Design and conduct of occupational epidemiology studies: III. Design aspects of case-control studies

Currently available approaches for the design of occupational case-control studies are reviewed. An accompanying paper reviews methods of analysis. We commence by drawing a distinction between cohort-based and registry-based studies. Methods for selecting cases and controls are then reviewed, including cumulative incidence and incidence density sampling, matching, sources of controls, and issues in control selection. Finally, the advantages and disadvantages of the case-control approach are summarized.     

Overseas Occupational Therapists in Australia: the Issue of Recognition

The Australian government established the Council on Overseas Professional Qualifications (COPQ) in 1969. In response to approaches by the occupational therapy profession, an Expert Panel in Occupational Therapy was established in 1979 in order to develop a screening examination to be used in assessing the competency of overseas trained occupational therapists. This paper describes the development of the COPQ examination for all overseas qualified occupational therapists wishing to work in Australia; the experience of candidates since its inception in 1983; and the problems associated with achieving recognition of the COPQ examination throughout Australia given the lack of uniform recognition procedures in the various States and Territories. The need for a consistent national approach to the policy of recognition and employment of overseas trained occupational therapists is addressed, with stress placed on the need for all employer groups, in both the public and the private sectors, to cooperate with COPQ's assessment procedures.     

When work strain transcends psychological boundaries: an inquiry into the relationship between time pressure,irritation, work–family conflict and psychosomatic complaints

Against the theoretical background of the effort–recovery model and the action regulation theory, the author presents a cross‐sectional questionnaire study testing hypotheses about the relationship between work‐related time pressure, cognitive and emotional irritation, work–family conflict and psychosomatic complaints. Subjects were 576 female home care nurses. Results of a path analysis show that the relation of time pressure and psychosomatic complaints is partially mediated by experiencing a work–family conflict; also the relation of time pressure and work–family conflict is partially mediated by cognitive and emotional irritation. It is argued that cognitive and emotional irritation are fruitful concepts for a more comprehensive understanding of the relationship between work stressors and the development of strain‐based work–family conflict. Implications for the prevention of work–family conflict are outlined. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Grip and pinch strength among selected adult occupational groups

A survey of 402 normal subjects (203 men, 199 women) was conducted to assist in distinguishing potential differences in norms of hand strength. Norm data had previously been collected from mixed occupational groups, but in the present study it was hypothesised that people involved in heavy manual work on a daily basis might possess greater hand strength than others. The volunteers were adults working in industry and agriculture; they were subdivided into occupational categories. Measurements of grip, key and palmar pinch using the Jamar dynamometer and B and L pinch gauge were collected, using the protocol described by Mathiowetz. Volunteers also rated their individual hand strength job requirements subjectively. Mean values were established with regard to age, sex, dominance, occupational group and subjective rating. Significant differences were found with regard to age and sex but not to dominance; there was no evidence of differences between occupational groups or between subjective rating and individual scoring, i.e. volunteers who perceived their job as requiring a high degree of strength did not achieve higher test measurements than others. A high interrater reliability was demonstrated when comparing these follow-up measurements with the original data. It was concluded that, for clinical and rehabilitative purposes, therapists can interpret assessment of outcome most accurately by comparing patients' results with the existing norm data.     

职业性慢性轻度苯中毒诊治分析

目的 对长期慢性接触苯及同系物患者进行职业病诊断.方法 依据卫生部《职业健康监护管理办法》中的《职业健康检查项目及周期》中的要求,对患者进行职业健康检查,依据GBZ68-2002《职业性苯中毒诊断标准》的有关规定对患者进行复查.结果 该患者在3个月内每1～2周复查1次全血,白细胞计数持续低于4×109/L并常有头晕、头痛、乏力、失眠、记忆力减退等症状,依据GBZ68-2002《职业性苯中毒诊断标准》诊断为职业性慢性轻度苯中毒.结论 长期慢性接触苯可引起造血系统损害.     

布氏杆菌性脊柱炎临床影像学表现及外科治疗

[目的]探讨布氏杆菌性脊椎炎的临床表现、影像学特点与外科治疗，以便提高该病的临床诊断和治疗水平。[方法]本组16例均行X线摄片并行CT检查，病灶分布腰椎多于胸椎，其中L4发病率最高，其中7例行MRI检查；16例血清试管凝集法滴度均大于1：160，虎红平板凝集试验阳性，酶联免疫吸附试验检查特异性抗体IgM、IgG阳性，11例作病原学检查。[结果]14例入院前临床、X线及CT误诊为脊柱结核，误诊率87．5％；经MRI扫描误诊5例，误诊率71．43％；本组16例入院确诊后，在药物治疗基础上，2例采取介入方法，7例采取手术病灶清除，病理符合布氏杆菌性脊椎炎的细胞学表现。本组仅12例（包括手术8例）进行随访1～2年，痊愈10例，好转2例，愈后无复发。[结论]布氏杆菌性脊椎炎临床与影像学具有特征性表现；正确选择微创术和手术病灶清除术可以缩短疗程，减少并发症，提高治愈率；无论手术还是非手术治疗，长期、足量、联合、多途径敏感抗生素的应用是治疗和防止本病复发的最主要和最可靠方法。