Emphysema Score (E Score) of Leigh et al in a Coal Miner

Parameters:

(1) coal content in the lungs in g/L (determined by drying both lungs to a powder then determining the total mineral content and mineral matter in grams, with coal content the difference; the volume in L was calculated as the predicted vital capacity based on age and height)

(2) age of the patient in years

(3) ounces of tobacco smoked per week (with 1 ounce = 28 grams)

E score 1 for miners who smoke =

= (0.22 * (coal content)) + (0.07 * (age in years)) + (0.10 * (tobacco use)) - 1.73

E score 2 for miners who smoke =

= (0.62 * (coal content)) + (0.06 * (age in years)) + (0.21 * (tobacco use)) - (0.17 * (coal content) * (tobacco use)) - 1.79

E score for miners who have never smoked =

= (0.78 * (coal content)) + (0.06 * (age in years)) - 1.56

Interpretation:

• The degree of emphysem correlated with the E-score .

• The higher the E-score the lower the FEV1.

• Pulmonary fibrosis correlates with the silica content.