Occupational exposure and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: a multicentre case-control study in Korea.
Multicentred hospital-based cases and control subjects in Korea.



To evaluate the association between idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and hazardous materials to which people are occupationally exposed.



A multicentre, hospital-based, matched case-control study was performed. The ratio of IPF cases to controls was 1:1 (n = 78 in each group). IPF cases and controls were matched in terms of age group, sex and place of residence. Conditional logistic regression analysis was performed.



In simple logistic regression analysis, exposure to metal dust and any exposure for >1 year in an occupational setting were significantly associated with IPF (metal dust OR 4.00, 95%CI 1.34-11.97; any exposure OR 3.67, 95%CI 1.02-13.14). After adjustment for environmental and military exposures and smoking history, the OR for metal dust exposure was 4.97 (95%CI 1.36-18.17) in multiple logistic regression analysis.



Metal dust was associated with incident IPF in Seoul and Gyeonggi Provinces in Korea. This information will be used to support a tailored preventive strategy in specific industries or occupations.
Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Seoul St Mary's Hospital, Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, South Korea; Center for Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Seoul St Mary's Hospital, Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, South Korea.
J-W
JW
Koo
Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Seoul St Mary's Hospital, Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, South Korea<; Center for Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Seoul St Mary's Hospital, Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, South Korea.
J-P
JP
Myong
Department of Internal Medicine, Yeouido St Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, South Korea.
H-K
HK
Yoon
Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul St Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, South Korea.
C K
CK
Rhee
Department of Internal Medicine, Bucheon St Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon, South Korea.
Y
Y
Kim
Department of Internal Medicine, Incheon St Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, Catholic University of Korea, Incheon, South Korea.
J S
JS
Kim
Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Seoul St Mary's Hospital, Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, South Korea.
B S
BS
Jo
Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Seoul St Mary's Hospital, Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, South Korea.
Y
Y
Cho
Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Seoul St Mary's Hospital, Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, South Korea.
J
J
Byun
Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Seoul St Mary's Hospital, Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, South Korea.
M
M
Choi
Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Seoul St Mary's Hospital, Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, South Korea; Center for Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Seoul St Mary's Hospital, Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, South Korea.
H-R
HR
Kim
Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute, Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency, Ulsan, Republic of Korea.
E-A
EA
Kim
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004391:Dust / Q000032:analysis; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D054990:Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D056910:Republic of Korea / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors
D004391:Dust