What is expected in lung function after lung transplantation due to end‐stage pulmonary silicosis?

In this study, we aimed to determine the impact of lung transplantation ( LT x) on pulmonary function tests ( PFT s) and survival among patients with end‐stage silicosis. We included patients with end‐stage silicosis on the wait list for LT x, between January 1989 and July 2015 (N = 26). Sixteen of these patients received LT x; 10 were eligible, but did not undergo LT x (non‐ LT x) during the study period. Retrospective information on PFT s (spirometry [volumes and flows], 6‐minute walking test [6 MWT ], and DLCO ) was retrieved from patients’ medical charts, including baseline information for all patients and follow‐up information for the LT x. At baseline, most patients presented with spirometric and 6 MWT values that were suggestive of severe disease ( FEV 1 / FVC 76.5 ± 29.7; 6 MWT 267.4 ± 104.5 m). Significant increases in these values were observed at follow‐up in the LT x ( P  = .036 and .151, respectively). The overall median survival of patients in the LT x and non‐ LT x was 3.35 years (95% CI : 0.16‐14.38) and 0.78 years (95% confidence interval [ CI ]: 0.12‐3.65) ( P  = 0.002), respectively. For patients with end‐stage silicosis, LT x offers significant benefits regarding pulmonary function and survival when compared to non‐ LT x, and is a reliable tool to help this critical population of patients, whose only treatment option is LT x.