{
  "abstract": "Background The emerging global epidemic of silicosis in artificial stone worktop fabricators has been reported in at least 8 countries, with >1000 cases identified in both Australia and Spain. Cases were first identified in the UK in mid-2023 1 but are under-recognised due to (i) asymptomatic early disease (ii) inadequate health surveillance (iii) lack of awareness by clinicians (iv) misclassification as sarcoidosis. Early diagnosis is important for many reasons including prevention of progressive disease.Methods We retrospectively reviewed medical records of patients with silicosis attributed to artificial stone exposure from our occupational lung disease clinic. We observed that acute/accelerated disease radiological features were not confined to their defined duration of exposure categories, we therefore categorised cases based on three (exclusive) radiological categories (simple, complicated and acute/accelerated).Results We identified 32 men with artificial stone silicosis; median age was 39 years (range 23–61). Fifteen had CT features of acute/accelerated silicosis and suggests very high exposures. These patients were younger, more likely to be born outside the UK, to be current smokers and to have shorter exposure histories. Eleven patients had self-referred, contacting our service directly via word-of-mouth or after seeing media articles. Of the 19 referred from respiratory specialists, seven had been treated for sarcoidosis for between 6 months and 5 years prior to referral. Three had been treated for presumed tuberculous based on imaging and two presented with acute autoimmune disease requiring ITU support. A single referral from occupational health had undergone spirometry but no imaging. Prevalence of lymphopenia, elevated serum angiotensin converting enzyme levels and positive anti-nuclear antibodies were 46%, 81% and 33% respectively. Unemployment in people with silicosis is high even at presentation (50%). ( table 1)Abstract S112 Table 1Selected demographics and clinical characteristics of 32 patients with artificial stone silicosisConclusion Artificial stone silicosis disproportionally affects a young, vulnerable, migrant workforce often exposed to very high levels of silica. Clinicians should enquire about occupational exposures and be alert to the clinical features which overlap with sarcoidosis and other conditions. The UK health surveillance programme should incorporate early imaging given a significant proportion of cases have onset of disease within 10 years of exposure.Reference Feary, et al. Thorax. 2024 Sep 18;79(10):979–981.",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College, London, UK"
      ],
      "name": "J Feary"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Department of Occupational Lung Disease, Royal Brompton Hospital, London, UK"
      ],
      "name": "T Kabir"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Department of Occupational Lung Disease, Royal Brompton Hospital, London, UK"
      ],
      "name": "J Szram"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Department of Occupational Lung Disease, Royal Brompton Hospital, London, UK"
      ],
      "name": "A Devaraj"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College, London, UK"
      ],
      "name": "P Howlett"
    }
  ],
  "title": "S112 Description of 32 cases of artificial stone silicosis from a single UK centre",
  "uid": "510fa949-4369-5ac2-9c39-6ff1f6f31e11"
}