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Biomedical subjects

E Flak

Publications and source records attributed to E Flak.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

Confronting the prenatal effects of active and passive tobacco smoking on the birth weight of children.

The purpose of the paper is to present the effects of active and passive tobacco smoking during pregnancy on the birth weight in the sample of 1165 schoolchildren covered by the health survey in Cracow. Data on main-stream tobacco smoke (MS) and side-stream tobacco smoke (SS) and the birth weight of children were collected by standardized interviews with mothers. As expected, exposure to MS tobacco smoke was the single strongest factor related to the reduced birth weight, however, the effect was statistically significant only in those respondents who confirmed the cigarette smoking over the whole pregnancy period. On the basis of multiple regression model considering child's gender, active and passive smoking during pregnancy, parity and gestational age, it was estimated that MS tobacco smoke is to reduce the birth weight on average by about 210 g, however, in heavy smokers up to 450 g. The effect of SS tobacco smoke was to reduce birth weight by about 60 g after accounting for confounders. Both effects of active and passive smoking in pregnancy were statistically significant. When the self-reported smoking status was compared with plasma cotinine levels in women at delivery, a substantial misclassification error has been disclosed and it resulted mainly from the low sensitivity (47%) of the self-reported data on smoking status. This exposure bias may lead to a significant underestimation of correlation between low birth weight (< 2500 g) and tobacco smoking of mothers in pregnancy. Odds ratio (OR) corrected to exposure misclassification was much higher than the crude one (corrected OR = 8.0, crude OR = 2.9).

Birth Weight↗
PubMed1996

[Variability of respiratory system reactions to air pollutants. Epidemiologic study of children in Cracow].

The main purpose of the study was to corroborate the hypothesis that the history of allergic skin reactions is the marker of individual susceptibility of respiratory tract to air pollutants in children. The study has been carried out in two contrast areas of the city regarding the air pollution level. In the dirty area the annual daily mean concentrations of particulate matter was 51.5-74.5 micrograms/m3 and sulfur dioxide 58.4-73.8 micrograms/m3; in the cleaner part of the city the corresponding concentrations were 31.7 and 36.1 micrograms/m3. The medical examination of 171 children covered standardized interviews with mothers and spirometric measurements. The results obtained showed that despite the marked decline in air pollution level, the current level of common air pollutants in the city is hazardous to the health of inhabitants. The children with history of allergic skin reactions have been affected much stronger by the higher level of air pollutants than other children. Beside the higher frequency of chronic cough or phlegm, wheezing or shortness of breath, they had significantly poorer lung function measured by FEVI/FVC index.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMed1996

[Atopy and low birth weight as determinants of susceptibility of children to acute respiratory tract infections].

The purpose of the paper was to evaluate the extent to which acute respiratory infections in children are related to individual susceptibility due to allergy and low birth weight. In the group of children with allergy confirmed by medical doctors the spells of respiratory infections were significantly higher than among those without allergy. It was particularly evident for total number of spells whenever and not only experienced in the last year. In children with low birth weight (< 2,000 g) there was also the higher incidence of infection spells than in children with normal birth weight. In the multivariate analysis after accounting for main confounding variables it was demonstrated that only allergy and low birth weight increased substantially incidence of acute respiratory episodes. Relative risk calculated for the incidence excess of respiratory spells (above the 95% confidence interval) in allergic children was 2.3 (95% CI: 2.1-3.5) and in children with low birth 2.3 (95% CI: 1.2-4.4). Attributable risk (ARpop) for allergy was 21.4% and for low birth weight 2.4%, however, attributable risk is exposed (ARexp) among allergic children was 62.4% and in children with low birth weight 55.5%).

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1996

[Cigarette smoking of mothers in pregnancy and environmental tobacco smoke as factors of increasing susceptibility of older children to acute respiratory infections].

The purpose of the study was to compare the susceptibility to respiratory morbidity in a cohort of 1129 9-years old children being exposed to congenital and postnatal environmental tobacco exposure with that of not exposed cohort. Results of the study provides strong evidence that older children who were exposed to ETS in their home environment were considerable more susceptible to acute respiratory tract illnesses than unexposed ones. As there was a dose-response relationship between degree of exposure (for lower ETS exposure OR = 1.32; for higher ETS exposure OR = 1.74) and excess rates of respiratory episodes this supports the existence of a causal explanation for the association observed. The significant trend of increased susceptibility in children to respiratory infections with the level of ETS exposure after exclusions of allergy and smoking in pregnancy suggests the existence of direct effect of ETS exposure on the child's respiratory health that is independent of atopy and in utero exposure to tobacco smoke products.

Child↗
PubMed1996

[Impact of active and passive smoking during pregnancy on birth weight of the newborn].

The purpose of the paper was to compare the effects of active and passive tobacco smoking during pregnancy on the birth weight of newborns and to validate self-reported smoking habit against the plasma cotinine level. Investigations on birth weight have been carried out in the sample of 1165 schoolchildren. Data on tobacco smoke and the birth weight of children were collected by standardized interviews with mothers. It was disclosed that the effect of passive smoking in never smokers was weaker (weight reduction by 73.1 g) than that of active smoking. It was estimated that active tobacco smoking of 10 or more cigarettes per day is to reduce the birth weight by about 450 g. Both effects of active and passive smoking in pregnancy were statistically significant. When the self-reported smoking status was compared with biochemical marker of exposure (plasma cotinine > 10 ng/ml) in 158 women at delivery, it became apparent a low sensitivity (43%) of the self-reported data on smoking, however, combined with high specificity (95%). It was shown that the exposure bias lead to a significant underestimation of association between low birth weight and tobacco smoking.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

[Prospective epidemiologic study on respiratory diseases in children in Cracow. Pilot study].

After introducing the main purpose of the project on the outdoor and indoor air quality and children's health in Cracow, the paper presents the results of the pilot study carried out in the higher polluted city area (suspended particulate matter: 51.5-74.5 micrograms/m3/year; SO2: 58.4-73.8 micrograms/m33/year) and in the less polluted area (suspended particulate matter: 31.7 micrograms/m3/year; SO2: 36.1 microgram/m3/year). The pilot study covered 171 children. There was an excess of chronic respiratory symptoms in children from the higher polluted area, but only the frequency of shortness of breath in boys and attacks of shortness of breath with wheezing in girls were significantly higher in those living in the polluted area. Spirometric indices were significantly lower in both boys and girls in the residence area with the higher air pollution level. The data on prevalence of respiratory diseases in the pilot study will be used to estimate the size of the sample needed in the other stages of the prospective study.

Air Pollution↗
PubMed1995

[Occupational exposure and histologic differentiation of lung cancer. Retrospective assessment in Cracow].

A population-based case-control study was performed in Cracow, Poland. Male cases and controls were identified from the Cracow Death Register. Information were obtained by mailed questionnaire from next-of-kin on smoking, occupational branch, occupational exposures and other pertinent variables. Response rates were 73.5% in cases and 72.0% in controls. For cases that underwent a bronchial biopsy or surgical excision the histological diagnosis of the tumor was obtained from clinical records. The case group contained 343 subjects with squamous cell carcinomas, 151 small cell carcinomas and 106 adenocarcinomas. 27 cases showed other histological types (large cell carcinoma and not classifiable). Analysis was performed separately by histological type for occupational exposure variables adjusted for smoking. Long-term exposure to mineral dust and metal dust (20 years or more) was found to be a significant risk factor for small cell and squamous cell carcinoma. The effect was more pronounced if the analysis was restricted to the age groups "less than 70 years". The highest relative risk due to occupational exposures was found for squamous cell carcinoma and mineral dust exposure for more than 20 years (RR = 2.45, 95% CI 1.43-4.19). The estimated effect of mineral dust on small cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma was slightly lower (RR = 2.29, 95% CI 1.16-4.53 and RR = 2.04, 95% CI 0.89-4.64, respectively). The effect of metal dust and fumes appeared to be about the same for squamous and small cell carcinoma.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1995

Relation between residential radon concentrations and housing characteristics. The Cracow Study.

The survey on indoor radon exposure was undertaken to explain whether the excess in lung cancer deaths in Cracow city center may be attributed to this particular exposure. A total of 310 detectors was placed in households randomly chosen from three homogenous strata of residential buildings. The first stratum included house in the old city center constructed predominantly out of the stone bricks. The second stratum covered area of the city with big apartment condominiums built out of concrete blocks. The third stratum consisted of single family houses located in a suburban area. From each of these residency strata a random sample of equal number of households has been chosen and the radon detectors were placed in households located at different levels of buildings. The three-month radon sampling data were used to determine the distribution of various levels of radon in the households. In the measurement of radon exposure the Landauer alpha-track samplers were used. The data collected show that the best single predictor of indoor radon concentrations was type of building. Other variables found to be associated significantly with indoor concentrations were household level in the building and house age. In general, residences with a concrete slabs and dwellings with rarely-opened windows were found to have slightly higher radon concentrations.

Air Pollution, Indoor↗
PubMed1993

Effect of occupational air pollutants on various histological types of lung cancer: a population based case-control study.

A population based case-control study was performed in Cracow, Poland, to determine the effect of occupational air pollutants on various histological types of lung cancer. Male cases and controls were identified from the Cracow Death Register. Information was obtained by mailed questionnaire from next of kin on smoking, occupational branch, occupational exposures, and other pertinent variables. Response rates were 73.5% in cases and 72.0% in controls. For cases that underwent a bronchial biopsy or surgical excision the histological diagnosis of the tumour was obtained from clinical records. The case group contained 343 subjects with squamous cell carcinomas, 151 with small cell carcinomas, and 106 with adenocarcinomas. Twenty seven cases showed other histological types (large cell carcinoma and not classifiable). Analysis was performed separately by histological type for occupational exposure variables adjusted for smoking. Long term exposure to mineral dust and metal dust (20 years or more) was found to be a significant risk factor for small cell and squamous cell carcinoma. The effect was more pronounced if the analysis was restricted to those aged less than 70 years. The highest relative risk (RR) due to occupational exposures was found for squamous cell carcinoma and exposure to mineral dust for more than 20 years (RR = 2.45, 95% CI 1.43-4.19). The estimated effect of mineral dust on small cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma was smaller (RR = 2.29, 95% CI 1.16-4.53 and RR = 2.04, 95% CI 0.89-4.64 respectively). The effect of metal dust and fumes seemed about the same for squamous and small cell carcinoma. No specific agent could be identified as particularly important for a specific histological type; it rather seemed that the effects of the substances considered were similar for lung cancers in general.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1989

Lung cancer, smoking, and employment in foundries.

A case-referent study on lung cancer was conducted in Cracow, Poland. Men dying of lung cancer within a 6-year period (1980-1985) formed the case group. The reference series was selected from death registers and was frequency-matched with the cases by sex and age. Deaths due to other respiratory diseases were excluded. Information on the occupation, smoking habits, and residency of 901 cases and 875 referents was collected from their next-of-kin. The combined effect of smoking and industrial exposure, in particular employment in steel or iron foundries, was investigated by multivariate analyses and was very well fitted by a multiplicative model. Foundry employment, in particular in the younger age (less than 70 years) group, occupational exposure to known carcinogens in other industries for more than 20 years, and smoking were found to be risk factors.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Erythrocytes parameters due to aging, smoking, alcohol consumption and occupational activity in a working population of petrochemical industry. The Pavia Study.

The main purpose of the study was to assess the red blood cell disorders in works employed in the petrochemical industry in the Lombardia region (ENI). In the analysis of the data the confounding factors such as age, smoking habit, alcohol consumption, nutritional status based on body mass index have also been taken into consideration. In total, material consisted of 1175 male workers in whom red blood cell examination of the peripheral fasting blood was carried out. The results of the study showed that clinical anemia has been found in 1.7% of subjects examined. The distribution of anemia cases was not related to job category or physical occupational activity, neither to age, smoking or alcohol consumption. However, the results of the study suggest that aging processes are associated with weakening of hemopoietic system which affect in a great extent hemoglobin production. The effect of smoking on hemopoietic system appeared to have different features from that attributed to aging. Smoking increased hemoglobin level and hematocrit significantly in comparison to nonsmokers, but had no effect on the number of erythrocytes. It was concluded that adaptation to carbon monoxide inhaled with cigarette smoke is reflected by an increased red cell mass and hemoglobin. Occupational factors measured by the type of job (manual vs nonmanual) appeared to have no harmful effect on the hemopoietic system, however, respondents who reported working physically in an intensive way, showed significantly lower mean corpuscular concentration hemoglobin level than those having a sedentary job or engaged in very small physical activity at work.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Coronary heart disease risk score and ECG abnormalities in apparently healthy workers from petrochemical industry. The Pavia Study.

The purpose of the study undertaken was to define the vulnerable fraction of the industrial population in northern Italy using the CHD risk score profile. In addition, ECG examinations were carried out in order to see whether there is a correlation between cardiovascular risk profile and the frequency of ECG abnormalities. The study covered in total 1443 male workers employed in various petrochemical plants. The calculation of the CHD risk score was based on age, relative weight, serum cholesterol, systolic blood pressure, smoking habit, physical activity at work and at home, and heredity factors. The study demonstrated that on an average 47.3% of male workers in the petrochemical industry have high or very high risk of cardiovascular disease and this draws the attention to the urgent need to develop the better and more effective primary preventive strategy against cardiovascular diseases, specially among manual workers. The study disclosed also that the persons with elevated risk score displayed more frequently ECG repolarization disorders.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

[Clinical and control studies of cancer of the lungs. Smoking and employment in metallurgy].

Deaths due to the lung cancer has been investigated among the Cracow inhabitants in years 1980-1985. The control group consisted of men died to other causes than diseases and neoplasms of the respiratory tract. Data on smoking habits and habitation place of the investigated and the control group were received from family members of subjects studied. It has been stated that relative risk of death due to the lung cancer in subjects working in metallurgical industry increases parallely to the time of work and the class of workers employed more than 30 years and in these groups the relative risk of death to above cancer was equal to 2.66 (95% PU 1.37-5.42). The relative risk associated with occupational exposure has also been significant in subject working more than 20 years in other industry branches. The cigarette smoking has been determined as most significant etiologic factor of the lung cancer.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

The rational use of psychotropic drugs in pregnancy and postpartum.

When a pregnant woman or nursing mother requires psychotropic medication, one must consider the effect of such medications on the fetus or baby. The authors review the evidence for teratogenic effects of such drugs given during pregnancy, toxic or withdrawal effects in the newborn and dangers to the breast-fed baby. Suggestions are made for judicious use of psychotropic drugs in pregnant or nursing women.

Abnormalities, Drug-Induced↗
PubMed1985

Impact of psychosocial factors on the prevalence of headaches in the industrial setting. A case-control approach.

A sociomedical survey of 975 workers employed in an electronic instrument factory was carried out by standardized interview and aimed at defining the relationship between some psychosocial working conditions and the occurrence of headaches. The findings showed different patterns of headaches in specific occupational categories with workers exposed to different psychosocial stresses. Headaches were more frequent in those who became nervous during their work, those who were often in conflict with their co-workers, and those holding managerial posts.

Adult↗