Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate the enzyme activity of chitotriosidase as a biomarker in early diagnosis silicosis, and to investigate immune system response and oxidative stress caused by silica exposure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Silicosis patients (n = 116), exposed to silica without disease (n = 76), and healthy individuals(n = 55) were included. Serum levels of chitotriosidase, proinflammatory cytokines, oxidant-antioxidant and immune parameters were measured...

No abstract text is available yet for this article.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the potential of a sitting reduction workplace intervention for improving stress and work-performance. METHODS: A cluster randomised controlled trial evaluated an intervention to reduce and break up occupational sitting in 12 clusters (n = 89 office workers) over eight weeks. Outcomes were physiological stress (cortisol concentrations), perceived stress and work-performance. RESULTS: Linear mixed model group x time interaction effects were non-significant...

OBJECTIVE: To explore white-collar corporate employee/manager experiences of current employer-led mental health and wellbeing initiatives. METHODS: Twenty-five participants took part in semi-structured interviews yielding over nineteen hours of data. Thematic analysis of the interview transcripts was undertaken. Participants worked for organisations including investment banks, insurers, asset managers, consultants, public relations, marketing, and legal firms. RESULTS: Many participants were sceptical of the effectiveness of current company-led mental health and wellbeing initiatives against a backdrop of high job demands and unsupportive cultures...

No abstract text is available yet for this article.

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the effects of extreme temperatures on hospital admissions for respiratory diseases (RD) in a semi-arid region in the Northwest of China. METHODS: Distributed lag non-linear model was constructed and stratified analysis by gender and age was performed. RESULTS: The exposure-response curve between temperature and RD hospital admissions was almost W-shaped. Either extremely cold temperatures or moderately cold temperatures presented a short-term acute harmful effect, and the relative risks were higher among males (1...

INTRODUCTION: This study examined and compared the association between body mass index (BMI) and BMI with waist circumference on lifestyle measure and health outcomes in Canadian long-haul truck drivers (LHTD). METHODS: 200 LHTD completed a survey on diet and physical activity, and participated in objectives measures of height, weight, waist circumference, and blood pressure. RESULTS: More than half of the sample were classified as obese (57%)...

OBJECTIVE: Burnout in healthcare professionals (HCP) is a pressing issue in healthcare. We report the long-term impact of our previous creative arts therapy (CAT) intervention for reducing psychological distress in HCPs. METHODS: HCPs were randomized to CAT intervention or control group. The CAT group completed surveys evaluating symptoms of psychological distress at 4 months, 8 months, and 1-year post-intervention, while the control group completed surveys at the one-year mark...

OBJECTIVE: Transitioning to motherhood can create work family conflicts affecting mothers' health. Although employment is generally associated with longer telomeres, this may diminish during the early years of child-rearing. This study aimed to assess the impact of work re-entry on TL among first-time mothers. METHODS: In this one-year prospective study, a total of 103 first time postpartum mothers participated from two medical institutions in Northern Israel, they completed validated questionnaires, reported their current working status and provided dried blood spots measuring telomere length (TL)...

INTRODUCTION: Work-related Traumatic Brain Injury (wrTBI) is a frequent cause of chronic morbidity, mortality, and high treatment costs. Its causes are highly environmentally determined and were affected by COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to describe TBI epidemiology in working population and evaluate its modifications during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: We performed a two-year retrospective epidemiological analysis of TBI patients hospitalized in a tertiary Work-Related Hospital before and during the COVID-19 pandemic...

OBJECTIVE: In a two-group prospective design, this study compares seasonal cholinesterase levels of Latinx children in rural farmworker families and comparable urban children, to assess the impact of environmental exposure to cholinesterase-inhibiting insecticides. METHODS: Quarterly blood samples and passive dosimeter wristbands were collected over 2 years in 8 year old children (74 rural, 62 urban). Laboratory analysis assessed total cholinesterase (total ChE), acetylcholinesterase (AChE), and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) from blood samples, and insecticides from wristbands...

No abstract text is available yet for this article.

OBJECTIVE: Bio-monitoring of urinary dialkyl phosphate (DAP) metabolites, a sensitive biomarker to assess pesticides exposure and also to study the impact of the use of personal-protective-equipment (PPE). METHODS: A pre-post intervention study to bio-monitor dimethyl phosphate (DMP); diethyl phosphate (DEP); diethyl-thio phosphate (DETP); and diethyl-dithio phosphate (DEDTP) using liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry among Indian farm-workers (n = 120)...

No abstract text is available yet for this article.

OBJECTIVES: Purpose of this study was to study the changes in expression of vascular regulators after vibration exposure and during the onset of vibration-induced white finger (VWF) and to screen for Vascular Regulatory Factors that could be used as early biomarkers of HAVS. METHODS: Using judgmental sampling from a Chinese factory, workers with VWF and hand-transmitted vibration exposure but without VWF were selected for research. Blood samples were taken from all subjects, and the levels of nine of the vascular regulators were measured using ELISA...

OBJECTIVE: To describe the current state, identify topics of importance, and suggest implementation strategies for tailored nutrition education for the wildland firefighter. METHODS: Focus groups were conducted and survey data was collected to gather qualitative and quantitative data from a sample of WLFFs. Constant Comparative Strategy was used to generate themes from transcripts. RESULTS: WLFFs showed interest in early-introduced, multimodal, and specific nutrition education tailored to the demands of the WLFF...

OBJECTIVE: To explore tobacco-related knowledge and perceptions at Washington State (WA) agencies. METHODS: Cross-sectional employee survey and qualitative focus groups with managers/supervisors. We produced descriptive statistics to examine differences in awareness and perceptions of tobacco-control efforts among employees and conducted a rapid thematic analysis of focus group data. RESULTS: Of employees, only 18% with a history of tobacco use had utilized their agency's cessation benefits...

OBJECTIVE: Workers in industries with high rates of opioid dispensing as well as those with high rates of non-fatal work-related injuries are at greater risk for opioid misuse, which can lead to addiction, overdose, or death. METHODS: Using secondary cross-sectional data collected from 856 healthcare workers, this pilot study examines a conceptual model for workers' intentions to seek out prescription opioids and intentions to use opioids at higher doses over longer periods of time...

OBJECTIVE: Describe sociodemographic characteristics, healthcare access, and health status of low-income essential, non-essential, and non-workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: Using survey data (2020-2021) from Wisconsin Medicaid enrollees (n = 2528), we compared sociodemographics, healthcare access, and health status between essential, non-essential, and non-workers. RESULTS: Essential workers had less consistent health insurance coverage and more problems paying medical bills than non-essential and non-workers...

OBJECTIVE: This study examined whether mid-life work stress, defined as job strain and effort-reward imbalance (ERI), predicts work ability trajectories observed 12 years preceding the individual pensionable age. Additionally, the role of sleep problems as a mediator in these associations was examined. METHODS: Survey data were collected from 2707 Finnish municipal employees. RESULTS: Identified work ability trajectories were: 'Stable Excellent', 'Stable Good', 'Moderate' and 'Low decreasing'...