ISSN:1076-2752    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1997

数据来源: OVID

ISSN:1076-2752    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1997

数据来源: OVID

ISSN:1076-2752    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1997

数据来源: OVID

ISSN:1076-2752    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1997

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Although information exists on the cost of workers' compensation low back pain (LBP), there is limited information on the duration of lost work time as well as the association between cost and duration. For this study, cost and duration of lost work time information were derived from a large workers'compensation company's database for 1992 LBP claims (n =106,961). The distribution of cost was skewed, with an average cost of a claim being 20 times higher than its median. A disproportionately small percentage of the costliest LBP claims (10%) were responsible for a large percentage of the total cost (86%). The distribution of length of disability (LOD) was also skewed, with an average of 102 days and a median of zero. The average and median LOD for those claims with at least one day of compensable disability was 303 and 39 days, respectively. As a "rule of thumb," it was found that of those claimants who remain on disability at the end ofnweeks, approximately 50% will be off disability at the end of 6·nweeks. Additionally, the 7% of the claims with an LOD greater than one year accounted for 75.1% of the cost and 84.2% of the total disability days. Disability days that were accrued after one year of disability accounted for 59.3% of the total number of disability days. This result suggests that other LOD estimation techniques, which may not account for disability days beyond one calendar year (eg, the Bureau of Labor Statistics Annual Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses), may result in a marked underestimation of LOD.

ISSN:1076-2752    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1997

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

The purpose of this study was to determine if hair nicotine and cotinine levels reflect relative exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) in subjects who worked in the hospitality industry, where public smoking was permitted. Hair samples from 26 subjects were analyzed by gas chromatograph/mass spectrometry techniques for nicotine and cotinine. An exposure gradient was shown for nicotine but not cotinine. Among nonsmokers, those working in bars where there are no public smoking restrictions had the highest hair nicotine levels, which were close to levels found in smokers. Nicotine measured in hair is useful as a biological marker for exposure to ETS from multiple sources. Bar workers in particular are exposed to high levels of ETS, which may adversely affect the health of nonsmokers.

ISSN:1076-2752    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1997

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

As part of an ongoing study of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) in industry, we measured plasma concentrations of pyridoxal 5′-phosphate (PLP, a measure of vitamin B6status) and total ascorbate (ASC, a measure of vitamin C status) in 441 adult volunteers from six industries and a university exercise study. In the entire study group and in non-vitamin users (n =218), there were no significant differences in mean plasma PLP or ASC concentrations between controls (neither symptoms nor slowing), subjects with symptoms only, subjects with median nerve slowing only, or subjects with CTS (symptoms + slowing). In male non-vitamin users (n =137), there were significant inverse univariate associations between plasma PLP concentration and the prevalence of pain, the frequency of tingling and nocturnal awakening, and the Phalen test result. In this same subgroup, the ASC/PLP ratio was directly associated with the prevalence of pain and nocturnal awakening, and with the frequency of pain, tingling, and nocturnal awakening. In multivariate analyses, plasma ASC concentration predicted more median nerve slowing and confirmed CTS, and vitamin or vitamin interaction variables were independent predictors of 20 CTS-related outcomes. These multivariate relationships often occurred only after adjustment for age, gender, body mass index, serum alkaline phosphatase activity, or tobacco use. We conclude that there are significant relationships between plasma vitamin levels and both components of CTS (specific symptoms and median nerve slowing). The interaction between plasma PLP and ASC appears to be particularly important with respect to symptoms.

ISSN:1076-2752    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1997

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

To investigate the relationship between exposure to organic solvents and the presence of pulmonary and upper respiratory tract mucous membrane symptoms, we conducted a cross-sectional study of 215 newspaper pressroom workers who were occupationally exposed to organic solvent and lubricant mixtures. Thirty-four compositors, who were not occupationally exposed to the solvents or lubricants, served as controls. Pressroom workers and compositors underwent spirometric testing and were also asked about the presence of cough, phlegm, hemoptysis, dyspnea, wheezing, chest tightness, nose or throat irritation, eye irritation, and sinus trouble. The spirometric results did not significantly differ between the two groups. However, the pressroom workers were significantly more likely to report pulmonary or upper respiratory tract mucous membrane symptoms than were compositors(P <0.005). An exposure-response relationship could be demonstrated when comparing the number of solvents exposed with the total number of symptoms(P <0.001). Similarly, an exposure-response relationship could be demonstrated when comparing the frequency of use of each of the seven solvents with the total number of symptoms(P <0.002). Each of these findings was supported in a multivariable linear regression model that adjusted for potential confounders such as age, smoking history, and number of years in the industry. A high prevalence of these symptoms was reported even though the degree of exposure to solvents and lubricants was within the current permissible exposure limits.

ISSN:1076-2752    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1997

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

This retrospective study examines the mortality patterns of a relatively young cohort of 81,746 former and current petrochemical company employees. Standardized mortality ratios (SMR) for 1979 through 1992 are generally from about unity to well below unity for major causes and numerous specific causes of death studied by gender/race/job subgroups. Findings of note include a SMR (based on incidence rates) of 1.94 (95 % confidence interval [CI], 1.04 to 3.33) for mesothelioma, and a SMR of 1.81 (95 % CI, 0.90 to 3.24) for chronic lymphocytic leukemia, both among males hired before 1960. All male semiskilled operatives have a 1.6-fold increase (95% CI, 1.07 to 2.29) in motor vehicle accident deaths, with declining rates since the mid-1980s. The overall SMR for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is at unity (69 deaths), with excesses in technician and office worker subgroups. Four decedents with lymphoma (code 202.8 in 9th revision ICD) had AIDS as a secondary cause of death, suggesting the need to examine secondary causes when studying lymphopoietic conditions. This routine surveillance activity provides leads regarding the presence or absence of excess mortality risk.

ISSN:1076-2752    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1997

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Environmental Health Response Clinics are established in response to concerns about community exposures to hazardous situations (chemical, biological, radiological). They are developed in response to a demand for "clinical services" and operate outside the usual health care financing and delivery mechanisms. Prompted by their experience in California, the authors formed a focus group to identify possible goals and services. A mail survey of occupational-environmental health professionals was then conducted to evaluate the feasibility and priority of representative goals. The analysis suggests that services should focus on the specific hazard of concern and that communication and education are essential components. The tendency to "do a general physical examination" should be eschewed. Ratings for priority and feasibility were disparate for several possible goals. In some instances, a "hands-on examination" may not be the best use of resources. Environmental health professionals may serve by direct clinical service or by advising community-based practitioners. Providing routine clinical services alone cannot meet the expectations for an environmental health response clinic.

ISSN:1076-2752    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1997

数据来源: OVID