Pulmonary disease epidemiology

Artvinli, M., and Y. I. Baris (1982). Environmental fiber-induced pleuro-pulmonary disease in an Anatolian village an epidemiological study. Arch. Environ. Health 37 177-181. 

There has been great interest in airborne particulate matter recently due to the results of a number of epidemiological studies showing a correlation between increased mortality and levels of airborne particles. Figure 2.14 shows one such correlation reported by Dockery et al. (1993). A clear relationship between mortality rates and the concentration of fine particles PM25, as well as with particle sulfate, is seen. Since sulfate is found primarily in fine particles, these observations are not independent. Schwartz et al. (1996) report a 1.5% increase in total daily mortality with an increase of 10 pg m-3 in PM25. Deaths due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease increased by 3.3% and those to ischemic heart disease by 2.1%. 

Clinical Epidemiology of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, edited by M. J. Hensley and N. A. Saunders... 

Cardiovascular Effects. No studies were located regarding cardiovascular effects of various forms of aluminum following acute- or intermediate-duration inhalation exposure in humans. Dilation and hypertrophy of the right side of the heart were reported in male factory workers chronically exposed by inhalation to aluminum flake powder and who eventually died (McLaughlin et al. 1962, Mitchell et al. 1961). The cardiac effects may have been secondary to pulmonary fibrosis and poor pulmonary function. Epidemiological studies of aluminum industry workers failed to identify an increase in deaths related to cardiovascular disease (Milham 1979 Mur et al. 1987 Rockette and Arena 1983 Theriault et al. 1984a). 

There is epidemiologic evidence to suggest an increased prevalence of duodenal ulcers in patients with certain chronic diseases, but the pathophysiologic mechanisms of these associations are uncertain. A strong association exists in patients with systemic mastocytosis, multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1, chronic pulmonary diseases, chronic renal failure, kidney stones, hepatic cirrhosis, and ai-antitrypsin deficiency. An association may exist in patients with cystic fibrosis, chronic pancreatitis, Crohn s disease, coronary artery disease, polycythemia vera, and hyperparathyroidism. 

Chapman KR, Maimino DM, Soriano JB, et al. Epidemiology and costs of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Eur Respir J 2006 27 188-207. 

Epidemiological studies of nickel-producing and nickel-using workers seldom indicate excess mortaUty from nonmalignant respiratory disease. Evidence for such effects exists mainly as a few reports of isolated incidents of asthma, pulmonary fibrosis, chronic bronchitis, and emphysema in nickel workers. Nickel may or may not play a causal role in these incidents (131). 

Issues regarding the influence of duration or intensity of exposure in relation to effect on autoimmune disease processes are questions that have not been established, with some inconsistencies seen in the epidemiologic studies (Table 25.2). Dose or intensity of silica exposure affects the clearance from the lung and silica-containing macrophages can be translocated to pulmonary lymph nodes. Increased production of immunoglobulins and of lymphocyte-derived interferon-gamma is seen at these sites.49... 

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