Pneumoconiosis in dental technicians: HRCT and pulmonary function findings.

BACKGROUND: Pneumoconiosis is a form of diffuse interstitial lung disease, often resulting from occupational exposures. As dental prosthetic technicians (DPTs) build prostheses, they are exposed to many chemical materials that increase their risk of developing pneumoconiosis. AIMS: To document pulmonary function and prevalence of pneumoconiosis in DPTs. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of DPTs working in prosthetic laboratories who underwent pulmonary function test and high-resolution chest computed tomography (HRCT) scanning. RESULTS: There were 76 participants and pneumoconiosis was diagnosed in 46%. The most commonly seen radiological finding was round opacities, present in 38%. Agreement among HRCT readers was moderate to good. As defined by HRCT, emphysema was diagnosed more often in those with a longer occupational history or a history of smoking, and low carbon monoxide diffusion capacity (DLCO), but not in those with pneumoconiosis. Forced expiratory rate and DLCO were significantly lower in those who had worked 16 years or more (all P < 0.05). DLCO values were significantly lower in technicians with emphysema and in current smokers (all P < 0.01). Round opacities were also present in a substantial proportion of DPTs who had 15 years or less exposure. Because HRCT is able to detect radiological changes of occupational lung disease very early, the prevalence of pneumoconiosis in our participants was quite high. CONCLUSIONS: Pneumoconiosis identified by HRCT was present in almost half of DPTs surveyed. Appropriate education and workplace protection should be given to DPTs in order to prevent exposure to hazardous materials in dental prosthetics laboratories.

Evaluation of knowledge and behavior of and attitudes towards smoking cigarettes and using smokeless tobacco in patients with chronic renal failure.

BACKGROUND: Smoking can have negative effects on renal function in healthy individuals, which may result in kidney disease. To determine knowledge, behavior, and attitudes toward smoking cigarettes and using smokeless tobacco among patients with chronic renal failure, we sought to provide evidence for appropriate precautions and guidance for further research. METHODS: The study included 86.7% of 390 patients undergoing treatment for chronic renal failure who completed a 30-question instrument. RESULTS: Of the participants, 7.9% were smokers and 12.6% ex-smokers. Among the smokers, 61% said they wanted to quit and 45% said they needed help to quit. Of the participants, 9.5% were using Maras powder, a type of smokeless tobacco. Of the smokeless tobacco users, 55.6% noted that they wanted to give it up. The rate of the participants smoking cigarettes and/or using smokeless tobacco was 17.4%. In addition, 38.9% of the participants said that they started to use smokeless tobacco to quit smoking cigarettes. Of the participants, 62.6% thought smoking was harmful to the kidneys. The rate of the passive smokers was 30.2%. Of the participants, 66.3% explained that they were exposed to smoke at home. CONCLUSIONS: Appropriate interventions should begin to help patients with chronic renal failure stop smoking and to prevent them from exposure to cigarette smoke. Smokers should be informed that using smokeless tobacco is not a way to stop smoking cigarettes. Education programs should be conducted to prevent people from using smokeless tobacco and to help smokeless tobacco users to quit their habit.