A garment factory worker develops progressive exertional dyspnoea, fine crackles at lung bases, and a restrictive pattern on spirometry after 15 years of cotton dust exposure. The MOST likely diagnosis is:
- A Silicosis
- B Asbestosis
- C Byssinosis ✓
- D Bagassosis
Correct answer: C. Byssinosis
Explanation
Byssinosis is an occupational lung disease caused by inhalation of cotton, flax, or hemp dust. It classically presents with 'Monday fever' (chest tightness on return to work after a weekend break) progressing to irreversible chronic airflow obstruction and restriction with prolonged exposure. Silicosis is from silica dust; asbestosis from asbestos fibres; bagassosis from sugarcane bagasse (actinomycete-related hypersensitivity pneumonitis).
Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.