Introduction. The objective of this contribution is to describe, for the first time, occurrence,temporal trends and spatial patterns of mortality from silicosis in Italy in recentdecades.Methods. Mortality data on pneumoconiosis due to silica or silicates (ICD-9 code 502,ICD-10 code J62) were extracted from the Italian National Mortality Database. Temporaltrends were analysed in the period 1990-2012; standardized rates per 100 000, spatialdistribution, including cluster analysis, were computed for eleven years, i.e. 2000-2012(2004-2005, data non available).Results. In the period 1990-2012, a general decline in mortality was found with a totaldecrease of 74% and an estimated three year percentage change of -7.72. 4590 deathsfrom silicosis were observed in eleven years, 98% of them among men. The average age atdeath was 79.8 years. The mean age standardized rate was 0.33 (95% CI: 0.32 to 0.34).The Regions of Aosta Valley, Abruzzo and Sardinia had the highest rates. The assessmentof risk at municipality level showed a significant excess of risk in 804 out of 8057 municipalities.Clusters of municipalities with a risk higher than expected were 34, observed in18 out of 21 Regions.Conclusions. The study shows that mortality due to silicosis in Italy has steadily declinedin the last decades, with differences among Regions. Clusters of municipalitieswith an excess of risk should be verified with Local Health Units in order to assess theneed of targeted preventive actions.
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