Integrating routine blood biomarkers and artificial intelligence for supporting diagnosis of silicosis in engineered stone workers.

Engineered stone silicosis (ESS), primarily caused by inhaling respirable crystalline silica, poses a significant occupational health risk globally. ESS has no effective treatment and presents a rapid progression from simple silicosis (SS) to progressive massive fibrosis (PMF), with respiratory failure and death. Despite the use of diagnostic methods like chest x-rays and high-resolution computed tomography, early detection of silicosis remains challenging.

Reply to Yigit, S.; Akinci, B. Comment on "Vázquez-Gandullo et al. Inspiratory Muscle Training in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) as Part of a Respiratory Rehabilitation Program Implementation of Mechanical Devices: A Systematic Review. 2022, , 5564".

We would like to thank you for your interest [...

Plasma Cytokine Profiling Reveals Differences between Silicotic Patients with Simple Silicosis and Those with Progressive Massive Fibrosis Caused by Engineered Stone.

Engineered stone silicosis has become an occupational epidemic disease that progresses rapidly to progressive massive fibrosis with respiratory failure and death, and there is no effective treatment. Silica deposition in the lung triggers a series of inflammatory reactions with the participation of multiple cytokines and cellular mediators whose role in the development and progression of the disease is largely unknown. We hypothesized that differences in plasma cytokine levels exist between patients diagnosed with simple silicosis (SS) and patients diagnosed with progressive massive fibrosis (PMF).

Inflammatory indices obtained from routine blood tests show an inflammatory state associated with disease progression in engineered stone silicosis patients.

Patients with silicosis caused by occupational exposure to engineered stone (ES) present a rapid progression from simple silicosis (SS) to progressive massive fibrosis (PMF). Patient classification follows international rules based on radiology and high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT), but limited studies, if any, have explored biomarkers from routine clinical tests that can be used as predictors of disease status. Our objective was thus to investigate circulating biomarker levels and systemic inflammatory indices in ES silicosis patients whose exposure to ES dust ended several years ago.

Inspiratory Muscle Training in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) as Part of a Respiratory Rehabilitation Program Implementation of Mechanical Devices: A Systematic Review.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a complex and heterogeneous disease, with pulmonary and extrapulmonary manifestations, which leads to the need to personalize the assessment and treatment of these patients. The latest updates of national and international guidelines for the management of COPD reveal the importance of respiratory rehabilitation (RR) and its role in improving symptoms, quality of life, and psychosocial sphere of patients. Within RR, the inspiratory muscle training (IMT) has received special interest, showing benefits in maximum inspiratory pressure, perception of well-being, and health status in patients with chronic heart disease, respiratory diseases, and dyspnea during exercise.

Compositional and structural analysis of engineered stones and inorganic particles in silicotic nodules of exposed workers.

Background: Engineered stone silicosis is an emerging disease in many countries worldwide produced by the inhalation of respirable dust of engineered stone. This silicosis has a high incidence among young workers, with a short latency period and greater aggressiveness than silicosis caused by natural materials. Although the silica content is very high and this is the key factor, it has been postulated that other constituents in engineered stones can influence the aggressiveness of the disease.

Artificial Stone Silicosis: Rapid Progression Following Exposure Cessation.

Background: Silicosis is rapidly emerging in high-income countries in relation to the replacement of natural stone with artificial stone, especially in the manufacturing and installation of kitchen and bathroom countertops. Progression of this form of silicosis following the cessation of exposure is unknown.

Research Question: The objective of this study was to determine the radiologic progression and lung function in individuals with artificial stone silicosis.

Seasonal variability in clinical care of COPD outpatients: results from the Andalusian COPD audit.

Objectives: Clinical practice in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can be influenced by weather variability throughout the year. To explore the hypothesis of seasonal variability in clinical practice, the present study analyzes the results of the 2013-2014 Andalusian COPD audit with regard to changes in clinical practice according to the different seasons.

Methods: The Andalusian COPD audit was a pilot clinical project conducted from October 2013 to September 2014 in outpatient respiratory clinics of hospitals in Andalusia, Spain (8 provinces with more than 8 million inhabitants) with retrospective data gathering.

Determinants for changing the treatment of COPD: a regression analysis from a clinical audit.

Introduction: This study is an analysis of a pilot COPD clinical audit that evaluated adherence to guidelines for patients with COPD in a stable disease phase during a routine visit in specialized secondary care outpatient clinics in order to identify the variables associated with the decision to step-up or step-down pharmacological treatment.

Methods: This study was a pilot clinical audit performed at hospital outpatient respiratory clinics in the region of Andalusia, Spain (eight provinces with over eight million inhabitants), in which 20% of centers in the area (catchment population 3,143,086 inhabitants) were invited to participate. Treatment changes were evaluated in terms of the number of prescribed medications and were classified as step-up, step-down, or no change.

Guideline Adherence in Outpatient Clinics for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Results from a Clinical Audit.

Objectives: Previous clinical audits of COPD have provided relevant information about medical intervention in exacerbation admissions. The present study aims to evaluate adherence to current guidelines in COPD through a clinical audit.

Methods: This is a pilot clinical audit performed in hospital outpatient respiratory clinics in Andalusia, Spain (eight provinces with more than 8 million inhabitants), including 9 centers (20% of the public centers in the area) between 2013 and 2014.

Clinical Audits in Outpatient Clinics for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Methodological Considerations and Workflow.

Objectives: Previous clinical audits for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have provided valuable information on the clinical care delivered to patients admitted to medical wards because of COPD exacerbations. However, clinical audits of COPD in an outpatient setting are scarce and no methodological guidelines are currently available. Based on our previous experience, herein we describe a clinical audit for COPD patients in specialized outpatient clinics with the overall goal of establishing a potential methodological workflow.