scholarly journals Work-relatedness of lumbosacral radiculopathy syndrome

Neurology ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 91 (12) ◽  
pp. 558-564 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Paul F.M. Kuijer ◽  
Jos H. Verbeek ◽  
Andreas Seidler ◽  
Rolf Ellegast ◽  
Carel T.J. Hulshof ◽  
...  

ObjectiveClinicians need to know whether lumbosacral radiculopathy syndrome (LRS) can be attributed to work. This review describes what work-related risk factors are associated with LRS.MethodsA systematic review was performed in PubMed and Embase. Inclusion criteria were that LRS was diagnosed by a clinician and workers exposed to work-related risk factors were compared to workers less or not exposed. A quality assessment and a meta-analysis were performed, including a dose-response analysis.ResultsThe search resulted in 7,350 references and 24 studies that fulfilled the inclusion criteria: 19 studies were rated as having a high risk of bias and 5 as having a low risk of bias. The median number of LRS patients per study were 209 (interquartile range 124–504) and the total number of participants was 10,142. The meta-analysis revealed significant associations with heavy physically demanding work (odds ratio [OR] 2.03, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.48–2.79), bending or twisting of the trunk (OR 2.43, 95% CI 1.67–3.55), and lifting and carrying in combination with bending or twisting of the trunk (OR 2.84, 95% CI 2.18–3.69). No significant associations were found for professional driving (OR 1.46, 95% CI 0.90–2.35) or sitting (OR 1.08, 95% CI 0.49–2.38). A dose-response relation was present per 5 years of exposure for bending (OR 1.12, 95% CI 1.04–1.20), lifting (OR 1.08, 95% CI 1.02–1.14) and the combination of bending and lifting (OR 1.14, 95% CI 1.01–1.29).ConclusionsModerate to high-quality evidence is available that LRS can be classified as a work-related disease depending on the level of exposure to bending of the trunk or lifting and carrying. Professional driving and sitting were not significantly associated with LRS.

Author(s):  
PPaul FM Kuijer ◽  
Jos H Verbeek ◽  
Andreas Seidler ◽  
Rolf Ellegast ◽  
Carel TJ Hulshof ◽  
...  

Hernia ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (5) ◽  
pp. 943-950
Author(s):  
P. P. F. M. Kuijer ◽  
D. Hondebrink ◽  
C. T. J. Hulshof ◽  
H. F. Van der Molen

Abstract Purpose Clinicians need to know whether inguinal hernia (IH) can be attributed to work to answer questions regarding prevention and medical causation. This review describes whether work-related risk factors are associated with IH. Methods A systematic review was performed in Medline via PubMed until February 3rd, 2020. Inclusion criteria were that IH was diagnosed by a clinician, and workers exposed to work-related risk factors were compared to workers less exposed or not at all. A quality assessment and a meta-analysis using Cochrane’s RevMan 5.3 were performed, including GRADE for quality of evidence. Results The search resulted in 540 references. Fourteen studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria, of which three were included in a meta-analysis, all three being of high quality, including 621 workers diagnosed with IH. The meta-analysis revealed significant associations with physically demanding work (OR 2.30, 95% CI 1.56–3.40). Two prospective studies, including 382 and 22,926 cases revealed associations that this was true for male workers with a lateral IH that reported standing or walking for more than six hours per workday (OR 1.45, 95% CI 1.12–1.88) or lifting cumulative loads of more than 4000 kg per workday (OR 1.32, 95% CI 1.27–1.38). The level of certainty for the latter two work-related risk factors was moderate and high according to GRADE. Conclusion Lateral IH among males is associated with work-related risk factors depending on the level of exposure to the time standing/walking per workday, or the amount of load lifted per workday.


2017 ◽  
Vol 74 (10) ◽  
pp. 745-755 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henk F van der Molen ◽  
Chiara Foresti ◽  
Joost G Daams ◽  
Monique H W Frings-Dresen ◽  
P Paul F M Kuijer

TH Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 05 (03) ◽  
pp. e420-e437
Author(s):  
Marte Holmen ◽  
Anne-Mette Hvas ◽  
Johan F. H. Arendt

Abstract Background and Purpose Previous studies suggest an association between increased homocysteine (Hcy) and risk of ischemic stroke. Yet, it remains unknown whether a dose-response association exists between Hcy levels and risk of ischemic stroke. Methods Systematic literature searches were performed in PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science. Inclusion criteria were studies investigating ischemic stroke risk in an adult population with measured Hcy levels. We computed odds ratios (ORs) for a 5 µmol/L increase in Hcy levels using a random effects meta-analysis. Results In total, 108 studies met the inclusion criteria of which 22 were rated as high-quality studies, and 20 studies included a dose-response analysis. Hcy levels were analyzed either as a continuous or categorical variable. The majority of the studies found an increased risk of ischemic stroke when comparing the highest-to-lowest Hcy strata. A graded association was observed over the Hcy strata, indicating a dose-response association, with the most apparent effect when Hcy levels exceeded approximately 15 µmol/L. No studies explored a potential nonlinear association between Hcy levels and ischemic stroke. Six studies were included in a meta-analysis, showing an OR of 1.43 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.28–1.61) per 5 µmol/L increase in Hcy levels. Conclusion This review and meta-analysis indicate a dose-response association between Hcy levels and ischemic stroke. An evident increase in effect measures was observed when Hcy levels exceeded 15 µmol/L, indicating a nonlinear association between ischemic stroke and Hcy levels. This nonlinear association warrants further study.This study is registered with clinical trial ( https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/ ; unique identifier: CRD42019130371).


2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shaoyu Zhu ◽  
N Patrik Brodin ◽  
Madhur K Garg ◽  
Patrick A LaSala ◽  
Wolfgang A Tomé

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND Intracranial arteriovenous malformation (AVM) is a congenital lesion that can potentially lead to devastating consequences if not treated. Many institutional cohort studies have reported on the outcomes after radiosurgery and factors associated with successful obliteration in the last few decades. OBJECTIVE To quantitatively assess the dose-response relationship and risk factors associated with AVM obliteration using a systematic review and meta-analysis approach. METHODS Data were extracted from reports published within the last 20 yr. The dose-response fit for obliteration as a function of marginal dose was performed using inverse-variance weighting. Risk factors for AVM obliteration were assessed by combining odds ratios from individual studies using inverse-variance weighting. RESULTS The logistic model fit showed a clear association between higher marginal dose and higher rates of obliteration. There appeared to be a difference in the steepness in dose-response when comparing studies with patients treated using Gamma Knife radiosurgery (Elekta), compared to linear accelerators (LINACs), and when stratifying studies based on the size of treated AVMs. In the risk-factor analysis, AVM obliteration rate decreases with larger AVM volume or AVM diameter, higher AVM score or Spetzler-Martin (SM) grade, and prior embolization, and increases with compact AVM nidus. No statistically significant associations were found between obliteration rate and age, sex, prior hemorrhage, prior aneurysm, and location eloquence. CONCLUSION A marginal dose above 18 Gy was generally associated with AVM obliteration rates greater than 60%, although lesion size, AVM score, SM grade, prior embolization, and nidus compactness all have significant impact on AVM obliteration rate.


BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. e049866
Author(s):  
Chenghui Zhou ◽  
Baohui Lou ◽  
Hui Li ◽  
Xin Wang ◽  
Hushan Ao ◽  
...  

IntroductionEmerging evidence has shown that COVID-19 infection may result in right ventricular (RV) disturbance and be associated with adverse clinical outcomes. The aim of this meta-analysis is to summarise the incidence, risk factors and the prognostic effect of imaging RV involvement in adult patients with COVID-19.MethodsA systematical search will be performed in PubMed, EMBase, ISI Knowledge via Web of Science and preprint databases (MedRxiv and BioRxiv) (until October 2021) to identify all cohort studies in adult patients with COVID-19. The primary outcome will be the incidence of RV involvement (dysfunction and/or dilation) assessed by echocardiography, CT or MRI. Secondary outcomes will include the risk factors for RV involvement and their association with all-cause mortality during hospitalisation. Additional outcomes will include the RV global or free wall longitudinal strain (RV-GLS or RV-FWLS), tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), fractional area change (FAC) and RV diameter. Univariable or multivariable meta-regression and subgroup analyses will be performed for the study design and patient characteristics (especially acute or chronic pulmonary embolism and pulmonary hypertension). Sensitivity analyses will be used to assess the robustness of our results by removing each included study at one time to obtain and evaluate the remaining overall estimates of RV involvement incidence and related risk factors, association with all-cause mortality, and other RV parameters (RV-GLS or RV-FWLS, TAPSE, S’, FAC and RV diameter). Both linear and cubic spline regression models will be used to explore the dose–response relationship between different categories (>2) of RV involvement and the risk of mortality (OR or HR).Ethics and disseminationThere was no need for ethics approval for the systematic review protocol according to the Institutional Review Board/Independent Ethics Committee of Fuwai Hospital. This meta-analysis will be disseminated through a peer-reviewed journal for publication.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42021231689.


Circulation ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 125 (suppl_10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Seamus P Whelton ◽  
Khurram Nasir ◽  
Michael J Blaha ◽  
Daniel S Berman ◽  
Roger S Blumenthal

Introduction: Non-invasive cardiovascular imaging has been proposed as a method to improve risk stratification and motivate improved patient and physician risk factor modification. Despite increasing use of these technologies there remains limited evidence documenting its effect on downstream testing and improvement in risk factor control. Hypothesis: Addition of the EISNER study to a prior meta-analysis will improve statistical power to demonstrate the downstream consequences of non-invasive cardiovascular imaging. Methods: A comprehensive literature search of the MEDLINE database (1966 through July 2011) was conducted. Major inclusion criteria required: 1) randomized controlled trial design, 2) participants with no known history of coronary heart disease or stroke, and 3) comparison of a group provided with results of a non-invasive imaging scan versus those without results. A total of eight trials with 4,084 participants met the inclusion criteria for this analysis. We analyzed the data using a random effects model to allow for heterogeneity. Results: Among imaging groups there was a significant increase in prescribing for statins (RR, 1.15; 95% CI, 1.01–1.32) and a non-significant trend for increased prescription of aspirin (RR, 1.15; 95% CI, 0.97–1.35), ACE/ARB (RR, 1.12; 95% CI, 0.96–1.31), and insulin (RR, 1.54; 95% CI, 0.75–3.18). There was a non-significant trend towards increased smoking cessation (RR, 1.35; 95% CI, 0.88–2.08). For downstream outcomes there was a non-significant increase in coronary angiography (RR, 1.20; 95% CI, 0.92–1.57), but not for revascularization (RR, 0.92; 95% CI, 0.55–1.53). There was no significant effect of imaging on the change in traditional risk factors. Limitations: There remains a limited number of trials in this important area. Therefore, trials included in this analysis use a variety of different imaging modalities and we were not able to pool the results based on appropriate clinical action (intensification at high risk and reduction at low risk). Conclusions: Non-invasive cardiovascular imaging leads to increased statin use, but associations with other downstream treatments and change in risk factors are not statistically significant. Our results highlight the limited amount of data for describing the downstream consequences after CAC testing.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yin Jia ◽  
Yafang Huang ◽  
Huili Wang ◽  
Haili Jiang

Abstract Background: Prenatal exposure to omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) present in oily fish may prevent asthma or wheeze in childhood.Objective: By limiting this systematic review to fish oil intervention that commenced in the gestational period, we aim to find more clear evidences about the relationship between supplement with fish oil during pregnancy and the risk of asthma/wheeze in offspring, and to improve the life satisfaction of children who suffered asthma.Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted in the following database: PubMed, Medline, Web of Science, the Cochrane library, and Embase up to February 2021. Two reviewers independently selected studies, extracted data of the characteristics, and assessed risk of bias. Eight randomized controlled trials totaling 3,037 mother-infant pairs were analyzed in the end. “Allergic asthma” and “asthma and/or wheeze” were assessed in our meta-analysis. Subgroup analysis and sensitivity analysis were conducted. Dose–response data was examined using the robust-error meta-regression method.Results: This meta-analysis showed that n-3 PUFA during pregnancy did not significantly reduce the risk of asthma/wheeze (RR 0.93; 95% CI 0.82 to1.04, p=0.21) and allergic asthma (RR 0.66, 95% CI 0.24 to 1.86, p=0.44). Subgroup analyses revealed that the risk of childhood asthma/wheeze was significantly decreased: (1) in Europe (RR 0.69; 95% CI 0.53 to 0.89), (2) when the dose was ≥1200 mg/d (RR 0.69; 95% CI 0.55 to 0.88), (3) when supplementation started after gestational age 22 (RR 0.65; 95%CI 0.50 to 0.85), (4) when supplementation was from pregnancy to lactation (RR 0.69; 95% CI 0.51 to 0.95). Furthermore, the linear dose–response analysis showed that when maternal supplementation of n-3 PUFA increased by 100mg/d, the risk of asthma/wheeze was reduced by 2%.Conclusions: Although perinatal replenishment of n-3 PUFA did not prevent allergic disease in offspring, under some conditions, it could reduce the incidence of asthma/wheeze and allergic asthma in children, and the higher the dose, the better the protective effect it has. Additional research is needed to confirm the hypothesis of a link between n-3 PUFA intake and prevention of childhood asthma/wheeze.


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