Continued exposure to silica after diagnosis of silicosis in Brazilian gold miners.
BACKGROUND
There is a paucity of studies analyzing the effect of continued silica exposure after the onset of silicosis with regard to disease progression. The present study investigates differences in clinical and radiological presentation of silicosis among former workers with a diagnosis of silicosis, and compares workers who continued to be exposed to silica with those who stopped silica exposure after having received their diagnosis.


METHODS
A sample of 83 former gold miners with a median of 21 years from the first diagnoses of silicosis, had their clinical and occupational histories taken and underwent both chest radiography (International Labor Organization standards) and spirometry. Their silica exposure was assessed and an exposure index was created. The main outcome was the radiological severity of silicosis and tuberculosis (TB). The statistical analysis was done by multiple logistic regression.


RESULTS
Among the 83 miners, 44 had continued exposed to silica after being diagnosed with silicosis. Continuation of silica exposure was associated with advanced radiological images of silicosis (X-ray classification in category 3, OR = 6.42, 95% CI = 1.20-34.27), presence of coalescence and/or large opacities (OR = 3.85, CI = 1.07-13.93), and TB (OR = 4.61, 95% CI = 1.14-18.71).


CONCLUSIONS
Differential survival is unlikely to explain observed differences in silicosis progression. Results reinforce the recommendation that silica exposure should be halted at an early stage whenever X-ray is suggestive of the disease.
Carneiro
Ana Paula Scalia
AP
Regional Reference Centre on Workers' Health, Clinical Hospital, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Minas Gerais, Brazil. apscalia@email.com
Barreto
Sandhi Maria
SM
Siqueira
Arminda Lucia
AL
Cavariani
Fulvio
F
Forastiere
Francesco
F
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001938:Brazil; D029481:Bronchitis, Chronic / Q000145:classification / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D018450:Disease Progression; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006046:Gold; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008906:Mining; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D010995:Pleural Diseases / Q000145:classification / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D001261:Pulmonary Atelectasis / Q000145:classification / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011656:Pulmonary Emphysema / Q000145:classification / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012829:Silicosis / Q000145:classification* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013147:Spirometry; D013997:Time Factors; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000145:classification / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging
D006046:Gold; D012822:Silicon Dioxide