Pneumoconiosis

Question 1

What is pneumoconiosis?

Answer 1

The pneumoconioses are a group of interstitial lung diseases, mostly of occupational origin, caused by the inhalation of mineral or metal dusts

Question 2

What are the risk factors of pneumoconiosis?

Answer 2

Occupational exposures:
> Silica
> Coal
> Beryllium
> Cigarette smoking

Question 3

What are the signs and symptoms of pneumoconiosis?

Answer 3

> Dyspnoea
> Cough
> Crackles on auscultation
> Tightness or wheezing
> Cyanosis
> Barrel chest
> Haemoptysis
> Clubbing

Question 4

What is the epidemiology of pneumoconiosis?

Answer 4

The incidence of silicosis appears to be decreasing in Great Britain.

Although the number of deaths has been decreasing, the prevalence of coal workers’ pneumoconiosis, advanced coal workers’ pneumoconiosis, and lung transplants for coal workers’ pneumoconiosis has been increasing in the US since the 1990s.

Question 5

What investigations are important for pneumoconiosis?

Answer 5

> CXR
progressive upper zone non-calcified, small, rounded opacities

> Spirometry
Restrictive (may be obstructive or mixed pattern

> Beryllium lymphocyte proliferation test
If sensitised to beryllium: positive response