檢驗醫學科楊錫欽YANG, SHIEH-CHINGSHIEH-CHINGYANG2008-12-082018-07-122008-12-082018-07-122000http://ntur.lib.ntu.edu.tw//handle/246246/89480Objectives: To investigate the prevalence of respiratory impairment and its relation to underground exposure among coal workers with simple pneumoconiosis in Taiwan. Methods: This study investigated 284 coal miners , including 122 with X-ray Category 0 and 162 with Categories 1,2,and 3 ( simple pneumoconiosis), from the medical clinics of a hospital. Spirometric measurement and tests for pulmonary diffusing capacity (DLCO) were conducted on each subject.Patients with progressive massive fibrosis (PMF)were excluded. Occupa- tional histories were obtained from questionnaire survey. Results:The prevalence of an abnormally low FEV1/FVC (forc- ed expiratory volume in 1s/forced vital capacity) in sub- jects with simple pneumoconiosis was 42.6%(69/162). For FVC and FEV1, it was 4.9 (8/162) and 10.5%(17/62), respectively. The prevalence of abnormally low spirometric values increas- ed with higher X-ray categories and longer underground ex- posure. The prevalence of an abnormal DLCO was also lower than that of FEV1/FVC. Conclusions:The prevalence of lung functional impairment in simple pneumoconiosis varies with the parameter measured, and DLCO determination may be helpful in case of normal spirometric measurement. (Chin J Public Health. (Taipei):2000;19(6):469-476) Key words :simple pneumoconiosis,prevalence,pulmonary impairment, coal miners .en-USsimple pneumoconiosisprevalencepulmonary impairmentcoal miners[SDGs]SDG3