What causes cryptogenic fibrosing alveolitis? A case-control study of environmental exposure to dust.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the role of occupational and domestic exposure to dust in the aetiology of cryptogenic fibrosing alveolitis.


METHODS
Matched case-control study.


METHODS
40 Patients with cryptogenic fibrosing alveolitis and 106 community controls matched for age and sex who responded to a questionnaire.


METHODS
Responses to self administered questionnaire asking about lifetime exposure to dust, animals, and smoke at home and at work.


RESULTS
The patients with cryptogenic fibrosing alveolitis were more likely to report occupational exposure to metal dust (matched odds ratio 10.97 (95% confidence interval 2.30 to 52.4), p less than 0.001) or wood dust (2.94 (0.87 to 9.90), p = 0.08), to have worked with cattle (10.89 (1.24 to 96.0), p = 0.01), and to have lived in a house heated by a wood fire (12.55 (1.04 to 114), p = 0.009). A history of smoking and social class based on occupation were not significantly related to disease state.


CONCLUSIONS
Environmental exposure to dust may be an important factor in the aetiology of cryptogenic fibrosing alveolitis.
Scott
J
J
Department of Community Medicine and Epidemiology, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham.
Johnston
I
I
Britton
J
J
D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D004391:Dust; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008670:Metals; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011658:Pulmonary Fibrosis / Q000209:etiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014934:Wood
D004391:Dust; D008670:Metals