Table 2.
Clinical characteristics of patients with hard metal lung disease
| Value | |
|---|---|
| Mean age at diagnosis (years) | 46.4±14.1 (21–65) |
| Gender | |
| M/F | 12/7 |
| Smoking history | |
| Cur/ex/never | 0/3/16 |
| Chief complaints | |
| Dry cough | 13/19 |
| Breath shortness | 8/19 |
| Pneumothorax | |
| Yes | 8/19 |
| Allergic history | |
| Yes | 5/19 |
| Patch test to cobalt | |
| Positive | 4/5 |
| Mean exposure duration (years) | 10.7±10.3 (1–36) |
| Physical findings | |
| Rales on auscultation | 11/19 |
| Fine crackles | 8/19 |
| Finger clubbing | 4/18 |
| Oedema of leg | 1/16 |
| Laboratory tests | |
| KL-6 | 502.7±267.5 U/mL |
| SP-D | 216.1±192.4 ng/mL |
| Pulmonary function tests | |
| VC, % predicted | 64.8±25.3% |
| FEV1 | 1.71±0.70 L |
| FEV1/FVC | 85.6±10.7% |
| DLco, % predicted | 53.4±17.0% |
| Bronchoalveolar lavage | |
| Total cell count | 3.13±2.11×105/mL |
| Lymphocytes | 24.3±22.3% |
| Neutrophils | 3.07±2.86% |
| Eosinophils | 3.01±5.03% |
| CD4/8 ratio | 1.65±2.96 |
Results expressed as mean±SD (range).
DLco, carbon monoxide diffusing capacity; FEV1, forced expiratory volume in 1 s; FVC, forced vital capacity; KL-6, Krebs von den Lungen 6; SP-D, surfactant protein D; VC, vital capacity.