Abstract
The attributable risk (AR) for lung cancer due to occupational exposures is roughly estimated at 15%. Doctors have limited knowledge of occupational exposures to bronchial carcinogens. This may explain the reason why the number of lung cancers recognized as an occupational diseases is far lower than the AR. The aim of this study is to validate a specific questionnaire in order to help doctors and patients to identify occupational exposure to bronchial carcinogens, with satisfactory performance.
Based on an earlier study (Bourgkard E, Occup Environ Med. 2013;12:884-91), a job-based (JBQ) and a task-based questionnaires (TBQ) were created, concerning the main occupational bronchial carcinogens (asbestos, silica, PAHs, exhaust fumes, paint). They were both randomly administrated to 470 lung cancer patients, in two versions (self-administered or interview). A Job Exposure and a Task-Based Matrix were also created in order to analyze data questionnaires automatically, as well as by a double independent expertise. Comparisons between algorithms and expertise were done for the 5 carcinogens agents both for the probability and the quantitative estimates of exposure.
Overall, depending of the agents, The TBQ by interview has the best results in terms of sensitivity (Se) and specificity (Sp). For instance, Se and Sp were 0.96% and 0.76% for asbestos. Conversely, the JBQ did not achieve sufficient performance, particularly for sensitivity. Quantitative comparisons also demonstrated good assessment of exposure by the TBQ.
This study demonstrates the interest of a task-based questionnaire in order to facilitate identification of the main occupational exposure of bronchial carcinogens.
- © 2014 ERS
