The use of hearing protection devices by older adults during recreational noise exposure.

A population-based study to assess the use of hearing protection devices by older adults during noisy recreational activities was performed. The population-based Epidemiology of Hearing Loss Study was designed to measure the prevalence of hearing loss in adults residing in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin. The use of hearing protection devices during noisy recreational activities was assessed by performing three examinations over a period of 10 years (1993-1995, no. of participants (n)=3753, aged 48-92 years; 1998-2000, n=2800, aged 53-97 years; 2003-2005, n=2395, aged 58-100 years). The recreational activities included hunting, target shooting, woodworking/carpentry, metalworking, driving loud recreational vehicles, and performing yard work using either power tools or a chain saw. The prevalence of using hearing protection devices during any of these activities increased with time (9.5%, 15.0%, and 19.9% at baseline, 5 years, and 10 years, respectively). However, the use of hearing protection devices remained low for most activities. Those under the age of 65 were twice as likely to use hearing protection devices during noisy activities than were older adults. Men, those with a hearing handicap, and those with significant tinnitus were more likely to use hearing protection devices. Smokers and the less educated were less likely to use hearing protection devices. The results demonstrated that many adults expose themselves to potentially damaging recreational noise, leaving them at risk for hearing loss.

Dermato-polimiosite tumoral. / Tumoral dermatopolymyositis

Os autores compararam 14 pacientes portadores de dermato-polimiosite primaria (DP) com pacientes portadores de reumatismo tumoral nao invasivo (RTNI) e neoplasias malignas. As idades medias no DP, DS, RNTI e neoplasias malignas foram de 25,3 mais ou menos 19,0, 47,8 mais ou menos 10,8, 51,7 mais ou menos 14,1 e 58,2 mais ou menos 13,3 anos respectivamente.Houve preponderancia do sexo masculino no grupo RTNI e feminino do DS tumoral (DST). A terapeutica para a DST mostrou-se mais eficaz com o uso de quimioterapia, radioterapia do que com o uso de anti-inflamatorios. Os dados obtidos sugerem que as dermato-polimiosite tumorais possam surgir numa faixa etaria intermediaria entre a DP e tumores malignos. A incidencia de neoplasias em dermato-polimiosite foi de 28,5%, enquanto a incidencia de DST para uma populacao de portadores de RNTI e neoplasias foi respectivamente de 22,2% e 1,1%. Especula-se tambem a respeito de um possivel mecanismo imunopatologico da DST pelo qual o nucleo tumoral poderia ter a capacidade de desviar do tumor uma populacao de celulas capazes de reagir a antigenos tumorais de uma maneira tal que a reacao se daria a nivel do sistema muscular