Occupational Medicine Journal

Aim To investigate possible associations between hospitalization for asthma and socioeconomic status and occupation.

Methods A nationwide database was constructed by linking Swedish Census data to the Hospital Discharge Register (1987–2004). The hospital diagnoses of asthma were based on the International Classification of Diseases. Standardized incidence ratios were calculated for different socioeconomic and occupational groups. Ninety-five per cent confidence intervals were calculated assuming a Poisson distribution.

Results A total of 13 202 male ...

Background Trends of occupational asthma (OA) differ between regions depending on local industries, provisions for health and safety at the workplace and the availability of a reporting scheme to help in data collection and interpretation.

Aim To assess trends in OA in an industrialized part of the UK over a 15-year period.

Methods Occupational and chest physicians in the West Midlands were invited to submit details of newly diagnosed cases with OA. Data were then transferred to the regional centre for occupational lung diseases for analysis.

Res

Background Low-dose computed tomography (CT) has been found to detect more Stage IA lung cancer than chest x-ray.

Aims To investigate whether lung cancer screening with CT was effective and acceptable in former asbestos workers.

Methods CT scanning was carried out following the protocol previously described in the literature. A questionnaire was used to assess cumulative asbestos exposure. An economic analysis was also performed. Informed consent was obtained from all patients.

Results A total of 1119 male asbestos workers (58% of invited) ...

Background Finger plethysmography and thermometry are objective measures used to assess the vascular aspect of hand–arm vibration syndrome (HAVS). Research to date shows poor correlation between these tests and Stockholm Workshop Scale (SWS) vascular stage. Clinicians, researchers and compensation boards require objective means to diagnose and quantify HAVS.

Aims To define the specificity and sensitivity of thermometry and plethysmography using the SWS as the reference criterion. A secondary goal was to consider cut points for the tests optimizing sensitivity and ...

Background Controversy exists regarding the factors influencing the duration of work incapacity after surgically treated carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS).

Aim To determine relevant factors related to return to work.

Methods Surgical technique, clinical factors, demographic factors, other medical problems, psychosocial factors, work-related and economical factors were reviewed in patients operated on for CTS. Statistical multivariate analyses were performed to identify the baseline factors influencing the work incapacity period.

Results A total ...

Background Casino employees are exposed to disproportionately high levels of gambling, drinking and smoking compared to other occupations. Because of their occupation, they have the opportunity to detect and prevent pathological gambling (PG).

Aims To identify differences in the mental health status and social attitudes towards PG among casino workers in South Korea depending upon whether they report any gambling problems.

Methods Data were collected from 388 full-time casino employees. This data provided information about the prevalence of gambling ...