CABRAL, Clarissa Melo.; NAVARRO, Rômulo Feitosa.; DANTAS, Deborah Rose Galvão.
Résumé:
The silicosis is considered the oldest occupational disease and the leading cause of disability from respiratory
diseases related to work, such as the treatment of stones. Its pathophysiology is explained by the deposition of
crystals of silica in the alveoli and bronchial tree, which leads to the formation of scar tissue, impairing gas
exchange. Due to the scarcity of epidemiological surveys on silicosis in Brazil and the near absence of such
research in the Northeast, this study has developed to seek for statistical data on the disease in the city of Pedra
Lavrada, PB, which was chosen by the importance of quarries for its economy, such activity is directly linked to
the development of disease in miners. The study was guided in data collection episodes from the Municipal
Health Registry and interviews directed to patients who met the criteria for inclusion in the research. It was a
great number of under-reporting of cases and inadequate filling of death certificates in which the cause of death
is recorded as other diseases other than silicosis. Regarding the epidemiological profile, the patients were from a low socioeconomic level, with a mean age of 45.8 years, average working time of 25.8 years and exposure time
to confirm the diagnosis of disease of 26.8 years. Other data and their discussions may be found in topic results
and discussion.