Mixed dust fibrosis and tuberculosis in comparison with silicosis and macular pneumoconiosis.
BACKGROUND
To assess the relationship between mixed dust fibrosis (MDF) and tuberculosis.


METHODS
We performed a comparative analysis with MDF, silicosis, and macular pneumoconiosis (Mac), using autopsy records from 1975 to 1994.


RESULTS
Prevalences of having tuberculosis among MDF, silicosis, and Mac were not significantly different, albeit a tendency of higher prevalence in silicosis. Cure rates of tuberculosis were, in order, silicosis < MDF < Mac (P=0. 085). Death rates associated with tuberculosis were, in order, silicosis > MDF=Mac (P=0.911). With respect to the two types of association with tuberculosis, i.e., combined type (tuberculopneumoconiosis) and complicated one (pneumoconiosis with tuberculosis); the former was significantly dominant in silicosis, the latter was significantly dominant in Mac, and intermediate in MDF. As a whole, the complicated type had a tendency of a higher cure rate than the combined type (P=0.071). Although the differences of profiles between the combined and complicated types were not statistically significant, the combined type had a tendency to have longer duration of exposure to dusts, earlier registration for treatment, higher profusion score, and earlier death compared with the complicated type.


CONCLUSIONS
From our findings, MDF takes an intermediate position between silicosis and Mac regarding the relationship with tuberculosis. The type of association with tuberculosis rather than the kind of background pneumoconiosis seemed to be more important in light of responsiveness to the treatment.
Taguchi
O
O
Department of Internal Medicine, Keihai-Rosai Hospital, Fujihara, Japan.
Saitoh
Y
Y
Saitoh
K
K
Fuyuki
T
T
Shida
H
H
Mishina
M
M
Chiyotani
K
K
Honma
K
K
D001344:Autopsy; D004391:Dust / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D008297:Male; D008906:Mining; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D011009:Pneumoconiosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D011658:Pulmonary Fibrosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D012293:Rifampin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000009:adverse effects; D012829:Silicosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control
D004391:Dust; D012822:Silicon Dioxide; D012293:Rifampin