[Socioeconomic incidences and prognostic factors of low back pain caused by occupational injuries among the hospital personnel of Grenoble University Hospital Center]. / Incidences socio-économiques et facteurs pronostiques des lombalgies par accident du travail dans le personnel hospitalier du CHU de Grenoble.

Low back pain is generally believed to be common among hospital employees. This cross-sectional, retrospective study was carried out to determine the annual incidence of low back pain ascribable to occupational injuries in hospital employees and to evaluate factors influencing the prognosis of these injuries. In 1989, 70 employees working at the Grenoble Teaching Hospital (GTH) reported an occupational injury responsible for low back pain. Each of these employees filled out an epidemiological questionnaire during a routine evaluation by a rheumatologist. Overall annual incidence of occupational injuries with subsequent low back pain was 1.9% among GTH employees. Higher incidences were seen among employees whose occupations involved patient transfer, as well as among nursing assistants. Activities associated with an increased risk of low back pain included handling of patients or objects and work requiring prolonged periods in uncomfortable positions or in the standing position. A previous history of low back disease and a longer period of time in the current work were also associated with an increased risk of low back pain. Characteristic clinical profiles of patients with low back pain subsequent to occupational injury were determined by occupation and type of hospital department. The analysis of long-duration absence from work and long-term consequences on career confirmed the significant adverse socioeconomic impact of these injuries.

[Exposure to anesthetic gases: risk and prevention]. / L'exposition aux gaz anesthésiques: risques et prévention.

Several studies published during the last fifteen years seem to demonstrate that major risks, i.e. congenital malformations in the offspring and increased rate of spontaneous abortions, are associated with occupational exposure to anesthetic gases (halothane and nitrous oxide) in operating rooms. In view of the severity of the potential risk, we have: 1) analyzed risk factors in the light of epidermiologic and experimental studies; 2) determined the threshold levels of air pollution for these risk factors; 3) analyzed the situation in the Grenoble Hospital and the means of dealing with it.