[Silicosis among former copper mine workers]. / Silicose em ex-mineiros de extração de cobre.

There is a dearth of Brazilian studies analyzing the effect of ongoing exposure to silica among former copper mine workers, as radiographic readings for silicosis have received widespread medical attention. The scope of this study is to investigate the clinical and radiological manifestations of silicosis among former copper mine workers. A sample of 100 former copper miners had their clinical and occupational histories recorded and underwent chest radiography in a cross-sectional study that included personal interviews in which their age, sex and time worked in copper extraction were recorded. Patients with recent chest X-Rays brought them with them, or they signed a term of consent and X-Rays were taken and analyzed by the radiologist using the Student t Test and Pearson test. Among the 100 miners, 35% had silicosis, 11% had conditions other than silicosis, such as tuberculosis, emphysema, chronic pulmonary obstructive disease, and 54% had no pulmonary lesions. The high incidence of silicosis reinforces the recommendation that exposure should be halted as soon as an X-ray detects the condition.

Silicose em ex-mineiros de extração de cobre / Silicosis among former copper mine workers

Existe escassez de estudos brasileiros analisando o efeito da exposição contínua à sílica em ex-trabalhadores de minas de cobre. Os achados radiográficos produzidos pela silicose têm recebido atenção médica especial. O objetivo deste estudo foi caracterizar clinica e radiologicamente a silicose em ex-mineiros de extração de cobre. Foi feito um estudo transversal com 100 ex-mineiros de extração de cobre. Os itens foram coletados através de entrevista pessoal, dados clínicos ocupacionais e foram realizados exames radiológicos. Na entrevista foi verificada a idade, o sexo e o tempo de trabalho na extração de cobre. Os pacientes que já realizaram exame radiológico de tórax trouxeram estes para comparação. Os mineiros assinaram um termo de consentimento para realização dos exames radiológicos o qual foi aplicado pelo radiologista que os interpretou. Entre os 100 ex-mineiros, 35 por cento são portadores de silicose, 11 por cento apresentaram alterações pulmonares que podem ter outras causas, como tuberculose, enfisema e doença broncopulmonar obstrutiva crônica, e 54 por cento não apresentaram nenhuma alteração pulmonar. A alta freqüência de silicose encontrada reforça a recomendação de suspender a exposição à sílica tão logo se tenha uma radiografia sugestiva da doença.

There is a dearth of Brazilian studies analyzing the effect of ongoing exposure to silica among former copper mine workers, as radiographic readings for silicosis have received widespread medical attention. The scope of this study is to investigate the clinical and radiological manifestations of silicosis among former copper mine workers. A sample of 100 former copper miners had their clinical and occupational histories recorded and underwent chest radiography in a cross-sectional study that included personal interviews in which their age, sex and time worked in copper extraction were recorded. Patients with recent chest X-Rays brought them with them, or they signed a term of consent and X-Rays were taken and analyzed by the radiologist using the Student t Test and Pearson test. Among the 100 miners, 35 percent had silicosis, 11 percent had conditions other than silicosis, such as tuberculosis, emphysema, chronic pulmonary obstructive disease, and 54 percent had no pulmonary lesions. The high incidence of silicosis reinforces the recommendation that exposure should be halted as soon as an X-ray detects the condition.

Silicose em ex-mineiros de extração de cobre / Silicosis among former copper mine workers

Introdução: Existe escassez de estudos brasileiros analisando o efeito da exposição contínua à sílica em ex-trabalhadores de minas de cobre. Os achados radiográficos produzidos pela silicose têm recebido atenção médica especial. O objetivo deste estudo foi caracterizar clínica e radiologicamente a silicose em ex-mineiros de extração de cobre. Métodos: Estudo transversal, com 100 ex-mineiros de extração de cobre. Os dados foram coletados através de entrevista pessoal, dados clínicos ocupacionais e exames radiológicos. Na entrevista foi verificada a idade, sexo e o tempo de trabalho na extração de cobre. Os pacientes que já haviam realizado exame radiológico de tórax trouxeram estes para comparação. Os ex-mineiros assinaram um termo de consentimento para a realização dos exames radiológicos os quais foram aplicados pelo radiologista que os interpretou. Resultados: Entre os 100 ex-mineiros 35% são portadores de silicose, 11% apresentaram alterações pulmonares que podem ter outras causas, como tuberculose, enfisema e doença broncopulmonar obstrutiva crônica e 54% não apresentaram nenhuma alteração pulmonar. Conclusão: A alta frequência de silicose encontrada reforça a recomendação de suspender a exposição à sílica tão logo se tenha uma radiografia sugestiva da doença

Introduction: There is scarcity of Brazilian studies analyzing the effect of continuous exposure to silica in former workers of copper mines. The radiographic images produced by silicosis have received special medical attention. The aim of this study was to characterize clinical and radiological silicosis in former copper mine workers. Methods: Cross-sectional study of 100 ex-copper miners. Data were collected through personal interview, occupational clinical data, and radiological examinations. In the interviews we recorded age, gender and working time on the extraction of copper. Patients who had previously undergone chest X-rays have brought these for comparison. The ex-miners signed a consent form to be submitted to Xrays, which was applied by the same radiologist that interpreted them. Results: Among the 100 ex-miners 35% are diagnosed with silicosis, 11% had lung abnormalities that may have other causes such as tuberculosis, emphysema and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and 54% had no pulmonary change. Conclusion: The high incidence of silicosis found reinforces the recommendation to suspend silica exposure as soon as there is a radiograph suggestive of the disease