Lower limit of normal based spirometric abnormalities associated with radiographic abnormality in an elderly cohort at low risk for exposure

Background: Although the relation between radiographic abnormalities and spirometric impairment in people with asbestosis has been studied extensively, the extent of spirometric impairment associated with milder radiographic abnormalities is not established.Objective: To test associations between mild radiographic abnormalities and Lower Limit of Normal (LLN)-based spirometry interpretation.Methods: Spirometry and CXRs were collected for 1,026 at low risk of exposure to pneumoconiotic agents participants in a medical screening program.Results: Individuals with each type of isolated or combined International Labour Organization (ILO) abnormalities had up to over sixfold statistically significant increase in odds of LLN-based restrictive pattern physiology (OR = 1.96, 95%CI 1.03–3.73 for parenchymal to OR = 6.09, 95%CI 1.94–19.10 for parenchymal and pleural) compared to those with normal films.Conclusions: The findings from this study confirm the association of mild profusion abnormalities with clinically r...