A comprehensive review of the healthy worker effect in occupational epidemiological studies

The reduction of mortality and morbidity rates among occupational cohort studies may be attributed to the presence of the healthy worker effect (HWE). Occupational epidemiologic studies investigating worker’s health are prone to the risk of having the HWE phenomenon and this special form of bias has been debated over the years. Hence, it’s imperative to explore in-depth the magnitude and sources of HWE, and further, elucidate the factors that may affect HWE and strategies reducing HWE. The HWE should be considered as a mixed bias between selection and confounding bias. The validity threats due to the HWE among morbidity studies are the same as the mortality studies. The consequent reduction due to the HWE in the association between the exposure and outcome may lead to underestimating some harmful exposures in the workplace or occupational settings. Healthy hire effect and healthy worker survivor effect are the main sources of HWE. Several factors can increase or decrease the probability of HWE; therefore, the investigators should consider them among future occupational epidemiological studies. Many strategies can help in reducing the impact of HWE, but each strategy has its weaknesses and strengths. Not all strategies can be applied among all occupational epidemiological studies. Mathematical procedures still need further investigations to be validated. HWE is a consequence of inappropriate comparison groups in nature. The usage of the general population as a reference group is not an appropriate choice. By considering the HWE sources and factors and using appropriate strategies, the impact of HWE may be reduced

A lightweight and robust authentication scheme for the healthcare system using public cloud server

Cloud computing is vital in various applications, such as healthcare, transportation, governance, and mobile computing. When using a public cloud server, it is mandatory to be secured from all known threats because a minor attacker’s disturbance severely threatens the whole system. A public cloud server is posed with numerous threats; an adversary can easily enter the server to access sensitive information, especially for the healthcare industry, which offers services to patients, researchers, labs, and hospitals in a flexible way with minimal operational costs. It is challenging to make it a reliable system and ensure the privacy and security of a cloud-enabled healthcare system. In this regard, numerous security mechanisms have been proposed in past decades. These protocols either suffer from replay attacks, are completed in three to four round trips or have maximum computation, which means the security doesn’t balance with performance. Thus, this work uses a fuzzy extractor method to propose a robust security method for a cloud-enabled healthcare system based on Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC). The proposed scheme’s security analysis has been examined formally with BAN logic, ROM and ProVerif and informally using pragmatic illustration and different attacks’ discussions. The proposed security mechanism is analyzed in terms of communication and computation costs. Upon comparing the proposed protocol with prior work, it has been demonstrated that our scheme is 33.91% better in communication costs and 35.39% superior to its competitors in computation costs

Experiences of Family members of people with Parkinson’s Disease

Background: The people who are close to someone who has Parkinson\u27s disease play a vital role in their everyday lives. It is crucial to support the patient\u27s family members in providing care, adjust to their situation, and make psychosocial adjustments. Objective: This study aimed to find and then compile family carers\u27 accounts of caring for Parkinson\u27s disease (PD) patients. Aim: The purpose of this study is to describe the role that family members play in providing daily care for a family member who has Parkinson\u27s disease and to investigate how family members perceive this role. Conclusion: The themes represented many facets of the lives of family carers impacted by providing care for a member with Parkinson\u27s disease (PD), and these pose questions for oversimplified notions of family caregiving and suitable support networks. The results also point to a number of suggestions for clinical practice

Surface charge on chitosan/cellulose nanowhiskers composite via functionalized and untreated carbon nanotube

Improvement in chitosan (CS) was achieved by solution casting using cellulose nanowhiskers (CNWs) and multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) to synthesize CS/CNW functionalized/treated MWCNTs (CS/CNWs/f-MWCNTs) and CS/CNW untreated MWCNTs (CS/CNWs/Un-MWCNTs) nanocomposite films. A comparison between effects of f-MWCNTs and Un-MWCNTs on CS/CNWs matrix have been studied with respect to change in their physical and mechanical properties. The surface morphology, chemical composition, mechanical properties and temperature decomposition of CS/CNWs/f-MWCNTs and CS/CNW/Un-MWCNTs nanocomposite films were characterized by Energy Dispersion Spectroscopy (EDS), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM), Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA). FESEM has shown that f-MWCNTs and Un-MWCNTs were well dispersed in CS/CNWs structure. Decrease in film ductility was observed with addition of Un-MWCNTs or f-MWCNTs. Moreover, Tensile strength (TS) and Young's modulus (YM) were increased with f-MWCNTs and seemed to be decreased in case of Un-MWCNTs. However, a decrease in elongation at break (EB) has experienced with addition of f-MWCNTs and Un-MWCNTs. Furthermore, thermal stability of chitosan composites presented a delay or prevention from degradation of CS/CNWs due to the strong interactions. Such modification in chitosan can improve its mechanical and surface properties. Hence, chitosan derived composites could achieve more applicability in packaging, medicinal and environmental applications

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Validation of the Arabic Version of Musculoskeletal Health Questionnaire (MSK-HQ-Ar)

Background: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) affect millions of people worldwide. Musculoskeletal Health Questionnaire (MSK-HQ) is a valid and reliable tool to assess the health of patients with MSD. However, this scale is not available in the Arabic language. The purpose of this study was to translate and cross-culturally adapt the Musculoskeletal Health Questionnaire (MSK-HQ) into Arabic (MSK-HQ-Ar) and evaluate its validity and reliability among participants with MSD. Methods: This cross-sectional study used guidelines from the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR) to translate as well as validate the psychometric properties of MSK-HQ-Ar. Patients with MSD (n = 149) living in Taif participated in the study. Cronbach’s alpha and the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) were used to assess internal consistency and test-retest reliability of MSK-HQ-Ar respectively. Spearman’s correlation was used to assess the correlation between MSK-HQ-Ar and the European quality of life five-dimension, five-level scale (EQ-5D-5L). Results: Out of 149 participants, 119 completed the MSK-HQ-Ar twice. The scale showed good internal consistency, Cronbach’s alpha (0.88), and reliability (ICC 0.92–0.95). A strong association was found with the EQ-5D-5L scores. Conclusion: The adapted MSK-HQ-Arabic version revealed acceptable psychometric properties and is a valid and reliable outcome measure to assess MSK health among Arabic speaking patients with MSD

Level of disability and associated factors with musculoskeletal disorders among supermarket cashiers

ObjectivesThis study aimed to determine the severity of symptoms and the level of disability or difficulty associated with MSDs in the neck, shoulders, upper limbs, lower back, and lower limbs as well as the factors associated with MSDs.Material and MethodsThis investigation collected demographic, health (36-Item Short Form Survey [SF-36]), and occupational related-factors for supermarket cashiers through the administration of several questionnaires, including the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH), Neck Disability Index (NDI), Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS), and Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) for pain.ResultsOne hundred ninety-three supermarket cashiers participated in this study. The mean scores for disability levels included NDI (M±SD 18.62±14.57), ODI (M±SD 20.74±13.89), DASH (M±SD 15.08±13.90), and LEFS (M±SD 63.06±14.24). Regression analyses demonstrated the existence of significant relationships between the experience of MSDs and several other factors, including the number of working days per week, the preferred working position, marital status and the need for awkward positions.ConclusionsThe results indicate MSDs that signified a mild disability level among young participants. The number of working days per week, the preferred working position, the need to assume awkward positions, and marital status were significantly associated with MSDs. The findings indicated the need for preventive to avoid or minimize the prevalence of MSDs among supermarket cashiers

Self-Reported Musculoskeletal Disorders and Quality of Life in Supermarket Cashiers

Supermarket cashiers face a significant amount of stress, including time constraints, mental pressure, and physical demands that require repetitive movements. The job description of a supermarket cashier involves work-related risk factors that may lead to musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) symptoms. This study aimed to investigate supermarket cashiers to determine the prevalence of MSD symptoms and their quality of life. Data were collected from a convenience sample of supermarket cashiers working in Saudi Arabia. Information included direct questions on pain in the previous 12 months, demographic data, and health- or occupation-related factors. Moreover, data was collected based on the 36-item short form survey (SF-36), and descriptive statistics were computed. A total of 193 supermarket cashiers participated in this study. The sample included 140 men (72.5%) and 53 women (27.5%), with a mean age of 27.2 ± 6.4 years. The majority of the participants (90%) had MSD symptoms in at least one body region, with the neck (66.84%) and lower back (65.80%) constituting the most prominent regions. The mean SF-36 scores were higher in participants without pain compared to participants with pain in all domains, except for the physical functioning domain. The high prevalence of MSD symptoms among young cashiers suggest the need for additional investigations to determine the risk factors of these disorders. Additionally, this study recommends preventive procedures to reduce the prevalence of MSD symptoms among cashiers

The Severity of Pain and Comorbidities Significantly Impact the Dependency on Activities of Daily Living among Musculoskeletal Patients in Jizan, Saudi Arabia

Limited research has been carried out on the effects of pain, comorbidity, and impaired function in musculoskeletal patients in Jizan, Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 115 patients (aged ≥ 55 years) with physician-diagnosed musculoskeletal conditions in Jizan to investigate the association between pain severity, comorbidities, and dependence on activities of daily living (ADLs). Self-reported questionnaires were used to collect data on pain, comorbidities, and physical function measured by ADLs. In ADLs, participants were categorized as dependent (n = 36) or independent (n = 79). Logistic regression analysis was employed to determine the predictors of dependence. The results showed that higher pain severity (adjusted odds ratio (OR): 1.69, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.21–2.38, p = 0.002) and a greater number of comorbidities (adjusted OR: 1.52, 95% CI: 1.06–2.17, p = 0.021) were independently associated with dependence in ADLs. These associations remained significant even after controlling for covariates. This study concluded that patients with musculoskeletal conditions in Jizan who experience high levels of pain and comorbidities are at risk of dependence on basic daily activities. Therefore, addressing pain and comorbidities is crucial for maintaining independence and improving quality of life. Personalized rehabilitation programs are needed to manage these conditions in this region

sj-docx-1-jpx-10.1177_23743735221130820 - Supplemental material for Tele-Rehabilitation Service from the Patient's Perspective: A Cross-Sectional Study

Supplemental material, sj-docx-1-jpx-10.1177_23743735221130820 for Tele-Rehabilitation Service from the Patient's Perspective: A Cross-Sectional Study by Fahad Saad Algarni, Majed O Alshammari, Umkalthoum Sidimohammad, Sarah A Khayat, Abdullah Aljabbary and Abdulrahman Mohammed Altowaijri in Journal of Patient Experience</p