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Occupational History (occupational + history)
Selected AbstractsOccupational risk factors for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: A population-based case,control study in Northern GermanyAMERICAN JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE, Issue 4 2008David B. Richardson Abstract Objectives To identify occupational factors associated with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). Methods A population-based case,control study was conducted in which incident cases of high-malignancy NHL (NHLhigh), low-malignancy NHL (NHLlow), and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) were ascertained during the period 1986,1998 among men and women aged 15,75 years residing in six German counties; controls were drawn from population registries. Occupational histories were collected and agent-specific exposures were estimated via a job-exposure-matrix. Odds ratios were estimated by conditional logistic regression. Results A total of 858 cases were included in these analyses. Agricultural workers [odds ratio (OR),=,2.67, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.99, 7.21) and farmers (OR,=,1.98, 95% CI: 0.98, 3.98] had elevated risk of NHLhigh. Risk of NHLlow was elevated among agricultural workers (OR,=,2.46, 95% CI: 1.17, 5.16), and among blacksmiths, toolmakers, and machine tool operators (OR,=,3.12, 95% CI: 1.31, 7.47). Workers in sales and construction had elevated risks of NHLhigh and NHLlow. Exposure to arsenic compounds, chlorophenols, diesel fuel, herbicides, nitrites/nitrates/nitrosamines, and organic dusts were associated with NHLhigh and NHLlow, while exhibiting little association with CLL. A positive monotonic trend in NHLlow risk across tertiles of cumulative diesel fuel exposure was observed [P -value for test of linear trend (P),=,0.03]. Conclusions These findings provide insights into several potential occupational risk factors for NHL and suggest some specific occupational agents for further investigation. Am. J. Ind. Med. 51:258,268, 2008. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Interstitial pulmonary fibrosis after severe exposure to welding fumesAMERICAN JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE, Issue 4 2002U. Buerke MD Abstract Background Interstitial pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is reported after long term, severe exposure to welding fumes in poorly ventilated workplaces. Methods Fifteen welders with IPF were examined,13 in our outpatient clinic,from 1990 to 1997. Occupational histories and examinations, lung function analyses, symptoms and clinical findings, histological analyses in 13 patients partly including SEM/EDX-analyses, chest X-rays, chest computed tomographies were conducted. Results Duration of work as welders was 28 years and the cumulative dose of welding fumes 221 mg/m3,×,years (median). Lung function studies found pattern of restriction or combined restriction-obstruction, lower diffusion capacity, and reduced blood oxygen tension at exercise. Histologicallly, patchy interstitial fibrosis was noted. Accumulations of particulate matter typically for welding fume were detected. EDX showed increase of iron load and close topographical relationship to welding fume particles embedded in areas of scattered fibrosis. Conclusion While epidemiological data are limited, it is reasonable to conclude that a causal relationship exists between IPF in welders with long term exposure to high concentrations of welding fumes. Am. J. Ind. Med. 41:259,268, 2002. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Case,control study of male germ cell tumors nested in a cohort of car-manufacturing workers: Findings from the occupational historyAMERICAN JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE, Issue 10 2010Ingo Langner PhD Abstract Background To examine whether the previously observed excess risk of male germ cell cancer in a cohort of car-manufacturing workers can be attributed to occupational activities inside and/or outside the car industry. Methods A nested case,control study among workers in six plants included 205 cases of germ cell cancer and 1,105 controls, individually matched by year of birth (±2 years). Job periods of the individual occupational histories were coded based on the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) and the industrial classification of economic activities (NACE). Odds ratios (ORs) and corresponding 95%-confidence intervals (CI) for ever-never and cumulative employment were calculated by conditional multivariate logistic regression adjusted for cryptorchidism. Results Significantly increased risks were observed for machinery fitters and assemblers (A) (OR,=,1.8, 95% CI 1.25,2.53) and "workers not elsewhere classified" (OR,=,2.10, 95% CI 1.27,3.54), but no trend was observed for employment duration in either occupational group. Stratification of job group A by metal-cutting and non-cutting jobs yielded ORs of 1.87 (95% CI 1.31,2.67) and of 1.24 (95% CI 0.68,2.28), respectively. Among "plumbers, welders, sheet & structural metal workers" (adjusted OR 1.4, 95% CI 0.99,1.95) only "structural metal preparers and erectors" showed a substantially increased risk (OR,=,2.30; 95% CI 1.27,4.27). Conclusions Our results do not fully explain the increased incidence of germ cell cancer in the cohort, but support previous findings showing increased risks among metal workers. These risks were most strongly pronounced in metal-cutting activities. Am. J. Ind. Med. 53:1006,1018, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Occupation and multiple myeloma: An occupation and industry analysisAMERICAN JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE, Issue 8 2010Laura S. Gold PhD Abstract Background Multiple myeloma (MM) is an incurable plasma cell malignancy with a poorly understood etiology. The purpose of our research was to examine the relationships between lifetime occupations and MM in a relatively large case,control study. Methods MM cases (n,=,180) were identified through cancer registries in the Seattle-Puget Sound area and Detroit. Population-based controls (n,=,481) were identified using random digit dialing and Medicare and Medicaid Services files. In-person interviews were conducted to ascertain occupational histories. Standard occupational classification (SOC) and standard industrial classification (SIC) codes were assigned to each job held by each participant. Unconditional logistic regression was used to generate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for associations between MM and having ever worked in each occupation/industry and according to duration of employment in an occupation/industry. Results The risk of MM was associated with several manufacturing occupations and industries, including machine operators and tenders, not elsewhere classified (SOC 76) (OR,=,1.8, CI,=,1.0,3.3); textile, apparel, and furnishing machine operators and tenders (SOC 765) (OR,=,6.0, CI,=,1.7,21); and machinery manufacturing, except electrical (SIC 35) (OR,=,3.3, CI,=,1.7,6.7). Several service occupations and industries, such as food and beverage preparation (SOC 521) (OR,=,2.0, CI,=,1.1,3.8), were also associated with MM. One occupation that has been associated with MM in several previous studies, painters, paperhangers, and plasterers (SOC 644) was associated with a non-significantly elevated risk (OR,=,3.6, CI,=,0.7,19). Conclusions We found associations between the risk of MM and employment in several manufacturing and service-related occupations and industries. Am. J. Ind. Med. 53:768,779, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Hospitalization in Winnipeg, Canada due to occupational disease: A pilot studyAMERICAN JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE, Issue 5 2009Allen G. Kraut MD, FRCPC Abstract Background The objectives of this study were to identify the extent of occupational exposures to hazardous substances amongst male medical inpatients and to determine the extent to which these exposures may have contributed to the development of medical conditions. Methods A random sample of 297 male who were admitted from outside the hospital to the medical wards to a large tertiary care hospital, were between age 18,75 and could communicate in English completed an occupational history questionnaire. This information was merged with an inpatient database which contained patient demographics, admission diagnoses, and co-morbidity data. A specialist in occupational medicine and internal medicine determined whether the medical conditions the participants had were related to their exposures. Results One individual had a condition causing admission that was related to his work and 12 others (4%) had a condition that was possibly related to their work which had caused symptoms. One additional individual was found to have asymptomatic asbestos related pleural fibrosis. Fourteen of 37 possible harmful occupational exposures were reported by more than 10% of the study participants. On average each participant reported 5.5 exposures. Conclusions Occupational exposures to male medical inpatients are common. For 4.4% (13/297) of male admissions to the general medical wards from the emergency room occupational factors may have played a role in the development of medical conditions which led to admission or to major co-morbidities. Detailed occupational histories will likely lead to more suspected cases of work related medical admissions. Am. J. Ind. Med. 52:372,379, 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc [source] Occupation and breast cancer risk in Polish women: A population-based case-control studyAMERICAN JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE, Issue 2 2007Beata Peplonska MD Abstract Background The etiology of breast cancer is not well understood and the role of occupational exposures in breast carcinogenesis is still uncertain. Methods The population-based case-control study included 2,386 incident breast cancer cases diagnosed in 2000,2003, and 2,502 controls. Lifetime occupational histories and information on other potential breast cancer risk factors were obtained through personal interviews. Conditional logistic regression analyses calculated odds ratios (ORs) associated with various occupations and industries after control for potential confounders. Results We found statistically significant excesses of breast cancer among engineers (OR=2.0; 95% CI: 1.0,3.8), economists (2.1; 1.1,3.8), sales occupations-retail (1.2; 1.0,1.5), and other sales occupations (1.2; 1.0,1.5). Industries showing significantly elevated risks included special trade contractors (2.2; 1.2,4.3), electronic and electric equipment manufacturers (1.7; 1.1,2.7); and public administration/general government n.e.c. (2.7; 1.3,5.7). Each of these findings was supported by a statistically significant positive trend for duration of employment (P<0.05). A decreased breast cancer risk was observed in janitors and cleaners (0.7; 0.5,0.8). Conclusions In this study, we found few associations for breast cancer and occupations or industries. The suggestive findings for the electronic and electric equipment manufacturing industry and for the occupations with potential exposure to magnetic fields deserve further evaluation. Am. J. Ind. Med. 50:97,111, 2007. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Continued exposure to silica after diagnosis of silicosis in Brazilian gold miners,AMERICAN JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE, Issue 10 2006Ana Paula Scalia Carneiro PhD Abstract Background There is a paucity of studies analyzing the effect of continued silica exposure after the onset of silicosis with regard to disease progression. The present study investigates differences in clinical and radiological presentation of silicosis among former workers with a diagnosis of silicosis, and compares workers who continued to be exposed to silica with those who stopped silica exposure after having received their diagnosis. Methods A sample of 83 former gold miners with a median of 21 years from the first diagnoses of silicosis, had their clinical and occupational histories taken and underwent both chest radiography (International Labor Organization standards) and spirometry. Their silica exposure was assessed and an exposure index was created. The main outcome was the radiological severity of silicosis and tuberculosis (TB). The statistical analysis was done by multiple logistic regression. Results Among the 83 miners, 44 had continued exposed to silica after being diagnosed with silicosis. Continuation of silica exposure was associated with advanced radiological images of silicosis (X-ray classification in category 3, OR,=,6.42, 95% CI,=,1.20,34.27), presence of coalescence and/or large opacities (OR,=,3.85, CI,=,1.07,13.93), and TB (OR,=,4.61, 95% CI,=,1.14,18.71). Conclusions Differential survival is unlikely to explain observed differences in silicosis progression. Results reinforce the recommendation that silica exposure should be halted at an early stage whenever X-ray is suggestive of the disease. Am. J. Ind. Med. 49:811,818, 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Occupational categories at risk for Parkinson's diseaseAMERICAN JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE, Issue 6 2001Kandace L. Kirkey MPH Abstract Background The etiology of Parkinson's disease (PD) is considered to have a strong environmental component, but relatively few studies have investigated the potential association between occupation and the disease. Methods In a population-based case-control study, we collected comprehensive occupational histories from all study participants, 144 case and 464 control subjects. Results Chi-square analysis revealed that working in an agricultural occupation increased estimated PD risk (OR,=,1.74; 95% CI,=,0.85, 3.60). In contrast, a history of ever working in a service occupation was negatively associated with PD risk (OR,=,0.69; 95% CI,=,0.47, 1.00). Risk estimates were close to one for specific service occupations. Adjusted odds ratios for all non-service occupational and industrial categories were similar, and working in a service occupation was the only significant inverse predictor of PD risk. Conclusions Future investigations focusing on lifestyle factors and environmental exposures within the agricultural and service occupational categories are warranted. Am. J. Ind. Med. 39:564,571, 2001. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Modeling and analysis of disease and risk factors through learning Bayesian networks from observational dataQUALITY AND RELIABILITY ENGINEERING INTERNATIONAL, Issue 3 2008Jing Li Abstract This paper focuses on identification of the relationships between a disease and its potential risk factors using Bayesian networks in an epidemiologic study, with the emphasis on integrating medical domain knowledge and statistical data analysis. An integrated approach is developed to identify the risk factors associated with patients' occupational histories and is demonstrated using real-world data. This approach includes several steps. First, raw data are preprocessed into a format that is acceptable to the learning algorithms of Bayesian networks. Some important considerations are discussed to address the uniqueness of the data and the challenges of the learning. Second, a Bayesian network is learned from the preprocessed data set by integrating medical domain knowledge and generic learning algorithms. Third, the relationships revealed by the Bayesian network are used for risk factor analysis, including identification of a group of people who share certain common characteristics and have a relatively high probability of developing the disease, and prediction of a person's risk of developing the disease given information on his/her occupational history. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Micromorphological studies of Greek prehistoric sites: New insights in the interpretation of the archaeological recordGEOARCHAEOLOGY: AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL, Issue 3 2002Panagiotis Karkanas Ongoing micromorphological studies in several prehistoric sites of Greece (Theopetra cave, Boila rockshelter, Alonnisos, Drakaina cave, Kouveleiki cave, Lakonis cave complex, and Dispilio lake dwelling) provide new information on the relationship between environmental changes and the cultural history of the sites. The frequent climatic oscillations during the last glacial directly influenced the occupational mode of Theopetra cave and Boila rockshelter in northern Greece. Soil micromorphology may be a promising tool in unraveling differences in the occupational history due to climatic changes among diverse areas of Greece. Some preliminary observations from the Lakonis cave complex, in southern coastal Greece, support the existence of such differences. Evidence brought forward with the micromorphological study of Dispilio lake dwelling and Theopetra cave suggests that during the Holocene, aridification phases evident in the Mediterranean region might have also played a role in the Greek prehistoric settlement pattern. So far, evidence for aridification phases is present for the end of the Mesolithic and probably for part of the Final Neolithic. In several cases, micromorphology has revealed details of the cultural nature of the sites. Questions related to occupational intensity (Theopetra, Lakonis, Kouveleiki, and Drakaina caves), post-depositional changes and cultural modification of the sediments (Alonnisos, Theopetra, and Drakaina caves), constructions (Theopetra and Drakaina caves), and stratigraphic correlation (Boila) have been satisfactorily addressed along with the analysis of the microstructure of the sediments. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source] Semen quality and sedentary work positionINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ANDROLOGY, Issue 1 2004Julie Støy Summary Increased scrotal temperature can, in experimental settings, markedly disturb the production of semen. Sedentary work position may increase the temperature of the scrotum, but previous studies have failed to determine whether changes in scrotal temperature caused by sedentary work actually do affect semen quality. This study was carried out to elucidate the possible harmful effects of sedentary work on sperm count and other semen characteristics. In 1981,1983 a semen sample was obtained from 3119 men who attended an infertility workup in one of four Danish fertility centres. A total of 2517 men returned a postal questionnaire with information on life style, leisure time activities, occupational history and job duties. Information on job specific work position was obtained from The Danish Work Environment Cohort study 1990 (DWECS). In this analysis DWECS data for a total of 1747 men was included from men aged 18,39 years with >30 h of work per week. For all job titles represented in the DWECS, the mean proportion of sedentary work was estimated. The sperm cell concentration was 30.6 million/mL among men in the quintile with lowest job specific sedentary work compared with 40.5 million/mL in the highest quintile. The difference was, however, not statistically significant. Stratification on infertility period, educational level of the man, fertility centre, and fertility-related disease of the spouse did not influence the results. The analyses do not suggest that sedentary work is a risk factor for abnormal semen characteristics. [source] Risk factors of Egyptian male osteoporosisINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RHEUMATIC DISEASES, Issue 4 2008Salwa S. ELGENDI Abstract Background:, Osteoporosis (OP) is a growing health problem not only in women but also in men. Subjects and methods:, This study was carried out on 100 healthy men, age range 30,65 years (mean ± SD, 44.65 ± 8.3). All were randomly recruited from Assiut city during the period January 2005 to January 2006. Complete clinical history included occupational history, smoking habit, physical activity and calcium intake. Complete clinical examination and anthropometric measurments were done. Laboratory investigations for serum calcium, phosphorus and osteocalcin were performed. Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured by calcaneal ultrasound. Results:, Sixty-three percent of participants had normal BMD, 37% had low BMD, (26% had quantitative bone ultrasound [QUS] T-score ,1 to ,2.5 and 11% had QUS T-score , ,2.5). Smoking and low physical activity were risk factors for low BMD. Significant positive correlations were found between BMD and body mass index, serum calcium, and osteocalcin and negative correlation with phosphorus. We concluded that low BMD occurs with high frequency in Egyptian men. Smoking, physical inactivity and low body index are significant risk factors. Low serum calcium, low serum osteocalcin and high serum phosphorus are biochemical risk factors of low BMD in males. [source] Comparison of patch test results among white Europeans and patients from the Indian subcontinent living within the same communityJOURNAL OF THE EUROPEAN ACADEMY OF DERMATOLOGY & VENEREOLOGY, Issue 10 2008DA Fairhurst Abstract Background, There are few studies comparing the incidence of allergic contact dermatitis among different racial groups living within the same community. Objectives, The objectives of this study were to compare white European patients with Fitzpatrick's skin phototypes (FSP) I to IV and patients from Indian, Pakistan and Bangladesh with FSP V living within the same community. Referral rates for patch testing, incidence of contact allergies and differences in contact allergens found were assessed. Method, All patients referred to the Contact Dermatitis Unit at Dewsbury and District Hospital between 2004 and 2006, inclusive, were included in the study. All patients were patch tested to the British Contact Dermatitis Society standard series, plus other series according to their clinical history, occupational history and clinical findings. Results, Four hundred and thirty-five consecutive patients from the patch testing clinic were included in the study. Fewer patients from the Indian subcontinent underwent patch testing (11.5%) than would have been expected for the size of the local population (18%). Fewer patients from the Indian subcontinent (44%) had one or more positive reactions compared with the white European patients (56%). No significant differences in the contact allergens responsible were detected between the two racial groups. Conclusion, There is a lower incidence of positive patch test results among patients with racial origins from the Indian subcontinent compared with white Europeans. This modest difference could be explained by a lower average age within the study population, and increased or differing exposure to contact allergens rather than demonstration of variability in the susceptibility to develop contact sensitivities following equal exposure. [source] Case,control study of male germ cell tumors nested in a cohort of car-manufacturing workers: Findings from the occupational historyAMERICAN JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE, Issue 10 2010Ingo Langner PhD Abstract Background To examine whether the previously observed excess risk of male germ cell cancer in a cohort of car-manufacturing workers can be attributed to occupational activities inside and/or outside the car industry. Methods A nested case,control study among workers in six plants included 205 cases of germ cell cancer and 1,105 controls, individually matched by year of birth (±2 years). Job periods of the individual occupational histories were coded based on the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) and the industrial classification of economic activities (NACE). Odds ratios (ORs) and corresponding 95%-confidence intervals (CI) for ever-never and cumulative employment were calculated by conditional multivariate logistic regression adjusted for cryptorchidism. Results Significantly increased risks were observed for machinery fitters and assemblers (A) (OR,=,1.8, 95% CI 1.25,2.53) and "workers not elsewhere classified" (OR,=,2.10, 95% CI 1.27,3.54), but no trend was observed for employment duration in either occupational group. Stratification of job group A by metal-cutting and non-cutting jobs yielded ORs of 1.87 (95% CI 1.31,2.67) and of 1.24 (95% CI 0.68,2.28), respectively. Among "plumbers, welders, sheet & structural metal workers" (adjusted OR 1.4, 95% CI 0.99,1.95) only "structural metal preparers and erectors" showed a substantially increased risk (OR,=,2.30; 95% CI 1.27,4.27). Conclusions Our results do not fully explain the increased incidence of germ cell cancer in the cohort, but support previous findings showing increased risks among metal workers. These risks were most strongly pronounced in metal-cutting activities. Am. J. Ind. Med. 53:1006,1018, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Neuromotor effects of short-term and long-term exposures to trichloroethylene in workers,AMERICAN JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE, Issue 9 2010Katsuyuki Murata MD Abstract Background Health effects of long-term exposure to organic solvents at low levels are a major concern in industrialized countries. To assess the neuromotor impact of trichloroethylene objectively, static postural sway and hand tremor parameters, along with urinary trichloroethanol (TCOH) and trichloroacetic acid (TCAA) levels, were investigated in 57 workers without obvious neurological disorders and 60 control subjects. Methods The workers had been occupationally exposed to trichloroethylene for 0.1,37 years. The cumulative exposure index (CEI) was calculated from their occupational history and total trichloro-compounds (TCOH,+,TCAA). Results Median levels in the workers were 1.7,mg/L for TCOH and 2.5,mg/L for TCAA, and the maximum ambient trichloroethylene concentration was estimated to be <22,ppm from the previously reported equation using TCOH,+,TCAA. Sway parameters with eyes open and tremor intensity in dominant hand were significantly larger in the exposed workers than in the control subjects when adjusting for possible confounders. A significant dose,effect association was seen between two sway parameters and urinary TCOH level in the workers. Tremor intensities in non-dominant hand differed significantly among three groups of the workers divided according to the CEI. Conclusions These findings suggest that trichloroethylene exposure, even at low levels of less than the short-term exposure limit by the ACGIH, can affect the neuromotor function of workers. The postural instability appears to result from recent exposure, and the increased tremor may occur due to short-term and long-term exposures. Hereafter, such objective measures, along with subjective symptoms, should be carefully used for the occupational exposure limit setting. Am. J. Ind. Med. 53:915,921, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Case,control study of pleural mesothelioma in workers with social security in MexicoAMERICAN JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE, Issue 3 2010Guadalupe Aguilar-Madrid MD Abstract Background Environmental and occupational exposure to asbestos in Mexico in the past has been a cause of deaths and health damages. Its magnitude is unknown to date. Our objective was to identify the proportion of cases of malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) that can be attributed to and occupational exposure to asbestos. Methods We carried out a case,control study of MPM in 472 workers insured by the Mexican Institute of Social Security, all Valley of Mexico residents, with 119 incident cases and 353 controls. Cases were histologically confirmed. Participants were questioned concerning their occupational history and sociodemographic data. Assignment to one of the four exposures was performed qualitatively by an expert hygienist. Odds ratios (ORs) and attributable risks (ARs) were calculated using a non-conditional logistic regression model. Results A total of 80.6% of cases and 31.5% of controls had occupational exposure to asbestos. ORs were adjusted for age and gender and by exposure category, and exhibited an increase with probability of exposure as follows: 3.7(95% CI 1.3,10.4) for the likely category and 14.3(95% CI 8,26) for the certain category; AR in the group occupationally exposed to asbestos was 83.2%, and the population AR was 44%. Conclusions Our results show that the relationship between industrial uses of all forms of asbestos is generating an increase in mesothelioma-related diseases and deaths among Mexican workers. As a public health policy, Mexico should prohibit the use of asbestos in all production processes with the aim of controlling the epidemic and preventing the occurrence of new cases of MPM. Am. J. Ind. Med. 53:241,251, 2010. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Bone manganese as a biomarker of manganese exposure: A feasibility studyAMERICAN JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE, Issue 10 2009-Mili, Ana Pejovi Abstract Background There is a need for a diagnostic tool with the ability to measure cumulative exposure to manganese (Mn) in the workplace. Measuring bone Mn levels with in vivo neutron activation analysis (IVNAA) could serve as a biomarker of past exposure. Bone Mn levels of welders were measured and compared to the levels found in subjects without exposure to the element. Method Forty subjects (30 welders and 10 controls) were recruited. An occupational history was obtained and subjects underwent IVNAA bone Mn measurements. Results The mean bone Mn levels were (2.9,±,0.4) and (0.1,±,0.7),µg Mn/g Ca for welders and controls, respectively (P,<,0.05). Conclusions This project, the first of its kind, reports differences in bone Mn between Mn-exposed welders and non-occupationally exposed subjects. It appears that bone Mn levels do reflect differences in the occupational exposure of welders. Am. J. Ind. Med. 52:742,750, 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Neurotoxic effect of occupational exposure to mixed organic solvents in Korea: Posturographic studyAMERICAN JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE, Issue 5 2009Jae-Beom Park MD Abstract Background This study used static posturography to investigate the neurotoxic effects on workers exposed to mixed organic solvents at low concentrations under the levels of the threshold limit values (TLV). Methods Forty-one workers from four plants exposed to mixed solvents and 90 non-exposed referents were examined. The lifetime cumulative biological exposure (CE) was estimated according to subject's occupational history and biological monitoring results. Static posturography and questionnaire were the basis of data collection. Results The mean exposure index of mixed organic solvents of four plants was 0.47 (SD: 0.33, range: 0.08,1.39). The exposed group showed a larger sway area and length under the eye open condition than did the non-exposed group. In a multiple linear regression, a significant positive association was demonstrated between postural sway area and CE. Conclusions This study results suggest that the exposure to organic solvents under TLV levels may cause disturbance in postural stability. Am. J. Ind. Med. 52:429,437, 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Occupational risk factors for prostate cancerAMERICAN JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE, Issue 8 2007Andrea M. Sass-Kortsak PhD Abstract Background Occupational risk factors for prostate cancer have been investigated with inconsistent findings. Methods This was a population-based case-control study of men in Northeastern Ontario, Canada. Cases (n,=,760) were from the Ontario Cancer Registry, 50 to 84 years old, and diagnosed with prostate cancer between 1995 and 1998. Age-frequency matched controls (n,=,1,632) were obtained from telephone listings. A questionnaire yielded information on occupational history and self-reported exposures to a list of occupational hazards. Exposures to these hazards were assessed by an occupational hygienist. Results An odds ratio estimate (OR) of 1.21 (95 percent confidence interval (% CI) 1.01, 1.46) was found for employment in trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations, possibly related to exposure to whole-body vibration (OR,=,1.38, 95% CI 1.07, 1.78). For the highest quartile of lifetime cumulative workplace physical activity an OR of 1.33 (95% CI 1.02, 1.74) was found. No statistically significant associations were found for any other occupational category or exposure. Conclusions This study does not provide strong evidence for significant occupational risk factors for prostate cancer. However, whole-body vibration exposures, as well as physical activity, may be worth pursuing in future occupational studies. Am. J. Ind. Med. 50:568,576, 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Hypersensitivity pneumonitis due to metal working fluids: Sporadic or under reported?AMERICAN JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE, Issue 6 2006Amit Gupta MD Abstract Background Occupational exposure to metal working fluids (MWF) is common with over 1.2 million workers in the United States involved in machine finishing, machine tooling, and other metalworking operations. MWF is a known cause of hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP). Recent reports of outbreaks of hypersensitivity HP secondary to exposure to MWF are reported. Design Cases were identified through the Occupational Disease surveillance system in the State of Michigan and from referrals for evaluation to the Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine at Michigan State University (MSU). Each patient underwent a clinical examination including an occupational history, lung function studies, radiographic imaging, and in some cases lung biopsies. Following the diagnosis of definite HP, an industrial hygiene investigation was carried out, which included a plant walk-through, and review of the "Injury and Illness" log. Air monitoring and microbial sampling results were reviewed. Results As part of Michigan's mandatory surveillance system for occupational illnesses, seven cases of suspected HP were identified in 2003,2004 from three facilities manufacturing automobile parts in Michigan. Each plant used semi-synthetic MWFs, and conducted a MWF management program including biocide additions. Two facilities had recently changed the MWF before the cases arose. Growth of mycobacteria was found in these two MWFs. Breathing zone samples for particulates of two employees in plant A (two cases) ranged from 0.48 to 0.56 mg/m3. In plant B (four cases), two employees' sampling results ranged from 0.10 to 0.14 mg/m3. No air sampling data were available from plant C. Conclusion Hypersensitivity pneumonitis due to exposure to MWFs is under-recognized by health care providers, and current surveillance systems are inadequate to provide a true estimate of its occurrence. HP arose from environments with exposures well below the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) permissible exposure limit (PEL) for MWF, and in one case from exposures well below the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recommended exposure limit (REL). The sporadic nature of reports of HP in relationship to MWF probably represents a combination of workplace changes that cause the disease and inadequate recognition and reporting of the disease when it does occur. Physician awareness of HP secondary to MWF and an effective medical surveillance program are necessary to better understanding the epidemiology and prevention of this disease. Am. J. Ind. Med. 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Association between asbestos exposure, cigarette smoking, myeloperoxidase (MPO) genotypes, and lung cancer riskAMERICAN JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE, Issue 1 2002Matthew B. Schabath MS Abstract Background As observed in tobacco-associated carcinogenesis, genetic factors such as the polymorphic metabolic/oxidative enzyme myeloperoxidase (MPO) could modulate individual susceptibility to asbestos-associated carcinogenesis. Methods RFLP-PCR analysis identified the MPO genotypes in 375 Caucasian lung cancer cases and 378 matched controls. An epidemiological interview elicited detailed information regarding smoking history and occupational history and exposures. Results Asbestos exposure was associated with a significantly elevated risk estimate (OR,=,1.45; 95% CI 1.04,2.02). On stratified analysis, we found the MPO genotypes modified the effect of asbestos exposure on lung cancer risk. Specifically, G/G carriers who were exposed to asbestos had an odds ratio (OR) of 1.72 (95% CI; 1.09,2.66), while A-allele carriers (G/A,+,A/A) exposed to asbestos exhibited a reduced OR of 0.89 (95% CI; 0.56,1.44). The OR was further reduced to 0.73 (0.49,1.06) for A-allele carriers not exposed to asbestos. A similar trend was observed for the joint effects between the MPO genotypes and pack-years smoking. Next, all three risk factors (MPO genotypes, asbestos exposure, and smoking) were analyzed simultaneously for joint effects. Heavy smokers with the G/G genotype and a history of asbestos exposure demonstrated a statistically significant elevated risk estimate (OR,=,2.19; 95% CI 1.16,4.11), while the A-allele carriers with the same exposure profile were at a lower risk for lung cancer (OR,=,1.18; 95% CI 0.58,2.38). The A-allele genotypes demonstrated similar protective effects for the other three exposure profiles. Conclusions For a similar level of exposure to established carcinogens, individuals with the MPO A-allele genotypes appear to have a reduced risk of lung cancer. Am. J. Ind. Med. 42:29,37, 2002. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Non-malignant asbestos-related diseases in Brazilian asbestos-cement workersAMERICAN JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE, Issue 3 2001E. Algranti MD Abstract Background Production of asbestos-cement products in Brazil started in the 1940s, peaked in the 60,70s and is still an active industry. This study was designed to assess the non-malignant effects of asbestos exposure in the asbestos-cement industry in Brazil. Methods A group of 828 former asbestos-cement workers enrolled in a cross-sectional and cohort study of respiratory morbidity, submitted to a detailed occupational history, respiratory symptoms questionnaire, spirometry, PA chest x-ray, and high resolution computed chest tomography (HRCT). Asbestos exposure was assessed by years of exposure, cumulative exposure (a semi-quantitative method), and latency time from first exposure. Asbestosis and pleural thickening were assessed according to HRCT criteria. Results Asbestosis was present in 74 (8.9%) and pleural thickening in 246 (29.7%). Using the HRCT as the "best available evidence", it was shown that were more false negatives than false positives in the x-ray readings for parenchymal (21.6% false negatives, 4.2% false positives) and pleural (26.0% false negatives, 14.4% false positives) diseases due to asbestos. Latency time from first exposure was the best predictor for both asbestosis and pleural thickening. Subjects in the higher exposure groups presented lower levels of lung function. Obstructive defects were significantly related to smoking, shortness of breath, body mass index, and age, whereas restrictive defects were related to asbestosis, shortness of breath, and latency time. Chronic bronchitis increased with latency time in the three smoking groups and was significantly related to pleural thickening (OR 1.56 (1.00,2.42)). Shortness of breath was significantly associated with body mass index and pleural thickening (OR 1.30 (1.24,2.09)). Conclusions Pleural thickening and asbestosis showed a significant association with latency time and exposure. FVC and FEV1 decreased across increasing profusion with an added effect of pleural thickening. There was a significant and independent effect of exposure on lower levels of FVC and FEV1. Obstructive defects were mainly related to smoking and restriction to asbestosis. Dust exposure and smoking were synergistic in increasing chronic bronchitis and shortness of breath report. Shortness of breath report was also related to pleural thickening and higher body mass index. Am. J. Ind. Med. 40:240,254, 2001. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Occupation and leukemia: A population-based case,control study in Iowa and Minnesota,AMERICAN JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE, Issue 1 2001A. Blair PhD Abstract Background Studies have suggested that risk of leukemia may be associated with occupational or industrial exposures and risk may vary by the histological type of the disease. Methods A population-based case,control study was conducted in Iowa and Minnesota to evaluate the association between various occupations, industries, and occupational exposures and leukemia risk. A total of 513 cases and 1,087 controls was included in the study. A lifetime occupational history and other risk factor information were collected through in-person interviews, and a job-exposure matrix was used to assess possible risks associated with specific exposures. Results A significantly increased risk of leukemia was observed among agricultural service industries and among nursing and healthcare workers. Janitors, cleaners, and light truck drivers also experienced increased risk. Those employed in plumbing, heating and air conditioning industries, and sales of nondurable goods (such as paints and varnishes) had an increased risk. Printers, painters, and workers in the food and metal industries had a nonsignificantly increased risk of leukemia. Analyses by specific exposures and histology of leukemia showed that risk of leukemia associated with occupational or industrial exposures may vary by histological type of the disease. Conclusions An increased risk of leukemia among workers employed in agricultural industries, nursing and healthcare workers, and in a few occupations with possible exposure to solvents is consistent with earlier studies. Associations of risk with occupations not observed previously deserve further assessment. Am. J. Ind. Med. 40:3,14, 2001. Published 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Modeling and analysis of disease and risk factors through learning Bayesian networks from observational dataQUALITY AND RELIABILITY ENGINEERING INTERNATIONAL, Issue 3 2008Jing Li Abstract This paper focuses on identification of the relationships between a disease and its potential risk factors using Bayesian networks in an epidemiologic study, with the emphasis on integrating medical domain knowledge and statistical data analysis. An integrated approach is developed to identify the risk factors associated with patients' occupational histories and is demonstrated using real-world data. This approach includes several steps. First, raw data are preprocessed into a format that is acceptable to the learning algorithms of Bayesian networks. Some important considerations are discussed to address the uniqueness of the data and the challenges of the learning. Second, a Bayesian network is learned from the preprocessed data set by integrating medical domain knowledge and generic learning algorithms. Third, the relationships revealed by the Bayesian network are used for risk factor analysis, including identification of a group of people who share certain common characteristics and have a relatively high probability of developing the disease, and prediction of a person's risk of developing the disease given information on his/her occupational history. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Occupational status and social adjustment six months after hospitalization early in the course of bipolar disorder: a prospective studyBIPOLAR DISORDERS, Issue 1 2010Faith Dickerson Dickerson F, Origoni A, Stallings C, Khushalani S, Dickinson D, Medoff D. Occupational status and social adjustment six months after hospitalization early in the course of bipolar disorder: a prospective study. Bipolar Disord 2010: 12: 10,20. © 2010 The Authors. Journal compilation © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Objectives:, Bipolar disorder is often accompanied by poor functional outcomes, the determinants of which are not fully understood. We assessed patients with bipolar disorder undergoing a hospital admission early in the illness course and identified predictors of occupational status, overall social adjustment, and work adjustment six months later. Methods:, This was a prospective longitudinal cohort study. During hospitalization patients were evaluated with a cognitive battery; symptoms, occupational history, and other clinical factors were also assessed. At six-month follow-up, patients' symptom remission status was assessed; they were also evaluated as to their occupational status, overall social adjustment, and work adjustment. Multivariate analyses were used to identify predictors of these outcomes. Results:, Among the 52 participants, the average rating of overall social adjustment at follow-up was between mild and moderate maladjustment. While 51 had a history of working full time, only 28 (54%) worked full time at follow-up. A total of 24 (46%) had symptoms that met criteria for a full depression or mania syndrome. In multivariate analyses, full-time occupational status at follow-up was predicted by the absence of baseline substance abuse. Better overall social adjustment was predicted by better performance on cognitive tasks of processing speed and by symptom remission; the latter variable also predicted work adjustment. Conclusions:, Persons with bipolar disorder have limited occupational recovery and overall social adjustment six months after a hospital admission early in the illness course. Predictors vary among outcomes; performance on tasks of processing speed and the extent of symptom remission are independently associated with functional outcomes. [source] | ||||||||||