Validity of pulmonary function test measured by spirometry in silicosis patients classified according to international labor organization classification: A retrospective study

Background: Silicosis is one of the common occupational disease affecting mainly developing countries like India, an estimated 2.34 million people die each year from work-related accidents and diseases. Silicosis leads to Obstructive and restrictive pattern of lung disease that will lead to decreased lung function. Methodology: In this study we classified patients of silicosis with the help of chest X-ray according to International Labor Organization classification (ILO) classification, 2011 and pulmonary functional capacity of these patients was measured by spirometry to assess the effect of silicosis on pulmonary functional capacity. Results: The mean FEV1 change from grade 1 to grade C of ILO classification is 54.9%. The mean FVC change was 33.24% and the mean FEV1/FVC change was 34.64%. Conclusions: The ILO classification of Pneumoconiosis to assess the severity of silicosis by chest X-ray is a very important tool since its grading of X-rays correlate with pulmonary functional status of silicosis patients. Keywords: ILO; Silicosis; Spirometry.