Silicosis and Urinary Analysis

Abstract

INTRODUCTION[|]Occupational exposure to silica has been thought to be associated with renal diseases for some 40 years, but there are no data about the kidney function of silicosis pa- tients in Turkey. [¤]METHODS[|]In this study we examined the kidney function and urinary test results of all of the silicosis patients diagnosed at Istanbul Occupational Disease Hospital between March 1, 2011 and May 31, 2011, and the death rate of those patients as of May 2014.[¤]RESULTS[|]Urinary pathology was seen mostly in patients working as denim sandblasters and in glass sandblasters. However, urine abnormalities did not affect the 3-year mortality.[¤]DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION[|]A urinary analysis and renal function evaluation of patients who are exposed to silica should not be neglected. Although urinary pathology was not shown to affect the 3-year mortality in silicotic patients, in the long-run we assume that it may lead to renal nephropathies and premature death, especially in denim sandblasters and glass sandblasters.[¤]

Keywords

• mortality
• nephropathy; silicosis; urine.