The relationship between occupations and head and neck cancers.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between occupation and head and neck cancers. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this case-control study, 206 Turkish patients with head and neck cancers comprised the case group. The control group consisted of 206 age- and sex-matched patients without malignant disease. All patients completed a questionnaire regarding occupation; tobacco and alcohol consumption; educational status; and history of any systemic disease, benign head and neck disease, and cancer among family members. High-risk jobs were considered those in the industries of construction, wood, mining, metal, chemistry and agriculture. RESULTS: Patients with head and neck cancers worked in high-risk occupations more frequently than did controls [odds ratio (OR): 3.42, p<0.05]. Cancer risk decreased with the increase in time interval between quitting the high-risk job and time of interview. Smokers were at higher risk than nonsmokers (OR: 3.33, p<0.05). The risk was also higher in patients who drank alcohol regularly (OR: 1.59, p<0.05). However, occupation was found to be an independent high-risk factor for head and neck cancers in regression analysis. Frequency of benign head and neck disease and family history of cancer were not significant risk factors (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Our analysis showed that occupation and smoking were significant independent risk factors for the development of head and neck cancers among workers.

Microalbuminuria: prevalence in hypertensives and diabetics.

BACKGROUND: Microalbuminuria is the mild elevation of urinary albumin excretion and reflects the progression of clinical nephropathy and cardiovascular disease and mortality risks of diabetic and hypertensive patients. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of and risk factors for microalbuminuria amongst Turkish people who had diabetes and/or hypertension and were older than 35 years of age. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, from a pool of 7708 people over 35 years of age living in the Park Health Centre Area of Ankara, Turkey, we randomly selected 550 out of 926 hypertensive and/or diabetic patients. The area is also the research district of Ankara University Medical Faculty's Public Health Department. The results of 493 of those examined for microalbuminuria are represented in the study. An immunospecific dipstick Micral Test II was used for microalbuminuria screening and Medi-test urinary strip for macroalbuminuria. Additionally, blood pressure levels were recorded, fasting blood glucose levels were measured by Glucotrend and questionnaire forms were filled out. Chi square and logistic regression analyses were used for statistical analyses. RESULTS: In the study population, 439 patients were hypertensive, 194 patients were diabetic and of these, 140 were both hypertensive and diabetic. Overall prevalence of microalbuminuria was 19.1% and macroalbuminuria was 4.4% in the study group. Microalbuminuria prevalence was 18.9% in the hypertensive group and 21.7% in the diabetic group. In the hypertensive group, diastolic pressure level, male sex and type of accommodation, in the diabetic group, duration of diabetes, fasting blood glucose levels and type of accommodation were all influential factors for microalbuminuria according to the results of the multiple logistic regression analyses. CONCLUSION: Our study shows a high prevalence of microalbuminuria in both hypertensive and diabetic patients, males being at Special risk. Lowering of diastolic blood pressure and amelioration of living Standards should be the first goal of treatment according to our results.