RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Occupational diseases are one of the most important health problems related to employment However, in Malaysia, there are few epidemiological studies discussing these issues, especially among workers in the industry. For that, this study aimed to screen workers from high-risk industrial sectors, identify hazards in the workplace and recommend improvement measures in the workplace to prevent occupational diseases. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This is a 3-year project in which a survey of 100 000 workers from all 13 states in Malaysia will be conducted using a web-based screening tool that is comprised of two parts: occupational disease screening tool and hazard identification, risk assessment and risk control method. Data will be collected using a multistage stratified sampling method from 500 companies, including seven critical industrial sectors. The independent variables will be sociodemographic characteristics, comorbidities, previous medical history, high-risk behaviour and workplace profile. The dependent variable will be the types of occupational diseases (noise-induced hearing loss, respiratory, musculoskeletal, neurotoxic, skin and mental disorders). Subsequently, suggestions of referral for medium and high-risk workers to occupational health clinics will be attained. The approved occupational health service clinics/providers will make a confirmatory diagnosis of each case as deemed necessary. Subsequently, a walk-through survey to identify workplace hazards and recommend workplace improvement measures to prevent these occupational diseases will be achieved. Both descriptive and inferential statistics will be used in this study. Simple and adjusted binary regression will be used to find the determinants of occupational diseases. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This study has been approved by the MARA University of Technology Research Ethics Board. Informed, written consent will be obtained from all study participants. Findings will be disseminated to the Department of Occupational Health and Safety, involved industries, and through peer-reviewed publications.
Asunto(s)
Enfermedades Profesionales , Lugar de Trabajo , Humanos , Estudios Transversales , Malasia/epidemiología , Medición de Riesgo/métodos , Enfermedades Profesionales/epidemiología , Enfermedades Profesionales/diagnóstico , Enfermedades Profesionales/prevención & control , Tamizaje Masivo/métodos , Masculino , Salud Laboral , Femenino , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , Proyectos de Investigación , Exposición Profesional/efectos adversos , Exposición Profesional/prevención & control , AdultoRESUMEN
OBJECTIVES: Occupational skin diseases (OSDs) pose significant risks to the health and well-being of restaurant workers. However, there is presently limited evidence on the burden and determinants of OSDs among this occupational group. This research aims to estimate the prevalence and associated factors of suspected OSDs among restaurant workers in Peninsular Malaysia. DESIGN: A secondary data analysis of the 2023 Registry of Occupational Disease Screening (RODS) was performed. The RODS survey tool, which included the Nordic Occupational Skin Questionnaire, a symptoms checklist and items on work-relatedness, was used to screen for OSDs. Logistic regression analyses were performed to identify associated factors. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Restaurant workers (n=300) registered in RODS from February 2023 to April 2023, aged 18 years and above and working in restaurants across Selangor, Melaka and Pahang for more than 1 year, were included in the study, whereas workers who had pre-existing skin diseases were excluded. RESULTS: The prevalence of suspected OSDs among study participants was 12.3%. Higher odds of suspected OSDs among study participants were observed among those exposed to wet work (adjusted OR (AOR) 22.74, 95% CI 9.63 to 53.68) and moderate to high job stress levels (AOR 4.33, 95% CI 1.80 to 10.43). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that OSDs are a significant occupational health problem among restaurant workers. Interventions targeting job content and wet work may be vital in reducing OSDs among this group of workers.
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Sistema de Registros , Restaurantes , Humanos , Malasia/epidemiología , Masculino , Femenino , Adulto , Restaurantes/estadística & datos numéricos , Prevalencia , Persona de Mediana Edad , Factores de Riesgo , Enfermedades Profesionales/epidemiología , Enfermedades Profesionales/diagnóstico , Adulto Joven , Enfermedades de la Piel/epidemiología , Enfermedades de la Piel/diagnóstico , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , Modelos Logísticos , Análisis de Datos SecundariosAsunto(s)
Industria Lechera , Subtipo H5N1 del Virus de la Influenza A , Gripe Humana , Enfermedades Profesionales , Infecciones por Orthomyxoviridae , Animales , Humanos , Agricultores , Subtipo H5N1 del Virus de la Influenza A/aislamiento & purificación , Gripe Humana/diagnóstico , Gripe Humana/tratamiento farmacológico , Gripe Humana/transmisión , Gripe Humana/virología , Michigan , Antivirales/administración & dosificación , Bovinos/virología , Infecciones por Orthomyxoviridae/transmisión , Infecciones por Orthomyxoviridae/veterinaria , Infecciones por Orthomyxoviridae/virología , Enfermedades Profesionales/diagnóstico , Enfermedades Profesionales/tratamiento farmacológico , Enfermedades Profesionales/virologíaRESUMEN
OBJECTIVES: This cross-sectional study assessed physicians' knowledge and attitudes toward occupational diseases, their practice of occupational history taking, and the associated factors and barriers. METHODS: From January 1 to June 30, 2023, Egyptian physicians from different specialties (n = 278) completed a questionnaire including sociodemographic and occupational data, questions measuring knowledge, attitudes, practice, and barriers. RESULTS: The significant predictor of low knowledge was the nonuse of a standard history form. The lack of undergraduate education/postgraduate training in occupational diseases was the predictor of unfavorable attitudes and poor practice. Unfavorable attitudes also predicted poor practice. The main barriers were insufficient knowledge and busy schedules. CONCLUSIONS: Different specialties physicians are essential in recognizing occupational diseases. They need to be knowledgeable about occupational diseases within their specialties. Specialized undergraduate and postgraduate training in this topic can help achieve such needs.
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Conocimientos, Actitudes y Práctica en Salud , Anamnesis , Enfermedades Profesionales , Humanos , Estudios Transversales , Masculino , Femenino , Adulto , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , Enfermedades Profesionales/diagnóstico , Egipto , Persona de Mediana Edad , Médicos/psicología , Actitud del Personal de Salud , Medicina del Trabajo/educaciónRESUMEN
Occupational lung/thoracic diseases are a major global public health issue. They comprise a diverse spectrum of health conditions with complex pathology, most of which arise following chronic heavy workplace exposures to various mineral dusts, metal fumes, or following inhaled organic particulate reactions. Many occupational lung diseases could become irreversible; thus accurate diagnosis is mandatory to minimize dust exposure and consequently reduce damage to the respiratory system. Lung biopsy is usually required when exposure history is inconsistent with imaging, in case of unusual or new exposures, in case of unexpected malignancy, and in cases in which there are claims for personal injury and legal compensation. In this paper, we provide an overview of the most frequent occupational lung diseases with a focus on pathological diagnosis. This is a paper that summarizes the expert opinion from a group of European pathologists, together with contributions from other specialists who are crucial for the diagnosis and management of these diseases. Indeed, tight collaboration of all specialists involved in the workup is mandatory as many occupational lung diseases are misdiagnosed or go unrecognized. This document provides a guide for pathologists in practice to facilitate the accurate diagnosis of occupational lung disease. The review article reports relevant topics discussed during an educational course held by expert pathologists, active members of the Pulmonary Pathology Working Group of the European Society of Pathology. The course was endorsed by the University of Padova as a "winter school" (selected project in the call for "Shaping a World-class University" 2022).
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Enfermedades Pulmonares , Enfermedades Profesionales , Patólogos , Humanos , Enfermedades Pulmonares/diagnóstico , Enfermedades Pulmonares/patología , Enfermedades Profesionales/diagnóstico , Enfermedades Profesionales/patología , Exposición Profesional/efectos adversos , Europa (Continente) , Testimonio de ExpertoRESUMEN
INTRODUCTION: Questions concerning under-reporting of occupational diseases (OD) linked to asbestos exposure are regularly voiced in France. Monitoring of the French multicenter Asbestos-Related Disease Cohort (ARDCO), which ensures post-occupational medical surveillance of subjects having been exposed to asbestos, provides information on (1) the medico-legal steps taken following screening by computed tomography (CT) for benign thoracic diseases, and (2) recognition of OD as a causal factor in malignant diseases. METHODS: OD recognition - and possible compensation - was analyzed in July 2021 among 13,289 volunteers in the cohort recruited between 2003 and 2005. RESULTS: Fifteen percent of the subjects in the cohort were found to have at least one recognized asbestos-related OD (78.2% benign pleural disease, 10.3% asbestosis, 14.2% lung cancer, and 6.0% mesothelioma). Only 58% of pleural plaques reported by the radiologist who performed the CT resulted in their recognition as ODs. On a parallel track, 88.7% of the mesotheliomas identified based on French National health insurance data and 46.9% of lung cancers were recognized as ODs. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms the feasibility of a system designed to facilitate recognition, leading to possible compensation, of asbestos-related occupational diseases. The system could be improved by better training of the medical actors involved.
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Amianto , Asbestosis , Neoplasias Pulmonares , Enfermedades Profesionales , Exposición Profesional , Indemnización para Trabajadores , Humanos , Francia/epidemiología , Enfermedades Profesionales/epidemiología , Enfermedades Profesionales/diagnóstico , Enfermedades Profesionales/etiología , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Femenino , Exposición Profesional/efectos adversos , Exposición Profesional/estadística & datos numéricos , Anciano , Asbestosis/epidemiología , Asbestosis/diagnóstico , Estudios de Cohortes , Neoplasias Pulmonares/epidemiología , Neoplasias Pulmonares/diagnóstico , Neoplasias Pulmonares/etiología , Indemnización para Trabajadores/estadística & datos numéricos , Amianto/efectos adversos , Adulto , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Tomografía Computarizada por Rayos X/estadística & datos numéricos , Mesotelioma/epidemiología , Mesotelioma/diagnóstico , Mesotelioma/etiologíaRESUMEN
PURPOSE: Playing wind instruments is a strenuous task on the larynx, predisposing players to voice disorders. This study aims to evaluate potential vocal symptoms and vocal tract alterations in professional wind instrumentalists. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 26 male military subjects were interviewed, completed the voice handicap index (VHI) -10 questionnaire, and subjected to auditory-perceptual assessment, neck examination, rigid laryngostroboscopy and flexible nasofiberoscopy both before and during instrument playing. RESULTS: All participants had vocal fatigue symptoms, around one-quarter complained of voice change, one-quarter complained of shortness of breath while or after performing, and one-third complained of neck symptoms. The average score of VHI-10 was 16.2 ± 6.5, and approximately three-quarters of participants scored above the cut-off point. There were no significant correlations between age, years of instrument playing, average hours of daily practice, and VHI-10. Participants with neck symptoms had significantly higher VHI-10 scores. Those (around one-fifth) with an external neck swelling during Valsalva maneuver had a significantly higher VHI-10 score. Dysphonia, mainly mild and of strained, leaky quality, was detected in almost one-third of participants. While the instrument was being played, the vocal folds were somewhat adducted, and the vocal tract became more compressed as the task became more demanding. The most frequent observations in the vocal tract examination were hyperemia of the vocal folds or all over the laryngeal and pharyngeal mucosa, excessive secretions over the vocal folds, signs of hyperadduction, arytenoid edema, and phonatory waste. CONCLUSION: Wind instrumentalists frequently experience voice disorders, which necessitate further care and investigation.
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Enfermedades Profesionales , Trastornos de la Voz , Humanos , Masculino , Estudios Transversales , Adulto , Trastornos de la Voz/diagnóstico , Trastornos de la Voz/fisiopatología , Trastornos de la Voz/etiología , Enfermedades Profesionales/diagnóstico , Enfermedades Profesionales/fisiopatología , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , Calidad de la Voz/fisiología , Adulto Joven , Música , Personal Militar , Persona de Mediana Edad , Laringoscopía/métodosRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Zinc fever is well described in medical literature, particularly in workers after handling zinc-containing materials at high temperatures e.g., in the welding of hot-dip galvanized steel sheets. It is not known whether zinc fever also occurs at low temperatures. CASE PRESENTATION: We present the case of a 33-year-old Caucasian atopic painter and varnisher with work-related dyspnea, sweating, as well as multiple occurrences of fever. He was sent to Institute for Prevention and Occupational medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance, Institute of the Ruhr-Universität Bochum (IPA) for the evaluation of isocyanate asthma, but an inhalative challenge with hexamethylene diisocyanate was negative. Since symptoms were closely related to the use of zinc coatings at room temperature without adequate protective measures, the diagnosis of zinc fever was made. After exposure cessation the worker immediately became symptom-free. The work as painter and varnisher may be associated with various exposures to hazardous substances. Besides solvents, epoxy compounds and isocyanates, which can cause obstructive respiratory diseases; additionally, zinc-containing agents should be considered as health hazards. CONCLUSIONS: This case demonstrates that zinc fever may occur also after application of zinc coatings by spray painting at low temperatures.
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Fiebre , Enfermedades Profesionales , Exposición Profesional , Pintura , Zinc , Humanos , Masculino , Adulto , Exposición Profesional/efectos adversos , Zinc/efectos adversos , Zinc/uso terapéutico , Fiebre/etiología , Fiebre/inducido químicamente , Enfermedades Profesionales/diagnóstico , Pintura/efectos adversos , Disnea/etiología , SudoraciónRESUMEN
A variety of workplace exposures (organic or inorganic dusts as well as gases, fumes, or vapors) can cause diffuse interstitial lung disease. The latency period until onset of the disease can exceed 30 years. The disease course varies greatly and depends on the quantity of the inhaled substance and its fibrogenic effect. Pulmonary high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) patterns do not differ significantly from those of interstitial lung diseases (ILD) of other etiologies. Therefore, without knowledge of the occupational history, work-related ILDs are often classified as idiopathic. In addition, there is increasing evidence in the recent literature that high exposure to silica dust can trigger autoimmune diseases (also involving the lungs). For this reason, a qualified occupational history is now an indispensable part of the interdisciplinary diagnosis of ILDs.
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Enfermedades Pulmonares Intersticiales , Enfermedades Profesionales , Humanos , Enfermedades Pulmonares Intersticiales/etiología , Enfermedades Pulmonares Intersticiales/diagnóstico , Enfermedades Pulmonares Intersticiales/epidemiología , Enfermedades Profesionales/etiología , Enfermedades Profesionales/diagnóstico , Tomografía Computarizada por Rayos X , Exposición Profesional/efectos adversosRESUMEN
Musicians are at risk of hearing loss and tinnitus due to regular exposure to high levels of noise. This level of risk may have been underestimated previously since damage to the auditory system, such as cochlear synaptopathy, may not be easily detectable using standard clinical measures. Most previous research investigating hearing loss in musicians has involved cross-sectional study designs that may capture only a snapshot of hearing health in relation to noise exposure. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of cumulative noise exposure on behavioural, electrophysiological, and self-report indices of hearing damage in early-career musicians and non-musicians with normal hearing over a 2-year period. Participants completed an annual test battery consisting of pure tone audiometry, extended high-frequency hearing thresholds, distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs), speech perception in noise, auditory brainstem responses, and self-report measures of tinnitus, hyperacusis, and hearing in background noise. Participants also completed the Noise Exposure Structured Interview to estimate cumulative noise exposure across the study period. Linear mixed models assessed changes over time. The longitudinal analysis comprised 64 early-career musicians (female n = 34; age range at T0 = 18-26 years) and 30 non-musicians (female n = 20; age range at T0 = 18-27 years). There were few longitudinal changes as a result of musicianship. Small improvements over time in some measures may be attributable to a practice/test-retest effect. Some measures (e.g., DPOAE indices of outer hair cell function) were associated with noise exposure at each time point, but did not show a significant change over time. A small proportion of participants reported a worsening of their tinnitus symptoms, which participants attributed to noise exposure, or not using hearing protection. Future longitudinal studies should attempt to capture the effects of noise exposure over a longer period, taken at several time points, for a precise measure of how hearing changes over time. Hearing conservation programmes for "at risk" individuals should closely monitor DPOAEs to detect early signs of noise-induced hearing loss when audiometric thresholds are clinically normal.
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Audiometría de Tonos Puros , Umbral Auditivo , Potenciales Evocados Auditivos del Tronco Encefálico , Pérdida Auditiva Provocada por Ruido , Audición , Música , Exposición Profesional , Emisiones Otoacústicas Espontáneas , Autoinforme , Acúfeno , Humanos , Femenino , Pérdida Auditiva Provocada por Ruido/fisiopatología , Pérdida Auditiva Provocada por Ruido/diagnóstico , Pérdida Auditiva Provocada por Ruido/etiología , Adulto , Acúfeno/diagnóstico , Acúfeno/fisiopatología , Acúfeno/etiología , Estudios Longitudinales , Masculino , Adulto Joven , Adolescente , Exposición Profesional/efectos adversos , Percepción del Habla , Hiperacusia/fisiopatología , Hiperacusia/diagnóstico , Hiperacusia/etiología , Ruido/efectos adversos , Factores de Tiempo , Ruido en el Ambiente de Trabajo/efectos adversos , Enfermedades Profesionales/diagnóstico , Enfermedades Profesionales/fisiopatología , Enfermedades Profesionales/etiología , Factores de Riesgo , Estimulación Acústica , Modelos LinealesRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Lower back pain (LBP) is a public health threat that affects people who frequently experience sedentary working conditions. Few studies reported on low back pain among bank workers in Ethiopia, particularly in the study area. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the magnitude and associated factors of low back pain among bank workers in Hawassa City, Sidama Region, Ethiopia. METHODS: This institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted from April 20, 2023, to June 30, 2023. A multistage sampling technique was employed to select participants, and data were collected using a structured self-administered questionnaire, entered into Epidata version 4.6, and transferred to SPSS version 25 for further analysis. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify the independent predictors of lower back pain. RESULTS: Of the 627 total study participants, six hundred seven bank workers participated in the study, with a response rate of 96.8%. The overall magnitude of lower back pain among the study population was 55.2%, with a 95% confidence interval (CI 51.1-59). Based on the multivariate binary logistic regression analysis, being in a manager position (AOR = 3.85; 95% CI = (1.2,12), a level 2 banker (AOR = 3.8; 95% CI = (1.9,8.9), age 30-39 years (AOR = 4; 95% CI = (2,12.4), an age ≥ 40 years (AOR = 5.4; 95% CI= (3.04,16.3), working in sufficient space (AOR = 0.4; 95% CI = (0.3,0.9), and physical activity (AOR = 0.2; 95% CI = (0.1,0.8)) were significantly associated with low back pain. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of low back pain among the bank workers was high in the study area. Being in a managerial position, being a level two banker, being aged 30-39 years, being aged ≥ 40 years, working in sufficient space, and engaging in physical activity were significantly associated. Therefore, it is essential to establish a health screening team, create awareness programs for the benefit of physical activity, provide sufficient working space, and give special attention to elderly and senior bankers and bank managers to reduce the risk of developing low back pain.
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Dolor de la Región Lumbar , Enfermedades Profesionales , Humanos , Etiopía/epidemiología , Dolor de la Región Lumbar/epidemiología , Dolor de la Región Lumbar/diagnóstico , Masculino , Estudios Transversales , Femenino , Adulto , Prevalencia , Enfermedades Profesionales/epidemiología , Enfermedades Profesionales/diagnóstico , Persona de Mediana Edad , Factores de Riesgo , Adulto Joven , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , AdolescenteRESUMEN
PURPOSE: To map the vocal risk in professional classical singers, analyzing their self-assessment of voice and self-perception of singing voice handicap and vocal fatigue. METHODS: The study sample comprised of 52 professional classical choir singers, aged 31 to 72 years. They answered an online questionnaire in Google Forms, addressing their characterization, self-assessment of voice, the Voice Handicap Index-10 (VHI-10), Classical Singing Handicap Index (CSHI), and Vocal Fatigue Index (VFI). RESULTS: The mean self-assessment of voice was between "Good" and "Very good" (1.2). The mean total VHI-10 score was 1.35, which is below the cutoff. The mean total CSHI score was 10.04. The mean total VFI score was 10.83, near the cutoff value. Classical singers who use their voice to give examples to students in their classes had higher scores in VHI-10 (p = 0.013), VFI voice restriction (p = 0.011), and VFI total score (p = 0.015). Besides, classical singers who already visited a Speech-Language Pathologist for voice problems had higher scores in VFI voice restriction (p = 0.040) and VFI recovery with voice rest (p = 0.019), in addition to correlations between instrument scores. CONCLUSION: Professional classical singers did not have voice handicaps. However, their self-perception of vocal fatigue was more present when the singing voice was used, such as giving examples with their own voice in class. Having had voice problems and visited a Speech-Language Pathologist in the past led to a greater perception of vocal recovery with rest.
OBJETIVO: Mapear o risco vocal em cantores eruditos profissionais, analisando sua autoavaliação vocal e autopercepção de desvantagem vocal no canto e fadiga vocal. MÉTODO: Participaram deste estudo 52 cantores eruditos de coros profissionais, entre 31 e 72 anos, que preencheram online (Formulários Google) um questionário de caracterização, autoavaliação vocal, bem como os instrumentos Índice de Desvantagem Vocal 10 - IDV-10, Índice de Desvantagem para o Canto Clássico - IDCC e Índice de Fadiga Vocal - IFV. RESULTADOS: A média da autoavaliação vocal ficou entre "Boa" e "Muito boa" (1,2). A média do escore total do IDV-10 foi 1,35, abaixo da nota de corte. A média do escore total do IDCC foi 10,04. A média do escore total do IFV foi de 10,83, próxima da nota de corte. Cantores eruditos que, em suas aulas, dão exemplos aos alunos com a própria voz apresentam maiores escores nos instrumentos IDV-10 (p=0,013), IFV restrição vocal (p=0,011) e IFV escore total (p=0,015). Cantores eruditos que já procuraram fonoaudiólogo devido a problemas de voz apresentam maiores escores no IFV fator restrição vocal (p=0,040) e no IFV fator recuperação com repouso vocal (p=0,019), além de terem correlações entre os escores dos instrumentos. CONCLUSÃO: Cantores eruditos profissionais não apresentam desvantagem vocal. Porém, questões relacionadas à autopercepção de fadiga vocal se mostram mais presentes quando relacionadas às atividades de uso da voz cantada, como dar exemplos em aulas com a própria voz. Ter tido problema vocal e procurado fonoaudiólogo no passado proporciona maior percepção de recuperação vocal com repouso.
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Enfermedades Profesionales , Autoimagen , Canto , Trastornos de la Voz , Calidad de la Voz , Humanos , Persona de Mediana Edad , Adulto , Trastornos de la Voz/diagnóstico , Masculino , Femenino , Anciano , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , Enfermedades Profesionales/diagnóstico , Autoevaluación (Psicología) , Evaluación de la DiscapacidadRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Office-workers who suffer from musculoskeletal pain/disability may experience reduced productivity and absenteeism from work. The Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ) is a valid, simple screening tool for the history and presence of self-perceived musculoskeletal symptoms in both general public and occupational settings. OBJECTIVE: To translate and culturally adapt the NMQ into Arabic language and examine its psychometric properties. METHODS: The published guidelines were followed to translate and adapt the NMQ into Arabic using a forward-backward process. Construct validity involved comparing NMQ responses with disability-related musculoskeletal questionnaires in different body regions, including the Neck Disability Index (NDI), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Quick-Disability of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (Quick-DASH), and Reduced Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (ArWOMAC). The reliability was evaluated using Cronbach's alpha for internal consistency and prevalence-adjusted bias-adjusted kappa (PABAK) for test-retest reliability. RESULTS: The Arabic NMQ (Ar-NMQ) revealed excellent internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.85). For the test-retest reliability, the PABAK coefficient ranged between 0.50 and 1. The Ar-NMQ demonstrated strong construct validity. Participants reporting neck pain showed significantly elevated disability scores on the NDI (p < 0.05), while those with back pain exhibited higher ODI scores (p < 0.05). Moreover, individuals reporting shoulder, elbow, and wrist pain and disability displayed elevated Quick-DASH scores (p < 0.05). Similarly, participants reporting hip/thighs, knees, and ankle/feet pain/disability demonstrated significantly higher disability in ArWOMAC (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The NMQ was successfully translated and adapted into Arabic language, providing a reliable and valid instrument for assessing pain in specific body regions in the Arabic-speaking population.
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Dolor Musculoesquelético , Psicometría , Humanos , Masculino , Femenino , Arabia Saudita , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , Adulto , Reproducibilidad de los Resultados , Persona de Mediana Edad , Dolor Musculoesquelético/diagnóstico , Evaluación de la Discapacidad , Comparación Transcultural , Enfermedades Musculoesqueléticas/diagnóstico , Traducciones , Enfermedades Profesionales/diagnósticoRESUMEN
While chronic forearm pain is a common and debilitating condition among cleaners, the most physically demanding tasks remain unidentified. The present field study examines forearm muscle activity during 9 common cleaning tasks in a real working environment. Seven healthy cleaners participated in this study (age: 35.17 ± 9.62 yr; height: 168.17 ± 8.06 cm; weight: 77.14 ± 13.78 kg; experience: 5.60 ± 3.29 yr). Surface wireless electromyography (EMG) was recorded from 2 muscles on both sides of the upper limb, flexor carpi ulnaris (FCU), and extensor carpi radialis (ECR), and normalized to maximal voluntary isometric contractions (MVIC). Top-3 demanding high-force tasks (90th percentile EMG) were the rough floor, dirty rough floor, and office floor mopping for the FCU, and mopping high walls, ceiling mopping, and baize cleaning for the ECR. Top-3 static work tasks (10th percentile EMG) were mopping low walls, ceiling mopping, and dirty rough floors mopping for the FCU and mopping of high walls, low walls, and ceiling for the ECR. The study identified the forearm muscles' most physically demanding work tasks during cleaning tasks. The development of better working tools is recommended to avoid high-force overload as well as prolonged static overload of these muscles in cleaners.
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Electromiografía , Antebrazo , Músculo Esquelético , Humanos , Electromiografía/métodos , Adulto , Masculino , Antebrazo/fisiología , Músculo Esquelético/fisiología , Contracción Isométrica/fisiología , Tareas del Hogar/métodos , Femenino , Análisis y Desempeño de Tareas , Persona de Mediana Edad , Enfermedades Profesionales/diagnóstico , Enfermedades Profesionales/fisiopatología , Enfermedades Profesionales/etiologíaRESUMEN
This study introduces a novel wearable Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU)-based system for an objective and comprehensive assessment of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSDs), thus enhancing workplace safety. The system integrates wearable technology with a user-friendly interface, providing magnetometer-free orientation estimation, joint angle measurements, and WMSDs risk evaluation. Tested in a cable manufacturing facility, the system was evaluated with ten female employees. The evaluation involved work cycle identification, inter-subject comparisons, and benchmarking against standard WMSD risk assessments like RULA, REBA, Strain Index, and Rodgers Muscle Fatigue Analysis. The evaluation demonstrated uniform joint patterns across participants (ICC=0.72±0.23) and revealed a higher occurrence of postures warranting further investigation, which is not easily detected by traditional methods such as RULA. The experimental results showed that the proposed system's risk assessments closely aligned with the established methods and enabled detailed and targeted risk assessments, pinpointing specific bodily areas for immediate ergonomic interventions. This approach not only enhances the detection of ergonomic risks but also supports the development of personalized intervention strategies, addressing common workplace issues such as tendinitis, low back pain, and carpal tunnel syndrome. The outcomes highlight the system's sensitivity and specificity in identifying ergonomic hazards. Future efforts should focus on broader validation and exploring the relative influence of various WMSDs risk factors to refine risk assessment and intervention strategies for improved applicability in occupational health.
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Enfermedades Musculoesqueléticas , Enfermedades Profesionales , Dispositivos Electrónicos Vestibles , Humanos , Enfermedades Musculoesqueléticas/fisiopatología , Femenino , Medición de Riesgo/métodos , Adulto , Enfermedades Profesionales/diagnóstico , Enfermedades Profesionales/prevención & control , Enfermedades Profesionales/fisiopatología , Ergonomía/métodos , Postura/fisiología , Lugar de TrabajoRESUMEN
A 38-year-old woman experienced a persistent dry cough and progressively worsening dyspnoea for 2 years. Spirometry testing revealed a moderate-to-severe restrictive abnormality. High-resolution chest computed tomography showed diffuse reticulonodular opacities. A lung biopsy disclosed alveolar parenchymal inflammation and fibrosis with bronchiolocentric features, prompting consideration of interstitial pneumonia. Following a thorough investigation of her occupational history and an on-site inspection, it was discovered that the patient had been grinding drill bits designed for printed circuit boards for 8 years, exposing her to hard metals. Mineralogical analyses confirmed excessive tungsten in urine, serum and hair, leading to a diagnosis of hard metal lung disease due to tungsten carbide-cobalt exposure. After discontinuing exposure and commencing corticosteroid therapy, her symptoms, pulmonary function and imaging showed modest improvement. This case highlights the significance of assessing occupational history in patients with interstitial pneumonia and understanding industrial hazards for accurate diagnosis and care.
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Enfermedades Pulmonares Intersticiales , Enfermedades Profesionales , Exposición Profesional , Humanos , Femenino , Enfermedades Pulmonares Intersticiales/diagnóstico , Enfermedades Pulmonares Intersticiales/inducido químicamente , Adulto , Exposición Profesional/efectos adversos , Enfermedades Profesionales/diagnóstico , Tomografía Computarizada por Rayos X , Tungsteno/efectos adversos , Aleaciones/efectos adversos , Cobalto/efectos adversos , Pulmón/patología , Pulmón/diagnóstico por imagenRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Adjustment for race is discouraged in lung-function testing, but the implications of adopting race-neutral equations have not been comprehensively quantified. METHODS: We obtained longitudinal data from 369,077 participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, U.K. Biobank, the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis, and the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network. Using these data, we compared the race-based 2012 Global Lung Function Initiative (GLI-2012) equations with race-neutral equations introduced in 2022 (GLI-Global). Evaluated outcomes included national projections of clinical, occupational, and financial reclassifications; individual lung-allocation scores for transplantation priority; and concordance statistics (C statistics) for clinical prediction tasks. RESULTS: Among the 249 million persons in the United States between 6 and 79 years of age who are able to produce high-quality spirometric results, the use of GLI-Global equations may reclassify ventilatory impairment for 12.5 million persons, medical impairment ratings for 8.16 million, occupational eligibility for 2.28 million, grading of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease for 2.05 million, and military disability compensation for 413,000. These potential changes differed according to race; for example, classifications of nonobstructive ventilatory impairment may change dramatically, increasing 141% (95% confidence interval [CI], 113 to 169) among Black persons and decreasing 69% (95% CI, 63 to 74) among White persons. Annual disability payments may increase by more than $1 billion among Black veterans and decrease by $0.5 billion among White veterans. GLI-2012 and GLI-Global equations had similar discriminative accuracy with regard to respiratory symptoms, health care utilization, new-onset disease, death from any cause, death related to respiratory disease, and death among persons on a transplant waiting list, with differences in C statistics ranging from -0.008 to 0.011. CONCLUSIONS: The use of race-based and race-neutral equations generated similarly accurate predictions of respiratory outcomes but assigned different disease classifications, occupational eligibility, and disability compensation for millions of persons, with effects diverging according to race. (Funded by the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.).
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Pruebas de Función Respiratoria , Insuficiencia Respiratoria , Adolescente , Adulto , Anciano , Niño , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Adulto Joven , Enfermedades Pulmonares/diagnóstico , Enfermedades Pulmonares/economía , Enfermedades Pulmonares/etnología , Enfermedades Pulmonares/terapia , Trasplante de Pulmón/estadística & datos numéricos , Encuestas Nutricionales/estadística & datos numéricos , Enfermedad Pulmonar Obstructiva Crónica/diagnóstico , Enfermedad Pulmonar Obstructiva Crónica/economía , Enfermedad Pulmonar Obstructiva Crónica/etnología , Enfermedad Pulmonar Obstructiva Crónica/terapia , Grupos Raciales , Pruebas de Función Respiratoria/clasificación , Pruebas de Función Respiratoria/economía , Pruebas de Función Respiratoria/normas , Espirometría , Estados Unidos/epidemiología , Insuficiencia Respiratoria/diagnóstico , Insuficiencia Respiratoria/economía , Insuficiencia Respiratoria/etnología , Insuficiencia Respiratoria/terapia , Negro o Afroamericano/estadística & datos numéricos , Blanco/estadística & datos numéricos , Evaluación de la Discapacidad , Ayuda a Lisiados de Guerra/clasificación , Ayuda a Lisiados de Guerra/economía , Ayuda a Lisiados de Guerra/estadística & datos numéricos , Personas con Discapacidad/clasificación , Personas con Discapacidad/estadística & datos numéricos , Enfermedades Profesionales/diagnóstico , Enfermedades Profesionales/economía , Enfermedades Profesionales/etnología , Financiación Gubernamental/economía , Financiación Gubernamental/estadística & datos numéricosRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Shoulder pain is a leading cause of disability. Occupations requiring high upper extremity demands may put workers at greater risk of shoulder injury and resulting pain. We examined associations of occupation with shoulder pain and upper extremity disability in the Johnston County Osteoarthritis Project. METHODS: Work industry and occupational tasks for the longest job held were collected from participants. At follow-up ranging from 4-10 years later, participants were asked about shoulder symptoms (pain, aching, or stiffness occurring most days of 1 month in the last year) and given a 9-item, modified Disabilities Arm Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire to categorize disability from 0-4 (none-worst). Logistic regression and cumulative logit regression models were used to estimate associations with prevalent shoulder symptoms and with worse disability category, respectively. Models were adjusted for cohort, age, sex, race, education and time to follow-up. Sex- and race-stratified associations were evaluated. RESULTS: Among 1560 included participants, mean age was 62 years (standard deviation ± 9 years); 32% were men, and 31% were Black. Compared to the managerial/professional industry, higher odds of both shoulder symptoms and worse upper extremity disability were seen for most industrial groups with physically demanding jobs, particularly the service industry. Work that often or always required lifting/moving > 10 lbs. was associated with higher odds of shoulder symptoms. Work that sometimes or always required heavy work while standing was associated with higher odds of shoulder symptoms, and this association was stronger among men and White workers. CONCLUSION: Physically demanding occupations were associated with increased occurrence of shoulder pain and disability. Mitigating specific physical work demands may reduce shoulder-related disability.