title: Guidelines for the diagnosis and monitoring of silicosis.
abstract: Silicosis is one of the occupational respiratory diseases most commonly encountered in our setting. It is caused by inhalation of crystalline silica that triggers a fibrotic response in the lung parenchyma. It presents as diffuse interstitial disease and clinical expression ranges from asymptomatic forms to chronic respiratory failure. Diagnosis is based on clinical history and radiological findings. There is no effective treatment, and once diagnosed, the patient must avoid all sources of occupational exposure. In these guidelines, the clinical, radiological and functional aspects of silicosis are reviewed, and strategies for diagnosis, monitoring and classification of patients are proposed, along with recommendations regarding the occupational implications of this disease.
authors.affiliation: Área de Gestión de Pulmón, Servicio de Neumología, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, Oviedo, España. Electronic address: enelllano@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Ramón
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fernández Álvarez
authors.affiliation: Área de Gestión de Pulmón, Servicio de Neumología, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, Oviedo, España.
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Martínez González
authors.affiliation: Área de Gestión de Pulmón, Servicio de Neumología, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, Oviedo, España.
authors.forename: Aida
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Quero Martínez
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Neumología, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, Oviedo, España.
authors.forename: José Jesús
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Blanco Pérez
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Neumología, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, Oviedo, España.
authors.forename: Luis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Carazo Fernández
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Radiología, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, Oviedo, España.
authors.forename: Amador
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Prieto Fernández
mesh_terms: D003948:Diagnostic Techniques, Respiratory System; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D006801:Humans; D010819:Physician's Role; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D015272:Pulmonary Medicine; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012829:Silicosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy; D012922:Social Change; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology
keywords: Enfermedad profesional; Neumoconiosis; Occupational disease; Pneumoconiosis; Silicosis