Association of face mask use with self-reported cardiovascular symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic

INTRODUCTION@#Countries are mandating the use of face masks to stem the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Face mask use has been associated with discomfort due to its effects on thermoregulation, breathing and oxygenation. We evaluated the prevalence and severity of self-reported cardiovascular symptoms before and during face mask use.@*METHODS@#This was a cross-sectional study of 1,001 participants residing in Singapore, who participated in a self-administered questionnaire between 25 April 2020 and 4 May 2020. Symptom severity before and during mask use, and health-seeking behaviour information were collected. The study outcome was self-reported worsening of cardiovascular symptoms and its association with the type of mask worn, duration of mask worn per day, and intensity of physical activities during mask use.@*RESULTS@#The most common symptom reported during mask use was dyspnoea. Independent predictors for self-reported cardiovascular symptoms during mask use were moderate-high physical activity during mask use (odds ratio [OR] 1.634, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.176-2.270, P = 0.003), duration of mask use for ≥3 h (OR 1.672, 95% CI 1.189-2.352, P = 0.003) and type of mask used, after adjusting for age, sex, healthcare-based worker status and presence of comorbidities. N95 mask was associated with worse symptoms when compared to surgical mask. Participants with ≥3 worsening symptoms or worsening dyspnoea, palpitations, fatigue and dizziness were more likely to seek medical help.@*CONCLUSION@#Face mask use has been proven to be an effective way in curbing COVID-19 transmission. However, participants in this study had concerns regarding its use and these concerns should be urgently addressed to enable mask use policies to be enacted.

Relationship of Shift Work to Cardiovascular and Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Korean Female Workers / 대한산업의학회지

OBJECTIVES: We wanted to investigate the relationship of shift work to the cardiovascular and gastrointestinal symptoms of Korean female workers. METHODS: The data was analyzed from a cross-sectional survey of 1,875 Korean female workers. Information was obtained about the shift work, the cardiovascular and gastrointestinal symptoms and the background characteristics. Multiple regression analysis was used to test for the relationship between the cardiovascular and gastrointestinal symptoms and the shift work variables, while controlling for the covariates. RESULTS: Shift work was more common for blue-collar workers than for office workers. A higher proportion of current smokers and drinkers was observed for shift workers than for day workers. A full-time job was more popular for shift workers than for day workers, while more day workers worked over 8 hours per day than did the shift workers. The mean scores of the cardiovascular and gastrointestinal symptoms were significantly higher for shift workers than for day workers. Shift work was associated with 0.54 more cardiovascular symptoms and with 0.38 more gastrointestinal symptoms on a multiple regression analysis (p=0.001; p=0.020, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that shift work may increase the risks for cardiovascular and gastrointestinal disturbances. Therefore, preventive strategies are needed to control the negative effects of shift work in the workplace.