Biomedical subjects

K Torén

Publications and source records attributed to K Torén.

58 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

PubMed1992

Rheological and immunological findings in dockers with vibration-induced white fingers.

The aim of the present study was to characterize rheological and immunological features involved in the pathogenesis of vibration-induced white fingers (VWF). Plasma viscosity, at two shear rates (580 s-1 and 1164 s-1), levels of immunoglobulins (IgG, IgM, IgA), circulating immune complexes, rheumatoid factor, antinuclear antibodies, fibronectin, fibrinogen, hemoglobin and erythrocyte sedimentation rate were analysed in 30 male dockers with VWF and in 30 healthy male referents unexposed for hand-arm vibrations. Decreased plasma viscosity was observed among the men with VWF, although formal significance (P less than 0.05) was only obtained at shear rate 580 s-1. The decrease was mainly seen among smokers. In the study there were no significant differences between the VWF group and the referents with regard to immunoglobulin levels, autoantibodies and other plasma proteins. From the study it is concluded that workers with VWF may have a decreased plasma viscosity. The biological relevance of this observation is uncertain and deserves further study.

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PubMed1991

Mortality from asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, respiratory system cancer, and stomach cancer among paper mill workers: a case-referent study.

In an earlier case-referent study from a soft-paper mill with levels of paper dust exceeding 5 mg/m3, an increased mortality was found (OR = 3.8, p less than 0.05) from asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) among the employed. Furthermore, other studies on paper mill workers have also indicated an increased mortality from lung cancer. The main objectives of the present case-referent study were to investigate the mortality from asthma. COPD, and lung cancer in two other Swedish paper mills. In these mills, the levels of paper dust have been below 3 mg/m3. The subjects for the study were all men who died between 1961 and 1985 from asthma and COPD (n = 31), respiratory cancer (n = 27), and stomach cancer (n = 33) selected in three parishes surrounding two paper mills. As referents we randomly selected about six times as many men who had died from nonmalignant nonrespiratory diseases in these parishes (n = 550). On the basis of information found in the personnel records in the mills, the men were classified into different occupational categories or as unexposed. No increased risk of asthma or COPD was found among the workers exposed to paper dust. However, it was found that there was significantly increased mortality (OR = 5.7, p less than 0.05) for asthma and COPD among workers in a previous log sorting department. The study also showed a significantly increased risk of lung cancer (OR = 2.1, p less than 0.05) among maintenance workers. There was no increased risk of stomach cancer in the study.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

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PubMed1991

Occupation and smoking adjusted mortality due to asthma among Swedish men.

The study aims to survey the mortality from asthma in different occupations among Swedish men. The design was a register based cohort study where the smoking adjusted mortality due to asthma among Swedish men 1971-80 was investigated. For each occupation a smoking adjusted standardised mortality ratio (SMR) was calculated based on a linkage between official mortality statistics 1971-80 and occupational information in the 1970 national census. The information about the smoking habits among different occupations was obtained from a smoking survey carried out in 1963. In the statistical analysis only occupations with more than 10 deaths were considered. A significantly increased mortality from asthma was found among farmers (smoking adjusted SMR 137, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 115-156), farm workers (smoking adjusted SMR 170, 95% CI 107-235), woodworking machine operators (smoking adjusted SMR 226, 95% CI 108-344), clerical workers (smoking adjusted SMR 161, 95% CI 102-220), packers and labellers (smoking adjusted SMR 144, 95% CI 100-188), and watchmen (smoking adjusted SMR 212, 95% CI 104-320). Exposure to organic dust, such as fresh wood dust and dusts in the farming environment, may cause increased mortality due to asthma.

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PubMedDate not supplied

Effect of passive smoking on respiratory symptoms, bronchial responsiveness, lung function, and total serum IgE in the European Community Respiratory Health Survey: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Passive smoking is widespread, and environmental tobacco smoke contains many potent respiratory irritants. This analysis aimed to estimate the effect of passive smoking on respiratory symptoms, bronchial responsiveness, lung function, and total serum IgE in the European Community Respiratory Health Survey. METHODS: This analysis included data from 7882 adults (age 20-48 years) who had never smoked, from 36 centres in 16 countries. Information on passive smoking, respiratory symptoms, asthma, and allergic rhinitis was gathered through a structured interview. Spirometry and methacholine challenge were carried out, and total and specific IgE were measured. The effect of passive smoking was estimated by means of logistic and multiple linear regression for each country and combined across countries by random-effects meta-analysis. FINDINGS: In 12 of the 36 centres, more than half the participants were regularly involuntarily exposed to tobacco smoke. The prevalence of passive smoking in the workplace varied from 2.5% in Uppsala, Sweden, to 53.8% in Galdakao, Spain. Passive smoking was significantly associated with nocturnal chest tightness (odds ratio 1.28 [95% CI 1.02 to 1.60]), nocturnal breathlessness (1.30 [1.01 to 1.67]), breathlessness after activity (1.25 [1.07 to 1.47]), and increased bronchial responsiveness (effect -0.18 [-0.30 to -.05]). Passive smoking in the workplace was significantly associated with all types of respiratory symptoms and current asthma (odds ratio 1.90 [95% CI 0.90 to 2.88]). No significant association was found between passive smoking and total serum IgE. INTERPRETATION: Passive smoking is common but the prevalence varies widely between different countries. Passive smoking increased the likelihood of experiencing respiratory symptoms and was associated with increased bronchial responsiveness. Decreasing involuntary exposure to tobacco smoke in the community, especially in workplaces, is likely to improve respiratory health.

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