Deaths from coronary artery disease and coalworkers' pneumoconiosis

Abstract

When pneumoconiosis makes a material contribution to a miner's death benefit is paid to his widow. Doctors from the Department of Health and Social Security have argued that extensive pneumoconiosis not only does not increase the risks of death if coronary thrombosis develops but also that it may exert a beneficial effect. This view has been put to the National Insurance Commissioners on at least three occasions recently. There are, however, several reasons for coming to the opposite conclusion. There is no evidence that progressive massive fibrosis reduces mortality or the development of atheroma, and until such evidence is produced it is unwise to believe that the presence of any severe disease improves anyone's chances of surviving coronary thrombosis. Rather, it should be recognised that any disease which produces a high mortality is inevitably associated with a lower mortality from other conditions. As doctors from the Department will continue to argue that severe pneumoconiosis does not increase the risk of death from coronary thrombosis informed readers are asked to adjudicate between the conflicting views. © 1976, British Medical Journal Publishing Group. All rights reserved.