Silicosis and comorbidities J62.8

• Susceptibility of the lungs to infection with frequent occurrence of broncho-pulmonary infections.
• Chronic obstructive bronchitis (COB) (J42.)
• A doubling of risk of COPD of the kidney smoker occurs in coal mines with a cumulative exposure of about 100 particulate matter years; (particulate matter years= mg/m3 x work years).
• emphysema (J43.9)
• Cor pulmonale (I27.9)
• Silico-tuberculosis (10% of cases)
• Lung cancer: doubling of the risk of lung cancer compared to the non-affected population.

• Silicosis and autoimmune diseases:

Among persons with silicosis, the 1 022-case Michigan disease registry found a two- to eightfold risk of rheumatoid arthritis (Caplan syndrome)

• a two- to eightfold risk of systemic lupus erythematosus

• a > than 24-fold risk for systemic scleroderma (M34.0)

• a > than 24-fold risk for ANCA+ ^vasculitis (Makol A et al. 2011).

Established. The most common autoimmune disease among silicosis patients is rheumatoid arthritis. ANCA-associated vasculitis is also much more common in silicosis patients than in the general population.

• Disease patterns of the rheumatic spectrum such as:
  • Systemic scleroderma (M34.0).
  • Caplan syndrome (combination of silicosis with rheumatoid arthritis)

1. Makol A et al (2011) Prevalence of connective tissue disease in silicosis (1985-2006)-a report from the state of Michigan surveillance system for silicosis. Am J Ind Med 54:255-262.