Ida Ayu Jasminarti, Winariani
Departemen Pulmonologi dan Kedokteran Respirasi Universitas Airlangga Surabaya
Abstract
Background: Stone mining is a profession with high risks to occupational lung disease due to silica inhalation in working environment causing silicosis. Silicosis is a fibrosing disease of the lungs caused by the inhalation, retention, and pulmonary reaction to crystalline silica. Particles of silica are deposited in the lung, ingested by alveolar machoraphages, then activate proinflammatory cytokines and fibrogenic factors that leads to lung damage, and decline of lung function. Fibrosis is a Th2 mediated disease, and IL-13 is one of its component. Many studies reported elevation of IL-13 level in lung fibrosis. Symptomatic silicosis develops 5 to 30 years following exposure. We detect any proinflammatory cytokine which contribute in fibrosis process, such as IL-13. This study also measure abnormality of lung function due to stone dust exposure.
Methods: We conducted a cross sectional observational analysis study among stone crushers in Gerokgak, Buleleng Bali. Interleukin-13 serum and lung function test were obtained from the samples. Cumulative stone dust exposure was measured by nephelometer and exposure duration. Relationship of cumulative stone dust exposure and IL-13 level and lung function were analyzed by chi square test, and Prevalence Relative was also assessed.
Results: There was no significant relationship between cumulative stone dust exposure and IL-13 level (p = 0,735). High cumulative stone dust exposure was significantly related to abnormal lung function(p = 0,01, PR 3,6; 1,033-12,542).
Conclusion: Cumulative exposure of stone dust have no significant relationship between serum levels of IL-13, but there is a significant relationship with impaired lung function. (J Respir Indo. 2016; 36: 122-29)
Keywords: Stone dust exposure, silicosis, lung fibrosis, IL-13 level, lung function