TY - JOUR T1 - Chest physician-reported, work-related, long-latency respiratory disease in Great Britain JF - European Respiratory Journal JO - Eur Respir J DO - 10.1183/13993003.00961-2017 VL - 50 IS - 6 SP - 1700961 AU - Melanie Carder AU - Andrew Darnton AU - Matthew Gittins AU - S. Jill Stocks AU - David Ross AU - Chris M. Barber AU - Raymond M. Agius Y1 - 2017/12/01 UR - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/50/6/1700961.abstract N2 - Much of the current burden of long-latency respiratory disease (LLRD) in Great Britain is attributed to historical asbestos exposure. However, continuing exposure to other agents, notably silica, also contributes to disease burden. The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of work-related LLRD reported by chest physicians in Great Britain, including variations by age, gender, occupation and suspected agent.LLRD incidence and incidence rate ratios by occupation were estimated (1996–2014). Mesothelioma cases by occupation were compared with proportional mortality ratios.Cases were predominantly in men (95%) and 92% of all cases were attributed to asbestos. Annual average incidence rates (males) per 100 000 were: benign pleural disease, 7.1 (95% CI 6.0–8.2); mesothelioma, 5.4 (4.8–6.0); pneumoconiosis, 1.9 (1.7–2.2); lung cancer, 0.8 (0.6–1.0); chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), 0.3 (0.2–0.4). Occupations with a particularly high incidence of LLRD were miners and quarrymen (COPD), plumbers and gas fitters (asbestosis), and shipyard and dock workers (all other categories). There was a clear concordance between cases of SWORD mesothelioma and proportional mortality ratios by occupation.Occupationally caused LLRD continues to contribute to a significant disease burden. Many cases are attributable to past exposure to agents such as asbestos and silica, but the potential for occupational exposures persists.Occupational long-latency respiratory disease contributes to a significant disease burden with ongoing exposure risk http://ow.ly/ahyF30gM9DK ER -