Medycyna pracy最新文献

Background: Anxiety disorders can be an independent risk factor of many somatic conditions and complication of various organic states leading to the unfavourable course of the primary disease and poor prognosis. The main goal of the study was to evaluate anxiety reactions with regard to the disturbances of homeostatic processes within respiratory system, from which various somatic symptoms were reported.

Material and methods: The study group I comprised 50 subjects (aged M±SD 62.5±2.29 years) presenting with generalized anxiety disorders, and 60 normal subjects (aged M±SD 61.94±2.32 years), volunteers as a reference group II. In all the study subjects spirometry and pulse oxymetry were performed. A level of declared dyspnoea was assessed using the 0-10 Borg scale. Moreover, all persons were subjected to physical examination after taking medical history.

Results: In the group I, hyperventilation was reported in the chronic form, and a declared dyspnoea level was relatively low, despite the proper oxygen saturation (SaO₂) of arterial blood. The objective analysis of the Tiffeneau index showed obturative ventilation disturbances, and evaluation of forced expiratory volume in 1 sec (FEV₁) correspondet to obturation of a mild type (FEV₁ = 80.88% of normal value) and a significant decrease in inspiration vs. expiration parameters (e.g., forced inspiratory vital capacity to forced expiratory vital capacity) that indicated the inspiration type of ventilation impairment. In turn, the analysis of the maximal expiratory flow values showed that obturation in all persons from the group I was located mainly in the upper respiratory tract. The statistically significant correlations between the declared dyspnoea level and spirometry parameters in the group I were also noted. In contrast, subjects from group II did not declare dyspnea.

Conclusions: It was shown that anxiety disorders affect not only a breathing pattern but also can induce the objective changes of spirometric parameters like in the organic diseases. As the result of erroneous interpretation of afferent stimuli in the respiratory centre, the normal SaO₂ can be a stimulus triggering dyspnoea. The characteristics accompanying a feeling of dyspnoea suggested the psychogenic background of the symptoms. Med Pr Work Health Saf. 2025;76(3):167-177.

Background: The development of research on exercise physiology in the last several years has allowed to better understand mechanisms affecting exercise performance in athletes. Despite this, the causes of exercise intolerance in athletes are not fully elucidated. The exercise performance is a complex process and regardless of the proper functioning of the cardiovascular system may be subject to significant changes under the influence of nervous system and thermoregulatory mechanisms. The purpose of this work is to assess the relationship between psychomotor performance (sprawność psychomotoryczna - SP), core body temperature (Tc) and exercise performance parameters as measured by spiroergometry (cardiopulmonary exercise testing - CPX) and the diagnostic accuracy of neurothermometabolic index (NTMI) as a new marker of exercise performance in athletes.

Material and methods: Forty-four healthy athletes participated in the study. Each of the examined athletes underwent CPX for the assessment of ventilatory parameters (maximal oxygen consumption - VO₂max, minute ventilation - VE, ventilatory equivalent for carbon dioxide at anaerobic threshold - VECO2AT, maximal carbon dioxide output - VCO₂ and anaerobic threshold), SP tests (average reaction time to light stimulus, the number of correctly received light stimuli, number of missed light stimuli) before and immediately after CPX. In addition, Tc was continually measured during CPX. Followingly, NTMI was calculated using Tc during the maximum exercise, oxygen consumption at anaerobic threshold and average reaction time to light stimulus as measured after CPX.

Results: A significant relationship was found between Tc during the maximum effort in CPX and SP after CPX. A significant relationship between SP before CPX and VECO₂AT during CPX was also confirmed. Psychomotor performance shortly after CPX was also significantly related to VCO₂. In addition, NTMI was significantly associated with CPX parameters.

Conclusions: The study results confirmed the relevant relationship between SP, Tc during the maximum exercise and ventilatory parameters as measured by CPX in athletes. Neurothermometabolic index is a reliable marker of exercise performance in athletes. Med Pr Work Health Saf. 2025;76(3):179-192.

Background: The aim of this study was to assess whether and to what extent the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic affected the lifestyle and body weight of military flying personnel.

Material and methods: The study involved 930 Polish soldiers - members of aircrew. The study was conducted by using a survey designed by the author, as part of the implementation of the National Health Programme 2021-2025. The survey used the research technique computer assisted web interview.

Results: Approximately half of the soldiers surveyed (49%) declared that they did not contract COVID-19. Analysis of the results on the frequency of consumption of selected food items showed that most food items respondents consumed at similar levels during the pandemic, compared to the pre-pandemic period. There was a positive increase in the frequency of consumption of nuts, fresh fruit and vegetables in 14.8%, 15.9% and 19% of respondents, respectively. More than 20% of those surveyed declared that they consumed less restaurant meals, fast food, sweets and sugary drinks. The vast majority of the respondents (77.6%) answered that they did not feel more negative emotions compared to the pre-pandemic period COVID-19 and emotions did not affect their diet. The frequency of physical activity remained the same for 71.9% of soldiers, while 14.9% respondents said they played sport less often than before the pandemic. Overweight was diagnosed in 50.2% of respondents, while 12.8% were obese. More than half of the respondents (56%) declared that their weight had not changed during the COVID-19 pandemic, 25.1% declared that their weight had increased and 8.9% that it had decreased.

Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic condition did not disrupt the existing lifestyles of most military flying personnel. More than half of the military flying personnel surveyed reported no effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on weight change. A quarter of soldiers reported weight gain, which was associated with negative changes in diet and physical activity. Med Pr Work Health Saf. 2025;76(2):101-121.

Gender equality in the workplace and the good health of both women and men are key goals outlined in agendas promoting social justice and sustainable development. The Constitution of the Republic of Poland guarantees equal employment rights for women and men, and the Labor Code prohibits discrimination in establishing and terminating employment relationships, including on the basis of gender. On the one hand, an employer cannot allow an employee to work without a current medical certificate confirming the absence of contraindications for the specific job position, and is obliged to assess occupational risk related to manual handling tasks, taking into account, among other factors, the individual capabilities of the employee. On the other hand, the legislator sets different standards for women and men in terms of manual handling of objects by a single employee or during team-based work. Therefore, when a job candidate or employee is a transgender person - especially one undergoing medical procedures aimed at aligning their physical characteristics with their gender identity - difficulties arise in interpreting existing legal regulations. This article discusses the legal uncertainties in Poland related to weight-lifting criteria, the issue of disclosing an employee's gender in order to tailor working conditions to their needs, and the principles that should guide the physician responsible for occupational health care during and after gender transition. Med Pr Work Health Saf. 2025;76(2):149-157.

Background: Lifestyle is considered one of the most important determinants of health, which most of us have an influence on and can modify. However, it is necessary to raise health awareness among people so that they know how to do it effectively. The purpose of the study was to assess women's health behaviors and determine the factors that determine them in a group of professionally active women.

Material and methods: Anonymous questionnaire surveys were conducted among 927 women aged 18-65 using the computer-assisted web interview method, using a survey developed for the project, containing selected standard tools and a personal questionnaire covering personal data and questions regarding, among others, self-assessment of health status and care for it, understanding the concepts of "health" and "care for health," sources of information about health. The Positive Health Behaviors Scale for women was used to assess health behaviors, with a set of questions regarding anti-health behaviors (including smoking, alcohol use), including a set of 34 statements grouped into 5 subscales: Nutrition, Body Care, Safety, Sleep, Rest and Mental health, and Physical Activity. The scale is used to assess individual health care, and its results are given in the form of points.

Results: Studies conducted among 927 women showed that they assess their health well and declare that they take care of it. The results regarding the undertaken pro-health behaviors do not confirm this, as evidenced by the relatively low average score obtained in the Positive Health Behaviors Scale (60.3 pts out of 102 possible to obtain). Self-efficacy turned out to be the strongest predictor of positive health behaviors among women, women's care for their health increased with age, and was also higher among those women performing mental work compared to those performing physical work.

Conclusions: Due to the discrepancies between women's self-assessment of health care and their actual health-related behaviours, there is a need to continuously increase the awareness of women of all ages about the need for individual care for their health, taking into account both professional and non-professional factors. Med Pr Work Health Saf. 2025;76(2):123-135.

Background: Spiritual care refers to the provision of support that recognizes and responds to the spiritual needs of patients, particularly in times of illness, distress, or crisis. It encompasses addressing questions of meaning, purpose, connection, and transcendence, as well as supporting religious and existential concerns. Working in palliative care requires exceptional interpersonal skills, as hospice workers often develop close relationships with patients and their families during critical moments in their lives. While much research highlights the significance of spiritual care for the well-being of patients and their loved ones, growing attention is being given to its role in the functioning of palliative care workers.

Material and methods: This study examined a mediation model in which spiritual care mediated the relationship between the light and dark triads and life and work satisfaction among hospice workers. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 261 hospice workers in Poland.

Results: Results indicated that, among palliative care workers, the light triad was positively associated with spiritual care, life satisfaction, and work satisfaction, while the dark triad was negatively associated only with spiritual care. Additionally, spiritual care was positively linked to both life and work satisfaction. Mediation analysis revealed that spiritual care mediated the relationship between the light triad and life satisfaction, as well as the relationship between the dark triad and both life and work satisfaction among palliative care workers.

Conclusions: These findings from a cross-sectional study highlight the crucial role of spiritual care in enhancing the life and work satisfaction of hospice workers. Given its significance, integrating spiritual care training and support systems into palliative care settings could foster both personal well-being and professional fulfilment among hospice workers. Future research should explore interventions aimed at strengthening spiritual care competencies and examine their long-term effects on healthcare professionals' resilience and job satisfaction. Med Pr Work Health Saf. 2025;76(2):77-86.

Background: The work environment of nurses is characterized by high levels of stress and emotional tension. Nurses frequently experience aggression, considered one of the main occupational hazards in healthcare. The study aimed to identify causes, motivations, and factors influencing aggression towards young nurses.

Material and methods: The study involved 105 nurses from hospitals in the Silesian region of Poland, recruited via social media, with ≤5 years of professional experience. Conducted from January 18 to May 30, 2023, it used a proprietary questionnaire of 21 questions about the frequency, types, and causes of aggression experienced at work.

Results: All nurses (100%) reported experiencing aggression in the workplace, mainly from colleagues (41.90%) and patients (34.29%). The most common forms were shouting (33.33%) and verbal abuse (31.43%). Adultism, defined as discrimination based on age or short tenure, was reported by 72.38% of nurses. Those experiencing adultism were more likely to report aggression from senior nurses (57.58% vs. 15.38%), but less likely to report aggression from patients (25.76% vs. 48.72%, p = 0.004). Although the association between unit type and level of adultism did not reach statistical significance (χ² = 5.555, p = 0.063), the data suggest a trend toward higher levels of adultism in certain units, particularly intensive care units which warrants further investigation. Nurses experiencing adultism reported lower job satisfaction (51.52% vs. 82.05%, p = 0.004) and were more likely to consider changing jobs (71.43%) highlighting the impact of adultism on professional relationships, job satisfaction, and overall well-being.

Conclusions: Early-career nurses frequently encounter workplace aggression, primarily in the form of horizontal aggression associated with adultism and stress, which significantly reduces their job satisfaction. The most commonly reported forms of aggression include workplace obstruction, lack of support, insults, and shouting. Implementing conflict management training, psychological support programs, and mentoring initiatives can substantially improve working conditions and reduce staff turnover. Med Pr Work Health Saf. 2025;76(2):87-99.

Background: In the face of increasing problems related to lifestyle related diseases, attention is increasingly drawn to the untapped potential of the occupational health service (OHS) in undertaking preventive actions. The aim of the study was to assess the scope of activities and the perception by the surveyed employees of the quality of preventive care provided in basic OHS units in Poland.

Material and methods: The research tool was the author's anonymous online questionnaire. It contained questions about the details of the last visit to an occupational medicine doctor. Only those who had ever undergone such a medical examination (267 respondents) were included in the analysis. To compare the frequency of occurrence of specific categories of quantitative traits in the analyzed groups, the χ² test of independence was utilized with Yates' correction for small sample sizes.

Results: More than 50% of the respondents rated the quality of preventive care for employees in Poland as either good or very good, one-third of the respondents received recommendations from an occupational medicine physician on preventing workplace hazards, 60% of respondents believe that preventive examinations should include a comprehensive health status assessment, 39% expect to have the option to choose their occupational medicine physician or influence the selection of the facility providing preventive care. The last visit to an occupational medicine physician typically lasted 6-15 min.

Conclusions: A good or very good evaluation of the quality of preventive care by >50% of the surveyed employees requires constant improvement of the quality of the preventive examination. The potential of the healthcare system for working individuals in Poland remains underutilized in terms of activities related to the prevention of lifestyle diseases and health promotion. Occupational health physicians, who play a special role in the health prevention of workers and have a significant impact on increasing health awareness, should perform their duties in a holistic manner. Med Pr Work Health Saf. 2025;76(2):137-147.

Background: The impact of lead on the peripheral nervous system (PNS) remains inadequately explored. Despite the absence of classic lead neuropathy resulting from uncontrolled exposure to high metal doses in workers under biomonitoring, the focus shifts to chronic exposure at lower doses. This study aims to evaluate the influence of occupational lead exposure on peripheral nerve conduction in chronically exposed individuals.

Material and methods: The study comprised 58 workers, divided based on an 8-year mean serum lead concentration into lower exposure (blood lead [PbB] level ≤40 μg/dl) and higher exposure (PbB level >40 μg/dl) subgroups. Conduction tests and laboratory assessments, including oxidative stress parameters, were conducted.

Results: In the higher lead exposure group, average amplitudes of motor fiber-evoked potentials and sensory fiber conduction velocity were 8% and 3% lower, respectively, compared to the lower exposure group. Correlation analysis revealed positive correlations between sensory fiber-evoked potential amplitudes and blood serum sulfhydryl groups, and catalase activity. Motor fiber-evoked potential amplitudes negatively correlated with lipofuscin concentration. Lipofuscin concentration also negatively correlated with sensory fiber-evoked potential amplitudes. Zinc protoporphyrin concentration negatively correlated with sensory fiber-evoked potential amplitudes and conduction velocity.

Conclusions: Chronic lead exposure disrupts peripheral nerve conduction, evident in reduced motor fiber-evoked potential amplitudes and slower sensory fiber conduction velocity. The toxic impact on the PNS may be attributed to oxidative stress and heme biosynthesis disorders. Med Pr Work Health Saf. 2025;76(2):67-75.

Background: Due to the increase in mental health problems in the population, the demand for psychological services is increasing. Not only the availability of mental health specialists is important, but also the social perception of these professions and the services they provide. The undertaken research concerned the image of the psychologist's profession.

Material and methods: The study group consisted of 191 people, including 135 (71%) women and 56 (29%) men, aged 18-101 years (M±SD 44.95±20.04). Most respondents had not previously used psychological or psychiatric counselling (71% and 83%, respectively). The study used 2 scales: the Image of a Psychologist and the Using Psychological Help (both with good psychometric properties) and a sociodemographic form. Data were collected mainly online, using a Google Forms.

Results: The youngest people, those with higher education, living in large agglomerations, professionally active, and having previous contact with a psychologist had a more positive image of a psychologist and were more likely to perceive the use of psychologist's help as a manifestation of care for health and less often as a manifestation of disorders and inability to cope. The perception of using psychological help as an ineffective whim was stronger among men, the oldest people, and those with lower education. The perception of using psychological help as a reason for fear and shame was more intense in younger people and those with higher education.

Conclusions: The image of a psychologist was rather positive in this study. This profession was associated more with intellectual and cognitive attributes than with emotional ones. People with negative attitudes toward psychological help were people who may be at increased risk of experiencing difficulties or psychological crises. In these groups, additional educational activities and dissemination of an appropriate image of a psychologist are recommended. Med Pr Work Health Saf. 2025;76(1):13-24.