预后与诊断时纤维化的程度有关,也与过去累积的暴露量有关。[14]Silicosis and Silicate Disease Committee. Disease associated with exposure to silica and nonfibrous silicate minerals. Arch Pathol Lab Med. 1988;112:673-720.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2838005?tool=bestpractice.com[15]Ross MH, Murray J. Occupational respiratory disease in mining. Occup Med (Lond). 2004;54:304-310.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15289586?tool=bestpractice.com许多尘肺患者病情没有发展,一直存活至因为其他疾病死亡。
铍敏感化
在存在铍敏感化证据,即铍淋巴细胞增殖试验呈阳性的患者中,有三分之一患者的肺组织会在 5 年内出现肉芽肿。然而,这些人可能仍然不会出现症状或发生肺功能检测变化。[39]Newman LS, Mroz MM, Balkissoon R, et al. Beryllium sensitization progresses to chronic beryllium disease: a longitudinal study of disease risk. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2005;171:54-60.http://www.atsjournals.org/doi/full/10.1164/rccm.200402-190OChttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15374840?tool=bestpractice.com