Occupational lung disease laboratory findings

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 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