ImportanceSilicosis associated with inhalation of respirable crystalline silica among engineered stone countertop fabrication workers is an emerging health concern.ObjectiveTo describe clinical, socioeconomic, and occupational characteristics of patients diagnosed with silicosis associated with engineered stone in California.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsThis case series included reported cases of silicosis associated with fabrication of engineered stone countertops, as identified by statewide surveillance by the California Department of Public Health (2019-2022). Data analysis was performed from October 2022 to March 2023.ExposuresPatient interviews and medical record abstractions were used to assess occupational exposure to respirable crystalline silica, including duration of work tenure and preventive measures undertaken.Main Outcomes and MeasuresDemographics, clinical characteristics, health care utilization, and clinical outcomes were obtained, including vital status, hypoxia, and lung transplant.ResultsThis case series identified 52 male patients meeting inclusion criteria; median (IQR) age was 45 (40-49) years, and 51 were Latino immigrants. Ten (19%) were uninsured, and 20 (39%) had restricted-scope Medi-Cal; 25 (48%) presented initially to an emergency department. A delay in diagnosis occurred in 30 (58%) patients, most commonly due to alternative initial diagnoses of bacterial pneumonia (9 [30%]) or tuberculosis (8 [27%]). At diagnosis, 20 (38%) patients had advanced disease (progressive massive fibrosis) with severely or very severely reduced forced expiratory volume in 1 second in 8 (18%) and 5 (11%), respectively. Of the cases, 10 (19%) were fatal; median (IQR) age at death was 46 (38-51) years, and 6 patients (12%) were alive with chronic resting hypoxia. Eleven were referred for lung transplant: 3 underwent transplant with 1 fatality; 7 were declined transplant, with 6 fatalities; and 1 died prior to listing. Median (IQR) work tenure was 15 (10-20) years; 23 (45%) reported use of water suppression for dust mitigation, and 25 (48%) continued to fabricate stone after being diagnosed with silicosis.Conclusions and RelevanceIn this case series performed in California, silicosis associated with occupational exposure to dust from engineered stone primarily occurred among young Latino immigrant men. Many patients presented with severe disease, and some cases were fatal.

Morning Report is a time-honored tradition where physicians-in-training present cases to their colleagues and clinical experts to collaboratively examine an interesting patient presentation. The Morning Report section seeks to carry on this tradition by presenting a patient's chief concern and story, inviting the reader to develop a differential diagnosis and discover the diagnosis alongside the authors of the case. This report examines the case of a 35-year-old man who presented to the emergency department with cough and dyspnea on exertion. The cough began 2 years prior and has persisted despite multiple treatment courses of antibiotics. He began to feel dyspneic 1 year ago; it has progressively worsened, and he now has difficulty climbing up a flight of stairs. Using questions, physical examination, and testing, an illness script for the presentation emerges. As the clinical course progresses, the differential is refined until a diagnosis is made.