PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

M J Hodgson

Publications and source records attributed to M J Hodgson.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1989

Chest X-rays in hypersensitivity pneumonitis: a metaanalysis of secular trend.

A metaanalysis of published reports of outbreaks of hypersensitivity pneumonitis was undertaken. A statistically significant substantial decline was seen in the sensitivity of chest X-rays (percent of positive in cases of disease) for the diagnosis of hypersensitivity pneumonitis over the years 1950-1980. Chest X-rays were also less likely to be abnormal where a population-based approach to the diagnosis of disease had been undertaken. Such declines in the diagnostic "sensitivity" of a test may be related to secular trends in knowledge and recognition of disease or to changes in the disease itself. Standardization of chest X-ray interpretation alone, even if successful, may not resolve the issue of accurate diagnosis of interstitial lung disease.

Alveolitis, Extrinsic Allergic↗
PubMed1989

Giant-cell interstitial pneumonia and hard-metal pneumoconiosis. A clinicopathologic study of four cases and review of the literature.

We report four cases of giant-cell interstitial pneumonia that occurred in association with exposure to hard metals. All patients presented with chronic interstitial lung disease and had open-lung biopsies that revealed marked interstitial fibrosis, cellular interstitial infiltrates, and prominent intraalveolar macrophages as well as giant cells displaying cellular cannibalism. We also review the literature to determine the sensitivity and specificity of giant-cell interstitial pneumonia for hard-metal pneumoconiosis. Although hard-metal pneumoconiosis may take the form of usual interstitial pneumonia, desquamative interstitial pneumonia, and giant-cell interstitial pneumonia, the finding of giant-cell interstitial pneumonia is almost pathognomonic of hard-metal disease and should provoke an investigation of occupational exposure.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Liver injury tests in hazardous waste workers: the role of obesity.

The prevalence of fatty liver disease at autopsy ranges from 40% to 80% in Europe and North America, and liver injury tests are abnormal in up to 8% of healthy populations. Liver injury tests were therefore examined in a group of 325 workers without exposure to hepatotoxins to identify the influence of obesity and gender. Obesity was a strong predictor of the degree of abnormality for serum levels of arginine and alanine aminotransferase and of alkaline phosphatase, even in the normal range. Women generally demonstrated lower levels of these enzymes. Workers with morbid obesity were substantially more likely to have abnormal liver injury tests. Obesity and gender must be considered in the interpretation of abnormal liver injury tests in hazardous waste workers.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

A distinct pattern of personality disturbance following exposure to mixtures of organic solvents.

To assess systematically the pattern of psychologic distress in chemically exposed workers complaining of personality changes, we administered the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory to 22 men with a history of exposure to mixtures of organic solvents. Results indicated clinically significant profile elevations in more than 90% of the exposed workers. Moreover, a consistent response profile was noted, indicating a high rate of somatic disturbances, anxiety, depression, social isolation, and fear of losing control. In addition, those workers with the longest exposure duration had the highest elevations on the scale measuring disturbances of thinking, social alienation, poor concentration, and anxiety. Comparisons between these subjects and a group of former prisoners of war with posttraumatic stress disorder revealed strikingly similar clinical profiles. We present a case history that illustrates the nature of this psychologic disturbance.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Liver disease associated with exposure to 1,1,1-trichloroethane.

1,1,1-trichloroethane is a halogenated hydrocarbon solvent commonly used in industry because of its supposed lack of hepatotoxicity. Nonetheless, animal studies performed by several independent groups have shown the solvent to induce fat deposition, vacuolar degeneration, and centrilobular necrosis, changes similar to those seen after exposure to carbon tetrachloride, albeit of a much reduced magnitude, in animals exposed to the agent. Four patients with fatty liver disease whose work entailed substantial exposure to this agent were seen at the University of Pittsburgh (Pa). Based on this clinical experience, we believe that 1,1,1-trichloroethane should be reconsidered as an agent with potential hepatotoxicity in man.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Encephalopathy and vestibulopathy following short-term hydrocarbon exposure.

Dizziness, headaches, and weakness occurred among three men after short-term hydrocarbon exposure during improper welding procedures in a closed container. Symptoms were related to objective evidence of vestibular and cognitive dysfunction. Symptoms and abnormal test results persisted for 6 to 18 months. Simulation of the accident failed to demonstrate likely exposures except aliphatic hydrocarbons, well within the permissible exposure levels. Short-term exposures to neurotoxins may lead to long-term central nervous system abnormalities.

Accidents↗
PubMed1988

An hierarchical location-allocation model for primary health care delivery in a developing area.

Location-allocation models can play an important role in making primary health care facilities more accessible to rural populations in the developing world. Traditional models, however, have failed to deal realistically with the fact that health care systems are hierarchical in nature, and that benefits and utilization decline with distance. In this paper, an hierarchical location-allocation model in which benefits accrue to facility level and decline exponentially with distance is presented as a possible approach to ameliorating problems of rural accessibility to health care in Third World settings. The model is subjected to sensitivity analysis with reference to data for Salcette Taluka, Goa, India. The analysis suggests that the traditional P-median model may be a much less appropriate solution to the problem than a simple strategy of locating facilities from the highest to the lowest level in centers of strictly decreasing population.

Delivery of Health Care↗
PubMed1988

Asbestosis among electricians.

In a cross-sectional study of a small group of non-shipyard electricians, the prevalence of asbestosis, defined as irregular opacities of at least 1/0 profusion, was found to be 15% overall and 25% after 20 years of service. Irregular opacities occurred more frequently among smokers. Cost estimates for asbestos-related disease should include construction electricians in the populations at risk.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

An outbreak of recurrent acute and chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis in office workers.

Three episodes of an acute, flu-like illness, one studied in detail, were associated with manipulations on the central air handling system of an office building in Tennessee in the summer and early fall of 1981. Symptoms were compatible with acute hypersensitivity pneumonitis, although the time of onset revealed a biphasic epidemic curve. Breathing air not supplied through the central air handling system protected against disease. Ill persons had significantly more precipitins to agents cultured from the building than did controls. Symptoms suggestive of chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis were also found. Chronic disease was associated with the presence of humidifiers at home, asthma, and longer work in the building. Acute disease occurred less frequently in smokers and persons who had previously worked in the building before 1976. Persons with acute disease were more likely to have chronic disease. No single etiologic agent could be identified. Because of difficulties with demonstrating safety for reoccupancy, the building was vacated and remains empty at this time.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1987

Occupational lead exposure and blood pressure.

Recent community studies have suggested that low level lead exposure is significantly associated with blood pressure in the general population. This finding is inconsistent with the results of recent occupational studies of lead exposed workers, although the occupational studies contained serious methodological weaknesses. The present study examined the relation between occupational lead exposure and diastolic and systolic blood pressure in randomly selected samples of 270 exposed and 158 non-exposed workers. Four exposure indicators were examined: employment at a lead battery plant nu a control plant, current blood lead value, current zinc protoporphyrin value, and time weighted average blood lead value. After controlling for other known risk factors such as age, education, income, cigarette usage, alcohol consumption, and exercise, the associations between exposure and blood pressure were small and non-significant. In the absence of a biologically feasible hypothesis regarding the mechanism by which low level lead exposure would influence blood pressure the present findings challenge the validity of the general population association.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Diabetes, noise exposure, and hearing loss.

To examine the relationship of diabetes, noise exposure, and hearing loss, the authors reanalyzed data from a cross-sectional investigation on noise exposure, hearing loss, and BP conducted in a high-noise and a low-noise plant. Twenty-eight of 348 participants met the following criteria for diabetes: (1) currently on insulin or oral hypoglycemics or (2) at least two elevated serum glucose levels despite adhering to a calorie-restricted diet. Diabetics were evenly distributed between high- and low-noise exposure. A two-way analysis of variance was conducted at each of seven hearing threshold frequencies using diabetes and high-noise exposure as main effects. Diabetics demonstrated no evidence of higher hearing threshold shifts than nondiabetics at the same noise levels. Noise and diabetes together do not appear to produce more neuropathic damage than does one insult alone.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Respiratory disease in a photographer.

Reversible airways obstruction occurred in a photographer after long-term exposure (over many years) to sulfuric and acetic acid fixers. Air-exchange recommendations for darkrooms by the Building Officials Code Administration [1981] differ markedly from those recommended by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Airconditioning Engineers [1977] and the fixer manufacturer (Eastman Kodak). Use of fume hoods or rates of air-exchange higher than are required by law may be necessary to prevent symptoms and disease in certain workers.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Organophosphate poisoning in office workers.

Five occupants of an office developed symptoms compatible with organophosphate intoxication after application of chlorpyrifos, a moderately toxic pesticide. Recovery of erythrocyte cholinesterase levels occurred during the subsequent three months but followed an exponential distribution rather than the constant rate of recovery most investigators have assumed. This pattern suggests redistribution of the active organophosphate after absorption to a second body compartment with subsequent slow release of the still active substance into the bloodstream.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Pulmonary disease associated with cafeteria flooding.

An illness among office workers, consisting of cough, fever, chills, muscle aches, and chest tightness was associated with water leaks from a cafeteria. Mean single breath carbon-monoxide diffusing capacity (DLCO) of cases differed significantly from that of non-cases. There was a significant decrease in the percent of predicted DLCO with increasing number of symptoms. Testing for precipitating antibodies to microbial agents found in the building revealed no differences between cases and non-cases. DLCO is an appropriate cross-sectional instrument for field investigations of building-associated respiratory disease.

Breath Tests↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Indoor air quality.

Complaints in modern buildings have been attributed to inadequate ventilation for the last 20 years. Few data exist to support this claim. In fact, few studies have actually looked at ventilation and complaints at the same time. These missing studies indicate a failure of three groups of professionals, physicians and health scientists, architects and engineers, and scientists knowledgeable in exposure assessment, to study the topic together. This article will provide a conceptual framework for each of the three approaches and give some guidance on preventing problems.

Air Pollutants, Occupational↗