TNFSF4基因多态性RS3861950与无症状颈动脉易损斑块易感性研究

目的 进一步明确肿瘤坏死因子超家族第4成员(TNFSF4)基因单核苷酸多态性(SNP)在无症状颈动脉易损斑块中的作用,以及对动脉粥样硬化性脑梗死早期预警的意义。方法 利用颈动脉超声筛选无脑卒中症状和体征的颈动脉易损斑块患者510例(病例组),以及性别年龄匹配的无颈动脉易损斑块的健康体检人群485例(对照组),采用TAQMAN-PCR方法检测TNFSF4基因SNP rs3850641、rs3861950基因型。结果 两位点的基因型分布均符合Hardy-Weinberg平衡检验。TNFSF4基因rs3861950位点CC/TT基因型在病例组和对照组中分别为7.1%/57.8%和2.8%/67.6%,两者差异有统计学意义(χ²=25.28,P< 0.000 1);C/T等位基因频率两组比较差异亦有统计学意义(χ²=9.13,P=0.003;OR=1.41,95%CI:1.12～1.76)。TNFSF4 基因rs3850641位点AA/GG基因型在病例组和对照组中分别为68.7%/3.4%和64.8%/31.4%,两者差异无统计学意义(χ²=1.73,P=0.42);A/G等位基因频率两组比较差异亦无统计学意义(χ²=1.47,P=0.225;OR=1.16,95%CI:0.92～1.46)。结论 TNFSF4基因SNP位点rs3861950可能与中国湖南省人群颈动脉易损斑块形成的发生密切相关。TNFSF4基因多态性可参与大动脉粥样硬化型脑梗死的发生。     

71例男性乳腺癌患者临床与预后分析

目的探讨男性乳腺癌(MBC)患者临床病理特征及其预后。方法回顾性分析天津医科大学附属肿瘤医院2002年3月至2012年3月71例MBC患者的临床病理及生存资料。结果MBC患者年龄43~84(M=62)岁，中位年龄大于同期女性乳腺癌(FBC)患者(t=6．355，P=0．000)，与同期FBC例数之比为o．42%(71：16 796)；MBC病理类型以浸润性导管癌(x²=29．875，P=0．000)、临床分期以>ⅢA(x²=13．377，P=0．037)多见。MBC患者雌激素受体阳性率明显高于FBC患者，而人类表皮生长因子受体-2(HER-2)阳性率明显低于FBC患者x²=3．741，P=0．048；x²=12．845，P-0．002)。单因素和多因素分析发现MBC患者预后比FBC患者差(P-0.004，P=0.046)。MBC患者的HER-2表达水平是影响其预后的重要因素(x²=4．219，P=0．040)。结论MBC与FBC的临床特征及预后均存在显著差异。HER一2阳性可能对MBC的预后及治疗有重要意义。     

杭州地区2011－2013年儿童呼吸道感染人偏肺病毒分子流行病学研究

目的 了解杭州地区儿童人偏肺病毒(hMPV)的分子流行病学特点.方法 收集2011年1月至2013年12月杭州市2所哨点医院儿科呼吸道门诊和住院病例2 593例,门诊病例采集咽拭子1 676份,住院病例采集气管吸取物917份.用实时荧光定量PCR方法检测hMPV核酸,阳性样本用RT-PCR方法对hMPV 融合蛋白(F)部分基因片段扩增和序列测定.所测基因序列与GenBank代表株核苷酸同源性比较,并构建基因进化树.结果采用描述性统计和样本率的χ²检验.结果 杭州地区呼吸道患儿hMPV检出率为6.51%(169/2 593).门诊检出率为6.62%(111/1 676),住院检出率为6.32%(58/917),检出率差异无统计学意义(χ²=0.086,P=0.769).2岁和3岁组检出率最高,分别为14.14%(28/198)、14.01%(22/158),与其他组比较差异有统计学意义(χ²=38.654,P=0.000).冬春季检出高于夏秋季(χ²=67.032,P=0.000).测序的88株阳性基因序列与GenBank参考株核苷酸序列同源性为81.6%～100.0%,基因进化树分析显示分属于2个基因型的4个亚型. 2011－2012年B1亚型占优势,2012年底至2013年A2型为流行.<1岁组A基因型(67.56%,25/37)与≥1岁组(43.13%,22/51)检出率差异有统计学意义(χ²=5.143,P=0.023).结论 杭州地区儿童呼吸道感染hMPV存在4种基因型,<1岁组A基因型感染较多,2、3岁组hMPV检出率最高.     

河南省新确证HIV感染者中HIV原发耐药状况研究

目的 了解河南省新确证未进行抗病毒治疗的HIV感染者中HIV耐药株的流行状况。方法 收集河南省6个地区2013年1-6月和2014年1-6月新确证上报的HIV感染者的网络直报信息资料,并进行血样采集、基因型耐药检测和序列分析。结果 624例患者中有45例患者被检测到耐药株,原发耐药率为7.21%,属中度流行。单因素分析发现女性的原发耐药率高于男性(χ²=11.463,P=0.001),20岁以下病例的原发耐药率高于其他年龄段(χ²=8.969,P=0.011),文盲的原发耐药率高于其他文化水平的人群(χ²=18.072,P=0.001),B亚型的原发耐药率高于其他亚型(χ²=9.897,P=0.019),多因素分析发现女性中发生原发耐药的风险高(OR=2.194,95%CI:1.111~4.331)。非核苷类反转录酶抑制剂(NNRTI)、核苷类反转录酶抑制剂(NRTI)和蛋白酶抑制剂(PI)耐药突变的发生率分别为4.97%、3.53%和1.12%。M184V/I(2.08%)和K103N/S(2.88%)分别是出现最多的NRTI和NNRTI耐药突变。有4例出现多个NRTI耐药突变。B亚型是624例中占比最多的基因亚型(51.76%,323/624例),其次为CRF07_BC(23.72%,148/624例)和CRF01_AE(19.71%,123/624例)。结论 HIV耐药株在河南省新确证HIV感染者中出现了中度流行,应加强对HIV耐药株传播的监测,适时开展治疗前的耐药检测。     

肿瘤转移抑制基因KISS-1蛋白、基质金属蛋白酶-2和血管内皮生长因子在结肠癌组织中的表达及临床意义

目的 检测结肠癌组织中肿瘤转移抑制基因KISS-1蛋白(KISS-1)、基质金属蛋白酶-2(MMP-2)和血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)的表达,分析其与结肠癌病理特征的相关性。方法 收集2009年1月至2010年6月在潍坊市人民医院60例行结肠癌切除术患者的癌组织标本作为观察组,60例良性结肠疾病手术患者的切除组织作为对照组。采用免疫组织化学法检测KISS-1、MMP-2和VEGF的表达。结果 观察组KISS-1、MMP-2和VEGF阳性表达率分别为31.7%、58.3%和78.3%,对照组分别为73.3%、16.7%和33.3%;观察组KISS-1阳性表达率明显低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(χ²=23.489,P<0.001);观察组MMP-2和VEGF的阳性表达率明显高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(χ²=27.469,P<0.001; χ²=25.817,P<0.001)。KISS-1、MMP-2和VEGF的表达与结肠癌组织学分型和TNM分期均有明显关系,差异有统计学意义(χ²=8.997,P=0.011; χ²=6.163,P=0.013; χ²=8.519,P=0.014; χ²=9.160,P=0.002; χ²=16.577,P<0.001; χ²=10.523,P=0.001)。结论 KISS-1、MMP-2和VEGF检测有助于了解结肠癌分化程度和临床分期,并为判断预后和个体化治疗提供参考依据。     

2006－2013年全国伤害监测系统中非机动车道路交通伤害病例分布趋势及现况特征分析

目的 分析2006－2013年全国非机动车道路交通伤害、门/急诊就诊病例的分布特点。方法 对2006－2013年因伤害首次在全国伤害监测系统(NISS)哨点医院门/急诊就诊的非机动车道路交通伤害病例进行描述性分析。结果 2006－2011年非机动车道路交通伤害病例占当年道路交通伤害病例的比例波动较平稳。2013年非机动车道路交通伤害病例占当年道路交通伤害病例的比例较2012年比例上升,差异有统计学意义(χ²=508.138,P<0.001)。2013年非机动车道路交通伤害病例中男性多于女性,差异有统计学意义(χ²=41.018,P<0.001),年龄多集中在15～64岁年龄组。2013年城市地区非机动车道路交通伤害病例占全部非机动车道路交通伤害病例的比例(52.11%)高于农村地区(47.89%),差异有统计学意义(χ²=88.427,P<0.001)。伤害部位以下肢 (29.08%)和头部(24.82%)为主。伤害性质主要为挫伤/擦伤(73.54%)、骨折(10.72%)和扭伤/拉伤(5.49%)。伤害严重程度以轻度为主(80.49%),伤害结局以病例治疗后回家(82.34%)为主。结论 2006－2011年非机动车道路交通伤害病例占当年道路交通伤害病例的比例波动较平稳,2013年较2012年比例上升。非机动车道路交通伤害病例以男性为主,多为青壮年人群,应根据非机动车道路交通伤害病例的性别、年龄差异开展有针对性的预防措施。     

新疆维吾尔自治区夏尔西里自然保护区全沟硬蜱复合感染蜱媒病原研究

目的 了解新疆维吾尔自治区(新疆)夏尔西里自然保护区全沟硬蜱蜱媒病原复合感染情况。方法 2012年6月至2013年6月在新疆夏尔西里自然保护区采用布旗法采集全沟硬蜱,通过巢式PCR方法对蜱体内莱姆病伯氏疏螺旋体[Borrelia(B.) burgdorferi] 5S~23S rRNA 基因间隔区、无形体(Anaplasma)16S rRNA基因、斑点热立克次体(Rickettsia)ompA基因、Q热贝氏柯克斯体Coxiella(C.)burneti的com1基因、巴贝西原虫(Babesia)的Nss-rRNA基因进行扩增。结果 204只全沟硬蜱中104只蜱病原检测阳性,阳性率为50.98%,其中伯氏疏螺旋体阳性率为34.31%(n=70),斑点热立克次体阳性率为28.92%(n=59),嗜吞噬细胞无形体阳性率为9.31%(n=19),未检出Q热贝氏柯克斯体和巴贝西原虫。χ²检验显示,不同病原感染率差异有统计学意义(χ²=38.517,P=0.000)。204只蜱中有39只存在复合感染,复合感染率为19.12%(39/204),在病原检测阳性蜱中复合感染率为37.50%(39/104)。伯氏疏螺旋体与斑点热立克次体复合感染率为16.18%(n=33);伯氏疏螺旋体与嗜吞噬细胞无形体复合感染率为4.90%(n=10),斑点热立克次体与嗜吞噬细胞无形体复合感染率为2.94%(n=6),3种病原体复合感染率为2.45%(n=5)。经χ²检验,3种病原混合感染率差异有统计学意义(χ²=41.328,P=0.000)。结论 新疆夏尔西里自然保护区全沟硬蜱存在伯氏疏螺旋体、嗜吞噬细胞无形体、斑点热立克次体的自然感染,并存在2~3种病原的复合感染。     

天津市2005-2014年成年人百日咳流行特征及相关因素分析

目的 分析天津市成年人百日咳流行特征及相关因素。方法 采用描述流行病学方法分析2005-2014年天津市成年人百日咳流行特征及其家庭聚集性发病的传播特征,应用ELISA对18~83岁人群百日咳IgG综合抗体的免疫水平进行检测。结果 2005-2014年天津市共诊断882例百日咳病例,其中成年人252例(28.57%),年均发病率为0.16/10万,2013年发病率最高(0.46/10万)。21~30岁年龄组病例占36.12%(91/252),女性病例多于男性,差异有统计学意义(χ²=41.14,P<0.001)。涉及到成年人百日咳聚集性发病共126起,有3种传播模式,其中成年人→婴幼儿传播模式98起(77.78%),是百日咳家庭聚集性发病的主要传播模式。在成年人→婴幼儿传播模式中,首发病例为患儿父母亲的为80起(81.64%),是婴幼儿百日咳发病的最主要传染模式。百日咳IgG综合抗体平均阳性率为55.20%(95%CI:51.96%~58.44%),随着年龄增长呈线性相关(Pearson相关系数r=0.98,P=0.003)和上升趋势(χ²=11.79,P=0.001)。结论 成年人已经成为天津市百日咳新的高发人群且是婴幼儿病例的主要传染源,其百日咳IgG综合抗体水平较低,建议探讨成年人百日咳疫苗的预防接种。     

妊娠期妇女甲状腺功能减退对妊娠结局和胎儿影响的分析

目的 分析妊娠期妇女甲状腺功能减退(甲减)对妊娠结局和胎儿的影响。方法 选择2013年1月至2015年10月在上海市第八人民医院行产前检查并分娩的4286例孕妇为研究对象,入组患者均在孕10周时行甲状腺功能检查,分为甲减、亚临床甲状腺功能减退(亚甲减)和健康3组,分析甲减发生状况及其对妊娠结局和胎儿的影响。结果 共检出甲减209例,发生率为4.9%(209/4286),其中临床甲减85例,亚甲减124例。健康组早产发生率(1.0%)明显低于甲减组(10.6%)和亚甲减组(6.5%),差异有统计学意义(χ²=38.884,P<0.001;χ²=17.722,P<0.001);健康组贫血发生率(3.8%)明显低于甲减组(18.8%)和亚甲减组(9.7%),差异有统计学意义(χ²=30.949,P<0.001;χ²=23.275,P<0.001);健康组低体重发生率(1.1%)明显低于甲减组(14.1%)和亚甲减组(4.8%),差异有统计学意义(χ²=50.593,P<0.001;χ²=15.637,P<0.001);健康组胎儿窘迫发生率(1.9%)明显低于甲减组(10.6%)和亚甲减组(5.6%),差异有统计学意义(χ²=19.257,P<0.001;χ²=12.357,P<0.001);健康组胎儿Apgar评分(9.69±0.32)明显高于甲减组(9.25±0.45)和亚甲减组(9.28±0.44),差异有统计学意义(t=8.823,P<0.001;t=15.175,P<0.001)。结论 妊娠期妇女甲减可对妊娠结局和胎儿构成不利影响,临床应加强妊娠期妇女相关检查,早发现早治疗。     

母亲MTHFR 677C/T多态性和孕期状况与子代发生先天性心脏病的相关性研究

目的 探讨母亲孕期MTHFR 677C/T多态性、孕期状况在子代先天性心脏病(CHD)发生中的相互关系。方法 采用病例对照研究,调查100对CHD胎儿和无CHD胎儿生物学母亲有关人口学、孕期环境相关情况、优生认知,并检测MTHFR 677C/T基因多态性以及血清同型半胱氨酸(HCY)、叶酸、VitB12水平,进行单因素和多因素非条件logistic回归分析。结果 病例组和对照组MTHFR 677C/T基因型和等位基因频率差异无统计学意义(χ²=1.08,P=0.582;χ²=0.53,P=0.468),血清HCY水平两组差异有统计学意义(t=-8.14,P=0.000)。单因素分析,14个因素有统计学意义(P<0.05);多因素logistic逐步回归分析,母亲教育程度(OR=3.386,95%CI:1.279~8.961)、家庭年收入(OR=8.699,95%CI:2.177~34.765)、患慢性病(OR=0.343,95%CI:0.134~0.881)、优生认知得分(OR=0.906,95%CI:0.836~0.981)、血清HCY水平(OR=1.734,95%CI:1.458~1.986)、异常生育史(OR=3.710,95%CI:1.217~11.308)等因素与子代CHD相关。结论 母亲MTHFR 677C/T多态性与子代CHD发生未发现关联;母亲教育程度低、家庭年收入低、异常生育史、优生认知得分低、血清HCY水平高可能增加子代CHD的发生危险。     

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.