0165 A job exposure matrix from self-reported physical exposures: a method to control bias from symptoms

BackgroundThere is growing use of a job exposure matrix (JEM) to provide exposure estimates in studies of work-related musculoskeletal disorders; few studies have examined the validity of such estimates, nor did compare associations obtained with a JEM with those obtained using other exposures.ObjectiveThis study estimated upper extremity exposures using a JEM derived from a publicly available data set (Occupational Network, O*NET), and compared exposure-disease associations for incident carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) with those obtained using observed physical exposure measures in a large prospective study.Methods2393 workers from several industries were followed for up to 2.8 years (5.5 person-years). Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) codes were assigned to the job at enrolment. SOC codes linked to physical exposures for forceful hand exertion and repetitive activities were extracted from O*NET. We used multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models to describe exposure-disease associations for incident CTS for individually observed physical exposures and JEM exposures from O*NET.ResultsBoth exposure methods found associations between incident CTS and exposures of force and repetition, with evidence of dose–response. Observed associations were similar across the two methods, with somewhat wider CIs for HRs calculated using the JEM method.ConclusionExposures estimated using a JEM provided similar exposure-disease associations for CTS when compared with associations obtained using the ‘gold standard’ method of individual observation. While JEMs have a number of limitations, in some studies they can provide useful exposure estimates in the absence of individual-level observed exposures.

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52. The Linkage of a Job Exposure Matrix with Exposure Measurements for Occupational Exposure Assessment in an Epidemiology Study

10.3320/1.2758641 ◽

2005 ◽

Author(s):

J. Coble ◽

R. Vermeulen ◽

S. Xue ◽

B. Ji ◽

W. Chow ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Occupational Exposure ◽

Exposure Assessment ◽

Epidemiology Study ◽

Job Exposure Matrix ◽

Occupational Exposure Assessment ◽

Exposure Measurements

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346. A Retrospective Job Exposure Matrix for Estimating Exposure To 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-Pdioxin

10.3320/1.2762747 ◽

1999 ◽

Author(s):

L.A. Piacitelli ◽

M. Sweeney ◽

D. Marlow ◽

M. Fingerhut ◽

K. Steenland

Keyword(s):

Job Exposure Matrix

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P.2.38 Occupational exposure and incidence of asthma based on prescription of drugs

Occupational and Environmental Medicine ◽

10.1136/oem-2019-epi.265 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 76 (Suppl 1) ◽

pp. A97.1-A97

Author(s):

Jesper Bælum ◽

Lars Rauff Skadhauge ◽

Trine Thilsing ◽

Jesper Rønhild Davidsen ◽

Øjvind Omland ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Lung Diseases ◽

Register Data ◽

Low Molecular Weight ◽

Job Exposure Matrix ◽

Cleaning Agents ◽

Occupational Information ◽

Incident Asthma ◽

Changes In Risk ◽

Incident Cases ◽

Prevalent Asthma

Prescription of drugs for obstructive lung diseases (ATC code R03) has previously been shown to be an indicator of actual asthma. In this cohort study, we have combined occupational information with data from redeemed prescriptions between 2000 and 2013 extracted from the National Danish Prescription register.In 2003 a total of 7255 persons aged 20 and 44 years fulfilled a questionnaire, which among other things, included information on their longest held job. The jobs of 6470 were coded according to ISCO-88 and an asthma Job Exposure Matrix (JEM) was applied. Prevalent asthma was defined as at least two redeemed prescriptions of a R03 drug within 2 years. Incident asthma between 2003 and 2013 was defined as not having redeemed a R03 prescription in the previous years. Data was analyzed separately for each gender using multivariate logistic regression and presented as odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI).Among those having a job 327 (5.1%) were identified as incident cases and 467 (7.2%) as prevalent cases. In females increased incidences were seen in exposures to reactive low molecular weight (LMW) substances (OR1.47 (95% CI 1.04–2.07)), cleaning agents (OR 1.52 (1.05–2.18)), metals (OR 3.31 (1.63–6.64)), while increased prevalence was seen with mite exposure (OR 4.41 (1.74–11.2)) and irritant gases (OR 1.76 (1.16–2.69)). In males no increased incidences were seen and only an increased prevalence with mixed environments (OR 2.24 (1.13–4.43)).In jobs increased prevalence and incidence were seen in female cleaners and drivers. Increased prevalence was seen in male printing workers.Meaningful associations with well-known asthmagenic exposures in young adults with asthma can be identified in administrative register data, and implementing the analyses of register data from larger populations will have the power to detect potential increased risks due to rare exposures or changes in risk over time.

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Physical workload and increased frequency of musculoskeletal pain: a cohort study of employed men and women with baseline occasional pain

Occupational and Environmental Medicine ◽

10.1136/oemed-2020-107094 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. oemed-2020-107094

Author(s):

Kathryn Badarin ◽

Tomas Hemmingsson ◽

Lena Hillert ◽

Katarina Kjellberg

Keyword(s):

Survey Data ◽

Musculoskeletal Pain ◽

Leisure Time Physical Activity ◽

Physical Workload ◽

Job Exposure Matrix ◽

Men And Women ◽

Strenuous Work ◽

High Level

ObjectivesMusculoskeletal pain (MSP) is prevalent among the workforce. This study investigates the long-term association between physical workload (PWL) and increased frequency of MSP among male and female employees with pre-existing occasional MSP.MethodsThis study uses the Stockholm Public Health cohort survey data from the baseline 2006. The sample includes 5715 employees with baseline occasional MSP (no more than a few days per month). Eight PWL exposures and overall PWL were estimated using a job-exposure matrix (JEM). The JEM was assigned to occupational titles from a national register in 2006. Follow-up survey data on frequent MSP (a few or more times a week) were collected from 2010. Logistic regressions produced sex-specific ORs with 95% CIs and were adjusted for education, health conditions, psychological distress, smoking, BMI, leisure-time physical activity and decision authority.ResultsAssociations were observed between several aspects of heavy PWL and frequent MSP for men (eg, OR 1.57, 95% CI 1.13 to 2.20, among those in the highest exposure quartile compared with those in the lowest quartile for heavy lifting) and women (eg, OR 1.76, 95% CI 1.35 to 2.29, among those in the highest exposure quartile compared with those in the the lowest quartile for physically strenuous work). Small changes were observed in the OR after adjustment, but most of the ORs for PWL exposures among the men were no longer statistically significantly increased.ConclusionA high level of exposure to heavy PWL was associated with increased frequency of MSP 4 years later for men and women with baseline occasional pain.

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Is Environmental and Occupational Particulate Air Pollution Exposure Related to Type-2 Diabetes and Dementia? A Cross-Sectional Analysis of the UK Biobank

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17249581 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (24) ◽

pp. 9581

Author(s):

Eirini Dimakakou ◽

Helinor J. Johnston ◽

George Streftaris ◽

John W. Cherrie

Keyword(s):

Air Pollution ◽

Occupational Exposure ◽

Environmental Exposure ◽

Uk Biobank ◽

Job Exposure Matrix ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Particulate Air Pollution ◽

The Uk ◽

Sectional Analysis

Human exposure to particulate air pollution (e.g., PM2.5) can lead to adverse health effects, with compelling evidence that it can increase morbidity and mortality from respiratory and cardiovascular disease. More recently, there has also been evidence that long-term environmental exposure to particulate air pollution is associated with type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and dementia. There are many occupations that may expose workers to airborne particles and that some exposures in the workplace are very similar to environmental particulate pollution. We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of the UK Biobank cohort to verify the association between environmental particulate air pollution (PM2.5) exposure and T2DM and dementia, and to investigate if occupational exposure to particulates that are similar to those found in environmental air pollution could increase the odds of developing these diseases. The UK Biobank dataset comprises of over 500,000 participants from all over the UK. Environmental exposure variables were used from the UK Biobank. To estimate occupational exposure both the UK Biobank’s data and information from a job exposure matrix, specifically developed for UK Biobank (Airborne Chemical Exposure–Job Exposure Matrix (ACE JEM)), were used. The outcome measures were participants with T2DM and dementia. In appropriately adjusted models, environmental exposure to PM2.5 was associated with an odds ratio (OR) of 1.02 (95% CI 1.00 to 1.03) per unit exposure for developing T2DM, while PM2.5 was associated with an odds ratio of 1.06 (95% CI 0.96 to 1.16) per unit exposure for developing dementia. These environmental results align with existing findings in the published literature. Five occupational exposures (dust, fumes, diesel, mineral, and biological dust in the most recent job estimated with the ACE JEM) were investigated and the risks for most exposures for T2DM and for all the exposures for dementia were not significantly increased in the adjusted models. This was confirmed in a subgroup of participants where a full occupational history was available allowed an estimate of workplace exposures. However, when not adjusting for gender, some of the associations become significant, which suggests that there might be a bias between the occupational assessments for men and women. The results of the present study do not provide clear evidence of an association between occupational exposure to particulate matter and T2DM or dementia.

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