Frequency of Pulmonary Anthracosis and its Related Factors in Autopsy Specimens in Guilan, Iran, in 2019

BackgroundAnthracosis is caused by several factors and is a risk factor for cancer and tuberculosis. This study investigated the prevalence of anthracosis and the associated factors in autopsy specimens from the Guilan Office of the Iranian Legal Medicine Organization. Materials and MethodsThis retrospective study examined the medical records of autopsy specimens (>18 years) in the Guilan Office of the Iranian Legal Medicine Organization in 2019 for pulmonary anthracosis. Data were extracted from the autopsy findings, and demographic characteristics, occupational information, tuberculosis or pulmonary cancer history, and anthracosis were recorded in a checklist. SPSS version 16 was used to analyze the collected data. ResultsThe study included 190 autopsy specimens with a 32.1% anthracosis prevalence. Forty-five (23.7%) subjects had anthracofibrosis. Individuals with agricultural carriers or who worked in tobacco fields had the highest prevalence of anthracosis. The frequency of pulmonary cancer and tuberculosis was significantly higher in the specimens with anthracosis (anthracosis group) than in the non-anthracosis group (P