Is it worth to continue to analyse the factors of cardiovascular risk among the sailors? Review of literature

Background: Cardiovascular diseases are still the most common cause of death from natural causes among seafarers. The aim of the study was to determine which of the cardiovascular risk factors listed in the current recommendations of the European Society of Cardiology occur among seafarers. Materials and methods: The paper is a review of literature from PubMed Database.  Results: Based on conducted analysis of over 31 papers high prevalence of classic and other cardiovascular risk factors among seafarers was proven. The most common risk factors among off-shore workers are overweight and obesity (over 64%); moreover, these factors occur more often among seafarers than in the general popula- tion. Also hypertension, smoking, type 2 diabetes and unfavourable lipid profile were present more often in this occupational group. In the analysed studies attention was also paid to factors often overlooked in risk assess- ment such as mental and inflammatory illnesses, unfavourable working conditions and psychological burden.  Conclusions: Seafarers have a higher cardiovascular risk because, among other things, the prevalence of “old and new” risk factors among them is higher than in general population.

The psychosocial burden and stress coping strategies among seafarers

Background: The seafarers’ professional group is one of the most numerous in the world. According to the statistics of the European Maritime Safety Agency (2020), there are approximately 280,000 people employed at sea in the European Union. The specific work environment on the ship (climatic, physical, chemical, psychological factors, etc.) is related to experiencing long-term stress. The World Health Organization considers work-related stressors to be very important determinants of health and disease. One of the basic psychological resources related to adaptation to demanding working conditions are strategies for coping with stress. The aim of the study is to assess the occurrence of harmful psychosocial factors in the work of seafarers and the stress coping strategies and their relationship with somatic diseases. Materials and methods: One hundred and fifteen seafarers who received a maritime health certificate participated in the study at the Occupational Medicine Clinic. The study was part of a larger project looking at the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors among seafarers. The study used the Coping Questionnaire in Stressful Situations (CISS) (Endler and Parker) and a general questionnaire created for the purposes of the study. Results: Thirty six per cent respondents were exposed to traumatic event and to having nightmares, 13% had been discriminated at least once in the workplace. A positive correlation was found between discrimination and depression, nightmares and trauma. In addition, people who admitted having experienced trauma slept shorter (also while at home) and experienced nightmares more often. The most common style of coping was task oriented (29; 28.5%), and avoidance oriented (15%). The study also found a positive correlation between depression and the style of emotion-oriented coping and avoidance-oriented coping. Conclusions: The specific working conditions and exposure to traumatic events have a negative impact on the health of seafarers by increasing the risk of depression and cardiovascular diseases. The coping styles with stress depend on the position in the ship hierarchy

Telemedical Maritime Assistance Service at the University Center of Maritime and Tropical Medicine in Gdynia. The analysis of 6 years of activity

BackgroundIn the 1960s, the International Labour Organization passed a convention under which all countries with national shipping were obliged to create a 24-h telemedicine center for ships. In accordance with the convention, Telemedical Assistance Service centers were to provide permanent access to medical advice given by qualified doctors and to create an international platform for the exchange of information and experience. In Poland, the Telemedical Maritime Assistance Service (TMAS) was established in 2012, and its duties in a 24-h system are carried out by doctors from the University Center of Maritime and Tropical Medicine (UCMTM) in Gdynia. The aim of this work was to determine the reasons for medical officers reporting for help from the TMAS doctor on duty and to create a database of the most common diagnoses and actions undertaken, and in particular evacuation.Material and MethodsIn the presented work, the authors analyzed TMAS telephony and e-mail advice provided by doctors of the UCMTM in Gdynia, in the period from October 2012 to the end of 2018.ResultsIn the 6-year period, UCMTM doctors provided TMAS advice 225 times, recommending evacuation in over 20% of these cases. Infectious diseases were the most common cause of contact in the entire period under analysis – 61 cases were recorded, accounting for as many as 27% of all applications. Injuries were the second most frequent reason for seeking help from TMAS, and 20% of TMAS applications (44 cases) were related to trauma.ConclusionsThe obtained data show that TMAS doctors face various medical problems; therefore, providing proper medical assistance to patients requires a close multidisciplinary cooperation between medical officers, TMAS doctors and emergency services

Mass casualty incidents during the ten years of telemedical maritime assistance service in Gdynia, Poland

Mass casualty incident (MCI) is one of the most difficult situation in emergency medicine. Due to the specific conditions, MCIs occurring at sea are usually far more demanding than those happening on land. In this paper the authors would like to describe the MCIs, which have happened during almost 10 years of functioning of the Polish Telemedical Maritime Assistance Service (TMAS). First incident concerned a group of migrants floating on a raft on the Gulf of Mexico. The cause of the second incident was acute organophosphate intoxication among the crew of the merchant ship. The third incident was triggered by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). It is important to emphasize, that triage system may help in proper management of MCIs. Cooperation of the medical services, such as TMAS, local emergency medical staff, Search and Rescue (SAR) service and military force seems to be crucial in MCI managements occuring at sea. In case of any doubts, change of a course and heading to the nearest port or immediate evacuation should be taken into consideration. The authors believe that analysis of these incidents may help TMAS personnel all over the world to handle MCIs in the future. Med Pr. 2023;74(2):145–5