DOES STILL EXIST A CORRELATION BETWEEN X-RAYS OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE AND BENIGN NODULAR THYROID DISEASE?

Objective: The prevalence of benign nodular thyroid disease in the general population is high, as shown by various studies, and the diagnosis is eased by the improved diagnostic capacity of the instruments used. The aim of the present study is the evaluation of occupational exposure to ionizing radiation as a possible significant risk factor in the determinism of this pathology. Method: A cross-sectional observational study in “A category” X-ray exposed workers (doctors, nurses, technicians) of the University Hospital of Palermo, compared with a sample of the general population, was carried out from June 2016 to June 2017. We evaluated data obtained from the Personal Health Records, including thyroid sonographic reports, assessed by 10-MHz neck ultrasonography: then were analyzed on the basis of statistical significance (p-value < 0.05, Odd ratios and 95% confidence interval), in order to identify possible relations with conditions who may become real risk factors, such as: occupational exposure, considering years and accumulated dose, age, gender, smoking habit. Result: Nodules were detected in 32/85 (37.6%) workers and in 31/90 (34.4%) subjects of the control group. None of the parameters examined in the two groups reached statistical significance as a risk factor, therefore not playing major role in the determinism of thyroid nodularitye. Conclusion: In this study, X-rays work-related exposure does not represent a risk factor of thyroid nodularity, although it would be opportune to know the reasons of the high prevalence of this pathology in general population

Casa e salute - rischi domestici e salute nelle casalinghe

This study discuss home security and shows that "the house" is very rich of dangers. In fact housewives are exposed to various risk factors and have a high incidence of physical and mental disorders

EFFECTS OF THE GLOBAL ECONOMIC AND JOBS CRISIS ON THE HEALTH STATUS OF THE ITALIAN AND SICILIAN POPULATIONS: FROM THE OCCUPATIONAL MEDICINE TO NOT OCCUPATIONAL MEDICINE?

The economic crisis that started in 2008 in many countries of the world, has resulted in the reduction of many jobs in all the regions of Italy, most especially in the Southern part of the Country. The employment difficulties experienced by both the unemployed and employed workers, experiencing increasingly precarious conditions, will inevitably result in a worsening of psycho-physical conditions of the population; especially as an increase in stress-related diseases. Aims: The aim of this study is to point-out the possible effects of the economic crisis on the health status of the population resident in Italy and Sicily, evaluating data from years preceding and following the year 2008. Methods: We have selected two populations: the first comprising the inhabitants of the Italian territory, the second comprising the inhabitants in the Sicilian territory. We evaluated official statistical data regarding demographics, information about lifestyles that can cause cardiovascular diseases, and also statistical data about job accidents and occupational diseases. We also investigated the use of antidepressant drugs, as indicators of psychological distress and metabolic diseases in the two populations. Results: Data analysis shows an overall increase of people migrating to foreign countries, increased unemployment for all age groups, with dramatic spikes in Sicily, and degenerating lifestyles associated with increasing numbers of subjects suffering from depression, diabetes and ischemic heart disease, although treatments and prognosis have improved. Work-related accidents only have been significantly reduced, while at the same time reports of occupational diseases increase. Conclusions: It is necessary to change economic policies and development throughout the country; especially in the Southern regions, in order to substantially improve the mental and physical health of the population

Immunization against Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg) in a Cohort of Nursing Students Two Decades after Vaccination: Surprising Feedback

Health-care students can be exposed to biological risks during university training. The persistence of long-term immunogenicity against hepatitis B virus (HBV) was analyzed in a cohort of nursing students two decades after primary vaccination. A total of 520 students were enrolled at the University of Palermo and were evaluated for levels of anti-HBsAg antibodies. ThestudentswereexaminedduringthefirstyearoftheirDegreeCourseandwerecheckedtwoyears later. All students with anti-HBsAg <10 mIU/mL during their first or third year were boosted within onemonth. Theproportionofstudentsthatwerevaccinatedduringadolescenceshowinganti-HBsAg ≥10 mIU/mL was higher than that observed in students who were vaccinated during infancy (69% versus31.7%;p-value<0.001). ReceivingHBVvaccinationatadolescencewassignificantlyassociated with a fourfold increased possibility of having anti-HBsAg titers≥10 mIU/mL (adj-OR = 4.21, 95% CI: 2.43–7.30). Among the students who were checked at the third year and boosted after the first year (n = 279), those who were vaccinated during infancy showed a higher percentage of antibody titers <10 mIU/mL (20.3% versus 8.7% among vaccinated during adolescence; p < 0.01). This study confirms that HBV vaccination at adolescence might determine a higher long-term persistence of anti-HBsAg titers≥10 mIU/mL and that anti-HBV booster could increase levels of anti-HBsAg over a relatively short period, especially in subjects who were vaccinated during infancy

Cromemia e cromuria: valori a confronto tra soggetti professionalmente esposti al cromo e popolazione generale

Aim of present study is the valutation and quantification of chromium in blood and urine. We compared 3 groups of persons formed by building workers, in particular masons, because cement contains potassium chromate that is dangerous for health, and by common people: urban population and outside the town population. In fact, exposure to CrVI risk is high for people who live near chromate industries. We maked a medical examination, blood and instrumental tests, chromium measuring in blood (recent exposure indicator) and urine (recent and previous indicator). Then we used statistical methods to estimate obtained values of blood and urine chromium among professional exposed people and common people. At the end we think that preventive measures in working environment reduced exposure to CrVI but environmental exposure (for example road dust from catalytic converter erosion, from brake lining erosion, cement dust and tobacco smoke), in the last years, has increased. So there are no difference between urban population and outside the town population and there are also no difference with professional exposed people for work prevention according to law in force, that let down professional risk using safe limits

Latent Tuberculosis Infection among Healthcare Students and Postgraduates in a Mediterranean Italian Area: What Correlation with Work Exposure?

Background: Tuberculosis screening is part of the standard protocol for evaluating the risk of infection in healthcare workers. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) among students attending various healthcare profession degree courses and postgraduate medical courses at the School of Medicine of the University of Palermo, Italy, and assess the possible professional origin of infection. Methods: In total, 2946 students (2082 undergraduates and 864 postgraduates) took part in a screening program for LTBI between January 2014 to April 2019 using the tuberculin skin test (TST). Students with a positive TST result underwent a Quantiferon-TB test (QFT). Results: Among the 2082 undergraduates, 23 (1.1%) had a positiveTST;theresultwasconfirmedwithQFTfor13(0.62%)ofthem. Amongthe864postgraduate students,24(2.78%)hadapositiveTSTandonly18(2.08%)showedapositiveQTF.Latenttuberculosis infectionsweresignificantlymorefrequentamongpostgraduatesthanundergraduates(2.08% > 0.62%, p < 0.0001). There was a higher number of subjects previously vaccinated for TB (18.87% > 0.24%, p < 0.0001), and of vaccinated subjects found positive for TST and QTF (66.67% > 7.69%, p = 0.001) in the postgraduate group. Conclusion: Latent TB is relatively low among medical school students in our geographic area. Nevertheless, this infectious disease must be regarded as a re-emerging biohazard for which preventive strategies are required to limit the risk of infection, especially among exposed workers

Kinetics of Anti-Hepatitis B Surface Antigen Titers in Nurse Students after a Two-Year Follow-Up

Infection caused by hepatitis B virus (HBV) can be prevented through a safe and effective vaccine. This study analysed the kinetics of serum antibodies against hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) (anti-HBs) titers in relation to previous vaccine boosters in Italian nursing students who were followed up for two years. Serum anti-HBs titers were evaluated at the first visit, after vaccine booster (if required) and at visit after two years. Overall, 483 students (mean age = 21.7 years; SD = 3.7) with median anti-HBs IgG titer of 6 mUI/mL (interquartile range (IQR) = 0-34) were enrolled. A total of 254 (52.5%) students with a titer lower than 10 mIU/mL were offered an anti-HBV booster at the first visit. Among these students, an exponential relation between anti-HBs IgG titer, one month after HBV booster and anti-HBs IgG titer two years later was found (y = 3.32 exp (0.0045x); R2 = 0.48; p < 0.001). Students with anti-HBV titer higher than 10 mIU/mL (N = 229) were followed up, and anti-HBs IgG titers at follow-up visit linearly correlated with anti-HBV baseline titers (y = 0.86x + 26.2; R2 = 0.67; p < 0.001). A decrease in anti-HBs titers can be expected a few years after the anti-HBV booster dose. This reduction is more pronounced than that observed in students not administered the booster dose and is exponential with respect to basal titers assessed after the booster dose

Cardiovascular effects of occupational exposure to urban airborne pollution on a group of newsagents in the city of Palermo

Aims: To verify the possible correlation between exposure to airborne particulate matter the average size less than 10 μm (PM 10) of a group of newsagents working in kiosks in Palermo and evidence of carotid intimal thickening. Materials and methods: data were collected relating to environmental monitoring of airborne pollutants. We have selected a sample of newsagents, who were submitted to some clinical investigations, including the carotid echo-color doppler examination. Results: The results show no correlation between the location of the kiosks, and the presence of intimal thickening. Conclusion: Exposition to urban pollutants in Palermo is likely homogenous in the different areas and can be considered an ubiquitous atherogenic risk factor

INCREASE IN CORONARY SINUS RHYTHM IN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS AS POTENTIAL CORRELATE OF COVID-19 INFECTIONS

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly disrupted human life demonstrating also a substantial impact on cardiac diseases. In particular, some researchers have reported an increased incidence of cardiac arrhythmias in patients with COVID-19, emphasizing the need for further investigations. Accordingly, this study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of cardiac arrhythmias in university students before and after COVID-19, in order to better understand if this risk increased over time. Cross-sectional study conducted on students attending the University of Palermo from 2015 to 2024. For each subject demographic data, patient medical history information and information relating to vaccination against Sars-CoV-2 were recorded. Moreover, each visit was associated with the execution of a 12-lead ECG performed at rest in order to assess for alterations of the electrical heart rhythm. During the study period 1,217 patients were visited, including 401 (33%) males and 815 (67%) females. The median age at the visit was 20.40 years. Overall, we observed a statistically significant increase in the risk of coronary sinus rhythm and respiratory arrhythmia in subjects with a previous diagnosis of COVID-19 (OR=5.0, 95% CI=1.6-16.0 and OR=3.4, 95% CI= 2.4-4.8, respectively). This study is especially compelling as it focuses on an increased risk of respiratory arrhythmia and coronary sinus rhythm in young healthy subjects after the COVID-19 pandemics. If our results should be confirmed by other more extensive studies they could be relevant to clinicians since they should be aware of cardiac arrhythmias as one of the complications attributable to COVID-19 emergence

Correlation among job-induced stress, overall well-being, and cardiovascular risk in Italian workers of logistics and distribution

IntroductionWork-related stress is an occupational risk that has been linked to the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD). While previous studies have explored this association in various work contexts, none have focused specifically on logistics and distribution personnel. These workers may be exposed to significant job stress, which potentially increases the risk of CVD.MethodsIn this study, we aimed to examine the relationship between work-related stress and cardiovascular risk in a sample of 413 healthy workers of a logistics and distribution company. To assess work-related stress and cardiovascular risk, we used the organisational well-being questionnaire proposed by the Italian National Anti-Corruption Authority, the Framingham Heart Study General Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) Risk Prediction Score and the WHO General Wellbeing Index (WHO-5).ResultsOur results revealed that individuals with low job support had a significantly higher CVD risk score and lower well-being index than those reporting high job support. Furthermore, workers with high-stress tasks showed higher well-being index scores than those with passive tasks. Approximately 58% of the subjects were classified as low CVD risk (CVD risk <10%), approximately 31% were classified as moderate risk (CVD risk between 10 and 20%) and 11% were considered high risk (CVD risk >20%). The overall median CVD risk for the population was moderate (6.9%), with individual scores ranging from 1 to 58%.DiscussionFurther analyses confirmed the protective effect of work support, also identifying physical inactivity, regular alcohol consumption and low educational level as factors contributing to an increased risk of CVD. Interestingly, factors such as job control and work support demonstrated a positive impact on psychological well-being. These results emphasise the importance of intervention strategies aimed at promoting health in the workplace. By addressing these combined factors, organisations can effectively reduce the risk of CVD and improve the general well-being of their workforce