Silicosis en trabajadores con conglomerados artificiales de cuarzo / Silicosis in Artificial Quartz Conglomerate Workers

Introducción: La silicosis es una enfermedad crónica progresiva producida por la inhalación de sílice cristalina. La mayoría de los casos aparecen en trabajadores de minería de interior y extracción de piedra natural (pizarra, granito). Ante la progresiva aparición de nuevos casos de silicosis en trabajadores con conglomerados artificiales de cuarzo (CAC), se planteó un estudio que tuvo como objetivo analizar las características de la silicosis producida por un nuevo agente en España. Métodos: El estudio consistió en una serie de 96 casos diagnosticados de silicosis según criterios internacionales durante el periodo comprendido entre 2010 y 2017. Se analizaron las características clínicas, radiológicas, funcionales y patológicas. Resultados: La edad media fue de 45 años, el 55% con silicosis simple y el 45% con silicosis complicada. En 10 pacientes se diagnosticó silicosis acelerada, con una media de 33 años de edad. El tiempo medio de exposición a los conglomerados fue de 15 años y en un 77% no se utilizaban medidas de protección adecuadas. La mitad de los pacientes estaban asintomáticos y presentaban diferentes formas clásicas en la radiografía de tórax y tomografía computarizada de alta resolución de tórax, así como imágenes de vidrio deslustrado. No se observaron alteraciones en la función pulmonar. Conclusiones: La silicosis en los trabajadores con CAC se observa en personas jóvenes, en activo, en un considerable porcentaje de forma acelerada, con escasos síntomas y sin alteración funcional. Las medidas de protección son escasas. Es importante conocer estas características para el diagnóstico precoz y las necesarias medidas preventivas

Introduction: Silicosis is a chronic progressive disease caused by inhalation of crystalline silica. Most cases develop in underground mine workers and in subjects involved in the extraction of natural stone (slate and granite). In view of the progressive emergence of new cases of silicosis in artificial quartz conglomerate workers, we performed a study to analyze the characteristics of silicosis produced by this new agent in Spain. Methods: The study consisted of a series of 96 cases of silicosis diagnosed according to international criteria during the period 2010-2017. We analyzed clinical, radiological, pathological and functional characteristics. Results: Mean age of participants was 45 years; 55% had simple silicosis and 45% had complicated silicosis. Ten patients were diagnosed with accelerated silicosis, with a mean age of 33 years. Mean time of exposure to conglomerates was 15 years, and 77% had not used appropriate protection measures. Half of the patients were asymptomatic and presented different classic forms on chest X-ray and chest high-resolution computed tomography, along with ground-glass images. No lung function changes were recorded. Conclusions: Silicosis in artificial quartz conglomerate workers occurs in a young, actively employed population, a considerable percentage of whom present an accelerated form. They have few symptoms and no functional limitations. Protection measures are scarce. It is important to characterize these features to provide early diagnosis and implement the necessary preventive measures

Silicosis in Artificial Quartz Conglomerate Workers. / Silicosis en trabajadores con conglomerados artificiales de cuarzo.

INTRODUCTION: Silicosis is a chronic progressive disease caused by inhalation of crystalline silica. Most cases develop in underground mine workers and in subjects involved in the extraction of natural stone (slate and granite). In view of the progressive emergence of new cases of silicosis in artificial quartz conglomerate workers, we performed a study to analyze the characteristics of silicosis produced by this new agent in Spain. METHODS: The study consisted of a series of 96 cases of silicosis diagnosed according to international criteria during the period 2010-2017. We analyzed clinical, radiological, pathological and functional characteristics. RESULTS: Mean age of participants was 45 years; 55% had simple silicosis and 45% had complicated silicosis. Ten patients were diagnosed with accelerated silicosis, with a mean age of 33 years. Mean time of exposure to conglomerates was 15 years, and 77% had not used appropriate protection measures. Half of the patients were asymptomatic and presented different classic forms on chest X-ray and chest high-resolution computed tomography, along with ground-glass images. No lung function changes were recorded. CONCLUSIONS: Silicosis in artificial quartz conglomerate workers occurs in a young, actively employed population, a considerable percentage of whom present an accelerated form. They have few symptoms and no functional limitations. Protection measures are scarce. It is important to characterize these features to provide early diagnosis and implement the necessary preventive measures.