Occupational and environmental medicine
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Multicenter Study
A prospective cohort study of exposure-response relationship for vibration-induced white finger.
To investigate prospectively the relation between vibration-induced white finger (VWF) and measures of cumulative (lifetime) exposure to hand-transmitted vibration (HTV). ⋯ This prospective cohort study suggests that measures of cumulative vibration doses constructed from unweighted r.m.s. acceleration perform better for the prediction of VWF than dose measures calculated according to the recommendations of current standards. These findings should contribute to the improvement of the ISO frequency weighting for evaluating the severity of hand-transmitted vibration.
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Multicenter Study
Repeated respiratory hospital encounters among children with asthma and residential proximity to traffic.
The prevalence of adverse respiratory outcomes among children has been frequently associated with measurements of traffic-related exposures, and other data suggest asthma severity is worsened with residence near heavy traffic. We examined the association between neighbourhood traffic burden and repeated acute respiratory illnesses that required emergency department visits and/or hospitalisation for children with a primary or secondary diagnosis of asthma (89% acute bronchitis or pneumonia). ⋯ Results suggest exposure to traffic-related air pollution increases asthma severity as indicated by hospital utilisation. The finding in infants suggests this is an especially vulnerable population, although the validity of asthma diagnosis at this age is unknown. Females and children who do not have private insurance may also be more vulnerable to air pollution from traffic.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
A randomised controlled trial on whether a participatory ergonomics intervention could prevent musculoskeletal disorders.
To examine the efficacy of a participatory ergonomics intervention in preventing musculoskeletal disorders among kitchen workers. Participatory ergonomics is commonly recommended to reduce musculoskeletal disorders, but evidence for its effectiveness is sparse. ⋯ The intervention did not reduce perceived physical work load and no evidence was found for the efficacy of the intervention in preventing musculoskeletal disorders among kitchen workers. It may be that a more comprehensive redesign of work organisation and processes is needed, taking more account of workers' physical and mental resources.
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Multicenter Study
Low back pain in drivers exposed to whole body vibration: analysis of a dose-response pattern.
Analysis of a dose-response pattern between exposure to whole body vibration (WBV) and low back pain (LBP) in a group of drivers. ⋯ The investigation found a dose-response pattern between WBV exposure and driving-related LBP. No indication of a dose-response pattern was found between WBV exposure and 12-month LBP. Although this dose-response pattern is only an indication, these findings imply that WBV exposure might contribute to the onset of driving-related LBP.
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Multicenter Study
Mould/dampness exposure at home is associated with respiratory disorders in Italian children and adolescents: the SIDRIA-2 Study.
To report on the relation between home mould and/or dampness exposure and respiratory disorders in a large sample of children and adolescents in Italy, accounting for age at time of exposure. ⋯ Respiratory disorders such as wheeze and asthma can often be explained by exposure to home mould/dampness, especially early in life. The association seems more evident in children than in adolescents. These findings may suggest the need for environmental prevention strategies.