Objective: In recent years, non-smoking factors contributing to the etiology of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) have gained attention. Occupational exposures are known to account for 14% of the COPD burden. In this study, we aimed to document the demographic, clinical, functional, and radiological characteristics of COPD patients who presented to the occupational diseases outpatient clinic with respect to their occupational exposure.
Materials and Methods: The records of 33 patients with a final diagnosis of COPD, admitted to our outpatient clinic between 2013 and 2022, were analyzed retrospectively. The COPD diagnosis was made by an experienced occupational diseases specialist and two pulmonologists. Subgroups were created as non-occupational, work-exacerbated COPD, and occupational COPD.
Results: All patients were male. The patients had a history of working in various sectors, including mining, metal processing, textiles, ceramics, construction, dental prosthesis manufacturing, cement production, food production, denim sandblasting, transport, and brick production. Six patients (18.2%) were diagnosed with non-occupational COPD, 16 (48.5%) with work-exacerbated COPD, and 11 (33.3%) with occupational COPD. There were no associated effects of smoking and dust exposure on forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and FE1/FVC (Forced Vital Capacity) levels. Furthermore, 69.7% of the cases had more than one type of exposure (multiple exposure), and there was no statistically significant difference between occupational status and multiple or single exposure. No significant association was found between COPD-related radiological findings and the duration of exposure to silica dust, coal dust, metal dust, or organic dust.
Conclusion: Vapors, dust, smoke, and gases in the workplace may contribute to COPD, even among non-smokers. Patients with suspected occupational exposure should be referred to occupational health and occupational diseases outpatient clinics.