Comorbidities and Causes of Death of Patients With Asbestosis

Abstract

Objective Comorbidities are common and affect the prognosis of patients with interstitial lung diseases, but few previous studies have investigated patients with asbestosis. Methods We collected comorbidities and death causes of 116 patients with asbestosis treated in Oulu University Hospital. Causes of death were confirmed by autopsy in 68% of the cases. Results The most common comorbidities of asbestosis patients were pleural plaques (96%) and coronary artery disease (CAD; 67%). The prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis was 8.6%. The most common underlying causes of death were asbestosis (36%), CAD (24%), and lung cancer (LC) (10%). CAD and LC were associated with shorter survival in adjusted analyses. Conclusions Patients with asbestosis have multiple comorbidities. Prevention and treatment of CAD and LC may influence the prognosis of asbestosis patients.