Cross-sectional (internal comparison group) high-resolution CT (HRCT) studies of pleural plaques and lung function included in meta-analysis
| Reference, population | X-ray or HRCT details | Smoking consideration | Study groups |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clin et al38 France Exposed workers (retired or inactive) Various recruitment strategies (letters, union, advertisements) for medical surveillance programme n=2743 | Two readers (out of group of 7), blinded | Adjusts for smoking in the analysis | Isolated pleural plaques, n=403 Normal, n=1802 |
| Oldenberg et al39 Germany Registry of asbestos-exposed workers (n∼500 000), approximately 2/3 undergo periodic exams; this study conducted in Bocham area n=43 | Reading protocol not reported | Analyses stratified by smoking status | Pleural plaques only, n=21 Normal, n=22 |
| Rui et al24 Italy Workers referred to occupational medicine clinic 1991–2000; Included workers with pleural plaques on X-ray who were further referred for HRCT. n=103 | One reader, blinding not reported | Less than 10% difference in smoking prevalence between groups | Pleural plaques only, n=36 Normal, n=67 |
| Soulat et al40 France Nitrate fertiliser plant with asbestos insulation 350 former workers identified; 254 potentially exposed, still living; n=170 participants | One reader, blinded | Smoking data by group not reported and not included in analysis | Pleural thickening only, n=84 No abnormalities, n=51 |
| van Cleemput et al22 Belgium Asbestos cement factory (current workers) n=73 (out of 88 identified workers; 3 of 15 non-participants had plaques) | Three readers, blinded | Smoking data by group not reported and not included in analysis | Used X-ray rather than HRCT to exclude individuals with asbestosis (excluded profusion scores >1/0) Pleural plaques, n=51 No pleural plaques, n=22 |