Thoracic Research and Practice
Original Article

Risk Factors for Mortality in Denim Sandblasters Silicosis: Selecting Candidate for Lung Transplantation

1.

Department of Pulmonology, Ankara Occupational Diseases Hospital, Ankara, Turkey

2.

Department of Occupational Medicine, Dr. Suat Seren Chest Diseases and Thoracic Surgery Training and Research Hospital, İzmir, Turkey

3.

Department of Chest Diseases, Dr. Suat Seren Chest Diseases and Thoracic Surgery Training and Research Hospital, İzmir, Turkey

4.

Department of Epidemiology, Dokuz Eylül University, İzmir, Turkey

5.

Department of Chest Diseases, Atatürk Chest Diseases and Thoracic Surgery Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey

6.

Department of Toxicology, Ankara Occupational Diseases Hospital, Ankara, Turkey

Thorac Res Pract 2021; 22: 50-56
DOI: 10.5152/TurkThoracJ.2021.19151
Read: 828 Downloads: 325 Published: 01 January 2021

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to review the risk factors for silicosis together with survival analysis and a perspective for lung transplantation with data from a single center.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of denim sandblasters who were referred to our center between January 2006 and December 2011 and evaluated 219 patients with a history of denim sandblasting with a minimum follow-up period of 5 years until 2016. We analyzed several personal and occupational features, together with functional and radiologic data.

RESULTS: Of the 219 denim sandblasters, 107 (49%) had been diagnosed with silicosis. In the logistic regression analysis, the duration of exposure was the only independent risk factor for the development of silicosis, indicating a 9% increased risk of silicosis for every month of exposure (p<0.001; odds ratio 1.09; 95% confidence interval 1.050–1.132). Of the patients, 7 (3%) died. A forced expiratory volume in the first second of <44% and a forced vital capacity of <47% were associated with an increased risk of mortality. Mortality was significantly higher in the international labor office category 3 patients, and 5-year survival rates of patients with A, B, and C lung opacities were 88%, 67%, and 25%, respectively.

CONCLUSION: Silicosis still kills young workers. Severe radiologic involvement and decreased lung volumes are related to mortality, and lung transplantation is the only therapeutic option.

Cite this article as: Nadir Öziş T, Şafak Alıcı NŞ, Alıcı İO, et al. Risk factors for mortality in denim sandblasters silicosis: Selecting candidate for lung transplantation. Turk Thorac J 2021; 22(1): 50-6.

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