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.
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Purpose: Direct inguinal hernia is a protrusion of the visceral contents through the weakened part of the abdominalwall. The serum level of vitamin D has a positive correlation with muscle mass and functions. Therefore, decreased serumlevels of vitamin D may facilitate direct inguinal hernia development. We aimed to compare the serum levels of vitaminD in patients with direct inguinal hernia and healthy individuals.Materials and Methods: Between April 2018 and October 2018, 30 patients with direct inguinal hernia (28 male, 2female) and 30 healthy individuals within the control group (28 male, 2 female) were included in the study. Serumvitamin D levels of the participants and ultrasound findings of the patients were reviewed retrospectively.Results: The mean serum 25(OH)D level was 23.11±8.42 ng/mL in patients and 24.77±10.67 ng/mL in healthyindividuals, respectively (p=0.77). Serum 25(OH)D level was decreased in 27 (90%) patients, and it was within normallimits in 3 (10%) patients. Serum 25(OH)D level was decreased in 21 (70%) healthy individuals, and it was normal in 9(30%) healthy individuals within the control group (p=0.11).Conclusion: The results obtained from this study revealed that the patients with direct inguinal hernia had lower serumvitamin D levels than healthy individuals. However, there was no statistically significant difference in serum vitamin Dlevels between patients with inguinal hernia and control group. Therefore, our hypothesis if low serum 25(OH)D levelscaused direct inguinal hernia could not be proved. A larger sample group is needed for further investigation.
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