Cluster Analysis of World Trade Center Related Lower Airway Diseases.

ABSTRACT:

Abstract

Introduction: Cluster analysis can classify without a priori assumptions the heterogeneous chronic lower airway diseases found in former workers at the World Trade Center (WTC) disaster site. Methods: We selected the first available chest computed tomography scan with quantitative computed tomography measurements on 311 former WTC workers with complete clinical, and spirometric data from their closest surveillance visit. We performed a nonhierarchical iterative algorithm K-prototype cluster analysis, using gap measure. Results: A five-cluster solution was most satisfactory. Cluster 5 had the healthiest individuals. In cluster 4, smoking was most prevalent and intense but there was scant evidence of respiratory disease. Cluster 3 had symptomatic subjects with reduced forced

SUBMITTER: de la Hoz RE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10842254 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature