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Trond Riise

Publications and source records attributed to Trond Riise.

14 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Biological monitoring of benzene exposure during maintenance work in crude oil cargo tanks.

We investigated the association between the individual concentrations of benzene in the breathing zone and the concentrations of benzene in the blood and urine among workers maintaining crude oil cargo tanks. Benzene exposure was measured during three consecutive 12h work days among 13 tank workers and 9 unexposed referents (catering section). Blood and urine samples were collected pre-shift on the first day, post-shift on the third day, and pre-next shift on the following morning. The workers used half-mask air-purifying respirators, but not all workers used these systematically. The individual geometric mean benzene exposure in the breathing zone of tank workers over 3 days was 0.15 ppm (range 0.01-0.62 ppm). The tank workers' post-shift geometric mean benzene concentrations were 12.3 nmol/l in blood and 27.0 nmol/l in urine versus 0.7 nmol/l for both blood and urine among the referents. Benzene in the work atmosphere was highly correlated with the internal concentration of benzene both in post-shift blood (r=0.87, P<0.001) and post-shift urine (r=0.90, P<0.001), indicating that the varying use of respirators did not explain much of the variability in absorbed benzene. The results showed that, despite low benzene exposure in this work atmosphere and the use of personal protective equipment to a varying degree, the tank workers had a significant uptake of benzene that correlated highly with benzene exposure. The internal concentration of benzene was higher than expected considering the measured individual benzene exposure, probably due to an extended work schedule of 12h and physical strain during tank work. Control measures should be improved for processes, which impose a potential for increased absorption of benzene upon the workers.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Evidence of early childhood as the susceptibility period in multiple sclerosis: space-time cluster analysis in a Sardinian population.

The authors analyzed the natural history of multiple sclerosis (MS) before onset to identify the period of susceptibility and exogenous factors that might play a role in causing the disease. Space-time cluster analysis was performed among northern Sardinians, a genetically stable Italian population that showed an increasing risk of MS between 1965 and 1999. Residence changes from birth to clinical onset were recorded for all MS patients with clinical onset between 1965 and 1999 in the province of Sassari. Closeness in space and time was defined as living in the same municipality and differing in year of birth by 1, 2, or 5 years. Analyses were performed for the period from birth to age 25 years or MS onset and in demographic and clinical subgroups. Clustering was substantial in early childhood. Clustering was most marked in the most recent cases, among women, and among patients with early age at onset, a relapsing-remitting course, and in the eastern subarea. No clustering was found when closeness in time was defined as a fixed number of years before onset, which argues against a fixed latency period. Early childhood seemed to be a period of increased susceptibility to MS. This evidence and the increasing incidence of MS in northern Sardinia are compatible with a change in environmental exposure.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

[Low use of drugs among farmers].

BACKGROUND: Farmers have a higher prevalence of depression compared to workers with other occupations. We wanted to investigate whether this corresponds to a more frequent use of antidepressants among farmers and to investigate their use of medication in general. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The study population consisted of 20 166 workers aged 40-47 years from the general population, including 398 farmers and 713 part-time farmers, from a population-based health study carried out in a Norwegian county. In addition to type of occupation and use of medical drugs, mental (HADS) and physical (SF-12) health, life-style factors, height, weight and blood pressure were measured. RESULTS: The farmers reported significantly lower use of antiperessants and also a significant lower use of medical drugs in general compared with other groups. Their physical health was significantly better compared with other occupational groups and they had a lower consumption of alcohol and tobacco. There were no marked differences in the blood pressure or body-mass index. CONCLUSION: The lower use of drugs could reflect better health, it could be related to a culturally-related reluctance to the use of drugs, or it could indicate that farmers in some instances are not receiving proper medical care.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Are men more depressed than women in Norway? Validity of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale.

OBJECTIVE AND METHODS: The aim was to evaluate the depression subscale of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS-D) by comparing the gender-specific scores with another self-rated measure of mental health (MH), the SF-12 Health Survey, in a large general population (N=16,116). RESULTS: Using a score of 8 as a cut-off point for depression, the odds ratio for depression among men versus women was 1.29 [P<.0001; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.16-1.43]. This contrasted with the results from the SF-12, in which the women had markedly and significantly poorer scores than men did. The women also reported a higher use of medicine for depression. Two of the seven HADS-D questions, related to interest in personal appearance and the ability to enjoy television, radio, and books, explained 70% of the higher depression scores among men. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that the validity related to gender differences in HADS-D is highly questionable.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

The effect of salutogenic treatment principles on coping with mental health problems A randomised controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: Although the theory of salutogenesis provides generic understanding of how coping may be created, this theoretical perspective has not been explored sufficiently within research among people suffering from mental health problems. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of talk-therapy groups based on salutogenic treatment principles on coping with mental health problems. METHOD: In an experimental design, the participants (residents in the community) were randomly allocated to a coping-enhancing experimental group (n=59) and a control group (n=47) receiving standard care. Coping was measured using the sense of coherence (SOC) questionnaire. RESULTS: Coping improved significantly in the experiment group (+6 points) compared with the control group (-2 points). The manageability component contributed most to this improvement. CONCLUSION: Talk-therapy groups based on salutogenic treatment principles improve coping among people with mental health problems. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Talk-therapy groups based on salutogenic treatment principles may be helpful in increasing coping in the recovery process among people with mental health problems and seem to be applicable to people with various mental health problems.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed2005

Increasing incidence of multiple sclerosis in the province of Sassari, northern Sardinia.

Sardinia is a high-risk area for multiple sclerosis (MS), with prevalence rates of 150 per 100,000 population. The study included 689 MS patients (female-male ratio 2.6) with disease onset between 1965 and 1999 in the province of Sassari. The mean annual incidence rate increased significantly from 1.1 per 100,000 population in 1965-1969 to 5.8 in 1995-1999, with no significant difference for gender and province sub-areas. The mean age at onset increased significantly during the same period from 25.7 to 30.6 years, while the proportion of patients with progressive initial course declined over time. The marked increase of MS incidence and the change of MS clinical phenotype over time cannot be explained by ascertainment bias only, thus pointing to a corresponding change in the distribution of exogenous risk factors in this highly genetically stable population.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

[Can work-related eye injuries be avoided?].

BACKGROUND: The eyes are among the organs most frequently hurt in occupational injuries. The characteristics of eye injuries were studied in order to suggest preventive measures. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Analyses were performed on work-related eye injuries reported to the Norwegian Injury Surveillance System from a selection of emergency centres during the period 1990-2002, and on injuries reported by employers to the National Insurance Administration 1998-2001. RESULTS: The occurrence of injuries was stable over the period. Men sustained 94.4% of the injuries registered in injury surveillance system. The highest incidence was among those 20 to 24 years of age. Metal cutters and tools for polishing were involved in 25.7% of cases. Analyses of the injuries reported to the National Insurance Administration showed an odds ratio of 8.8 (95% CI 7.6-10.1) for injuries to workers in metal industry, 18.8 (95% CI 17.0-20.8) in automotive industry, and only 0.5 (95% CI 0.1-3.4) in oil refineries. Workers in oil refineries have a potentially hazardous work environment, but there, eye protection is mandatory. INTERPRETATION: There was no decline in the incidence of work-related eye injuries from 1990 to 2002. Workers in metal industry have a high risk of injuries and employers should consider requiring the use of eye protection.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Smoking is a risk factor for multiple sclerosis.

The authors determined the relationship between tobacco smoking and the risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS) in a general population of 22,312 individuals living in Hordaland, Norway in 1997. A total of 87 individuals reported having developed MS. The risk of MS was higher among smokers than among never-smokers (rate ratio 1.81, 95% CI 1.1 to 2.9; p = 0.014). Studies on how smoking interacts with disease onset may contribute to determining the causal agents of this disease.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Low back pain and widespread pain predict sickness absence among industrial workers.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) in the aluminium industry is high, and there is a considerable work-related fraction. More knowledge about the predictors of sickness absence from MSD in this industry will be valuable in determining strategies for prevention. The aim of this study was to analyse the relative impact of body parts, psychosocial and individual factors as predictors for short- and long-term sickness absence from MSD among industrial workers. METHODS: A follow-up study was conducted among all the workers at eight aluminium plants in Norway. A questionnaire was completed by 5654 workers at baseline in 1998. A total of 3320 of these participated in the follow-up study in 2000. Cox regression analysis was applied to investigate the relative impact of MSD in various parts of the body and of psychosocial and individual factors reported in 1998 on short-term and long-term sickness absence from MSD reported in 2000. RESULTS: MSD accounted for 45% of all working days lost the year prior to follow-up in 2000. Blue-collar workers had significantly higher risk than white-collar workers for both short- and long-term sickness absence from MSD (long-term sickness absence: RR = 3.04, 95% CI 2.08-4.45). Widespread and low back pain in 1998 significantly predicted both short- and long-term sickness absence in 2000. In addition, shoulder pain predicted long-term sickness absence. Low social support predicted short-term sickness absence (RR = 1.28, 95% CI 1.11-1.49). CONCLUSIONS: Reducing sickness absence from MSD among industrial workers requires focusing on the working conditions of blue-collar workers and risk factors for low back pain and widespread pain. Increasing social support in the work environment may have effects in reducing short-term sickness absence from MSD.

Absenteeism↗
PubMed2003

Occupation, lifestyle factors and health-related quality of life: the Hordaland Health Study.

Health-related quality of life was estimated using the physical and mental summary scores of the SF-12 Health Survey in a cross-sectional study of a general population of 23,312 individuals aged 40-47 years in Hordaland County, Norway. The mean scores in the main occupational groups were adjusted for lifestyle factors using a six-way analysis of covariance. The category of legislators, senior officials, and managers scored highest on both the physical and the mental components, whereas the drivers scored lowest on the physical health and agricultural and fishery workers scored lowest on mental health. Smoking showed marked dose-response relationships with reduced physical and mental health, and inverse U-shaped relationships were found for alcohol consumption and the body mass index, with the mental scale for body mass index peaking above the recommended range of 18.5 to 25.0 kg/m2. Although selection bias related to the choice of occupation cannot be ruled out, the low scores of the quality of life measure for the agricultural and fishery workers and the drivers most likely reflect the effect of known health stressors for these occupations.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Organic solvents and the risk of multiple sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: Epidemiologic studies suggest that environmental factors may be part of the yet unknown causation of multiple sclerosis (MS). Several case-control studies have shown a history of elevated exposure to organic solvents among cases. METHODS: Three cohorts of 11,542 painters, 36,899 construction workers and 9,314 food-processing workers were identified by the 1970 census in Norway. The cohorts were followed until the end of 1986 for registration of disability pensions. RESULTS: A total of nine painters, 12 construction workers and six food workers had received a disability pension because of MS. The relative risk for painters compared with workers not exposed to organic solvents was 2.0 (95% confidence inter-val = 0.9-4.5) for MS. CONCLUSIONS: These results are compatible with the hypothesis of organic solvents being a possible risk factor for MS.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Distribution of multiple sclerosis in Sweden based on mortality and disability compensation statistics.

Previous studies have shown the Fennoscandian region to be a high-risk area for multiple sclerosis (MS). In order to investigate the distribution of MS in Sweden, mortality (1952-1992) and disability pensioning statistics (1971-1994) were studied. A total of 11,414 cases with a disability pension and 5,421 cases with MS on their death certificate were analysed according to county and time period and the results were compared with the mortality figures for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and disability pensioning statistics for Parkinson's disease. We found increasing rates of both MS mortality and disability pensioning. Disability pensioning correlated well with mortality 10 years later (r = 0.42, p = 0.04). We also found a marked geographical variation. Värmland county had the highest mortality, with 14 out of its 16 municipalities having higher rates than the national mean. Unexpectedly, we found a high correlation between mortality due to MS and ALS (r = 0.60, p = 0.002).

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Remakes of Colorlogic and IPS Empress ceramic restorations in general practice.

PURPOSE: The aim of this article was to study frequencies and distribution of remakes of all-ceramic inlays/onlays, veneers, and crowns occurring before and after cementation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 2,069 sintered feldspathic ceramic restorations (Colorlogic) and 1,136 pressure-molded ceramic restorations (IPS Empress 1 and 2) were produced during the study period by one dental laboratory. The laboratory gave an unqualified and unlimited guarantee for their ceramic restorations. The outcome variable was reports from the clinicians to the dental laboratory about any problems related to the restoration, necessitating remake. RESULTS: Problems occurring before cementation occurred in 4.4% of the restorations. Veneers were remade more frequently than the other types of restorations (6.6%). After cementation, the overall 2-year rate of remakes was 1%, indicating a survival rate of the ceramic restorations of 99%, with inlays/onlays exhibiting the highest (99.8%) and crowns the lowest (98.4%) rates. This difference in rates was significant. No significant differences in remakes between ceramics or tooth categories were found. CONCLUSION: There were few problems in a short- to medium-term perspective that, in the opinion of general practitioners, necessitated remakes of all-ceramic restorations.

Aluminum Silicates↗