Occupational and environmental risk factors of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: a systematic review and meta-analyses

Abstract

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic, progressive, fibrosing interstitial lung disease of unknown cause. It has a high risk of rapid progression and mortality. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the risk factor of IPF. We searched Medline, Embase, and the Cochrane library from the earliest record to March, 2020. Case-control studies on occupational and environmental risk factors or on jobs with a risk of IPF were searched for. From 2490 relevant records, 12 studies were included. Any occupational or environmental exposure to metal dust (OR 1.83, 95% CI 1.15-2.91, I-2=54%), wood dust (OR 1.62 5% CI 1.04-2.53, I-2=5%) and pesticide (OR 2.07, 95% CI 1.24-3.45, I-2=0%) were associated with an increased risk of IPF. Farming or agricultural work (OR 1.88, 95% CI 1.17-3.04, I-2=67%) was also associated with an increased risk of IPF. Moreover, smoking increased IPF risk with an odds ratio of 1.39 (95% CI 1.01-1.91, I-2=29%). In conclusion, metal dust, wood dust, pesticide, occupational history of farming or agriculture and ever smoking increased the risk of IPF.