Zhang Shenyu, Xiong Jun, Ruan Xinyi, Ji Chongyan, Lu Hanxin
School of Public Administration, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
School of Public Health and Nursing, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
Front Public Health. 2025 Apr 23;13:1579851. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2025.1579851. eCollection 2025.
Pneumoconiosis, a group of occupational lung diseases caused by prolonged inhalation of mineral dust, remains a critical global health threat due to persistent workplace exposures in high-risk industries such as mining, construction, and artificial stone processing. These occupational hazards are exacerbated by inadequate dust control measures, insufficient use of personal protective equipment (PPE), and underreporting in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs). Emerging industries, including engineered stone fabrication, have introduced new risks, leading to accelerated silicosis among younger workers. Despite global efforts to improve occupational safety, socio-economic disparities, regulatory gaps, and public health crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic have further complicated disease management. This study analyzes trends in the global burden of pneumoconiosis from 1990 to 2021, providing evidence to inform post-pandemic strategies for occupational health equity and dust exposure mitigation.
The data for this study were sourced from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 database, utilizing age-standardized incidence rates (ASIR), prevalence rates (ASPR), mortality rates (ASDR), and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) as the primary assessment indicators. Dynamic changes in the burden of pneumoconiosis were analyzed by estimating the annual percentage changes (EAPCs). The correlation between the Socio-Demographic Index (SDI) and the burden of pneumoconiosis was examined using Pearson correlation tests. Additionally, we conducted decomposition and inequality analyses and Bayesian Age-Period-Cohort (BAPC) to assess trends and distribution related to the pneumoconiosis burden.
The global incidence of pneumoconiosis increased from 42,187.99 cases in 1990 to 62,866.45 cases in 2021, accompanied by a rise in mortality rates. Notably, the burden of pneumoconiosis remains disproportionately higher among men than women across nearly all regions. The highest incidence and mortality rates were recorded in the age group of 80 years and older, with a pronounced gender disparity, particularly in East Asia and High-income North America. These rates were generally elevated in low-income and lower-middle-income regions, where males exhibited significantly higher ASIR and ASDR compared to females. No correlation was found between the SDI values and the pneumoconiosis burden. Additionally, absolute inequality among SDI countries decreased from 1990 to 2021, whereas relative inequality demonstrated an upward trend during the same period.
尘肺病是一组因长期吸入矿物粉尘而引起的职业性肺部疾病，由于采矿、建筑和人造石材加工等高风险行业持续存在工作场所暴露情况，它仍然是全球严重的健康威胁。粉尘控制措施不足、个人防护装备（PPE）使用不充分以及低收入和中等收入国家（LMICs）报告不足，加剧了这些职业危害。包括工程石材制造在内的新兴行业带来了新的风险，导致年轻工人中矽肺病加速出现。尽管全球致力于改善职业安全，但社会经济差距、监管漏洞以及COVID-19大流行等公共卫生危机使疾病管理更加复杂。本研究分析了1990年至2021年全球尘肺病负担趋势，为制定大流行后职业健康公平和减少粉尘暴露战略提供依据。
本研究数据来源于《2021年全球疾病负担（GBD）》数据库，使用年龄标准化发病率（ASIR）、患病率（ASPR）、死亡率（ASDR）和伤残调整生命年（DALYs）作为主要评估指标。通过估计年度百分比变化（EAPCs）分析尘肺病负担的动态变化。使用Pearson相关检验研究社会人口指数（SDI）与尘肺病负担之间的相关性。此外，我们进行了分解和不平等分析以及贝叶斯年龄-时期-队列（BAPC）分析，以评估与尘肺病负担相关的趋势和分布。
全球尘肺病发病率从1990年的42187.99例增至2021年的62866.45例，死亡率也有所上升。值得注意的是，几乎在所有地区，男性的尘肺病负担仍远高于女性。发病率和死亡率最高的是80岁及以上年龄组，存在明显的性别差异，尤其是在东亚和高收入北美地区。在低收入和中低收入地区，这些比率普遍较高，男性的ASIR和ASDR明显高于女性。未发现SDI值与尘肺病负担之间存在相关性。此外，1990年至2021年期间，SDI国家之间的绝对不平等有所下降，而相对不平等在此期间呈上升趋势。
