Journal Article Epublish
PubMed: 41376686 DOI: 10.5588/pha.25.0024
Development of a history-taking form for mesothelioma patients at risk of exposure to asbestos.
Public Health Action 15(4):160-163
Authors: R Singh, R Kumar, M Nagar, S B Kaipilyawar, H A Anderson, A V Jadhav, T Patel, T R Drischoll, E Prriya, S R Yadav, S Bishnoi, N Singh, K Kaur, A Jakhetiya, N van Zandwijk, S Kumari, D Khosla, S Rajan, A K Verma, A Bhatt, A Sharma, D K Sinha, A Kapoor, R Gill, R Dada, J Kishore, A L Frank
Affiliations
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Dornsife School of Public Health, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Critical Care Medicine and Sleep Disorders, Vardhman Mahavir Medical College & Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi, India.
- Department of Medical Oncology, Vardhman Mahavir Medical College & Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi, India.
- Public Health, Society for Health Allied Research & Education, Hyderabad, India.
- Department of Population Health Sciences, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison, USA.
- Department of Epidemiology, ICMR-National Institute of Virology, Pune, India.
- Department of Pathology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rajkot, India.
- Sydney School of Public Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
- Thoracic Surgery, Navi Mumbai, India.
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India.
- Thoracic Surgery, Medanta Hospital, Gurugram, India.
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.
- Department of Pathology, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research, Puducherry, India.
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Geetanjali Medical College, Udaipur, India.
- Department of Cell and Molecular Therapies, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney Local District & University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
- Gynae-Surgical Oncology, Max Hospital, New Delhi, India.
- Department of Radiotherapy and Oncology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.
- Department of Surgical Oncology, King George's Medical University, Lucknow, India.
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, King George's Medical University, Lucknow, India.
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Shalby Cancer and Research Institute, Ahmedabad, India.
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Institute, Jhajjar, (All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi), India.
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna, India.
- Department of Medical Oncology, Mahamana Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya Cancer Centre & Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital, Tata Memorial Centre, Varanasi, India.
- Department of Radiology, Columbia University, New York, USA.
- Laboratory for Molecular Reproduction and Genetics, Department of Anatomy, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.
- Department of Community Medicine, Vardhman Mahavir Medical College & Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi, India.
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Mesothelioma is causally established to be primarily related to asbestos exposure as a risk factor. Before considering other possible causative factors for mesothelioma, a detailed exposure history is warranted, which looks at possible prior exposures to asbestos. Some exposures may be unknown to patients, may be forgotten or may not be readily available as a comprehensive tool for the clinicians dealing with mesothelioma patients.
METHODS
We used the Delphi anonymous consensus technique to develop and validate a detailed, seven-sectioned, and comprehensive questionnaire that can be readily used by clinicians and researchers. Over two rounds, the experts followed a thorough and rigorous process to validate the questionnaire, including medical history along with occupational, non-occupational as well as para-occupational exposure to asbestos, and many other parameters that can be both rule in and rule out the possibility of mesothelioma. Questions have also been included to factor in other types of dust exposure for an informed differential diagnosis.
RESULTS
We have created a readily available history-taking questionnaire validated by experts, which can be replicated for other conditions and become an essential tool for diagnosis.
CONCLUSION
Apart from accurate and informed diagnosis, this documentation can be valuable for epidemiological, research, policy-informing, legal and compensation related issues.
MeSH
Diagnosis, Differential, Occupational Health, Mesothelioma, Diagnosis, Research, History