Medicina Del Lavoro最新文献

Background: Hairdressers are occupationally exposed to harmful factors in the working environment and many cosmetic products. During the professional use of these products, there is exposure to many irritating, allergic, and carcinogenic chemicals, mainly through the skin and respiratory tract, and it is known that these occupational exposures are much more frequent and long-lasting than personal exposures. Hairdressing is one of the occupational groups with a high risk of respiratory diseases. In this study, we aimed to determine the extent to which the hairdressing profession affects respiratory functions.

Methods: The present study included 50 people who had worked in hairdressing for at least three years, especially with hair products, had not been diagnosed with respiratory disease before this job, and did not smoke, and 50 healthy people with similar demographic characteristics. All respiratory complaints and sociodemographic information of the hairdressers were determined. Pulmonary function tests (PFTs) were performed on hairdressers and a healthy group, including FEV1, FVC, PEF, and FEV1/FVC ratio.

Results: In the present study, we found that the hairdressing profession significantly increased the risk of respiratory symptoms. In addition, the increase in working hours as a hairdresser was associated with increased respiratory complaints, while hairdressers showed a statistically significant decrease in PFT values compared to the healthy group.

Conclusions: Exclusion of smoking in our study reveals the occupational exposure more clearly. Our study provides additional evidence of a possible significant association between chemical exposure and increased respiratory symptom prevalence and decreased lung function.

Over the past two decades, fatal workplace accidents have accounted for between 300,000 and 400,000 deaths a year worldwide. The aim of this study was to investigate the general characteristics and the toxicological profile of work-related deaths. A descriptive retrospective study was carried out on occupational-related deaths occurred in the Lyon metropolitan area from 2000 to 2020 from the autopsy reports of the University Institute of Legal Medicine. A total of 476 cases of work-related deaths were identified, of which 91% were men. The median age was 48 years, 44% of the deaths were due to cardiac origin, 34% to mechanical accidents and 18% to suicide. 16 homicides were also recorded. The cause of death differed significantly between socio-professional categories: suicide was the main cause of death among managers & intellectual occupations (50%), cardiovascular death among non-manual elementary workers (53%), manual elementary workers (49%) and craftsmen, shop keepers & business owners (33%), and physical accidents among farmers (50%) and manual elementary workers (48%). The main cause of death varied by sector: physical accidents in construction (61%), cardiovascular events in transportation and storage (67%) and manufacturing (51%). 27% (n = 130) tested positive for at least one psychoactive substance, including 75 for alcohol, 43 for sedative anxiolytics and 33 for cannabis. These results may help occupational health professionals to design policies and campaigns to prevent deaths among the workers concerned. Specific studies to assess the proportion of fatal accidents attributable to the use of alcohol, cannabis or benzodiazepines could contribute to reducing work-related deaths.

Background: Musculoskeletal disorders represent a leading occupational health challenge in heavy-industry settings, yet their combined impact on workers' general health, fatigue, and productivity remains underexplored. This study aims to quantify the relationship between multisite musculoskeletal symptom burden and key health and performance outcomes among copper-industry employees.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 585 workers used the Standardized Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire, the 28-item General Health Questionnaire, the SOFI-20 fatigue inventory, and the HPQ-26 productivity survey. Spearman's rank correlation was used to examine bivariate relationships, and multivariable linear regression models adjusting generally for demographic, work-related, and psychosocial factors were employed to estimate the independent effect of the number of painful sites on health, fatigue, and productivity outcomes.

Results: Fifty-seven percent of workers reported pain in at least one region during the preceding 12 months, with an average of 2.6 painful sites per person (standard deviation 2.4). The number of painful sites showed a moderate positive correlation with poorer general health scores (ρ = 0.43, p < 0.001) and higher fatigue scores (ρ = 0.53, p < 0.001), and a moderate negative correlation with productivity ratings (ρ = -0.30, p < 0.001). In adjusted regression analyses, each additional painful site was associated with a 1.9-point worsening in general health score (95% CI 1.5 to 2.2), an 8.4-point increase in fatigue score (95% CI 7.3 to 9.6), and a 1.6-point decrease in productivity score (95% CI -2.0 to -1.2), all with p-values < 0.001.

Conclusions: There is a clear dose-response relationship between the number of painful anatomical sites and declines in health, increases in fatigue, and reductions in productivity among copper-industry workers. To address this multifaceted impact, interventions should integrate ergonomic workstation design, task rotation, optimized break schedules, and comprehensive health-promotion services targeting both physical and psychosocial risk factors.

Volatile anesthetics (VA) are essential agents for inducing and maintaining unconsciousness during specific surgical procedures, but they pose several health risks for exposed workers. The aim of the systematic review was to assess the effects of long-term VA occupational exposure in operating rooms. The review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA Statement, and the search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science to identify articles published between January 1, 1994, and December 31, 2024, that reported data from observational, quasi-experimental, and experimental studies. The protocol was registered in PROSPERO (ID: CRD42024500838). The quality of the studies was assessed using the standard Newcastle-Ottawa Scale versions for cohort and case-control studies, and an adapted version for cross-sectional studies. A total of 65 studies were included. Adverse effects were categorized into four groups: reproductive and Adverse pregnancy or offspring outcomes, neurotoxic alterations, laboratory parameter changes, and cyto- and genotoxicity. Overall, no significant associations were found between VA exposure and reproductive or pregnancy outcomes. One study reported neurological alterations (prolonged reaction times). Additionally, some studies have documented impairments in immune function and minor alterations in renal and hepatic function parameters. Finally, several studies indicated an increased risk of genotoxicity and oxidative stress. Given this evidence, protective measures and health surveillance for exposed workers remain crucial preventive measures.

  Backgrounds: Vaccination is a cornerstone of public health. While COVID-19 vaccination became globally prioritized during the pandemic, Hepatitis B immunization has remained a mandatory occupational requirement in Turkey, particularly among healthcare workers (HCWs). This study evaluated Hepatitis B immunization and factors associated with COVID-19 vaccination among Turkish HCWs.

Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted between February 1 and August 15, 2024, at Mersin City Training and Research Hospital. Employees and trainee students who underwent periodic health examinations were included. Participants were grouped as physicians, non-physician HCWs, and non-healthcare professionals. Data included demographics, vaccination history, hematological and biochemical parameters, and clinical characteristics. Logistic regression identified factors associated with COVID-19 vaccination status.

Results: Of 4,048 participants, 92.1% received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose and 90.0% were vaccinated against Hepatitis B. Physicians demonstrated the highest coverage for both vaccines. Male gender (OR=1.37, 95% CI: 1.04-1.80), non-physician HCW status (OR=2.51, 95% CI: 1.33-4.75), non-healthcare professional status (OR=2.99, 95% CI: 1.55-5.77), and behaviorally linked elevated platelet count (OR=1.54, 95% CI: 1.04-2.28) were independently associated with COVID-19 non-vaccination. A prior history of Hepatitis B vaccination showed a strong protective effect against COVID-19 non-vaccination (OR=0.30, 95% CI: 0.23-0.40).

Conclusions: Vaccine uptake varied across occupational groups, with physicians achieving the highest rates. Prior compliance with mandatory Hepatitis B vaccination was positively associated with COVID-19 vaccine acceptance, emphasizing the role of previous immunization behavior in new vaccine adoption. Occupational health policies integrating vaccination counseling and follow-up are essential to improve coverage among non-physician HCWs.

Background: The rapid growth of the delivery sector, driven by online shopping and the COVID-19 pandemic, has raised safety concerns for delivery drivers, particularly work-related accidents and injuries. This study aimed to estimate the frequency of work-related accidents and injuries among delivery drivers and to identify potential predictors associated with these accidents in Egypt.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study with an analytical component was conducted among 172 delivery drivers recruited from gathering areas in Mansoura, Egypt. Participants were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire.

Results: Among participants, 57.0% reported at least one work-related road accident during their career, with most accidents (91.8%) resulting from collisions with other vehicles. All injured drivers sustained at least one post-accident injury, most commonly contusions (93.9%). The lower limbs were the most frequently affected body parts (80.6%). After adjusting for confounders, the multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that the following workplace exposure factors were significantly independent predictors of work-related accidents: being a university student or graduate (AOR = 2.86, 95% CI: 1.35-6.08), having more than five years of driving experience (AOR = 4.62, 95% CI: 2.15-9.94), and using mobile phones while driving (AOR =3.22, 95% CI: 1.56-6.64).

Conclusions: This study showed a high frequency of work-related road accidents among delivery drivers in Egypt. Key predictors included higher education, extensive driving experience, and mobile phone use while driving. These findings underscore the need for targeted interventions, including safety training, regulation of mobile phone use, and awareness campaigns, to mitigate accident risk among delivery drivers.

Background: Meat cutters are a working group engaged in awkward posture, repetitive motion, and forceful exertion in wrists/hands. This study was conducted a) to examine the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms among Iranian meat cutters, b) to assess the wrist musculoskeletal disorders risk assessment and hand grip strength.

Methods: Ninety-five male meat cutters in Iran (≥ 1 year tenure) completed a demographic/occupational questionnaire, the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ), and the Boston Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Questionnaire (BCTQ). Ergonomic risk was assessed via the ACGIH-TLV hand activity method, and maximum hand-grip force was measured.

Results: With 69.5% reporting point prevalence and 70.5% reporting period prevalence of wrist/hand musculoskeletal symptoms, the study indicated that meat cutters had a significant prevalence of these symptoms. Most participants demonstrated mild to moderate severity in self-reported wrist symptoms while retaining asymptomatic functional status. The ACGIH-HAL assessment indicated most participants operated at or above the action level (AL), suggesting potential ergonomic risks. Moreover, The ACGIH-HAL ratio had a weak negative association with hand grip strength (β = - 0.0071, p = 0.12).

Conclusions: These findings highlight the ergonomic challenges associated with meat-cutting tasks.

Background: The present study aims to investigate neural synchrony, as measured by Auditory Steady State Response (ASSR), in individuals with normal hearing who are exposed and not exposed to occupational noise, thereby providing insights into hidden hearing loss within the central auditory nervous system, and justifying the importance of exploring auditory neural function in populations at risk.

Methods: A cross-sectional study involved 30 noise-exposed individuals in the Study Group and 30 unexposed individuals in the Control Group, all paired by an average age of 35 years. The following procedures were performed on all individuals: clinical and occupational history, meatoscopy, immitanciometry, pure tone audiometry, speech audiometry, and ASSR (40Hz). We analyzed the audiometric hearing thresholds at frequencies of 1 kHz and 4 kHz, the electrophysiological thresholds estimated by ASSR, and the comparison of the differences between them: the thresholds estimated by ASSR and the audiometry thresholds. The data were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. P-values ≤ 0.05 were considered significant.

Results: When comparing hearing thresholds at 1 kHz and 4 kHz between groups, we found significant differences, with the SG showing higher hearing thresholds than the CG bilaterally. No significant differences were seen in the electrophysiological thresholds estimated by ASSR, nor in the comparison between the ASSR-estimated threshold and the psychoacoustic hearing threshold groups.

Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that workers exposed to occupational noise did not show detectable changes in neural synchrony in the midbrain, thalamus, or primary auditory cortex when compared to individuals without occupational noise exposure.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of workplace-based health promotion programs targeting cardiometabolic risk factors.

Methods: We conducted a systematic review and three-level random-effects meta-analysis following PRISMA guidelines, covering studies published from January 2019 to September 2024. Eligible studies included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-experimental (QE) designs assessing workplace interventions to reduce cardiometabolic risks in adult workers. Twelve outcomes were considered. Subgroup analyses and meta-regressions were performed to explore sources of heterogeneity. Certainty of evidence was evaluated using GRADE assessment tool.

Results: Forty-four studies (30 RCTs, 14 QE) involving 49,813 participants were included. Significant improvements were found in nine of twelve outcomes. These included reductions in BMI (-0.61kg/m²; [-0.93; -0.29]), body weight (-2.43kg; [-3.48; -1.38]), waist circumference (-3.46cm; [-5.21; -1.71]), body fat (-1.58%; [-2.40; -0.76]), systolic (-3.75mmHg: [-5.67; -1.82]) and diastolic (mmHg; [-3.58; -1.29]) blood pressure, LDL cholesterol (-5.9 mg/dL; [-11.6; -0.12]), and an increase in HDL cholesterol (2.76 mg/dL; [0.42; 5.09]). All significant outcomes were supported by moderate-to-high certainty evidence except LDL cholesterol, which was rated very low. Non-significant results were observed for total cholesterol, triglycerides and FBG. High heterogeneity was observed. Pre-existing health conditions, author and duration of intervention partially explained between-study heterogeneity.  Conclusions: Workplace health promotion programs were associated with improvements in various cardiometabolic health indicators. Greater effectiveness was observed in interventions targeting high-risk populations, delivered by physicians or qualified health professionals, and implemented over shorter durations. Findings support the integration of such programs into occupational health policies and broader public health strategies. Future research should optimize intervention designs, extend follow-up, and consider integrated approaches to maximize long-term benefits.

Background: Prevention of headache disorders (HDs) among healthcare workers in hospital settings remains a challenge for organizations and employees worldwide. The goals of the present retrospective study were both to analyze the 1-year prevalence of any primary HDs among female registered nurses (RNs) employed in hospital settings and to investigate the relationship between occupational risk factors and HDs.

Methods: We analyzed the occupational medicine database of RNs employed in a large hospital. The sample included 975 female RNs; the diagnostic criteria were based on the International Classification of Headache Disorders, 3rd edition (beta version).

Results: One-year prevalence of any HD was 45.9%; tension-type headache (TTH) was the most commonly reported headache type (by 25.6% of participants), followed by migraine (17.5%). No association was found between the different headache types and work schedules; TTH was linked to age ≥40 years (OR=1.91; 95% CI=1.41-2.72), duration of service ≥15 years (OR=1.61; 95% CI=1.24-2.38), and number of night shifts >5 per month (OR=1.71; 95% CI=1.09-2.68). A high level of WRS was a significant predictor of TTH.

Conclusions: We found a link between TTH and modifiable risk factors at both the individual and organizational levels. These findings suggest interventions in occupational settings to minimize the occurrence of TTH among RNs. Policy-makers and employers should implement preventive measures to reduce the incidence of HDs among RNs by minimizing modifiable risk factors associated with increased occupational risk.