Incidence of the Pneumoconioses in the United Kingdom General Population between 1997 and 2008

Background: The incidence of the pneumoconioses in the UK is primarily estimated using occupational-based registries and disability pension schemes. These sources indicate a downward trend in the incidence of the pneumoconioses from 1995 onwards. There are no previously published general population-based observational studies quantifying the incidence of the pneumoconioses in the UK. Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of the pneumoconioses in the UK general population between 1997 and 2008 using data from the General Practice Research Database (GPRD). Methods: Data from the UK-based GPRD were used to estimate the incidence of pneumoconioses over a 12-year period (1997–2008). Crude incidence rates for asbestosis and non-asbestos-related pneumoconioses were stratified by gender, age group and calendar period, and rate ratios were adjusted using Poisson regression. Results: The majority of cases was diagnosed with asbestosis, and the overall, crude incidence density for this pneumoconiosis during the 12-year study period was 2.7 (95% confidence interval 2.5–2.9) per 100,000 person-years. The incidence increased progressively during the period 1997–2005 and then decreased slightly during the period 2006–2008, even after controlling for the strong effect of an ageing UK population. The non-asbestos-related pneumoconioses, in contrast to asbestosis, showed a progressive reduction in incidence from 2003 onwards. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that the pneumoconioses remain an important public health issue and, furthermore, documents an overall increase in asbestosis incidence in the UK between 1997 and 2008.