Abstract

Jones, A. W. and Madda, P. J. (1974).Thorax, 29, 195-198. Necropsy incidence of emphysema in Uganda. The incidence and types of pulmonary emphysema and the degree of dust pigmentation of the lungs were investigated in a series of 183 necropsies in Uganda.

Emphysema was present in 43 (23·5%) lungs. Panlobular or centrilobular emphysema was found in 17 cases, an overall incidence of 9·3% (10·4% of the 135 males and 6·3% of the 48 females). It was generally of mild degree and the mean lung involvement, as assessed by a point counting method, was 9·2% in the 17 cases described above. Panlobular and centrilobular emphysema occurred in the older age groups; 13 of the 17 cases were 50 years old or more. The remaining 26 cases consisted of irregular (scar) emphysema which occurred in trace amounts (less than 1%).

Dust pigmentation was present in all 17 cases of emphysematous lungs and was generally more severe than in the non-emphysematous lungs.

The incidence of emphysema in this predominantly rural population is low and is similar to that found in Ibadan, Nigeria.