P-191 Occupational Exposure and Lung Cancer: a Based Hospital Case-Control Study

Introduction Lung cancer is a public health problem. In Tunisia, the incidence of these cancers is increasing, especially in women. Smoking is a universally recognized risk factor. However, the part of environmental and professional exposures is not insignificant. Therefore, it is important to determine the occupational factors involved in the genesis of primary bronchopulmonary cancers. Methods A case-control study of 109 histologically confirmed cases of lung cancer and 109 controls matched for gender and age group (±5 years) was conducted. We collected information on socio-demographic characteristics, medical data, and occupational history. A job-exposure matrix was used to infer exposure to lung carcinogens. Results Cases were older than controls (mean age: 60 and 58 respectively, p=0,45). Only11,9% of cases were never-smokers, compared with 40,4% of controls. A significant association existed between smoking and lung cancer (p<10–3, OR= 4,99 IC95%= [2,49–10]). Workers in the categories construction sector (p=0.01; OR IC95% = 1,95 [1,12–3,40] ) and hotels sectors (p=10–3; OR IC95% = 5,90[1,94–17,90] ) showed signicantly increased risks of lung cancer. When determined by job task exposure matrix, crystalline silica (p=0,03 ; OR IC95%= 3,06 [1,06–8,83]), diesel emissions (p=0,01 ; OR IC95%=0,99[0,99–1]), chromium (p=0,01 ; OR IC95%=0,99[0,99–1]) and nickel (p=0,0 ; OR IC95%=0,99[0,98–1]) were signicantly associated with lung cancer. Conclusion Certain occupations and industries increase lung cancer risks among workers. These occupational exposures should be identified, in order to put in place effective prevention strategies.