Journal of occupational and environmental medicine最新文献

Objective: Silicosis is a fibrotic lung disease caused by the inhalation of crystalline silica. This study investigates sphingolipid metabolism in silicosis patients using plasma samples.

Methods: GC-MS-based untargeted metabolomics identified alterations in the sphingolipid pathway, while LC-MS targeted specific ceramide and sphingomyelin species. Enzyme activities of acid ceramidase, neutral sphingomyelinase, sphingosine kinase-1, and sphingosine-1-phosphate lyase-1 were also assessed.

Results: Results showed elevated sphingolipid levels and reduced enzyme activities in patients versus controls. In silico molecular docking suggested interactions between SiO 2 and pathway enzymes. Metabolomic analysis revealed disrupted sphingolipid and fatty acid pathways.

Conclusions: These findings highlight the role of sphingolipid dysregulation in silicosis pathogenesis and suggest its potential as a biomarker and therapeutic target. Understanding these mechanisms could improve management and treatment strategies for this debilitating disease.

Objectives: This study evaluated training transfer after a Total Worker Health (TWH) training with Mexican safety engineers and occupational medicine physicians and residents.

Methods: We used a mixed-methods analysis to assess responses before and after training and 3 months after.

Results: Nearly three quarters (73%) of the participants applied a TWH concept from the course into their work. Over half (52%) of the participants worked to change the way they applied the TWH approach, and examples included broadened awareness of what health means at work and the need for workforce engagement. While changes in TWH practices occurred, gaps remained.

Conclusions: The TWH training facilitated behavior changes, particularly in leadership for TWH practices. Factors supporting skill transfer included a national-level TWH-type program, positive mindsets, and willingness to implement change. Additional training is needed to address specific skills in TWH risk assessment and controls.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the association between job change, including first-time and repeat job changes, and new-onset physical and psychological symptoms in a general population sample in Japan.

Methods: We analyzed data from 19,281 Japanese adults who completed internet-based surveys in both 2022 and 2023. Job change within the past year was self-reported. Outcomes were new-onset symptoms in 2023, including headache, lethargy, and insomnia. Weighted logistic regression was used to estimate adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and 95% confidence intervals.

Results: Job changers (6.1%) were more likely to report new-onset headache (aOR, 1.57) and lethargy (aOR, 1.63). First-time job changers (2.0%) showed stronger associations, including insomnia (aOR, 2.93), and reported more adverse workplace conditions such as workload and harassment.

Conclusions: Job change, particularly for the first time, was associated with increased symptoms and unfavorable workplace conditions.

Objective: This study examined the associations between different types of shift work and health symptoms, including musculoskeletal symptoms and sleep disturbances, among South Korean workers.

Methods: Data from 43,011 participants in the Seventh Korean Working Conditions Survey were analyzed. Multivariate logistic regression was used to estimate adjusted odds ratios (aORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for each shift type.

Results: Rotating shift work was significantly associated with low back pain (aOR, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.13-1.52), upper extremity pain (aOR, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.14-1.51), and waking up exhausted (aOR, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.20-1.64). Fixed shift workers had increased risks of anxiety (aOR, 1.77; 95% CI, 1.33-2.34) and depression (aOR, 2.08; 95% CI, 1.50-2.86).

Conclusions: Rotating and fixed shift types are associated with adverse health outcomes. These findings support the need for shift type-specific occupational health interventions and policy responses.

Objective: To assess deployed Gulf War (GW) veterans for prodromal Parkinson's Disease (PD) using the REM Sleep Behavioral Disorder (RBD) Screening Questionnaire (RBDSQ).

Methods: GW veterans ( n = 165) were assessed for nonmotor PD symptoms with the RBDSQ, Non-Motor Symptoms Scale, and Scales for Outcomes in Parkinson's Disease-Autonomic. Some veterans were also assessed with the University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test ( n = 120), neurological examinations ( n = 41), and 3T magnetic resonance imaging ( n = 16).

Results: Eighty percent of veterans with PD and 73% of veterans without PD had probable RBD (ie, RBDSQ ≥5). Exploratory analysis conducted for hypothesis-generating purposes revealed that RBDSQ scores were positively associated with GW deployment-related exposures and inversely associated with brainstem volume.

Conclusions: These findings suggest that veterans with GWI and high levels of deployment-related exposures are at risk for prodromal PD, possibly through RBD as a mediator.

Objective: To examine the prevalence and impact of workload on musculoskeletal pain and quality of life (QoL) among Indian women during pregnancy and postpartum.

Methods: A prospective cohort of 300 women at 30 weeks of gestation was followed up until six weeks postpartum. Musculoskeletal pain was identified using the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire, intensity was assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and QoL was assessed using the SF-36 summary scores.

Results: Pain was reported by 72% of the participants during pregnancy and 57.6% postpartum, most commonly in the lower back. Women with heavy workloads had higher VAS scores and lower PCS/MCS scores (p < 0.05). Caesarean delivery is associated with persistent back pain.

Conclusions: Musculoskeletal pain is common during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Ergonomic strategies and supportive household or workplace policies may help reduce maternal burden and improve recovery.

Objective: To examine how perceived safety, age, and job demands influence work ability in older workers, using the Job Demands-Resources (JDR) model.

Method: A survey was administered to 340 employees at a manufacturing facility in Northern Italy. The analysis explored interactions between safety perception, age, cognitive and physical job demands.

Results: A significant three-way interaction showed that older workers with lower cognitive demands relied more on safety perception to maintain work ability. For those with higher cognitive demands, this relationship was weaker. Physical demands had a consistently negative impact on work ability, regardless of age or safety perception.

Conclusion: Work ability in older adults is shaped by a complex interplay of psychosocial and cognitive factors. Tailored interventions addressing safety culture, cognitive support, and ergonomics are essential to sustain employment in aging workforces.

Objective: To investigate the prevalence, characteristics, and consequences of workplace violence (WPV) in emergency care settings, including reporting behaviors.

Methods: An online questionnaire was conducted among 660 emergency department(ED) healthcare workers (HCWs), covering types of violence, perpetrators, psychological impacts, and reporting behaviors.

Results: A 97.4% of HCWs reported experiencing at least one violent incident. Verbal violence was the most prevalent (93.8%), followed by psychological pressure (59.1%) and physical violence (22.7%). Perpetrators were mainly patient companions (98.0%) and patients (60.3%). Nearly half (49.8%) had never reported violence. Consequences of the violence on HCWs included a loss of motivation (80.8%), anxiety (63.8%) and burnout (57.7%). About 85% associated violence with ED overcrowding.

Conclusions: WPV in EDs remains a public health and workforce safety issue. System-level interventions are needed to enhance safety and deterrence, reduce overcrowding, improve reporting, and strengthen institutional support.

Objective: To determine the diagnostic accuracy of using cardiovascular health (CVH) and physical fitness as indicators of physical ability test (PAT) performance in firefighters.

Methods: Using a cross-sectional study 282 firefighters were recruited. A researcher-generated questionnaire and physical measures were used to obtain sociodemographic, CVH, physical fitness and PAT data. Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed.

Results: A bodyfat percentage cut-off of 22.1% had a specificity of 75% of failing the PAT. An abV̇O2max of 3.2 L·min, a grip and leg strength higher than 73.2 kg and 96.3 kg had a sensitivity of 84%, 92% and 88%, respectively, of passing the PAT. A push-up and sit-up capacity higher than 25 repetitions had a sensitivity of 74% and 75% for passing the PAT.

Conclusion: Measures of CVH and physical fitness could be used as indicators of PAT performance.

Objective: To explore the experiences of healthcare workers (HCWs) in Spain with long COVID and its impact on their job performance, from the perspectives of affected HCWs, healthcare providers, and key stakeholders.

Methods: A phenomenological, constructivist approach was used. Seven online focus groups and four interviews were conducted from April to June 2024. Transcripts were thematically analysed using Atlas.ti using a predefined guideline.

Results: Long COVID significantly impaired work ability due to physical and cognitive limitations. Sick leave followed long-term or intermittent patterns, though many HCWs hesitated to take leave. Return-to-work experiences were shaped by workplace adaptations, institutional support, and persistent symptoms. Improvement proposals include formal recognition and holistic workplace support as they are essential to reduce its occupational burden.

Conclusions: Long COVID significantly impacts affected HCWs job performance, highlighting a need for recognition, support and workplace adaptation.