RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Medical triage for early detection of silicosis in a ceramic tile production plant JF European Respiratory Journal JO Eur Respir J FD European Respiratory Society SP p4934 VO 38 IS Suppl 55 A1 Erik Stigter A1 Jos Rooyackers A1 Remko Houba A1 Dick Heederik YR 2011 UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/38/Suppl_55/p4934.abstract AB Objective: Dust containing crystalline silica may cause silicosis, COPD and lung cancer even at low exposure levels. Since no therapy for silicosis is available, early detection is needed to avoid further exposure and progression of the disease. In the Netherlands a national surveillance programme including medical triage has been implemented to identify construction workers with silicosis. For that purpose a diagnostic model has been developed to predict the probability of silicosis by use of a short questionnaire and lung function [1]. In this study medical triage was applied in a ceramic tile production plant.Methods: The diagnostic model was tailored to the company using historical exposure data. Of a total of 391 workers 353 (90%) participated in the study, 52 of whom (15%) had a high risk (sumscore ≥ 5) and were candidate for medical evaluation, including a low-dose high resolution CT-scan of the lungs.Results: 48 of 52 workers (response 92%) were referred for clinical evaluation. Mean age was 52 (±5) yrs, number of pack years 28 (±21). Silicosis was found in 8 workers (17%), another 3 had an increased number of micronodules on CT (6%). In addition, COPD was present in 6 workers (13%): Gold I in 2 (one of whom had silicosis), Gold II in 3 and Gold III in 1 worker.Conclusion: Medical triage followed by specific clinical evaluation in a population of tile plant workers was effective in the early detection of silicosis and yielded a high percentage of COPD. The results stress the need for exposure measures in the tile production industry.References:1. Suarthana E et al. A simple diagnostic model for ruling out pneumoconiosis among construction workers. Occup Environ Med 2007;64:595-601.