ABSTRACT
Objective: To analyze the case characteristics of Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease caused by occupational irritant chemicals (OI-COPD). To provide basis for revising its diagnostic criteria. Methods: From June to December 2021, we investigated the information of OI-COPD patients confirmed by Shandong Institute of Occupational Health and Prevention of Occupational Diseases, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Institute of Occupational Disease Prevention and Control, Qingdao Central Hospital affiliated to Qingdao University and other diagnostic institutions in the past five years, a total of 41 cases. The basic information of OI-COPD cases, occupational risk factors exposure information, medical history, smoking history and clinical symptoms were analyzed retrospectively. The measurement data were tested for normal distribution, which was described by x±s, and compared between groups by t test; Those who do not conform to the normal distribution are described by the median [M (Q(1), Q(3)) ] and analyzed by nonparametric test; The counting data were expressed in frequency and rate (% ), and the comparison between groups was tested. Results: Of the 41 cases, 33 were male and 8 were female. The age of the patient diagnosed with OI-COPD was (49.5±10.3) years old, and the minimum age was 30 years old; Among them, 8 patients had a definite long-term smoking history (more than 5 years) ; The exposure duration of occupational risk factors was (18.6±10.3) years, of which 3 patients had exposure duration of less than 5 years; The occupational risk factors leading to OI-COPD include acids and acid-forming compounds, bases, aldehydes, nitrogen oxides, chlorine and its compounds, etc. The exposure level of occupational risk factors is related to the degree of COPD airflow restriction (χ(2)=6.17, P <0.05). 18 patients with diagnosis age <50 years old were diagnosed as early-onset COPD. The incidence of respiratory symptoms in the early diagnosis COPD group was lower than that in the non-early diagnosis COPD group, and the FEV1% pred was significantly higher than that in the non-early diagnosis COPD group. The difference was statistically significant (P<0.01 ) . Conclusion: The exposure level of occupational risk factors may be the risk factor affecting the degree of COPD airflow restriction. With the increase of the exposure level of COPD patients, the proportion of respiratory symptoms will also increase accordingly.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Adult , Middle Aged , Retrospective Studies , China/epidemiology , Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/diagnosis , Lung , Risk Factors , Occupational Diseases/diagnosis , Occupational Exposure/adverse effectsABSTRACT
Aims: To assess the occupational risk factors that contribute to the occurrence of work- related musculoskeletal disorders among Operation Room (OR) nurses and MSDs relation to biomarker c-telopeptide of type II collagen (CTX-II). Study Design: A cross sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Cairo University hospitals from January to April 2014. Methodology: The study was conducted upon 184 OR nurses from different specialties. They include 155 females and 29 males with age ranged 20-50 years and work duration ranged 2-35 years. They represent 52.6% of the OR nurses work power all over Cairo University hospitals. The individuals were subjected to questionnaires including Standardized Nordic Questionnaire (SNQ), Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ) and Quick Exposure Check (QEC) for ergonomic risk assessment. Urinary CTX-II was measured. Results: Out of 184 OR nurses, 180 have musculoskeletal symptoms with a prevalence of 97.8%. CTX-II in females was non-statistically significant higher than in males. Higher non-statistically significant levels of CTX-II were found in those aged ≥ 40 years than in those < 40. Non- statistically significant differences were in correlation between CTX-II and various occupational risk factors as BMI, age, duration of employment, physical risk factors except for outreached arm (r= 0.16, p=0.03) and psychosocial factors except for deficient rest break (r=-0.15, p=0.038) which showed statistically significant differences. No statistically significant correlation was found between CTX-II and any of musculoskeletal symptoms during the past twelve months by applying SNQ. A statistically significant difference (Z=2.26, p=0.02) was found in OR nurses group with knee crepitus in comparison with nurses group without knee crepitus among those with high level of urinary CTX-II. Other MSDs showed no statistically significant differences between symptomatizing and non-symptomatizing groups. Conclusion: Operating room nurses are exposed to multiple occupational risk factors leading to MSDs. CTX-II may be a valuable biomarker in early osteoarthritis.
ABSTRACT
The purpose of the study was to analyze the association between cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in dental students with occupational risk factors and a genetic trait (NKG2C gene deletion). Study design: Case-control study. 176 students were included and divided in two groups according to CMV serological results: those with CMV infection (case group) and those without prior infection (control group). Demographic, occupational, and the presence of NKG2C gene deletion were compared between both groups. Results: The presence of CMV IgG antibodies was detected in 104 (59.1 percent) students (case group) while 72 (40.9 percent) students were CMV negative (control group). The frequency of patient contact, the use of protective barriers, and the number of reported accidents was compared between the study groups; no significant differences were noted. The appropriate use of infection-control measures was observed in the majority of students in both study groups. In the case group the frequency of NKG2C deletion was 9.7 percent compared to 5.6 percent in the control group (p=0.33). Conclusion: No association between the presence of CMV infection with occupational and genetic risk factors was found in this population. Dentists should be aware of the CMV prevalence and risks factors associated to this infection, particularly among child-bearing age dentist women...
El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar la asociación entre la infección por citomegalovirus (CMV) en estudiantes de odontología con factores de riesgo ocupacionales y un polimorfismo genético (deleción del gen NKG2C). Diseño del Estudio: Estudio de casos y controles. 176 estudiantes fueron incluidos y divididos en dos grupos de acuerdo al resultado serológico para CMV: aquellos con la infección por CMV (grupo de casos) y aquellos que no presentaron infección por CMV (grupo control). Las características demográficas, ocupacionales y la presencia de la deleción del gen NKG2C fueron comparadas entre ambos grupos. Resultados: La presencia de anticuerpos IgG de CMV fue detectada en 104 (59.1 por ciento) estudiantes (grupo de casos) mientras que 72 (40.9 por ciento) estudiantes fueron negativos a CMV (grupo control). Se comparó la frecuencia de contacto con el paciente, el uso de barreras protectoras y el número de accidentes ocupacionales reportados entre los grupos de estudio. No fueron detectadas diferencias significativas. El uso apropiado de las medidas de control de infección fue observado en la mayoría de los estudiantes de ambos grupos. En el grupo de casos la frecuencia de la deleción de NKG2C observada fue de 9.7 por ciento comparada con un 5.6 por ciento en el grupo control (p=0.33). Conclusión: No se encontró asociación entre la infección por CMV con los factores de riesgo ocupacionales y genéticos de esta población. Los dentistas deben conocer la frecuencia de la infección por CMV, así como los factores de riesgo asociados, particularmente las mujeres odontólogas en edad fértil...
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Young Adult , Cytomegalovirus Infections/epidemiology , Cytomegalovirus Infections/genetics , Occupational Exposure , Students, Dental , Accidents, Occupational , Case-Control Studies , Gene Deletion , Immunoglobulin G , Killer Cells, Natural , NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily C , Polymorphism, Genetic , Risk FactorsABSTRACT
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a hand disorder which indicates the presence of symptoms such as pain, numbness, and muscle weakness among the patient. CTS is an occupational related disorder which can occur in any profession. However, it can be prevented and managed. The aims of the research were to determine the prevalence of acquiring CTS among nurses who worked in the wards and occupational risk factors involving the upper limbs during nursing tasks performance. The specific aims were to determine the relationship between the prevalence of acquiring CTS and individual factors (age, gender, race, educational level, duration of work and medical history), relationship between the prevalence of acquiring CTS and occupational risk factors in nursing tasks. Nurses profession was chosen as they are performing multitask involving upper limbs especially the wrist joints. Boston Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Questionnaire (BCTQ) was used to determine the level of severity in CTS. Occupational risk factors were assessed by using the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA). This research was a cross sectional mode which was carried out at a government university medical centre from November through December 2010. Eighty nurses were involved in the research. The respondents were required to fill in the socio-demographic information sheet. Those having CTS were required to fill in the BCTQ. Assessments were performed by observing of the job activity through RULA. The results showed that the prevalence for nurses acquiring CTS is 7.5%. The RULA assessment also indicated that the risk factor was in the highest level with a score of 7. No relationship was shown between the prevalence of CTS and race, gender, educational level and medical history. Significant relationship was indicated by the prevalence of CTS and occupational risk factors. In conclusion, a significant prevalence of CTS related to age of more than 30 years old, Malay races compared to Indian, working experience of more than 10 years and respondents with right hand dominant. Occupational risk factors also indicated among the active nurses. Therefore, it is important for us to modify the work environment, work flow, work methodology and ergonomic factors in order to prevent the nurses from acquiring CTS. Furthermore, education about the condition of CTS should be implemented and reinforced especially among the higher risk nurses.
Subject(s)
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome , Upper Extremity , NursesABSTRACT
Caracterizar aspectos del nivel de preparación, conocimiento actual y abordaje que realizan los residentes venezolanos de Medicina General Integral del Estado de Barinas, acerca de los factores de riesgo laboral en el proceso de dispensarización. El sistema de métodos utilizados fueron teóricos, empíricos y procedimientos estadísticos. Se confeccionó un instrumento de evaluación para la revisión de los informes de análisis de la situación de salud en la determinante medio ambiente. El universo estuvo constituido por los 65 residentes que cursaban primero y segundo año de la especialidad, a los que se les aplicó una encuesta que permitió determinar el nivel de conocimientos sobre factores de riesgo laboral y su aplicación en el proceso de dispensarización de la población económicamente activa de su comunidad. Además, se entrevistó de forma individual a 5 médicos venezolanos con experiencia profesional, considerados como expertos. Demuestran una marcada insuficiencia en los conocimientos adquiridos en los estudios de pregrado, muy variable entre las diferentes universidades, así como una pobre aplicación de los mismos en la dispensarización de la población laboral. Se fundamenta y plantea la conveniencia de realizar un rediseño del módulo correspondiente al Programa de Especialización de Medicina General Integral, con el propósito de mejorar el desempeño de los médicos en la dispensarización de riesgos laborales.
To characterize the aspects of the training level, current knowledge, and actions performed by the venezuelan residents of General Comprehensive Medicine in Barinas State as regards the occupational risk factors in the categorization process. The methods used were theoretical, empirical, and statistical procedures. An assessment tool was created to review the reports of analysis on health situation in the environmental determinant. The universe included 65 first and second year residents of the specialty that were surveyed to determine the knowledge level on occupational risk factors, and its application in the categorization process of the economically active population. 5 venezuelan physicians with professional experience, considered as experts, were also interviewed. They showed a marked insufficiency in the knowledge acquired in pregrade studies, which varies a lot among the different universities, as well as a poor application of their knowledge in the categorization process of the working population. The convenience of redesigning the module corresponding to the Program of Specialization of General Comprehensive Medicine is founded aimed at improving the performance of physicians in the categorization process of occupational risks.