Background The progression rate of pneumoconiosis in retired coal miners over ten years has not been studied in Japan. Methods A retrospective longitudinal study was undertaken using chest X-rays of 1091 pneumoconiosis subjects in Hokkaido, Japan between 1985 and 2005. Results The final numbers of subjects were 207 (19% of the entry) after 1 decade and 85 (8%) after 2 decades. Sixty-two percent of 207 subjects after 1 decade and 29% of 85 showed progression in 2 decades. Thirty-one percent of ILO category 1 and 55% of category 2 subjects showed progression to complicated pneumoconiosis after 1 decade, and 6% (4 of 64) of category 1 and 6% (5 of 77) of category 2 subjects progressed to complicated pneumoconiosis during 2 decades. Conclusion The progression of pneumoconiosis was observed after the cessation of dust exposure, especially during the first 10 years.
Background: Loop diuretics are widely used for the management of fluid retention in patients with heart failure (HF). Sarcopenia, defined as decreased skeletal muscle mass, is frequently present in patients with HF and is associated with poor prognosis. The effects of loop diuretics on skeletal muscle in HF patients have not been fully elucidated. Here, we investigated the impact of loop diuretics on the skeletal muscle mass in patients with HF. Methods: We conducted a subanalysis of a cross-sectional study from 10 hospitals evaluating 155 patients with HF (age 67 AE 13 yrs, 69% men). Results: We compared the HF patients who were treated with loop diuretics (n = 120) with the patients who were not (n = 35). The thigh and arm circumferences were significantly small in the group treated with loop diuretics compared to those not so treated (39.9 AE 4.8 vs. 43.5 AE 6.9 cm, p < 0.001 and 26.7 AE 3.5 vs. 28.9 AE 6.2 cm, p < 0.001, respectively). In a univariate analysis, higher age, lower body mass index, lower hemoglobin, and loop diuretic use were significantly associated with smaller thigh circumference. In a multivariable analysis, the use of loop diuretics was independently associated with smaller thigh circumference (b = À0.51, 95% confidence interval À0.98 to À0.046, p = 0.032).
Conclusion:Loop diuretics are associated with decreased thigh and arm circumferences in patients with HF, independent of the severity of HF. Our findings revealed for the first time the adverse effects of loop diuretics on skeletal muscle wasting. These findings will have a significant impact in clinical practice regarding the frequent use of loop diuretics in HF patients.
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