
	Journal of Medical Sciences
	Year: 2008 \| Volume: 8 \| Issue: 3 \| Page No.: 222-227 DOI: 10.3923/jms.2008.222.227

Early Onset Emphysema in Smokers with Additional Exposure to Toxic Fumes; Occurrence and Diagnosis

Mostafa Ghanei, Shiva Alikhani, Iman Adibi, Mehdi Mir Mohammad, Taghi Ramazani and Jafar Aslani

Abstract: The aim of this study was to determine the occurrence of emphysema and accuracy of Pulmonary Function Test (PFT), comparing with chest High Resolution Computed Tomography (HRCT), in smokers with history of exposure to toxic fumes (Sulfur Mustard; SM). This was a cross sectional study (2003-2004) on 20 symptomatic smokers with mild SM exposure (Group 1) and 20 smokers without SM exposure (Group 2). PFT and chest HRCT were performed for all patients to detect emphysema. Sensitivity, specificity and positive and negative predictive values were calculated for PFT. Spirometry did not diagnose emphysema in group 1 while chest HRCT diagnosed five patients (sensitivity = 0). Group 2 developed emphysema (11 of 20, 55%) more frequently than group 1 (5 of 20, 20%, p<0.05). No alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency was found in all 70 individuals. We conclude that smokers with an additional risk factor, such as exposure to toxic fumes, develop emphysema at younger ages while they have normal PFT. Chest HRCT should be regarded as a useful tool in the early diagnosis of emphysema in such cases.

PDF Fulltext XML References Citation Report Citation

How to cite this article:

Mostafa Ghanei, Shiva Alikhani, Iman Adibi, Mehdi Mir Mohammad, Taghi Ramazani and Jafar Aslani, 2008. Early Onset Emphysema in Smokers with Additional Exposure to Toxic Fumes; Occurrence and Diagnosis. Journal of Medical Sciences, 8: 222-227.

DOI: 10.3923/jms.2008.222.227

URL: https://scialert.net/abstract/?doi=jms.2008.222.227

COMMENT ON THIS PAPER

Navigation


		Online First
		Current Issue
		Previous Issues
		Editorial Board
		Submit a Manuscript
		Guide to Authors
		Subscribe to E-alerts

Indexed In


		ASCI-Database
		Asian Digital Library
		EMBASE
		Google Scholar
		SCIMAGO

Science Alert