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Biomedical subjects

V Kostova

Publications and source records attributed to V Kostova.

10 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

Occupational and personal risk factors for musculo-skeletal disorders in fertilizer plant workers.

UNLABELLED: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of some personal and work-related risk factors for the occurrence and development of MSDs as well as to assess the prevalence and relative risk by means of odds ratio and 95% confidence interval. SUBJECTS: Of this comprehensive cross-sectional study were 921 workers and employees from the four main departments of the plant. The following complex of methods was applied: personal anamnesis, occupational history, physical examination, clinical laboratory testing, anthropometric examination, conventional radiography and statistical methods. RESULTS: Age is the first risk factor, discussed by authors. The data showed highly significant differences in the prevalence of MSDs--9.48% in the risk group versus 1.97% in the reference group (OR 5.21, 95% CI 2.42-11.61). Gender is the second risk factor strongly related to MSDs in combination with age. The prevalence of MSDs is higher for women over 40 years that for men over 40 years: OR is 6.43 with 95% CI 1.73-28.23 versus OR 4.66 with 95% CI 1.80-12.77). Obesity is the third risk factor for MSDs. The data showed highly significant differences in the prevalence of MSDs--7.03% in risk group versus 3.08% in reference group, OR 2.38 with 95% CI 1.10-5.30. Smoking for more than 20 years also increases the risk of developing MSDs. At this stage of the research, there is no proof of the impact of hypercholesterolemia, non-occupational or work-related strain on the development of MSDs. The authors' conclusion is that these results may support programs for health promotion and health prevention.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Back disorders (low back pain, cervicobrachial and lumbosacral radicular syndromes) and some related risk factors.

UNLABELLED: The AIM of this study was to estimate the prevalence rates of low back pain (LBP), cervicobrachial and lumbosacral radicular syndromes (CBR and LSRS) in workers from a fertilizer plant and also to analyze the impact of several important work-related and non-occupational risk factors. SUBJECTS of this comprehensive cross-sectional study were 898 workers and employees from the four main departments of the plant. The following complex of methods was applied: neurologic history, complete neurologic status and statistical method. RESULTS: Age is the first risk factor, discussed by authors. The data showed highly significant differences in the prevalence of CBS-16.2% in the risk group vs. 10.0% in the referent group (OR 1.73, 95% CI 1.14-2.63); LBP-25.8% vs. 17.0% (OR 1.70, 95% CI 1.21-2.38) and LSRS-16.0% vs. 5.8% (OR 3.09, 95% CI 1.89-5.08). Gender is the second risk factor strongly related to LBP, CBS and LSRS. The prevalence of radicular syndromes is higher for women that for men: OR for CBS is 3.27 and 1.93 for LSRS. There is an interesting trend in the case of combined impact of age and gender among men and women of 40 or under and over 40--the risk, estimated by OR, is higher. In men over 40, overweight, obesity and heaviness of smoking, estimated by duration of smoking and daily cigarette consumption (more than 20 years and more than 20 cigarettes per day), increase the risk of developing back disorders (BD). At this stage of the research, there is no proof of the impact of hypercholesterolemia, non-occupational or work-related strain on the development of BD. The authors' CONCLUSION is that these results may support programs for health promotion and health prevention.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

[Clinical-toxicological aspects of micro mercury poisoning].

Thirty workers were hospitalised after clinical and laboratory screening of 65 women and 35 men from electrical lamp factory. The mercury concentration in air of the working places varied from normal value (0.01 mg/m3) to 0.04-0.05 mg/m3. Target neurological anamnesis, internal and neurological examination, EEG, renal function tests and several laboratory parameters of large extent were carried out. The analysis of results establishes the signs of micromercurialism in 20% of the examinees. The authors determine the peculiar clinical (neurasthenic syndrome, periodontal diseases ) and biochemical (blood Hg level and urinary mercury) parameters of this early, functional stage of the chronic Hg poisoning.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

[The neurological screening of workers in the manufacture of copper and aluminum rolled wire].

The screening of the nervous system function in 42 workers of copper rolled wire [correction of valzdrat] production and in 34 workers of aluminium rolled wire [correction of valzdrat] production was performed in 1992 and 1993 too; 52 healthy military men were investigated as control group. Target neurological anamnesis, internal and detailed neurological status were carried out. Symptoms of radiculopathy, neurasthenic syndrome and signs of generalized neurovegative dystonia were established in both studies--1992 and 1993. It is suggested that an further detailed investigation (including psychometric tests) is needed to verify of refute the neurotoxic effect of copper and aluminium.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

[The effect of training with computer equipment on the visual analyzer of 1st-grade pupils].

Examination are carried out on 64 school children Ist class from school "104", town of Sofia where computer training on mathematics and mother tongue is introduced in the frames of pedagogic experiment. The studies are performed parallelly at traditional and computer lessons, realized in two variants (with one and two school hours daily). In order to establish the functional status of the visual analyzer during computer training the following methods are used: studying the distance of the nearest point for clear vision (punctum proximum), stability of clear vision, threshold of the electric eye sensitivity, critical frequency of fusing of the light flickerings. A full preliminary ophthalmological examination is made by "Vision test", as well as chronometric control of each student to establish the real time of work with computers. Taken into consideration are also the data for illumination of the working places in the computer studies and class rooms where the traditional school hours are held. The analysis of the data received shows that the computer training (1 and 2 computer lessons daily) with schoolchildren, Ist class, has no unfavourable effect on the functional status of the visual analyzer in the limits of study hours up to 25 minutes.

Accommodation, Ocular↗
PubMed1990

[The effect of instruction with computers on the functional state of first-graders].

A study is carried out on 64 first grade school children for establishing the effect of computer training on the functional status of principally engaged systems with the purpose to determine the optimum duration of work with video terminal during the school day. The examinations are performed before and after computer lessons in mathematics and Bulgarian language in days with one and two lessons, and with the same subjects taught in the traditional way (control group). Traced are the changes in the accommodation, the eye rheobase, critical frequency of fusing the light flickers, resistance, volume and accuracy of the visual perception, static tremor and excretion of sodium and potassium in the saliva. The data point out to relatively higher pressure at work on video terminal in comparison with the traditional education. This imposes restriction in the duration of the lesson up to 20 minutes. The inclusion of second inconsistent computer lessons in the educational programme has no unfavourable effect on the functional status of the organism.

Adrenal Glands↗
PubMed1990

[The neurological screening of workers in land reclamation and erosion control enterprises].

Examinations were performed on the nervous system (directed anamnesis, neurological and vegetative status) of workers from enterprises for economic melioration and erosion control. The following was established: presence of vegetative vascular disturbances in the upper extremities, radicular syndromes, neurosis-like [correction of neurosimilar] syndrome, with higher frequency at the exposure of vibrations in comparison to nonexposed workers; in conditions of vibrations and noise above the norms work persons, with organic disturbances of the nervous system, which certifies for the nonobservance of the medical contraindications and for necessity of special control on these workers.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

[Epidemiological studies of the effect of organophosphate pesticides on health].

The subject of study are agricultural workers applying organophosphorus and other pesticides in an area with intensive agriculture and a control group from the same area having no professional contact with pesticides. The studies include: personal and professional anamnesis, a battery of neurobehavioral tests, electroneuromyography, evoked potentials, neurological status, internal status, hematological tests, liver enzymes, variability of the heart rhythm. The level of the exposure is assessed by: measuring the concentration of PhO compounds in the air of the work environment and deposit on the skin. The biological monitoring is carried out by measuring the level of the cholinesterase activity in serum and erythrocytes, neuropathy target esterase in lymphocytes and alkylphosphates in urine. The tests are performed before and after the active season of spraying. The results from the studies show that at continuous exposure to low concentrations of organophosphorus compounds, applicated in agriculture, no significant health disorders occur. Specific deviations are observed after the season of spraying in the neuro-behavioural tests as increasing the number of incorrectly put dots in the Aiming test, the time of reaction and evoked potentials. The interpretation of the results is impeded because of the large number of interfering factors and considerable quantity of alcohol.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Vibration disease: plasma electrolytes and trace elements.

102 patients with vibration disease (mean age 46 +/- 7, length of service in different jobs using vibration tools 17 +/- 7 years) were studied. Plasma electrolytes and trace elements (sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, chloride, iron, copper, zinc, cobalt and manganese) and plasma osmolality were investigated, as well as some specific tests indicative of vibration exposure--cold provocation test, vibration sense, thermoasymmetry (left/right hand), skin electric resistance and hand and finger blood flow (Doppler-ultrasound sonometry). In a large number of patients increased values for the following variables were found--magnesium in 43%, zinc in 45%, cobalt in 57%, manganese in 70% and plasma osmolality in 66%. It is suggested that vibration affects mineral metabolism. However, these disturbances in mineral metabolism are secondary to other pathological changes in the body.

Adult↗