Biomedical subjects

Neonila Szeszenia-Dabrowska

Publications and source records attributed to Neonila Szeszenia-Dabrowska.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2007

Esophageal cancer in Central and Eastern Europe: tobacco and alcohol.

Esophageal cancer mortality rates in Central and Eastern Europe have been increasing steadily and are expected to increase further in the future. To evaluate the role of risk factors for esophageal cancer in this population, a multicenter study was conducted, with investigation of tobacco and alcohol as one of the principal aims. We have included 192 squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and 35 adenocarcinoma cases of the esophagus diagnosed at designated hospitals in 5 centers from Romania, Russia, the Czech Republic and Poland. Controls were frequency matched from patients in the same hospital as the cases (n=1,114). Our results showed that the risk of esophageal SCC may be increased by approximately 7-fold for current smokers (OR=7.41, 95% CI 3.98-13.79) and by 3-fold for ever alcohol drinkers (OR=2.86, 95% CI 1.06-7.74). Dose-response relations were evident for both the frequency and duration of tobacco and of alcohol on the risk of esophageal SCC. Risk estimates for tobacco smoking were highest for lower esophageal SCCs, while risk estimates for alcohol drinking were highest for upper esophageal SCCs; though differences were not statistically significant. For adenocarcinoma of the esophagus, our results suggested a more modest increase in risk because of tobacco smoking than that for SCC of the esophagus and no association with alcohol consumption, although our sample size was small. A synergistic interaction between tobacco and alcohol was observed for the risk of esophageal SCC, highlighting the importance of both factors for esophageal cancers in Central and Eastern Europe.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed2007

Estimating age-specific breast cancer risks: a descriptive tool to identify age interactions.

OBJECTIVE: Clarifying age-specific female breast cancer risks and interactions may provide important etiologic clues. METHOD: Using a population-based case-control study in Poland (2000-2003) of 2,386 incident breast cancer cases and 2,502 control subjects aged 25-74 years, we estimated age-specific breast cancer incidence rates according to risk factors. RESULTS: Breast cancer risks were elevated among women with positive family history (FH), younger age at menarche, older age at first full-term birth, nulliparity, exogenous hormonal usage, and reduced physical activity (PA). Notwithstanding overall risks, we observed statistically significant quantitative (non-crossover) and qualitative (crossover) age interactions for all risk factors except for FH and PA. For example, nulliparity compared to parity reduced breast cancer risk among women ages 25-39 years then rates crossed or reversed, after which nulliparity increased relative risks among women ages 40-74 years. CONCLUSION: Though quantitative age interactions could be expected, qualitative interactions were somewhat counterintuitive. If confirmed in other populations, qualitative interactions for a continuous covariate such as age will be difficult to reconcile in a sequential (multistep or monolithic) 'stochastic' breast cancer model. Alternatively, the reversal of relative risks among younger and older women suggests subgroup heterogeneity with different etiologic mechanisms for early-onset and late-onset breast cancer types.

Adult↗

PubMed2007

Occupational exposure to crystalline silica and risk of lung cancer: a multicenter case-control study in Europe.

BACKGROUND: The role of crystalline silica dust as a possible cause of lung cancer has been controversial. Relatively few large community-based studies have been conducted to investigate the lung cancer risk from exposure to silica at low levels, taking into account potential confounding factors. METHODS: Detailed lifestyle and occupational information were collected from 2852 newly diagnosed cases of lung cancer and 3104 controls between 1998 and 2002 in 7 European countries. For each job held, local experts assessed the probability, intensity, and duration of silica exposure. RESULTS: Occupational exposure to crystalline silica was associated with an increased risk of lung cancer (odds ratio = 1.37; 95% confidence interval = 1.14-1.65). This risk was most apparent for the upper tertile of cumulative exposure (OR = 2.08; 95% CI = 1.49-2.90; P for trend <0.0001), duration of exposure (1.73; 1.26-2.39; P for trend = 0.0001) and weighted duration of exposure (1.88; 1.35-2.61; P for trend <0.0001). We did not observe any interaction beyond a multiplicative model between tobacco smoking and silica exposure. CONCLUSIONS: Our results support the hypothesis that silica is an important risk factor for lung cancer. This risk could not be explained by exposure to other occupational carcinogens or smoking, and it was present for the main histologic types of lung cancer, different sources of silica exposure, and different industrial settings.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed2006

Intrauterine environment and breast cancer risk in a population-based case-control study in Poland.

High estrogen exposure in utero may increase breast cancer risk later in life. However, studies of the associations between perinatal factors presumed to affect the fetal hormonal environment and breast cancer risk are inconsistent. We used data from a population-based case-control study of 2,386 incident breast cancers and 2,502 controls in Poland to evaluate risks associated with various perinatal characteristics. After adjusting for confounders, we found a significant trend (p = 0.01) of breast cancer risk with birth weight (OR = 1.54, 95% CI 1.08-2.19 for birth weights >4,000 g vs. <2,500 g). Subjects with a high birth order (> or =6) were at reduced risk (OR = 0.81, 0.61-1.06) when compared with first born subjects. Birth weight was somewhat a stronger risk predictor among subjects whose cancers were diagnosed at 50 years of age or older (OR = 1.84, 1.19-2.85) than among those with cancers diagnosed at younger ages (OR = 1.14, 0.61-2.12). Subjects whose mothers smoked during their pregnancies were at slightly higher risk than those who never smoked (OR = 1.21, 0.99-1.47), but the risk was similar to mothers who only smoked at other times (OR = 1.22, 0.81-1.84). Breast cancer risk was not related to paternal smoking, maternal age, gestational age or twin status. Our results add support to the growing evidence that some perinatal exposures may relate to breast cancer risk. Additional studies are needed to confirm associations and clarify the biologic mechanisms underlying these associations.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Occupational exposure to asbestos and man-made vitreous fibres and risk of lung cancer: a multicentre case-control study in Europe.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the contribution of occupational exposure to asbestos and man-made vitreous fibres (MMVF) to lung cancer in high-risk populations in Europe. METHODS: A multicentre case-control study was conducted in six Central and Eastern European countries and the UK, during the period 1998-2002. Comprehensive occupational and sociodemographic information was collected from 2205 newly diagnosed male lung cancer cases and 2305 frequency matched controls. Odds ratios (OR) of lung cancer were calculated after adjusting for other relevant occupational exposures and tobacco smoking. RESULTS: The OR for asbestos exposure was 0.92 (95% CI 0.73 to 1.15) in Central and Eastern Europe and 1.85 (95% CI 1.07 to 3.21) in the UK. Similar ORs were found for exposure to amphibole asbestos. The OR for MMVF exposure was 1.23 (95% CI 0.88 to 1.71) with no evidence of heterogeneity by country. No synergistic effect either between asbestos and MMVF or between any of them and smoking was found. CONCLUSION: In this large community-based study occupational exposure to asbestos and MMVF does not appear to contribute to the lung cancer burden in men in Central and Eastern Europe. In contrast, in the UK the authors found an increased risk of lung cancer following exposure to asbestos. Differences in fibre type and circumstances of exposure may explain these results.

Asbestos↗

PubMed2006

Tobacco smoking, NAT2 acetylation genotype and breast cancer risk.

The role of active and passive cigarette smoking in breast cancer etiology remains controversial. Using data from a large population-based case-control study in Poland (2386 cases, 2502 controls) conducted during 2000-2003, we examined the associations between active and passive smoking overall and for different age categories. We also evaluated differences in risk by estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) status in tumors, and the potential modification of the smoking association by N-acetyl transferase 2 (NAT2) genotype. Women ever exposed to passive smoking at home or at work had a risk of breast cancer similar to those never exposed to active or passive smoking (OR (95%CI) = 1.11 (0.85-1.46), and no trends were observed with increasing hours/day-years of passive smoking exposure. Active smoking was associated with a significant increase in risk only among women younger than 45 years of age (OR (95%CI) = 1.95 (1.38-2.76); 1.15 (0.93-1.40); 0.91 (0.77-1.09) for < 45, 45-55 and > 55 years of age, respectively; p-heterogeneity < 0.001 for < 45 vs. > 55 years) and prevailed for both ER+ and ER- tumors. The smoking association among women < 45 years was stronger for current than former smokers, and a significant trend was observed with duration of smoking (p = 0.04). NAT2 slow vs. rapid/intermediate acetylation genotype was not related to breast cancer risk (0.99 (0.87-1.13)), and did not significantly modify the smoking relationships. In conclusion, our data indicate that passive smoking is not associated with breast cancer risk; however, active smoking might be associated with an increased risk for early onset breast cancers.

Acetylation↗

PubMed2006

The association of sequence variants in DNA repair and cell cycle genes with cancers of the upper aerodigestive tract.

Cancers of the upper aerodigestive tract (UADT), comprising the oral cavity, pharynx, larynx and oesophagus, account for 5.2% of all cancers cases worldwide. The major risk factors, tobacco and alcohol can directly or indirectly generate DNA damage, which if unrepaired can give rise to mutations, unregulated cell growth and apoptosis induction. To clarify the role of DNA repair and cell cycle control proteins in UADT cancer susceptibility, we studied the risk in relation to 28 SNPs in 18 DNA repair enzymes and 9 SNPs in 7 cell cycle control genes. A case-control study was conducted from 2000 to 2002 in six centers from Romania, Poland, Russia, Slovakia and the Czech Republic. Patients diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma of the UADT (n=811) and controls with a recent diagnosis of diseases unrelated to tobacco and alcohol (n=1083) were recruited. For UADT cancer risk, associations were observed for the homozygous carriers of the variant alleles of MGMT L84F [odds ratio (OR) 2.35, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.32-4.20], MGMT 171C > T (OR 2.24, 95% CI 1.20-4.17) and OGG1 S326C (OR 2.07, 95% CI 1.15-3.73) whilst three variants were associated with a protective effect (XPA 23G > A, P for trend 0.022, APEX Q51H, P for trend 0.036, CHEK2 intron 9-200T > C, P for trend 0.009). Several other sequence variants showed associations with specific cancers without an overall association with UADT cancer. While some of these associations are consistent with previous studies, we cannot rule out the possibility of false-positive associations. The positive findings should be explored in another large-scale study on UADT cancers.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

High cumulative risk of lung cancer death among smokers and nonsmokers in Central and Eastern Europe.

The authors have calculated cumulative risks of lung cancer from a case-control study conducted between 1998 and 2002 involving 2,633 lung cancer cases and 2,884 controls in Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Romania, and Russia. The odds ratios for smoking history were combined with national lung cancer mortality rates to obtain the cumulative risk of lung cancer. The cumulative risk of death from lung cancer by the age of 75 years among current male smokers was 14.6% in Romania and Russia and 15.8% in Poland, similar to levels reported in Western Europe, although higher risks were found in the Czech Republic (19.8%), Hungary (21.9%), and Slovakia (28.2%). Cumulative risks of lung cancer death among never smokers of over 1% were observed in Hungary among both men and women and among men in Poland. The effect of quitting smoking on the lifetime cumulative risk was substantial, with between 67% and 83% of lung cancer risk among men being avoided by quitting before the age of 50 years. This substantial reduction in risk among former smokers confirms that lung cancer mortality in Central Europe over the next three decades will be determined by the extent to which current smokers can successfully quit smoking.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Sequence variants in cell cycle control pathway, X-ray exposure, and lung cancer risk: a multicenter case-control study in Central Europe.

Exposure to ionizing radiation (IR) results in various types of DNA damage and is a suspected cause of lung cancer. An essential cellular machinery against DNA damage is cell cycle control, which is regulated by several genes, including TP53, CCND1, and CDKN2A. Therefore, we hypothesized that the genetic variants in these three genes influence the predisposition of lung cancer (i.e., CCND1 G870A, CDKN2A Ala(148)Thr, TP53 Arg(72)Pro, and 16-bp repeat in intron 3) and that the effect of X-ray on lung cancer risk can be modified by the presence of these genetic variations. The study was conducted in 15 centers in 6 countries of Central Europe between 1998 and 2002. A total of 2,238 cases and 2,289 controls were recruited and provided DNA samples. Cases with positive family history were analyzed separately. The joint effect of X-ray and previous risk genotypes was assessed, and modification by sequence variants on X-ray dose-response relationship with lung cancer risk was evaluated. We found an overall effect of TP53 intron 3 16-bp repeats [odds ratio (OR), 1.99; 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 1.27-3.13], which was stronger among cases with family history of lung cancer (OR, 2.98; 95% CI, 1.29-6.87). In addition, our results suggested an interaction that was greater than multiplicativity between TP53 intron 3 16-bp repeats and multiple X-ray exposures (interaction OR, 5.69; 95% CI, 1.33-24.3). We did not observe a main effect of CCND1 G870A polymorphism; however, the dose-response relationship between lung cancer risk and X-ray exposures was modified by CCND1 genotype with no risk from X-ray exposures among subjects who carried G/G genotype, intermediate risk [trend OR for X-ray, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.05-1.27) among subjects with G/A genotype, and highest risk [trend OR for X-ray, 1.29; 95% CI, 1.12-1.49) among subjects with A/A genotype. Sequence variants in cell cycle control pathway may increase the risk of lung cancer and modify the risk conferred by multiple X-ray exposures. However, a definite conclusion can only be drawn on replication by different studies among individuals who are highly exposed to IR.

Case-Control Studies↗

PubMed2006

Occupational exposure and laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer risk in central and eastern Europe.

A multicenter case-control study was conducted during 1999-2002 in four European countries (Poland, Romania, Russia, and Slovakia) to evaluate the role of occupational exposures in risk of laryngeal/hypopharyngeal cancer. Male cancer cases (34 hypopharyngeal, 316 laryngeal) with full data on occupational history and nonoccupational factors were compared with 728 hospital controls for occupational exposure to 73 suspected carcinogens. Occupational history was evaluated by industrial hygienists blinded to case/control status. Elevated risks for ever exposure to coal dust were found for both hypopharyngeal (odds ratio (OR) = 4.19, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.18, 14.89) and laryngeal (OR = 1.81, 95% CI: 0.94, 3.47) cancer, with clear dose-response patterns. Inclusion of a 20-year lag in the analysis strengthened these associations. Hypopharyngeal cancer risk was also significantly associated with exposure to mild steel dust (OR = 3.04, 95% CI: 1.39, 6.64) and iron compounds and fumes (OR = 2.74, 95% CI: 1.29, 5.84), without clear dose-response relations. Laryngeal cancer was significantly associated with exposure to hard-alloys dust (OR = 2.23, 95% CI: 1.08, 4.57) and chlorinated solvents (OR = 2.18, 95% CI: 1.03, 4.61), without dose-response relations. A possible link between high formaldehyde exposure and laryngeal cancer was suggested. No association was found for exposure to asbestos or inorganic acid mists. These data indicate that occupational exposure to coal dust may play a role in laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer. Other possible relations need further evaluation.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Lung cancer risk and occupational exposure to meat and live animals.

An increased risk of lung cancer has been reported for butchers and meat workers in several cohort studies, although confounding from tobacco smoking could not be ruled out in any of these studies. These exposures, as well as a potential risk associated with contact with live animals, are addressed here in a large case-control study with full adjustment for smoking. More than 5,900 subjects were included in a case-control study conducted in 7 European countries. For each job they employed local experts who assessed the exposure to a number of occupational agents, including (i) meat aerosols and (ii) live animals, on the basis of detailed occupational questionnaires. Information on tobacco consumption and other risk factors was also collected. A small increased risk of lung cancer was observed with exposure to meat aerosols, after adjusting for smoking, (odds ratio (OR)=1.27, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.92, 1.75), which was most apparent for the upper tertile of cumulative exposure (OR=1.73, 95% CI: 1.03, 2.92). A similar overall effect was observed for exposure to live animals, with an increased risk observed for a high frequency of exposure, (OR=1.69, 95% CI: 1.21, 2.36) and a high intensity of exposure, (OR=1.85, 95% CI: 1.16, 2.94), with significant trends for increasing frequency (p=0.012), intensity (p=0.015) and cumulative exposure (p=0.024). In conclusion, this study provides evidence for an association between exposure to meat aerosols and lung cancer apparent in the highest tertile of exposure. The authors identified a more consistent association with exposure to live animals.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Polymorphisms in DNA double-strand break repair genes and risk of breast cancer: two population-based studies in USA and Poland, and meta-analyses.

The double-strand break DNA repair pathway has been implicated in breast carcinogenesis. We evaluated the association between 19 polymorphisms in seven genes in this pathway (XRCC2, XRCC3, BRCA2, ZNF350, BRIP1, XRCC4, LIG4) and breast cancer risk in two population-based studies in USA (3,368 cases and 2,880 controls) and Poland (1,995 cases and 2,296 controls). These data suggested weak associations with breast cancer risk for XRCC3 T241M and IVS7-14A>G (pooled odds ratio (95% confidence interval): 1.18 (1.04-1.34) and 0.85 (0.73-0.98) for homozygous variant vs wild-type genotypes, respectively), and for an uncommon variant in ZNF350 S472P (1.24 (1.05-1.48)), with no evidence for study heterogeneity. The remaining variants examined had no significant relationships to breast cancer risk. Meta-analyses of studies in Caucasian populations, including ours, provided some support for a weak association for homozygous variants for XRCC3 T241M (1.16 (1.04-1.30); total of 10,979 cases and 10,423 controls) and BRCA2 N372H (1.13 (1.10-1.28); total of 13,032 cases and 13,314 controls), and no support for XRCC2 R188H (1.06 (0.59-1.91); total of 8,394 cases and 8,404 controls). In conclusion, the genetic variants evaluated are unlikely to have a substantial overall association with breast cancer risk; however, weak associations are possible for XRCC3 (T241M and IVS7-14A>G), BRCA2 N372H, and ZNF350 S472P. Evaluation of potential underlying gene-gene interactions or associations in population subgroups will require even larger sample sizes.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Lung cancer and occupation in nonsmokers: a multicenter case-control study in Europe.

BACKGROUND: Tobacco smoking is the main cause for lung cancer worldwide, making it difficult to examine the carcinogenic role of other risk factors because of possible confounding by smoking. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the association between lung cancer and occupation independent of smoking. METHODS: A case-control study of lung cancer was carried out between March 1998 and January 2002 in 16 centers from 7 European countries, including 223 never-smoking cases and 1039 controls. Information on lifestyle and occupation was obtained through detailed questionnaires. Job and industries were classified as entailing exposure to known or suspected carcinogens; in addition, expert assessment provided exposure estimates to specific agents. RESULTS: The odds ratio of lung cancer among women employed for more than 12 years in suspected high-risk occupations was 1.75 (95% confidence interval = 0.63-4.85). A comparable increase in risk was not detected for employment in established high-risk occupations or among men. Increased risk of lung cancer was suggested among individuals exposed to nonferrous metal dust and fumes, crystalline silica, and organic solvents. CONCLUSION: Occupations were found to play a limited role in lung cancer risk among never-smokers. Jobs entailing exposure to suspected lung carcinogens should receive priority in future studies among women. Nonferrous metal dust and fumes and silica may exert a carcinogenic effect independently from smoking.

Case-Control Studies↗

PubMed2006

Genetic polymorphisms in base-excision repair pathway genes and risk of breast cancer.

Impaired base-excision repair (BER) function can give rise to the accumulation of DNA damage and initiation of cancer. We evaluated whether genetic variation in six BER pathway genes (XRCC1, ADPRT, APEX1, OGG1, LIG3, and MUTYH) is associated with breast cancer risk in two large population-based case-control studies in the United States (3,368 cases and 2,880 controls) and Poland (1,995 cases and 2,296 controls). A detailed evaluation was first done in a subset of 1,898 cases and 1,514 controls with mouthwash DNA samples in the U.S. study. Significant findings were followed up in the remainder of the U.S. study population that provided cytobrush DNA samples and in the Polish study. Using data from U.S. study participants with mouthwash DNA, we found no significant overall association between breast cancer risk and XRCC1 R280H and R194W, ADPRT V726W, APEX1 D148E, OGG1 S326C, LIG3 R780H, or MUTYH 5' untranslated region. These data suggested a decreased risk for XRCC1Q399R homozygous variants compared with homozygous wild-type in premenopausal women, but these findings were not confirmed when data from cytobrush DNA samples were added [combined odds ratio (OR), 0.8; 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 0.6-1.1] or in the Polish study (OR, 1.0; 95% CI, 0.7-1.5). Meta-analyses based on our data and published data from studies of two single nucleotide polymorphisms in XRCC1 showed no evidence of an overall association between breast cancer risk and homozygous variants versus wild-type for Q399R (OR, 1.1; 95% CI, 1.0-1.2) or R194W (OR, 1.0; 95% CI, 0.7-1.8), although there was a suggestion for an association in Asian populations for Q399R (OR, 1.6; 95% CI, 1.1-2.4; P = 0.02). In conclusion, our results do not support that the polymorphisms evaluated in six BER pathway genes play a major role in breast carcinogenesis, particularly in Caucasian populations.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Evidence for an important role of alcohol- and aldehyde-metabolizing genes in cancers of the upper aerodigestive tract.

BACKGROUND: Incidence and mortality rates of upper aerodigestive tract cancers in Central Europe are among the highest in the world and have increased substantially in recent years. This increase is likely to be due to patterns of alcohol and tobacco consumption. Genetic susceptibility to upper aerodigestive tract cancer in relation to such exposures is an important aspect that should be investigated among populations in this region. METHODS: A multicenter case-control study comprising 811 upper aerodigestive tract cancer cases and 1,083 controls was conducted in: Bucharest (Romania), Lodz (Poland), Moscow (Russia), Banska Bystrika (Slovakia), and Olomouc and Prague (Czech Republic). We analyzed six SNPs in three genes related to ethanol metabolism: alcohol dehydrogenase 1B and 1C (ADH1B, ADH1C) and aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2). RESULTS: The ADH1B histidine allele at codon 48 was associated with a decreased risk of upper aerodigestive tract cancer; odds ratios (OR) were 0.36 [95% confidence interval (95% CI), 0.17-0.77] for medium/heavy drinkers and 0.57 (95% CI, 0.36-0.91) for never/light drinkers. Moderately increased risks were observed for the ADH1C (350)Val allele (OR, 1.19; 95% CI, 0.98-1.55) and ADH1C (272)Gln allele (OR, 1.24; 95% CI, 0.98-1.55). Medium/heavy drinkers who were heterozygous or homozygous at ALDH2 nucleotide position 248 were at a significantly increased risk of upper aerodigestive tract cancer (OR, 1.76; 95% CI, 1.13-2.75; OR, 5.79; 95% CI, 1.49-22.5, respectively), with a significant dose response for carrying variant alleles (P = 0.0007). Similar results were observed for the ALDH2 +82A>G and ALDH2 -261C>T polymorphisms. When results were analyzed by subsite, strong main effects were observed for squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus for all six variants. Among the 30% of the population who were carriers of at least one ALDH2 variant, the attributable fraction among carriers (AF(c)) was 24.2% (5.7-38.3%) for all upper aerodigestive tract cancers, increasing to 58.7% (41.2-71.0%) for esophageal cancer. Among carriers who drank alcohol at least thrice to four times a week, the AF(c) for having at least one ALDH2 variant was 49% (21.3-66.8%) for all upper aerodigestive tract cancers, increasing to 68.9% (42.9-83.1%) for esophageal cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Polymorphisms in the ADH1B and ALDH2 genes are associated with upper aerodigestive tract cancer in Central European populations and interact substantially with alcohol consumption.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Occupational diseases in the period of socioeconomic transition in Poland.

OBJECTIVES: Current situation in the epidemiology of occupational diseases is a resultant of many contributing factors, such as occupational exposures of the working population, social and economic conditions, medical measures, legislation, and ongoing changes in the national economy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This work is based on the information compiled from reporting forms on occupational diseases gathered in the Central Register of Occupational Diseases run by the Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Lódź, Poland. RESULTS: A systematic downward trend in the number of occupational diseases has already been observed over several years. In 1998, as many as 12 017 cases were recorded (117.3 per 100,000 workers), while in 2005, this number was reduced to 3249 (34.8 per 100 000). In 2005, the highest incidence rates were noted for chronic voice disorders, pneumoconioses, infectious and parasitic diseases, hearing loss, and skin diseases. The observed decrease in occupational pathology is associated with continued transformations in the national economy. Changes in the nature and level of occupational exposures have influenced the profile of occupational pathologies. Medical preventive measures, such as vaccinations covering high-risk groups have contributed to the reduced incidence of occupational diseases. For example, the number of cases of occupation-related viral hepatitis was seven times lower in 2005 than in 1993. The 2005 data show that over 50% of occupational diseases were diagnosed in workers employed outside industry. CONCLUSIONS: Changes taking place on the labor market, new technologies and most of all transfer of the workforce from industry to the service and administration sectors, will certainly affect the profile of occupational and work-related pathologies. In the present-day environment, the work-related stress has become a dominant factor.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

[Prophylactic examinations of workers formerly employed in asbestos processing plants: outcome of the Amiantus project in 2000-2004].

BACKGROUND: Prophylactic examinations of workers formerly employed in asbestos processing plants were performed by virtue of the Act, dated 19 June 1997, putting a ban on the production of asbestos-containing products. To enforce the provisions of the Act, the Ministry of Health has initiated the Amiantus project implemented by 13 Occupational Medicine Centers throughout the country and coordinated by the Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine (IMP) in Lódź. MATERIAL AND METHODS: All the Centers perform diagnostic procedures according to the same criteria (clinical, radiological, spirometric and histological), based on the 1997 Helsinki criteria, to diagnose asbestos-related diseases. A specific "Examination Form", developed for the needs of the Amiantus project, is completed by an occupational physician during examinations and sent to the IMP, where health effects in the whole population covered by the project are monitored. Periodical medical examinations are performed at least every three years and they include: general examination, chest x-ray, resting spirometric examination and supplementary examinations (e.g., resting gasometric examination) or other diagnostic examinations if necessary (e.g., computed tomography). RESULTS: Owing to the project implementation, it was possible to collect in the database information on 5466 persons who underwent 8763 prophylactic examinations in 2000-2004. Of the total population examined during a five-year period, occupational disease was certified in 728 (13%) persons. Asbestosis was diagnosed in 790 persons, lung cancer in 19 persons and pleural mesothelioma in 12 persons. Pleural changes in x-ray imaging were found in 1662 (30%) persons and opacities in pulmonary parenchyma in 2088 (38%) persons. Having compared these results with those from previous examinations, the total health condition deterioration was observed in 882 (16%) persons, including worsening of the lung x-ray imaging in 512 (9%) persons. An analysis showed the highest incidence of asbestos-related pathologies in workers of asbestos-cement plants. The collected data also confirmed an upward trend in the incidence of asbestosis and changes in the lung x-ray imaging related to age, duration of employment and latency. CONCLUSION: The implementation of the Amiantus project has contributed to an increased detection of pathologies related with exposure to asbestos fibers. A growing proportion of radiograms, which indicate worsening of health condition provides evidence that morbid processes in the respiratory system are progressing in persons who in the past were occupationally exposed to asbestos dust.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

[Occupational diseases in Poland, 2005].

BACKGROUND: The aim of this paper was to present basic statistical data on occupational diseases diagnosed and certified in 2005. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This work is based on the data compiled from "Occupational Disease Reporting Forms" received by the Central Register of Occupational Diseases in 2005. The data comprised information on individual diseases, gender and age of patients, and duration of occupational exposure to harmful agents responsible for the development of specified pathologies. These data were further classified by sectors of the national economy and voivodships (provinces). The incidence was specified in terms of the number of cases per 100,000 paid employees and per 100,000 employed persons. RESULTS: In Poland, the number of occupational diseases diagnosed in 2005 accounted for 3249 cases. The incidence rate was 34.8 cases per 100,000 paid employees. The highest incidence rates were noted for: chronic disorders of the voice organ (7.3 per 100,000), pneumoconioses (7.2), infectious and parasitic diseases (6.6) and permanent bilateral hearing loss (3.6). As much as 73.0% of patients affected by occupational diseases had been exposed to harmful agents for more than 20 years. In the industrial sectors of the national economy, the highest incidence was noted among workers employed in the mining industry (281.7 cases per 100,000 paid employees), particularly in coal mining (325.2). The highest incidence rates were recorded in the Podlaskie (87.3), Lubelskie (82.1), and Silesian (66.3) voivodships. CONCLUSION The incidence of occupational diseases in Poland continues to abate. The downward trend is primarily due to a lower incidence of chronic diseases of the voice organ and hearing loss. However, an increased number of cases of infectious and parasitic diseases, mainly borreliosis, was revealed.

Environmental Monitoring↗