A Total Antioxidant Level, Lung Functions and X-ray Findings in Persons Formerly Exposed

Summary

The study evaluates the influence of the exposure of asbestos on the level of a total antioxidant status. In the framework of medical preventive follow-up examinations, the sample of 112 individuals formerly working at risk of asbestos dust was examined and 113 individuals of the control sample. It was found that individuals exposed to asbestos had significantly 10.64 times higher probability that their level of antioxidants would be lowered compared to nonexposed individuals. The total antioxidant was lower more often in individuals with disorders of lung func- tions and with the RTG finding of changes caused by asbestos compared to persons without these changes, however the difference was not statistically significant.

Finally, the authors stress the necessity of a follow-up medical care for workers formerly exposed to asbestos, they recommend using a HRCT method for the examination of lungs for the purpose of an early diagnostics of changes, then an examination of the total antioxidant level as an indicator of the disease from asbestos.

Key words:
total antioxidant status, disorder of lung ventilation, X-ray finding, HRCT (high resolution computed tomography), asbestos