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KMID : 0381319780170040093
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Korean Journal of Occupational Health
1978 Volume.17 No. 4 p.93 ~ p.102
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Radiographic Progression of Pneumoconiosis
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Abstract
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It is a matter of some interest to know how the progression of pneumoconiosis takes place even in the absence of dust-exposure and under continued dust-exposure as well.
In order to disclose the way in which pneumoconiosis progresses, the author has radiographically observed 375 pneumoconiosis patients over the period of 6 to 152 months. The patients were divided into tow groups, namely one group of 211 patients who were not exposed to dust after initial diagnosis and the other group of 161 pationts who were further exposed to dust even after confirmation of pneumoconiosis. For the former group, radiological examination was carried out periodically every 3 months and for the latter group at irregular intervals.
The results were as follows:
1. In the non-exposure group, 7.7％ of p type patients and 5.2％ of q type progressed into other type of small round opacities, while, in the exposed group, 36.8％ of p type patients and 35.5％ of q type showed progression.
2. With regard to the profusion of small round opacities, 19.4％ of non-exposure group and 57.2％ of exposure group progressed into higher categories during the observation period.
3. The rate of progression was as a whole higher in younger group than in older group. The progression rate was more marked among coal miners than tunnel drivers and other underground workers.
4. It seems that there exists a certain activating mechanism for the progression of pneumoconiosis, as the process took place only at irregular and intermittent intervals rather than at steedy speeds.
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