Epidemiological investigations of decreased employees of the asbestos cement industry in the Federal Republic of Germany. 1985

E G Beck, and P Schmidt

An epidemiological study of the causes of death was performed covering the entire German asbestos cement industry (10 plants). Of 376 workers who had died in the period of 1 January 1976 - 31 December 1980 and who had been employed for a minimum of 10 years, 314 were included; 307 of these were men. Special consideration was given to the asbestos-related diseases asbestosis, asbestosis in combination with lung cancer, and mesothelioma of the pleura or peritoneum. The relationship between lung cancer with asbestosis and lung cancer without asbestosis is nearly 1:1. From this the conclusion can be drawn that a causal relationship between asbestos exposure and lung cancer can be assumed in only half of the lung cancer cases. This is, however, an upper approximation, since 15 cases of lung cancer were found which is 1/3 less than the expected number in comparison with the normal population. This documents the relatively small excess (SPMR = 1.2) of all cases of lung cancer detected in the asbestos cement industry as compared to the expected lung cancer cases not due to asbestos.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D006973 Hypertension Persistently high systemic arterial BLOOD PRESSURE. Based on multiple readings (BLOOD PRESSURE DETERMINATION), hypertension is currently defined as when SYSTOLIC PRESSURE is consistently greater than 140 mm Hg or when DIASTOLIC PRESSURE is consistently 90 mm Hg or more. Blood Pressure, High,Blood Pressures, High,High Blood Pressure,High Blood Pressures
D008175 Lung Neoplasms Tumors or cancer of the LUNG. Cancer of Lung,Lung Cancer,Pulmonary Cancer,Pulmonary Neoplasms,Cancer of the Lung,Neoplasms, Lung,Neoplasms, Pulmonary,Cancer, Lung,Cancer, Pulmonary,Cancers, Lung,Cancers, Pulmonary,Lung Cancers,Lung Neoplasm,Neoplasm, Lung,Neoplasm, Pulmonary,Pulmonary Cancers,Pulmonary Neoplasm
D008654 Mesothelioma A tumor derived from mesothelial tissue (peritoneum, pleura, pericardium). It appears as broad sheets of cells, with some regions containing spindle-shaped, sarcoma-like cells and other regions showing adenomatous patterns. Pleural mesotheliomas have been linked to exposure to asbestos. (Dorland, 27th ed) Mesotheliomas
D010997 Pleural Neoplasms Neoplasms of the thin serous membrane that envelopes the lungs and lines the thoracic cavity. Pleural neoplasms are exceedingly rare and are usually not diagnosed until they are advanced because in the early stages they produce no symptoms. Neoplasms, Pleural,Neoplasm, Pleural,Pleural Neoplasm
D011656 Pulmonary Emphysema Enlargement of air spaces distal to the TERMINAL BRONCHIOLES where gas-exchange normally takes place. This is usually due to destruction of the alveolar wall. Pulmonary emphysema can be classified by the location and distribution of the lesions. Emphysema, Pulmonary,Centriacinar Emphysema,Centrilobular Emphysema,Emphysemas, Pulmonary,Focal Emphysema,Panacinar Emphysema,Panlobular Emphysema,Pulmonary Emphysemas,Centriacinar Emphysemas,Centrilobular Emphysemas,Emphysema, Centriacinar,Emphysema, Centrilobular,Emphysema, Focal,Emphysema, Panacinar,Emphysema, Panlobular,Emphysemas, Centriacinar,Emphysemas, Centrilobular,Emphysemas, Focal,Emphysemas, Panacinar,Emphysemas, Panlobular,Focal Emphysemas,Panacinar Emphysemas,Panlobular Emphysemas
D004391 Dust Earth or other matter in fine, dry particles. (Random House Unabridged Dictionary, 2d ed) House Dust,Housedust,Dust, House
D004812 Epidemiologic Methods Research techniques that focus on study designs and data gathering methods in human and animal populations. Epidemiologic Method,Epidemiological Methods,Methods, Epidemiologic,Epidemiological Method,Method, Epidemiologic,Method, Epidemiological,Methods, Epidemiological
D005860 Germany, West The former Federal Republic of Germany which was reunified with the former German Democratic Republic in 1990. Federal Republic of Germany,Germany, Federal Republic of
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000368 Aged A person 65 years of age or older. For a person older than 79 years, AGED, 80 AND OVER is available. Elderly

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