International journal of occupational medicine and environmental health最新文献

Objectives: The study aimed to evaluate the impact of aging on the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). The impaired formation of NETs is the cause of an abnormal innate immune response.

Material and methods: The study included a total of 45 healthy male subjects of different age groups. Whole blood was collected from the subjects, and the concentration of myeloperoxidase (MPO), the main biocidal protein in NETs, was determined in serum using ELISA. The serum levels of circulating free DNA (cfDNA), which are the structural basis of NETs, were also measured by fluorescence. In addition, the white blood cell count was determined, whole blood smear was evaluated, and the neutrophillymphocyte ratio was calculated. The variations in the levels of NET biomarkers were analyzed in different age groups.

Results: The low levels of MPO (243.70 ng/ml) and cfDNA (6.24 ng/100 μl) in boys indicated neutrophil insufficiency for NETosis in children. A progressive increase in the levels of MPO and cfDNA with age was observed among adolescents (420.91, p = 0.04; 13.55, p = 0.03, respectively), with the highest level noted in the healthy adult group (466.58, p = 0.01; 14.07, p = 0.01, respectively). The levels of the studied parameters were comparable in adolescents and young adults, which proved that the NETosis process was appropriate and suggested the attainment of neutrophil maturity for the release of NETs in adolescence. The levels of MPO and cfDNA were low in older men (225.46, p < 0.01; 5.19, p < 0.01, respectively) indicating impaired NET formation.

Conclusions: Data on the generation of NETs in different age groups obtained in this study can allow a better understanding of the ontogenesis of the immune system in terms of the course of NETosis, and also indicate the need to support nonspecific responses in children and adults. Further research should be performed to determine the possibility of regulating the NETosis process. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2023;36(3):333-48.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to analyze the long-term burnout levels of healthcare professionals (HCPs) working in Slovenian nursing homes during the fifth wave of the pandemic; to compare the results of similar facilities in 2020 and 2013; and to examine the correlation between demographics and burnout and fatigue among HCPs.

Material and methods: The study used a descriptive, correlational cross-sectional method.

Results: In the fifth wave, HCPs suffered more from emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and lack of personal accomplishment than in the first wave of the pandemic and in the spring of 2013. The HCPs caring for COVID-19 patients and younger women had higher rates of burnout and fatigue than other occupational groups. There is a strong positive correlation between burnout and fatigue.

Conclusions: There is an urgent need to address the problem of fatigue and burnout with administrative measures. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2023;36(3):396-405.

Objectives: Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are involved both in immune system regulation and inflammation. The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the association between maternal dietary intake of PUFAs during pregnancy and atopic dermatitis (AD) and food allergy (FA) in their children up to 7-9 years of age.

Material and methods: The study population consists of 557 mother-child pairs from the Polish Mother and Child Cohort (REPRO_PL). Based on the Food Frequency Questionnaire completed between the 20-24th weeks of pregnancy, n-3 and n-6 PUFAs as well as n-6:n-3 fatty acid ratio were estimated using food composition tables. Children's health examinations at the age of 1, 2, and 7-9 years were performed by an allergist. Generalized estimating equations were performed in order to assess the prevalence of AD and FA at 3 time points. Independent variables in the equation were n-3, n-6 PUFAs and n-6:n-3 PUFAs ratio. In addition multivariate models were performed to assess the association of PUFAs with AD and FA.

Results: The prevalence of AD was 37%, 26% and 21% and FA 26%, 22% and 22% at age of 1, 2 and 7-9 years, respectively. Higher n-6:n-3 fatty acid ratio correlated with higher prevalence of AD at age of 7-9 years (p < 0.07). In multivariate model n-6 PUFAs were significantly associated with increased risk of persistent FA (OR = 1.5, 95% CI: 1.1-2.1).

Conclusions: These results may contribute to the existing knowledge on the impact of maternal diet during pregnancy on children's optimal health, however further studies are needed before drawing conclusions and creating clinical practice guidelines. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2023;36(3):428-36.

Objectives: Healthcare systems in European countries, including METEOR partner countries, are faced with the aging population, an increase in costs for innovative technologies and medication, a shortage of health professionals, and inequality in access to healthcare. Presented paper aimed to recognize and compare the functioning of healthcare systems between METEOR partner countries and simultaneously check if the current epidemiological situation of COVID-19 has some relationship with the number of medical staff, yearly gross domestic product, or documented percentage of fully vaccinated people.

Material and methods: In the model of descriptive epidemiological study, available demographic, socioeconomic, and healthcare organizational data in the Netherlands, Belgium, Italy, and Poland were compared to the epidemiological situation of the COVID-19 pandemic (percentage of fully vaccinated people, incidence, and mortality) in all mentioned countries.

Results: Obtained data confirmed that the lowest number of physicians, as well as the life expectancy and gross domestic product per capita, is in Poland. Simultaneously, the lower number of medical staff and lower gross domestic product (GDP) correspond to higher mortality due to COVID-19. The percentage of fully vaccinated with the last dose of the primary series was also the lowest in Poland.

Conclusions: Obtained results confirmed that higher mortality due to COVID-19 in METEOR participants' countries is related to a lower number of medical staff and weaker GDP. The worse situation was noted in Poland, a country with problems in the functioning healthcare system, including hospital care and a serious shortage of practicing medical staff. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2023;36(3):417-27.

Objectives: The study assessed quality of life and depression in working people during COVID-19 pandemic, relative to their physical activity.

Material and methods: The study involved 1194 people living in south-eastern Poland, and assessed life satisfaction (Life Satisfaction Questionnaire - 9 [LISAT-9]), quality of life (World Health Organization Quality of Life - BREF [WHOQoL-BREF]), depression (Beck Depression Inventory [BDI]) and physical activity.

Results: The respondents on average scored 4.32 in LISAT-9; respectively 66.2, 68.3, 69.6 and 63.5 in physical, psychological, social and environment domains of WHOQoL-BREF and 9.2 in BDI. Regularly performed physical activity positively affected the scores in all the psychometric tests in women with higher and secondary education and in men with vocational education. Women presented lower life satisfaction, poorer quality of life and higher level of depression than men. The psychometric scores were also differentiated by type of employment and job. Depression was identified in 44% of all the respondents.

Conclusions: Individuals who are economically active during the pandemic report good quality of life and no or only mild signs of depression. Working people with higher education cope more effectively with adversities of the pandemic, compared to those with lower education. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2023;36(2):274-90.

Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic contributing to the dissemination of alternative work models such as fully remote or hybrid work models. The present study focused on these 2 types of unplanned changes in the working environment. The conservation of resources theory, the first aim of this study was to examine the predictive role of resource losses and gains since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in job burnout. Moreover, the authors investigated how non-remote, remote, and hybrid employees differ in resource losses and gains and job burnout.

Material and methods: A cross-sectional online comparative study was conducted a year after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. The respondents provided sociodemographic data, reported their current work model, and completed validated measures of resource losses and gains and job burnout: the Conservation of Resources Evaluation and the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory. Based on the data collected from 1000 working adults from the Polish population, the authors tested the differences in losses and gains of different categories of resources and job burnout components between the 3 groups of employees representing distinct working models, i.e., non-remote, hybrid, and remote.

Results: In general, the associations of losses and gains with job burnout subscales have been confirmed, regardless of the level of analysis of losses and gains. The authors' findings indicated that hybrid workers experienced significantly higher resource losses and gains (both in general and in different domains) in comparison to non-remote and remote workers. In turn, non-remote employees scored significantly higher on disengagement, which is one of the job burnout components.

Conclusions: Hybrid workers experienced the highest levels of both resource losses and gains during the COVID-19 pandemic, compared to non-remote and remote workers, suggesting that this form of working arrangement involves the greatest changes in different life domains, bringing both positive and negative consequences for the employee. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2023;36(2):229-49.

Objectives: The paper analyses the impact of socio-demographic characteristics of the employees in conditions of uncertainty in the organizations.

Material and methods: The study was conducted on a sample of 210 employees using the Mental Health Inventory - 38 (MHI-38), Satisfaction with life scale (SWLS), and the Center for Epidemiological Studies - Depression (CES-D).

Results: The results showed that female respondents had significantly higher scores on ANX (t = 2,278, p < 0.05), while male employees had higher scores on life satisfaction (t = 2.103, p < 0.05). Older employees have a higher tendency for loss of emotional-behavioral control (F = 4.427, p < 0.05). Respondents who have satisfying living standards have also higher scores on SWLS (t = 2.257, p < 0.05). Respondents who have dissatisfying living standard have higher scores on generally positive affect (t = 3.152, p < 0.01), life satisfaction (t = 3.571, p < 0.01), psychological distress (t = 2.929, p < 0.01) and loss of emotional- behavioral control (t = 2.361, p < 0.05). Employees with different levels of educational background have similar tendencies in life satisfaction, mental health, and depressive symptoms (p > 0.05).

Conclusions: The study showed that the specific socio-demographic profile of the employees is related to higher levels of mental health issues. Specifically, the mental health of female and older employees have been especially affected and disturbed by uncertain conditions. The results can be potentially used both in the terms of designing activities that support the mental health of the population, as well as in relation to the mental health of employees. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2023;36(2):250-62.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to analyze the determinants of prison inmates' personal quality of life (PQoL).

Material and methods: Three hundred ninety men imprisoned in penitentiary institutions were assessed. Data were collected by means of the the Sense of Quality of Life Questionnaire, the General Self-Esteem Scale, the Social Support Scale, the Resiliency Assessment Scale, the Trait Personality Inventory, which have high validity and reliability. All models were specified in structural equations modeling using Mplus v. 8.2.

Results: The positive correlates of PQoL are: self-efficacy, social support, and ego-resiliency. The negative correlate of PQoL is trait depression. The study confirmed that 2 factors affected ego-resiliency: self-efficacy and trait depression.

Conclusions: All significant factors, such as self-efficacy, social support, ego-resiliency, or trait depression, should be taken into account in rehabilitation programs. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2023;36(2):291-302.

Objectives: Following heat illness, a return to activity may require passing a heat tolerance test (HTT). However, there are several logistical limitations to the widespread use of the HTT. Thus, it would be advantageous to develop a test that could be conducted in a thermoneutral (~22°C) environment to predict heat tolerance status. The purpose of the current study was to determine the sensitivity and specificity of using the criteria of a heart rate (HR) ≥130 bpm following 30 min of thermoneutral exercise in detecting heat-intolerant and heat-tolerant individuals.

Material and methods: Sixty-five subjects visited the lab on 3 separate days. The first visit consisted of completing a maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 max) test to assess cardiovascular fitness. For lab visits 2 and 3, subjects randomly completed a 2-hour walking treadmill test in either a hot (40°C, 40% relative humidity [RH]) or thermoneutral (22°C, 40% RH) environment.

Results: Forty-eight subjects were classified as heat-intolerant and 17 subjects as heat-tolerant. Using the criterion of a HR ≥130 bpm at 30 min of exercise in the thermoneutral environment, specificity (54%) and sensitivity (100%) of passing the HTT was calculated. Secondary analysis using multiple regression revealed 3 significant variables for predicting ending HR during the HTT. They were: 1) absolute VO2 max (l/min), 2) age, and 3) HR at 30 min of exercise during thermoneutral exercise.

Conclusions: Exercise in a thermoneutral environment had a positive predictive value of 100%, thus, if a subject has a HR ≥130 bpm at 30 min of exercise in a thermoneutral environment, they are very likely to fail a subsequent 2-hour HTT in the heat and be classified as heat-intolerant. Therefore, prior screening has the potential to save time and money, along with providing safety to a heat-intolerant subject. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2023;36(2):192-200.

Objectives: Vaccination skepticism and vaccination refusal both constitute global public health concerns. Systematic monitoring of public attitudes towards vaccination is crucial for maintaining a high vaccination coverage rate. The study aimed to identify and characterize homogenous social groups distinguished by attitudes toward preventive vaccinations.

Material and methods: Between October and November of 2021, a nationwide representative cross-sectional survey was conducted on a representative sample of 1560 inhabitants of Poland aged 15-39 years. The study questionnaire included 60 questions on public attitudes towards vaccines, vaccination, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Factor analysis was applied to identify the main dimensions of vaccination attitudes.

Results: Factor analysis included 22 variables and yielded 3 factors or dimensions that accounted for 48.5% of the model's variability. Young adults were assigned into 6 homogeneous groups based on these factors: 1) general trust in vaccination, 2) vaccine safety concerns, 3) trust in fake medical news regarding COVID-19 vaccination, and denying the COVID-19 pandemic. Groups I-IV differed by sociodemographic factors and vaccination coverage rates. Nearly 60% of the respondents expressed concern regarding various aspects of vaccination.

Conclusions: Most of Poland's young adults lack clearly defined attitudes towards vaccination. Attitudes towards vaccination can be divided into 6 heterogeneous groups. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2023;36(2):214-28.