Biological parameters associated with organophosphate (OP) pesticide exposure were evaluated in a study of citrus harvesters. Changes in these parameters related to environmental residues of cholinesterase (ChE) inhibiting pesticides were studied. Further, it was determined whether usual and volunteer workers differed in their biochemical parameters after exposure to pesticide residues during field operations. Urine metabolite findings for usual farm workers showed that some exposure to OP pesticides had occurred. Too few workers were available during the reentry stage of the field study to evaluate the effect of this exposure on blood ChE. Baseline (nonexposure) acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and plasma cholinesterase (PChE) activities were significantly higher in usual (Mexican American) workers than in volunteer workers (student volunteers). Student volunteers in the test citrus grove showed statistically significant declines in PChE during the exposure period, yet changes in AChE activity, urine metabolites, and residue levels were very small. The implications of these findings are discussed in light of current reentry standards as well as future epidemiologic studies on reentry research.

Cholinesterases↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Osteoarthritis of the hip. A survey of treatment.

Of 2,712 Board certified orthopedic surgeons selected from the directory of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery, 1,683 (62.1%) responded to a mailed questionnaire concerning their preferred treatment for osteoarthritis of the hip in a specified active 53-year-old man. A Müller total hip arthroplasty was the most frequently performed operation in 1973; only 23 per cent of the respondents considered osteotomy the preferred treatment.

Arthrodesis↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Impact of hypertension information on high blood pressure control between 1973 and 1978.

To determine whether the immense multifocal efforts in the United States over the past 7 years to detect and treat high blood pressure (BP), had affected the status of hypertension, data from a national household survey in 1973-74 were compared with data obtained in 1977-78 from a second non-overlapping population in the same three communities. The impact of hypertension programs was measured by assessing change over the 5-year period in BP distribution, degree of awareness, and level of treatment in the population. Our data show that a substantial improvement in the status of high BP detection, treatment, and control has occurred since the early 1970s for all age, sex, and race groups studied.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Hypertension detection and follow-up program. Baseline medical history characteristics of the hypertensive participants.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The effects of certain drug-testing programs on injury reduction in the workplace: an evidence-based review.

Published evidence relevant to the effect of introducing a worksite drug-testing program (other than for pre-employment purposes) on injury or accident outcomes was evaluated. Articles from peer-reviewed journals, technical and government reports, and unpublished documents were retrieved using a systematic approach. Papers with data allowing comparison of non-testing versus testing or a change in testing method were evaluated for independent measures of effect of the program. From the 740 abstracts reviewed, 101 papers were selected and read. Six of them addressed the objective to greater or lesser degrees; five provided data on the impact of a new drug-testing program on injuries or accidents and one addressed the effect of random versus non-random testing. All used ecologic databases that did not allow independent analyses for aggregate measure of effect. Shortcomings in study designs and limitations of the data included and/or tests of significance preclude conclusions regarding the effect of drug-testing programs on injury reduction. Despite the extensive use of and management support for worksite-based drug testing, the published evidence for effects such as reduced injury or accident rates lacks scientific detail. Better studies and careful reassessment of this issue appear warranted.

Accidents, Occupational↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Worksite and personal factors associated with carpal tunnel syndrome in an Egyptian electronics assembly factory.

The study objective was to identify personal and work-related risk factors associated with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) in electronics assembly, operators relative to clerical workers in the same factory. Of 422 workers in a television assembly factory located in Ismailia, Suez Canal Area, Egypt, 198 (46.9%) participated. The electronics assembly workers were more likely to report CTS (odds ratio = 11.41, 95% CI = 3.6 -40.26) than were the clerical workers. The significant risk factors were longer work years (odds ratio = 1.11, 95% CI = 1.03-1.20) and precision-type hand grip (odds ratio = 6.5, 95% CI = 1.08-39.23). The results suggest an association between electronics assembly and CTS. Work years and precision grip are possible risk factors for CTS and should be studied more thoroughly. Tools to reduce the need for precision grip may help reduce CTS.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Meta-analysis of published studies of work-related carpal tunnel syndrome.

The published information about work-related carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) was surveyed to identify risk estimates and possible biases influencing the risk estimates. Seventeen studies from the English-language literature were identified and study characteristics were coded for univariate and regression analysis. Country of publication, study population, force, and repetitive motion were significant predictors or risk, with R(2) = 0.57, adjusted R(2) = 0.43, Cp = 5.79, and AIC = 19.6 using the best-subset method of variable selection. Using the forward-variable selection method, country, study population, study type, and repetitive motion were significant predictors, with R(2) = 0.57, Cp = 6.24, p = 0.033. Excess risks of work-related CTS were consistent in the studies reviewed. Studies published in the United States reported higher risk estimates than did those published elsewhere. Some industrial populations were found to have higher risk estimates than others. Cross-sectional designs were the most common epidemiologic approach, but are not without methodologic concerns.

Analysis of Variance↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Back supports and back injuries: a second visit with the Home Depot cohort study data on low-back injuries.

The back support has been controversial as a means of reducing injuries to the lower back. Diverse issues bear on the interpretation of data obtained in a major epidemiologic investigation of the utility of back supports in the retail-trade home improvement industry. These concerns are focused on alternate explanations for the changes in injury rates observed over the six-year study period, on individual and group factors other than the use of the back support that might have contributed to reducing the risk of injury, and on related methodologic issues. Each issue is addressed with specific reference to how it might affect the analyses and the conclusion that the supports showed a protective effect.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The expected impact of a smoking cessation program for pregnant women on infant mortality among Native Americans.

To quantify the expected impact of a smoking cessation program for pregnant women on infant mortality among Native Americans, we estimated the proportional reduction (impact fraction) and the absolute reduction (impact risk) in neonatal and postneonatal mortality as a result of the intervention program. The estimated attributable fraction due to maternal smoking was 16.6% of infant deaths in the Aberdeen Indian Health Service (IHS) Area, 16.2% in the Alaska IHS Area, and 5.2% in the Navajo IHS Area. Under the assumptions that 14% of the smokers participating in a smoking cessation program would quit and that the intervention would have 60% relative efficacy in preventing infant deaths attributable to smoking, the impact fraction was estimated to be 0.9% of all infant deaths in the Aberdeen Area, 1.0% in the Alaska Area, and 0.3% in the Navajo Area. Under the "best" model assumptions (28% cessation rate and 90% relative efficacy), 2.6% of all infant deaths, 3.7% of postneonatal deaths, and 1.2% of neonatal deaths would be prevented by a smoking cessation program in the Aberdeen Area. When applied to 1984-1986 infant mortality data, the impact risk per 100,000 live births under the "best" model assumptions was 10 neonatal deaths and 41 postneonatal deaths in the Aberdeen Area, 10 neonatal and 34 postneonatal deaths in Alaska, and 2 neonatal and 8 postneonatal deaths in the Navajo Area. This report points to the need to develop effective smoking cessation programs for Native Americans, targeted in particular to women of reproductive age.

Adult↗