[Traditional coronary risk factors in bus drivers].
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to B Netterstrøm.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
During the period from 1978-1984 the incidence of cancer among 2,465 male urban bus drivers in three major cities in Denmark was studied. The information with regard to cancer diagnosis was obtained from the Danish Cancer Registry. Danish men in 1981 were used as reference. Standardized Morbidity Ratio (SMR) for bladder- and skin cancer was significantly elevated among the bus drivers with values of 206 and 202, respectively. As to other cancers, no significant deviations from the expected were found. The same result was found when only drivers with more than ten years' seniority were included in the calculations. The incidence of skin cancer remained significantly elevated when corrected for degree of urbanization. Traffic density and whether the drivers worked in Copenhagen or in the province were not related to cancer incidence.
The concentration of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) is an integrated expression of the blood glucose concentration level in the previous weeks. The levels of HbA1c were measured in 23 medical students who had to pass an examination within a few weeks. Twelve other students served as a control group. Four months later, the blood tests were repeated. In addition, serum cholesterol was measured. HbA1c levels were significantly higher in the exam group compared with the control group. The second test revealed a significant decrease in HbA1c in the exam group, while the values in the control group were stable. No differences in serum cholesterol were detected. It is concluded that HbA1c might be of value as a measure of physiological stress.
From 1978 to 1985, 2,465 male bus drivers in the three major cities in Denmark were followed with regard to hospital admission due to myocardial infarction (MI) and death due to ischemic heart disease (IHD). In all 2,045 (83%) of these men responded in 1978 to a questionnaire on psychosocial well-being and work conditions. The respondents did not differ from the nonrespondents regarding hospital admissions and death in the follow-up period (1978-1984). Sixty-two cases of MI were registered among the 2,045 bus drivers in 1978-1984. On this basis relative risk for MI was calculated with a multiple regression model for independent variables regarding psychosocial well-being and work conditions. High work load (driving in heavy traffic) was significantly associated with the occurrence of MI. Of the psychosocial factors "no social contact with colleagues" and "increased work pace" were also significantly associated with the occurrence of MI. Smoking habits tended to be associated with the occurrence of MI, while stress symptoms and job dissatisfaction did not. The mental burden on bus drivers working in heavy traffic seems a possible explanation for the findings.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
A 5-year follow-up study was conducted among all male busdrivers in Copenhagen, Denmark, in addition to the cross-sectional study. In the follow-up study, the SMR for death due to ischaemic heart disease (ICD 410-414) was 144 and SMR for first clinical episode of acute myocardial infarction (ICD 410) was 139, with men in Copenhagen as controls. 80% of the busdrivers (1396 men) participated in the cross-sectional study. The prevalence of questionnaire-positive angina pectoris was 4.9%; in all age groups this was higher than among the controls, locomotive drivers in Denmark. The high health-related selection of busdrivers is assumed to cause an underestimation of the relative occurrence of ischaemic heart disease. Possible explanations for the findings in this study are discussed.
At a mercury spill, several workers were exposed to mercury vapour concentrations up to 0.15 mg/m3. Two weeks after, 38 exposed workers were examined. Fourteen had a Hg in urine concentration above 25 nmol/l. Two exposed groups (n = 7) and an unexposed control group (n = 15) were formed, based on Hg in urine: a HI group with mean = 106.5 nmol/l (range: 49.5-249); a LO group with mean = 35.2 nmol/l (range: 28.8-48.0), and control group with mean = 10.5 nmol/l (range: 4.5-14.1). The groups were reexamined 3 and 16 months later. The groups were examined with two computer-based portable test systems. CATSYS quantifies hand pronation/supination, finger tapping, and reaction time. TREMOR records and analyses tremor at the finger tips. The results showed reduced coordination ability in the HI group at the first examination compared to the control group. Tremor intensity was very high in the HI group and decreased only slightly during the follow-up period. The study indicates that quantification of coordination ability and tremor intensity can be used within occupational medicine for the assessment of the impact of acute mercury intoxication.