Journal of Occupational Health最新文献

Objectives: The number of people with a chronic condition in the workforce is rising and the majority uses medication. Medication self-management at work might be problematic. This study aims to provide insight into the experiences of employees with balancing medication self-management and work.

Methods: Semi-structured interviews were held with 18 individuals with a variety of chronic health conditions, occupations and medications. Interviews were guided by a topic list, transcribed and open-coded. Thematic analysis identified determinants and behaviors that play a role in the interaction between medication self-management and performance and wellbeing at work.

Results: Fifteen participants used medication at work, mostly as needed and often administered on the go or covertly. Medication use at work was often perceived doable due to flexibility and already established routines. However, a cumulative complexity of integrating medication use into the workday, the degree of side-effects and people's attitude towards openness can hinder successful integration of medication self-management at work. Participants adapt their medication schedule, make adjustments during their workday, and/or find ways to cope with these challenges emotionally. Medication often enabled work participation, although side effects of medication could impact workability, and (anticipated) stigma can affect the extent to which people can be themselves at work.

Conclusions: Medication self-management at work requires adaptability from individuals themselves, their colleagues, and employers. Fostering a culture of acceptance and understanding at work while providing practical support can enhance MSM practices and wellbeing at work.

Objectives: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a prevalent condition in Japan that negatively affects workers by reducing their productivity. However, previous studies primarily focused on patients with severe AR symptoms. This exploratory study aimed to examine the association between AR, including mild cases, and reduced work productivity in the general working population. Methods A questionnaire survey was conducted between March and April 2024, recruiting adult workers living in the Kanto region through a health care center and affiliated companies. Absenteeism, presenteeism, and weekly economic costs were compared between individuals with and without AR. Multiple regression analysis was performed to examine the association between AR severity and productivity. A causal mediation analysis was also conducted to explore the indirect effects of depressive symptoms, positive and negative affect, and sleep quality on the association between AR and presenteeism.

Results: Of the 555 participants, 347 (62.5%) reported having AR, whereas 208 (37.5%) reported not having AR or were unsure. No significant differences were observed in absenteeism or presenteeism between the AR and non-AR/unknown groups. In the AR group, AR severity was significantly associated with increased presenteeism (unstandardized partial regression coefficient B = 4.19; 95% CI, 3.48-4.90; P < .001). Causal mediation analysis revealed a significant total natural indirect effect (TNIE) only for depressive symptoms (TNIE = 5.246; 95% CI, 0.059-10.432; P = .047).

Conclusions: In the nonclinical setting, the overall impact of AR on work productivity may be limited among Japanese workforces.

Objectives: Various factors influence urinary hippuric acid concentrations; however, the role of climatic factors on such concentrations has not been thoroughly investigated.

Methods: This study examined the correlation between urinary hippuric acid concentrations and climatic factors. Data were obtained from health examinations of 2236 employees at a large manufacturing company who used organic solvents over a 3-year period. Each participant underwent a health examination for organic solvent use during both the summer (June to August) and winter (December to February). Urinary hippuric acid concentrations were log-transformed, and a linear mixed-effects model was applied to assess their association with average temperature, relative humidity, and atmospheric pressure recorded in Nagoya City, Japan.

Results: In a multivariate linear mixed-effects model including all meteorological variables, average temperature showed a significant positive association with log-transformed urinary hippuric acid concentrations (estimate = 0.013; 95% CI: 0.007-0.020; P < .001). This corresponds to an estimated 1.3% increase in urinary hippuric acid concentrations per 1°C rise in temperature. In contrast, neither average atmospheric pressure nor relative humidity showed a statistically significant association (P = .981 and P = .817, respectively). Among the confounding variables, smoking was significantly positively associated with concentration (P = .001), whereas alcohol consumption showed a significant negative association (P = .031).

Conclusions: Urinary hippuric acid concentrations exhibited seasonal variation among workers at a large manufacturing company, with elevated levels observed during the summer. These findings underscore the importance of considering climatic factors when interpreting urinary metabolic biomarkers.

Objectives: We used real-time dosimetry for the quantitative evaluation of occupational radiation exposure among zoo veterinarians and animal keepers during x-ray procedures to identify key procedural and contextual determinants of exposure variation.

Methods: This retrospective observational study analyzed 251 radiographic procedures at multiple zoological facilities in Japan. Occupational exposure was measured in real time with a semiconductor dosimeter that recorded the personal dose equivalent, Hp(10), at 1-second intervals. Procedural variables included professional role, manual restraint, sedation or anesthesia, equipment type, tube voltage (kVp), and tube current-time product (mAs). Between-group comparisons were conducted using nonparametric tests, and multiple linear regression was used to identify the independent predictors of occupational exposure.

Results: The overall median Hp(10) per procedure was 0.35 (IQR: 0.15-0.99) μSv. Veterinarians received significantly higher doses than animal keepers (P = .006). Elevated Hp(10) values were associated with procedures involving large-bodied carnivores, performed without manual restraint or sedation. Multivariate analysis identified 5 significant predictors-professional role (β = -.75), manual restraint (β = -.24), tube voltage (β = .43), tube current-time product (β = .11), and large-animal group (β = .34)-explaining 60.4% of the variance (adjusted R2 = 0.604).

Conclusions: Despite the overall low exposure levels, some procedures resulted in Hp(10) values exceeding 10 μSv. A combination of procedural and contextual factors influenced exposure. These findings underscore the importance of comprehensive radiation-protection strategies, including optimized workflows, appropriate use of sedation, and standardized operator protocols, in alignment with international dose-optimization principles.

Objectives: To synthesize ocular and visual effects caused by occupational exposure to video display terminals (VDTs). Additionally, we aimed to identify the occupational and nonoccupational risk and protective factors related to these effects, and to propose a conceptual mapping to manage affected workers.

Methods: The review protocol was registered in PROSPERO and the systematic review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. A search of MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science was performed to identify studies published between January 2006 and December 2023. Only primary studies were included. Study quality was assessed using a critical appraisal tool based on STROBE statements for cross-sectional studies and the Scottish Intercollegiate Guideline Network checklist for randomized controlled trials and cohort and case-control studies. Low-quality studies were excluded.

Results: Eighty-five articles were included, 50 of high quality. The main ocular and visual effects were computer vision syndrome, dry eye disease, and other isolated signs and symptoms. The main risk factors were the daily hours of VDT exposure, female gender, use of ophthalmic or contact lenses, increasing age, altered lighting conditions, and job seniority. Breaks, adequate workstation design, and ergonomic improvements were the main protective factors. Psychosocial factors and lifestyle behaviors also may influence ocular and visual health at work.

Conclusions: Wide methodological variations were found, making it difficult to compare studies. Nevertheless, an evidence-informed conceptual mapping has been proposed that could be used as a starting point to guide preventive measures in VDT work settings. Further research with appropriate epidemiological designs is needed to establish causal relationships or determine temporal sequences between exposures and outcomes.

Objectives: Biological exposure monitoring is particularly useful for understanding skin absorption of hazardous substances; however, existing measurement methods for aromatic amines show room for improvement, as they focus only on unchanged compounds. This study aimed to determine urinary concentrations of the unchanged compounds and metabolites of 3 aromatic amines (aniline, 2,4-dimethylaniline [m-xylidine], and 2-methylaniline [o-toluidine]) following enzymatic hydrolysis pretreatment, to calculate their proportions, and to assess markers for occupational biological exposure monitoring.

Methods: Urine samples were collected at the end of work shifts on consecutive days from 11 workers at a plant handling aromatic amines. Samples were enzymatically hydrolyzed using glucuronidase and sulfatase. The urinary concentrations of 25 substances were determined using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

Results: After exposure to the 3 aromatic amines, the major urinary excretion types were benzene ring-hydroxylated compounds, ring-hydroxylated and N-acetylated compounds, and side-chain methyl group oxides. The presence of unchanged and N-acetylated compounds was minor. Metabolism and urinary excretion were relatively different between the workers in our study and reported values from animal studies.

Conclusions: Excluding metabolites with low specificity, the sum of unchanged compounds and primary metabolites in urine could be a useful marker for biological exposure monitoring. Regarding aniline exposure, the relevant markers are the sum of aniline, N-acetyl-4-hydroxyaniline, and 2-hydroxyaniline. For 2,4-dimethylaniline exposure, the markers are the sum of 2,4-dimethylaniline, N-acetyl-4-carboxy-2-methylaniline, and 6-hydroxy-2,4-dimethylaniline. For 2-methylaniline exposure, the markers are the sum of 2-methylaniline, N-acetyl-4-hydroxy-2-methylaniline, 4-hydroxy-2-methylaniline, and 6-hydroxy-2-methylaniline. Urine sampling is recommended at the end of work shifts on consecutive working days.

Objectives: To quantify the short-term impact of an unexpected stay-at-home exposure, caused by a shipment suspension, on body mass index (BMI) and cardiometabolic markers among employees with different levels of occupational physical activity.

Methods: Health-check records from 8307 workers at a large Japanese automobile manufacturer were linked to company attendance data covering a shipment suspension (January to April 2024). An interrupted time-series assessed BMI trajectories before, during, and after the halt. Among 614 employees who underwent an additional examination in April 2024, mixed-effects models related the duration of stay-at-home to changes in BMI and blood pressure within low-, medium-, and high-intensity job categories.

Results: Compared with pre-halt trends, medium-intensity and high-intensity workers showed significant level rises in BMI (0.96 kg/m2; 95% CI, 0.56-1.36; and 0.64 kg/m2; 95% CI, 0.24-1.04, respectively) at the onset of the suspension. Mixed-effects analyses showed a positive dose-response between the duration of stay-at-home and BMI gain in high-intensity jobs (0.47 kg/m2 per 20% absent days; 95% CI, 0.37-0.58). Per 20% of scheduled workdays absent, systolic blood pressure was higher in the medium- and high-intensity groups. No significant effects were observed among sedentary workers.

Conclusions: Employees whose daily energy expenditure relies on job-related physical activity are especially susceptible to weight gain and blood pressure elevations during forced work interruptions. Business continuity plans should embed tailored countermeasures-such as structured exercise programs and phased returns to on-site duties-to safeguard metabolic health during future operational disruptions.

Objectives: This study examined the support provided by occupational physicians (OPs) in Japan to employees with Long COVID, a condition that has significantly affected workforce health during the pandemic.

Methods: An exploratory cross-sectional mixed-methods design was employed, consisting of qualitative interviews followed by a questionnaire survey targeting OPs certified by the Japan Society for Occupational Health. The interviews explored actual experiences of supporting workers with Long COVID, and the findings were used to develop the questionnaire. The survey and interview findings were integrated to describe overall occupational health practices.

Results: Twenty OPs reported 30 cases of employees with Long COVID in the interviews. Based on these findings, a questionnaire survey was conducted, yielding 182 valid responses. The integrated results showed that OPs most frequently reported Main OH Responses such as active listening, return-to-work assistance, and lifestyle guidance. Measures such as explaining workers' compensation applications and preparing lists of outpatient clinics were less frequently reported. For Advice for Employers, limitation of overtime, reduction of workload, and telework were commonly reported, whereas demotion and reassignment were rarely reported.

Conclusions: This study clarified how OPs in Japan supported workers with Long COVID through diverse, context-dependent practices. The identified Main OH Responses and Advice for Employers provide a framework for understanding current practices. Developing practical case examples, structured assessment tools, and workplace guidelines, together with further research grounded in real-world practice, will enhance OPs' ability to provide appropriate support and strengthen preparedness for future health crises.

Objectives: The continuity of mental health problems from childhood to adulthood is well acknowledged, as is the impact on work ability. However, knowledge is scarce on individuals who maintain work ability and have no sickness absence (SA), despite mental health problems. The aim was to identify sociodemographic and health-related factors among private and public employees with a history of depression and/or anxiety, and no SA.

Methods: This prospective cohort study included 9039 Swedish twin individuals born in 1975-1986, with and without a history of depression and/or anxiety, and employed in private or public sectors. Survey data from 2005 were used to classify self-rated depression, anxiety, and overall health. Data on SA, education, occupational class, outpatient healthcare use, and prescribed antidepressants were obtained from national registries. Participants were prospectively followed for SA from 2006 to 2020. Logistic regression analyses were applied to calculate odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals.

Results: Approximately 37% of individuals with previous depression and/or anxiety were not on SA during follow-up, compared to 54% of those without such history. Lower use of antidepressants implied higher odds for no SA among both private (OR: 2.09 [1.64-2.66]) and public (OR: 2.38 [1.78-3.19]) employees with previous depression and/or anxiety. Having fewer visits to outpatient healthcare were significantly associated with no SA (ORs: 2.22-3.60). Being a white-collar worker implied higher odds for no SA only among privately employed (OR: 1.39 [1.10-1.76]).

Conclusions: Primarily, health-related factors seemed to play a role in no SA among young employees with previous depression and/or anxiety.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the association between the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and sickness presenteeism by directly comparing data collected before, during, and after the pandemic.

Methods: We analyzed data from the fifth (conducted before the pandemic: Jul 2017-Nov 2017), sixth (conducted during the pandemic: Oct 2020-Apr 2021), and seventh (conducted after the pandemic: Jul 2023-Nov 2023) Korean Working Conditions Surveys, comprising 114 140 workers. The primary outcome was self-reported sickness presenteeism, defined as attending work despite illness over the past 12 months. Logistic regression models were used to estimate the association between the COVID-19 period and sickness presenteeism after adjusting for demographic characteristics.

Results: The prevalence of sickness presenteeism significantly decreased from 20.9% (before the pandemic) to 17.2% (during the pandemic), and it further decreased to 6.9% (after the pandemic). After adjusting for demographic and workplace characteristics, the odds of sickness presenteeism were significantly lower during the pandemic (odds ratio [OR] 0.84, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.80-0.87) than before. Furthermore, the odds further decreased after the pandemic (OR 0.35, 95% CI, 0.33-0.37) relative to during the pandemic.

Conclusion: Sickness presenteeism decreased across the COVID-19 pandemic periods in South Korea. This decrease was observed in relation to the implementation of government-mandated sick leave policies for infectious disease control, suggesting an association between policy enforcement and decreasing sickness presenteeism.