Detection methods of the drug-addiction and alcoholism treatment programme of the Spanish National Railway Company (RENFE).

BACKGROUND: Social problems in enterprises need to be approached by all groups involved in order to achieve a satisfactory result. With regard to Occupational Health and, specifically, drug-addiction, the groups concerned are Occupational Health Services, Trade Unionists and Managers. OBJECTIVES: To analyse the involvement of the social groups (Occupational Health Service, Management and Trade Unions) in relation to the detection of workers suffering from drug-addiction and/or alcoholism. METHODS: During the first eight years of implementation (1990-1997) of the Drug-Addiction and Alcoholism Treatment Programme of the Spanish National Railway Company (RENFE), a total of 477 workers consuming alcohol and drugs were detected and treated under the Programme (1.1% prevalence), 465 men (97.5%) and 12 women (2.5%), with an average age of 39.8 years. RESULTS: The subjects were detected by occupational physicians (55.4%), occupational psychologists (2.9%), managers (11.3%), trade unionists (19.5%), via self-referral (9.4%) and by other means (1.5%). CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrate the efficiency and the profitability to the company of prevention and treatment interventions and the need for the coordination of managers, trade unions and occupational health services.

[Quality of life and symptomatology in benign prostate hyperplasia in active Spanish population]. / Calidad de vida y sintomatología en la hiperplasia prostática benigna en población activa española.

BACKGROUND: Due to the lack of existing data regarding urinary symptoms and quality of life secondary to benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) in the active Spanish population, and with the objective to evaluate the QoL in patients with lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of BPH, we decided to conduct a national study which included 2,312 men employed by the National Railway Association (RENFE). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: 14 cities were selected and clinical histories, physical examinations, IPSS-L questionnaires and prostate echographies were conducted following the diagnostic guidelines of the Third International Committee by the WHO. RESULTS: Almost 20% of the men participating in the study had moderate or severe symptoms according to the IPSS and almost 15% were unsatisfied with their urinary situation. 3 out of every 4 men between the age of 50-65 years with moderate-severe symptoms have their urinary quality of life affected. The most prevalent symptoms were: filling, nicturia in almost 60% of the subjects, and emptying, the force and flow of the urinary stream diminishing in one out of every 3 participants. CONCLUSIONS: With an increase in age there is a higher prevalence of symptoms as dimmed by the IPSS, a poorer urinary quality of life, and a larger prostate volume as measured by echography.