16th January 2024

Overall management of Pneumoconiosis

There is no curative treatment for the chronic forms of pneumoconiosis (excluding berylliosis), and once fibrosis ensues, prognosis is poor. Therefore, the mainstay of management is supportive and focuses on symptom control and slowing or halting disease progression. 

• Early identification and removal of occupational exposure
• Smoking cessation
  • There is an increased risk of malignancy with both inhalation of mineral dust and smoking.
  • Cigarette smoking may also accelerate progression of pneumoconiosis 
• Bronchodilator therapy
  • COPD can be a complication of pneumoconiosis; therefore, in the presence of obstructive airways disease, bronchodilator therapy should be utilised
• Pulmonary rehabilitation
  • This a structured programme that incorporates exercise, patient health education, and behavioural change activities to improve symptom control, exercise tolerance and overall quality of life for chronic lung disease patients
• Long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT)
  • In end-stage ILD secondary to pneumoconiosis, LTOT may improve life expectancy.
  • Slows down progression of pulmonary hypertension secondary to hypoxaemia