occupational exposures, infections, drugs, radiation, and genetic predisposition have been implicated in the pathogenesis of these conditions. Asbestosis and other pneumoconiosis, hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP), chronic beryllium disease, and smoking-related ILD are specifically linked to inhalational exposure of environmental agents. The recent Global Burden of Disease Study reported that ILD rank 40th in relation to global years of life lost in 2013, which represents an increase of 86% compared to 1990. Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is the prototype of fibrotic ILD. A recent study from the United States reported that the incidence and prevalence of IPF are 14.6 per 100,000 person-years and 58.7 per 100,000 persons, respectively. These data suggests that, in large populated areas such as Brazil, Russia, India, and China (the BRIC region), there may be approximately 2 million people living with IPF. However, studies from South America found much lower rates (0.4-1.2 cases per 100,000 per year). Limited access to high-resolution computed tomography and spirometry or to multidisciplinary teams for accurate diagnosis and optimal treatment are common challenges to the management of ILD in developing countries.
Topics: Air Pollution; Alveolitis, Extrinsic Allergic; Asbestos; Connective Tissue Diseases; Developing Countries; Environmental Exposure; Health Services Accessibility; Humans; Idiopathic Interstitial Pneumonias; Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis; Incidence; Lung Diseases, Interstitial; Occupational Exposure; Pneumoconiosis; Prevalence; Sarcoidosis, Pulmonary; Spirometry; Tomography, X-Ray Computed
PubMed: 30741505
DOI: 10.5334/aogh.2414 -
International Journal of Environmental... Dec 2019This review updates the scientific literature concerning asbestos and lung cancer, emphasizing cumulative exposure and synergism between asbestos exposure and tobacco... (Review)
Review
This review updates the scientific literature concerning asbestos and lung cancer, emphasizing cumulative exposure and synergism between asbestos exposure and tobacco smoke, and proposes an evidence-based and equitable approach to compensation for asbestos-related lung cancer cases. This update is based on several earlier reviews written by the second and third authors on asbestos and lung cancer since 1995. We reevaluated the peer-reviewed epidemiologic studies. In addition, selected in vivo and in vitro animal studies and molecular and cellular studies in humans were included. We conclude that the mechanism of lung cancer causation induced by the interdependent coaction of asbestos fibers and tobacco smoke at a biological level is a multistage stochastic process with both agents acting conjointly at all times. The new knowledge gained through this review provides the evidence for synergism between asbestos exposure and tobacco smoke in lung cancer causation at a biological level. The evaluated statistical data conform best to a multiplicative model for the interaction effects of asbestos and smoking on the lung cancer risk, with no requirement for asbestosis. Any asbestos exposure, even in a heavy smoker, contributes to causation. Based on this information, we propose criteria for the attribution of lung cancer to asbestos in smokers and non-smokers.
Topics: Animals; Asbestos; Humans; Lung Neoplasms; Mesothelioma; Occupational Exposure; Tobacco Smoking
PubMed: 31905913
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17010258 -
European Respiratory Review : An... Jun 2021Epigenetic modifications are emerging as important regulatory mechanisms of gene expression in lung disease, given that they are influenced by environmental exposures... (Review)
Review
Epigenetic modifications are emerging as important regulatory mechanisms of gene expression in lung disease, given that they are influenced by environmental exposures and genetic variants, and that they regulate immune and fibrotic processes. In this review, we introduce these concepts with a focus on the study of DNA methylation and histone modifications and discuss how they have been applied to lung disease, and how they can be applied to sarcoidosis. This information has implications for other exposure and immunologically mediated lung diseases, such as chronic beryllium disease, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, and asbestosis.
Topics: DNA Methylation; Environmental Exposure; Epigenesis, Genetic; Humans; Lung Diseases; Sarcoidosis
PubMed: 34168064
DOI: 10.1183/16000617.0076-2021 -
Ugeskrift For Laeger Jun 2018Asbestos was used in numerous products until its total ban in Denmark in 1988. The prevalence of asbestosis and pleural plaques does not yet appear to be falling.... (Review)
Review
Asbestos was used in numerous products until its total ban in Denmark in 1988. The prevalence of asbestosis and pleural plaques does not yet appear to be falling. Unfortunately the statistics are unreliable due to errors in the Danish translation of the ICD-10 codes of the disease. In this review, clinical and radiologic diagnostic criteria of asbestosis and pleural plaques and recommendations for follow-up of patients are described. Typical changes on a high-resolution CT scan combined with relevant asbestos exposure is essential for the diagnosis. Asbestosis and pleural plaques are both notifiable in Denmark.
Topics: Asbestos; Asbestosis; Denmark; Humans; International Classification of Diseases; Occupational Diseases; Occupational Exposure; Pleural Diseases; Radiography; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Translations
PubMed: 29938630
DOI: No ID Found -
International Journal of Environmental... May 2018: Asbestos has been used for thousands of years but only at a large industrial scale for about 100⁻150 years. The first identified disease was asbestosis, a type of... (Review)
Review
: Asbestos has been used for thousands of years but only at a large industrial scale for about 100⁻150 years. The first identified disease was asbestosis, a type of incurable pneumoconiosis caused by asbestos dust and fibres. The latest estimate of global number of asbestosis deaths from the Global Burden of Disease estimate 2016 is 3495. Asbestos-caused cancer was identified in the late 1930's but despite today's overwhelming evidence of the strong carcinogenicity of all asbestos types, including chrysotile, it is still widely used globally. Various estimates have been made over time including those of World Health Organization and International Labour Organization: 107,000⁻112,000 deaths. Present estimates are much higher. : This article summarizes the special edition of this Journal related to asbestos and key aspects of the past and present of the asbestos problem globally. The objective is to collect and provide the latest evidence of the magnitude of asbestos-related diseases and to provide the present best data for revitalizing the International Labor Organization/World Health Organization Joint Program on Asbestos-related Diseases. : Documentation on asbestos-related diseases, their recognition, reporting, compensation and prevention efforts were examined, in particular from the regulatory and prevention point of view. Estimated global numbers of incidence and mortality of asbestos-related diseases were examined. : Asbestos causes an estimated 255,000 deaths (243,223⁻260,029) annually according to latest knowledge, of which work-related exposures are responsible for 233,000 deaths (222,322⁻242,802). In the European Union, United States of America and in other high income economies (World Health Organization regional classification) the direct costs for sickness, early retirement and death, including production losses, have been estimated to be very high; in the Western European countries and European Union, and equivalent of 0.70% of the Gross Domestic Product or 114 × 10⁸ United States Dollars. Intangible costs could be much higher. When applying the Value of Statistical Life of 4 million EUR per cancer death used by the European Commission, we arrived at 410 × 10⁸ United States Dollars loss related to occupational cancer and 340 × 10⁸ related to asbestos exposure at work, while the human suffering and loss of life is impossible to quantify. The numbers and costs are increasing practically in every country and region in the world. Asbestos has been banned in 55 countries but is used widely today; some 2,030,000 tons consumed annually according to the latest available consumption data. Every 20 tons of asbestos produced and consumed kills a person somewhere in the world. Buying 1 kg of asbestos powder, e.g., in Asia, costs 0.38 United States Dollars, and 20 tons would cost in such retail market 7600 United States Dollars. : Present efforts to eliminate this man-made problem, in fact an epidemiological disaster, and preventing exposures leading to it are insufficient in most countries in the world. Applying programs and policies, such as those for the elimination of all kind of asbestos use-that is banning of new asbestos use and tight control and management of existing structures containing asbestos-need revision and resources. The International Labor Organization/World Health Organization Joint Program for the Elimination of Asbestos-Related Diseases needs to be revitalized. Exposure limits do not protect properly against cancer but for asbestos removal and equivalent exposure elimination work, we propose a limit value of 1000 fibres/m³.
Topics: Asbestosis; Cost of Illness; Global Health; Humans; Mesothelioma
PubMed: 29772681
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph15051000 -
Korean Journal of Radiology 2016Asbestosis is the most important change noted in the lung parenchyma after environmental and occupational exposure to asbestos fibers. It is characterized by diffuse... (Review)
Review
Asbestosis is the most important change noted in the lung parenchyma after environmental and occupational exposure to asbestos fibers. It is characterized by diffuse interstitial pulmonary fibrosis. In Korea, the incidence of asbestosis will continue to increase for many years to come and the government enacted the Asbestos Damage Relief Law in 2011 to provide compensation to those suffering from asbestos-related diseases. Radiologic evaluation is necessary for diagnosis of asbestosis, and radiologists play a key role in this process. Therefore, it is important for radiologists to be aware of the various imaging features of asbestosis.
Topics: Asbestos; Asbestosis; Diagnosis, Differential; Humans; Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis; Lung; Lung Neoplasms; Mesothelioma; Occupational Exposure; Radiography; Tomography, X-Ray Computed
PubMed: 27587956
DOI: 10.3348/kjr.2016.17.5.674 -
Seminars in Respiratory and Critical... Apr 2020The interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) are a group of progressive disorders characterized by chronic inflammation and/or fibrosis in the lung. While some ILDs can be... (Review)
Review
The interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) are a group of progressive disorders characterized by chronic inflammation and/or fibrosis in the lung. While some ILDs can be linked to specific environmental causes (i.e., asbestosis, silicosis), in many individuals, no culprit exposure can be identified; these patients are deemed to have "idiopathic interstitial pneumonia" (IIP). Family history is now recognized as the strongest risk factor for IIP, and IIP cases that run in families comprise a syndrome termed "familial interstitial pneumonia" (FIP). Mutations in more than 10 different genes have been implicated as responsible for disease in FIP families. Diverse ILD clinical phenotypes can be seen within a family, and available evidence suggests underlying genetic risk is the primary determinant of disease outcomes. Together, these FIP studies have provided unique insights into the pathobiology of ILDs, and brought focus on the unique issues that arise in the care of patients with FIP.
Topics: Genetic Variation; Humans; Lung Diseases, Interstitial; Medical History Taking; Mutation; Phenotype; Risk Factors
PubMed: 32279293
DOI: 10.1055/s-0040-1708054 -
Respirology (Carlton, Vic.) May 2015Asbestos is a global killer. Despite lessons learned in the developed world on the use of asbestos and its hazardous pulmonary consequences, its use continues to... (Review)
Review
Asbestos is a global killer. Despite lessons learned in the developed world on the use of asbestos and its hazardous pulmonary consequences, its use continues to increase in Asia. Although some countries such as Japan, Korea and Singapore have curtailed the use of this mineral, there are numerous countries in Asia that continue to mine, import and use this fibre, particularly China, which is one of the largest consumers in the world. Numerous factors ranging from political and economic to the lack of understanding of asbestos and the management of asbestos-related lung disease are keys to this observed trend. Awareness of these factors combined with early intervention may prevent the predicted Asian 'tsunami' of asbestos diseases.
Topics: Asbestos; Asbestosis; Asia; China; Environmental Exposure; Humans; Indonesia; Industry; Japan; Lung Diseases; Lung Neoplasms; Mesothelioma; Republic of Korea; Singapore
PubMed: 25819225
DOI: 10.1111/resp.12517