Biomedical subjects

Gun Wingren

Publications and source records attributed to Gun Wingren.

14 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Mortality in a Swedish rubber tire manufacturing plant: occupational risks or an "unhealthy worker" effect?

BACKGROUND: In this cohort study a classification of 12 work categories, with specified common exposures, is used to evaluate the mortality among workers in a Swedish rubber tire plant. METHODS: Mortality among the cohort members is compared with expected values from national rates. Standardized mortality ratios (SMR) were calculated for the total cohort, for sub-cohorts and with the inclusion of a latency requirement. RESULTS: Male workers had increased risks for total mortality, circulatory death, respiratory death, mental disorders, epilepsy, injuries/poisoning, and for alcohol-related death. Many risks were noted among workers exposed to dust, fumes, or vapor. No trend in risk with increasing duration of employment was seen. DISCUSSION: Some established risks for rubber workers could be related to some specified work categories. The highest risks were noted among workers having a very short duration of employment indicating a possible "unhealthy worker effect" associated with life-style factors or to tasks offered to unskilled workers.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Occupational sun exposure and mycosis fungoides: a European multicenter case-control study.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to study the association between occupational sun exposure and mycosis fungoides (MF), a peripheral T-cell lymphoma. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A European multicenter case-control study including seven rare cases (one being MF) was conducted between 1995 and 1997. From the 118 accepted cases, 104 were interviewed, of which 76 were definite cases. Population controls were selected randomly from the regions of case ascertainment. Information based on occupational experiences was coded according to industry types. A job exposure matrix was created according to the expected exposure to sunlight. RESULTS: Once exposures to aromatic halogenated hydrocarbons were eliminated (odds ratio = 2.3; 95% confidence interval = 0.9-6.2), a high MF risk was associated with exposures to solar radiation. CONCLUSION: It would appear that workers exposed to sunlight have a higher risk of MF. However, this factor is not the only one involved.

Aged↗

PubMed2005

Occupational exposures and mycosis fungoides. A European multicentre case-control study (Europe).

OBJECTIVES: Mycosis Fungoides (MF) is a rare disease with an occurrence indicating that occupational exposures may play a role. To estimate the association between MF and occupational exposures as measured by means of an job-exposure matrix (JEM). METHODS: A European multicenter case-control study was conducted from 1995 to 1997 and included seven rare cancers, one of which was MF. Patients between 35 and 69 years of age, diagnosed with MF (n=140), were recruited and the diagnoses were checked by a reference pathologist who classified 83 cases as definite, 35 cases as possible and 22 cases as not accepted. Among the 118 accepted cases, 104 cases were interviewed, of which 76 were definite cases. We selected population controls and colon cancer controls to serve all seven case groups. Altogether 833 colon cancer controls and 2071 population controls were interviewed. Based on the reported occupational experiences, a team of industrial hygiene specialists identified five potential exposures and developed an JEM. This JEM was used to estimate the odds ratios (OR) for MF as a function of these exposures. The JEM included aromatic and/or halogenated hydrocarbons (AAHs), chrome (VI) and its salts, electromagnetic radiations, silica and pesticides. RESULTS: Exposures to AHHs (OR 6.3, C.I 2.4-16.7 for male) were associated with a high MF risk. CONCLUSIONS: The study supports the hypothesis that some MFs have an occupational etiology but only a small fraction of exposed workers are apparently susceptible since the disease is so rare.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Pelvic floor dysfunction after Burch colposuspension--a comprehensive study. Part I.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the occurrence of voiding dysfunction and symptoms of genital prolapse at long-term follow-up after Burch colposuspension (Bc) in relation to the occurrence of the symptoms in an age-matched normal population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A follow-up study of the 190 patients who underwent Bc in 1980-88 and 305 age-matched control women randomly selected from the general population. The participants answered a questionnaire in 1998 with detailed questions about the pelvic floor function. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed. RESULTS: The prevalence and frequency of urinary incontinence were significantly higher in the patient group compared with those in the control group as were urge incontinence, difficulty to start voiding, time needed at the toilet for voiding, the need to return to the toilet for emptying the bladder, feeling of incomplete emptying of the bladder, and limitation of social life because of the leakage. The symptoms of genital prolapse were significantly more common in the patient group in spite of a significantly larger proportion of genital prolapse surgery in this group. Parity, high body mass index, heavy lifting work, chronic pulmonary diseases, hiatus hernias, and hysterectomy were significantly more common in the patient group than among the controls. CONCLUSIONS: At long-term follow-up, patients exhibit substantial symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) concerning voiding dysfunction and symptoms of genital prolapse compared with a normal population. This highlights the importance and need of treating pelvic floor disorders in a comprehensive way. Scientific works with comprehensive studies of PFD are needed.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed2005

Pelvic floor dysfunction after Burch colposuspension--a comprehensive study. Part II.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) concerning bowel function at long-term follow-up after Burch colposuspension (Bc) in relation to the bowel function in an age-matched sample of women in the general population. METHODS AND MATERIAL: This is a follow-up study of a cohort of 190 patients who underwent Bc in 1980-1988 and 305 age-matched control women without urinary anti-incontinence surgery, randomly selected from the general population. The participants answered a postal questionnaire with detailed questions about the pelvic floor function in 1998. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed. RESULTS: The patients showed considerable signs of bowel dysfunction compared with the general population in the following aspects: they used the fingers to help emptying the bowel [odds ratio (OR) 3.25 (1.35-7.86)]; had feeling of incomplete emptying of the bowel [OR 2.29 (1.11-4.73)]; felt no warning before passing a motion [OR 3.04 (1.20-7.71)]; had gas incontinence [OR 1.98 (1.17-3.37); had loose stool incontinence [OR 3.67 (1.43-9.42)]; used protection against fecal leakage during daytime [OR 3.22 (1.30-7.95)]; and experienced that the bowel function affected the general well-being adversely [OR 2.15 (1.30-3.56)]. CONCLUSION: The patients who have undergone colposuspension for stress urinary incontinence have more symptoms of PFD concerning the bowel function than women without urinary anti-incontinence surgery in the general population. This affects the general well-being. A comprehensive concept of multidisciplinary assessment and treatment of PFD should be encouraged.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Mortality and cancer incidence in a Swedish art glassworks--an updated cohort study.

AIM: To study mortality and cancer incidence, in a Swedish art glassworks producing both heavy and semi-crystal glassware, in an extended cohort of workers over a long time period during which some preventive actions had taken place. METHODS: In the updated study, 1,229 men and women were eligible as cohort members during the period 1964-1997. The observed number of cases was compared with expected numbers, as calculated from cause-, age-, gender- and calendar year-specific national rates for mortality and cancer incidence. RESULTS: Among men only, a significant risk was seen for cancer incidence in the colon and rectum [standardised incidence ratio (SIR) 1.92, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.05-3.23; 14 cases] and increased, but statistically non-significant, risks were also seen for male cases of tumours in the liver/bile ducts and brain. Among women, statistically non-significant risks were seen for tumours in the liver/bile ducts and in the lymphatic and haematopoietic systems. No increased risk for cancer of the lung was found in this updated study. The risk for cancer in the colon/rectum was slightly increased in all work categories, and the increase was statistically significant among male and female unspecified glassworkers (SIR 3.13, 95% CI 1.35-6.16; five male and three female cases). A statistically significantly increased risk for cancer in the liver/bile ducts was seen among refinement workers (SIR 3.96, 95% CI 1.07-10.14; two male and two female cases). CONCLUSION: Most of the causes of death associated with an elevated standardised mortality ratio (SMR) in the 1985 cohort resulted in lower SMRs in this updated cohort, maybe as a consequence of preventive actions taken at the glassworks. On the other hand, the risk for cancers in the digestive system seems to remain, perhaps due to past asbestos exposure or inhalation/digestion of larger particles in the ambient air.

Bile Duct Neoplasms↗

PubMed2004

Alcohol drinking may increase risk of breast cancer in men: a European population-based case-control study.

OBJECTIVE: It has been estimated that alcohol drinking increases the risk of breast cancer in women by approximately 7% for each increment of 10 g alcohol per day. However, the few studies conducted on breast cancer among men have failed to detect an association with quantitative measures of alcohol drinking, even if the alcohol intake is generally higher in men than in women. On the other hand, increased risks of male breast cancer were inconsistently reported in alcoholics or patients with liver cirrhosis. We have investigated the role of alcohol drinking in male breast cancer using data collected in a population-based case-control study on seven rare cancers, conducted in Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, and Sweden. METHODS: The cases were 74 histologically verified male breast cancer patients aged 35-70 years. The controls (n = 1432) were selected from population registers, and frequency-matched to the cases by age group and geographic area. To check for consistency, a separate analysis was conducted using as controls the patients with a rare cancer other than male breast recruited simultaneously in the European study (n = 519 men). RESULTS: Based on population controls, the risk of developing breast cancer in men increased by 16% (95% CI: 7-26%) per 10 g alcohol /day (p < 0.001). An odds ratio of 5.89 (95% CI: 2.21-15.69) was observed for alcohol intake greater than 90 g per day, as compared with light consumers (< 15 g per day). Similar associations were observed when other rare cancers patients were used as controls. CONCLUSION: We found that the relative risk of breast cancer in men is comparable to that in women for alcohol intakes below 60 g per day. It continues to increase at high consumption levels not usually studied in women.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Occupational risk factors for mycosis fungoides: a European multicenter case-control study.

Mycosis fungoides (MF) is a rare disease with an unknown etiology. Its distribution suggests that occupational exposures may play a role. In the present study, we searched for occupational factors associated with MF. A European multicenter case-control study on seven rare cancers, including MF, was conducted from 1995 to 1997. Patients between 35 and 69 years of age diagnosed with MF (n = 134) were identified and their diagnoses were checked by a reference pathologist who classified 83 cases as definitive, 35 cases as possible, and 16 cases as not histologically verified. Of the 118 histologically verified cases, 104 were interviewed, of which 76 were definitive cases. As controls, we selected population controls and colon cancer controls to serve all seven case groups. Altogether, 833 colon cancer controls and 2071 population controls were interviewed. The response rate was 91.5% for cases (76 of the 83 definitive cases), and 66.6% for controls. A high risk of MF for men was observed in the industries of other non-metallic mineral products (Odds Ratio [OR] 5.3, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.7-16.2) and of wholesale trade (OR 3.6, 95% CI = 1.3-10.5). A high risk was found for female employees in the sector of pulp paper manufacture (OR 14.4, 95% CI = 2.2-95.1). The male occupations with the highest risks were glass formers, potters, and ceramics workers (OR 17.9, 95% CI = 5.4-59.4) and technical salesmen (OR 8.6, 95% CI = 2.4-30.8). For women, the occupations associated with the highest risks were government executives (OR 4.8, 95% CI = 1.0-22.6) and railway and road vehicles loaders (OR 3.9, 95% CI = 1.0-14.0). The results suggest that some occupational factors are associated with MF. Working as glass formers, pottery, and ceramics workers carried the highest risk, and these findings deserve further attention and replication. Females working in the paper and pulp industries may also be exposed to carcinogens of relevance to MF.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Factors associated with pelvic floor dysfunction with emphasis on urinary and fecal incontinence and genital prolapse: an epidemiological study.

OBJECTIVE: To describe a general population of women with regard to factors associated with urinary and fecal incontinence and genital prolapse symptoms. METHODS: A questionnaire about medical background, urinary and fecal incontinence and genital prolapse symptoms was mailed to 100040-year-old and 100060-year-old Swedish women. Associations were described by odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: Sixty-seven percent answered the questionnaire. Multivariate analysis showed urinary incontinence to be associated with anal sphincter rupture [OR 4.4 (95% CI 1.0-18.8)], pelvic heaviness [3.8 (2.1-7.0)], body mass index (BMI) >or=30 kg/m2[3.7 (2.0-6.7)], multiparity [1.8 (1.0-3.4)], varicose veins surgery [1.9 (1.2-3.2)] and age [1.9 (1.2-3.2)]. Univariate analyses revealed statistically significant associations between urinary incontinence and incontinence for flatus [4.8 (3.0-7.8)], for liquid stool [5.0 (2.9-8.6)] and for solid stool [5.9 (2.4-14.2)]. Chronic bronchitis [5.7 (1.7-18.9)] was strongly associated with urinary incontinence but was only reported by the older age group. Prolapse symptoms were strongly associated with both urinary and fecal incontinence. Prolapse symptoms as opposed to urinary and fecal incontinence seemed to be associated more with injuries at delivery than with chronic pelvic floor strain. CONCLUSIONS: Women with urinary incontinence are also likely to suffer from fecal incontinence and prolapse and vice versa. Other associated factors for pelvic floor dysfunction were overweight, and especially obesity, chronic bronchitis, vaginal delivery and multiparity, age, heredity and diseases suggestive of collagen disorders. A multidisciplinary management of women with pelvic floor symptoms is suggested and possible prevention is discussed.

Abdomen↗

PubMed2004

Women's perceived experiences of abuse in the health care system: their relationship to childhood abuse.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine whether there was an association between any lifetime experiences of emotional, physical and/or sexual abuse and perceived abuse in the health care system. Furthermore, we wanted to ascertain if adult victims of perceived abuse in the health care system reported exposure to childhood emotional, physical and/or sexual abuse more often than non-victims did. DESIGN: A cross sectional questionnaire study. The first hypothesis was tested in the total sample, and the second hypothesis in a case-control analysis. The cases were those women who reported perceived experiences of abuse in the health care system as adults. Exposure was defined as experience of emotional, physical and/or sexual abuse in childhood. SETTINGS: Three Swedish gynaecological clinics. SAMPLE: A total of 2439 gynaecology patients (response rate 81%). METHODS: Postal questionnaire. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Associations between experiences of emotional, physical and/or sexual abuse, and perceived abuse in the health care system; all operationalised in The NorVold Abuse Questionnaire (NorAQ). RESULTS: A general association was found between lifetime experiences of emotional, physical and/or sexual abuse and perceived abuse in the health care system. Adult victims of abuse in the health care system reported experiences of emotional, physical and/or sexual abuse in childhood more often than non-victims did. These findings also held after adjustment for age and educational level. CONCLUSIONS: We found associations between experiences of any lifetime abuse and perceived abuse in the health care system. Adult victimisation in the health care system was associated with childhood exposure to emotional, physical and/or sexual abuse. These associations call for attention and need to be further investigated.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2003

A pooled analysis of case-control studies of thyroid cancer: cigarette smoking and consumption of alcohol, coffee, and tea.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the role of smoking, alcohol, coffee and tea in relation to thyroid cancer, we conducted a pooled analysis of 14 case-control studies conducted in the United States, Europe, and Asia. METHODS: The sample consisted of 2725 thyroid cancer cases (2247 females, 478 males) and 4776 controls (3699 females, 1077 males). Conditional logistic regression with stratification on study, age at diagnosis, and gender was used to compute odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: Thyroid cancer risk was reduced in persons who had ever smoked. The relationship was more pronounced in current smokers (OR = 0.6, 95% CI = 0.6-0.7) than former smokers (OR = 0.9, 95% CI = 0.8-1.1). There were significant trends of reduced risk with greater duration and frequency of smoking. For consumption of wine and beer, there was a significant trend of decreasing thyroid cancer risk (p = 0.02) that was not maintained after adjustment for current smoking (p = 0.12). Thyroid cancer risk was not associated with consumption of coffee or tea. These findings were consistent in both gender-specific and histology-specific (papillary and follicular) analyses. CONCLUSIONS: Pooled analyses of these geographically diverse case-control data indicate a reduced thyroid cancer risk associated with current smoking. A reduced risk associated with alcohol was eliminated after adjustment for smoking, and caffeinated beverages did not alter thyroid cancer risk.

Alcohol Drinking↗

PubMed2003

Allergic manifestations in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

A functional dichotomy between Th1- and Th2-type immune responses has been suggested. This study was performed to investigate whether rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a disease with indications of Th1-deviated immune activation, is inversly related to atopic conditions which are Th2-mediated. Two hundred and sixty-three adult cases of RA, fulfilling the American Rheumatism Association (ARA) 1987 Revised Classification Criteria for RA, were identified in 1995 and compared with 541 randomly selected population referents. The presence of atopic manifestations was established through a postal questionnaire and by demonstrating circulating IgE antibodies to common allergens. RA was inversely associated with certain manifestations of rhinitis, which were regarded as the most reliable indicators of atopic disease in the present study. However, no negative association was seen between RA and asthma and eczema, respectively. The main results give some support for an inverse relationship between RA and rhinitis. The prevalence of circulating IgE antibodies was however similar in cases and controls, suggesting that the T-cell commitment mainly occurs in the affected organs.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Risk factors for medullary thyroid carcinoma: a pooled analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate risk factors for medullary thyroid cancer (MTC). METHODS: We conducted a pooled analysis of 14 case-control studies from Europe, North America, and Asia, including 67 medullary cancers (43 women and 24 men) diagnosed in ten studies. Of the original 4776, we selected five controls per case matched on study, gender, and age. The pooled odds ratios (OR) were estimated using conditional logistic regression. RESULTS: Education, weight, and body mass were not associated with MTC, but a significant positive relationship was seen with height (OR = 2.6 for highest vs lowest tertile). Significant excess risks were associated with a history of thyroid nodules (OR = 12), hypertension (OR = 2.3), gallbladder disease (OR = 4.3), and allergies (OR = 2.2). Among current smokers, a decreased risk of MTC was observed with increasing number of cigarettes. The risk was significantly elevated among women having a first birth after age 25 years, but no clear pattern emerged for other reproductive factors. CONCLUSIONS: Although the number of MTC was small, we detected several significant associations, including prior thyroid and other diseases.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

A pooled analysis of case-control studies of thyroid cancer. VII. Cruciferous and other vegetables (International).

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between cruciferous and other vegetables and thyroid cancer risk we systematically reanalyzed the original data from 11 case-control studies conducted in the US, Asia, and Europe. METHODS: A total of 2241 cases (1784 women, 457 men) and 3716 controls (2744 women, 972 men) were included. Odds ratios (OR) and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated for each study by logistic regression models, conditioned on age and sex, and adjusted for history of goiter, thyroid nodules or adenomas, and radiation. Summary ORs for all studies combined were computed as the weighted average of the estimates from each study. RESULTS: A decreased risk for the highest level of cruciferous vegetable intake, as compared to the lowest, was observed in Los Angeles, Hawaii, Connecticut, southeastern Sweden, Tromsø, and Switzerland; the OR were above unity in Japan and Uppsala, whereas no material association was found in northern Sweden, Italy, or Greece. The OR values for all studies combined were 0.87 (95% CI 0.75-1.01) for moderate and 0.94 (95% CI 0.80-1.10) for high cruciferous vegetables intake. The results were similar in studies from iodine-rich areas and endemic goiter areas, and were consistent when the analysis was restricted to papillary carcinomas and women. The summary OR values for vegetables other than cruciferous were 1.04 (0.88-1.22) for moderate and 0.82 (0.69-0.98) for high consumption. CONCLUSIONS: This combined analysis indicates that cruciferous vegetables are not positively related to thyroid cancer risk. Their effect does not seem to be substantially different from that of other vegetables, which appear to be protective on this cancer.

Brassica↗