Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
2
pubmed:dateCreated
1986-1-3
pubmed:abstractText
Pleural calcifications are described in 122 of 268 (45.5%) inhabitants of four villages (Metsovo, Anilio, Milea, and Votonosi) in a small area of northwestern Greece (total population about 5000). All affected individuals are of one ethnic group, Vlachi. Calcifications were not noted in any of the 103 persons in the control group made up of 73 non-Vlachi inhabitants from the same and neighboring villages and 30 Vlachi from distant villages. The calcifications were seen in both sexes, equally, and their frequently increased with age, from 28.6% between 30 and 39 years to 81.0% in individuals over 70 years of age. When plaque development was extensive, a small restrictive pulmonary function defect was noted. Because of its prevalence in the Metsovo area we call this clinical pattern Metsovo lung. The identification of tremolite, related amphibole fibers, and traces of chrysotile fiber in settled dusts and soil specimens and of identical fibers in tissue specimens obtained at lung biopsy from 8 people with plaques supports the hypothesis that abestiform minerals are the agents responsible for these disease processes. Further, reports of the occurrence of mesothelioma and benign pleural effusions in inhabitants in the Metsovo area, along with the striking similarities to disease patterns observed in the Karain area of Turkey, add further weight to the hypothesis that mineral fiber(s) in the environment of the four villages are agent(s) in the etiology of Metsovo lung.
pubmed:grant
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Dec
pubmed:issn
0013-9351
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:volume
38
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
319-31
pubmed:dateRevised
2007-11-14
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
1985
pubmed:articleTitle
Metsovo lung: pleural calcification and restrictive lung function in northwestern Greece. Environmental exposure to mineral fiber as etiology.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.