Proefschrift Universiteit Maastricht. / Met bibliogr., lit. opg.

Large quantities of asbestos are used in the building and repairing of ships. Much is used in easily recognisable form and some is incorporated into materials which bear little or no superficial resemblance to the crude fibre at all, but which may still give rise to highly dangerous dust when sawn or otherwise manipulated. The inhalation of this dust over a period of time gives rise to a very disabling and sometimes fatal form or pneumoconiosis known as asbestosis and it is the aim of this article to discuss the prevention of this disease in Dockyard workers .

Objetives. The aim of this study is to evaluate the association between the time of outsourced work and the development of pneumoconiosis in Peruvian miners who attended the "Centro Nacional de Salud Ocupacional y Protección al Ambiente para la Salud" between 2008 and 2011. Materials and methods. Retrospective case-control study. Cases were defined as workers diagnosed of pneumoconiosis under standardized criteria. Outsourced work was defined as the time (in months) of work in a company that does not own the primary mining project. The project owner company was registered in the Mining Companies Directory (Ministerio de Energía y Minas). We used multiple logistic regression with crude and adjusted ORs. Results. The study comprised 391 cases and 1519 controls. In both groups, most of the study subjects had a level of education lower than complete high school and were born and currently lived in the Peruvian highlands. There was statistically significant association between more frequency of pneumoconiosis and working 10 or more years in an outsourced company (OR: 1.50; 95%CI: 1.05-1.14; p=0.026). Miners with pneumoconiosis were more likely not to have education (OR: 3.07; 95%CI: 1.55–6.08; p=0.001), be currently living at the Peruvian highlands (OR: 1.40; 95%CI: 1.10-1.78; p=0.007) and to have more than 20 years of underground work history (OR: 8.92; 95%CI: 4.53-18.25; p<0.001). Conclusions. A statistically significant association was found between pneumoconiosis and the time of outsourced work. Not having education, residing in the Peruvian highlands and the time of underground work were associated risk factors. / Objetivos. Evaluar la asociación entre el tiempo de trabajo tercerizado y el desarrollo de neumoconiosis en trabajadores mineros peruanos atendidos en el Centro Nacional de Salud Ocupacional y Protección al Ambiente para la Salud entre 2008 y 2011. Materiales y métodos. Estudio de casos y controles retrospectivo no pareado. Los casos incluyeron trabajadores diagnosticados de neumoconiosis, según criterios estandarizados. Trabajo tercerizado se definió como meses de trabajo en empresa no titular. Las empresas titulares están registradas en el Directorio Minero del Perú (Ministerio de Energía y Minas). Se realizó regresión logística múltiple con OR crudos y ajustados. Resultados. El estudio incluyó 391 casos y 1519 controles. En ambos grupos, la mayoría tenían estudios menores a secundaria completa y habían nacido y vivían en la sierra. Trabajar 10 o más años en una empresa tercerizadora se asoció significativamente con mayor frecuencia de neumoconiosis (OR 1,50; IC 95%:1,05-2,14; p=0,026). Los casos presentaron mayor probabilidad de no tener ningún tipo de estudio (OR: 3,07; IC 95%:1,55–6,08; p=0,001), residir en la sierra peruana (OR 1,40; IC 95%:1,10-1,78; p=0,007) y haber trabajado más de 20 años en subsuelo (OR 8,92; IC 95%: 4,53-18,25; p<0,001). Conclusiones. Se encontró asociación entre el desarrollo de neumoconiosis y el tiempo de trabajo tercerizado. No tener estudios, residir en la sierra peruana y el tiempo de trabajo en subsuelo fueron factores de riesgo.

Silicosis continues to be an important occupational disease in South Africa, particularly in small, poorly regulated industries. A case series is described of six workers who developed silicosis whilst involved in the processing of semi-precious gem stones. They had been employed as stone sculptors in lapidaries where they processed tigers' eye, rose quartz, amethyst, quartz crystal and a variety of other locally occurring semi-precious stones. In five of the cases exposure was in small and poorly regulated lapidaries without specific dust control measures. The sixth was detected during the course of a health and hygiene survey (including dust sampling) that I conducted in one of two lapidaries still operating in the Western Cape. These workers developed serious disease. Progressive massive fibrosis (PMF) was noted in 4 of the 6 cases, three of whom had progression of their disease after cessation of exposure. With the development of PMF the initial restrictive pulmonary function abnormalities were followed by steadily worsening airflow obstruction. Lung biopsies confirmed silicosis in one case and were suggestive in a further two. Tuberculosis was confirmed in two cases and suspected and treated in a third. Workmen's' Compensation was awarded in five cases. The survey confirmed that in semiprecious gem stone processing, the risk of silicosis appears to be confined to stone sculptors. Tried and proven techniques of general and local exhaust ventilation combined with water or oil to control dust at source were capable of effectively reducing dust emission to acceptable levels.

This objective of this thesis is to explore welfare politics and welfare policy in Britain and South Korea (hereafter Korea) focusing on ex-miners with coal workers’ pneumoconiosis (hereafter CWP) and laws and institutions concerned (the IIA in 1946 and the CWPS in 1974 in Britain, and the IACI in 1964 and the APPPPW in 1984 in Korea). The reason to choose this group is that they stand at complex conjunction of circumstances - the elderly, the poor, the disabled and the persons injured at work. In addition, the reason to examine laws and institutions concerned is that they contain more general issues of welfare politics. The theories adopted in this thesis are historical institutionalism and power resources theory which together give an important insight about institutions, politics and welfare state. Based on these theories, this thesis defines welfare politics, its determinants and why it may be deficient. The major elements of welfare politics can be characterized as class politics as exemplified in the role of trade unions, social democracy as a basic ideology and social corporatism as a type of political participation and policy-making. Generally there are three major variables in welfare politics; the organization of trade unions and control of their members; left-wing political parties and solidarity between trade unions and the parties; and the institutionalization of social dialogue and social policy. From the above determinants, the concept of ‘the deficiency of politics’ can be defined. Firstly, it is a weakness or extinction of class politics through the exclusion of the labour movement. Secondly, it can be explained by the weakness of progressive political parties in state politics or the lack of solidarity between labour unions and political parties resulting in a difficulty of access to social policy formation by trade unions. Finally, the concept of the ‘deficiency of politics’ is related to a poor legacy of institutions and the weakness or absence of a class compromise system. To summarize the research results, there are differences in the areas of welfare politics and welfare system between Britain and Korea. Welfare politics in Britain on this issue includes elements of class politics, labour politics and exchange politics based on balanced power relations among classes and the corporatist political system. Welfare politics in Korea, however, is characterized by pressure group politics in specific areas and legitimacy politics for national goals based on state corporatism. In addition, welfare politics has established different welfare institutions. Korea has established a residual welfare system while Britain has an institutional system. Furthermore, the institutions regulate their welfare politics in different ways: the interests of ex-miners with CWP are secured through established schemes by trade unions in Britain while in Korea the schemes are operated unfairly by interest groups in the interests of a sub-group of the sufferers. As a result, in Korea, welfare politics based on these politics and institutions leads beneficiaries to distrust the Government, relevant institutions, and even their own organization. Similarly, the distrust which exists in Korean ex-miners with CWP can be understood and explained in terms of social policy which has been formed and is being affected by welfare politics. There are five findings in this thesis. Firstly, the distrustful attitudes of Korean ex-miners with CWP originate from welfare institutions and welfare politics which are closely related. Secondly, the principle of new institutionalism, the correlation between institution and politics, is evident in compensation politics in both Britain and Korea. Thirdly, in an explanation of the Korean welfare state, a power resources model rooted in political economy and corporatism is more persuasive than a cultural approach based upon Confucianism. Fourthly, there are many differences in this policy area between Britain and Korea despite similarities in their welfare state regimes. Fifthly, politics rather than institutions are the dominant explanatory variable.

Introdução: As doenças respiratórias ocupacionais constituem um grave problema de saúde pública na realidade brasileira. A silicose é a pneumoconiose mais prevalente, considerada a principal causa de invalidez entre as doenças respiratórias ocupacionais e pode desenvolver uma forma grave de pneumopatia fibrosante levando a insuficiência respiratória crônica onde apenas o transplante pulmonar é a terapia capaz de re-estabelecer a qualidade de vida e assim prolongar a sobrevida destes indivíduos. Objetivo: Fazer uma revisão sistemalizada da literatura sobre o tema “transplante pulmonar” e “silicose” e “sobrevida”, além de avaliar o resultado do transplante pulmonar realizado em pacientes com silicose em estágio terminal, comparando as alterações de função pulmonar entre aqueles submetidos à cirurgia com aqueles que não foram operados, além de detectar os fatores prognósticos que podem influenciar a sobrevida dos pacientes submetidos a este procedimento. Métodos: Após uma busca sistematizada na literatura sobre o tema, 40 artigos foram analisados, sendo que 13 destes descorriam sobre o tema, e cinco tratavam exclusivamente de transplante de pulmão em silicose avançada. Posteriormente, foram retrospectivamente estudados os prontuários de 26 pacientes listados para tranplante pulmonar por silicose pulmonar em estágio terminal, no período entre janeiro de 1989 até junho de 2015 pelo grupo de Transplante Pulmonar da Santa Casa de Porto Alegre – RS. As características epidemiológicas, as medidas de função pulmonar analisadas através de espirometria, teste de caminhada de 6 minutos, teste de difusão do monóxido de carbono, medidas de pressões da artéria pulmonar, foram comparadas entre os grupos transplante versus não transplante. As variáveis categóricas são apresentadas em números absolutos e/ou porcentagem. O pequeno número da amostra não foi suficiente para garantir a normalidade e os dados foram analisados através dos testes não paramétricos do qui-quadrado (x2), teste de Mann Whitnney e teste de Friedman. Para as análises pareadas, foi utilizado o teste de Wilcoxon. Para amostra menor que 5, o teste de exato de Fisher. As variáveis analisadas em relação aos eventos relacionados com mortalidade, foram estudadas através da correlação de Spearman. O sobrevida até o desfecho, estabelecida através da curva de Kaplan-Mayer. Foram assumidos valores de p < 0,005 como os de significância estatística. Resultados: Todos eram homens, com idade de 45,4 + 11 anos, sendo o extrativismo mineral responsável por 44,0% das ocupações. O padrão restritivo observado em 65,4 % dos casos onde 82,3% destes tinham CVF < 40,0% do previsto (CVF de 27,07 + 16,0%) com DLCO 39 + 6,2%, demostrando limitação funcional importante, marcada por uma distância percorrida no TC6M muito curta, 267,4 + 104,5 metros com dessaturação de 10,7 + 5,4%. A história de tabagismo foi observada em 46,2% e de tuberculose em 34,6%. A sobrevida global dos pacientes listados foi de 693,5 (46 – 5.250) dias, todavia no subgrupo dos pacientes transplantados foi de 1.226 (60 – 5.250) dias contra 288 (46 – 1.333) dias nos não transplantados (p= 0,002). A sobrevida após o transplante foi 889 (3 – 5.176) dias, sendo de 85,7% no 1o mês, 69% no 1o ano, 44,0% em três anos e 25,0% em cinco. Apenas o tempo de isquemia foi significamente maior no grupo que faleceu (p= 0,042), entretanto, na análise multivariada, pôde-se perceber que o tempo de isquemia (p= 000, Ro= - 0,842), o tempo de ventilação mecânica (p= 0,045, Ro= - 0,507) e o tempo de permanência dos drenos (p= 0,025, Ro= - 0,558), tiveram impacto negativo sobre a sobrevida. Conclusão: Embora ainda não sejam claros os critérios de indicação de transplante em silicose avançada, observamos que os pacientes mais emagrecidos e possivelmente desnutridos, assim como aqueles com pior função pulmonar, tendem a morrer mais precocemente sem o procedimento. Por outro lado, no grupo de pacientes operados, um tempo de isquemia prolongado, o sangramento transoperatório (desde o ato cirúrgico até a retirada dos drenos) visto através da permanência dos drenos de tórax e a duraçao da ventilação mecânica invasiva, estiveram relacionados com óbito. Ainda que esta série seja a maior encontrada de transplante pulmonar por silicose realizada em um único centro, um número maior de pacientes deve ser estudado e acompanhados para que estas e outras questões possam ser elucidadas. / Background: Occupational respiratory diseases are a serious public health problem in Brazil. Silicosis is the most prevalent pneumoconiosis, considered the leading cause of disability among occupational respiratory diseases. It may develop a severe form of lung fibrosis, leading to chronic respiratory failure, where only therapy that can re-establish the quality of life, and thus prolong the survival of these individuals is lung transplantation. Purpose: To evaluate the outcome of lung transplantation performed in patients with silicosis in terminal stage, comparing the changes in lung function among those undergoing surgery with those who did not undergo surgery, and detect prognostic factors that may influence the survival of patients undergoing this procedure. Methods: We performed a systematic literature review for key words “lung transplantation”, “silicosis”, “survival”, and found 40 articles, wherin 13 adressed this specific theme, and only five exclusivelly to lung transplantation due advanced (end-stage) silicosis. Then, we retrospectively studied the medical records of 26 patients listed for lung tranplante by pulmonary silicosis in terminal stage, in the period from January 1989 to June 2015 by the Lung Transplant group of Santa Casa de Porto Alegre - RS. Epidemiological characteristics, lung function measurements analyzed by spirometry, 6-minute walk test, carbon monoxide diffusion test, pressure measurements of the pulmonary artery, were compared between the transplant versus not transplantation groups. Categorical variables expressed as absolute numbers and/or percentage. The small sample size was not sufficient to ensure the normality, and data were analyzed using non-parametric tests of the chi-square (x2), Mann Whitnney, test and Friedman test. For paired analysis, the Wilcoxon test was used. Sample less than 5, Fisher's exact test was used. The variables analyzed related to mortality were studied by Spearman correlation. The survival rate until the outcome, established by Kaplan- Mayer curve. Values os p <0.005 assumed as statistical significance. Results: All were men, aged 45.4 + 11 years, the mineral extraction accounted for 44.0% of occupation. The restrictive pattern observed in 65.4% of cases where 82.3% of them had FVC <40.0% of predicted (FVC 27.1+ 16,0%) with DLCO 39 + 6.2%, showing significant functional limitation, marked by a very short distance in the 6MWT, 267.4 + 104.5 meters with desaturation 10.7 + 5.4%. A history of smoking was observed in 46.2% and tuberculosis in 34.6%. The overall survival of patients was found 693.5 (46 - 5,250) days, however the subgroup of transplant patients was 1.226 (60 - 5,250) against 288 days (46 - 1,333) in the non-transplanted days (p = 0.002). The survival after transplantation was 889 (3 - 5.176) days, and 85.7% were alive at the first month, 69.0% at 1st year, 44.0% at three years, and 25.0% at five. Only the ischemic time was significantly higher in patients who died (p = 0.042), however, in the multivariate analysis, it was possible to realize that the ischemic time (p = 000, rs = - 0.842), the duration of mechanical ventilation ( p = 0.045, rs = - 0.507) and the drains length of stay (p = 0.025, rs = - 0.558), had a negative impact on survival. Conclusion: Although advanced silicosis in transplant indication criteria are still unclear, we found that the most emaciated and possibly malnourished patients, and those with poor lung function, tend to die earlier without the procedure. On the other hand, those that were operated, a prolonged ischemic time, intraoperative bleeding (from the surgery to the removal of drains) seen through the permanence of thoracic drains, and the duration of mechanical ventilation, were related to death. Although this series is the largest found related to lung transplantation due end stage silicosis performed at a single center, a larger number of patients should be studied and monitored for these and other questions can be clarified.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Umeå : Umeå universitet, 2006. / Härtill 5 uppsatser.

Introdução: A exposição ocupacional na mineração de pedras preciosas e semipreciosas pode causar silicose. Os efeitos da silicose sobre a qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde (QVRS) dos trabalhadores não são bem conhecidos. Objetivo: Estudar a prevalência de silicose em trabalhadores de mineração de pedras preciosas e semipreciosas e avaliar as repercussões da silicose sobre a QVRS destes trabalhadores. Método: Num estudo transversal realizado em Ametista do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil foram estudados 348 mineradores. O diagnóstico de silicose foi estabelecido pela história de exposição e alterações compatíveis com a doença observadas na radiografia de tórax. Foram coletados dados antropométricos e socioeconômicos, história tabágica, dados sobre exposição ocupacional e resultados da espirometria e da radiografia de tórax. A QVRS foi avaliada através do questionário World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQoL-Bref) e do Saint George's Hospital Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ). Os dados são apresentados como média ± DP ou mediana (IQR). Resultados: Foram avaliados 348 trabalhadores, do sexo masculino, com idade de 40±12 anos. A prevalência de silicose foi de 37% (95% DP 32-42). Trabalhadores com silicose eram mais velhos (47±10 anos vs 36±11 anos; p<0,001), tinham menor escolaridade (5±2 anos vs 7±3 anos p<0.001), menor renda (R$ 1152 [835-1411] vs R$ 1382 [1152-1736]; p=0,001) e maior tempo de exposição (28±10 anos vs 16±10 sem silicose, p<0,001). Trabalhadores com silicose tinham pior capacidade vital forçada (CVF; 71±20 % predito vs 93±15% predito; p<0,001) e volume expiratório forçado no primeiro segundo (VEF1; 65±21 % predito vs 92±11% predito; p<0,001). A qualidade de vida esteve mais comprometida nos trabalhadores com silicose (WHOQoL-Bref 11,9±4,0 pontos vs 14,7±2,4 pontos, p<0,001) em comparação com os sem silicose. No SGRQ o maior comprometimento foi observado no domínio atividades no grupo com silicose em comparação com o grupo sem silicose (31,9±26,2 vs 2,8±8,7; p<0,001). Conclusões: A prevalência de silicose em trabalhadores de mineração foi elevada. A doença está relacionada com a exposição à sílica e proteção individual inadequada e tem um impacto negativo na qualidade de vida dos trabalhadores. / Rationale: Occupational exposure in the mining of precious and semi-precious stones can cause silicosis. The effect of silicosis on the health related quality of life (HRQL) is not well known. Aims: To study the prevalence of silicosis in mining of precious and semi-precious stones workers and to evaluate the impact of the disease on workers’ HRQL. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 348 mining workers from Ametista do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, were examined. The diagnosis of silicosis was established by the history of dust exposure and chest radiographic findings. Demographics and socio-economic data, medical and occupational history and results of spirometry and chest radiography were collected. HRQL was assessed using the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL-Bref) questionnaire and the Saint George's Hospital Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ). Data are presented as mean ± SD or median (IQR). A p value <0.05 was considered significant. Results: All workers were male, the mean±SD of age was 40±12 years. The prevalence of silicosis was 37% (95% CI 32-42). Workers with silicosis were older (47±10 years vs 36±11 years; p <0.001), had longer exposure time (28±10 years vs 16±10; p<0.001), had less education (5±2 years vs 7±3 years; p <0.001) and lower income (R$ 1152 [835-1411] vs R$ 1382 [1152-1736]; p=0.001). Workers with silicosis had worse forced vital capacity (FVC; 71±20% predicted vs 93±15% predicted; p<0.001) and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1; 65±21% predicted vs 92±11% predicted; p<0.001). The quality of life was worse in workers with silicosis (WHOQoL-Bref 11.9±4.0 vs 14.7±2.4 points, p <0.001) compared with those without silicosis. The greatest impairment in SGRQ was observed in the domain activity in the group with silicosis compared to the group without silicosis (31.9±26.2 vs 2.8±8.7; p<0.001). Conclusions: The prevalence of silicosis in mining workers was found to be high. The disease is related to silica dust exposure with inappropriate personal protection and has a negative impact on workers’ quality of life.

Introdução: As doenças respiratórias ocupacionais constituem um grave problema de saúde pública na realidade brasileira. A silicose é a pneumoconiose mais prevalente, considerada a principal causa de invalidez entre as doenças respiratórias ocupacionais e pode desenvolver uma forma grave de pneumopatia fibrosante levando a insuficiência respiratória crônica onde apenas o transplante pulmonar é a terapia capaz de re-estabelecer a qualidade de vida e assim prolongar a sobrevida destes indivíduos. Objetivo: Fazer uma revisão sistemalizada da literatura sobre o tema “transplante pulmonar” e “silicose” e “sobrevida”, além de avaliar o resultado do transplante pulmonar realizado em pacientes com silicose em estágio terminal, comparando as alterações de função pulmonar entre aqueles submetidos à cirurgia com aqueles que não foram operados, além de detectar os fatores prognósticos que podem influenciar a sobrevida dos pacientes submetidos a este procedimento. Métodos: Após uma busca sistematizada na literatura sobre o tema, 40 artigos foram analisados, sendo que 13 destes descorriam sobre o tema, e cinco tratavam exclusivamente de transplante de pulmão em silicose avançada. Posteriormente, foram retrospectivamente estudados os prontuários de 26 pacientes listados para tranplante pulmonar por silicose pulmonar em estágio terminal, no período entre janeiro de 1989 até junho de 2015 pelo grupo de Transplante Pulmonar da Santa Casa de Porto Alegre – RS. As características epidemiológicas, as medidas de função pulmonar analisadas através de espirometria, teste de caminhada de 6 minutos, teste de difusão do monóxido de carbono, medidas de pressões da artéria pulmonar, foram comparadas entre os grupos transplante versus não transplante. As variáveis categóricas são apresentadas em números absolutos e/ou porcentagem. O pequeno número da amostra não foi suficiente para garantir a normalidade e os dados foram analisados através dos testes não paramétricos do qui-quadrado (x2), teste de Mann Whitnney e teste de Friedman. Para as análises pareadas, foi utilizado o teste de Wilcoxon. Para amostra menor que 5, o teste de exato de Fisher. As variáveis analisadas em relação aos eventos relacionados com mortalidade, foram estudadas através da correlação de Spearman. O sobrevida até o desfecho, estabelecida através da curva de Kaplan-Mayer. Foram assumidos valores de p < 0,005 como os de significância estatística. Resultados: Todos eram homens, com idade de 45,4 + 11 anos, sendo o extrativismo mineral responsável por 44,0% das ocupações. O padrão restritivo observado em 65,4 % dos casos onde 82,3% destes tinham CVF < 40,0% do previsto (CVF de 27,07 + 16,0%) com DLCO 39 + 6,2%, demostrando limitação funcional importante, marcada por uma distância percorrida no TC6M muito curta, 267,4 + 104,5 metros com dessaturação de 10,7 + 5,4%. A história de tabagismo foi observada em 46,2% e de tuberculose em 34,6%. A sobrevida global dos pacientes listados foi de 693,5 (46 – 5.250) dias, todavia no subgrupo dos pacientes transplantados foi de 1.226 (60 – 5.250) dias contra 288 (46 – 1.333) dias nos não transplantados (p= 0,002). A sobrevida após o transplante foi 889 (3 – 5.176) dias, sendo de 85,7% no 1o mês, 69% no 1o ano, 44,0% em três anos e 25,0% em cinco. Apenas o tempo de isquemia foi significamente maior no grupo que faleceu (p= 0,042), entretanto, na análise multivariada, pôde-se perceber que o tempo de isquemia (p= 000, Ro= - 0,842), o tempo de ventilação mecânica (p= 0,045, Ro= - 0,507) e o tempo de permanência dos drenos (p= 0,025, Ro= - 0,558), tiveram impacto negativo sobre a sobrevida. Conclusão: Embora ainda não sejam claros os critérios de indicação de transplante em silicose avançada, observamos que os pacientes mais emagrecidos e possivelmente desnutridos, assim como aqueles com pior função pulmonar, tendem a morrer mais precocemente sem o procedimento. Por outro lado, no grupo de pacientes operados, um tempo de isquemia prolongado, o sangramento transoperatório (desde o ato cirúrgico até a retirada dos drenos) visto através da permanência dos drenos de tórax e a duraçao da ventilação mecânica invasiva, estiveram relacionados com óbito. Ainda que esta série seja a maior encontrada de transplante pulmonar por silicose realizada em um único centro, um número maior de pacientes deve ser estudado e acompanhados para que estas e outras questões possam ser elucidadas. / Background: Occupational respiratory diseases are a serious public health problem in Brazil. Silicosis is the most prevalent pneumoconiosis, considered the leading cause of disability among occupational respiratory diseases. It may develop a severe form of lung fibrosis, leading to chronic respiratory failure, where only therapy that can re-establish the quality of life, and thus prolong the survival of these individuals is lung transplantation. Purpose: To evaluate the outcome of lung transplantation performed in patients with silicosis in terminal stage, comparing the changes in lung function among those undergoing surgery with those who did not undergo surgery, and detect prognostic factors that may influence the survival of patients undergoing this procedure. Methods: We performed a systematic literature review for key words “lung transplantation”, “silicosis”, “survival”, and found 40 articles, wherin 13 adressed this specific theme, and only five exclusivelly to lung transplantation due advanced (end-stage) silicosis. Then, we retrospectively studied the medical records of 26 patients listed for lung tranplante by pulmonary silicosis in terminal stage, in the period from January 1989 to June 2015 by the Lung Transplant group of Santa Casa de Porto Alegre - RS. Epidemiological characteristics, lung function measurements analyzed by spirometry, 6-minute walk test, carbon monoxide diffusion test, pressure measurements of the pulmonary artery, were compared between the transplant versus not transplantation groups. Categorical variables expressed as absolute numbers and/or percentage. The small sample size was not sufficient to ensure the normality, and data were analyzed using non-parametric tests of the chi-square (x2), Mann Whitnney, test and Friedman test. For paired analysis, the Wilcoxon test was used. Sample less than 5, Fisher's exact test was used. The variables analyzed related to mortality were studied by Spearman correlation. The survival rate until the outcome, established by Kaplan- Mayer curve. Values os p <0.005 assumed as statistical significance. Results: All were men, aged 45.4 + 11 years, the mineral extraction accounted for 44.0% of occupation. The restrictive pattern observed in 65.4% of cases where 82.3% of them had FVC <40.0% of predicted (FVC 27.1+ 16,0%) with DLCO 39 + 6.2%, showing significant functional limitation, marked by a very short distance in the 6MWT, 267.4 + 104.5 meters with desaturation 10.7 + 5.4%. A history of smoking was observed in 46.2% and tuberculosis in 34.6%. The overall survival of patients was found 693.5 (46 - 5,250) days, however the subgroup of transplant patients was 1.226 (60 - 5,250) against 288 days (46 - 1,333) in the non-transplanted days (p = 0.002). The survival after transplantation was 889 (3 - 5.176) days, and 85.7% were alive at the first month, 69.0% at 1st year, 44.0% at three years, and 25.0% at five. Only the ischemic time was significantly higher in patients who died (p = 0.042), however, in the multivariate analysis, it was possible to realize that the ischemic time (p = 000, rs = - 0.842), the duration of mechanical ventilation ( p = 0.045, rs = - 0.507) and the drains length of stay (p = 0.025, rs = - 0.558), had a negative impact on survival. Conclusion: Although advanced silicosis in transplant indication criteria are still unclear, we found that the most emaciated and possibly malnourished patients, and those with poor lung function, tend to die earlier without the procedure. On the other hand, those that were operated, a prolonged ischemic time, intraoperative bleeding (from the surgery to the removal of drains) seen through the permanence of thoracic drains, and the duration of mechanical ventilation, were related to death. Although this series is the largest found related to lung transplantation due end stage silicosis performed at a single center, a larger number of patients should be studied and monitored for these and other questions can be clarified.

Introdução: As doenças respiratórias ocupacionais constituem um grave problema de saúde pública na realidade brasileira. A silicose é a pneumoconiose mais prevalente, considerada a principal causa de invalidez entre as doenças respiratórias ocupacionais e pode desenvolver uma forma grave de pneumopatia fibrosante levando a insuficiência respiratória crônica onde apenas o transplante pulmonar é a terapia capaz de re-estabelecer a qualidade de vida e assim prolongar a sobrevida destes indivíduos. Objetivo: Fazer uma revisão sistemalizada da literatura sobre o tema “transplante pulmonar” e “silicose” e “sobrevida”, além de avaliar o resultado do transplante pulmonar realizado em pacientes com silicose em estágio terminal, comparando as alterações de função pulmonar entre aqueles submetidos à cirurgia com aqueles que não foram operados, além de detectar os fatores prognósticos que podem influenciar a sobrevida dos pacientes submetidos a este procedimento. Métodos: Após uma busca sistematizada na literatura sobre o tema, 40 artigos foram analisados, sendo que 13 destes descorriam sobre o tema, e cinco tratavam exclusivamente de transplante de pulmão em silicose avançada. Posteriormente, foram retrospectivamente estudados os prontuários de 26 pacientes listados para tranplante pulmonar por silicose pulmonar em estágio terminal, no período entre janeiro de 1989 até junho de 2015 pelo grupo de Transplante Pulmonar da Santa Casa de Porto Alegre – RS. As características epidemiológicas, as medidas de função pulmonar analisadas através de espirometria, teste de caminhada de 6 minutos, teste de difusão do monóxido de carbono, medidas de pressões da artéria pulmonar, foram comparadas entre os grupos transplante versus não transplante. As variáveis categóricas são apresentadas em números absolutos e/ou porcentagem. O pequeno número da amostra não foi suficiente para garantir a normalidade e os dados foram analisados através dos testes não paramétricos do qui-quadrado (x2), teste de Mann Whitnney e teste de Friedman. Para as análises pareadas, foi utilizado o teste de Wilcoxon. Para amostra menor que 5, o teste de exato de Fisher. As variáveis analisadas em relação aos eventos relacionados com mortalidade, foram estudadas através da correlação de Spearman. O sobrevida até o desfecho, estabelecida através da curva de Kaplan-Mayer. Foram assumidos valores de p < 0,005 como os de significância estatística. Resultados: Todos eram homens, com idade de 45,4 + 11 anos, sendo o extrativismo mineral responsável por 44,0% das ocupações. O padrão restritivo observado em 65,4 % dos casos onde 82,3% destes tinham CVF < 40,0% do previsto (CVF de 27,07 + 16,0%) com DLCO 39 + 6,2%, demostrando limitação funcional importante, marcada por uma distância percorrida no TC6M muito curta, 267,4 + 104,5 metros com dessaturação de 10,7 + 5,4%. A história de tabagismo foi observada em 46,2% e de tuberculose em 34,6%. A sobrevida global dos pacientes listados foi de 693,5 (46 – 5.250) dias, todavia no subgrupo dos pacientes transplantados foi de 1.226 (60 – 5.250) dias contra 288 (46 – 1.333) dias nos não transplantados (p= 0,002). A sobrevida após o transplante foi 889 (3 – 5.176) dias, sendo de 85,7% no 1o mês, 69% no 1o ano, 44,0% em três anos e 25,0% em cinco. Apenas o tempo de isquemia foi significamente maior no grupo que faleceu (p= 0,042), entretanto, na análise multivariada, pôde-se perceber que o tempo de isquemia (p= 000, Ro= - 0,842), o tempo de ventilação mecânica (p= 0,045, Ro= - 0,507) e o tempo de permanência dos drenos (p= 0,025, Ro= - 0,558), tiveram impacto negativo sobre a sobrevida. Conclusão: Embora ainda não sejam claros os critérios de indicação de transplante em silicose avançada, observamos que os pacientes mais emagrecidos e possivelmente desnutridos, assim como aqueles com pior função pulmonar, tendem a morrer mais precocemente sem o procedimento. Por outro lado, no grupo de pacientes operados, um tempo de isquemia prolongado, o sangramento transoperatório (desde o ato cirúrgico até a retirada dos drenos) visto através da permanência dos drenos de tórax e a duraçao da ventilação mecânica invasiva, estiveram relacionados com óbito. Ainda que esta série seja a maior encontrada de transplante pulmonar por silicose realizada em um único centro, um número maior de pacientes deve ser estudado e acompanhados para que estas e outras questões possam ser elucidadas. / Background: Occupational respiratory diseases are a serious public health problem in Brazil. Silicosis is the most prevalent pneumoconiosis, considered the leading cause of disability among occupational respiratory diseases. It may develop a severe form of lung fibrosis, leading to chronic respiratory failure, where only therapy that can re-establish the quality of life, and thus prolong the survival of these individuals is lung transplantation. Purpose: To evaluate the outcome of lung transplantation performed in patients with silicosis in terminal stage, comparing the changes in lung function among those undergoing surgery with those who did not undergo surgery, and detect prognostic factors that may influence the survival of patients undergoing this procedure. Methods: We performed a systematic literature review for key words “lung transplantation”, “silicosis”, “survival”, and found 40 articles, wherin 13 adressed this specific theme, and only five exclusivelly to lung transplantation due advanced (end-stage) silicosis. Then, we retrospectively studied the medical records of 26 patients listed for lung tranplante by pulmonary silicosis in terminal stage, in the period from January 1989 to June 2015 by the Lung Transplant group of Santa Casa de Porto Alegre - RS. Epidemiological characteristics, lung function measurements analyzed by spirometry, 6-minute walk test, carbon monoxide diffusion test, pressure measurements of the pulmonary artery, were compared between the transplant versus not transplantation groups. Categorical variables expressed as absolute numbers and/or percentage. The small sample size was not sufficient to ensure the normality, and data were analyzed using non-parametric tests of the chi-square (x2), Mann Whitnney, test and Friedman test. For paired analysis, the Wilcoxon test was used. Sample less than 5, Fisher's exact test was used. The variables analyzed related to mortality were studied by Spearman correlation. The survival rate until the outcome, established by Kaplan- Mayer curve. Values os p <0.005 assumed as statistical significance. Results: All were men, aged 45.4 + 11 years, the mineral extraction accounted for 44.0% of occupation. The restrictive pattern observed in 65.4% of cases where 82.3% of them had FVC <40.0% of predicted (FVC 27.1+ 16,0%) with DLCO 39 + 6.2%, showing significant functional limitation, marked by a very short distance in the 6MWT, 267.4 + 104.5 meters with desaturation 10.7 + 5.4%. A history of smoking was observed in 46.2% and tuberculosis in 34.6%. The overall survival of patients was found 693.5 (46 - 5,250) days, however the subgroup of transplant patients was 1.226 (60 - 5,250) against 288 days (46 - 1,333) in the non-transplanted days (p = 0.002). The survival after transplantation was 889 (3 - 5.176) days, and 85.7% were alive at the first month, 69.0% at 1st year, 44.0% at three years, and 25.0% at five. Only the ischemic time was significantly higher in patients who died (p = 0.042), however, in the multivariate analysis, it was possible to realize that the ischemic time (p = 000, rs = - 0.842), the duration of mechanical ventilation ( p = 0.045, rs = - 0.507) and the drains length of stay (p = 0.025, rs = - 0.558), had a negative impact on survival. Conclusion: Although advanced silicosis in transplant indication criteria are still unclear, we found that the most emaciated and possibly malnourished patients, and those with poor lung function, tend to die earlier without the procedure. On the other hand, those that were operated, a prolonged ischemic time, intraoperative bleeding (from the surgery to the removal of drains) seen through the permanence of thoracic drains, and the duration of mechanical ventilation, were related to death. Although this series is the largest found related to lung transplantation due end stage silicosis performed at a single center, a larger number of patients should be studied and monitored for these and other questions can be clarified.