Radiological progression of pneumoconiosis cases over a 5-year follow-up and contributing factors: a retrospective cohort study

Abstract Background Pneumoconiosis remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide and there is no known effective treatment for the disease. Therefore, preventing progression of pneumoconiosis is crucial. Aims This study aims to evaluate the radiological progression of pneumoconiosis cases and identify factors influencing progression over a 5-year follow-up period. Methods The study included pneumoconiosis cases that presented to the occupational diseases’ clinic of a teaching and research hospital between 2014 and 2024, and for whom radiological imaging and functional assessments were available both at the time of initial diagnosis and at the fifth year. The chest X-rays of patients at initial diagnosis and at 5 years were evaluated by two ILO pneumoconiosis readers for radiological progression. Factors affecting progression were examined using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. A P-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results Of the 759 patients, 131 cases with control evaluations available at the fifth year were included in the study. Radiological progression was detected in 68 cases (52%). Significant differences between the progression and non-progression groups were found for the following factors: age, smoking status, occupational groups, type of pneumoconiosis, pneumoconiosis severity and the dominant small opacity size. Logistic regression analysis identified smoking and working in the ceramics industry as independent risk factors for the development of progression. Conclusions In the follow-up, more than half of the pneumoconiosis cases showed progression. Identifying factors associated with progression will be beneficial in reducing morbidity and mortality related to the disease.