Prevalência de silicose em trabalhadores de pedreiras de Pedra Lavrada, PB nos últimos cinco anos.

Abstract

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.