Biomedical subjects

A P Koemeester

Publications and source records attributed to A P Koemeester.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1995

Physical work load and gestational age at delivery.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of physical activity on the gestational age at delivery in women performing physical tasks in their jobs during pregnancy. METHODS: Qualified nurses at 15 weeks of pregnancy were asked through a questionnaire to describe the tasks in their regular job, the physical activities involved, and their exposure to other occupational stressors. The physical activities to be identified were walking, standing, lifting, stooping, squatting, and sitting. RESULTS: A high degree of daily physical work load during pregnancy seemed to be a significant predictor for the gestational age at delivery, whereas chemical and infectious agents were not. CONCLUSIONS: Physical work load during pregnancy should be diminished to avoid adverse effects on gestational age at delivery.

Alcohol Drinking↗

PubMed1988

Back disorders in crane operators exposed to whole-body vibration.

In The Netherlands so far little research has been carried out to investigate the health effects of exposure to whole-body vibration at work. In a retrospective (10-year) follow-up study, the incidence of permanent work disabilities in crane operators exposed to vibration was compared to that of a control group. The emphasis in this presentation is on disablement because of back disorders. Among the crane operators with more than 5 years of exposure to vibration, more disability due to back trouble occurred than in the control group. The incidence density ratio (IDR) exceeded 2 for disability because of degeneration of the intervertebral disc, after adjustment for age, nationality, shift work and calendar year. With increasing years of exposure, the risk ratio for disability because of intervertebral disc disorders also increased. The risk ratio for a disability pension due to disease of the intervertebral disc for crane operators with more than 5 years of exposure was almost 3 compared to the control group. A combination of exposure to whole-body vibration, an unfavorable posture, and climatic conditions is responsible for the development of these health effects.

Adult↗

PubMed1988

Long-term sickness absence due to back disorders in crane operators exposed to whole-body vibration.

In a retrospective (10-year) follow-up study, the incidence of at least one spell of sickness absenteeism of 28 d or longer in crane operators exposed to whole-body vibration and a control group was investigated. In contrast to a previous study on permanent work disability in the same groups, no difference was observed in long-term sickness absenteeism because of lumbar disorders. Spells of sickness absence due to intervertebral disc disorders did last longer in the index group and also more disability pensions with this diagnosis were recorded in the index group. This indicates that these disorders particularly interfere with the work of a crane operator. Exposure to whole-body vibration and strained posture are considered to be responsible for this situation.

Absenteeism↗