Occupational lung disease laboratory findings

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Hadeel Maksoud M.D.[2]

Overview

There are no diagnostic laboratory findings associated with occupational lung disease. However, useful laboratory findings consistent with the diagnosis of occupational lung disease include abnormal arterial blood gases, sputum analysis, and blood picture.

Laboratory Findings

Laboratory findings consistent with the diagnosis of occupational lung disease include:^[1]^[2]^[3]
- Abnormal ABG
  - May indicate hypoxia, hypercapnia, and respiratory acidosis
- Abnormal sputum analysis
  - May contain bacteria, such as mycobacterium tuberculosis or inorganic particles, such as asbestos bodies or organic particles
- Peak flow assessment
  - May be below normal range which is 100 liters/minute for men, and 80 liters/minute for women
- Spirometry
  - May indicate an obstructive or restrictive pulmonary disease
  - A FEV1/FVC ratio < 80% indicates and obstructive disease, such as asthma, whilst a FEV1/FVC ratio higher than restrictive pulmonary disease indicates a restrictive disease, such as pulmonary fibrosis
- CBC
  - May indicate anemia, neutrophilia, elevated ESR, elevated CRP, and elevated immunoglobulin
- Bronchoscopy and bronchoalveolar lavage
  - May reveal mineral dust
- Tuberculin skin test
  - To test for tuberculosis, and induration > 5mm is positive
- Stool examination for occult blood
  - May indicate colorectal carcinoma

References

↑ du Bois RM (2006). “Evolving concepts in the early and accurate diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis”. Clin. Chest Med. 27 (1 Suppl 1): S17–25, v–vi. doi:10.1016/j.ccm.2005.08.001. PMID 16545629.
↑ Gay SE, Kazerooni EA, Toews GB, Lynch JP, Gross BH, Cascade PN, Spizarny DL, Flint A, Schork MA, Whyte RI, Popovich J, Hyzy R, Martinez FJ (1998). “Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: predicting response to therapy and survival”. Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med. 157 (4 Pt 1): 1063–72. doi:10.1164/ajrccm.157.4.9703022. PMID 9563720.
↑ Neghab M, Mohraz MH, Hassanzadeh J (2011). “Symptoms of respiratory disease and lung functional impairment associated with occupational inhalation exposure to carbon black dust”. J Occup Health. 53 (6): 432–8. PMID 21996929.

[pmid16545629-1] u Bois RM (2006). “Evolving concepts in the early and accurate diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis”. Clin. Chest Med. 27 (1 Suppl 1): S17–25, v–vi. doi:10.1016/j.ccm.2005.08.001. PMID 16545629.

[pmid9563720-2] Gay SE, Kazerooni EA, Toews GB, Lynch JP, Gross BH, Cascade PN, Spizarny DL, Flint A, Schork MA, Whyte RI, Popovich J, Hyzy R, Martinez FJ (1998). “Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: predicting response to therapy and survival”. Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med. 157 (4 Pt 1): 1063–72. doi:10.1164/ajrccm.157.4.9703022. PMID 9563720.

[pmid21996929-3] Neghab M, Mohraz MH, Hassanzadeh J (2011). “Symptoms of respiratory disease and lung functional impairment associated with occupational inhalation exposure to carbon black dust”. J Occup Health. 53 (6): 432–8. PMID 21996929.

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