Peng Y, et al. - Pneumoconiosis may play an important role in the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and the complication of COPD may impose a heavy burden of illness. In this current investigation, researchers determined the prevalence and characteristics of COPD among pneumoconiosis patients from the Hunan Occupational Disease Prevention Institute. A high risk of COPD was observed among pneumoconiosis patients. They also observed that pneumoconiosis patients with COPD vs without COPD may suffer more severe respiratory symptoms, such as wheeze and dyspnea. The factors that were associated with an increased risk of COPD in pneumoconiosis included advanced pneumoconiosis category, older age and the presence of wheeze symptoms. A routine assessment of lung function was considered necessary for timely and adequate clinical management.