Font Size:
Surveillance for Early Silicosis in High Altitude Miners Using Pulse Oximetry
JOSEPH A DONROE, MD, MPH, PAOLA J MAURTUA-NEUMANN, MD, ROBERT H GILMAN, MD, ANA TERESA ACOSTA, MD, GENE CAIN, MD, JOHN E PARKER, MD, JAIME CARLOS ALVAREZ CARHUARICRA, MD, JUAN JOSE RETIMOZO PADILLA, MD, DANIEL MENDOZA, MD, MIRKO ZIMIC, PHD, DAVID AJ MOORE, MD
Abstract
Two cross-sectional studies in a high altitude region of
Perú evaluated the role of pulse oximetry for detection
of silicosis in high-altitude miners. In study one,
exercise pulse oximetry and chest radiographs were
used to evaluate 343 silica-exposed miners and 141
unexposed subjects for evidence of silicosis. Study 2
investigated the association between exercise oxygen
saturation and silicosis in 32 non-silicotic and 65 silicotic
miners. In study one, age (Odds Ratio [OR] 1.10,
95% Cofidence Interval (CI) 1.07–1.12) and resting
oxygen saturation (OR 0.95, 95%CI 0.90–0.99) were
associated with silicosis. In study two, years of mining
employment (OR 1.14, 95%CI 1.05–1.23) and exercise
oxygen saturation at 30% maximum heart rate (OR
0.86, 95%CI 0.75–0.99) were associated with silicosis.
Hypoxemia at rest and with exercise is associated with
silicosis in high altitude miners. Pulse oximetry should
be further investigated as a screening tool for silicosis
at high altitudes.
Perú evaluated the role of pulse oximetry for detection
of silicosis in high-altitude miners. In study one,
exercise pulse oximetry and chest radiographs were
used to evaluate 343 silica-exposed miners and 141
unexposed subjects for evidence of silicosis. Study 2
investigated the association between exercise oxygen
saturation and silicosis in 32 non-silicotic and 65 silicotic
miners. In study one, age (Odds Ratio [OR] 1.10,
95% Cofidence Interval (CI) 1.07–1.12) and resting
oxygen saturation (OR 0.95, 95%CI 0.90–0.99) were
associated with silicosis. In study two, years of mining
employment (OR 1.14, 95%CI 1.05–1.23) and exercise
oxygen saturation at 30% maximum heart rate (OR
0.86, 95%CI 0.75–0.99) were associated with silicosis.
Hypoxemia at rest and with exercise is associated with
silicosis in high altitude miners. Pulse oximetry should
be further investigated as a screening tool for silicosis
at high altitudes.
Full Text: PDF