Compensation claims for work-related musculoskeletal disorders among hairdressers in France, 2010-2016.

Background. Hairdressers in France experience occupational illness as well as stressful working conditions which can result in permanent incapacity mainly due to work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs), yet WRMSDs in this workforce remain largely unstudied. Objective. The aim of this study was to analyze trends in compensation claims for WRMSDs among hairdressers. Methods. Data concerning gender, age, permanent incapacity, working experience and lost work days (LWD) of claimants were extracted from the French National Health Insurance Fund for Salaried Workers. Results. The claim rate increased non-significantly by 12.8% during the study period. The incidence rate of permanent incapacity increased significantly by 16.0%. In proportion, significant differences were observed between age groups, with age 35-49 years ranking first (45.8%), and also in claimants with working experience > 10 years (43.1%). Overall, there were 666,461 LWD during the study period with a significant increase of 16.2% (p < 0.001). Conclusion. Although the claims rate did not increase significantly, the incidence rate of permanent incapacity increased significantly and some groups at risk have been indentified.

Fragrance Allergens in Hair Removal Cosmetic Products.

BACKGROUND: Fragrances are the most common cause of contact allergy in cosmetics. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to identify fragrance allergens in hair removal products based on the list of ingredients. METHODS: Hair removal products found in the French market were checked for the 26 allergens classified in accordance with Directive 2003/15/EC through information on the packages using the Web site of the manufacturer, vendor, or supermarket. CONCLUSIONS: A total of 662 hair removal products were checked. Fragrance allergens were present in 318 (48%) of the products, with an average of 4 allergens per product. Linalool and limonene were the most common fragrances present in 67% and 50.3%, respectively. Strip and spray formulations contained significantly more allergens than cream/lotion or wax products. To prevent allergic contact dermatitis, the formulation of hair removal products should be considered, because fragrance allergens are more often present in strip and spray formulations.

Effect of restaurant types on compensation claims for work-related musculoskeletal disorders in France.

OBJECTIVES: The economic burden of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) is industry specific. The objective was to analyse compensation claims for WMSDs among restaurant workers in France taking into account the type of restaurant. METHODS: Data for 2014 were obtained from the French National Health Insurance Fund for Salaried Workers. A chi-square test was used to compare claims, incapacity and lost work day rates in different types of restaurant. RESULTS: Prevalence for WMSDs differed significantly by the type of kitchen: collective restaurant (7.2/1000 workers), traditional restaurant (1.7/1000), and fast food restaurant (1.0/1000). There were more male claimants in traditional restaurant workers (51.0%) than in collective restaurant workers (40.1%) but more female claimants in collective restaurant workers (50.1%) than in traditional restaurant workers (39.4%). Permanent incapacity was significantly more prevalent in collective restaurant workers (49.6%), than in traditional (41.9%) and fast food (8.5%) restaurant workers. In collective restaurant workers, as a percentage, claims, permanent incapacity and lost work days increased with age range or work experience. CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence for WMSDs and therefore incapacity and lost work days are different according to the type of restaurant. Preventive strategies should take these differences into consideration.

Modifiable Co-Morbidities Trends During Hospital Admissions for Obesity in France (2009-2014).

Obesity is a growing public health problem in France, but modifiable co-morbidities in obese patients during their hospital admissions excluding bariatric surgery are lacking. Data were extracted from the French national hospital discharge database. Data on patient admissions, age, gender, and length of stay were extracted by selecting any stay coded primary as obesity. Obesity was defined as body mass index (BMI) between 30-39 kg/m², and morbid obesity as BMI≥40 kg/m². Only modifiable co-morbidities frequently diagnosed during the 6-year period with a rate≥3% were chosen. The admission rate for obesity decreased by 27.2% (P<0.001) with more females than males (71.9% vs. 28.1 %; P<0.001). The main modifiable co-morbidities were hypertension (22.72%), sleep apnea (13.64%), diabetes (12.34%), vitamin D deficiency (7.09%), hyperlipidemia (6.9%), hypercholesterolemia (4.98%), and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (4.94%). Significant decreases were observed for hypertension (14.5%), diabetes (20%), hypercholesterolemia (30%) with steeper increase for vitamin D deficiency (830.7%) and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (165.2%). Considering obesity class, admission for obesity (BMI: 30-40 kg/m²) and morbid obesity (BMI≥40 kg/m²) increased (P<0.001) by 6% and 7% respectively. Taking into account severity in proportion, stay>3 days significantly increased by 29.2% (P<0.001). The increase in the proportion of morbid obesity, vitamin D deficiency, and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis adds further evidence on the likely adverse health consequences of modifiable obesity-related comorbidities. There is a need for Health Authorities to promoting healthy lifestyle.

Semi-automated evaluation of the cortico-medullar index on radius radiographs: a study in prepubertal girls.

The aim of the study was to validate a non-invasive method allowing a semi-automatic cortico-medullar index (CMI) computation from standard radiographs. Fifty-five radiographs of the non-dominant radius of prepubertal girls (aged 10.12+/-1.47 years) were scanned (100 microm scanning resolution) by the same observer. To detect the grey level peaks, we used the Deriche's recursive filter applied to the grey level gradients and we defined the cortical areas by thresholding (iterative contour detection). The CMI was calculated as cortical areas divided by the total bone area. The reproducibility was tested through the analysis of ten radiographs scanned twice, on 5, 10, 15, 20, 30 and 40 lines at each side of a reference line located at the distal third part of the radius. We used the root mean square coefficient of variation (RMS-CV) as verification. Dual-Energy X-ray (DXA) was used for densitometry measurements of the whole body, and non dominant radius (mid-, distal third and ultra distal). The result attaining the best reproducibility concerned the 15-line position (Mean CMI=0.58+/-0.005 with a 1.36% RMS-CV). CMI correlated significantly with Bone Mineral Density (BMD) (r=0.40, 0.33 and 0.50, P<0.01, respectively, at the whole body, mid- and third distal of the radius), Bone Mineral Content (BMC) (r=0.32, 0.36, 0.34 and 0.35, respectively, at the whole body (P=0.01), mid- (P=0.007), third distal (P=0.01) and ultra distal of the radius (P=0.01)) but not with BMD at the ultra distal of the radius (r=-0.01, P=0.9). This semi-automated new method has been easily implemented, reproducible, and therefore, could be useful tool for the bone CMI computation.