Artificial stone-associated silicosis in China: A prospective comparison with natural stone-associated silicosis.

ABSTRACT:

Background and objective

We recently noted a dramatic increase in the number of patients with accelerated silicosis associated with exposure to artificial stone dust. Therefore, the natural history of artificial stone-associated silicosis was compared with that of natural stone-associated silicosis.

Methods

A total of 18 patients with artificial stone-associated silicosis and 63 with natural stone-associated silicosis were diagnosed sequentially in 2018 and followed up for a period of 6-12 months. Data were collected from clinical charts.

Results

The median duration of exposure prior to onset of symptoms of silicosis was shorter for patients who had been exposed to artificial stone dust (6.4 vs 29.3 years, P < 0.01). Four of the 18 patients experienced rapid deteriora

SUBMITTER: Wu N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7187561 | biostudies-literature | 2020 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature