A 50-year-old man working in a coal mining factory for 16 years develops symptoms of progressively worsening breathlessness and cough with expectoration. A spirometry was performed and his values were: FEV1 - 1.4 L/min, FVC 2.8L/min . What could be the cause?
The FEV1/FVC ratio of the patient is low which indicates obstructive airway disease. Coal workers pneumoconiosis is associated with effects of coal dust on alveolar macrophages leading to the development of chronic bronchitis and COPD. Spirometry Obstructive lung disease Restrictive lung disease FEV1 VC FEV1/FVC RV FRC Low ++ Low+ Low High High Low + Low++ Normal / High Low Low
Silicosis
Hypersensitivity pneumonitis
COPD
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
Respiratory System