Occupational lung disease (RESP) Flashcards
Define occupational lung disease.
Long-term exposure to irritants being inhaled into lungs - any respiratory disease that is caused or made worse by exposures at work
AKA pneumoconiosis
What are pneumoconioses (occupational lung disease)?
Group of interstitial lung diseases, mostly of occupational origin, caused by the inhalation of mineral or metal dusts
What are the two main types of occupational lung disease?
- sensitiser-induced: immunological stimuli - latency between first exposure and onset of symptoms
- irritant-induced: non-immunological stimuli
What are some common irritants and the type of occupational lung disease they cause? (4)
- coal - coal worker’s pneumoconiosis
- asbestos - asbestosis/asbestos-related lung disease
- silicon - silicosis
- beryllium - berylliosis
What are some common types of occupational lung disease? (8)
- COPD
- asthma
- lung cancer
- infectious diseases
- pneumoconiosis
- asbestos-related lung disease
- silicosis
- allergic alveolitis
When should occupational asthma be suspected?
In all adult patients with asthma
Which occupation is coal workers’ pneumoconiosis most common in?
Coal miners - diagnosis usually 15-20 years after initial exposure to coal dust
How does simple pneumoconiosis present?
Asymptomatic
Which condition does simple pneumoconiosis increase the risk of?
COPD
What condition may simple pneumoconiosis lead to?
Progressive massive fibrosis
How does progressive massive fibrosis (occupational lung disease) present? (2)
- exertional SOB
- cough +/- black sputum
Which lobes does progressive massive fibrosis (occupational lung disease) most commonly affect?
Upper lobes
What is found on CXR in (coal workers’) pneumoconiosis?
Upper zone fibrosis
What will spirometry show in (coal workers’) pneumoconiosis?
Restrictive pattern
What is silicosis (occupational lung disease)?
Fibrotic lung disease caused by inhalation of silica
