A Cross-sectional Study in Konya; 2,015 Evaluation of Lung Graph

Abstract

E pidemiological studies, which are defined as the examination of the incidence of diseases in society and the factors affecting it, are aimed to reveal the incidence and causes of the disease, to eliminate the disease agents, and to manage the resources efficiently and correctly. [1] Posteroanterior (PA) chest radiograph, one of the earliest practical methods used to detect thoracic pathologies, is used in imaging the trachea, mediastinum, the heart, the diaphragm, subdiaphragmatic areas, hilus, pulmonary vasculature, fissures, sinuses, lung parenchyma, pleura, soft Objectives: This study was an evaluation of posteroanterior chest radiographs taken of residents of Konya determined by the cluster sampling method. Methods: This study was a descriptive cross-sectional study, conducted in cooperation with the Konya Education and Research Hospital, the provincial health directorate, and the metropolitan municipality. The sociodemographic characteristics of 2015 individuals participating in the study were recorded. The standard chest radiographs, which were taken with a traditional analog system during inspiration in the standing position, were evaluated by 2 radiologists. The most obvious pathological finding was recorded. Results: Of the participants, 1075 (53.40%) were female and 940 (46.60%) were male. The mean age was 45.89±0.45 years for the women and 46.20±0.54 years for the men. In the group, 340 (16.90%) were retired, 492 (24.40%) were farmers and/or laborers, 144 (7.10%) were white-collar employees, and 1039 (51.60%) were housewives or unemployed. In all, 580 (28.80%) were cigarette smokers. While 249 (12.36%) had pathological findings on the chest radiograph, 1766 (87.64%) had normal results. The pathological findings were hilar fullness (n=50, 2.48%), emphysematous appearance (n=48, 2.38%), nodule (n=29, 1.44%), increased reticulonodular density (n=26, 1.29%), increased bronchovascular branching (n=9, 0.44%), bronchiectasis (n=4, 0.20%), and other changes (n=83, 4.12%). The incidence of emphysematous appearance was 2.77 times greater in the smokers than in the non-smokers (p<0.05; odds ratio [OR]: 2.77, confidence interval [CI]: 1.56-4.91). While the chest X-ray was normal in 93.50% of the individuals under the age of 40 years, the rate decreased to 84.60% in the individuals over the age of 40 years. The incidence of a pathological chest radiograph was also 2.62 times higher in individuals over the age of 40 years (p<0.001; OR: 2.62, CI:1.90-3.61). Conclusion:The incidence of pathological lung findings was greater in individuals over the age of 40 years, and in workers and retirees.