Clinical and Epidemiological Profile of Patients with Pulmonary Silicosis at Hassan II Hospital in Agadir

Abstract

<bold>Introduction:</bold> Silicosis is a lung disease caused by the inhalation of free crystalline silica. It is a pneumoconiosis characterized by fibrotic remodeling of the lung. The aim of our study was to describe the clinical and socio-professional characteristics of patients with silicosis. <bold>Methods:</bold> We conducted a retrospective study at the pneumology department of Hassan II Hospital in Agadir over a period of three years from January 2020 to January 2023. <bold>Results:</bold> We collected data on 12 cases of pulmonary silicosis. All patients were male, with ages ranging from 46 to 90 years. They worked as miners in 83.3% of cases and as well drillers in 16.6% of cases. The distribution of the population according to the region of activity was as follows: 6 cases (mines in Jerada), 2 cases (mines in Ouarzazate), and 2 cases (mines in Nord-Pas-de-Calais, France). The average length of occupational exposure ranged from 2 to 22 years. Active smoking was found in 35% of patients. Among respiratory history, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) was the most frequent at 25%. Silicosis-tuberculosis association was observed in two patients, and anthracosilicosis in one case. The predominant symptoms were dyspnea in 95% of cases, chest pain in 53% of cases associated with hemoptysis in 30% of cases, and general deterioration in 8.3% of cases. Disease progression led to respiratory failure in 16.6% of cases, one patient experienced pneumothorax complication, and two cases resulted in death. <bold>Conclusion:</bold> Special medical surveillance combined with reinforcement of collective and individual protective measures could improve the prognosis of these occupational diseases.