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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Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluation of health status of Turkishceramic workers (n=99). For this purpose, leukocyte (WBC), hemoglobin (HGB),haematocrit (HCT), thrombocyte (PLT), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartateaminotransferase (AST), creatinine (CR), arsenic (As) and mercury (Hg) levelswere investigated in workers and their controls (n=81). Also spirometry tests, chestradiographs and workplace dust measurement were analyzed.Methods: As and Hg levels determined by Inductively Coupled Plasma MassSpectrometry (ICP-MS). AST, ALT and CR levels were analyzed by Konelab Prime60i auto-analyzer while Hb, PLT, WBC numbers and HCT percentages weremeasured by Coulter LH780. Chest radiographs of workers were taken by using ashort exposure time with high voltage technique. Standard spirometry measurementsof workers and controls were done with a dry seal spirometry Dust samples werecollected with badge dosimeter and analyzed by gravimetrically.Results: In this study, WBC, PLT, AST, ALT, CR, As and Hg levels of workers higherwhile HGB and HCT levels lower than the controls. 38 workers were diagnosed withsilicosis, 9 workers were suspected to have silicosis, whereas 52 workers were foundto be healthy. Average value of FEV1/FVC ratios was found to be 81.430±5.314(Mean ± SD) for workers and 81.31±5.22 (Mean ± SD) for controls. The meanconcentration of respirable total dust in workplace was 3.58 mg/m3.Conclusion: Ceramic workers must be considered as risky persons as their workingconditions affect many organs and systems in their body such as liver, kidney andhematopoetic system.
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