Temporary layoffs and the duration of unemployment : an empirical analysis.

Digitised version produced by the EUI Library and made available online in 2020

MR Imaging of Intra- and Periarticular Cyst-Like Lesions of the Knee Joint in Workers with Occupational Kneeling

Objective. To determine the risk of intra- and periarticular cyst-like lesions of the knee joint in occupational kneeling. Methods. Magnetic resonance imaging of both knees (n = 282) was conducted in 92 male floor layers and 49 male graphic designers (referents), with a mean age of 55.6 years (range 42–70 years). The prevalence of cyst-like lesions was computed among floor layers and graphic designers, respectively, and associations with occupation summarized by odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Using logistic regression, models were adjusted for age, body mass index, knee injuries, and knee-straining sports. Results. Floor layers had a significantly higher prevalence of cyst-like lesions in the posterior part of the knee joint compared to graphic designers (OR 2.70, 95% CI 1.50–4.84). Floor layers also had a higher prevalence of fluid collections in the popliteus tendon recess (OR 2.17, 95% CI 0.99–4.77) and large cystic lesions of the popliteus muscle (OR 3.83, 95% CI 0.78–18.89). The prevalence of cystic lesions in the anterior part of the knee joint was low among floor layers (8.7%) and there was no significant difference between the two trade groups (P = 0.34). Conclusions. Occupational kneeling increases the risk of cyst-like lesions in the posterior part of the knee joint

Occupational kneeling and radiographic tibiofemoral and patellofemoral osteoarthritis

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The objective of our study was to evaluate the association between occupational kneeling and compartment specific radiographic tibiofemoral (TF) and patellofemoral (PF) osteoarthritis (OA).</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Questionnaire data and bilateral knee radiographs were obtained in 134 male floor layers and 120 male graphic designers (referents). Weight-bearing radiographs in three views (postero-anterior, lateral and axial) were classified according to joint space narrowing. After the exclusion of subjects with reports of earlier knee injuries the odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) of TF and PF OA was computed among floor layers compared to graphic designers in three age groups (≤ 49; 50–59; ≥ 60 years). Using logistic regression, estimates were adjusted for body mass index and knee-straining sports. In addition, the association between trade seniority and TF OA was assessed in age-adjusted test for trend analyses.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The prevalence of TF OA was significantly higher among floor layers aged 50–59 years compared to graphic designers (OR = 3.6, 95% CI = 1.1–12.0) while non-significant estimates were found in the young and elderly age groups. Furthermore, the adjusted OR of TF OA increased with trade seniority among floor layers (test for trend, OR = 2.2, 95% CI = 1.0–5.1), but not among graphic designers (OR = 1.2, 95% CI = 0.4–3.5). There were no significant differences regarding PF OA between the two occupational groups.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Results corroborate the existence of a causal relationship between occupational kneeling and radiographic TF OA and suggest a dose-response association with trade seniority. An association between kneeling and PF OA was however doubtful. Apparent discrepancies between findings in different age groups are most likely reflecting selection bias.</p