Autoimmune findings in patients with silicosis in Spain.

Background: Occupational exposure to silica is related to autoimmune diseases and features of autoimmunity, mainly autoantibodies. The study objectives were to estimate the prevalence of silicosis with associated autoimmune findings or diagnosed autoimmune diseases in Spain, and to assess the clinical and functional characteristics of affected patients. Methods: This is a multicentre prospective study in patients diagnosed with silicosis. Autoantibodies analysed were antinuclear antibodies, isotypes IgA, IgM and IgG, rheumatoid factor, anticyclic citrullinated peptide, anti-Scl70, anti-Ro, and anti-LA. Pulmonary function tests were performed. Results: Autoimmunity was assessed in 105 patients. Autoimmune findings were recorded in 29 (27%) patients, including antinuclear antibodies (n=21), anti-Ro (n=7), rheumatoid factor (n=5) and anti-Scl70 (n=3). Autoimmune disease was diagnosed in 16 (15%) patients, mainly rheumatoid arthritis (n=7) and systemic lupus erythematosus (n=4). Patients with silicosis and autoimmune findings had a lower mean time of exposure to silica and showed a trend toward lower values in pulmonary function tests. Conclusions: Autoimmune findings and diagnosis of autoimmune diseases were frequent in patients with silicosis in Spain.

Características clínicas y supervivencia de los pacientes nunca fumadores con cáncer de pulmón / Clinical Characteristics and Survival in Never Smokers With Lung Cancer

Introducción y objetivo: Analizar la frecuencia, las características clínicas y la supervivencia de los pacientes con cáncer de pulmón nunca fumadores comparándolas con los pacientes fumadores. Pacientes y métodos: Estudio retrospectivo de pacientes diagnosticados de cáncer de pulmón mediante citohistología de 1999 al 2011. Se estimó la supervivencia por el método de Kaplan-Meier. Para estimar la relación entre las variables se usó la prueba de χ2. Resultados: Se diagnosticaron 2.161 pacientes, 396 (18,3%) nunca fumadores. En este grupo la edad media (± desviación estándar) fue de 72,85 ± 10,52, el 64,6% mujeres y el 35,4% hombres. Según la citohistología, el 55,6% eran adenocarcinoma, el 20,5% epidermoide, el 15% de célula pequeña, el 2,7% de célula grande y el 6,2% otros subtipos. El diagnóstico se hizo en estadio avanzado ( IV ) en el 61,4% de pacientes, y el 14,4% recibieron tratamiento quirúrgico. La supervivencia fue del 12,4%, sin diferencias entre los 2 grupos. En el grupo de nunca fumadores las mujeres tuvieron mejor supervivencia que los hombres. Conclusiones: El 18,3% fueron pacientes nunca fumadores. Se diagnosticaron mayoritariamente en mujeres, estadios avanzados y estirpe histológica adenocarcinoma. No hubo diferencias de supervivencia con el grupo de fumadores

Introduction and objective: To analyze the frequency, clinical characteristics and survival of patients with lung cancer (LC) who have never smoked in comparison to patients who smoke. Patients and methods: A retrospective study in patients diagnosed with LC by cytohistology between 1999 and 2011. Survival was estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method. The χ2 test was used to estimate the relationship between the variables. Results: A total of 2161 patients were diagnosed with LC, 396 (18.3%) of whom had never smoked. The mean age (±standard deviation) in this group was 72.85±10.52; 64.6% were women and 35.4% men. According to the cytohistology, 55.6% were adenocarcinoma, 20.5% squamous cell, 15% small cell, 2.7%large cell and 6.2% other subtypes. The diagnosis was made in advanced stage (IV) in 61.4%, and 14.4% of the patients received surgical treatment. Survival was 12.4%, with no differences between the two groups. In the group of never smokers, women had better survival than men. Conclusions: Of the patients diagnosed with LC, 18.3% had never smoked. It was diagnosed mainly in women, at advanced stages and the most common histological type was adenocarcinoma. There were no survival differences compared to the group of smokers

Clinical characteristics and survival in never smokers with lung cancer.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: To analyze the frequency, clinical characteristics and survival of patients with lung cancer (LC) who have never smoked in comparison to patients who smoke. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective study in patients diagnosed with LC by cytohistology between 1999 and 2011. Survival was estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method. The χ(2) test was used to estimate the relationship between the variables. RESULTS: A total of 2161 patients were diagnosed with LC, 396 (18.3%) of whom had never smoked. The mean age (±standard deviation) in this group was 72.85±10.52; 64.6% were women and 35.4% men. According to the cytohistology, 55.6% were adenocarcinoma, 20.5% squamous cell, 15% small cell, 2.7% large cell and 6.2% other subtypes. The diagnosis was made in advanced stage (iv) in 61.4%, and 14.4% of the patients received surgical treatment. Survival was 12.4%, with no differences between the two groups. In the group of never smokers, women had better survival than men. CONCLUSIONS: Of the patients diagnosed with LC, 18.3% had never smoked. It was diagnosed mainly in women, at advanced stages and the most common histological type was adenocarcinoma. There were no survival differences compared to the group of smokers.