Frequency of metabolic syndrome and its associated factors in health care workers

BackgroundIn recent decades, metabolic syndrome is one of the most important public health risk factors. Having this in mind, the present study was conducted to evaluate the frequency of metabolic syndrome and its associated risk factors in healthcare workers.MethodThis study is a cross-sectional study conducted on 410 healthcare workers in a teaching hospital in Iran. Demographic, occupational, and psychosocial characteristics were assessed using questionnaire. Assessment of metabolic syndrome of hospital staff was performed at workplace during their medical examination.ResultsThe frequency of metabolic syndrome was found to be 22.4%. This relationship was found among blood pressure and occupational stress, despite the fact that there was no significant relationship between metabolic syndrome and occupational stress. Higher age, having shift work, and inactivity were associated with metabolic syndrome.ConclusionConsidering the high frequency of metabolic syndrome among Iranian healthcare workers, it is advised that effective management should be employed to correct the occupational and psychosocial factors associated with this syndrome.     

Occupational Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in a Danish Population-Based Study

The aim was to explore the impact of occupation on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in a cross-sectional population-based study among subjects aged 45 to 84 years. In a stratified sampling 89 general practitioners practices (GPP) in Denmark recruited 3106 males and 1636 females through the Danish Civil Registration System. COPD was defined by spirometry by the 2.5^th-centile Lower Limit of Normal of FEV₁ and FEV₁/FVC. Information about smoking, occupational exposure and the respective occupations were obtained from questionnaires. Occupations followed the Danish adaptation of The International Standard Classification of Occupations, revision 1988 (DISCO-88). Exposure to vapour, gas, dust (organic and inorganic), and fume (VGDF) in each occupation (yes/no) was evaluated by two independent specialist in occupational medicine. Exposures were divided in no, low, medium, and high exposure as 0, <5, 5–14, and ≥ 15 years in the job, respectively. Data was analysed by a mixed random effect logistic regression model. The age-standardised COPD study prevalence was 5.0%. Of 372 DISCO-88 codes 72 were identified with relevant exposure to VGDF. 46% of the participants reported at least one occupation with VGDF exposure. Adjusted for smoking, age, sex, and GPP a dose-dependent association of COPD was found among workers in jobs with high organic dust exposure, with OR 1.56 (95% CI 1.09–2.24). Restricted to agriculture the OR was 1.59 (95% CI: 1.08–2.33). No association was observed for workers in jobs with inorganic dust, fume/gas, or vapour exposures. In summary, occupational organic dust exposure was associated to the prevalence of COPD.     

Impact du bruit professionnel sur le développement de l’hypertension artérielle : enquête réalisée au sein d’une centrale de production d’électricité et de gaz en Tunisie

BackgroundNoise pollution is one of the major environmental pollutants that can adversely affect public health. Cardiovascular diseases are the primary out-auditory adverse outcome caused by occupational noise exposure.AimsTo investigate the association between occupational exposure to high level of noise and blood pressure among a group of workers in a company of electricity production in the Centre of Tunisia.Material and methodsA total of 120 occupational noise-exposed workers and 120 non-exposed employees were recruited to conduct a cross-sectional survey exploring the association between occupational noise-exposed and arterial hypertension. Data collection was based on a questionnaire, a clinical exam and biomarkers. Blood pressure was measured using a mercury sphygmomanometer following a standard protocol. The occupational noise level was measured with a portable calibrated sound meter. Multiple logistic regression was used to calculate the odds ratio (OR) and 95 % confidence interval (CI) of noise exposure adjusted by potential confounders.ResultsThe noise level to which our population was exposed ranged from 75 dB to 103 dB with an average noise level of 89 dB. Mean systolic blood pressure (SBP), mean diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and the prevalence of hypertension were significantly higher in exposed individuals than in non-exposed. In multivariate analysis, elevated SBP in exposed workers was associated with high-salt diet (OR adjusted = 1.71, 95% CI adjusted [1.14–1.98]) and occupational seniority more than 8 years (adjusted OR = 5.31, 95% CI [2.22–12.72]). The factors associated with high BP in the exposed group were diabetes (OR adjusted to 15.31; 95% adjusted CI [2.61–89.58]), history of hypertension in the family (OR adjusted to 11.46; 95% adjusted CI [5.18–83][1.58–83.05]), mean of age (OR adjusted to 6.65; 95% adjusted CI [1.87–23.59]) and high-salt diet (OR adjusted to 0.29; 95% adjusted CI [0.09–0.95]).ConclusionOccupational chronic noise exposure was associated with higher levels of SBP, DBP, and the risk of hypertension. These findings indicate that effective and feasible measures should be implemented to reduce the risk of hypertension caused by occupational noise exposure in companies of electricity production.     

Metabolic syndrome and coronary heart disease among Spanish male workers: a case-control study of MESYAS

Background and aimsIn Spain, the incidence of coronary heart disease is below that expected based on the burden of classic cardiovascular risk factors present in the population. Whether the risk associated with metabolic syndrome is lower in Spain deserves to be investigated. This study evaluates the association of incident clinical coronary heart disease with metabolic syndrome and each of its individual defining components in a sample of Spanish working males.Methods and resultsAmong the workers of a factory (MESYAS registry), 208 incident cases of coronary heart disease (between 1981 and 2005) were age-matched with 2080 healthy workers visited in 2004–2005. Metabolic syndrome was characterized using modified criteria of the joint consensus definition (2009). Metabolic syndrome was strongly associated with coronary heart disease (OR = 4.03; 95% CI: 2.98, 5.45) and the risk seemed to be fully explained by metabolic syndrome components (OR = 0.84, p = 0.54 after adjustment). Odds ratios for the independent effects of the diagnostic criteria were: hypertriglyceridemia (OR = 3.39, p < 0.001), hyperglycemia (OR = 2.70, p < 0.001), low HDL cholesterol (OR = 2.35, p < 0.001), hypertension (OR = 1.49, p = 0.016) and overweight (OR = 1.07, p = 0.678). Young workers showed a higher risk associated with metabolic syndrome.ConclusionThe risk associated with metabolic syndrome is fully explained by its components considered independently. The risk of coronary heart disease in a Spanish male working population is considerably increased among those with metabolic syndrome, by a factor similar to that described for other countries. Public health measures to prevent a rise in the prevalence of metabolic syndrome are advisable to minimize cardiovascular disease rate in Spain.     

Occupational Exposure and the Risk of Barrett’s Esophagus: A Case–Control Study

Background

Case–control studies in the United States and Europe have linked occupational exposure to volatile sulfur compounds, solvents, and pesticide to increased risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma. However, the association between occupational exposures and the risk of Barrett’s esophagus (BE) is unclear given the absence of studies in this area.

Methods

This is a case–control study in patients undergoing endoscopy who were either referred directly or were eligible for screening colonoscopy and recruited from primary care clinics. All participants completed a survey on (1) self-reported occupational exposures to asbestos, metal dust, organic solvents, and pesticides, and (2) self reported longest held job and job-related activities. The latter were assigned by an industrial hygienist who was blinded to the case and control status into one of 99 standard occupational categories used by the US Department of Labor. Each occupational category was then assigned an expected level of exposure to the same four classes of agents in addition to radiation. We compared the self-reported exposure and the expected occupational exposure based on the self-reported occupation between cases with definitive BE and controls without BE. We examined the associations adjusting for age, sex, race, and patient recruitment source in a multivariable logistic regression analysis.

Results

We examined 226 cases of definitive BE and 1,424 controls without BE. There was a greater proportion of patients with self-reported asbestos exposure in cases than controls (16.2 % vs. 12.0 %; p = 0.08) but no significant differences in metal dust, organic solvents, or pesticides. The multivariate model did not show an independent association between self-reported asbestos exposure and BE. For the calculated occupational exposure, there were no significant differences between cases and controls for asbestos (29.6 % vs. 27.5 %; p = 0.5), metal dust, organic solvents, pesticides, or radiation exposure. Among commonly reported occupation, there were significantly greater proportion of retail sales workers in BE cases than controls (10.8 % vs. 4.9 %; p = 0.01).

Conclusions

Exposure to asbestos and sedentary jobs may be risk factors for Barrett’s esophagus. Further studies are needed to confirm this finding.     

Adherence index to the American Heart Association Diet and Lifestyle Recommendation is associated with the metabolic syndrome in Japanese male workers

BackgroundAs Japanese societies rapidly undergo Westernization, the prevalence of metabolic syndrome is increasing. We investigated the association between dietary habits and the prevalence of metabolic syndrome using a new adherence index to optimal dietary habits based on the American Heart Association Diet and Lifestyle Recommendation (AHA-DLR).MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study of 503 male workers who completed a brief food frequency questionnaire. Adherence to the AHA-DLR was assessed using a 10-component adherence index (AI-84; a total possible score of 84 points). Metabolic syndrome was defined according to the most recently published harmonized criteria by the International Diabetes Federation in conjunction with the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, American Heart Association, World Heart Federation, International Atherosclerosis Society, and International Association for the Study of Obesity.ResultsThe prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 26.6% and the AI-84 score ranged from 5 to 56 points. Subjects with metabolic syndrome had a significantly lower AI-84 score compared with those without (27.1 ± 9.1 vs. 28.9 ± 9.2, p = 0.042). After adjusting for age, energy intake, smoking habit and physical activity, a higher AI-84 score was associated with a significantly lower prevalence of metabolic syndrome, with an odds ratio of 0.778 (95% CI 0.614–0.986, p = 0.038) for each 10-point score increment.ConclusionsA lower AI-84 score was associated with increased prevalence of metabolic syndrome. Our findings support a potential beneficial impact of nutritional assessment using adherence to the AHA-DLR for prevention of metabolic syndrome.     

Equality or disparity? Cardiovascular risk factors and their correlation within the metabolic syndrome. The secret of gods

AimsThe primary objective of our study is to determine the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in the population. The secondary objective is to determine the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and their correlation with the metabolic syndrome.Material and methodsThe sample for the study was obtained by means of a consecutive population-based demonstration in 803 adults over 18 years of age belonging to the labor force of the company Grupo Delta SA. The study was carried out according to the guidelines of the Declaration of Helsinki. The individuals included in the study voluntarily participated, once informed of the purpose of the study, giving their prior verbal consent, to the company's human resources department, in the case of Delta Group workers.Results23.8% of the population has metabolic syndrome. Each cardiovascular risk factor has different importance in the metabolic syndrome.ConclusionThe correlation of cardiovascular risk factors with the metabolic syndrome differs from one another.     

The metabolic syndrome: prevalence and association to leisure-time and work-related physical activity in 60-year-old men and women

Background and aimThis study examined the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome and its association to lifestyle factors in 60-year-old men and women, with special emphasis on physical activity (PA).Methods and resultsEvery third 60-year-old man and woman in the Stockholm County, Sweden, was invited to a survey of cardiovascular risk factors. Seventy-seven percent of the sample, 4228 individuals, agreed to participate (2036 men and 2192 women). Participants underwent physical examination and laboratory tests, and completed a questionnaire. After excluding 364 subjects suffering from cardiovascular disease and/or cancer, the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome was 24% and 19% in men and women, respectively. The adjusted odds ratio for having the metabolic syndrome in the high leisure-time PA group was 0.33 (95% confidence interval: 0.22–0.51) using the low leisure-time PA group as reference. However, no such inverse association was noted for work-related PA.ConclusionsThis cross-sectional survey of 60-year-old men and women demonstrates a high prevalence of the metabolic syndrome. The robust inverse dose–response relationship between leisure-time PA and the metabolic syndrome emphasises the role of PA in the prevention and treatment of the metabolic syndrome.     

Sleep quality does not mediate the negative effects of chronodisruption on body composition and metabolic syndrome in healthcare workers in Ecuador

Background and aimsThe objective of the present work was to determine to what extent sleep quality may mediate the association between chronodisruption (CD) and metabolic syndrome (MS), and between CD and body composition (BC).MethodologyCross-sectional study which included 300 adult health workers, 150 of whom were night shift workers and thereby exposed to CD. Diagnosis of MS was made based on Adult Treatment Panel III criteria. Sleep quality was measured using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Body mass index (BMI), fat mass percentage, and visceral fat percentage were measured as indicators of body composition (BC). Data were analyzed using logistic, linear regression and structural equation models.ResultsThe odds of health workers exposed to CD to suffer MS was 22.13 (IC₉₅ 8.68–66.07) when the model was adjusted for age, gender, physical activity and energy consumption. CD was also significantly associated with an increase in fat mass and visceral fat percentages, but not to BMI. Surprisingly, there was not enough evidence supporting the hypothesis that sleep quality contributes to the association between CD and MS or between CD and BC.ConclusionsSleep quality does not mediate the negative effects of CD on MS nor on BC.     

Metabolic syndrome in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus from South India

ObjectivesTo find the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) compared to controls and to identify association of metabolic syndrome with SLE disease activity and damage.MethodsA total of 82 SLE and 82 healthy controls were studied. Metabolic syndrome was defined by National Cholesterol Education Program-Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP ATP III), consensus definition for Asian Indian Adults and World Health Organisation (WHO) 1999 definition, and associations with lupus characteristics, disease activity, and damage were examined. Insulin resistance (IR) was estimated using the homeostasis model assessment for IR (HOMA-IR).ResultsMetabolic syndrome was present in 24.39% SLE and 12.19% controls (p < 0.04) by NCEP ATP III criteria; 29.26% SLE and 19.51% controls (p = 0.14) by consensus definition for Asian Indians; 18.2% SLE and 7.31% controls (p < 0.035) by WHO 1999 criteria.Hypertension and hypertriglyceridemia were more frequent in SLE than in controls. Mean body mass index, diastolic and systolic blood pressure, triglycerides, and total cholesterol were higher in SLE than in controls. HOMA-IR (median, range) was 1.31 (0.06–9.32) and 1.55 (0.01–7.92), p = 0.09 in SLE and controls, respectively. There was no association of metabolic syndrome with disease activity/damage and prednisolone use. SLE patients with metabolic syndrome had a significantly longer duration of disease compared to patients without metabolic syndrome.ConclusionSouth Indian SLE patients have higher prevalence of NCEP ATP III and WHO defined metabolic syndrome compared to healthy controls. SLE patients have an altered lipid profile, but there was no IR and no association of metabolic syndrome with disease activity or damage.     

Organic Solvents Activate Human Platelets Through the Inositol Lipid-linked Signal Transduction System

It has recently been proposed that occupational exposure to organic solvents in vivo may lead to platelet activation and this has been substantiated by exposure of platelets to solvents in vitro. The present work was undertaken to study the effects of organic solvents on the platelet inositol lipid signal transduction system. Human platelets that had been prelabelled with [³²P] P, were exposed to a saturated atmosphere of the organic solvents toluene, xylene or hexane. Extracts were analyzed for metabolites of the polyphosphoinositide cycle and ATP. All solvents studied induced a decrease in radioactivity in phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate together with an increase in radioactivities in phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate and phosphatidic acid. This is compatible with solvent-induced activation of the cells through the inositol lipid pathway. In cells exposed to toluene or xylene we could detect an increased level in inositol trisphosphates at 3 min of exposure. The solvent-induced changes in metabolic ATP could not explain the solvent-induced effects on the inositol lipid metabolism.

It is concluded that the organic solvents toluene, xylene and hexane can activate human platelets through the inositol lipid-linked transmembrane signal system.     

Active and uncontrolled asthma among children exposed to air stack emissions of sulphur dioxide from petroleum refineries in Montreal,Quebec: A cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND:

Little attention has been devoted to the effects on children’s respiratory health of exposure to sulphur dioxide (SO₂) in ambient air from local industrial emissions. Most studies on the effects of SO₂ have assessed its impact as part of the regional ambient air pollutant mix.

OBJECTIVE:

To examine the association between exposure to stack emissions of SO₂ from petroleum refineries located in Montreal’s (Quebec) east-end industrial complex and the prevalence of active asthma and poor asthma control among children living nearby.

METHODS:

The present cross-sectional study used data from a respiratory health survey of Montreal children six months to 12 years of age conducted in 2006. Of 7964 eligible households that completed the survey, 842 children between six months and 12 years of age lived in an area impacted by refinery emissions. Ambient SO₂ exposure levels were estimated using dispersion modelling. Log-binomial regression models were used to estimate crude and adjusted prevalence ratios (PRs) and 95% CIs for the association between yearly school and residential SO₂ exposure estimates and asthma outcomes. Adjustments were made for child’s age, sex, parental history of atopy and tobacco smoke exposure at home.

RESULTS:

The adjusted PR for the association between active asthma and SO₂ levels was 1.14 (95% CI 0.94 to 1.39) per interquartile range increase in modelled annual SO₂. The effect on poor asthma control was greater (PR=1.39 per interquartile range increase in modelled SO₂ [95% CI 1.00 to 1.94]).

CONCLUSIONS:

Results of the present study suggest a relationship between exposure to refinery stack emissions of SO₂ and the prevalence of active and poor asthma control in children who live and attend school in proximity to refineries.     

Hairy cell leukaemia, occupation, and smoking

Summary The roles of farm practices, occupational exposures to organic solvents, and ionizing radiation in the risk of hairy cell leukaemia (HCL) were examined in a French hospital-based multicentre case-control study including 291 cases (229 men and 62 women) and 541 controls (425 men and 116 women). No positive association was observed with occupations involving exposure to organic solvents or with self-declared exposures to solvents, but a significant association with self-reported exposure to petrol or diesel was found for men (OR =1–5 CI95% [1–0–2–1]). No association with ionizing radiation was detected. Agriculture employment gave an odds ratio of 1–7 (CI95% [11–2–4]) for men and 2–7 (CI95% [1–1–6–7]) for women. Among men, the association seems to affect farmers rather than agricultural workers. Self-declared exposure to pesticides or bovine cattle breeding was related to HCL risk in both genders. Finally, a significant negative association with smoking was observed in men, with an inverse exposure-risk relationship odds ratios of 0–6, 0–5 and 0–2, respectively, for cumulative consumptions of <10, 10–23 and 24 pack-years), contrasting with an odds ratios clearly <1 in women.     

The metabolic syndrome: prevalence and associated lifestyles in Japanese workingmen

The aim of this study was to examine the relation of lifestyle to the metabolic syndrome in Japanese male workers. The association of 6 lifestyle factors with the metabolic syndrome and the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome, as defined by the modified International Diabetes Federation criteria for Japanese people, were evaluated in 4941 men at a workplace participating in the annual health examination mandated by law; the subjects ranged in age from 36 to 60 years. The overall prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in the sample was 9.1%. The prevalence was the highest in subjects aged 46-50 years. The odds ratios (95% confidence interval) of the metabolic syndrome in current smokers and ex-smokers compared with non-smokers were 1.381 (1.088-1.752) (P=.008) and 1.812 (1.365-2.407) (P<.001), respectively. In contrast, no preventive effect of alcohol on the occurrence of the metabolic syndrome was noted.     

Relationship between metabolic syndrome and pulmonary function in workers with respiratory dust exposure in Iran

Aimswe designed a study to investigate the relationship between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and lung function in workers with dust exposure based on five years of longitudinal study data.MethodsIn this historical cohort study that conducted in iron ore mine, non-smoker male workers who exposed to dust, were enrolled. MetS was determined according to the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III. New spirometry parameters and spirometry from 5 years ago, were compared.ResultsIn this study 192 workers were identified without MetS and 77 with MetS. The mean of all lung parameters was lower in subjects with MetS, but it was not statistically significant. The median decline in FEV1 and FVC in 5 years was greater in subjects with MetS but were only significant for a decline in FEV1 (P-Value = 0.04). Linear regression analysis showed a significant relationship between a decline in FEV1 and waist circumference (P-Value = 0.001) when adjusted for age, BMI, physical activity level.ConclusionIn this study, a significant association between mean decline in FEV1 in 5 years and MetS in dust-exposed workers was demonstrated. Decline in FEV1 in 5 years was significantly associated with a Waist circumference as one of the components of MetS.     

Serum uric acid concentration and metabolic syndrome among elderly Koreans: The Korean Urban Rural Elderly (KURE) study

BackgroundEpidemiologic studies have demonstrated that elevated serum uric acid concentration is an independent risk factor for metabolic syndrome. However, few studies have focused on elderly populations. Thus, we investigated the association of serum uric acid concentration with metabolic syndrome in community-dwelling elderly Koreans.MethodsThis cross-sectional analysis included 2940 participants (986 men and 1954 women) aged 65 years or older who participated in a baseline health assessment for the Korean Urban Rural Elderly cohort study from 2012 to 2014. Serum uric acid concentration was analyzed using both continuous and dichotomous variables. Hyperuricemia was defined as a uric acid concentration ≥7.0 mg/dL in men and ≥6.0 mg/dL in women. Metabolic syndrome was defined according to the 2009 harmonizing definition. Multiple logistic regression models were used to investigate independent association between serum uric acid and metabolic syndrome, after adjusting for age, body mass index, LDL cholesterol, glycated hemoglobin, blood urea nitrogen, estimated glomerular filtration rate health behaviors, and medications.ResultsPrevalence of metabolic syndrome and its components increased significantly according to uric acid concentration in both sexes. The adjusted odds ratios for having metabolic syndrome per 1.0 mg/dL higher uric acid concentration were 1.16 (95% CI: 1.03–1.31) in men and 1.27 (95% CI: 1.13–1.42) in women. Hyperuricemia was also associated with metabolic syndrome, with adjusted odds ratios of 1.71 (95% CI: 1.11–2.63) in men and 1.55 (95% CI: 1.05–2.29) in women.ConclusionsElevated serum uric acid concentration was independently associated with an increased prevalence of metabolic syndrome in community-dwelling elderly Koreans.     

Prevalence of metabolic syndrome and associated factors in adults living in Fernando de Noronha,Brazil

Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) is multivariate disease, clustered with socioeconomic and behavioral risk factors. Investigations about epidemiology estimative could be a prevention strategy.Aimto investigate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its associated factors in adult population in Fernando de Noronha Archipelago (PE-Brazil).MethodsA cross-sectional study was performed on a representative sample (N = 375) of adult residents of the region, aged 24–59 years, were harmonized according to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria.ResultsThe prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 45 (12%) and, the age was associated with MetS, which increases the chances to MetS development around 3% respectively (OR: 1.03; CI 95%: 1.002–1.070 P 0.0384). Waist circumference was elevated in female population 266 (70.74%), however, levels of fasting blood glucose (304 [80.85%]), blood pressure (375 [100%]), TG (302 [80.32]), and low HDLc (297 [78.99]) presented normal biochemical values. There is no significative difference for male and female gender and, the social and behavior factors did not present significative association.ConclusionThe Fernando de Noronha presents lower prevalence of MetS thus, shows associations for elderly people. The waist circumference was elevated on female population. The results of this study provide further evidence and underscore the need for public health strategies that include education about MetS, promotion of cardiometabolic health, and prevention of undesirable outcomes such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease.     

Association between the physical activity and metabolic syndrome in residents of a foot-hill area in India

Background and aimsPhysical inactivity, has been linked to development of metabolic syndrome, which increases the risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Aim of the study was to assess the level of physical activity and it's association with prevalence of metabolic syndrome and oxidative stress in a semiurban foothill population of India.MethodsParticipants (n = 288), >18 years of age were enrolled. Their demographics and clinical details were recorded. Fasting plasma glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol and erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase activity were measured. Physical activity was estimated using Global Physical Activity Questionnaire and converted into metabolic equivalent in minutes per week.Results37.5% of study population was found to be physically active, with more males (43.3%) being active than females (23.3%). Inactivity was associated with higher triglycerides levels in males and with higher hip circumference, diastolic blood pressure, triglycerides and fasting plasma glucose in females. No significant difference was found in the oxidative stress, indicated by decreased glutathione peroxidase activity, between active and inactive persons or persons with normal and increased body mass index.ConclusionsThere is a high prevalence of physical inactivity in this region of India, with prevalence of physical inactivity higher is females as compared to males. No significant co-relation was found between the levels of activity and components of metabolic syndrome and oxidative stress in the study population.     

Occupational silica and solvent exposures and risk of systemic lupus erythematosus in urban women

OBJECTIVE: To assess the risk of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) associated with occupational exposure to silica dust and organic solvents in an urban population. METHODS: Women with SLE were identified through both community screening and hospital databases in 4 predominantly African American neighborhoods in Boston. Female control patients were volunteers from the same communities and were screened for the absence of connective tissue disease. Demographic factors, smoking history, and a detailed occupational history, including exposures to specific chemicals, were obtained by in-person interviews. The exposure assessment was based on independent evaluation of the occupational history by 2 reviewers who were blinded to each subject's disease status. The risks associated with exposure to silica and solvents were analyzed using multivariate conditional logistic regression models, adjusted for potential confounders. RESULTS: Ninety-five patients and 191 age- and race-matched controls were included in this analysis. Exposure to silica for longer than 1 year was associated with SLE (odds ratio [OR] 4.3, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.7-11.2). An exposure-response effect was seen for longer duration of exposures to silica (P for trend = 0.01). The association between occupational exposure to organic solvents and SLE was not statistically significant (OR 1.04, 95% CI 0.34-3.2). CONCLUSION: Silica exposure from a variety of industrial occupations in urban areas is associated with an increased risk of SLE. A longer duration of exposure to silica dust is associated with greater risks. This study provides further impetus for additional research into the influence of modifiable exposures on the pathogenesis of SLE.     

The correlation between pancreatic steatosis and metabolic syndrome in a Chinese population

BackgroundType 2 diabetes mellitus, obesity and hepatic steatosis showed a strong correlation with metabolic syndrome. However, data on the influence of pancreatic steatosis on metabolic syndrome are lacking.ObjectiveOur aim is to perform the prevalence of pancreatic steatosis in adults and its association with metabolic syndrome in a Chinese population.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional study, randomly selected. A total of 1190 health examination subjects were recruited. Pancreatic steatosis or hepatic steatosis was diagnosed via trans-abdominal sonography. The clinical and metabolic parameters were compared between the two groups, and their associations with pancreatic steatosis were examined.ResultsThe prevalence of pancreatic steatosis was 30.7%. The presence of pancreatic steatosis was significantly increased by age, gender, central obesity, hepatic steatosis, hypertriglyceridemia and hyperglycemia. In the logistic regression analysis, age (P < 0.05), central obesity (P < 0.01), diabetes (P < 0.05), hypertriglyceridemia (P < 0.05) and hepatic steatosis (P < 0.01) were independently associated with pancreatic steatosis. The number of the parameters of the metabolic syndrome in pancreatic steatosis group was more than that in non-pancreatic steatosis group [(2.5 ± 1.1) vs (1.4 ± 1.2)] (P < 0.01).ConclusionThe pancreatic steatosis is strongly associated with the parameters of metabolic syndrome, such as central obesity, diabetes, and hepatic steatosis.