Work-Related Determinants of Voice Complaints Among School Workers: An Eleven-Month Follow-Up Study

2016 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 590-597 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lady Catherine Cantor Cutiva ◽  
Alex Burdorf

Purpose We determined the natural course of voice complaints among school workers and established the risk factors associated with incidence and chronic voice complaints. Method We conducted a longitudinal study with an 11-month follow-up among 682 school workers. Participants filled out a questionnaire on individual and work-related conditions and the nature and severity of voice complaints. All participants who provided baseline data were contacted in the 11-month follow-up, if they were still working in the school. Short-term environmental measurements of physical work-related factors were conducted during visits at the workplaces. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine associations between work-related factors and voice complaints. Results We found a high occurrence of chronic voice complaints, a low recovery of 22%, and an annual incidence of 44%. A self-reported high noise level at the workplace was associated with the incidence of voice complaints (odds ratio = 2.45). Self-reported poor acoustics in the classroom was associated with chronic voice complaints (odds ratio = 1.76). Conclusions This unique longitudinal study among school workers presented some indications that self-reported high noise levels may contribute to the incidence of voice complaints, whereas self-reported poor acoustic conditions may be an important associated factor of chronic voice complaints.

Author(s):  
Tea Lallukka ◽  
Leena Kaila-Kangas ◽  
Minna Mänty ◽  
Seppo Koskinen ◽  
Eija Haukka ◽  
...  

The contribution of physically demanding work to the developmental trajectories of sickness absence (SA) has seldom been examined. We analyzed the associations of 12 physical work exposures, individually and in combination, with SA trajectories among the occupationally active in the Finnish nationally representative Health 2000 survey. We included 3814 participants aged 30–59 years at baseline, when exposure history to work-related factors was reported. The survey and interview responses were linked with the annual number of medically confirmed SA spells through 2002–2008 from national registries. Trajectory analyses identified three SA subgroups: 1 = low (54.6%), 2 = slowly increasing (33.7%), and 3 = high (11.7%). After adjustments, sitting or use of keyboard >1 year was inversely associated with the high SA trajectory (odds ratio, OR, 0.57; 95% 95% confidence interval, CI, 0.43–0.77). The odds of belonging to the trajectory of high SA increased with an increasing number of risk factors, and was highest for those with ≥4 physical workload factors (OR 2.71; 95% CI 1.99–3.69). In conclusion, these findings highlight the need to find ways to better maintain the work ability of those in physically loading work, particularly when there occurs exposure to several workload factors.


BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. e045678
Author(s):  
Marit Müller De Bortoli ◽  
Inger M. Oellingrath ◽  
Anne Kristin Moeller Fell ◽  
Alex Burdorf ◽  
Suzan J. W. Robroek

ObjectivesThe aim of this study is to assess (1) whether lifestyle risk factors are related to work ability and sick leave in a general working population over time, and (2) these associations within specific disease groups (ie, respiratory diseases, cardiovascular disease and diabetes, and mental illness).SettingTelemark county, in the south-eastern part of Norway.DesignLongitudinal study with 5 years follow-up.ParticipantsThe Telemark study is a longitudinal study of the general working population in Telemark county, Norway, aged 16 to 50 years at baseline in 2013 (n=7952) and after 5-year follow-up.Outcome measureSelf-reported information on work ability (moderate and poor) and sick leave (short-term and long-term) was assessed at baseline, and during a 5-year follow-up.ResultsObesity (OR=1.64, 95% CI: 1.32 to 2.05) and smoking (OR=1.62, 95% CI: 1.35 to 1.96) were associated with long-term sick leave and, less strongly, with short-term sick leave. An unhealthy diet (OR=1.57, 95% CI: 1.01 to 2.43), and smoking (OR=1.67, 95% CI: 1.24 to 2.25) were associated with poor work ability and, to a smaller extent, with moderate work ability. A higher lifestyle risk score was associated with both sick leave and reduced work ability. Only few associations were found between unhealthy lifestyle factors and sick leave or reduced work ability within disease groups.ConclusionLifestyle risk factors were associated with sick leave and reduced work ability. To evaluate these associations further, studies assessing the effect of lifestyle interventions on sick leave and work ability are needed.


1998 ◽  
Vol 172 (2) ◽  
pp. 159-163 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Pelkonen ◽  
M. Marttunen ◽  
E. Pulkkinen ◽  
P. Laippala ◽  
J. Lönnqvist ◽  
...  

BackgroundKnowledge of working capacity from adolescence until adulthood among severely disturbed in-patients is scarce.MethodIn a follow-up study of 61 adolescent in-patients, we studied associations between being on a disability pension 20 years after hospitalisation, and the patients' psychopathology and treatment-related factors during the hospitalisation and seven-year follow-up.ResultsOf the former in-patients. 27% had not been on a disability pension, 20% had short-term pension periods, and 53% were pensioned. Subjects whose overall psychosocial functioning had improved and who had not utilised in-patient services until the seven-year follow-up, had a better prognosis in terms of working capacity Half of the subjects who had not been on pension during the follow-up had received a diagnosis of conduct disorder at discharge, and half of those pensioned had a psychotic disorder.ConclusionsThe patients' level of psychosocial functioning and capability to work in young adulthood were associated with long-term prognosis in terms of working capacity Adolescence seems to be the critical time for intensive psychiatric care combined with vocational rehabilitation programmes.


2018 ◽  
Vol 102 (5) ◽  
pp. 1489-1495 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shaakir Hasan ◽  
Stephen Abel ◽  
LaShondria Simpson-Camp ◽  
Meredith Witten ◽  
Luis Aguilera ◽  
...  

2019 ◽  
Vol 76 (11) ◽  
pp. 793-800 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Sirén ◽  
Eira Viikari-Juntura ◽  
Jari Arokoski ◽  
Svetlana Solovieva

ObjectiveTo assess the longitudinal associations of physical and psychosocial exposures with disability retirement due to a shoulder lesion.MethodsIn a nationwide register-based study, we followed 1 135 654 wage earners aged 30–59 years for the occurrence of disability retirement due to a shoulder lesion. The occupational exposures were assessed with job exposure matrices. We used a competing risk regression model to estimate HRs and their 95% CIs and to test for the association between the exposures and the outcome. We also calculated the attributable fraction of disability retirement due to occupational exposures.ResultsA total of 2472 persons had full disability retirement due to a shoulder lesion during the follow-up. Physically heavy work showed the strongest association with the outcome in both genders, in men with an HR of 2.90 (95% CI 2.37 to 3.55) and in women with an HR of 3.21 (95% CI 2.80 to 3.90). Of the specific physical exposures, working with hands above shoulder level was statistically significantly associated with disability retirement in men. When all physical exposures were taken into consideration, 46% and 41% of disability retirement due to a shoulder lesion were attributed to physical work load factors in men and women, respectively. In addition, 49% (men) and 35% (women) of disability retirement were attributed to psychosocial work-related factors.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that a considerable proportion of disability retirement due to a shoulder lesion could be prevented by reducing physical and psychosocial exposures at work to a low level.


2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e21517-e21517
Author(s):  
Jaesung Heo ◽  
O Kyu Noh ◽  
Jun Eun Park ◽  
Minhyung Cho ◽  
Seonghye Choi

e21517 Background: Brain tumors are the most common solid cancers in child patients with a current expected 5-year overall survival rate of 73%. Also, patients with brain cancer tend to have a high rate of neuroendocrine disorders. These endocrine problems may have a significant negative effect on quality of life and treatment compliance. Methods: The aim of this longitudinal study was to analyze the prevalence of endocrine disorders in childhood brain tumor survivors using claims data in South Korea. We confirmed endocrine disorders in a nationwide cohort of 1,058 patients who were diagnosed with brain tumor between January 1, 2009 and March 29, 2016 and who survived > 2 years after diagnosis. Multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate association between demographic and treatment related variables and the prevalence of endocrine disorders. Results: After a median follow-up of 60.0 months, a total of 393 (37.1%) patients were diagnosed with at least one endocrine disorder. The median follow-up time from primary brain tumor diagnosis to diagnosis of first endocrine disorders was 26.3 months (range, 0.06 to 96.7). Of those patients, 333 childhood brain tumor survivors were diagnosed with endocrine disorders during their first 5 years after diagnosis. The overall frequency of endocrine disorders peaked during 2 months after the cancer diagnosis. The most common endocrine disorders were pituitary dysfunction (21.9%), thyroidal disease (6.1%), precocious puberty (4.6%), and growth hormone deficiency (4.3%). Female patients were at a higher risk for endocrine disorders (odds ratio: 1.45, p = 0.005). The patients with radiotherapy were more likely to have endocrine disorders compared without radiotherapy (odds ratio: 1.79, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Endocrine disorders in childhood brain tumor survivors was high and showed different patterns of prevalence depending on the nature of disease and time sequence. In childhood brain tumor survivors who are risk of endocrine disorders, regular assessment of endocrine function and timely intervention were needed. [Table: see text]


2011 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Suzan J.W. Robroek ◽  
Tilja I.J. Van den Berg ◽  
Alex Burdorf

The role of work-related factors on early retirement in 11 European countries The role of work-related factors on early retirement in 11 European countries Gedrag & Organisatie, volume 24, November 2011, nr. 4, pp. 451-463.With the ageing population there is a need to increase work participation. The longitudinal ‘Survey on Health and Ageing in Europe’ (SHARE-study) makes it possible to identify possible predictors of early retirement. The hypothesis is that poor working conditions might predict early retirement. The SHARE-study contains data from 4,673 workers aged 50-60 year with paid employment at baseline and information on work status during the four-year follow-up. During the follow-up period 14% of the workers exited the workforce due to early retirement. A low educational level, excessive alcohol consumption, a reduced self-perceived health, and a lack of job control were the most important predictors of early retirement. Preventive interventions aimed to prevent health problems might contribute to the prevention of early exit from work.


CJEM ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 18 (S1) ◽  
pp. S31-S31
Author(s):  
C. Toarta ◽  
K. Kwong ◽  
I.G. Stiell ◽  
M.A. Mukarram ◽  
M. Taljaard ◽  
...  

Introduction: Short-term risk of arrhythmia or death among emergency department (ED) syncope patients with atrial fibrillation/flutter (AFF) has not been reported in the literature. Our objectives were to assess the incidence and the independent risk of 30-day arrhythmia or death for syncope patients with AFF after ED disposition. Methods: We conducted a prospective study at 6 Canadian academic EDs to include adults with syncope. We collected demographic, clinical and ECG characteristics while our outcome assessments were completed by medical records review and by telephone follow-up of patients after 30 days. Primary outcome was arrhythmia or death within 30-days after ED disposition and secondary outcomes included non-arrhythmic cardiac and non-cardiac outcomes. We performed descriptive and logistic regression analyses. Results: We enrolled 4,266 patients: mean age 53.4 years, 55.4% females, and 8.5% with AFF. After excluding those with outcomes in the ED, lost to follow-up and those with other non-sinus rhythms, 3,417 patients in the sinus and 280 patients in the AFF groups were analyzed. The incidence of arrhythmia or death was significantly higher in the AFF group (Relative Risk 5.1; 95% CI 3.1-8.4; p<0.0001) but there were no significant differences in secondary outcomes between the groups. The unadjusted odds ratio for 30-days arrhythmia or deaths among ED syncope patients with AFF was 5.4 (95% CI 3.2- 9.2). After adjusting for important baseline risk factors by multivariable analysis, the odds ratio for arrhythmia or death in patients with AFF was 1.5 (95% CI 0.8-2.7). Conclusion: The risk of AFF for 30-day arrhythmia or death among syncope patients after ED disposition is higher but is attenuated when adjusted for important patient characteristics. Future research should assess long-term outcomes among syncope patients with AFF to guide follow-up after ED discharge.


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