Risk Factors of Mortality from All Asbestos-Related Diseases: A Competing Risk Analysis

Abstract EN

Background.

The mortality from all malignant and nonmalignant asbestos-related diseases remains unknown.

The authors assessed the incidence and risk factors for all asbestos-related deaths.

Methods.

The sample included 544 patients from an asbestos-exposed community in the area of Barcelona (Spain), between Jan 1, 1970, and Dec 31, 2006.

Competing risk regression through a subdistribution hazard analysis was used to estimate risk factors for the outcomes.

Results.

Asbestos-related deaths were observed in 167 (30.7%) patients and 57.5% of these deaths were caused by some type of mesothelioma.

The incidence rate after diagnosis was 3,600 per 100,000 person-years.

In 7.5% of patients death was non-asbestos-related, while pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma were identified in 87 (16.0%) and 18 (3.3%) patients, respectively.

Conclusions.

Age, sex, household exposure, cumulative nonmalignant asbestos-related disease, and single malignant pathology were identified as risk factors for asbestos-related death.

These findings suggest the need to develop a preventive approach to the community and to improve the clinical follow-up process of these patients.