OBJECTIVETo investigate the quality of life and influencing factors for patients with silicosis and to provide a basis for treatment of silicosis.

METHODSTwo hundred and twenty stone workers with silicosis from June 1999 to June 2014 were enrolled into observation group, while healthy stone workers within the same period were used as controls. The quality of life was evaluated using the Chinese version of the World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment (WHOQOL-100), and the influencing factors were determined using stepwise multivariate regression analysis.

RESULTSThe scores for psychological function, physiological, independence, spiritual realm, the overall quality of life, and physical condition in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group (t = 7.1168, P < 0.05; t = 3.8165, P < 0.05; t = 5.9230, P < 0.05; t = 2.7764, P < 0.05; t = 3.0761, P < 0.05). The scores for 11 items including pain, discomfort, energy, fatigue, sleep, and rest in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05). Negative emotions, silicosis stage, recreation, age, reliance on health care, pain, discomfort, and spiritual beliefs were all influencing factors for the quality of life, which resulted in 68.3% of variation in the quality of life.

CONCLUSIONBesides clinical treatment, health and psychological education and recreation are important for patients with silicosis to improve their quality of life.