THE PREVALENCE AND PREDICTION OF PULMONARY FIBROSIS IN AN

This thesis describes an ancillary project to the Early Diagnosis of Mesothelioma and Lung Cancer in Prior Asbestos Workers study and was conducted to determine the effects of asbestos exposure, pulmonary function and cigarette smoking in the prediction of pulmonary fibrosis. 613 workers who were occupationally exposed to asbestos for an average of 25.9 (SD=14.69) years were sampled from Sarnia, Ontario. A structured questionnaire was administered during a face-to-face interview along with a low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) of the thorax. Of them, 65 workers (10.7%, 95%CI 8.12—12.24) had LDCT-detected pulmonary fibrosis. The model predicting fibrosis included the variables age, smoking (dichotomized), post FVC % splines and post- FEV1% splines. This model had a receiver operator characteristic area under the curve of 0.738. The calibration of the model was evaluated with R statistical program and the bootstrap optimism-corrected calibration slope was 0.692. Thus, our model demonstrated moderate predictive performance.

HG 206.85-206.95 Thin Section

Coarse grained sample with sub-angular to sub-rounded clasts. Clasts range from small to medium sized. Major grain crushing seen throughout the sample. Grain stacking and lineations are also present. A dark organic rich domain can be seen within the sample.

HG 276.80-276.95 Thin Section

Coarse grained sample, with grains ranging from small to large in size. Shapes range from angular to rounded. This sample is abundant in lineations, and rotation structures can also be seen around larger aggregates. Many large grains are fractured and minor grain stacking can also be seen.

HG 303.85-303.95

This is a dark grey, coarse grained sediment with inclusions of fine grained sand. Lineations and grains stacking are the most common features seen, along with grain crushing (mainly edge-to-edge). A few minor rotation structures can also be observed with comet structures.

HG 380.85-380.95

Brown sediment with alternating layers of dark and light sediment. Clasts range from small to large, and are sub-angular. Lineations are abundant in this sample, trending mainly in one direction. Some rotation structures are present.

HG 406.85-406.95

Brown sediment with organic matter and clasts ranging from small to large. The clast shape ranges from sub-angular to sub-rounded. Lineations and grain stacking are the most abundant in this sample. Minor amounts of grain crushing can also be seen.

HG 138.80-138.95

Coarse grained sample with grains ranging from small to large in size. Clast shape ranges from sub-angular to well rounded. Edge-to-edge grain crushing is abundant throughout this sample. Minor amounts of rotation structures and lineations can also be seen.