LAUSR

OBJECTIVES It was aimed to determine the factors affecting the development of COPD in pneumoconiosis cases. METHODS Pneumoconiosis cases were divided into two groups as those with only pneumoconiosis and those with coexistence of pneumoconiosis and COPD. Demographic data, smoking habits, PFT, radiological findings, occupational risk factors of the cases were compared. RESULTS COPD was detected in 134 (28.8%) of 465 pneumoconiosis cases included in the study. It was determined that patients who developed COPD were statistically significantly older, had longer exposure duration, had lower FEV1, FVC and FEV1/FVC values, and had more pulmonary symptoms. COPD development was more common in sandblasting workers, dental technicians and miners than in other occupations. CONCLUSION It has been shown that the risk of developing COPD is high in cases of pneumoconiosis, independent of smoking, especially in certain occupational groups.