Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
EUROPEAN RESPIRATORY JOURNAL, cilt.66, ss.1, 2025 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
Introduction: The emergence of rapidly progressing cases of silicosis in artificial stone workers has become a significant issue worldwide. This study was planned to highlight this issue, in the clinical practice of occupational diseases, with the aim of shedding light on the current situation.
Methods: All cases who applied to our clinic between 2018 and 2024 working in the artificial stone industry were included in this study. Respiratory function tests, digital chest X-rays and HRCT scans were assessed. The dust exposure of the cases were evaluated by the occupational disease specialist based on patients’ self-reports, medical history, and sectoral information. In addition, this study conducted a bibliometric analysis of the 100 most cited articles on this topic.
Results: A total of 31 cases were included in the study, the mean age of cases was 40.87±6.97 (25-52) (mean±SD (min-max)) found. The proportion of patients with less than 10 years of silica exposure was 67.8%, while the proportion of patients with 10 years or more of exposure was 32.2%. When comparing these two groups, no statistically significant differences were found in FEV1, FVC, and FEV1/FVC values (p=0.637, 0.422, and 0.981). It was found that pneumoconiosis developed in 8 (25.8%) of all cases, and among these cases, 3 (37.5%) had an exposure duration of less than 10 years (Table 1-2)(Table 1-2 and the results of the bibliometric analysis results will be presented during the conference presentation).
Conclusion: In cases of silicosis developed in workers of the artificial stone production sector, a shorter latent period, more extensive lung damage, and younger workers are observed.