基线BMI水平对急性胰腺炎发病风险影响的前瞻性队列研究

目的 探讨不同BMI水平对新发急性胰腺炎（AP）发病风险的影响。方法 观察人群来自开滦研究队列,按基线BMI水平分为：正常体重组（BMI<24 kg/m²）,超重组（BMI 24~28 kg/m²）和肥胖组（BMI ≥ 28 kg/m²）,观察不同BMI组人群新发AP发病密度。经Kaplan-Meier法绘制生存曲线,计算累积发病率,以log-rank法进行检验,并采用多因素Cox比例风险回归模型分析基线BMI水平对新发AP事件的影响。结果 共纳入统计分析者123 841人,随访（11.94±2.13）年,共发生AP 395例,总人群AP发病密度为2.67例/万人年,正常体重组、超重组和肥胖组AP发病密度分别为2.20、2.72和3.58例/万人年,累积发病率分别为0.32%、0.40%和0.49%。经log-rank检验,累积发病率的组间比较差异有统计学意义（χ²=13.17,P<0.01）。校正多因素Cox比例风险回归模型分析显示,与正常体重组比较,肥胖组AP发病风险增加,HR=1.45（95%CI：1.10~1.92）。对年龄及性别进行分层,年龄<60岁时,肥胖组发生AP的HR=1.58（95%CI：1.14~2.19）;男性肥胖组发生AP的HR=1.40（95%CI：1.03~1.90）。排除随访2年内发生的AP病例,肥胖组发生AP的HR=1.60（95%CI：1.18~2.15）。结论 肥胖是新发AP的危险因素,中青年男性肥胖人群发病风险更高。     

四川凉山彝族社会经济状况与超重/肥胖关系的研究

目的 探讨四川凉山彝族社会经济状况（SES）与超重/肥胖的关系。方法 采用分层整群抽样的方法,在凉山彝族自治州开展横断面调查,对20~80岁彝族农民和城镇移民社会经济状况与超重/肥胖的关系进行研究。以文化程度、个人年收入、SES综合指标作为社会经济状况的指标。用非条件logistic回归模型分析社会经济状况与超重/肥胖（BMI ≥ 24.0 kg/m²）的关系。结果 共纳入彝族农民1 894人,彝族移民1 162人。调整年龄、吸烟、饮酒、体力活动后,相对于文盲,彝族农民男性文化程度较高组（小学及初中、高中及以上）超重/肥胖OR值分别为1.71（95%CI：1.13~2.58）、4.15（95%CI：2.10~8.22）;年收入≥ 5 000元组相比于<5 000元组OR值为1.66（95%CI：1.12~2.44）;中、高SES综合指标组相比于低SES组OR值为1.65（95%CI：1.02~2.67）、3.26（95%CI：1.97~5.42）。彝族农民女性年收入≥ 5 000元组相比于<5 000元组OR值为1.49（95%CI：1.10~2.02）;中SES综合指标组相比于低SES综合指标组OR值为1.47（95%CI：1.11~1.95）。彝族移民中,未发现社会经济状况与超重/肥胖存在显著性关联。结论 彝族农民社会经济状况与超重/肥胖存在正向关联。     

高血压人群中体质指数与全死因死亡风险的队列研究

目的 探讨高血压队列人群中BMI和全死因死亡风险的关系。方法 研究对象为河南省某农村地区高血压队列人群,应用Cox风险比例回归模型计算基线时不同BMI水平人群随访期间的全死因死亡比例HR值及其95% CI,并采用限制性立方样条模型拟合BMI与全死因死亡风险的剂量-反应关系。结果 5 461名高血压队列人群累积随访31 048.38人年,平均随访6年,随访期间死亡589人。控制潜在的混杂因素后,以基线正常体重组（18.5 kg/m² < BMI < 24.0 kg/m²）为参照,低体重组（BMI<18.5 kg/m²）、超重组（24.0 kg/m² < BMI < 28.0 kg/m²）和肥胖组（BMI≥28 kg/m²）人群发生死亡的HR值（95% CI）分别为0.83（0.37～1.87）、0.81（0.67～0.97）和0.72（0.56～0.91）。限制性立方样条模型分析结果显示,在高血压队列人群中,基线BMI和全死因死亡风险关联强度呈现倒“S”形非线性剂量反应关系（非线性检验P<0.001）。结论 超重和肥胖可能是高血压人群死亡风险的保护因素,与“肥胖悖论”一致。     

母亲孕前体质指数和孕期体重增加及其交互作用对新生儿出生体重的影响

目的 研究孕妇孕前BMI和孕期增重对新生儿出生体重的影响及其交互作用。方法 应用队列研究方法,选取2014年1月至2015年3月在安徽省安庆市立医院住院分娩的孕妇进行问卷调查,收集孕妇基本情况,并通过医院电子病历信息系统获取孕妇及新生儿信息。采用χ²检验、多分类logistic回归、相乘模型和相加模型分析孕妇孕前BMI、孕期增重及其交互作用与新生儿出生体重的关系。结果 共纳入单胎活产孕妇2 881例,其中小于胎龄儿359例（12.46%）,大于胎龄儿273例（9.48%）。多分类logistic回归分析显示,控制可能的混杂因素后,孕前体重过低（aRR=1.33,95%CI：1.02~1.73）与孕期增重不足（aRR=1.64,95%CI：1.23~2.19）可增加小于胎龄儿发生风险,孕前超重/肥胖（aRR=1.86,95%CI：1.33~2.60）与孕期增重过多（aRR=2.03,95%CI：1.49~2.78）可增加大于胎龄儿发生风险;交互作用分析显示,未发现二者对新生儿出生体重存在交互作用。结论 母亲孕前体重和孕期增重与新生儿出生体重相关,但未发现二者之间的交互作用。     

吉林省居民中心性肥胖及其前期流行特征的影响因素分析

目的 了解吉林省居民中心性肥胖及其前期的流行特征的影响因素,为制定相关预防与控制策略及措施提供参考依据。方法 本研究以2017-2018年吉林省心血管病高危人群早期筛查与综合干预项目为基础,纳入吉林省6个项目点35~75岁常住居民11 903人为研究对象,进行体格检查、实验室检测和问卷调查。采用χ²检验、趋势χ²检验、F检验计算不同特征人群和健康指标的中心性肥胖及其前期情况,其影响因素采用多因素logistic回归模型分析。结果 吉林省居民中心性肥胖率为33.35%（3 970/11 903）,标化率为31.73%,中心性肥胖前期率为28.79%（3 427/11 903）,标化率为28.86%。多因素分析结果显示,农村居民（OR=1.99,95%CI：1.78~2.23）、女性（OR=1.76,95%CI：1.57~1.97）、65~75岁组（OR=1.21,95%CI：1.03~1.45）、高中/中专文化程度（OR=1.38,95%CI：1.17~1.63）、家庭年收入>10万元（OR=1.65,95%CI：1.20~2.26）、超重（OR=9.27,95%CI：8.26~10.41）、肥胖（OR=82.82,95%CI：62.63~109.52）、正常高值血压（OR=1.49,95%CI：1.27~1.74）、高血压（OR=1.70,95%CI：1.42~2.04）、糖尿病（OR=2.30,95%CI：1.94~2.73）、血脂异常（OR=1.33,95%CI：1.18~1.50）与中心性肥胖及其前期发生风险呈正相关。结论 吉林省居民中心性肥胖及其前期率均处于较高水平,农村居民、女性、年龄大、高中/中专文化程度、高收入、超重、肥胖、正常高值血压、高血压、糖尿病、血脂异常是吉林省居民中心性肥胖及其前期的危险因素。     

孕前体质指数和孕期增重与子痫前期及其临床亚型的关系

目的 探讨孕前BMI和孕期增重与子痫前期（PE）及其临床亚型的发生风险的关系。方法 选取2012年3月至2016年9月在山西医科大学第一医院妇产科分娩的孕妇,根据纳入排除标准,共纳入9 274例孕妇,901例PE孕妇作为病例组,8 373例非PE孕妇作为对照组。收集一般人口学特征、孕前身高和体重、孕期生活方式、生育史和疾病史等资料,计算孕前BMI及孕期增重。采用非条件logistic回归分析孕前BMI和孕期增重与PE及其临床亚型的关系。结果 PE中早发型PE （EOPE）401例、晚发型PE （LOPE）500例,轻度PE （MPE）178例、重度PE （SPE）723例。PE孕妇和非PE孕妇在年龄、居住地、产次、妊娠期糖尿病及高血压家族史等方面差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。调整以上因素后,logistic回归分析结果显示,孕前BMI<18.5 kg/m²和孕期增重不足是PE的保护因素（OR=0.74,95%CI：0.56~0.98;OR=0.78,95%CI：0.62~0.99）,孕前BMI ≥ 24.0 kg/m²和孕期增重过多是PE的危险因素（OR=1.82,95%CI：1.54~2.14;OR=1.82,95%CI：1.54~2.15）。对PE临床亚型分析后结果显示,孕前BMI<18.5 kg/m²是EOPE和MPE的保护因素（OR=0.52,95%CI：0.32~0.83;OR=0.47,95%CI：0.23~0.97）,孕前BMI ≥ 24.0 kg/m²和孕期增重过多是PE临床亚型的危险因素。按孕前BMI分层后,孕前18.5 kg/m² ≤ BMI<24.0 kg/m²和孕前BMI ≥ 24.0 kg/m²的孕妇中孕期增重过多（OR=1.86,95%CI：1.51~2.30;OR=1.90,95%CI：1.39~2.60）均是PE的危险因素;孕前BMI ≥ 24.0 kg/m²的孕妇中孕期增重不足（OR=0.55,95%CI：0.34~0.89）是PE的保护因素。孕前BMI<18.5 kg/m²的孕妇中孕期增重过多（OR=4.05,95%CI：1.20~13.69）是EOPE的危险因素;孕前18.5 kg/m² ≤ BMI<24.0 kg/m²的孕妇中孕期增重过多是PE各临床亚型的危险因素;孕前BMI ≥ 24.0 kg/m²的孕妇中孕期增重不足是EOPE和MPE的保护因素（OR=0.39,95%CI：0.19~0.80;OR=0.29,95%CI：0.11~0.77）,孕期增重过多是EOPE、LOPE和SPE的危险因素（OR=1.60,95%CI：1.06~2.42;OR=2.20,95%CI：1.44~3.37;OR=2.28,95%CI：1.58~3.29）。结论 孕前BMI和孕期增重影响PE及其临床亚型的发生风险,且不同孕前BMI人群孕期增重对PE的影响有差异,提倡同时关注孕前BMI和孕期体重变化,从而减少PE发生。     

1991-2015年中国9省份18~64岁男性吸烟状况与肥胖风险的关系

目的 分析1991-2015年中国9省份18~64岁成年男性居民吸烟状况与肥胖患病风险的关系。方法 利用"中国健康与营养调查"1991-2015年9轮调查资料，选取参加两轮及以上、有完整人口统计学特征、吸烟状况和体格测量数据的18~64岁成年男性居民作为研究对象，共计32 169名。依据研究对象是否吸烟以及吸烟者每日吸烟数量将研究对象分为不吸烟、轻度吸烟（1~14支/d）、中度吸烟（15~24支/d）和重度吸烟（≥ 25支/d）组。观察不同吸烟程度下研究对象的BMI、腰围、全身性肥胖和中心性肥胖的分布情况，利用两水平混合效应线性回归模型和logistic回归模型分析男性吸烟状况与肥胖患病风险的关系。结果 不同吸烟程度下调查对象的BMI、腰围、全身性肥胖和中心性肥胖的患病率呈现逐年上升的趋势。在校正混杂因素后，轻、中和重度吸烟者BMI分别比不吸烟人群减少了0.19 kg/m²（95%CI：-0.27~-0.10）、0.40 kg/m²（95%CI：-0.49~-0.31）和0.36 kg/m²（95%CI：-0.53~-0.19）；腰围分别减少了0.49 cm （95%CI：-0.76~-0.21）、0.80 cm （95%CI：-1.08~-0.51）和0.79 cm （95%CI：-1.38~-0.36）。男性轻、中和重度吸烟者患全身性肥胖的风险分别是不吸烟者的0.70倍（OR=0.70，95%CI：0.62~0.79）、0.61倍（OR=0.61，95%CI：0.55~0.69）和0.78倍（OR=0.78，95%CI：0.65~0.96）；患中心性肥胖的风险分别是不吸烟者的0.78倍（OR=0.78，95%CI：0.73~0.84）、0.74倍（OR=0.74，95%CI：0.70~0.79）和0.84倍（OR=0.84，95%CI：0.76~0.95）。结论 1991-2015年间，男性不吸烟与吸烟（轻、中和重度）居民的BMI、腰围和肥胖患病率均呈现显著上升趋势。成年男性居民吸烟与肥胖患病风险呈显著性负向关联。     

体质指数和腰围对浙江地区成年人糖尿病发生影响的前瞻性研究

目的 探讨BMI和腰围对成年人糖尿病发病的影响。方法 使用"中国慢性病前瞻性研究"（CKB）浙江省桐乡市数据,剔除基线时自报患有恶性肿瘤、心脏病、脑卒中和糖尿病患者后,纳入分析30~79岁53 916人。采用Cox比例风险模型计算糖尿病发病风险比（HR）。结果 调查对象累计随访391 512人年（平均随访7.26年）。随访期间,男性944人和女性1 643人被新诊断为糖尿病。多因素调整后,与BMI正常组的人群相比,男性超重和肥胖组糖尿病发病的HR值（95%CI）分别为2.72（95%CI：2.47~2.99）和6.27（95%CI：5.33~7.36）。女性超重和肥胖组HR值（95%CI）分别为2.19（95%CI：2.04~2.36）和3.78（95%CI：3.36~4.26）;与腰围正常组的人群相比,男性Ⅰ级（85.0~89.9）和Ⅱ级中心性肥胖（≥ 90.0）组糖尿病发病的HR值（95%CI）分别为2.56（2.22~2.95）和4.66（4.14~5.24）。女性Ⅰ级（80.0~84.9）和Ⅱ级中心性肥胖（≥ 85.0）组HR值（95%CI）分别为1.99（1.80~2.21）和3.16（2.90~3.44）。结论 超重/肥胖以及中心性肥胖人群糖尿病发病风险均会升高。在开展控制体重预防糖尿病的同时,更应控制腰围。     

出生体重对成年期慢性病患病风险及血尿酸的影响研究

目的 探索出生体重对成年期罹患高血压、糖尿病等慢性病的患病风险,并研究出生体重与血尿酸的关系。方法 根据中国成年人慢性病与营养监测方案,在天津市河西、南开、红桥、武清、津南、宝坻、蓟州区共计调查1 131名成年人,收集其出生体重、血压等数据,并采集空腹静脉血检测血尿酸、血糖和血脂等。描述调查人群出生体重状况分布,并分析出生体重对其成年期罹患高血压、糖尿病等慢性病风险及与血尿酸的关系。结果 天津市调查人群平均出生体重为3.37 kg,男性高于女性;无论是超重/肥胖、高血压还是糖尿病,正常出生体重者成年期患病率最低,经单因素logistic回归分析,校正年龄、性别、吸烟、饮酒后发现,与正常出生体重者相比,低出生体重与成年期罹患糖尿病（OR=2.91,95%CI：1.46~5.76）、血脂异常（OR=1.79,95%CI：1.01~3.19）关联较强,巨大儿与成年期罹患超重/肥胖关联较强（OR=1.47,95%CI：1.08~2.01）;不同出生体重的血尿酸差异无统计学意义。结论 天津市调查人群低出生体重与其成年期糖尿病、血脂异常患病风险关联较大,巨大儿与其成年期超重/肥胖患病风险关联较大。     

2型糖尿病患者肥胖状态与全因死亡风险的关联研究

目的 分析不同肥胖状态与2型糖尿病（T2DM）患者全因死亡风险的关联。方法 研究对象来自浙江农村社区T2DM队列,该队列2016年完成基线调查,本研究使用的随访数据截至 2021年12月31日,剔除随访期间失访或资料不全者,共纳入10 310例研究对象。根据BMI和腰围将研究对象分为低体重、正常体型、单纯中心性肥胖、单纯全身肥胖、复合超重和复合肥胖6种状态,采用Cox比例风险回归模型分析不同肥胖状态T2DM患者的全因死亡风险比（HR）值及其95%CI。结果 研究对象累计随访57 049.47人年,随访（5.53±0.89）人年,随访期间共死亡971例,死亡密度为1 702.03/10万人年。以正常体型患者为对照,调整混杂因素后低体重患者全因死亡风险增加104%（HR=2.04,95%CI：1.42~2.92）,单纯全身肥胖、复合超重、复合肥胖患者的全因死亡风险分别下降34%（HR=0.66,95%CI：0.53~0.82）、22%（HR=0.78,95%CI：0.66~0.92）、38%（HR=0.62,95%CI：0.49~0.78）,单纯中心性肥胖患者全因死亡风险差异无统计学意义。亚组分析显示,不同性别和不同年龄组低体重T2DM患者全因死亡风险增加,女性复合肥胖患者全因死亡风险较正常体型患者下降50%,而男性该肥胖状态患者全因死亡风险差异无统计学意义;≥65岁老年患者中,单纯全身肥胖、复合超重、复合肥胖患者的全因死亡风险均明显低于正常体型组（HR=0.61,95%CI：0.48~0.78;HR=0.76,95%CI：0.63~0.91;HR=0.56,95%CI：0.42~0.73）,而<65岁的各种肥胖状态患者全因死亡风险差异无统计学意义。敏感性分析结果未见明显变化。结论 T2DM患者全因死亡风险存在“肥胖悖论”现象,低体重患者的全因死亡风险明显高于正常体型者,全身型或复合型超重/肥胖患者的死亡风险明显降低。     

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.     

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.     

Psychopathological features of a patient population of targets of workplace bullying

BACKGROUND: A strong association between workplace bullying and subsequent anxiety and depression, indicated by empirical research, suggests that bullying is an aetiological factor for mental health problems. AIMS: To evaluate levels of stress and anxiety-depression disorder developed by targets of workplace bullying together with outcome at 12 months and to characterize this population in terms of psychopathology and sociodemographic features. METHODS: Forty-eight patients (36 women and 12 men) meeting Leymann Inventory of Psychological Terror criteria for bullying were included in a prospective study. Evaluations were performed at first consultation and at 12 months using a standard clinical interview, a visual analogue scale of stress, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression (HAD) scale, the Beech scale of stress in the workplace and a projective test (Picture-Frustration Study). RESULTS: At first consultation, 81% of patients showed high levels of perceived stress at work and 83 and 52% presented with anxiety or depression, respectively. At 12 months, only 19% of working patients expressed a feeling of stress at work. There was a significant change in symptoms of anxiety while there was no change in symptoms of depression. Stress at work and depression influenced significatively capacity to go back to work. At 12-month assessments, workers showed a significantly better score on the HAD scale than non-workers. Over half the targets presented a neuroticism-related predominant personality trait. CONCLUSION: Workplace bullying can have severe mental health repercussions, triggering serious and persistent underlying disorders.     

The rise and fall in incidence of malignant mesothelioma from a British Naval Dockyard, 1979-1999

BACKGROUND: The incidence of malignant mesothelioma in Britain is predicted to rise over the next 15-25 years because of past failure to protect the workforce against inhalation of asbestos. In British Naval dockyards, alternative insulation materials and respiratory protection were introduced from the mid-1960s. Aims This study was carried out to investigate the effects of these control measures on mesothelioma deaths in dockyard workers. METHODS: Cases of mesothelioma of the pleura and peritoneum between 1979 and 1999 in workers from the Devonport Naval Dockyard, south-west England, were sought from coroners' and medico-legal records. RESULTS: Three hundred and one cases were identified, 7% peritoneal. The peak incidence occurred in 1991 with 25 cases per annum (quadratic model fit R(2) = 74.2%, P < 0.001) and we predict that by 2003 the incidence will fall to fewer than five cases per annum. The mean time between first exposure and presentation was 48.5 years [95% confidence interval (CI) = 47.3-49.8], but this was significantly shorter in the more heavily exposed trades, when compared with the less heavily exposed (42 years, 95% CI = 39.0-45.0, versus 49.5 years, 95% CI = 48.2-50.9). Those with higher exposure were also at significantly greater risk of peritoneal disease (P < 0.023, Fisher's exact test). CONCLUSION: The reduction in incidence of mesothelioma is greater than can be accounted for by reduction in numbers of dockyard workers over the last 50 years. Changes in insulation materials and improved industrial hygiene measures introduced into the Devonport Dockyard from the mid-1960s have resulted in an earlier decline in the incidence of malignant mesothelioma than that predicted for the British workforce as a whole.     

Organophosphate toxicity and occupational exposure

The ubiquitous organophosphates present a continuing health hazard in agriculture, public health eradication programmes and as chemical warfare agents. Despite significant progress in understanding the potential mechanisms of toxicity far beyond the commonly accepted mechanism of cholinesterase inhibition in intentional exposures, the precise health effects following occupational exposures are yet to be completely defined. A much greater understanding exists of the clinical features of organophosphate poisoning. These are characterized by a triphasic response involving an initial acute cholinergic phase, an intermediate syndrome (both associated with high mortality) and a disabling but non-lethal delayed polyneuropathy. The delayed polyneuropathy may occur in the absence of the cholinergic or intermediate phases. However, progress is still required in order to improve the quantification and assessment of occupational exposures and the implementation of appropriate preventive measures. Finally, evidence-based guidelines for appropriate or optimal therapeutic interventions following poisoning are required urgently and collaborative work with colleagues in developing countries, where the occurrence of organophosphate exposures is more frequent, may provide the answers.     

Miliaria rubra of the lower limbs in underground miners

This report documents a case series of miliaria rubra of the lower limbs in miners at a deep underground metalliferous mine in tropical arid Australia. During the summer months of February and March 1999, all cases of miliaria rubra of the lower limbs in underground miners seen at the mine's medical centre were clinically examined and administered a questionnaire. Twenty-five patients were seen, an incidence of 56.4 cases per million man-hours. Miliaria rubra was most often located between the ankle and knee (88% of cases). Twenty-four percent had concurrent folliculitis and 20% had concurrent tinea. Thirty-two percent had a personal history of asthma. Walking through ground-water and splashing of the legs was common. Three to 4 weeks of sedentary duties in air conditioning was generally required to achieve resolution of miliaria rubra. The incidence of miliaria rubra of the lower limbs is 38% of the incidence of heat exhaustion at the same mine. The length of disablement is greater, however. Atopics may be at increased risk of miliaria rubra. Control measures are discussed.     

Planning research

The starting point for any research project should be a question.Once this has been defined and the relevant scientific literaturereviewed, a protocol should be drawn up. This will be used notonly as a guide to the conduct of the study and in the preparationof the final report, but also in seeking any financial supportand approvals that are required for the investigation. A protocolis normally arranged in sections covering the background tothe study, the question(s) that it will address, the methodsthat will be used for the collection and analysis of data, thestatistical power of the investigation (where relevant), anyethical considerations, and the financial input that will beneeded. A pilot study is often helpful where aspects of thestudy method are untried or of uncertainvalidity.     

Stress in the Norwegian police service

BACKGROUND: High levels of stress have been attributed to the conditions of police work, but there is little empirical evidence for this. AIMS: To develop a new instrument to measure job stress in the police; to assess the most severe and frequent police stressors; to compare levels of stress according to the demographic and organizational factors; and to study stress in relation to personality traits, work locus of control and coping strategies. METHODS: A comprehensive nationwide questionnaire survey of 3272 Norwegian police at all hierarchical levels, including the Norwegian Police Stress Survey (NPSS), the Job Stress Survey, the Basic Character Inventory, the Work Locus of Control Scale, and the Coping Strategies Scale. RESULTS: Work injuries were appraised as the most stressful but least frequent stressor and job pressure was reported the least severe but most frequent stressor. Females experienced job stressors less frequently, but appraised them as more severe than men did. Older police officers reported more job pressure severity and fewer work injuries. The police in districts where peer support was planned but not implemented, and who worked in districts with more than 50,000 inhabitants, perceived the lack of support more severely than others. The correlations between stress and personality traits, work locus of control, and coping were moderate. CONCLUSIONS: The NPSS captures police-specific stressors that are not adequately measured by global stress instruments. The study of stress in police work should preferably involve a nationwide use of police-specific stress instruments.