体质指数与非吸烟男性肺癌发病关系的前瞻性队列研究

目的 利用前瞻性队列研究,探讨BMI与非吸烟男性肺癌发病的关系。方法 利用始建于2006年5月的开滦集团动态人群队列,收集基线调查时社会人口学资料,吸烟、饮酒等生活方式和身高、体重等测量指标及肺癌发病结局信息。采用多因素Cox比例风险回归模型分析非吸烟男性基线BMI与其肺癌发病的风险比（HR）及其95% CI。结果 截止2011年12月31日在纳入的48 799名非吸烟男性中,共计随访214 620.18人年,平均随访4.40年,共收集肺癌新发病例198例。以BMI（kg/m²）正常组（18.5≤BMI < 24.0）为参比组,调整年龄、教育程度、饮酒情况、体育锻炼、工作环境和糖尿病史后,低体重组（BMI<18.5）、超重组（24.0≤BMI<28.0）和肥胖组（BMI≥28）的HR值及其95% CI分别为1.14（0.53～2.45）、0.57（0.41～0.78）和0.61（0.38～0.97）,趋势检验差异有统计学意义（P<0.001）。将BMI作为连续性变量,调整年龄、教育程度、饮酒、体育锻炼、工作环境和糖尿病史后,BMI每增加5 kg/m²,肺癌的发病风险降低22%（HR=0.78,95% CI：0.64～0.95）。在年龄≥50岁组、锻炼频率<4次/周组、不饮酒组以及井上作业组中,BMI每增加5 kg/m²,其肺癌的发病风险分别降低26%（HR=0.74,95% CI：0.60～0.92）,24%（HR=0.76,95% CI：0.62～0.95）,20%（HR=0.80,95% CI：0.65～1.00）和23%（HR=0.77,95% CI：0.61～0.97）,剔除随访1年内新发肿瘤患者及其贡献的人年数后,结果无明显变化。结论 该队列人群中非吸烟男性的BMI与肺癌发病相关,且发病风险随BMI增加呈下降趋势。     

腰围与男性肺癌发病关系的前瞻性队列研究

目的 探讨腰围与男性肺癌发病风险的关系。方法 以开滦集团全体在职及离退休男性职工为调查对象,自2006年5月建立开滦集团男性动态队列并随访。基线调查时收集研究对象身高、体重、腰围等信息,并在随访时收集结局事件信息。腰围按五分位数进行分组：<80、80~、85~、90~、≥95 cm,并以腰围80~cm组为参比组,采用多因素Cox比例风险回归模型分析腰围与男性肺癌发病的风险比（HR）和95%CI。结果 截止2014年12月31日,共有105 386名研究对象进入队列,共随访739 651.13人年,平均随访7.00年,共收集肺癌新发病例707例。以80~cm组为参比组,调整年龄、文化程度、吸烟状态、累计吸烟量、饮酒情况、体育锻炼、工作环境、糖尿病史后,腰围<80及85~、90~、≥95 cm组发生肺癌的HR值（95%CI）分别为1.17（0.90~1.52）及0.96（0.74~1.23）、0.94（0.72~1.21）、0.80（0.63~1.03）,趋势检验P=0.005。按吸烟、饮酒状态分层分析显示,腰围与肺癌发病风险在吸烟（腰围≥95 cm组与80~cm组相比：HR=0.69,95%CI：0.48~0.99）、饮酒（腰围≥95 cm组与80~cm组相比：HR=0.65,95%CI：0.45~0.94）者中呈负相关。结论 腰围可能与男性肺癌的发病风险之间有负相关关系。     

基线体质指数与男性胃癌发病关系的前瞻性队列研究

目的 研究基线BMI与男性胃癌发病风险之间的关联。方法 基于开滦队列（2006-2015年）男性人群,收集身高、体重等流行病学信息。每两年随访1次,收集胃癌发病结局资料;检索开滦附属医院医疗信息系统、开滦集团保险系统、唐山市医疗保险系统,补充收集随访过程中可能遗漏的胃癌新发病例。以体重正常（18.5 kg/m² ≤ BMI<24.0 kg/m²）人群为参照组,利用Cox风险比例模型分析基线BMI与男性胃癌发病风险的关联,计算发病风险比（HR）及其95% CI。结果 共纳入109 600名男性,共随访860 399.79人年,中位随访时间8.8年,收集胃癌新发病例272例。和正常体重人群相比,调整年龄、文化程度、吸烟状态、饮酒频率、粉尘暴露、食盐习惯、饮茶习惯等潜在的混杂因素后,体重过轻人群（BMI<18.5 kg/m²）胃癌发病风险升高（HR=2.11,95% CI：1.23~3.62）,超重/肥胖与胃癌发病风险无统计学关联。按照年龄、文化程度、吸烟、饮酒、饮茶、粉尘暴露等进行分层分析,结果显示,高年龄组、高文化程度、不吸烟、不饮酒、不饮茶、有粉尘暴露人群中,低体重与胃癌发病关联依然有统计学意义。结论 体重过轻可能增加男性胃癌发病风险,且该关联受年龄、文化程度、吸烟、饮酒、饮茶、粉尘暴露等因素影响。     

总胆固醇与男性肺癌发病关系的前瞻性队列研究

目的 探讨基线TC与中国男性肺癌发病风险的关联及其强度。方法 自2006年5月,以开滦集团全体在职及离退休男性职工为调查对象,建立开滦集团男性动态队列并随访。基线调查时收集研究对象的社会人口学、个人疾病史、身体测量指标和TC等基线信息,并利用随访收集肺癌发病结局信息。参考《中国成人血脂异常防治指南》与研究人群TC分布特征,TC按照五分位数进行分组：<160、160～、180～、200～、≥240 mg/dl,以TC 160～mg/dl组为参比组,利用Cox比例风险模型分析基线TC与男性肺癌发病风险的关联性、限制性立方样条曲线分析其非线性关系。结果 截至2014年12月31日,109 884名男性进入队列,共计随访763 819.25人年,随访时间M=7.88年,收集肺癌新发病例808例。调整年龄、文化程度、收入、吸烟、饮酒、粉尘暴露史、FPG、BMI后,以160～mg/dl组为对照,TC偏低（<160 mg/dl）和TC升高（≥240 mg/dl）组男性肺癌发生风险分别升高34%（HR=1.34,95% CI：1.04～1.72）和45%（HR=1.45,95% CI：1.09～1.92）。剔除随访2年内肺癌新发病例及有高血脂病史者后,结果无显著变化。结论 TC与男性肺癌发生相关,TC过高或过低男性的肺癌发病风险均升高,保持适当的TC水平可能是预防和控制肺癌的有效措施之一。     

中国10个地区成年人心力衰竭流行情况及其吸烟影响因素研究

目的 描述我国心力衰竭（心衰）流行情况,探究吸烟行为与心衰发病风险的前瞻性关联。方法 研究对象来自中国慢性病前瞻性研究,基线调查为2004年6月至2008年7月。剔除BMI信息缺失、基线调查后即失访以及基线自报有冠心病、脑卒中或恶性肿瘤的研究对象,共纳入487 197人进行分析。本研究使用的随访数据截至2016年12月31日。采用Cox比例风险模型计算吸烟行为与心衰发病风险的关联。结果 研究对象中位随访10.15年,随访期间共有4 208人新发心衰,粗发病率为0.87/1 000人年,累积发病率为0.86%。基线年龄越大,心衰发病率越高。高年龄组、农村、男性心衰发病率分别高于低年龄组、城市、女性人群。相比于非吸烟者,偶尔吸烟者心衰发病风险无显著差异（HR=1.05;95%CI： 0.91~1.22）,而既往吸烟者（HR=1.48;95%CI：1.31~1.67）和当前吸烟者（HR=1.34;95%CI：1.22~1.49）的风险升高。合并非吸烟或偶尔吸烟者组后,既往吸烟者（HR=1.33;95%CI：1.21~1.46）和当前吸烟者（HR=1.46;95%CI：1.31~1.64）相比于该组的心衰发病风险均升高。当前吸烟者（趋势检验P=0.347）和既往吸烟者（趋势检验P=0.066）的吸烟量与心衰风险间均不存在剂量反应关系。与非吸烟或偶尔吸烟组相比,既往吸烟者戒烟<5、5~、10~、≥20年的心衰发病风险比分别为1.61（95%CI：1.36~1.92）、1.55（95%CI：1.27~1.90）、1.24（95%CI：1.02~1.51）、1.35（95%CI：1.08~1.68）（趋势检验P=0.091）,非因疾病戒烟者与因疾病戒烟者心衰发病风险比分别为1.23（95%CI：1.04~1.45）和1.62（95%CI：1.41~1.86）。健康吸烟行为较非健康吸烟行为对心力衰竭有明显的保护作用（HR=0.75;95%CI：0.69~0.81）。城乡地区和冠心病家族史与吸烟行为是否健康存在对心衰发病风险的交互作用（交互检验P<0.05）。结论 我国心力衰竭发病率男性高于女性,农村高于城市,随年龄增长而升高。无论吸烟频率、吸烟量、戒烟时长和戒烟原因,既往吸烟和当前吸烟者相比于从不吸烟或偶尔吸烟者,心衰风险均较高。吸烟是心力衰竭的重要危险因素,应继续坚持全面禁烟措施。     

吸烟和健康饮食评分在文化程度与肺癌发病风险关联中的中介效应研究

目的 探讨吸烟和健康饮食评分在文化程度与肺癌发病风险关联中的中介效应。方法 基于英国生物银行（UKB）前瞻性队列研究数据,剔除文化程度信息缺失及基线患有癌症的个体后,最终纳入446 772名研究对象。采用Cox比例风险回归模型估计文化程度与肺癌发病风险的关联以及吸烟和健康饮食评分与肺癌发病的关联,采用中介效应模型分析吸烟和健康饮食评分在文化程度和肺癌风险关联中的中介效应。结果 在7.13年的中位随访时间内,新发肺癌1 994例。受教育年数每增加一个标准差（5年）,肺癌风险降低12%（HR=0.88,95%CI：0.84~0.92）。根据UKB自我报告的最高学历转换为国际教育代码分类标准（ISCED）中对应的1~5级,级数越大代表文化程度越高。与ISCED-1者相比,ISCED-2、ISCED-3、ISCED-4和ISCED-5人群的肺癌发病HR值（95%CI）依次为0.83（0.72~0.94）、0.67（0.53~0.85）、0.76（0.65~0.89）和0.72（0.64~0.80）。文化程度与吸烟呈负相关（β=-0.079,95%CI：-0.081~-0.077）,与健康饮食评分呈正相关（β=0.042,95%CI：0.039~0.045）。中介效应分析显示,吸烟与健康饮食评分在文化程度与肺癌的关联中存在中介效应,中介比例分别为38.952%（95%CI：31.802%~51.659%）和1.784%（95%CI：0.405%~3.713%）。结论 吸烟和健康饮食评分可能介导文化程度对肺癌发病的影响,这表明提高文化程度可能通过改变吸烟和饮食等生活方式降低肺癌发病风险。     

我国成年人体质指数和腰围与缺血性卒中发病风险的前瞻性研究

目的 分析我国成年人BMI和腰围与缺血性卒中发病风险的关联。方法 从2010年中国慢性病监测项目选取60个监测点人群（城市监测点25个、农村监测点35个）作为本次研究对象,共计36 632人。将2010年中国慢性病监测项目数据作为基线数据。2016-2017年对该60个监测点人群进行随访,实际完成者27 762人。采用Cox比例风险回归模型分析不同人群BMI和腰围与缺血性卒中发病风险比,敏感性分析将死亡者和高胆固醇血症者剔除。结果 共纳入26 907人进入分析,随访期间观察到缺血性卒中事件1 128例（男性491例,女性637例）。调整相关混杂因素后,以BMI正常/腰围正常者为参照,全人群和男性具有CVD危险因素人群,BMI正常/腹型肥胖组、超重/腹型肥胖组和肥胖/腹型肥胖组缺血性卒中发病风险分别增加50%（HR=1.50,95% CI：1.07~2.08）、51%（HR=1.51,95% CI：1.20~1.91）、46%（HR=1.46,95% CI：1.09~1.96）和63%（HR=1.63,95% CI：1.12~2.38）、56%（HR=1.56,95% CI：1.20~2.03）、45%（HR=1.45,95% CI：1.05~2.01）,超重/腰围正常组未见发病风险增加;女性全人群和女性CVD危险因素人群,超重/腹型肥胖组和肥胖/腹型肥胖组发病风险分别增加40%（HR=1.40,95% CI：1.15~1.72）、46%（HR=1.46,95% CI：1.16~1.83）和35%（HR=1.35,95% CI：1.08~1.69）、30%（HR=1.30,95% CI：1.01~1.67）,超重/腰围正常组和BMI正常/腹型肥胖组未见发病风险增加。敏感性分析结果未见变化。结论 在男性人群中,超重/肥胖且腹型肥胖或单纯腹型肥胖缺血性卒中发病风险增加;在女性人群中,超重/肥胖且腹型肥胖发病风险增加;提示在控制体重预防缺血性卒中,应将BMI和腰围进行结合来评价人群肥胖情况。     

中国10个地区成年人慢性肾脏病流行情况及其生活方式影响因素

目的 描述中国慢性病前瞻性研究（CKB）项目人群的慢性肾脏病（CKD）分布,分析生活方式与CKD发病风险的前瞻性关联。方法 数据来源于CKB基线调查及随访监测（截至2018年12月31日）,描述CKD发病的地区和人群分布差异,使用Cox比例风险回归模型分析生活方式因素与CKD的关联。结果 研究纳入505 147名研究对象,平均随访11.26年,期间共有4 920例发病病例,发病率为83.43/10万人年,肾小球肾病为最主要亚型。CKD发病率在城市、男性、年龄≥60岁人群中更高,分别为87.83/10万人年、86.37/10万人年、132.06/10万人年。相比于从不或偶尔吸烟者,当前吸烟男性CKD风险增加（HR=1.18,95%CI：1.05~1.31）。以非肥胖人群为参照组,由BMI判定的全身性肥胖（HR=1.19,95%CI：1.10~1.29）和腰围判定的中心性肥胖（HR=1.27,95%CI：1.19~1.35）均与更高的CKD发病风险相关。结论 CKB项目人群CKD发病率存在明显的地区和人群差异,且其发病风险受到生活方式多因素的影响。     

中国10个地区成年男性Y染色体嵌合缺失流行病学分布及其与肺癌的前瞻性关联研究

目的 描述和分析中国10个地区成年男性Y染色体嵌合缺失（mLOY）携带者流行病学分布特征，并探究mLOY与肺癌的前瞻性关联。方法 数据来源于中国慢性病前瞻性研究项目基线调查（人口学特征、生活方式、体格指标等）、遗传分型及随访监测（截至2018年12月31日的健康结局），采用嵌合染色体变异工作流检测识别mLOY携带者，分年龄、地区、基线生活方式及疾病特征描述其流行病学分布特征，采用多因素logistic回归模型分析mLOY的影响因素，采用Cox比例风险回归模型探究mLOY和肺癌的前瞻性关联，在不同年龄段及不同吸烟状况人群中进行分层研究，并采用乘积分布法分析mLOY在吸烟与肺癌关联间潜在的中介作用。结果 研究纳入42 859名成年男性，共检出2 458名mLOY携带者（检出率为5.7%），检出率随年龄增长而增加（P<0.05），城市地区检出率（7.3%±0.2%）高于农村地区（4.7%±0.1%），吸烟可能是mLOY检出的危险因素（OR=1.49，95%CI：1.36~1.64）。经过平均11.1年随访，共累计观察到1 041名肺癌新发病例，mLOY携带者新发肺癌的风险增加了24%（HR=1.24，95%CI：1.01~1.52），扩增性mLOY携带者（携带mLOY细胞分数≥10%）肺癌发生风险增加了50%（HR=1.50，95%CI：1.13~2.00），未发现年龄或吸烟状况的修饰效应作用（交互作用P>0.05）。mLOY在吸烟和肺癌关联中的中介效应显著，中介效应的点估计值（95%CI）为0.09（0.01~0.17）。结论 我国10个地区成年男性mLOY检出率存在明显的社会人口经济学及生活方式分布差异，携带mLOY尤其是扩增性mLOY会显著增加肺癌的发病风险，且mLOY可能在吸烟与肺癌的关联中起中介作用。     

肥胖与大肠高风险腺瘤发病风险研究

目的 探讨肥胖与大肠高风险腺瘤发病风险的关系。方法 以参加2008年上海市社区大肠癌筛查研究中的45~74岁的社区居民为研究对象,收集筛查前风险因素和筛查后肠镜诊断结果,并结合人工主动随访收集大肠高风险腺瘤发病的结局信息,采用多因素Cox比例风险回归模型分析BMI与大肠高风险腺瘤发病的风险比（HR）和95% CI。结果 20 811名研究对象共计随访122 739.36人年,平均随访时间为5.87年,共收集大肠高风险腺瘤657例。与体重正常者相比,肥胖者（BMI≥28.0 kg/m²）大肠高风险腺瘤发病风险增加21%,调整年龄、性别、大肠癌家族史、文化程度、婚姻状况、生活方式特征如吸烟、饮酒、脂肪类食物摄入、油炸或腌制类食物摄入及蔬菜水果摄入情况等因素后,肥胖者发生大肠高风险腺瘤的HR值为1.25（95% CI：1.04~1.51）。进一步按年龄、性别及大肠癌家族史进行分层分析后发现,在男性、>60岁人群中,肥胖者与体重正常者相比,大肠高风险腺瘤的发生风险更大（男性：HR=1.57,95% CI：1.20~2.04;>60岁人群：HR=1.63,95% CI：1.23~2.16）。结论 肥胖是大肠高风险腺瘤发病风险独立的危险因素,发病风险随BMI的增加而增加。     

The human drama of genetics: 'hard' and 'soft' media representations of inherited breast cancer

This paper examines media coverage of 'breast cancer genetics', and explores its implications for public understanding. We present a content analysis of coverage in British newspapers and look at a variety of popular forms, including women's magazines, television soap opera and radio drama. Genetic/inherited risk receives a great deal of coverage across a wide range of media formats and outlets. Much of this attention has focused on individuals from 'high risk families' and dilemmas around prophylactic mastectomies. Through examining media coverage, combined with interviews with media personnel and their sources, we show why this story proved so attractive to the media and highlight the different production values which influence coverage. Finally, we introduce preliminary findings from focus group discussions to demonstrate how such 'human interest' framing has engaged audience attention and influenced public understandings. The paper concludes by highlighting the implications for analysing, predicting, and engaging with, media representations of science.     

Die sogenannte Vinylchlorid-Krankheit—eine berufsbedingte Systemsklerose?

Zusammenfassung Es wurden 13 Arbeiter untersucht, die zwischen 1 3/4 und 18 Jahren in einem PVC-herstellenden Betrieb beschäftigt waren. 8 von ihnen wiesen sklerodermieartige Hautveränderungen (Abb. 2) auf, die histologisch charakterisiert sind durch Verbreiterung und Homogenisierung der kollagenen Faserbündel (Abb. 3 u. 4) sowie Fragmentation und Rarefizierung der elastischen Fasern (Abb. 5). Bei 7 Patienten bestanden trommelschlegelartige Auftreibungen einzelner Fingerendphalangen (Abb. 1). 11 Patienten zeigten Durchblutungsstörungen der Extremitäten (4 von diesen ein Raynaud-Syndrom) und 6 Patienten Acroosteolysen einzelner Fingerendphalangen (Abb. 6, Tabellen 1–3).Darüber hinaus bestand bei allen Patienten eine Thrombocytopenie, bei 12 Patienten eine Splenomegalie, bei 11 Patienten eine Einschränkung der Leberfunktion (erhöhte BSP-Retention). An der Leber ließ sich histologisch bei den 5 laparoskopierten Patienten eine deutliche Fibrosierung der Portalfelder nachweisen. Bei 4 Patienten bestanden Oesophagusvaricen (Tabellen 4 u. 5). 8 Patienten zeigten eine Partialinsuffizienz mit Hinweisen für vorwiegend restriktive Veränderungen.Die hier beschriebenen Veränderungen gehen weit über das bisher bekannte Acroosteolysesyndrom hinaus. Es wird der dringende Verdacht geäußert, daß langfristige Vinylchlorid-Exposition dieses komplexe Krankheitsbild verursacht. Daher wird für diese systemische Krankheit die Bezeichnung Vinylchlorid-Krankheit vorgeschlagen.Wir danken Frau E. Voigtländer für die Herstellung der klinischen und histologischen Abbildungen.     

Empathic processes: perception by medical students of patients'' anxiety and depression

Perceptions by medical students of patients' affective states were investigated, and the effect of the students' own emotions on such perceptions. One hundred and one fourth-year medical students rated the levels of anxiety and depression of three women patients presented on videotape, rated their own levels of anxiety and depression and completed a questionnaire on aspects of the rating process. Students had widely different and often inappropriate perceptions of patients' levels of anxiety and depression. Students who consistently overrated anxiety or depression in patients, compared to those who consistently underrated, were themselves significantly more anxious or depressed. These data suggest a need in medical education for systematic teaching of empathic skills and for recognition of potential bias in clinical decision-making arising from the clinician's own emotional state.     

The reported incidence of work-related ill-health in Scotland (2002-2003)

BACKGROUND: Although incidence data for work-related ill-health in the UK are available, more detailed information for smaller geographical areas has hitherto been unpublished. AIMS: To estimate the incidence of work-related ill-health reported by clinical specialists in Scotland, 2002-2003. METHODS: THOR (The Health and Occupation Reporting network) is a UK wide reporting scheme for work-related ill-health. In 2002-2003, 241 out of 2162 physicians in THOR were based in Scotland. We have summarized the reported cases and calculated incidence rates for categories of ill-health by age, gender and industry. The UK Labour Force Survey (2002) was used to provide denominator data, with comparisons made between rates for Scotland and the rest of the UK. RESULTS: In 2002-2003, 4043 estimated cases were reported from Scotland. Mental ill-health was most frequently reported (41%); followed by musculoskeletal disorders (31%), skin disorders (16%), respiratory disease (10%), hearing disorders (2%) and infection (1%). The reported average annual incidence rate per 100,000 employees for all work-related ill-health in Scotland was 86.0. The highest reported rate for mental ill-health was found for employees in public administration and defence (76.7 per 100,000), and health and social work (72.3 per 100,000). The construction industry had the highest reported rate of musculoskeletal disorders (41.6 per 100,000), while hairdressers appeared at most risk of developing occupational contact dermatitis (rate=86.4 per 100,000). CONCLUSIONS: Despite its limitations, THOR has indicated types of work-related ill-health and related industries for targeted disease prevention in Scotland.     

Function of the protein RPE65 in the visual cycle

A protein called RPE65 performs a key role in the trans-cis isomerization of retinol in the retinal pigment epithelium of the eye. The palmitoylation of RPE65 serves to switch off the visual cycle in darkness and to switch it on in the light.     

Worker education in the primary prevention of occupational dermatoses

This paper reports the evaluation of a skin care education programmeconducted on a fine chemicals manufacturing site where over1,000 employees are located. Approximately 60% are involvedin chemical manufacture. Over a 12 month period production staffreceived training in prevention of occupational dermatoses linkedto a site-wide poster initiative. The incidence of new casesof occupational dermatoses fell from 0.055 (70 cases in 1,277employees) to 0.021 (27 cases in 1,277 employees) before andafter the intervention respectively (p<0.0001). After otherfactors such as chemicals handled, observer bias and changesin reporting related to socioeconomic climate were taken intoaccount it is concluded that this study demonstrates the importanceof worker education as a tool for primary prevention of disease.Training materials such as video and poster presentations maybe effectively used in the chemical manufacturing industry asan adjunct to prevention and control of exposure to substanceshazardous to the skin. Such methods may also be used in otherindustries where there are significant risks of dermatoses.     

Regional Variation in Travel-related Illness acquired in Africa,March 1997–May 2011

To understand geographic variation in travel-related illness acquired in distinct African regions, we used the GeoSentinel Surveillance Network database to analyze records for 16,893 ill travelers returning from Africa over a 14-year period. Travelers to northern Africa most commonly reported gastrointestinal illnesses and dog bites. Febrile illnesses were more common in travelers returning from sub-Saharan countries. Eleven travelers died, 9 of malaria; these deaths occurred mainly among male business travelers to sub-Saharan Africa. The profile of illness varied substantially by region: malaria predominated in travelers returning from Central and Western Africa; schistosomiasis, strongyloidiasis, and dengue from Eastern and Western Africa; and loaisis from Central Africa. There were few reports of vaccine-preventable infections, HIV infection, and tuberculosis. Geographic profiling of illness acquired during travel to Africa guides targeted pretravel advice, expedites diagnosis in ill returning travelers, and may influence destination choices in tourism.     

The design of hazard risk assessment matrices for ranking occupational health risks and their application in mining and minerals processing

Two hazard risk assessment matrices for the ranking of occupational health risks are described. The qualitative matrix uses qualitative measures of probability and consequence to determine risk assessment codes for hazard-disease combinations. A walk-through survey of an underground metalliferous mine and concentrator is used to demonstrate how the qualitative matrix can be applied to determine priorities for the control of occupational health hazards. The semi-quantitative matrix uses attributable risk as a quantitative measure of probability and uses qualitative measures of consequence. A practical application of this matrix is the determination of occupational health priorities using existing epidemiological studies. Calculated attributable risks from epidemiological studies of hazard-disease combinations in mining and minerals processing are used as examples. These historic response data do not reflect the risks associated with current exposures. A method using current exposure data, known exposure-response relationships and the semi-quantitative matrix is proposed for more accurate and current risk rankings.     

Acute symptoms following work with pesticides

BACKGROUND: Serious accidental poisoning by pesticides is rare in the UK, but more minor pesticide-related illness may be under-reported. Anecdotally, use of sheep dip has been linked with flu-like symptoms. AIM: To explore the frequency, nature and determinants of acute symptoms following work with pesticides. METHODS: A postal survey of men in three rural areas of England and Wales provided data on occupational use of five categories of pesticide, occurrence of 12 specified symptoms within 48 h of using pesticides and tendency to somatize. Risk factors for pesticide-related symptoms were assessed by modified Cox regression. RESULTS: Of 10 765 responders (response rate = 31%), 4108 had at some time used pesticides occupationally, including 935 (23%) who reported symptoms following such work on at least one occasion. In two areas, acute symptoms were most frequent following use of sheep dip (29 and 32% of users), but in the third area the rate was significantly lower (13% of users). The relative frequency of symptoms was similar for all five categories of pesticide, and flu-like symptoms did not cluster unusually among users of sheep dip. Risk of pesticide-related symptoms increased with somatizing tendency (prevalence ratio for highest versus lowest category 2.4, 95% confidence interval 2.0-3.0) and was higher in men who had used pesticides most often or handled concentrate. CONCLUSION: Acute symptoms are common following work with pesticides, but in many cases the illness may arise through psychological rather than toxic mechanisms.