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Biomedical subjects

I Schaumburg

Publications and source records attributed to I Schaumburg.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

Indices of asthma among atopic and non-atopic woodworkers.

AIMS: To investigate the relation between wood dust exposure and different indices of asthma among woodworkers and non-exposed subjects. METHODS: A total of 302 woodworkers and 71 non-exposed subjects answered a respiratory health questionnaire, underwent a non-specific bronchial provocation test using the Yan method, and received a skin prick test with 12 common inhalant allergens. Subgroups performed repeated peak flow monitoring and underwent a reversibility test. A total of 347 dust measurements among 234 woodworkers were performed with passive dust monitors. RESULTS: The overall geometric mean (geometric standard deviation) exposure to inhalable dust was 0.96 (2.02) mg/m3. There was a tendency to increased risk of asthma among atopic woodworkers compared to atopic non-exposed subjects, with ORs between 3.0 (0.8-11.9) (symptomatic BHR) and 1.3 (0.5-4.2) (work related symptoms). In woodworkers, asthma was associated with atopy, with ORs between 7.4 (2.8-19.7) (symptomatic BHR) and 4.2 (2.4-7.7) (asthma symptoms). Asthma was related to dust level, most pronounced for symptomatic BHR among atopics, with OR 22.9 (1.0-523.6) for the highest compared to the lowest dust level. For work related asthma symptoms the association with dust level was seen only for non-atopics. CONCLUSIONS: Wood dust exposure was associated with asthma, despite a low dust level compared to other studies. Atopy was an important effect modifier in the association between asthma and wood dust exposure.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Cross-shift changes in FEV1 in relation to wood dust exposure: the implications of different exposure assessment methods.

BACKGROUND: Exposure-response analyses in occupational studies rely on the ability to distinguish workers with regard to exposures of interest. AIMS: To evaluate different estimates of current average exposure in an exposure-response analysis on dust exposure and cross-shift decline in FEV1 among woodworkers. METHODS: Personal dust samples (n = 2181) as well as data on lung function parameters were available for 1560 woodworkers from 54 furniture industries. The exposure to wood dust for each worker was calculated in eight different ways using individual measurements, group based exposure estimates, a weighted estimate of individual and group based exposure estimates, and predicted values from mixed models. Exposure-response relations on cross-shift changes in FEV1 and exposure estimates were explored. RESULTS: A positive exposure-response relation between average dust exposure and cross-shift FEV1 was shown for non-smokers only and appeared to be most pronounced among pine workers. In general, the highest slope and standard error (SE) was revealed for grouping by a combination of task and factory size, the lowest slope and SE was revealed for estimates based on individual measurements, with the weighted estimate and the predicted values in between. Grouping by quintiles of average exposure for task and factory combinations revealed low slopes and high SE, despite a high contrast. CONCLUSION: For non-smokers, average dust exposure and cross-shift FEV1 were associated in an exposure dependent manner, especially among pine workers. This study confirms the consequences of using different exposure assessment strategies studying exposure-response relations. It is possible to optimise exposure assessment combining information from individual and group based exposure estimates, for instance by applying predicted values from mixed effects models.

Cross-Sectional Studies↗
PubMed2003

Only few workers exposed to wood dust are detected with specific IgE against pine wood.

BACKGROUND: Our aim was to investigate the frequency of pine allergy in woodworkers with respiratory symptoms and to identify high molecular weight allergens in pine wood extracts. METHODS: In a cross-sectional study we examined work-related respiratory symptoms in 2033 furniture workers and 474 controls by questionnaires. Clinical examination was performed in 365 wood dust exposed and 116 nonexposed subjects. Blood samples were collected for measuring pine-specific immunoglobulin (Ig)E by an immunoassay and Western blots. RESULTS: Eleven exposed and three nonexposed subjects had pine-specific IgE. In the group with clinically defined asthma eight persons (5.4%) had pine-specific IgE compared with six persons (1.8%) in the group without asthma (P < 0.05). In the groups with and without respiratory symptoms, 13 (3.8%) and one (0.7%) subject, respectively, had pine-specific IgE (P = 0.06). Western blots demonstrated pine-specific IgE to components in the molecular range of 14 - 100 kD in eight samples (all wood dust exposed). Five samples had pine-specific IgE against components in a 43 - 59 kD zone and against two bands at 27 and 29 kD that are candidates for major allergens. CONCLUSION: Some workers in the Danish furniture industry are specific IgE sensitized against pine wood dust. Pine-specific IgE probably explains a minor part of the respiratory symptoms in workers exposed to pine wood dust.

Allergens↗
PubMed2002

Nasal patency is related to dust exposure in woodworkers.

OBJECTIVES: A cross sectional study of 54 furniture factories and three control factories was conducted to investigate the relation between subjective and objective nasal obstruction and exposure to wood dust. METHODS: Acoustic rhinometry was performed on 161 woodworkers and 19 controls. For each person, four measuring rounds were performed: before work, after 4 hours of work, and after 7 hours of work before and after decongestion. Before the first and third measuring round, each person rated the current feeling of nasal obstruction in the left and right nostril separately, using a visual analogue scale. Personal passive dust measurements were performed on 140 woodworkers. RESULTS: The mean (SD) of equivalent inhalable dust was relatively low, 1.17 (0.62) mg/m(3), range 0.17-3.44 mg/m(3). The exposure was divided into four levels: controls, low exposure, medium exposure, and high exposure. For the two highest concentrations of exposure, a significant increase in congestion--decreased nasal cavity volume and cross sectional areas--was found after 4 and 7 hours of work, compared with before work. Multivariate linear regression analysis showed positive correlations between concentration of dust and change in mucosal swelling. A significant increase in self rated nasal obstruction was found after work compared with before work for the two highest exposure groups. No correlation between objective nasal variables and self rated nasal obstruction was found. CONCLUSION: Exposure to wood dust was related in a dose dependent manner to acute nasal obstruction measured by acoustic rhinometry and self reported obstruction, but no correlation was found between measured and self reported obstruction.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Wood dust exposure in the Danish furniture industry using conventional and passive monitors.

A study of wood dust exposure at furniture factories in one county in Denmark was performed as a cross sectional study. Dust exposure was measured with personal passive dust monitors and calibrated against active sampling on filters. Measurements of 1685 workers were included in the exposure assessment. The passive dust monitor conversion models for equivalent concentrations of inhalable dust and total dust based on data from the present study were not significantly different from the original models. Therefore models based on all available data were used. The parameters of the distribution of equivalent concentration of inhalable dust were 0.94 mg/m3 (geometric mean) and 2.10 (geometric standard deviation). Compared with a national cross sectional study from 1988 the exposure level (geometric mean) was reduced by a factor 2.0. Inhalable dust exposure was about 50% higher than exposure measured by the Danish 'total' dust method.

Air Pollutants, Occupational↗
PubMed2001

Variations in exposure to inhalable wood dust in the Danish furniture industry. Within- and between-worker and factory components estimated from passive dust sampling.

Variability of exposure to wood dust at large factories in the Danish furniture industry was studied. Three repeated exposure measurements of 292 workers at 38 factories were included in the study. The measurements were carried out by use of personal passive dust monitors. The components of variance were estimated by means of a random effects ANOVA model. The ratio of within- to between-worker variance was 1.07. Based on this result, and three repeated exposure measurements, the observed relation between health outcome and exposure will be attenuated to 74% of the true value. Grouping by factory showed very poor exposure contrast, as the contrast in exposure level among factories was as low as 0.15.

Air Pollutants, Occupational↗
PubMed2000

Selection bias in determining the age dependence of waiting time to pregnancy.

Many studies have found decreased fecundability, that is, the ability to conceive in a menstrual cycle, with increasing female age. To evaluate the effect of maternal age on waiting time to pregnancy, the authors reviewed hospital charts of all pregnant women attending prophylactic antenatal care at Odense University Hospital, Denmark, during 1972-1987. Only the first pregnancy of each woman and only planned pregnancies were included (n = 14,754). The fecundability odds ratio (FR) was calculated as the odds of a conception in a menstrual cycle among the older women divided by the odds among women aged 15-24 years. The FR for women aged 25-29 years was 1.12 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.04, 1.20), for women aged 30-34 years it was 1.15 (95% CI: 1.01, 1.30), and for women above 34 years the FR was 2.44 (95% CI: 1.84, 3.22) after adjustment for confounders. The increased fecundability with age is contrary to previous studies and may be explained by selection bias, as sterile women were not included. In addition, some very fertile young women who became pregnant by accident before efficient birth control methods were available and therefore were excluded from time to pregnancy studies may now use oral contraceptives until they plan a pregnancy later in life and are included.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Fecundability in relation to body mass and menstrual cycle patterns.

Few studies have investigated the association between body mass index and fecundability, that is, the ability to conceive in a menstrual cycle, among fertile women with normal menstrual cycle pattern. We examined the independent and combined effects of duration and regularity of the menstrual cycle, body mass index, and fecundability from records on pregnant women attending antenatal care at Odense University Hospital, Denmark, between 1972 and 1987. We included only the first birth of each woman who had planned pregnancies and no pre-pregnancy disease (N = 10,903). We estimated the fecundability odds ratio (FR) as the odds of conception in a menstrual cycle. After adjusting for confounders, the fecundability for women with a body mass index >25 kg/m2 was lower than for women with a body mass index of 20-25 kg/m2 [FR = 0.77; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.70-0.84]. FR was lower for women with long (>35 days) (FR = 0.74; 95% CI = 0.63-0.87) or irregular cycles (FR = 0.78; 95% CI = 0.70-0.87), even when their body mass index was within the normal range (20-25 kg/m2) and/or their cycles were regular.

Body Mass Index↗
PubMed1998

[Contact eczema caused by pine wood].

A 34 year-old woman, working with pine wood treated with sodium hydroxide and pyrogallol, developed dermatitis on arms, face and neck. Patch testing showed allergic reaction to colophony and pine wood, but not to sodium hydroxide or pyrogallol. Pine wood contains colophony. Since avoiding pine wood, she has had no further attack of dermatitis.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

[Asthma, bronchitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in occupational exposure to wood].

Two million workers worldwide are regularly exposed to wood dust in the work place. In Denmark alone approximately 40,000 workers are employed in the furniture industry where they are exposed to wood dust on a daily basis. This article reviews epidemiological at studies concerning the relationship between wood dust and the development of asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and bronchitis. Fourteen cross-sectional studies and one register-based cohort study form the basis of this review. The conclusion is that despite possible methodological problems there seems to be a relationship between occupational exposure to the types of wood dust used in Denmark and the development of these pulmonary diseases. The results would indicate that further studies are clearly needed in order to study the incidence of these diseases and the relation to the specific types and amount of wood dust.

Allergens↗
PubMed1996

Seasonal variation in the time to pregnancy: a secondary analysis of three Danish databases.

Three Danish databases were reanalysed to investigate seasonal variation in the time to pregnancy. Information was available on cohorts of women selected on the basis of union membership or residence in a given area: textile workers in Denmark (with 1,053 first and 1,771 second pregnancies), pharmacy assistants in Denmark (with 734 first and 725 second pregnancies) and pregnant women in the 36th week of pregnancy in two Danish cities (with 3,657 first and 3,526 second pregnancies). The influence of the season was of primary interest, because it is presumed to cause impaired ovarian function and hence a prolonged time to pregnancy. Furthermore, we studied whether the waiting time was prolonged in other situations with possibility of decreased ovarian function: in young and older women. In genera, seasonality in the time to pregnancy based on the time of conception was found with a higher chance of a prolonged waiting time before conceiving in February-April and a lower chance of a prolonged waiting time before conceiving in August-October. This association was not distorted by the age of the women or diabetes mellitus. A prolonged time to pregnancy was found in women of 30 years or older. Women of 20 years or younger did not have a prolonged waiting time, but most of them were well beyond the age of menarche and thus beyond the period of impaired ovarian function. On a population level, there was evidence for seasonality in the time to pregnancy, which is compatible with seasonal variation in pregnancy planning as well as with biological influences.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Communication Concerning the Risks of Occupational Exposures in Pregnancy.

The health professional who is involved in communicating information about reproductive risks from occupational hazards needs to consider several important aspects. Uncertainties in risk assessment, timing of exposure in relation to pregnancy, and the consequences of different preventive measures for the woman (family), as well as for the employer and other persons at the workplace are examples of such aspects. The basis for the pregnant woman's perception of risk must be recognized. The risk-communication goal is that the persons concerned fully understand the risk and its possible consequences, so that they will be able to make informed decisions about how to act. More attention should be given to risk communication in the training of health professionals.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1993

[Significance of occupational factors for women's fertility and menstrual cycles].

Reduced fertility is frequent, reflected by the fact that 15% of all couples desiring pregnancy try for more than one year without achieving it. Women at work are often exposed to chemical or physical agents, some of which are carcinogenic or teratogenic. Fertility seems to be affected by exposure to lead, mercury, solvents, textile dyes, noise and some pesticides. The purpose of this paper is to summarize the current knowledge of the relations between fertility, menstrual irregularity and occupational exposures. There are still some methodological problems to be solved in relation to fertility. Waiting time to pregnancy seems to be an appropriate measure of fertility. The full distribution of time to pregnancy over months or menstrual cycles should be used in the analysis.

Female↗
PubMed1992

[Cigarette smoking and time before pregnancy among Danish pharmacy assistants].

The relationship between time to pregnancy and cigarette smoking was studied in a group of 4,924 pharmacy assistants under 40. The information was collected by means of a self administered questionnaire and the response rate was 92%. The data were analysed by a recently developed statistical model for description of time to pregnancy, which provides a more revealing test than the classic contingency table analysis. The study shows that smokers have a median time to pregnancy which is 27% longer than for non smokers. This may partly be due to lifestyle associated with smoking (e.g. alcohol and caffeine intake). Lifestyles such as these have been reported to prolong time to pregnancy. It is shown that time to pregnancy is an easily obtained measurement of fecundity. Only 3.6% of the women were unable to remember their time to pregnancy. The conclusion of the study was that information pertaining to the relationship between fertility and smoking habits/lifestyle should be a part of the instruction for women who wish to become pregnant.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Management of occupational risk to reproduction in a Danish county.

In Denmark pregnant women are entitled to receive maintenance allowances if the working conditions are suspected to be harmful to the fetus. The aim of the study was to evaluate these preventive measures taken to reduce occupational hazards to reproduction in Denmark. In 1985 1,247 pregnancies were identified in Ribe county during a 6-month period. Three hundred and forty-five women employed at the beginning of the pregnancy in manufacturing industries, construction work, health services, or agriculture were interviewed by telephone concerning their working conditions and the measures taken to reduce possible occupational risks. The response rate was 85%. On the basis of the interviews the risks and the preventive measures were assessed. Out of 200 women who had no changes in the working conditions during pregnancy, 46 (23%) had a working situation which was considered potentially harmful. For 57 the working situation was changed during the first months of pregnancy because of an assumed risk. The remaining 37 were out of work or received maintenance allowances because of occupational hazards. In this study a greater awareness than expected about possible occupational risks was found, but in some instances occupational risks were overlooked or neglected.

Attitude to Health↗
PubMed1992

Waiting time to pregnancy and pregnancy outcome among Danish workers in the textile, clothing, and footwear industries.

The relationship between time from planned to achieved pregnancy and pregnancy outcome has been studied in a group of 18,658 workers in the textile, clothing and footwear industries. Information on pregnancy outcome and delay in conception in the period 1979-84 was collected by self administered questionnaires in 1985. The response rate was 70.3%. During the study period there had been 5,171 live births and 708 spontaneous abortions. Information on delay in conception was collected in broad categories. The data were analysed by means of a newly developed statistical parametric model in order to collect all possible information from the highly grouped data. Median waiting time before a pregnancy which ended in spontaneous abortion was 1.68 times longer than median waiting time before a pregnancy leading to a live birth. There seems to be a correlation between the length of the waiting time and abortion.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗