摘要:

This study aimed to investigate whether occupational exposure to organophosphate (OP) pesticides caused neurophysiological abnormalities. Thirty farmers who regularly spray OP pesticides and 30 fishermen (controls), living close by but not involved in pesticide spraying, were evaluated during and between cultivation seasons. The farmers had higher erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase levels than the controls during (P = 0.06) and between cultivation seasons (P = 0.09). During the cultivation season, there was a significant reduction in erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase activity in both groups (P < 0.01). Significant differences between the farmers and controls were found in sensory conduction velocity (P = 0.04) and motor conduction velocity (P = 0.04) between cultivation seasons. Sensory conduction velocity was reduced significantly in farmers (P < 0.01) and in controls (P = 0.04) during the cultivation season. Effects of OP poisoning were seen both in farmers and in controls, who had no history of spray activities. Evidence of sensory dysfunction after acute exposure and sensory and motor impairment after long-term low-level exposure to OP was seen.

ISSN:1076-2752    

出版商:OVID    

年代:2002

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Using the National Health Interview Survey Disability Supplement of 1994 to 1995, we examined the factors associated with employment among Americans with disabilities. Persons with disabilities who were more educated were more likely to be working. Married men were more likely to work than unmarried men (odds ratio [OR], 1.58). Blacks were less likely to work than whites (OR, 0.56). Persons with disabilities related to cardiovascular disease (OR, 0.23), musculoskeletal disease (OR, 0.37), and respiratory disease (OR, 0.23) were less likely to work than other Americans with disabilities. Among persons with psychiatric disorders, there was considerable variety in the propensity to work. Persons with schizophrenia (OR, 0.24) and paranoid delusional disorder (OR, 0.34) were markedly less likely to work; persons with bipolar disorder (OR, 0.60) and major depression (OR, 0.69) were also less likely to work. Lastly, persons with self-reported alcohol abuse (OR, 1.30) were more likely to work, and persons with self-reported drug abuse (OR, 0.93) were not less likely to work, than others in our study population of Americans with disabilities.

ISSN:1076-2752    

出版商:OVID    

年代:2002

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

A number of quality-based evaluation and treatment protocols have been developed and marketed for the management of work-related musculoskeletal problems. Yet, little is known about their effectiveness in improving patient outcomes. We evaluated one such approach adopted by the Department of Labor and Industries, which insures approximately two-thirds of the non-federal workforce in Washington State. The outcomes of back and neck injury claims (primarily sprains and strains) filed in the 2 months after the program was fully operational were compared with two comparable groups of claims from the same base population filed before the program’s availability. There were no statistically significant differences between groups in the number of days of work loss, medical costs, and permanent partial disability awards granted during the 2 years after injury. The quality-based program used as an adjunct to claims management failed to improve outcomes.

ISSN:1076-2752    

出版商:OVID    

年代:2002

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Little is known about the genetic susceptibility to coal workers’ pneumoconiosis (CWP). We investigated the association between genetic polymorphisms ofMnSOD,GSTM1,GSTT1, orOGG1and susceptibility to CWP. The study population was composed of 259 Chinese retired coal miners who had similar dust exposure histories. Of these, there were 99 cases with International Labor Organization chest radiologic criteria for CWP and 160 controls (with no radiologic criteria for CWP). Individual dust exposure variables were estimated from work histories, and smoking information was obtained from interviews. Polymerase chain reaction-based techniques evaluated the genotypes of all study subjects. There were no differences in genotype frequency ofMnSOD,GSTM1,GSTT1, andOGG1between miners with CWP and miners without CWP, by logistic regression analysis. Cumulative dust exposures, but not genetic polymorphisms, were associated significantly with the presence of CWP. This study illustrates the complexity of factors that may contribute to the development of CWP.

ISSN:1076-2752    

出版商:OVID    

年代:2002

数据来源: OVID

ISSN:1076-2752    

出版商:OVID    

年代:2002

数据来源: OVID

ISSN:1076-2752    

出版商:OVID    

年代:2002

数据来源: OVID