[The development of health care for workers through history]. / Prepoznavanje potrebe zdravstvene skrbi o radnicima tijekom povijesti.

The definition of occupational health has changed significantly over time to cover broader aspects of health care and to promote worker's health. Over the centuries, the relationship between workplace hazards and occupational health care has been influenced by the character of work, social evolution and changes in manufacture, economy and demographics of the working populations. Numerous old civilizations showed deep prejudice towards human work. Very often manual work was done by slaves, and their health and safety were neglected. A spectrum of occupational diseases (acute, chronic, malignant and damage of reproduction) cover all organic body system, each of which can be affected by exposure to specific agents at workplace. Work and working conditions may deteriorate and worsen an existing illness which is not necessarily work-related. Living habits may also interfere with occupational factors leading to the development of a disease. Today, occupational medicine is the only medical field encompassing occupation and environment and health. This article also describes the historic development of occupational medicine in Croatia and some of the current regulations on occupational health in the country.

[Healthy aging and productive retirement]. / Zdravo starenje i produktivno umirovljenje.

Characteristics of aging as a normal physiological process are presented. The main indicators of increased the number of older population in the world as well as problems related to society and particularly to public health are listed. The difference between gerontology and geriatrics is described. Retirement is separately presented as a psychological process. Reported are the most frequent chronic diseases that may develop in older people including dementia, mental depression, and other psychological problems. The theories of aging related to organs and organic systems are described. The importance of geroprophylaxis, including primary, secondary and terciary prevention for older people is particularly stressed.

Utility of a routine medical surveillance program with benzene exposed workers.

BACKGROUND: A medical surveillance program of benzene-exposed workers has to be established in such a way as to observe early signs of benzene-induced cytopenia, pancytopenia, or leukemia. This study evaluates the utility of routine medical survey applied to benzene-exposed workers by analyzing the hematological, immunological, and cytogenetic assay results. METHODS: The results of a previous study of hematological, immunological, and cytogenetic assays in benzene-exposed workers (up to 15 ppm) are used to discuss medical surveillance program by defining the relationship between various benzene exposure concentrations and toxic endpoints. RESULTS: Exposure to benzene concentration lower than 5 ppm does not produce any abnormal hematological measurements. For benzene cumulative exposure above 100 (ppm-years), some blood indices [mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), band neutrophils] show significant differences in comparison to the control group. The incidence of dicentric chromosomes was higher and the level of B-lymphocytes was lower even with workers exposed to 5 ppm of benzene; correlation with exposure indicators was not found. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that peripheral blood indices, although not sensitive enough, are still the most suitable parameters in a health surveillance program applied to benzene-exposed workers. B-lymphocytes could be a promising indicator of the benzene-induced damage. Cytogenetic tests did not prove to be suitable. Further investigation of useful screening tests for health surveillance program of benzene-exposed workers is still required.

[Occupational diseases in instrumental musicians]. / Bolesti profesionalnih glazbenika instrumentalista.

Occupational diseases, work-related diseases and occupational stigma in professional musicians are discussed. Predominant diseases and symptoms related to various organic systems, such as musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, respiratory system, skin, mouth and teeth diseases, as well as the effect of noise and psychological stress, have been listed. The preventive measures in order to promote health of musicians are described in particular.

[Toxic effects of benzene and toluene]. / Istrazivanja toksicnih ucinaka benzena i toluena.

The research of benzene and toluene toxic effects has been carried out in the Republic of Croatia. The paper presents the results. The research of early indicators of benzene hematotoxicity, immunotoxicity and genotoxicity and toluene neurotoxicity has been conducted on the level of methods applicable in the occupational medicine preventive activities. Methods appropriate for prevention and diagnostics of health impairment of workers occupationally exposed to benzene and toluene have been recommended.

[The role of occupational medicine in evaluation of work capacity and invalidity]. / Uloga medicine rada u ocjeni radne sposobnosti i invalidnosti.

The basic parameters of work capacity as well as difference to temporary work capacity are described. Separately listed are principles of assessment of work capacity before employment, during employment as well as for determination of invalidity. Differences between impairment and disability are stressed. The importance of vocational guidance and selection of workers is stressed. The characteristics of insurance medicine are presented.