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Breast cancer (BC) is the most common invasive cancer in the world. Most BC survivors (BCSs) continue working while dealing with cancer-related disabilities. BCSs’ return-to-work (RTW) after cancer treatment is an important stage of their recovery and is associated with a higher survival rate. In this study, we addressed the RTW of BCSs with the intention of facilitating this process through direct action in the workplace. Thirty-two women who requested assistance from January to December 2022 were enrolled in the study. Semi-structured interviews and medical examinations were conducted by a team of three physicians. Interviews were analyzed using Thematic Analysis. Moreover, a quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted to compare the health status of BCSs with that of a control group of 160 working women, using standardized questionnaires on work ability, fatigue, sleep problems, anxiety, depression, and happiness. BCSs were also asked to rate the level of organizational justice they perceived at work prior to their illness. From the qualitative analysis emerged three facilitating/hindering themes: (1) person-related factors, (2) company-related factors, and (3) society-related factors. In the quantitative analysis, BCSs had significantly higher scores for anxiety, depression, sleep problems and fatigue, and lower levels of happiness than controls. The RTW of BCSs entails adapting working conditions and providing adequate support. The work-related analysis of each case made it possible to highlight the measures that need to be taken in the workplace to promote RTW. The treatment of cancer should be paired with advice on the best way to regain the ability to work.

OBJECTIVE: Estimates of the burden of influenza are needed to inform prevention and control activities for seasonal influenza, including to support the development of appropriate vaccination policies. We used sentinel surveillance data on severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) to estimate the burden of influenza-associated hospitalizations in the Lao Peoples Democratic Republic. METHODS: Using methods developed by the World Health Organization, we combined data from hospital logbook reviews with epidemiological and virological data from influenza surveillance from 1 January to 31 December 2016 in defined catchment areas for two sentinel sites (Champasack and Luang Prabang provincial hospitals) to derive population-based estimates of influenza-associated SARI hospitalization rates. Hospitalization rates by age group were then applied to national age-specific population estimates using 2015 census data. RESULTS: We estimated the overall influenza-associated SARI hospitalization rate to be 48/100 000 population (95% confidence interval [CI]: 44-51) or 3097 admissions (95% CI: 2881-3313). SARI hospitalization rates were estimated to be as low as 40/100 000 population (95% CI: 37-43) and as high as 92/100 000 population (95% CI: 87-98) after accounting for SARI patient underascertainment in hospital logbooks. Influenza-associated SARI hospitalization rates were highest in children aged < 5 years (219; 95% CI: 198-241) and persons aged 3 65 years (106; 95% CI: 91-121). DISCUSSION: Our findings have identified age groups at higher risk for influenza-associated SARI hospitalization, which will support policy decisions for influenza prevention and control strategies, including for vaccination. Further work is needed to estimate the burdens of outpatient influenza and influenza in specific high-risk subpopulations.

Exposure to major trauma can have significant consequences for workers’ mental health, but common trauma may also result in poor mental health outcomes. This cross-sectional study retrospectively investigated the occurrence of common physical or psychological workplace trauma in 901 health, social service, and trading company workers and studied these experiences in relation to occupational stress, anxiety, and depression. Stress was measured with the effort/reward imbalance (ERI) model while anxiety and depression were evaluated with the Goldberg Anxiety and Depression Scale (GADS). Healthcare workers reported a high frequency of trauma and significantly higher levels of stress, anxiety, and depression than other workers. Even in the entire population of workers of the various professional categories, verbal violence (harassment and threats), traffic accidents, home injuries, and family bereavement were significantly associated with high levels of stress, anxiety, and depression. Major trauma survivors are known to be at increased risk of mental disorders and require support in the workplace, however, even minor repeated emotional trauma and injuries can affect mental health. During mandatory health surveillance, the occupational physician should systematically collect information on minor trauma and mental health outcomes when assessing the occupational fitness of the workers assigned to him.

Syncope and presyncope episodes that occur during work could affect one’s safety and impair occupational performance. Few data are available regarding the prevalence of these events among workers. The possible role of sleep quality, mental stress, and metabolic disorders in promoting syncope, presyncope, and falls in workers is unknown. In the present study, 741 workers (male 35.4%; mean age 47 ± 11 years), employed at different companies, underwent clinical evaluation and blood tests, and completed questionnaires to assess sleep quality, occupational distress, and mental disorders. The occurrence of syncope, presyncope, and unexplained falls during working life was assessed via an ad hoc interview. The prevalence of syncope, presyncope, and falls of unknown origin was 13.9%, 27.0%, and 10.3%, respectively. The occurrence of syncope was associated with an increased risk of occupational distress (adjusted odds ratio aOR: 1.62, confidence intervals at 95%: 1.05–2.52), low sleep quality (aOR: 1.79 CI 95%: 1.16–2.77), and poor mental health (aOR: 2.43 CI 95%: 1.52–3.87). Presyncope was strongly associated with occupational distress (aOR: 1.77 CI 95%: 1.25–2.49), low sleep quality (aOR: 2.95 CI 95%: 2.08–4.18), and poor mental health (aOR: 2.61 CI 95%: 1.78–3.84), while no significant relationship was found between syncope or presyncope and metabolic syndrome. These results suggest that occupational health promotion interventions aimed at improving sleep quality, reducing stressors, and increasing worker resilience might reduce syncope and presyncope events in the working population.

Apart from the risk of accidents, war theatres present a hazard related to numerous long-lasting toxic agents. For 10 years, a >60-year-old male journalist worked in war theatres in the Far and Near East where he was exposed to asbestos and other toxic substances (metals, silica, clays, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and other organic substances) contained in dust and smoke of destroyed buildings. More than 15 years later, he developed a mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the soft palate and, subsequently, a pleural malignant mesothelioma. The safety of war journalists should focus not only on preventing the risk of being killed, but also on providing protection from toxic and carcinogenic agents. Exposure to substances released during the destruction of buildings can also pose a carcinogenic risk for survivors.

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Chronic Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infection is prevalent in approximately 3.2 million people in the United States. Understanding mechanisms of HCV treatment response and conditions seen in people with HCV such as steatosis and Insulin Resistance (IR) are important to preventing excess morbidity and mortality and improving HCV treatment outcomes. Host genetic factors may be important with respect to these issues. The purpose of this research was to investigate host genetic relationships with 28 day viral decline after treatment initiation, steatosis and insulin resistance and to examine these associations separately in African Americans and Caucasian Americans infected with HCV genotype-1. Data from the Study of Viral Resistance of Antiviral Therapy of Chronic Hepatitis C (Virahep-C) were used. Virahep-C was designed to understand the mechanisms of resistance to antiviral therapy for chronic HCV genotype-1 patients. The studies reported in this dissertation included up to 194 Caucasian Americans (CA) and 180 African Americans (AA) who agreed to participate in the Virahep-C genetics ancillary study. In longitudinal analyses of 28 day treatment induced viral decline, polymorphisms in Myxovirus resistance 2 (MX2), Oligoadenylate synthetase-like (OASL), Signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 and 2 (STAT1 and STAT2) were significantly associated with viral decline. Additionally, significant Protein Kinase (PKR) haplotype associations with viral decline were observed among AAs. In cross-sectional analyses, significant associations between selected genetic variants and either steatosis or IR were observed in Interleukin-10 (IL10), Leptin Receptor (LEPR), Interleukin-6 (IL6) and Transforming Growth Factor Beta 1 (TGF-â1) for both conditions. Statistically significant interactions were observed between IL10, LEPR and TGF-â1 polymorphisms and HOMA2-IR scores when examining steatosis.Statistically significant associations were observed for Adiponectin Receptor 1 (ADIP

Chronic Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infection is prevalent in approximately 3.2 million people in the United States. Understanding mechanisms of HCV treatment response and conditions seen in people with HCV such as steatosis and Insulin Resistance (IR) are important to preventing excess morbidity and mortality and improving HCV treatment outcomes. Host genetic factors may be important with respect to these issues. The purpose of this research was to investigate host genetic relationships with 28 day viral decline after treatment initiation, steatosis and insulin resistance and to examine these associations separately in African Americans and Caucasian Americans infected with HCV genotype-1. Data from the Study of Viral Resistance of Antiviral Therapy of Chronic Hepatitis C (Virahep-C) were used. Virahep-C was designed to understand the mechanisms of resistance to antiviral therapy for chronic HCV genotype-1 patients. The studies reported in this dissertation included up to 194 Caucasian Americans (CA) and 180 African Americans (AA) who agreed to participate in the Virahep-C genetics ancillary study. In longitudinal analyses of 28 day treatment induced viral decline, polymorphisms in Myxovirus resistance 2 (MX2), Oligoadenylate synthetase-like (OASL), Signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 and 2 (STAT1 and STAT2) were significantly associated with viral decline. Additionally, significant Protein Kinase (PKR) haplotype associations with viral decline were observed among AAs. In cross-sectional analyses, significant associations between selected genetic variants and either steatosis or IR were observed in Interleukin-10 (IL10), Leptin Receptor (LEPR), Interleukin-6 (IL6) and Transforming Growth Factor Beta 1 (TGF-â1) for both conditions. Statistically significant interactions were observed between IL10, LEPR and TGF-â1 polymorphisms and HOMA2-IR scores when examining steatosis.Statistically significant associations were observed for Adiponectin Receptor 1 (ADIP