Objective: This study aimed to investigate the correlation between postoperative noise exposure and anxiety/depression in patients with haemophilic osteoarthropathy undergoing hip/knee replacement. Methods: This retrospective study included 58 patients with haemophilic osteoarthropathy who underwent hip/knee replacement in four tertiary hospitals between 2020 and 2025. Data were collected from clinical records. Ward noise levels (daytime/nighttime) were measured on postoperative days 1–3 by using a sound level metre. Patients were divided into high-noise (≥45 dB, n = 30) and low-noise (<45 dB, n = 28) groups. The Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS), sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, PSQI) and pain (Visual Analog Scale, VAS) were assessed. Pearson’s correlation and t-tests were used for statistical analysis. Results: The high-noise group had significantly higher mean noise levels (52.89 ± 6.24 dB vs. 44.57 ± 5.25 dB, P < 0.001). The SAS (51.41 ± 6.37 vs. 48.84 ± 5.23, P = 0.011) and SDS scores (54.16 ± 7.48 vs. 50.31 ± 5.25, P = 0.028) were higher in the high-noise group. Noise levels were positively correlated with anxiety (r = 0.682, P < 0.001) and depression (r = 0.659, P < 0.001). The high-noise group had poorer sleep quality (PSQI: 7.21 ± 2.35 vs. 5.19 ± 1.89, P < 0.001) and higher pain scores (VAS: 5.86 ± 1.54 vs. 4.23 ± 1.27, P < 0.001). Conclusion: Postoperative noise exposure is significantly associated with increased anxiety, depression, poor sleep and pain in patients with haemophiliac osteoarthropathy. Reducing ward noise may enhance their psychological well-being and postoperative recovery.
Fabian Holzgreve, Celine Nazzal, Rasem Nazzal
et al.
Abstract Background Work-related forced postures, such as prolonged standing work, can lead to complaints in the lower back. Current research suggests that there is increased evidence of associations between patients with low back pain (LBP) and reduced lordosis in the lumbar spine and generally less spinal tilt in the sagittal plane. The aim of this study is to extend the influence of LBP to other parameters of upper body posture in standing, taking into account the rotational and frontal planes. Methods The study included a no-LBP group (418 males, 412 females, aged 21–65 years) and an LBP group (138 subjects: 80 females, 58 males, aged 18–86 years) with medically diagnosed lumbar spine syndrome (LSS). The “ABW BodyMapper” back scanner from ABW GmbH in Germany was used for posture assessment using video raster stereography. Statistical analyses employed two-sample t-tests or Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney-U tests to assess the relationship between the LBP/no-LBP groups and back posture parameters. Linear and logarithmic regressions were used with independent variables including group, sex, height, weight and body mass index (BMI). Significance level: α = 0.05 (95% confidence). Results The regression analysis showed that sagittal parameters of the spine (sagittal trunk decline, thoracic and lumbar bending angle, kyphosis and lordosis angles) depend primarily on sex, age, BMI, height and/or weight but not on group membership (LBP/no-LBP). In the shoulder region, a significant dependency between group membership and scapular rotation was found. In the pelvic region, there were only significant dependencies in the transverse plane, particularly between pelvic torsion and BMI, weight, height and between pelvic rotation and group membership, age and sex. Conclusion No difference between the patients and healthy controls were found. In addition, sex appears to be the main influencing factor for upper body posture. Other influencing factors such as BMI, height or weight also seem to have a significant influence on upper body posture more frequently than group affiliation.
Frederique Froeling, Jie Chen, Kees Meliefste
et al.
Abstract Background and aim Woodsmoke from household fireplaces contributes significantly to outdoor air pollution in the Netherlands. The current understanding of the respiratory health effects of exposure to smoke from residential wood burning is limited. This study investigated the association between short-term changes in outdoor woodsmoke exposure and lung function, respiratory symptoms, and medication use in adults in the Netherlands. Methods This study was co-created with citizen scientists and other relevant stakeholders. A panel study was conducted with repeated observations in 46 adults between February and May 2021 in four Dutch towns. Participants recorded their symptoms and medication use in daily diaries, and conducted morning and evening home spirometry measurements. Woodsmoke exposure was characterized by measuring levoglucosan (most specific marker for woodsmoke exposure), black/brown carbon, fine and ultrafine particulate matter at central monitoring sites. Individual woodsmoke perception (smell) was recorded in daily diaries. Linear and logistic regression models were used to investigate the association between respiratory health and woodsmoke exposure. Models were adjusted for time-varying confounders and accounted for repeated observations within participants. Results Consistent positive associations were found between levoglucosan and shortness of breath (SOB) during rest and extra respiratory medication use. Odds ratios for current day exposure to levoglucosan were 1.12 (95% CI: 0.97, 1.30) for SOB during rest and 1.19 (95% CI: 1.07, 1.33) for extra medication use, expressed per interquartile range of levoglucosan concentrations (69.16 ng/m3). Positive non-significant associations were found between levoglucosan and nasal symptoms, cough and waking up with SOB. No consistent association was found between levoglucosan and lung function. Associations found between woodsmoke markers, SOB during rest and extra medication use remained after the inclusion of PM2.5 and UFP in two-pollutant models. Conclusions Adults experienced more SOB during rest, nasal symptoms and used more medication to treat respiratory symptoms on days with higher levels of outdoor woodsmoke concentrations.
Industrial medicine. Industrial hygiene, Public aspects of medicine
Abstract Background Exposure to ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is associated with vascular diseases. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in PM2.5 are highly hazardous; however, the contribution of PM2.5-bound PAHs to PM2.5-associated vascular diseases remains unclear. The ToxCast high-throughput in vitro screening database indicates that some PM2.5-bound PAHs activate the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). The present study investigated whether the AhR pathway is involved in the mechanism of PM2.5-induced vascular toxicity, identified the PAH in PM2.5 that was the major contributor of AhR activation, and identified a biomarker for vascular toxicity of PM2.5-bound PAHs. Results Treatment of vascular smooth muscle cells (VMSCs) with an AhR antagonist inhibited the PM2.5-induced increase in the cell migration ability; NF-κB activity; and expression of cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP1A1), 1B1 (CYP1B1), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and osteopontin (OPN). Most PM2.5-bound PAHs were extracted into the organic fraction, which drastically enhanced VSMC migration and increased mRNA levels of CYP1A1, CYP1B1, IL-6, and OPN. However, the inorganic fraction of PM2.5 moderately enhanced VSMC migration and only increased IL-6 mRNA levels. PM2.5 increased IL-6 secretion through NF-κB activation; however, PM2.5 and its organic extract increased OPN secretion in a CYP1B1-dependent manner. Inhibiting CYP1B1 activity and silencing OPN expression prevented the increase in VSMC migration ability caused by PM2.5 and its organic extract. The AhR activation potencies of seven PM2.5-bound PAHs, reported in the ToxCast database, were strongly correlated with their capabilities of enhancing the migration ability of VSMCs. Benzo(k)fluoranthene (BkF) contributed the most to the AhR agonistic activity of ambient PM2.5-bound PAHs. The association between PM2.5-induced vascular toxicity, AhR activity, and OPN secretion was further verified in mice; PM2.5-induced intimal hyperplasia in pulmonary small arteries and OPN secretion were alleviated in mice with low AhR affinity. Finally, urinary concentrations of 1-hydroxypyrene, a major PAH metabolite, were positively correlated with plasma OPN levels in healthy humans. Conclusions The present study offers in vitro, animal, and human evidences supporting the importance of AhR activation for PM2.5-induced vascular toxicities and that BkF was the major contributor of AhR activation. OPN is an AhR-dependent biomarker of PM2.5-induced vascular toxicity. The AhR activation potency may be applied in the risk assessment of vascular toxicity in PAH mixtures.
Samira Ghiyasi, Milad Koushki Rad, Ahmad Soltanzadeh
et al.
Background: In addition to detrimental effects on economy and people, safety consequences could negatively affect the efficiency and productivity of construction projects. This study aims to analyze the factors affecting safety consequences in construction projects. Method: This was a descriptive-analytical and cross-sectional study conducted in 2020 in a large construction project (a sewage treatment plant) in Tehran. The 250 people working in this construction project participated in this study. Data for this study were collected based on a safety parameter assessment checklist. Independent variables in this study were age and work experience, education, daily working hours, harmful physical and ergonomic factors, and unsafe practices. Analytical variables included Accident Frequency Rate (AFR) and Safe-T score. A multiple linear regression model and SPSS version 22.0 were used for data analysis. Results: Age and working experience of the participants were 35.8± 9.8 and 3.4± 1.7, respectively, and nearly half of them had high school diploma (47.6%). AFR for two consecutive years of 2019 and 2020, were 5.16 and 4.43 accidents, respectively. Safe-T-Score was calculated as – 0.011. The results of regression analysis revealed a significant relation (p<0.05) between Safe-T-score and working experience, daily working hours, unsafe practices, noise and thermal stress exposure, carrying and moving loads, and safety risk factors variables. Conclusion: Results of this study indicated that although safety performance at the studied construction site was relatively favorable, several variables had an impact on the safety consequences of the project. Hence, the safety consequences of construction projects might benefit from the results of this study.
AbstractAn innovative measurement technology for industrial hygiene and environmental air sampling has emerged to allow visualization of the spatial distribution of chemical concentrations in space over time. By combining optical remote sensing technologies with computed tomography, spatially and temporally resolved two‐dimensional concentration maps can be generated for a room or area. These maps could be used to evaluate pollutant dispersion in a workplace, characterize human exposures, support fundamental modeling research, and locate fugitive emissions.
Abstract Background Evidence suggests that exposure to particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter less than 10 μm (PM10) is associated with reduced birth weight, but information is limited on the sources of PM10 and exposure misclassification from assigning exposures to place of residence at birth. Methods Trimester and source-specific PM10 exposures (PM10 from road source, local non-road source, and total source) in pregnancy were estimated using dispersion models and a full maternal residential history for 12,020 births from the Avon longitudinal study of parents and children (ALSPAC) cohort in 1990–1992 in the Bristol area. Information on birth outcomes were obtained from birth records. Maternal sociodemographic and lifestyle factors were obtained from questionnaires. We used linear regression models for continuous outcomes (birth weight, head circumference (HC), and birth length (BL) and logistic regression models for binary outcomes (preterm birth (PTB), term low birth weight (TLBW) and small for gestational age (SGA)). Sensitivity analysis was performed using multiple imputation for missing covariate data. Results After adjustment, interquartile range increases in source specific PM10 from traffic were associated with 17 to 18% increased odds of TLBW in all pregnancy periods. We also found odds of TLBW increased by 40% (OR: 1.40, 95%CI: 1.12, 1.75) and odds of SGA increased by 18% (OR: 1.18, 95%CI: 1.05, 1.32) per IQR (6.54 μg/m3) increase of total PM10 exposure in the third trimester. Conclusion This study adds to evidence that maternal PM10 exposures affect birth weight, with particular concern in relation to exposures to PM10 from road transport sources; results for total PM10 suggest greatest effect in the third trimester. Effect size estimates relate to exposures in the 1990s and are higher than those for recent studies – this may relate to reduced exposure misclassification through use of full residential history information, changes in air pollution toxicity over time and/or residual confounding.
Industrial medicine. Industrial hygiene, Public aspects of medicine
Ramin Rahmani, Venus Sargazi, Mehdi Shirzaei Jalali
et al.
Background and Objective: The sudden emergence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may lead to anxiety due to this disease among hospital staff. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the anxiety caused by COVID-19 and its relationship with burnout among hospital staff.
Materials and Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out on the staff of a hospital located in Zahedan, Iran, in May 2020. The subjects (n=353) were entered into the study using the census sampling method and inclusion criteria and completed a three-part questionnaire containing demographic and occupational information, Corona Disease Anxiety Scale, and Maslach Burnout Inventory. The collected data were analyzed in Stata software (version 14).
Results: Based on the results, more than half of the samples were females. Most cases were married and within the age range of 20-30 years. The prevalence of severe anxiety was reported to be 11.9% and 23.2%, 7.4%, and 57.5% of the subjects showed job burnout respectively in the components of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal inadequacy. It was also revealed that there was a significant relationship between anxiety caused by COVID-19 and burnout.
Conclusion: It was found that there was a significant relationship between corona-caused anxiety and job burnout. According to the high prevalence of such disorders, it is suggested that more attention be paid to hospital staff due to their special role in the treatment of Covid-19.
Anke Wagner, Matthias Nübling, Antje Hammer
et al.
Abstract Background In 2015, the WorkSafeMed study assessed, amongst others, perceived psychosocial working conditions in nurses (n = 567) and physicians (n = 381) from two German university hospitals using scales from the German standard version of the COPSOQ (Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire). This standard version is based on the international COPSOQ I and II. Since 2017, a further developed version of the German COPSOQ (G-COPSOQ III) has been available and data from this version are stored in the German COPSOQ database. The aim of the present study was to compare scales depicting perceived psychosocial workloads and strain in hospital staff from the WorkSafeMed study with reference data (hospital care nurses, general hospital physicians, reference values across all occupations) from the German COPSOQ database (2012–2017). As preliminary work, we explored whether a conversion of COPSOQ scales based on data from the WorkSafeMed study to the G-COPSOQ III scales was possible. Methods We applied a multistep approach for conversion. First, we compared 17 COPSOQ scales used in the WorkSafeMed study with the corresponding scales from the G-COPSOQ III according to content and then decided if a conversion was appropriate. If possible, we converted WorkSafeMed scales - the converted scales comprised the same content and number of items as in G-COPSOQ III. An explorative statistical analysis for each original and converted WorkSafeMed scale followed detecting possible statistical and relevant differences between the scales. We then compared converted WorkSafeMed scales with reference data from the German COPSOQ database. Results Based on the comparison undertaken according to content, a conversion was possible for 16 scales. Using the data from the WorkSafeMed study, the statistical analysis showed only differences between original and converted COPSOQ scales “control over working time” (mean 40.2 vs. 51.8, dCohen = 0.56) and “social relations” (mean 55.6 vs. 41.8, dCohen = − 0.55). Comparing converted WorkSafeMed scales with reference data revealed higher values for “quantitative demands”, “work-privacy-conflict”, and “job satisfaction” in the WorkSafeMed sample. Conclusions The conversion of WorkSafeMed scales was appropriate, allowed a comparison with three reference values in the German COPSOQ database and revealed some implications for improving psychosocial working conditions of nurses and physicians in university hospitals in Germany.
Sahar Rashidi, Rasoul Yarahmadi, Seyed Mohammad Shobeiri
et al.
Introduction: Health, safety, environment and energy management systems are one of the most popular models, and Implementing and deploying it will prevent waste of time and money. Execution, Continuity Optimal performance it requires effective training. The purpose of this study was to identify and rank important indicators for health, safety, environment and energy education.
Methods: This research has been designed and implemented in 5 steps. In the first step, the research literature was studied after identifying the functional indicators of education, Using the panel of experts, the reliability and validity of the tool were examined In the third step, the appropriate criteria for ranking key performance indicators of the HSEE training function were selected using existing literature. In the next step Indicators For review and rating Based on Smart Criteria Experts were given then, the data were analyzed by combining the AHP fan and fuzzy fan-Topsis.
Results: Indicators: workshops in the field of HSEE (CCI= /516) courses electronically of HSEE (CCI= /508) the amount of Attend the course HSEE (CCI= /505) Ranked one to three.
Conclusion:According to the rank obtained from the indexes The most important challenge are Educational performance evaluation, Evaluating the effectiveness of training, Influence on organizational performance and change the knowledge, attitude and behavior of employees.
Tania Maité Ponce Laguardia, Lixi María Muñoz Oliva, Yaneisy Cruz Martínez
et al.
Introducción: La hipertensión arterial es la más común de las condiciones que afectan la salud de los individuos adultos del mundo, y constituye un factor de riesgo para otras enfermedades. Objetivo: Identificar la prevalencia de la hipertensión arterial y los factores de riesgos asociados en trabajadores del complejo agroindustrial ‘Ciudad Caracas’ de Cienfuegos. Material y método: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo, transversal en el período de mayo de 2016 a mayo de 2018 en el complejo agroindustrial ‘Ciudad Caracas’, el cual atiende el consultorio 11 del municipio Santa Isabel de las Lajas, provincia Cienfuegos. El universo estuvo compuesto por 238 trabajadores del complejo agroindustrial. Métodos empíricos: análisis de documentos, cuestionario dirigido al trabajador, cuestionario dirigido al trabajador hipertenso y cuestionario internacional de actividad física, en formato corto autoadministrado; Inventario del “burnout” potencial. Métodos estadísticos: Se confeccionó una base de datos empleando el paquete de programas SPSS versión 19.0 para Windows, tablas de frecuencia expresados en números y por cientos. Resultados: Los factores de riesgos asociados a la hipertensión arterial en todos los trabajadores fueron: antecedentes familiares de hipertensión arterial, el sobrepeso, uso de fármacos antiinflamatorios no esteroideos, factores de riesgo relacionados con el estilo de vida: una condición física inadecuada, consumo de alcohol, de tabaco, alimentación rica en grasa, elevado consumo de alimentos ricos en sodio, ser altos consumidores de café y presentar estrés laboral. Conclusiones: Existen factores de riesgo para la hipertensión arterial en la mayoría de los trabajadores.
Medicine (General), Industrial hygiene. Industrial welfare
Hossein Ali Rangkooy, Atefeh Siahi Ahangar, Fereshteh Jahani
Introduction: Xylene is an organic compound that is volatile and widely used in various industries, which is not only for the environment but also for human health even in low-risk concentrations. Today, among the methods for removing pollutants, photocatalytic removal methods Special attention is paid. The present study aimed to determine the efficiency of removal of xylene vapor from airflow using photocatalytic property of titanium dioxide on ZSM-5 zeolite.
Methods: In this experimental study, the characteristics of the catalysts were determined using BET, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy scanning (FESEM). Xylene vapors were produced using a dynamical condenser system and the efficiency of xylene vapor depletion was investigated using UV / ZSM-5 / TiO2.
Results: Images and spectra obtained from XRD, EDS and FESEM tests showed that stabilization was well done. By increasing the concentration from 50 ppm to 150 ppm and increasing the flow rate from 0.3 to 0.5, the removal efficiency decreased and the removal efficiency at concentrations of 50, 100 and 150 was respectively 35.46, 22.70 And 17.37 percent.
Conclusion: The results showed that the use of composite substrates increases the efficiency of photocatalytic removal, and it is suggested that these adsorption and photocatalytic combination systems be used to remove other volatile organic compounds in the gas phase.
Los datos de la Encuesta Nacional de Gestión de la Seguridad y Salud en las Empresas pone de manifiesto una escasa práctica en la investigación de casos de enfermedades profesionales o relacionadas con el trabajo. En este contexto se desarrolla este proyecto dirigido al desarrollo y ensayo de un procedimiento de investigación de casos de enfermedades profesionales o relacionadas con el trabajo, que permita orientar, armonizar y sistematizar la recogida de información en el transcurso de la investigación de este tipo de casos. En una primera fase un grupo investigadores del Instituto Valenciano de Seguridad y Salud en el Trabajo y de la Escuela Nacional de Medicina del Trabajo del Instituto de Salud Carlos III desarrollaron un procedimiento de investigación de casos de enfermedades laborales (profesionales o relacionadas con el trabajo), que se sometió mediante un taller al consenso con un grupo de expertos procedentes de distintos grupos de interés: Sindicatos, Servicios de Prevención Propios y Ajenos, Mutuas, Inspección de Trabajo, órganos técnicos de las CCAA, Sociedades de Medicina del Trabajo y Organismos Públicos de Investigación y Universidad. El procedimiento resultante se ensayó en 21 casos incidentes de enfermedades laborales, se evaluaron un total de 26 indicadores en tres dimensiones: necesidad, aplicabilidad y valoración general, medidos por una escala tipo Likert, evaluando el grado de acuerdo entre aplicadores mediante el procedimiento de estandarización del Instrumento AGREE. Los resultados ponen de manifiesto en 19 indicadores un grado de consenso superior al 80% y en 10 un grado de consenso superior al 90%, no existiendo disenso en ningunos de los indicadores analizados, lo que permite concluir que el procedimiento ensayado cubre las necesidades de información en la investigación de casos de enfermedades laborales.
Introducción: El Acoso laboral es una epidemia silenciosa que no solamente afecta a la motivación y a la productividad de los trabajadores, sino que también, afecta negativamente a su víctimas en aspectos psicosociales siendo la depresión una de sus consecuencias. Objetivos: El objetivo es identificar la evidencia científica conocida sobre la relación existente entre el acoso laboral y la depresión. Metodología: Se formularon una serie de ecuaciones de búsqueda con los términos: Mobbing, Depression, Workplace Bullying, Harassment, Depresión y Acoso Laboral, que se aplicaron a diferentes bases de datos bibliográficas (IBECS, LILACS, The Cochrane Library Plus, Scielo, WHOLIS, OSH Update), que permitió la identificación de 36 referencias de las cuales 8 cumplieron los criterios de inclusión. En función de los objetivos planteados se extrajo la información respectiva después de su revisión a texto completo. Resultados: La prevalencia de acoso laboral fluctuó entre un 11,9% y un 81% según los países en los que se realizó el estudio. Ser mujer, tener estudios universitarios y la antigüedad o experiencia en el puesto de trabajo son factores que determinaron una mayor vulnerabilidad para sufrir acoso. El perfil del acosador es: ser de sexo masculino y, generalmente, de categoría superior a la víctima; siendo el abuso verbal, el hostigamiento y el aumento de la carga laboral las estrategias de acoso más utilizadas. En todos los estudios se encontró una relación positiva entre el acoso y la depresión. Conclusiones: La revisión realizada, no permite demostrar una relación de causalidad entre el acoso y depresión. La reproducibilidad en los resultados de los estudios evidencian la existencia de una asociación entre acoso y depresión, siendo necesario el promover estudios de diseño longitudinal que puedan demostrar, o no, una asociación causal.
Damage-risk criteria (DRC) for noise exposures are designed to protect 95% of the exposed populations from hearing injuries caused by those noise exposures. The current DRC used by the US military follows OSHA guidelines for continuous noise. The current military DRC for impulse exposures follows the recommendations from the National Academy of Sciences - National Research Council Committee on Hearing, Bioacoustics, and Biomechanics (CHABA) and are contained in the current military standard, MIL-STD-1474D "Noise Limits." Suggesting that the MIL-STD for impulse exposure is too stringent, various individuals have proposed that the DRC for exposure to high-level impulses be relaxed. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the current hearing status of US Army Soldiers, some of whom can be, by their military occupational specialties (MOS), reasonably expected to be routinely exposed to high-level impulses from weapon systems. The Defense Occupational and Environmental Health Readiness System - Hearing Conservation (DOEHRS-HC) was queried for the hearing status of enlisted Soldiers of 32 different MOSs. The results indicated that less than 95% of the Soldiers in the DOEHRS-HC database were classified as having normal hearing. In other words, the goal of the DRC used for limiting noise injuries (from continuous and impulse exposures) was not stringent enough to prevent hearing injuries in all but the most susceptible Soldiers. These results suggest that the current military noise DRC should not be relaxed.