摘要:

The Occupational Medicine Forum presents questions of general interest received by the ACOEM Committee on Occupational Medical Practice. Answers usually are prepared by the Committee, representing the composite best judgment of its members. Such replies do not necessarily represent an official position of the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. In some cases, the responses will be prepared at the Committee's request by consultants with special qualifications in specific fields. Questioners are not named. Readers who wish to submit questions to the Committee should address inquiries to: Committee on Occupational Medical Practice, American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 55 W. Seegers Rd, Arlington Heights, IL 60005.

ISSN:1076-2752    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1995

数据来源: OVID

ISSN:1076-2752    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1995

数据来源: OVID

ISSN:1076-2752    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1995

数据来源: OVID

ISSN:1076-2752    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1995

数据来源: OVID

ISSN:1076-2752    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1995

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

The Polaroid Medical Department conducted a prostate cancer screening program of all male employees over the age of 49 years. The screening consisted of a World Health Organization (WHO) questionnaire, a digital rectal examination (DRE) by an occupational medicine doctor, and a serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) study. There were 2241 eligible employees (males between 50 and 65 years of age). 1219 (54 %) took part in the screening. Thirty-seven PSAs above the 3.9 level were found (3%) and were further evaluated with ultrasound and/or biopsy. Twelve previously unknown cancers of the prostate (1 %) were discovered. The cost of the entire program to the Polaroid Medical Department, including ultrasound and biopsy studies, was $72,130 ($6,012 per cancer detected). Of the 12 cancers, two were discovered by abnormal DEE alone, eight by an elevated PSA alone, and two by both an abnormal DRE and elevated PSA. There appeared to be no correlation between the WHO symptom score and the detection of prostate cancer. Our final conclusion was that a corporate medical department screening for cancer of the prostate is both effective and cost efficient.

ISSN:1076-2752    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1995

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

A literature search was conducted to identify studies that measured the relationship between stress and occupational injury. Studies that provided a quantitative measure of stress and occupational injury and a quantitative assessment of the relationship between these two factors were selected for this review. Twenty studies were identified, and all hadPvalues of less than .05 or odds ratios ranging from .3 to 4.6. Twelve of 17 measures had odds ratios greater than 1.0. Several factors limit the generalizability of these results, however, and these include methodological differences in the assessment of stress and injury, study design, and limited representation of occupations.

ISSN:1076-2752    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1995

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

IgE-mediated sensitivity to natural rubber latex is being recognized more frequently among health care workers. Between January 1990 and June 1993, we evaluated 342 consecutive Mayo Medical Center employees who reported symptoms suggestive of latex allergy. All were interviewed and underwent puncture skin testing with extracts of rubber gloves. In some cases, latex-specific IgE antibodies were measured by immunoassay. One hundred four of the 342 employees evaluated (30%) were latex-allergic. Risk factors for sensitization included frequent use of disposable gloves, presence of prior a topic disease, and prior or current hand dermatitis. The peak onset of symptoms occurred in late 1989 and early 1990 and did not correlate with a peak in glove usage at our medical center, which continued to rise. Most sensitized employees (78%) reported contact urticaria from rubber gloves, and over two thirds also experienced allergic rhinitis, conjunctivitis, or asthma when working in areas where large numbers of gloves were being used. Sixteen episodes of rubber-induced anaphylaxis were documented in 12 employees; six episodes occurred after latex skin testing and were easily reversed with appropriate therapy. Our findings substantiate a local epidemic of latex allergy among medical center employees. Epidemiologic studies are needed to assess the effects of various interventions to reduce occupational exposure to latex allergens. Although prick skin testing with concentrated latex glove extracts presents some risk of systemic reaction, pending availability of commercial diagnostic extracts, such testing is generally safe when performed by skilled laboratory personnel. Skin testing is warranted to investigate health care workers suspected of being latex-sensitive.

ISSN:1076-2752    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1995

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

In ergonomic epidemiology exposure to local loads as well as cardiovascular load may contribute to general and local fatigue and musculoskeletal disease. Self-reported exposure is often the only feasible method in large population studies. The aim of this study was to evaluate retrospectively self-reported physical activity and perceived exertion as estimates of cardiovascular load during occupational work.The study population consisted of 39 men, representing 25 different occupations, and 58 women, representing 28 occupations. Ratings of physical exertion (RPE scale) and physical activity (Edholm scale transferred to multiples of the basal metabolic rate, METs) at the end of a work shift were correlated with the average heart rate during the same work shift. In the male population, both RPE ratings and METs correlated significantly (P < .01) with the average heart rate. No such correlation was observed in the female population.

ISSN:1076-2752    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1995

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

This population-based case-control study assesses the risk of stomach cancer among black and white men and women. The association of occupational risk factors and cigarette smoking with stomach cancer was analyzed using 739 stomach cancer cases and 3750 population controls. Complete occupational and tobacco-use histories were obtained by telephone interview. Significant increases in stomach cancer were observed among black men (odds ratio [OR] = 2.0), white women (OR = 1.7), and black women (OR = 1.4) who had ever smoked. The majority of occupations with significant increases in risk were among white men and included agricultural workers (OR = 2.6), driver sales (OR = 3.8), assemblers (OR = 2.0), mechanics (OR = 2.2), and material movers (OR = 2.9). Black women employed as assemblers (OR = 5.4) and white women employed as food workers (OR = 4.0) also had significant ORs. Evaluating occupations with possible dust exposure, we found no association between dust exposure and stomach cancer.

ISSN:1076-2752    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1995

数据来源: OVID