<![CDATA[Background: There is no diagnostic indicative mark for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It is a general assessment of the patient leading to a diagnose as COPD. In most cases, there is a mixed picture of severe lung diseases including fibrosis, tuberculosis, silicosis, etc. In fact, COPD is the commonest and terminal entity in the majority of ex-mineworkers who were suffering primarily from the dust-lung-disease which is complex in origin. Objectives: To establish the prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases in ex-mineworkers of the Transkei, South Africa. Methodology: During the period of 28 May 1997 to 27 May 1999, 2080, ex-mineworkers were examined at the Benefit Examination Clinic (BEC) in the chest section of Umtata (Mthatha) General Hospital (UGH). Physical examination along with standard chest x-rays were carried out; the mining history of each worker was taken, and identification forms were completed. Results: There were 13% of ex-mineworkers suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Out of them, 56% of the subjects (COPD) were associated with conditions like chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and bronchial asthma. The rest (44%) were associated with other lung diseases like tuberculosis and silicosis. Out of this number, 33% were associated with tuberculosis and 11% with silicosis. Most of the ex-mineworkers were suffering from an association of diseases ranging from simple tuberculosis to silicosis and their secondary effects. Conclusion: Every seventh ex-mineworkers were suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. About half of them were having associated parenchymal diseases like tuberculosis and silicosis.]]>
