TY - JOUR T1 - Co-morbid diagnoses of a current population of asbestos workers with diffuse pleural thickening (DPT) JF - European Respiratory Journal JO - Eur Respir J VL - 42 IS - Suppl 57 SP - P1002 AU - Sharada Gudur AU - Jennifer Hoyle Y1 - 2013/09/01 UR - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/42/Suppl_57/P1002.abstract N2 - Asbestos use has been significantly reduced in the UK since the 1980s. Various presentations of asbestos related respiratory diseases are described from benign pleural plaques to malignant mesothelioma. It is known that most cases of DPT do not progress by lung function impairment but may continue to cause symptoms. Little is published about co-morbid features that may be present in this group.MethodsWe looked at the database for occupational history, co-morbidities and lung function tests for all asbestos cases reported from our hospital between 08/2005 to 01/2013. We have recorded 50 cases of DPT (defined as obliteration of a costo-phrenic angle) with or without pleural plaques in this period. All cases were peer reviewed at an occupational lung disease MDT.ResultsYears from first exposure to diagnosis ranged from 17 - 67 years with average of 46.6 years and mean duration of follow-up over 53 months.The results are shown belowView this table:Co-morbid features associated with diffuse pleural thickeningConclusions - Average length of time between exposure to diagnosis is longer than expected. Further study with a prolonged follow-up is necessary to evaluate the association with malignancy and DPT. Concurrent airways disease and cardiac disease should be considered carefully at diagnosis. ER -