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Meta-Analysis
. 2021 Mar 2;11(1):4318.
doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-81591-z.

Occupational and environmental risk factors of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: a systematic review and meta-analyses

Yeonkyung Park #  1 , Chiwon Ahn #  2 , Tae-Hyung Kim  3
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

Occupational and environmental risk factors of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: a systematic review and meta-analyses

Yeonkyung Park et al. Sci Rep. .

Abstract

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic, progressive, fibrosing interstitial lung disease of unknown cause. It has a high risk of rapid progression and mortality. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the risk factor of IPF. We searched Medline, Embase, and the Cochrane library from the earliest record to March, 2020. Case-control studies on occupational and environmental risk factors or on jobs with a risk of IPF were searched for. From 2490 relevant records, 12 studies were included. Any occupational or environmental exposure to metal dust (OR 1.83, 95% CI 1.15-2.91, I2 = 54%), wood dust (OR 1.62 5% CI 1.04-2.53, I2 = 5%) and pesticide (OR 2.07, 95% CI 1.24-3.45, I2 = 0%) were associated with an increased risk of IPF. Farming or agricultural work (OR 1.88, 95% CI 1.17-3.04, I2 = 67%) was also associated with an increased risk of IPF. Moreover, smoking increased IPF risk with an odds ratio of 1.39 (95% CI 1.01-1.91, I2 = 29%). In conclusion, metal dust, wood dust, pesticide, occupational history of farming or agriculture and ever smoking increased the risk of IPF.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
PRISMA (preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses) flow diagram.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Risk of IPF in exposure to occupational and environmental risk factors compared with non-IPF subjects. (A) metal dust, (B) wood dust, (C) stone and sand dust, (D) textile dust, and (E) pesticide.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Risk of IPF in occupation compared to non-IPF controls. (A) building construction and demolition workers, (B) farming or agriculture workers, (C) carpentry and wood workers, and (D) textile making workers.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Risk of IPF in ever smoker compared with never smoker.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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