Pulmonary hypertension in patients with pneumoconiosis with progressive massive fibrosis

Abstract

ObjectivesThis study aims to explore the prevalence and clinical features of pulmonary hypertension (PH) in patients with progressive massive fibrosis (PMF) and its correlation with large opacities on CT scans.MethodsThis retrospective study collected 235 patients with PMF, and 199 were eligible for analysis. The probability of PH development was estimated based on tricuspid regurgitation velocity measured by echocardiogram. The size and the location of large opacities on chest CT were recorded. Potential risk factors for PH secondary to PMF were analysed using regression analysis.ResultsThe prevalence of a high or intermediate probability of PH was 39.7% in patients with PMF. Type C of large opacities (OR 6.99, 95% CI 2.34 to 23.00, p<0.001) and central type of the large opacities (OR 8.12, 95% CI 2.89 to 24.71, p<0.001) were identified as the risk factors for PH secondary to PMF. Over a median follow-up of 32.8 months, the survival rate was 73.3% in the PH group, significantly lower than that in the non-PH group (96.6%, p<0.001).ConclusionsOver one-third of patients with PMF developed PH. The increased size and the central distribution of large opacities were identified as the risk factors.

Pneumoconiosis combined with connective tissue disease in China: a cross-sectional study

“…Previous reports have revealed that comorbidity with CTD may cause an even worse prognosis for patients with pneumoconiosis because of the increased incidence of pulmonary hypertension. 18 Therefore, the identification of risk factors for CTD secondary to pneumoconiosis may help to identify high-risk patients who can benefit from early therapeutic interventions.…”

Vascular compression and pulmonary hypertension: the occupational context

“…In this issue of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Yu et al 1 present findings from a study of 199 miners with progressive massive fibrosis (PMF). Patients at high or intermediate probability of having pulmonary hypertension (PH, n=79) were defined, for the purposes of this study, as having PH on echocardiogram in combination with secondary signs of PH 2…”