[Basic principles of mass screening of patients with asbestosis].

Complex hygienic, clinical and epidemiologic studies were carried out at 2 enterprises producing asbestos-technical products. It was established that the workers engaged in the production of such products were exposed to relatively low levels of asbestos-containing dust. The course, complications and outcome of asbestos-associated fibrosis were studied in 110 patients. The study revealed that asbestosis was characterized by its slowly progressing development. Asbestosis complications included lung tuberculosis, chronic intersticial pneumonia, and lung cancer. Proceesing from the epidemiologic survey higher risk of malignant neoplasms of the lungs was established in patients with asbestosis in comparison with those exposed to asbestos-associated fibrosis were studied in 110 patients. The study revealed that asbestosis was characterized by its slowly progressing development. Asbestosis complications included lung tuberculosis, chronic intersticial pneumonia, and lung cancer. Processing from the epidemiologic survey higher risk of malignant neoplasms of the lungs was established in patients with asbestosis in comparison with those exposed to asbestos-containing dust but having no occupational disease. The study findings were used for the substantiation of dispensarization principles for patients with asbestosis. The number of follow-up, laboratory and other examinations along with basic curative and preventive measures were pointed out.