Depressive symptoms in aged Chinese patients with silicosis

Objectives: To investigate the prevalence of depressive symptoms in patients with silicosis and its determinants. Methods: A cross-sectional cohort study was performed. About 121 patients with silicosis randomly selected from a case registry of a non-ferrous metal company and 110 controls completed the questionnaires of sociodemographic variables, Beck depression inventory (BDI) and lung function test. chi(2) test was performed to compare the prevalence of depressive symptoms between two groups. The relationship between the variables and depressive symptoms in patients with silicosis was assessed by performing the logistic regression analysis. Results: Prevalence of depressive symptoms in patients with silicosis was 27.3%, which was higher than the figure 7.3% in controls (chi(2) = 15.8, p < 001). Severe respiratory symptoms, severe impaired physical function, FEV(1) < 50% predicted and (FVC)% predicted less than mean were significantly associated with the depressive symptoms (Odds ratio [OR] = 4.6, 5.9, 3.0 and 5.2, respectively). Conclusion: High prevalence of depressive symptoms was found in patients with silicosis. Respiratory symptoms, physical function and pulmonary functions were associated with depressive symptoms. Our findings provide evidence for physicians to screen for depressive symptoms in patients with silicosis.