Table 2.
RA studies included in the Systematic Review and meta-analysis
| Study ID | Author | Year | Country | Year | Design | Type of exposure | Exposure assessment | No. of observed cases | Effect size (95% CI) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ilar [18] | 2019 | Sweden | 1996–2013 | CC | Occupational – not better specified | JEMs | 742 cases/5235 controls (678 men; 64 women) |
Any RA: OR 1.3 (1.2–1.5) RA+ : RR 1.28 (1.02–1.61) RA−: RR 1.46 (1.03–2.07) |
| 2 | Schmajuk [25] | 2019 | USA | 2019 | CO | Mainly coal mining work | Exposure data were self-reported during a telephone questionnaire | 556 silica-exposed male workers | Any RA: OR 2.1 (1.1–3.9) |
| 3 | Vihlborg [26] | 2017 | Sweden | 1930–2013 | CO | Iron foundries | A mixed model was used to calculate silica exposure, and individual silica exposures were used to compute dose responses | 2187 silica-exposed male workers | SIR 2.59 (1.24–4.76) |
| 4 | Blanc [27] | 2015 | Sweden | 1997–2010 | CO | Construction work | JEMs | 195 silica-exposed male workers |
Any RA: RR 1.33 (1.11–1.60) RA+ : RR 1.28 (1.02–1.61) RA−: RR 1.46 (1.03–2.07) Smoking : Any RA: RR 1.99 (1.66–2.40) RA+ : RR 2.41 (1.89–3.07) RA−: RR 1.52 (1.10–2.12) |
| 5 | Yahya [19] | 2014 | Malaysia | 2005–2009 | CC | Stone dust, rock drilling, stone crushing |
In-person interview according to an extensive questionnaire The questions concerning silica exposure covered time aspects of exposure (when and how long) as well as exposure intensity |
14 cases/12 controls |
Any RA: OR 2.0 (0.9–4.6) RA+ : OR 2.4 (1.0–5.6) RA−: OR 0.9 (0.2–4.5) SMOKING: RA+ : OR 7.5 (2.3 -24.2) |
| 6 | Makol [28] | 2011 | USA | 1985–2006 | CO | Various including foundry work and sandblasting | 30-45 min telephone interview (if the individual was deceased, a next-of-kin was interviewed). Addition medical records, radiographs, laboratory data were also collected | 1022 cases diagnosed with Silicosis. (only for the outcome: 24 case of SLE) | Any RA: RR 2.26 (1.57–3.25) |
| 7 | Stolt [20] | 2009 | Sweden | 1996–2006 | CC | Stone dust, rock drilling, stone crushing | Exposure data were self-reported using a questionnaire | 80 cases/69 controls |
Any RA: OR 1.39 (0.98–1.96) RA+ : OR 1.67 (1.13–2.48) RA−: OR 0.98 (0.57–1.66) Smoking : Any RA: OR 2.35 (1.46–3.80) RA+ : OR 4.08 (2.31–7.21) RA−: OR 1.16 (0.56–2.39) |
| 8 | Gold [21] | 2007 | USA | 1984–1999 |
CC Mortality-Death certificates data |
Among 509 different jobs mainly hand painting, hand coating and hand decorating occupations | JEMs | 35,730 cases/260,632 controls | Any RA: OR 0.99 (0.94–1.03) |
| 9 | Stolt [22] | 2004 | Sweden | 1996–2001 | CC | Stone dust, rock drilling, stone crushing | Exposure data were self-reported using a questionnaire | 21 cases/11 controls |
Any RA: OR 3.0 (1.2–7.6) RA+ : OR 3.5 (1.1–11.2) RA−: OR 1.7 (0.3–9.3) Smoking : Any RA: OR 3.7 (1.7–8.1) RA+ : OR 5.4 (2.1–14.0) RA−: OR 1.6 (0.4–7.2) |
| 10 | Calvert [23] | 2003 | USA | 1982–1995 |
CC Mortality-Death certificates data |
Occupational exposure to FCS not better specified (in general mining and dusty trades) | JEMs | 15 cases/20 controls | Any RA: OR 3.75 (1.92–7.32) |
| 11 | Brown [29] | 1997 | Sweden-Denmark | 1965–1983 | CO Mortality-Death certificates data | A review of Swedish computerized hospital diagnoses with diagnostic codes for both silicosis and SLE. The type of exposure was not better specified | A review of Swedish computerized hospital diagnoses with diagnostic codes for both silicosis and SLE. The exposure assessment was not better specified | 57 cases (only for the outcome: 44 cases of SLE) | Any RA: RR 8.1 (5.9–10.82) |
| 12 | Sluis-Cremer [24] | 1986 | South Africa | 1967–1979 | CC | Gold mines | JEMs | 96 cases/157 controls |
RA+ : OR 5 (1.99–12.56) RA−: OR 1.44 (0.44–4.73) NOT TESTED: OR 2.25 (0.78–6.43) |
CC case control, JEM job-exposure matrix