American journal of industrial medicine
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Multicenter Study
Hypothenar hammer syndrome: a multicenter case-control study.
The rarely diagnosed hypothenar hammer syndrome (HHS) is due to vascular damage to the distal part of the ulnar artery probably caused by acute or repetitive blunt trauma to the hypothenar region. To date, mainly case reports have been published, while epidemiological data are almost absent. ⋯ This investigation represents one of the largest groups of patients with HHS described so far. Work-related repeated blunt trauma to the palm of the hand significantly increases the risk of HHS.
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Drywall installers are at high-risk of work-related injury. Comprehensive descriptive epidemiology of injuries among drywall installers, particularly over time, is lacking. ⋯ Declines in drywall installers' injury rates over time likely reflect, in part, enhanced workplace safety, including efforts to reduce overexertion hazards associated with handling drywall. Continued injury prevention efforts are needed, particularly for less tenured workers. Given the potential for under-reporting to WC, additional sources of health outcomes data may provide a more complete picture of workers' health.
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To characterize the relationship between acute measures of severity and three important workers' compensation outcomes associated with a worker's ability to return to work and the cost of a work-related injury. ⋯ We were able to link data from the initial hospitalization for an injured worker with the final workers' compensation claims decision or settlement. The in-hospital measures of injury severity were associated with total monetary compensation as captured in the workers' compensation process.
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Coal mine dust exposure can cause both pneumoconiosis and chronic airflow limitation. The contributions of various pathophysiologic mechanisms to dust-related lung function decrements remain unclear. ⋯ In a series of working coal miners, accelerated lung function declines were associated with air trapping and evidence of small airways dysfunction. A preventive benefit from controlling dust exposures was suggested.
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This study utilizes a four-level pyramid framework to understand the relationship between symptom reports and/or abnormal pulmonary function and diagnoses of airway diseases (AD), including asthma, recurrent bronchitis and COPD/emphysema in WTC-exposed firefighters. We compare the distribution of pyramid levels at two time-points: by 9/11/2005 and by 9/11/2010. ⋯ Respiratory diagnoses, even four years after a major inhalation event, are not the only drivers of future healthcare utilization. Symptoms and abnormal FEV-1 values must also be considered if clinicians and healthcare administrators are to accurately anticipate future treatment needs, years after initial exposure.