Dusty trades and associated rheumatoid arthritis in a population-based study in the coal mining counties of Appalachia

ObjectivesWe previously showed increased coal mining-associated risk of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Using additional survey data, we sought to delineate this risk further.MethodsWe used data from two cross-sectional, random-digit-dial, population-based surveys (males;≥50 years) in selected counties in the Appalachian region of the inland, mid-Atlantic USA with elevated pneumoconiosis mortality. Surveys ascertained age, smoking, coal mining and non-coal silica exposure jobs. In a subset, we surveyed ergonomic exposures, scored by intensity. We queried diagnosis of RA, corticosteroid use, and, in a subset, use of disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). Multivariable logistic regression modelled RA risk (defined by glucocorticoid or DMARDs use) associated with coal mining employment, other silica exposure, smoking status, and age and ergonomic exposures.ResultsWe analysed data for 2981 survey respondents (mean age 66.6 years; 15% current, 44% ex-smokers). The prevalence of glucocorticoid-treated and DMARD-treated RA was 11% and 4%, respectively. Glucocorticoid-treated RA was associated with coal mining (OR 3.5; 95% CI 2.5 to 4.9) and non-coal mining silica exposure (OR 3.2; 95% CI 2.4 to 4.4). For DMARD-treated RA, the odds associated with coal mining and other silica remained elevated: OR 2.3 (95% CI 1.18, 4.5) and OR 2.7 (95% CI 1.51, 5.0), respectively. In the same model, the highest intensity ergonomic exposure also was associated with increased odds of RA (OR 4.3; 95% CI 1.96 to 9.6).ConclusionsWe observed a strong association between coal mining and other silica-exposing dusty trades and RA. Clinicians and insurers should consider occupational histories in the aetiology of RA.

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Workability in the Ageing Workforce—A Population-Based Cross-Sectional Study

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph182312656 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (23) ◽

pp. 12656

Author(s):

Niels-Peter Brøchner Nygaard ◽

Gert Frank Thomsen ◽

Jesper Rasmussen ◽

Lars Rauff Skadhauge ◽

Bibi Gram

Keyword(s):

Musculoskeletal Pain ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Population Based ◽

Moderate Intensity ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Significant Negative Impact ◽

Ergonomic Exposure ◽

The Impact ◽

Ergonomic Exposures

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of age, musculoskeletal pain and ergonomic exposure on workability in the oldest group of workers. Methods: The study was a population based cross-sectional survey. The study population comprised citizens born between 1952–1966, living in Esbjerg municipality ultimo 2016 (n = 23,463). A questionnaire was sent electronically or by mail. The analysis included the working population only. A stereotype logistic regression was used with the primary dependent variable being workability and independent variables included age, musculoskeletal pain, and ergonomic exposure. Results: The response rate was 58% and the data demonstrated a significant negative association between age and workability. With excellent workability as a reference, the odds for poor workability increased by 97% being 60+ y compared to 50–55 y. Both moderate intensity and severe musculoskeletal pain in the back, shoulder and knee/hip all showed significantly higher odds for poor workability. Ergonomic exposures, such as standing/walking, working with back bent or twisted and carrying or lifting had a significant negative impact on workability. Conclusion: Age, musculoskeletal pain and ergonomic exposures showed a significant negative impact on workability in the oldest group of workers and should be targeted with preventive initiatives.

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Factors associated with sarcopenia screened by finger-circle test among middle-aged and older adults: a population-based multisite cross-sectional survey in Japan

BMC Public Health ◽

10.1186/s12889-021-10844-3 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Daiki Watanabe ◽

Tsukasa Yoshida ◽

Takashi Nakagata ◽

Naomi Sawada ◽

Yosuke Yamada ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Smoking Status ◽

Multiple Logistic Regression Analysis ◽

Population Based ◽

Middle Aged ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Mail Surveys ◽

Osaka Prefecture ◽

Middle Aged Adults

AbstractBackgroundPrevious epidemiological studies have demonstrated the prevalence and relationship of various factors associated with sarcopenia in older adults; however, few have examined the status of sarcopenia in middle-aged adults. In this study, we aimed to, 1) evaluate the validity of the finger-circle test, which is potentially a useful screening tool for sarcopenia, and 2) determine the prevalence and factors associated with sarcopenia in middle-aged and older adults.MethodsWe conducted face-to-face surveys of 525 adults, who were aged 40–91 years and resided in Settsu City, Osaka Prefecture, Japan to evaluate the validity of finger-circle test. The finger-circle test evaluated calf circumference by referring to an illustration printed on the survey form. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUROC) was plotted to evaluate the validity of the finger-circle test for screening sarcopenia and compared to that evaluated by skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) measured using bioimpedance. We also conducted multisite population-based cross-sectional anonymous mail surveys of 9337 adults, who were aged 40–97 years and resided in Settsu and Hannan Cities, Osaka Prefecture, Japan. Participants were selected through stratified random sampling by sex and age in the elementary school zones of their respective cities. We performed multiple logistic regression analysis to explore associations between characteristics and prevalence of sarcopenia.ResultsSarcopenia, defined by SMI, was moderately predicted by a finger-circle test response showing that the subject’s calf was smaller than their finger-circle (AUROC: 0.729, < 65 years; 0.653, ≥65 years); such subjects were considered to have sarcopenia. In mail surveys, prevalence of sarcopenia screened by finger-circle test was higher in older subjects (approximately 16%) than in middle-aged subjects (approximately 8–9%). In a multiple regression model, the factors associated with sarcopenia were age, body mass index, smoking status, self-reported health, and number of meals in all the participants.ConclusionsSarcopenia, screened by the finger-circle test, was present not only among older adults but also among middle-aged adults. These results may provide useful indications for developing public health programs, not only for the prevention, but especially for the management of sarcopenia.Trial registrationUMIN000036880, registered prospectively May 29, 2019, https://upload.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr_e/ctr_view.cgi?recptno=R000042027

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Support for cigarette filter waste policies among US adults

Tobacco Control ◽

10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2020-056451 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. tobaccocontrol-2020-056451

Author(s):

Minal Patel ◽

Alison F Cuccia ◽

Shanell Folger ◽

Adam F Benson ◽

Donna Vallone ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Smoking Status ◽

Population Based ◽

Tobacco Product ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Cigarette Filter ◽

Logistic Regression Models ◽

Knowledge And Beliefs ◽

Cigarette Butts ◽

Using Data ◽

The Impact

IntroductionLittle is known on whether cigarette filter-related knowledge or beliefs are associated with support for policies to reduce their environmental impact.MethodsA cross-sectional, population-based sample of US adults aged 18–64 years (n=2979) was used to evaluate filter-related knowledge and beliefs by smoking status using data collected between 24 October 2018 and 17 December 2018. Multivariate logistic regression models explored whether these knowledge and belief items were associated with support for two policies, a US$0.75 litter fee and a ban on sales of filtered cigarettes, controlling for demographic characteristics and smoking status.ResultsRegardless of smoking status, 71% did not know plastic was a cigarette filter component and 20% believed filters were biodegradable. Overall, 23% believed filters reduce health harms and 60% believed filters make it easier to smoke; 90% believed cigarette butts are harmful to the environment. Individuals believing cigarette butts harmed the environment were more likely to support a litter fee (adjusted OR (aOR)=2.33, 95% CI: 1.71 to 3.17). Individuals believing that filters are not biodegradable had higher odds of supporting a litter fee (OR=1.47, 95% CI: 1.15 to 1.88). Respondents believing that filters do not make cigarettes less harmful were more likely to support a litter fee (aOR=1.50, 95% CI: 1.20 to 1.88) and filter ban (aOR=2.03, 95% CI: 1.64 to 2.50). Belief that filters make it easier to smoke was associated with decreased support for a filter ban (aOR=0.69, 95% CI: 0.58 to 0.83).ConclusionsComprehensive efforts are needed to educate the public about the impact of cigarette filters in order to build support for effective tobacco product waste policy.

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Anemia and functional capacity in elderly Brazilian hospitalized patients

Cadernos de Saúde Pública ◽

10.1590/s0102-311x2013000700007 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 29 (7) ◽

pp. 1322-1332 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Raquel de Macedo Bosco ◽

Elisa Priscila Souza Assis ◽

Renata Rosseti Pinheiro ◽

Luiza Cristina Viana de Queiroz ◽

Leani S. M. Pereira ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Activities Of Daily Living ◽

Functional Capacity ◽

Daily Living ◽

Strong Association ◽

Population Based ◽

Categorical Variables ◽

Fisher Exact Test ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Belo Horizonte ◽

The Impact

This study evaluated the association between anemia and physical functional capacity in a cross-sectional population-based sample of 709 hospitalized elderly patients aged 60 years and over admitted to the Madre Teresa Hospital, Belo Horizonte, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The Mann-Whitney or "t" test, and chi-square or Fisher exact test were used for quantitative and categorical variables, respectively, and hierarchical binary logistic regression was used to identify significant predictors. The presence of anemia was found in 30% of participants and was significantly associated with decreased functionality according to the two measures which were used - ADL (activities of daily living) and IADL (instrumental activities of daily living). Anemia was also independently associated with older age. The results of this study demonstrate a strong association between the presence of anemia and lower levels of functional capacity. Further investigations are needed to assess the impact of anemia treatment on the functionality and independence of older people.

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The Chromosome 9p21 CVD- and T2D-Associated Regions in a Norwegian Population (The HUNT2 Survey)

International Journal of Endocrinology ◽

10.1155/2015/164652 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 2015 ◽

pp. 1-9 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Øyvind Helgeland ◽

Jens K. Hertel ◽

Anders Molven ◽

Helge Ræder ◽

Carl G. P. Platou ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Single Point ◽

Strong Association ◽

Population Based ◽

Risk Haplotype ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Chromosome 9P21 ◽

Snp Association ◽

Risk Variants ◽

Norwegian Population

Background.Two adjacent regions upstreamCDKN2Bon chromosome 9p21 have been associated with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and progression of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The precise location and number of risk variants have not been completely delineated and a possible synergistic relationship between the adjacent regions is not fully addressed. By a population based cross-sectional case-control design, we genotyped 18 SNPs upstream ofCDKN2Btagging 138 kb in and around two LD-blocks associated with CVD and T2D and investigated associations with T2D, angina pectoris (AP), myocardial infarction (MI), coronary heart disease (CHD; AP or AMI), and stroke using 5,564 subjects from HUNT2.Results.Single point and haplotype analysis showed evidence for only one common T2D risk haplotype (rs10757282∣rs10811661: OR = 1.19,P=2.0×10-3) in the region. We confirmed the strong association between SNPs in the 60 kb CVD region with AP, MI, and CHD(P<0.01). Conditioning on the lead SNPs in the region, we observed two suggestive independent single SNP association signals for MI,rs2065501 (P=0.03)andrs3217986 (P=0.04).Conclusions.We confirmed the association of known variants within the 9p21 interval with T2D and CHD. Our results further suggest that additional CHD susceptibility variants exist in this region.

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Associations of tobacco smoking with body mass distribution; a population-based study of 65,875 men and women in midlife

BMC Public Health ◽

10.1186/s12889-019-7807-9 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Sidsel Graff-Iversen ◽

Stephen Hewitt ◽

Lisa Forsén ◽

Liv Grøtvedt ◽

Inger Ariansen

Keyword(s):

Cardiovascular Risk ◽

Smoking Status ◽

Health Indicators ◽

Population Based ◽

Lower Percentage ◽

Body Region ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Men And Women ◽

Never Smokers

Abstract Background Studies indicate an effect of smoking toward abdominal obesity, but few assess hip and waist circumferences (HC and WC) independently. The present study aimed to assess the associations of smoking status and volume smoked with HC and WC and their ratio in a population with low prevalence of obesity together with high prevalence of smoking. Methods We used cross-sectional survey data from 11 of a total 19 Norwegian counties examined in 1997–99 including 65,875 men and women aged 39–44 years. Analysis of associations were adjusted for confounding by socioeconomic position, health indicators, and additionally for BMI. Results Compared with never-smokers, when adjusting for confounders and in addition for BMI, mean HC remained lower while mean WC and waist-hip-ratio (WHR) were higher in current smokers. The finding of a lower HC and higher WHR level among smokers was consistent by sex and in strata by levels of education and physical activity, while the finding of higher WC by smoking was less consistent. Among current smokers, BMI-adjusted mean HC decreased whereas WC and WHR increased by volume smoked. Compared with current smokers, former smokers had higher BMI-adjusted HC, lower WHR and among women WC was lower. Conclusions The main finding in this study was the consistent negative associations of smoking with HC. In line with the hypothesis that lower percentage gluteofemoral fat is linked with higher cardiovascular risk, our results suggest that smoking impacts cardiovascular risk through mechanisms that reduce the capacity of fat storage in the lower body region.

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The association between rheumatoid arthritis and periodontal disease in a population-based cross-sectional case-control study

BMC Rheumatology ◽

10.1186/s41927-020-00129-4 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Stefan Renvert ◽

Johan Sanmartin Berglund ◽

G. Rutger Persson ◽

Maria K. Söderlin

Keyword(s):

Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽

Periodontal Disease ◽

Case Control Study ◽

Population Based ◽

Case Control ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Control Study

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Factors Associated with Objectively Measured Physical Activity in Patients with Seropositive Rheumatoid Arthritis

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17239008 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (23) ◽

pp. 9008

Author(s):

Sandra Haider ◽

Michael Sedlak ◽

Ali Kapan ◽

Igor Grabovac ◽

Thomas Lamprecht ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽

Physical Activity ◽

Disease Activity ◽

Work Ability ◽

Disease Duration ◽

Smoking Status ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

Moderate Physical Activity ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Functional Disabilities

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease, which is associated with low levels of physical activity (PA). However, the factors related to low physical activity levels have rarely been studied. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 70 seropositive RA patients were included. Physical activity was objectively assessed with an ActiGraph GT3X+ accelerometer. In addition, body mass index, smoking status, work ability, and clinical parameters (functional disabilities, disease activity, disease duration, pain, and inflammation parameters) were measured. Results: RA patients performed a mean of 215.2 (SD: 136.6) min a week of moderate physical activity and 9.1 (SD: 26.3) min of vigorous physical activity. The total amount of moderate and vigorous physical activity (MVPA) was associated with BMI, and functional disabilities. In addition, non-smokers and patients with better work ability did more MVPA. No association could be seen with disease activity, disease duration, pain, and inflammatory markers. After mutual adjusting of all the variables, only BMI showed a significant relationship with MVPA. Conclusions: RA patients perform de facto no physical activity with vigorous intensity. Factors related to low physical activity are BMI, functional disabilities, workability and smoking status, whereas due to the study design no causal and temporal link could be made.

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