ILO pneumoconiosis radiologic classification and clinical features of welders diagnosed with pneumoconiosis: a descriptive study

Year 2025, Volume: 8 Issue: 4 , 726 - 730 , 30.07.2025

Bilge Akgündüz

https://doi.org/10.32322/jhsm.1721663

https://izlik.org/JA55YB35ME

Abstract

Aims: This study aims to describe the radiological and clinical characteristics of welders diagnosed with pneumoconiosis, based on the International Labour Organization (ILO) classification system.
Methods: In this retrospective descriptive study, 31 welders diagnosed with pneumoconiosis between January 2021 and May 2025 were included. Demographic data, occupational exposure history, ILO pneumoconiosis radiologic classification, pulmonary function tests (PFTs), and in selected cases, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) results were analyzed.
Results: The mean age was 43.7±8.7 years, and 96.8% were male. Average smoking exposure was 18.6±12.2 pack-years. The mean duration of occupational exposure was 21.0±9.9 years, with 96.8% working in the metal sector. The most common small opacity was p/p (48.4%), and the most frequent profusion scores was 1/1 (35.5%). PFT results were generally within normal limits. BAL was performed in two cases to exclude hypersensitivity pneumonitis.
Conclusion: Welders may develop pneumoconiosis with early radiological changes despite normal pulmonary function. Early diagnosis through detailed occupational history and HRCT, along with cessation of exposure, is crucial to prevent disease progression.

Keywords

Pneumoconiosis , welding , ILO classification

Ethical Statement

This retrospective descriptive study was prepared as a research between 01 January 2021 and 31 May 2025. Ethics committee approval was not obtained (Decision No: ESH/BAEK 2025/198, dated 12.06.2025). Institutional approval was obtained.

Thanks

Author thanks to Sabri Akgündüz and Şerife Akgündüz.

Pnömokonyoz tanısı alan kaynakçıların ILO pnömokonyoz radyolojik sınıflaması ve klinik özellikleri: tanımlayıcı bir çalışma

https://izlik.org/JA55YB35ME

Abstract

Amaç: Bu çalışmanın amacı, pnömokonyoz tanısı alan kaynakçıların radyolojik ve klinik özelliklerini Uluslararası Çalışma Örgütü (ILO) sınıflandırma sistemine göre tanımlamaktır.
Yöntemler: Bu retrospektif tanımlayıcı çalışmaya, Ocak 2021 ile Mayıs 2025 tarihleri arasında pnömokonyoz tanısı alan 31 kaynakçı dahil edildi. Demografik veriler, mesleki maruziyet öyküsü, ILO pnömokonyoz radyolojik sınıflaması, solunum fonksiyon testleri (SFT) ve seçilmiş olgularda bronkoalveoler lavaj (BAL) sonuçları analiz edildi.
Bulgular: Olguların ortalama yaşı 43,7±8,7 yıl olup, %96,8’i erkekti. Ortalama sigara maruziyeti 18,6±12,2 paket-yıldı. Ortalama mesleki maruziyet süresi 21,0 ± 9,9 yıl olup, %96,8’i metal sektöründe çalışmaktaydı. En sık gözlenen küçük opasite türü p/p (%48,4), en yaygın profüzyon skoru ise 1/1 (%35,5) idi. SFT sonuçları genel olarak normal sınırlarda bulundu. İki olguda hipersensitivite pnömonitisini dışlamak amacıyla BAL uygulandı.
Sonuç: Kaynakçılarda, solunum fonksiyonları normal olmasına rağmen erken radyolojik değişikliklerle pnömokonyoz gelişebilir. Detaylı mesleki öykü ve Yüksek Çözünürlüklü Toraks BT (HRCT) ile erken tanı konulması ve maruziyetin sonlandırılması, hastalığın ilerlemesini önlemede kritik öneme sahiptir.

Keywords

Pnömokonyoz , Kaynakçılık , ILO Sınıflaması

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