Risk factors for machinery-related injury among Iowa farmers: a case-control study nested in the Agricultural Health Study

Farm machinery is a major cause of injury morbidity and mortality among farmers. This case-control study assessed risk factors for machinery-related injuries among Iowa farmers. A screener questionnaire sent to 6,999 farmers in 1998 identified 205 farmers who had machinery-related injuries requiring medical advice/treatment in the previous year. Possible risk factors for injury were assessed among these farmers compared with 473 farmers with no injury in the previous year. A multiple logistic regression analysis showed significant associations between machinery-related injury and hours per week spent on farmwork (OR = 2.02; 95% CI 1.38-2.94), fewer years of farming experience (OR = 1.79; 95% CI 1.14-2.79), wearing a hearing aid (OR = 4.37; 95% CI 1.55-12.25), and a high CAGE score suggesting problem drinking (OR = 2.49; 95% CI 1.00-6.19). This is the first study to show associations between machinery-related injury and hearing impairment, problem drinking, and fewer years of farming experience. These findings may be useful for future interventions to decrease injuries related to farm machinery.     

Risk factors for back pain among male farmers: analysis of Iowa Farm Family Health and Hazard Surveillance Study.

BACKGROUND: Back pain causes considerable morbidity, disability, and economic loss among workers. Farmers handle heavy objects, often in awkward postures. However, the prevalence of back pain among farmers and the risk factors associated with back pain are not well known. METHODS: In this study, we assess the frequency of risk factors for back pain among 287 Iowa male farmers. From 1992 to 1994, using a mail questionnaire, we collected data on potential risk factors for back pain. Eighteen months later, we surveyed occurrence of back pain as the outcome measure. RESULTS: Thirty-one percent of farmers reported having daily back pain for a week or more during the past 12 months compared to 18.5% in the general working population. Using a multiple logistic regression model, we found two factors associated with back pain: 45-59 years of age (OR = 2.13, 95% CI 1.02-4.43) and having a non-agricultural job as the major occupation (OR = 2.02, 95% CI 0.98-4.17, P = 0.055). CONCLUSIONS: Farmers had a significantly higher prevalence of back pain than the general working population. Middle-aged farmers and those with additional non-agricultural jobs had the highest risk for back pain.     

Risk factors for low back injury among farmers in Iowa: A case-control study nested in the agricultural health study

The aim of this study was to assess risk factors for low back injury requiring medical advice or treatment among Iowa farmers. Although farmers are at risk for low back injury, few studies have addressed risk factors for farm work-related low back injury. We screened 6999 participants in the Iowa portion of the Agricultural Health Study to identify 49 male farmers who reported farm work-related low back injury requiring medical advice or treatment in the previous year. We compared them with 465 uninjured male farmer controls. Multivariable modeling identified four risk factors significantly associated with low back injury: age less than 45 years (OR = 3.32; 95% CI 1.75-6.20), doctor-diagnosed asthma (OR = 4.26; 95% CI 1.49-12.10), education beyond high school (OR = 2.12; 95% CI 1.13-3.90), and difficulty hearing normal conversation (even with a hearing aid, in the case of those using one) (OR = 1.98; 95% CI 1.02-3.80). Although hearing difficulty may be a general risk factor for occupational injury, asthma may be a more specific risk factor for low back injury. Future research to assess the risk factors, asthma and difficulty hearing, may be particularly important, since farmers are at increased risk for hearing loss, and farmers come into contact with many inhaled agents that can cause asthma.     

Work-related injuries among Iowa farm operators: An analysis of the Iowa Farm Family Health and Hazard Surveillance Project

In 1994, the Iowa Farm Family Health and Hazard Surveillance Project carried out a two-stage, stratified, cluster survey of Iowa farms using a mail survey. With data from this representative sample of Iowa farmers, we examined the associations between farm-work–related injuries and possible risk factors for 390 principal farm operators. Forty (10.3%) of these operators reported being injured while doing farm work. We developed a logistic regression to assess associations between potential risk factors and injury. We found three factors significantly associated with injury: younger age (odds ratio [OR] = 3.1, confidence interval [CI] = 1.1–9.3), having an impairment or health problem that limits work (OR = 2.4, CI = 1.5–3.8), and hand or arm exposure to acids or alkalis (OR = 2.6, CI = 1.1–5.9). In the univariate analysis, safety training did not seem to protect farmers from injuries. Am. J. Ind. Med. 33:510–517, 1998. Published 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Risk factors for skin cancers: a nested case-control study within the Nurses' Health Study

BACKGROUND: Constitutional factors and sun exposure are associated with skin cancer risk. However, these relations are complex and differ according to skin cancer type. METHODS: We examined the associations of constitutional risk factors and sun exposure with the risks of three types of skin cancer simultaneously and evaluated the interaction between constitutional susceptibility and sun exposure in a nested case-control study within the Nurses' Health Study [200 melanoma, 275 squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and 283 basal cell carcinoma (BCC) cases, and 804 controls]. Information regarding skin cancer risk factors was obtained from the retrospective supplementary questionnaire. RESULTS: Constitutional susceptibility was an independent risk factor for all three types of skin cancer. Sunlamp usage or tanning salon attendance was a risk factor for melanoma after adjusting for potential confounding variables (OR for ever vs never usage, 2.06, 95% CI 1.30-3.26). Higher sun exposure while wearing a bathing suit was an independent risk factor for all three types of skin cancer. We observed a significant interaction between constitutional susceptibility and sun exposure while wearing a bathing suit on melanoma risk (P, interaction, 0.03); women with the highest susceptibility and highest exposure had an OR of 8.37 (95% CI 3.07-22.84). This interaction was weaker and non-significant for SCC and BCC. CONCLUSIONS: These data largely confirm past studies on risk factors for skin cancer but provide evidence of difference on the strength of these risk factors for melanoma compared with SCC and BCC.     

石家庄市社区老年人跌倒危险因素分析

目的 了解河北省石家庄市老年人跌倒流行状况及其危险因素,为老年人跌倒预防提供依据。方法 采用随机抽样方法,在石家庄市2个基本条件相当的社区抽取1 609名≥60岁老年人进行跌倒危险因素调查。结果 被调查的1 609名老年人中,180人在过去1年中发生跌倒,跌倒率为11.2%;多因素logistic回归分析结果表明,女性(OR=1.483)、高龄(OR=1.340)、静态平衡能力下降(OR=1.550)、动态平衡能力下降(OR=1.560)、有跌倒史(OR=10.461)、患有脑血管疾病(OR=2.298)、患有骨质增生(OR=1.996)、连续服药≥3个月(OR=1.604)、马桶旁没有扶手(OR=1.929)、骨质疏松高危人群(OR=1.903)、有骨折病史(OR=2.466)等是老年人跌倒的危险因素。结论 石家庄市老年人跌倒是多种因素综合作用的结果,其中有跌倒史的老年人发生跌倒的危险性最高,应采取综合措施预防跌倒。     

Risk factors for cryptorchidism: a nested case-control study

Summary. .A nested case-control study of cryptorchidism (i.e. undescended testicles) was undertaken as part of a hospital-based cohort study of 6699 singleton male neonates in New York City. Since some of the cryptorchid infants experienced spontaneous descent of their testes, separate analysis was performed for this third group of late descenders' ( n = 140). Cases ( n = 63) represented infants whose testes remained undescended at the one year assessment. Controls ( n =219) represented the next male infant who was delivered immediately after an infant who was cryptorchid at birth. The only independent risk factors for cryptorchidism were Asian ethnic group (adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 3.90,95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.22-12.41), swollen legs or feet during pregnancy (adjusted OR=2.16, 95% CI = 1.15-4.04), a family history of cryptorchidism (adjusted OR=4.32, 95% CI = 1.91-9.80), low birthweight (adjusted OR = 4.10, 95% CI = 1.39-12.08), and use of analgesics during pregnancy (adjusted OR = 1.93/95% CI = 1.03-3.62). Multiple logistic regression analysis was also performed to identify those factors that were associated with late testicular descent. In this analysis the independent risk factors were black or Hispanic ethnicity (adjusted OR = 2.05, 95% CI = 1.09-3.83), a family history of cryptorchidism (adjusted OR = 4.25,95% CI = 1.84-9.78), consumption of cola-containing drinks during the pregnancy (adjusted OR = 2.09, 95% CI = 1.10-3.99), a low birthweight delivery (adjusted OR = 9.78, 95% CI = 3.39-28.20), and preterm birth (adjusted OR = 4.01, 95% CI = 1.66-9.70).     

Cancer in Iowa farmers: recent results

Previous analysis of Iowa death certificates from 1971 through 1978 identified several cancers with significantly elevated mortality in farmers. Subsequent ecological studies identified farm practices, including pesticide usage, that might be associated with these mortalities. These results led to several case-control studies and a similar analysis of more recent death certificates. 'Usual occupation' has been added to the death certificate tapes for the years 1979-1986. Cancer mortality in Iowa farmers for this period is very similar to that for 1971-1978. Case-control studies for acute lymphocytic leukemia and multiple myeloma indicated that farming in general is not a risk factor for either cancer type. However, exposure to general classes of insecticides and herbicides is associated with an elevated odds ratio in farmers for incidence of multiple myeloma. The odds ratios are not statistically significant at the 5% level, probably due to relatively small numbers of cases and controls exposed to any one class of pesticides.     

Risk factors for nosocomial candidaemia: a case-control study in children

Candida spp. are increasingly important nosocomial pathogens in critically ill children. Data on risk factors of acquisition in children with candidaemia are limited. To determine the incidence, prognosis and risk factors for acquisition of nosocomial candidaemia in children, a prospective case-control study was performed between July 1998 and January 2000. Candidaemia was defined as the presence of at least one positive blood culture containing Candida spp. For each case, two controls were selected and matched for time and site of hospital admission. Logistic regression was used to obtain estimates of risk after simultaneous control for other variables. Candidaemia was diagnosed in 24 children (1.09/1000 admissions). The species most frequently isolated were Candida albicans (50%) and Candida parapsilosis (17%). Mean age was 58.2+/-58 months between cases and 41.8+/-52.2 months in controls (P not significant). The strongest risk factors for acquisition found in the univariate analysis were underlying disease, previous antibiotic treatment, the number of antibiotics administered, presence of a long-duration catheter and total parenteral nutrition (P<0.05). Sex, the site of hospital admission, artificial ventilatory assistance, transitory venous catheters, arterial and peripherally venous accesses, bladder catheter and transfusions were not statistically significant. The risk factors identified by multiple logistic regression analysis were: permanent catheter (OR 31.5; 3.19-310) and total parenteral nutrition (OR 10.5; 2.76-40.0). Nine (37%) children with nosocomial candidaemia and seven (15%) controls died (P=0.05). These findings should facilitate development of rational approaches to preventing infection and assist clinicians in identifying those patients in whom this life-threatening complication is likely to occur.     

Risk factors for work-related injury among male farmers in Iowa: a prospective cohort study.

Agriculture is one of the most hazardous occupations in the United States. We examined the work-related injury rate and risk factors among 290 Iowa male principal farm operators using a population-based, prospective study. Baseline data were collected between 1991 and 1994, and injury events were surveyed in the fall of 1995. Cumulative incidence of farmwork-related injury during the previous year was 10.5%. We found that depressive symptoms (odds ratio, 3.22; 95% confidence interval, 1.04 to 9.99) and the number of hours working with animals (odds ratio, 2.14; 95% confidence interval, 1.04 to 4.44) were associated with the incidence of farmwork-related injuries.     

巢式病例对照研究在通气相关肺炎危险因素调查中的应用

目的研究通气相关肺炎（ＶＡＰ）的致病危险因素。方法采用巢式病例对照研究的方法,对５８例确诊为通气相关肺炎（ＶＡＰ）的病例,按同科室、同性别、年龄相同或相近（±５岁）,入院时间相同或相近（＜１周）,病情相似,１∶１配以５８例对照探讨ＶＡＰ的危险因素。结果对２０多种可能的危险因素进行单因素分析。有１６种呈显著性差异。对这１６种主变量进一步进行多因素条件性Ｌｏｇｉｓｔｉｃ回归分析表明：基础病情重（ＯＲ＝９．４０）、留置胃管（ＯＲ＝８．８６）、患者意识状态差（ＯＲ＝８．３９）、气管切开（或插管）时间长（＞２周）（ＯＲ＝６．８９）、有颅脑外伤（ＯＲ＝６．６０）、频繁更换呼吸机接头插管（ＯＲ＝６．４４）、应激性溃疡预防用药（ＯＲ＝５．５２）、住院时间长（＞１月）（ＯＲ＝４．３１）为ＶＡＰ发生的独立危险因素。结论ＶＡＰ的发生是多因素综合作用的结果,且证明存在胃→咽→下呼吸道的逆行感染途径     

胃癌危险因素的病例对照研究

目的：了解金坛，楚州两地胃癌高发的原因以及进一步验证某些胃癌可疑危险因素。方法：选取金坛，楚州两地2001年的104例新发胃癌病例并按性别。年龄，居住地为条件选取两地104例健康人作为对照，进行病例对照研究；资料分析采用单，多因素非条件Logistic回归。结果：多因素Logistic回归分析显示既往患慢性胃炎（OR=3.530），胃癌家族史（OR=6.958)，经常吃干硬的食物（OR=1.640)以及平时行事较为冲动（OR=2.105)与胃癌的发生有关。结论：改变不良的生活方式和控制易冲动的情绪，可降低胃癌发生的危险性。     

成人过敏性哮喘危险因素的病例对照研究

目的 探讨导致成人过敏性哮喘及其发作的危险因素。方法 采用病例对照流行病学研究方法,收集102例成人过敏性哮喘患者和394例健康对照人群的一般社会人口学特征、疾病健康状况、吸烟史、职业接触史、室内环境状况以及家族史等信息。结果 单因素及多因素统计分析结果均显示:成人过敏性哮喘患者职业粉尘接触率高于对照组且差异有统计学显著性(P<0.05,OR=1.78);住房类型为平房/筒子楼较多层/高层楼导致过敏性哮喘或其发作的可能性大(P<0.05,OR=3.24),哮喘患者家中床褥晾晒频率较对照组低且差异具有统计学显著性(P<0.10,OR=1.53);哮喘患者家中起居室地面使用木板比例高于对照组且差异有统计学显著性(P<0.01,OR=2.33);室内油烟污染程度哮喘患者组高于对照组且差异有统计学显著性(P<0.01,OR=2.52);同时还发现,双亲中有慢性支气管炎(慢支)或哮喘疾病史可增加其子女患过敏性哮喘的危险性(P<0.01,OR=2.32)。结论 室内环境因素中住房状况差、床褥晾晒频率少、起居室地面使用木板、室内油烟污染可能是成人过敏性哮喘的危险因素,同时职业接触粉尘、双亲有慢支或哮喘疾病史也与该疾病具有一定的关系。研究结果提示成人过敏性哮喘是遗传和环境双重因素共同作用导致的一种复杂疾病。     

Uterine factors and risk of pregnancy in IUD users: a nested case-control study

Scarce data are available on the relation between the effectiveness of intrauterine device (IUD) and the gynecologic features of a woman. A nested case-control study was conducted to determine whether the uterine position and hysterometry affect the pregnancy rate of copper IUD. Seventy-one cases (pregnant women with IUD) and 284 matched controls (1:4) were included. Matching criteria were date of IUD insertion and duration of use. Data were analyzed by conditional logistic regression modeling that considered age, parity and copper surface of IUD as potential confounders. When cases were compared to nonpregnant controls with IUD, the results showed that uterine position and hysterometry were not associated with an increased risk of pregnancy. The findings suggest that the gynecological characteristics of the woman analyzed should not be a criterion for the selection of potential IUD users.     

Predisposing and precipitating factors for falls among older people in residential care

Falls and their consequences are serious health problems among older populations. To study predisposing and precipitating factors for falls among older people in residential care we used a cross-sectional study design with a prospective follow up for falls. Fifty-eight women and 25 men, with a mean age of 79.6 y, were included and prospectively followed up regarding falls for a period of 1 y after baseline assessments. All those who fell were assessed regarding factors that might have precipitated the fall. The incidence rate was 2.29 falls/person years. Antidepressants (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, SSRIs), impaired vision and being unable to use stairs without assistance were independently associated with being a 'faller'. Twenty-eight (53.8%) of the fallers suffered injuries as a result of their falls, including 21 fractures. Twenty-seven percent of the falls were judged to be precipitated by an acute illness or disease and 8.6% by a side effect of a drug. Acute symptoms of diseases or drug side effects were associated with 58% of the falls which resulted in fractures. We conclude that SSRIs seem to constitute one important factor that predisposes older people to fall, once or repeatedly. Since acute illnesses and drug side-effects were important precipitating factors, falls should be regarded as a possible symptom of disease or a side-effect of a drug until it is proven otherwise.     

Pesticide use and chronic bronchitis among farmers in the Agricultural Health Study

BACKGROUND: Farmers have increased risk for chronic bronchitis. Few investigators have considered pesticides. METHODS: We evaluated pesticides as risk factors for chronic bronchitis using the Agricultural Health Study enrollment data on lifetime pesticide use and history of doctor-diagnosed chronic bronchitis from 20,908 private pesticide applicators, primarily farmers. RESULTS: A total of 654 farmers (3%) reported chronic bronchitis diagnosed after age 19. After adjustment for correlated pesticides as well as confounders, 11 pesticides were significantly associated with chronic bronchitis. Heptachlor use had the highest odds ratio (OR=1.50, 95% Confidence Interval (CI)=1.19, 1.89). Increased prevalence for chronic bronchitis was also seen for individuals who had a history of a high pesticide exposure event (OR=1.85, 95% CI=1.51, 2.25) and for those who also applied pesticides in off-farm jobs (OR=1.40, 95% CI=1.04, 1.88). Co-morbid asthma and current farm activities did not explain these results. CONCLUSIONS: These results provide preliminary evidence that pesticide use may increase chronic bronchitis prevalence.     

儿科住院病人医院感染危险因素的病例对照调查

[目的]分析儿科病房医院感染发生率及其危险因素,为临床预防提供参考. [方法]选择某医院2003～2005年1 352例患儿为研究对象,以其中医院感染者为病例组,非医院感染者为对照组进行病例对照研究.病例组和对照组按1∶1配比设立对照,以条件Logistic法筛选出儿科病房医院感染的危险因素. [结果]儿科病房医院感染率为7.7%.单因素和多因素分析发现,住院时间、不合理使用抗生素、基础疾病等是医院感染的危险因素. [结论]合理使用抗生素、缩短住院时间将有利于预防和控制儿科医院感染.     

老年出血性脑梗死危险因素分析

目的探讨老年出血性脑梗死(HI)的危险因素, 为老年出血性脑梗死防治提供依据。方法采用病例对照研究方法, 选取2011年10月-2012年10月在抚顺某医院住院, 临床证实为脑梗死后出血的患者96 例作为病例组, 对照组为同期入院的101例无脑梗死后出血的急性脑梗死患者;采用调查表收集患者一般情况(患者性别、年龄、文化程度和居住地以及吸烟、饮酒生活习惯等)、入院时病情(包括血液生化检查、心电图、B超、影像学检查等)、既往病史(高血压、高血糖、血脂异常、心脏病史)等;采用描述性统计分析以及logistic多元回归分析老年出血性脑梗死的危险因素。结果96例HI患者中, 大面积脑梗死和脑栓塞分别占62.5%和43.75%, 出血部位位于脑皮质最多(75.00%), 基底节区颞顶叶、顶叶、小脑半球各占9.38%, 87.5%的患者出血表现为片状渗血, 12.5%形成血肿;logistic回归分析结果表明, 脑栓塞、皮质梗死、大面积脑梗死、入院时高血糖、高血压(OR值分别为6.39、2.35、2.58、2.29、2.10)是HI发病的独立危险因素。结论老年出血性脑梗死的发生与脑梗死类型、梗死面积、发生部位、高血糖、高血压等因素有关。     

青年人大肠癌影响因素病例对照研究

目的初步探讨青年人(≤35岁)大肠癌发病的危险因素,为进一步研究提供科学依据。方法以湖南省肿瘤医院确诊的大肠癌患者为病例组,运用1:1匹配病例对照研究方法,用条件logistic回归对青年人大肠癌相关变量进行单因素和多因素分析。结果病例组、对照组男性均为88例,女性均为64例;病例组年龄为16～35岁,平均年龄为(28.62±3.56)岁,对照组年龄为17～37岁,平均年龄为(30.27±2.84)岁,2组年龄差异无统计学意义;病例按病变部位分为直肠73例,结肠79例;病理类型为腺癌86例,黏液腺癌38例,印戒细胞癌17例,未分化癌11例;多因素分析结果表明,肠息肉、直系亲属癌症史、慢性肠炎、精神刺激史、常吃动物油及动物食品为青年人大肠癌的危险因素(OR=8.752、6.370、5.249、5.016、3.458、2.967),经常锻炼、常吃蔬菜为其保护性因素(OR=0.384、0.650)。结论肠息肉、直系亲属癌症史、慢性肠炎、精神刺激史、常吃动物油及动物食品可能是中国青年人大肠癌的危险因素,而经常锻炼和常吃蔬菜可能是其保护因素。     

江苏南部农民急性生产性农药中毒现况调查

目的了解江苏南部农民急性生产性农药中毒情况和影响因素。方法采用分层整群随机抽样方法,在江苏南部抽取3个村庄共1 380名农民进行现场问卷调查,采用SPSS 16.0软件进行多因素非条件logistic回归分析。结果3个村庄农民的急性生产性农药中毒率为8.6%;性别、年龄、喷洒农药前不阅读标签、药械滴漏、用手擦汗、打药时身体受污染以及身体感到不适仍继续打药是急性生产性农药中毒的影响因素(P<0.05);使用农药中的危险行为得分与急性生产性农药中毒之间存在剂量-反应关系(R²=0.9840)。结论江苏南部农民急性生产性农药中毒发生率较高,使用农药中危险行为较多。