Ann Occup Environ Med.
2015 ;27(1):6. 10.1186/s40557-015-0056-1.
Work-related COPD after years of occupational exposure
- Affiliations
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- 1Department of Occupational & Environmental Medicine, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea. dr_mjp@naver.com
- 2Department of Occupational & Environmental Medicine, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, 222 Banpo-Daero Seocho-gu, Seoul, 137-701 Republic of Korea.
- 3Center for Occupational and Environmental Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
- 4Department of Occupational & Environmental Medicine, Korea Medical Institute, Suwon, Republic of Korea.
- KMID: 2370852
- DOI: http://doi.org/10.1186/s40557-015-0056-1
Abstract
- BACKGROUND
Cigarette smoking is known as the most important risk factor of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, occupational exposure to other substances can result in COPD.
CASE REPORT
A 76-year-old man with occupational exposures to mixtures of silica dust, gas, and fumes for 10 years and with a 25 pack-year smoking history was diagnosed with COPD. His computed tomogram scan revealed some hyperinflation with emphysematous change in both upper lobes. In the pulmonary function tests, his post-bronchodilator forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), and FEV1/FVC% were 2.20 L (67% of the predicted value), 1.12 L (52% of the predicted value), and 51%, respectively, indicating moderate COPD. This case of COPD was confirmed as a work-related disease by the Occupational Lung Disease Research Institute in Korea Workers' Compensation & Welfare Service.
CONCLUSION
Exposure to various substances such as silica dust, gas, and fumes from furnace and boiler installation was likely the cause of COPD in this patient. Thus, occupational exposure should be considered an important risk factor of COPD.
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