Association between impaired lung function and coronary artery calcium score in workers exposed to inorganic dust

Reduced lung function, measured by forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV₁) are linked to oxidative stress and systemic inflammation, which are important in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Here, we assessed the association between impaired lung function and atherosclerosis (measured by coronary artery calcium score) in workers exposed to inorganic dust in Korea. Coronary artery calcium score (CACS) examination was conducted in 115 subjects from April-July 2010. Of the total subjects, 90 participants completed pulmonary function tests in triplicate. Of these, we excluded 7 participants who had history of cardiovascular disease, such as myocardial infarction, stroke, cerebral hemorrhage, or any prior history of malignancy. Finally, 83 subjects were suitable for analyses. Of a total of 83 participants, 18 subjects had a CACS value >100, while 65 subjects had a CACS value ≤100. After adjustment for age, an occupational history of mining, pneumoconiosis profusion type, and conventional risk factors for cardiovascular disease, an inverse correlation was found between a CACS value >100 and FVC% predicted in our logistical regression model (odds ratio, 8. 94; 95% confidence interval, 1. 48-53. 97). Overall, our findings indicate an inverse relationship between restrictive lung disease and atherosclerosis risk in workers exposed to inorganic dust.