RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Respirable quartz dust exposure and airway obstruction: A systematic review and meta-analysis
JF European Respiratory Journal
JO Eur Respir J
FD European Respiratory Society
SP P1948
VO 44
IS Suppl 58
A1 Irene Brüske
A1 Elisabeth Thiering
A1 Joachim Heinrich
A1 Katharina M. Huster
A1 Dennis Nowak
YR 2014
UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/44/Suppl_58/P1948.abstract
AB Objective: Studies on exposure to respirable quartz dust at the workplace and the development of chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) were selected into a systematic review, and meta-analyzed to obtain an overall estimate of FEV1 and FEV1/FVC reduction.Data sources: PubMed and Embase were searched from 1970-2010. In total, 257 cross-sectional and longitudinal studies were identified that reported on inorganic dust exposure and had available lung function data. Of the 55 publications which met our inclusion criteria, 11 reported on associations with occupational exposure to respirable quartz dust.Methods: The combined average effect estimate of respirable quartz dust on spirometric parameters was obtained using a random effects model meta-analysis. Between-study heterogeneity was assessed via the I² statistic.Results: Most studies found a significant negative association of FEV1 and FEV1/FVC related to increasing exposure to crystalline quartz at the workplace. One study found an effect only for smokers, and one did not observe such an effect at all. The meta-analysis of cross-sectional studies showed that the mean ratio FEV1/FVC was reduced and FEV1 of workers exposed to respirable quartz dust was 4.6% less than predicted compared to workers with no/low exposure. Both results showed a statistically significant difference.Conclusion: Occupational exposure to respirable quartz dust was associated with a statistically significant decrease in FEV1 and FEV1/FVC, revealing airway obstruction consistent with COPD.funded by the German Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs.