COVID-19 infection rates among transportation and metal workers

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the workers in the metal and transportation sectors in terms of COVID-19 infection frequency and to examine and establish links between infection frequency and the workplace working conditions. METHODS: A survey was prepared and conducted with a questionnaire prepared on the Google Form platform consisting of questions about the pandemic among the members of the All Transport Workers' and The United Metalworkers' Union in Turkey. RESULTS: The number of workers diagnosed with COVID-19 was 5.8% in the transportation sector and 2.8% in the metal sector, with a significant difference (p=0.036). The percentage of workers diagnosed with COVID-19 who worked at a physical proximity less than 2 m in the transportation sector was higher than those who worked in the metal sector (p=0.014). The proportion of those who stated that there were COVID-19 patients among their colleagues and working at a physical proximity less than 2 m at the workplace was 18.2% in the transportation and 10.6% in the metal sector, with a significant difference (p=0.003), those who took time off from work was 74%, but 28.5% successively (p<0.001). The share of those who thought that the protective equipment and/or measures were not sufficient during the pandemic was 41.9% in the transportation and 17.7% in the metal sector (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The results emphasized that the characteristics of jobs, physical proximity during job hours, the use of protective equipment, and size of the workplaces should be considered as reasons for different infection risks in different sectors.

COVID-19 in Turkish health care workers practicing chest medicine

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the data of Turkish health care workers practicing chest medicine on their coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) status and related parameters. METHODS: This descriptive study included online survey data that the Turkish Thoracic Society conducted with its members in two phases starting in June and December 2020. The 33-item survey included demographic data, smoking status, the presence of any chronic diseases, occupation, working status, and non-work-related and work-related COVID-19 exposure characteristics. RESULTS: Of 742 responses, 299 (40.3%) reported that they had contracted COVID-19. The second survey detected a higher frequency of health care workers who had contracted COVID-19 (12.1% versus 57.4%, p<0.001) than the first survey. The analysis of the association between study parameters and COVID-19 in health care workers using logistic regression revealed statistical significance with working at the onset of the outbreak (OR 3.76, 95%CI 1.09-12.98, p=0.036), not working at the time of survey (OR 5.69, 95%CI 3.35-9.67, p<0.001), COVID-19 history in colleagues (OR 2.27, 95%CI 1.51-3.41, p<0.001), any non-work-related COVID-19 exposure (OR 4.72, 95%CI 2.74-8.14, p<0.001), COVID-19 exposure at home (OR 6.52, 95%CI 3.52-12.08, p<0.001), and COVID-19 history in family members (OR 8.16, 95%CI 5.52-12.08, p<0.001) after adjusting for age and sex. The study also observed an inverse relationship between the use of aprons and goggles and COVID-19 in health care workers. CONCLUSION: Occupational and nonoccupational characteristics are related to COVID-19 in health care workers practicing chest medicine. Therefore, active surveillance to detect health care workers contracting COVID-19 and to document and control occupational and nonoccupational risks should be provided.

Is obstructive sleep apnea syndrome a risk factor for pulmonary thromboembolism? / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>In many studies, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has been shown to be an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Conversely, there are few reports establishing possible relation between OSA and venous thromboembolism (VTE). In this study, the aim is to evaluate OSA via polysomnography in patients with pulmonary embolism and drawing the attention of clinicians to the presence of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) may be a risk factor for pulmonary embolism.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fifty consecutive patients who were diagnosed with pulmonary embolism (PE) were evaluated prospectively for OSAS. Polysomnographic examination was conducted on 30 volunteer patients. The frequency of OSAS in PE was determined and PE cases were compared to each other after being divided into two groups based on the presence of a major risk factor.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The study consisted of a total of 30 patients (14 females and 16 males). In 56.7% of the patients (17/30), OSAS was determined. The percent of cases with moderate and severe OSAS (apnea hipoapnea index > 15) was 26.7% (8/30). Patients who had pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) without any known major VTE risk (n = 20), were compared to patients with VTE risk factors (n = 10), and significantly higher rates of OSAS were seen (70% and 30% respectively; P = 0.045). The mean age of the group with major PE risk factors was lower than the group without major PE risk factors (52 years old and 66 years old, respectively; P = 0.015), however, weight was greater in the group with major PE risk factors (88 kg and 81 kg, respectively; P = 0.025). By multivariate Logistic regression analysis, in the group without any visible major risk factors, the only independent risk factor for PE was OSAS (P = 0.049).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>In patients with PTE, OSA rates were much higher than in the general population. Moreover, the rate for patients with clinically significant moderate and severe OSA was quite high. PTE patients with OSA symptoms (not syndromes) and without known major risk factor should be examined for OSA. There seems to be a relationship between OSA and PTE. However, whether this relationship is a causal relationship or a relationship due to common risk factors or long-term complications of OSA is not clear. Further comprehensive studies on those special topics are needed to clarify these points.</p>