[Results of an epidemiological study with subsequent specialized diagnostic studies in dust exposure]. / Ergebnisse einer epidemiologischen Studie mit nachfolgender spezialisierter Diagnostik in einem Staubbetrieb.

Preparing a special occupational health follow-up a cross sectional study in 304 dust exposed workers was performed. According to these screening results 23% of the workers examined revealed as fit only under special conditions. Clinical examinations confirmed these judgements except a small group of 2.9%. In confirmed cases hygienic measures in regard of the working places and/or medical treatments were started. Effectivity will be studied in a longitudinal manner.

[Functional significance of lung siderosis in electrode welders]. / Zur funktionellen Bedeutung von Lungensiderosen bei Elektroschweissern.

56 electric arc welders found in a cross-sectional study to show pulmonary siderosis in full size x-rays were clinically examined. Looking for the discussed functional, relevance of such lung diseases in welders the diagnostic program included spirometry, flow-volume-curves, body-plethysmography, single breath diffusion capacity, pulmonary compliance and ergooxytensiometry. The results are supporting that "lung siderosis" in welders is associated with slight functional deterioration in the type of interstitial lung diseases.

[Value of modern study methods in the early diagnosis and assessment of asbestosis]. / Zum Wert moderner Untersuchungsmethoden für Frühdiagnostik und Begutachtung der Asbestose.

Results of examinations among 31 asbestos-workers with pleural hyalinosis are presented. The hyalinosis was ascertained by means of pleuroscopy and computed tomography. The value of both methods and special function tests in asbestosis is discussed. Diagnostic and expertising of early signs in asbestosis should not rely on x-ray of thorax but include selected and suitable function tests.

[Chronic obstructive airway diseases caused by long-term occupational exposure to asphalt pyrolysis products]. / Chronische obstruktive Atemtrakterkrankungen durch langjährige berufliche Exposition gegenüber Bitumenpyrolyseprodukten.

The paper reports on 6 roofers who have been specialized on production of damming up roofs and insulation of wet rooms for 20 years. There was chronic obstructive bronchitis with functional impairment of different degree in 4 of them. These diseases were acknowledged as occupational diseases by special committee decision (BK SE). The pyrolysis products developing while heating the bituminous masses used for insulation purposes were recognized as causal agents.

[Verification of smoking habits in group studies by anamnesis or determination of serum thiocyanate level?]. / Verifizierung der Rauchgewohnheiten bei Gruppenuntersuchungen durch Anamnese oder Bestimmung des Serumthiozyanatspiegels?

In an unselected series of 336 patients of our clinic for occupational diseases a standardized questionnaire on respiratory symptoms and measurements of lung function (spirometry, body plethysmography, flow-volume-curve) were used to study the relations of these results to smoking habits evaluated by questionnaire or thiocyanate level. Statistical elaboration revealed closer connections between anamnestic data on smoking habits and respiratory impairment than between the latter and thiocyanate level. In conclusion anamnestic data on smoking habits are more reliable than thiocyanate measurements in occupational field studies.

[No information gain by registration of oscillatory resistance against volume]. / Kein Informationsgewinn durch volumenbezogene Registrierung der oszillatorischen Resistance.

The value of volume related registration of oscillatory resistance for early diagnosis of obstructive impairment of lung function was tested in a screening of dust exposed workers in foundries. Compared with conventional, easier to measure mean Ros, registration of Ros against volume did not reveal advantages in studying dose-effect-relationships in groups with different dust exposure.

[Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis--an occupational disease?]. / Die pulmonale alveoläre Proteinose--eine berufsbedingte Erkrankung?

Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis is characterized by an uniform pathomorphologic picture. Actual knowledge regarding causal relationships is discussed reporting a case history.

[Rhythm of lung function during the period of a week, with and without exposure to respiratory tract irritants]. / Beobachtungen zur Rhythmik der Lungenfunktion im Wochenverlauf mit und ohne Exposition gegenüber Atemtraktirritantien.

In 10 subjects without inhalative exposure FVC, FEV-1 and Ros were measured at the same day-time over three weeks. Influence of the week course on lung function could not be proved statistically. On the other hand significant differences of FVC and FEV-1 between week-days depending on working conditions could be shown in 9 workers exposed to heated polyester materials. Likewise lung function values measured during the shift departed from the expected circadian rhythm.

[Pilot study of chronic bronchitis in varnished wire production]. / Pilotstudie zur chronischen Bronchitis in der Lackdrahtproduktion.

Until now knowledge on hazardous effects of wire-varnishings on the lung is insufficient. 31 wire-varnishers and 33 wire-drawers were studied by questionnaire, physical examination and lung function tests. The varnishers showed significant signs of small airways disease (decreased MEF50 and MEF75). They had symptoms like cough, phlegm and wheezing more often than the drawers. These findings supported the argumentation to acknowledge existing chronic bronchitis as a professional disease in three cases.