scholarly journals Effects of indium exposure on respiratory symptoms: a retrospective cohort study in Japanese workers using health checkup data

PeerJ ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. e8413
Author(s):  
Toshiharu Mitsuhashi
Keyword(s):  
Respiratory Symptoms ◽  
Exposed Group ◽  
Shortness Of Breath ◽  
Health Checkup ◽  
Hazard Ratios ◽  
Sputum Production ◽  
Japanese Workers ◽  
High Hazard ◽  
Alveolar Proteinosis ◽  
Indium Compounds

Background Indium compounds are known health hazards for lung cancer and interstitial pneumonia. Furthermore, they are related to emphysema, alveolar proteinosis, and cholesterol granuloma. In Japan, laws were revised in 2013 to tighten regulations on indium exposure in workplaces. However, its impact on the health of workers who handle indium has not been evaluated. This study aimed to investigate whether subjective respiratory symptoms in these workers have reduced after the 2013 amendment in the regulations. Methods The subjects were workers from certain areas of Japan who had undergone health checkups between January 1, 2013, and June 30, 2015. Indium-handling and non-handling workers were categorized into the exposed and less-exposed groups, respectively. Based on the findings of health checkups during this period, the hazard ratio of subjective respiratory symptoms (cough, sputum production, shortness of breath, and palpitation) and its 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated with the less-exposed group as the reference. The Prentice-Williams-Peterson model was used for calculation, and a model that adjusted for coarse analysis and potential confounding factors was adopted. Results Overall, 2,561 workers (from 22 companies) who underwent 6,033 health checkups were included. The total person-years were 2,562.8 years, and 162 outcome events occurred. The hazard ratios of the exposed group were 1.65 (95% CI [1.14–2.39]: p = 0.008) and 1.61 (95% CI [1.04–2.50]: p = 0.032) in the crude and adjusted models, respectively. Conclusion Indium-handling workers had a high hazard of the subjective respiratory symptoms than non-indium -handling workers despite stricter regulations on indium exposure in workplaces. This indicates the need for further changes to the legislation to protect the health of workers exposed to harmful substances in workplaces. Further studies including larger diverse cohorts are needed to validate our findings.

scholarly journals Primary Cooking Fuel Choice and Respiratory Health Outcomes among Women in Charge of Household Cooking in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso: Cross-Sectional Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. 1040 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adama Sana ◽  
Nicolas Meda ◽  
Gisèle Badoum ◽  
Benoit Kafando ◽  
Catherine Bouland
Keyword(s):  
Respiratory Symptoms ◽  
Respiratory Health ◽  
Biomass Fuel ◽  
Respiratory Morbidity ◽  
Shortness Of Breath ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Cooking Fuel ◽  
Breathing Difficulty ◽  
Sputum Production ◽  
Waking Up

Background: Approximately 3 billion people, worldwide, rely primarily on biomass for cooking. This study aimed to investigate the association between respiratory symptoms among women in charge of household cooking and the type of fuel used for cooking. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional survey was conducted. A total of 1705 women that were randomly selected, completed the survey. We also performed a bivariate and a multivariate analysis to verify the possible associations between respiratory symptoms in women in charge of household cooking and the type of cooking fuel used. Results: Dry cough, breathing difficulties, and throat irritation frequencies were statistically high in biomass fuel users when compared to liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) users. It was also the case for some chronic respiratory symptoms, such as sputum production, shortness of breath, wheezing, wheezing with dyspnea, wheezing without a cold, waking up with shortness of breath, waking up with coughing attacks, and waking up with breathing difficulty. After adjustment for the respondents’ and households’ characteristics; dry cough, breathing difficulties, sneezing, nose tingling, throat irritation, chronic sputum production, wheezing, wheezing with dyspnea, wheezing without a cold, waking up with shortness of breath, waking up with coughing attacks, and waking up with breathing difficulty were symptoms that remained associated to biomass fuel compared to LPG. Women who used charcoal reported the highest proportion of all the chronic respiratory symptoms compared to the firewood users. However, this difference was not statistically significant except for the wheezing, waking up with coughing attacks, and waking up with breath difficulty, after adjustment. Conclusion: Exposure to biomass smoke is responsible for respiratory health problems in women. Charcoal, which is often considered as a clean fuel compared to other biomass fuels and often recommended as an alternative to firewood, also presents health risks, including increased respiratory morbidity in women. Effective and efficient energy policies are needed to accelerate the transition to clean and sustainable energies.

Prevalence of COVID-19-like Symptoms among People Living with HIV, and Using Antiretroviral Therapy for Prevention and Treatment

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
pp. 373-380 ◽  
Author(s):  
SeyedAhmad SeyedAlinaghi ◽  
Maryam Ghadimi ◽  
Mahboubeh Hajiabdolbaghi ◽  
Mehrnaz Rasoolinejad ◽  
Ladan Abbasian ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Respiratory Symptoms ◽  
Antiretroviral Treatment ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
Shortness Of Breath ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Limited Data ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Living With Hiv

Background: COVID-19 has spread globally with remarkable speed, and currently, there is limited data available exploring any aspect of the intersection between HIV and SARSCoV- 2 co-infection. Objective: To estimate the prevalence of clinical symptoms associated with COVID-19 among people living with HIV (PLWH) in Tehran, Iran. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: A total of 200 PLWH were recruited through the positive club via sampling, and completed the symptom-based questionnaire for COVID-19, which was delivered by trained peers. Results: Of 200 participants, respiratory symptoms, including cough, sputum, and shortness of breath, were the most prevalent among participants, but only one person developed symptoms collectively suggested COVID-19 and sought treatments. Conclusions: It appears that existing infection with HIV or receiving antiretroviral treatment (ART) might reduce the susceptibility to the infection with SARS-CoV-2 or decrease the severity of the infection acquired. Further research is needed to understand causal mechanisms.

scholarly journals Spirometry and mannitol bronchial challenge test among firefighters in Bhuj district: a questionnaire based study

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (5) ◽  
pp. 1434
Author(s):  
Kashyap Buch ◽  
Vinayak Chauhan
Keyword(s):  
Nitric Oxide ◽  
Lung Disease ◽  
Chronic Lung Disease ◽  
Respiratory Symptoms ◽  
Challenge Test ◽  
Shortness Of Breath ◽  
Chest Tightness ◽  
Bronchial Challenge ◽  
Challenge Tests ◽  
Skin Prick Tests

Background: Asthma is a common chronic lung disease that inflames and narrows the airways. It causes recurring period of wheezing, chest tightness, shortness of breath and coughing.Methods: A questionnaire, spirometry, direct and indirect airway challenge tests, exhaled nitric oxide, and skin-prick tests were administered prospectively to 100 out of 120 firefighters employed in Bhuj district, Gujarat, India. Asthma was defined as the combination of respiratory symptoms with airway hyper responsiveness.Results: Twenty out of 100 firefighters (12%) had physician-diagnosed asthma, which could be confirmed in 8 firefighters. In contrast, asthma was diagnosed in 28% (28 of 100 firefighters). Wheezing was the most sensitive symptom for the diagnosis of asthma (sensitivity, 88%; specificity, 90%).Conclusions: Asthma was considerably under diagnosed in firefighters. The combination of a structured symptom questionnaire with a bronchial challenge test allows identifying patients with asthma and should routinely be used in the assessment of active firefighters and may be of help when evaluating candidates for this profession.

scholarly journals Uncommon cause of respiratory failure due to a bezoar in the hypopharynx: a case report

2022 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Seyed-Hasan Adeli ◽  
Malihe Sehat ◽  
Gholamreza Azarnia Samarin ◽  
Jamshid Vafaeimanesh ◽  
Sajjad Ahmadpour ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Respiratory Symptoms ◽  
Outlet Obstruction ◽  
Diagnostic Procedures ◽  
Shortness Of Breath ◽  
Case Presentation ◽  
Chest Computed Tomography ◽  
Magill Forceps ◽  
Chief Complaints ◽  
Surgery Department ◽  
Pulmonary Ct

Abstract Background Trichotillomania and trichophagia cause trichobezoars, which are masses made of hair. The main presentation of this condition is abdominal pain. However, other complications include gastric outlet obstruction, nausea, vomiting, weight loss, malnutrition, hematemesis, diarrhea, and constipation. Case presentation A 57-year-old woman with trichotillomania was admitted to the Emergency Department with the chief complaints of dyspnea on exertion, shortness of breath, dysphagia, generalized weakness, and hoarseness. Spiral chest computed tomography (CT) scan did not reveal any parenchymal lesions Pulmonary CT angiography did not reveal pulmonary embolism. The patient was admitted to the Surgery Department for hand fasciotomy due to contrast leakage, and during laryngoscopy, a trichobezoar was detected that was removed with Magill forceps. Conclusions Rare cases of trichobezoars can be observed in humans with gastrointestinal and respiratory symptoms. Precise and timely diagnosis are key for the prevention of more invasive diagnostic procedures.

scholarly journals Use of a Cross-Sectional Survey in the Adult Population to Characterize Persons at High-Risk for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Healthcare ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 12
Author(s):  
Roy Pleasants ◽  
Khosrow Heidari ◽  
Jill Ohar ◽  
James Donohue ◽  
Njira Lugogo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Pulmonary Disease ◽  
Tobacco Use ◽  
Respiratory Symptoms ◽  
Disease Burden ◽  
Chronic Obstructive ◽  
Shortness Of Breath ◽  
Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ◽  
Health Impairments

Rationale/Objective: The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) health survey has been used to describe the epidemiology of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in the US. Through addressing respiratory symptoms and tobacco use, it could also be used to characterize COPD risk. Methods: Four US states added questions to the 2015 BRFSS regarding productive cough, shortness of breath, dyspnea on exertion, and tobacco duration. We determined COPD risk categories: provider-diagnosed COPD as self-report, high-risk for COPD as ≥10 years tobacco smoking and at least one significant respiratory symptom, and low risk was neither diagnosed COPD nor high risk. Disease burden was defined by respiratory symptoms and health impairments. Data were analyzed using multiple logistic regression models with age as a covariate. Results: Among 35,722 adults ≥18 years, the overall prevalence of COPD and high-risk for COPD were 6.6% and 5.1%. Differences among COPD risk groups were evident based on gender, race, age, geography, tobacco use, health impairments, and respiratory symptoms. Risk for disease was seen early where 3.75% of 25–34 years-old met high-risk criteria. Longer tobacco duration was associated with an increased prevalence of COPD, particularly >20 years. Seventy-nine percent of persons ≥45 years-old with frequent shortness of breath (SOB) reported having or being at risk of COPD, reflecting disease burden. Conclusion: These data, representing nearly 18% of US adults, indicates those at high risk for COPD share many, but not all of the characteristics of persons diagnosed with the disease and demonstrates the value of the BRFSS as a tool to define lung health at a population level.

scholarly journals Gastrointestinal and Liver Manifestations of COVID-19

2020 ◽  
Vol 56 (02) ◽  
pp. 091-098
Author(s):  
Sunil Taneja ◽  
Rohit Mehtani ◽  
Yogesh Kumar Chawla
Keyword(s):  
Respiratory Symptoms ◽  
Gastrointestinal Symptoms ◽  
Liver Function Tests ◽  
Atypical Presentation ◽  
Shortness Of Breath ◽  
Gi Tract ◽  
First Case ◽  
The World ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
Common Manifestation

AbstractA novel Coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2 illness, has spread throughout the world after the first case was reported from Wuhan, China, in December 2019. This illness typically causes respiratory symptoms like fever, cough, and shortness of breath, although atypical presentation with gastrointestinal symptoms like abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea are being increasingly reported. The viral RNA has been detected in saliva and stool of such patients, which raises concerns regarding the risk of transmission during gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy. Many patients also have liver involvement, with the most common manifestation being deranged liver function tests. This review highlights the symptomatology, mechanism, and histopathology findings of SARS-CoV-2 in GI tract and liver. This review also focuses on implications of COVID-19 in patients afflicted with chronic liver disease and in patients undergoing liver transplantation.

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