Survival rate of patients with bladder cancer and its related factors in Kurdistan Province (2013-2018): a population-based study.

BACKGROUND: Bladder cancer is one of the most common urinary tract cancers. This study aims to estimate the survival rate of patients with bladder cancer according to the Cox proportional hazards model based on some key relevant variables. METHODS: In this retrospective population-based cohort study that explores the survival of patients with bladder cancer and its related factors, we first collected demographic information and medical records of 321 patients with bladder cancer through in-person and telephone interviews. Then, in the analysis phase, Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test were used to draw the survival curve, compare the groups, and explore the effect of risk factors on the patient survival rate using Cox proportional hazards model. RESULTS: The median survival rate of patients was 63.2 (54.7-72) months and one, three and five-year survival rates were 87%, 68% and 54%, respectively. The results of multiple analyses using Cox's proportional hazards model revealed that variables of sex (male gender) (HR = 11.8, 95% CI: 0.4-100.7), more than 65 year of age (HR = 4.1, 95% CI: 0.4-11), occupation, income level, (HR = 0.4, 95% CI: 0.2-0.8), well differentiated tumor grade (HR = 3.2, 95% CI: 1.7-6) and disease stage influenced the survival rate of patients (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The survival rate of patients with bladder cancer in Kurdistan province is relatively low. Given the impact of the disease stage on the survival rate, adequate access to appropriate diagnostic and treatment services as well as planning for screening and early diagnosis, especially in men, can increase the survival rate of patients.

Prediction Effects of Personal, Psychosocial, and Occupational Risk Factors on Low Back Pain Severity Using Artificial Neural Networks Approach in Industrial Workers.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to provide an empirical model of predicting low back pain (LBP) by considering the occupational, personal, and psychological risk factor interactions in workers population employed in industrial units using an artificial neural networks approach. METHODS: A total of 92 workers with LBP as the case group and 68 healthy workers as a control group were selected in various industrial units with similar occupational conditions. The demographic information and personal, occupational, and psychosocial factors of the participants were collected via interview, related questionnaires, consultation with occupational medicine, and also the Rapid Entire Body Assessment worksheet and National Aeronautics and Space Administration Task Load Index software. Then, 16 risk factors for LBP were used as input variables to develop the prediction model. Networks with various multilayered structures were developed using MATLAB. RESULTS: The developed neural networks with 1 hidden layer and 26 neurons had the least error of classification in both training and testing phases. The mean of classification accuracy of the developed neural networks for the testing and training phase data were about 88% and 96%, respectively. In addition, the mean of classification accuracy of both training and testing data was 92%, indicating much better results compared with other methods. CONCLUSION: It appears that the prediction model using the neural network approach is more accurate compared with other applied methods. Because occupational LBP is usually untreatable, the results of prediction may be suitable for developing preventive strategies and corrective interventions.

The association between insomnia and cardiovascular risk factors in bus drivers in Iran.

BACKGROUND: Road accidents are one of the most important issues in Iran which more than eighteen thousand persons are died annually because of this problem. Among the major reasons for this issue, sleepiness and cardiovascular disorder can be mentioned. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between insomnia and cardiovascular risk factors among professional drivers who are at high risk during driving. METHODS: A total of 1232 male bus drivers were included in the study and two different kinds of data sets were collected: (1) Sleep disorder information using Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS) and (2) Cardiovascular parameters such as systematic measurement of blood pressure, electrocardiography (ECG), total cholesterol, and triglyceride. RESULTS: Our study demonstrated that the prevalence of insomnia in professional bus drivers was 8 percent. The study showed significant association between age, diastolic hypertension and work experience with final awakening earlier than desired (P < 0.05), the rate of the triglyceride level and total sleep duration (p = 0.02), and BMI and sleepiness during the day (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggested that elevated serum triglyceride levels and increased diastolic blood pressure may be associated with some sleep complaints in drivers.

Visual Display Terminal use in Iranian bank tellers: Effects on job stress and insomnia.

BACKGROUND: Visual Display Terminals (VDTs) are equipments in many workplaces which their use may increase the risk of visual, musculoskeletal and mental problems including insomnia. OBJECTIVE: To determine the relationship between duration of daily VDT use and insomnia among the Iranian bank tellers. METHODS: We randomly selected 382 bank tellers working with VDT. Quality of sleep and stress information were collected by Athens Insomnia Scales (AIS) and Demand-Control Model (DCM) model respectively. RESULTS: Out of 382 participants, 127 (33.2%) had sleep complaints and 255 (66.8%) had no sleep disorders. Moreover, the insomnia symptoms' score were significantly high in the participants having more than 6 hours of daily VDT use after adjusting for multiple confounding factors (P <  0.001). There was no significant relationship between stress and insomnia. CONCLUSIONS: It seems that the low levels of stress and job satisfaction reduce the impact of VDT on sleep quality in tellers who worked less than 6 hours per day.

The efficacy of radiant heat controls on workers' heat stress around the blast furnace of a steel industry.

BACKGROUND: Workers' exposure to excessive heat in molten industries is mainly due to radiant heat from hot sources. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of radiant heat controls on workers heat stress around a typical blast furnace. METHODS: Two main interventions were applied for reducing radiant heat around the blast furnace of a steel industry located in western Iran. These included using a heat absorbing system in the furnace body and installing reflective aluminum barrier in the main workstation. Heat stress indexes were measured before and after each intervention using the digital WBGT-meter. RESULTS: The results showed MRT and WBGT indexes decreased by 20 °C and 3.9 °C, respectively after using heat absorbing system and also decreased by 18.6 °C and 2.5 °C, respectively after installing a reflective barrier. These indexes decrease by 26.5 °C and 5.2 °C, respectively due to the simultaneous application of the two interventions which were statistically significant (p < 0.001). The core body temperature of workers decreased by 2.6 °C after the application of interventions which was also significant (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results confirmed heat control at source can be considered as a first solution for reducing radiant heat of blast furnaces. However, the simultaneous application of interventions could noticeably reduce worker heat stress. The results provide reliable information in order to implement the effective heat controls in typical hot steel industries.

Association between the high risk occupations and bladder cancer in Iran: a case-control study.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this work was to identify the high-risk occupations in Iran and to re-inspect occupations that were related to bladder cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the study, 300 patients suffering from bladder cancer and 500 control individuals were interviewed. Demographic information, occupational history, and history of exposure to chemical compounds such as aromatic amines for each participant were collected. ORs and 95% CIs were calculated using unconditional logistic regression for each occupation. RESULTS: There was a significantly increased risk of bladder cancer among truck and bus drivers (OR = 11.3), skilled agricultural, forestry and fishery workers (OR = 6.0), metal industry workers (OR = 6.0), domestic housekeepers (OR = 5.9), and construction workers (OR = 3.8). CONCLUSIONS: The study showed a strong correlation between truck and bus drivers, skilled agricultural, forestry and fishery workers, metal industry workers, domestic housekeepers, as well as construction workers and the increased risk of bladder cancer in these occupations.