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Background: Karnataka ranks third with regards the number of mines in India and Kolar, at one time, had the world’s deepest and most productive gold mines. Miners are exposed to hazardous agents like silica, coal and asbestos which adversely impact health. Objectives: To assess the health-related quality of life (HRQL) of ex-mine workers at Kolar Gold Fields (KGF), Kolar, Karnataka. Methodology: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among 240 (estimated 196 with 50% prevalence) male ex-mine workers of KGF. An interview scheduled, consisting of socio-demographic factors, COPD Assessment Test (CAT) and Kings Brief Interstitial Lung Disease (KBILD) was administered. Lower CAT score and higher KBILD score indicate better HRQOL. Results: The mean age of the participants was 69.71±8.56 years. Participants were previously involved in drilling (113-47%) and blasting (127-53%) activities in the mines, with a mean of 14.68±6.46 years of work exposure. The mean scores for CAT and KBILD were 15.80±7.42 and 52.83±8.77 respectively. Based on CAT scores, half (51%) of participants reported medium impact of COPD on their health. Participants with longer duration of work experience had significantly higher CAT scores [OR-36.64 (12.14-110.6)]. KBILD score was significantly higher among those who worked in blasting (M=113. SD=52.14) than those involved in drilling (M=127, SD=53.43). Lower duration of work was significantly associated with higher KBILD scores (p

Byline: Naveen. Ramesh, Archana. Siddaiah, Bobby. Joseph The labor force participation rate for women aged 15-64 years was 25% for India in 2021.[1] Periodic national surveys have indicated declining female [...]

Byline: Kona. Chandralekha, Merlyn. Joseph, Bobby. Joseph Background: Work-related musculoskeletal disorder (WMSD) is a collective and descriptive term used for the symptoms caused or aggravated by work. Significant WMSDs can [...]

Congenital heart defects (CHDs) contribute significantly to heightened infant mortality rates. This review explores the intricate link between maternal infections and CHDs, emphasizing diverse factors influencing fetal development, such as bacterial, fungal, protozoan and viral agents. These infections pose reproductive health risks, potentially leading to complications like prematurity, stillbirth and heart defect to the fetus. The TORCH acronym (Toxoplasma, Other infections, Rubella, Cytomegalovirus, Herpes simplex) identifies infectious teratogens related to congenital issues, emphasizing vertical transmission through the placenta or ascending from the vagina. Rubella and Cytomegalovirus play a significant role in heart defects, particularly when maternal infections amplify CHD risk during pregnancy. Specific scrutiny is placed on Rubella and Cytomegalovirus for their impact on pregnancy outcomes and potential links to congenital heart defects, with preventive strategies discussed, including vaccination and antiviral therapy. The timing and severity of these infections are pivotal in determining their impact on fetal heart development. Environmental exposures and maternal nutrition are critical factors influencing fetal development. Maternal undernutrition in low- and middle-income countries associates with adverse pregnancy outcomes, including congenital heart defects. Emphasizing the importance of maintaining a nutritious maternal diet, rich in essential nutrients, is crucial for improved fetal health and successful pregnancy outcomes. This review offers insights into preventive measures and underscores the need for continued research to enhance prenatal care strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Cortisol levels (CL) in peri-implant sulcular fluid (PISF) samples in relation to type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and peri-implantitis remain unaddressed. It is hypothesised that PISF CL are higher in patients with type-2 diabetes and peri-implantitis than in healthy patients without and with peri-implantitis. The aim was to assess the PISF CL of peri-implantitis patients without and with T2DM. Materials and Methods: Peri-implantitis patients with T2DM (group 1), T2DM patients without peri-implantitis (group 2), non-diabetic patients with peri-implantitis (group 3) and non-diabetic patients without peri-implantitis (group 4) were included. Demographics were recorded; and patients' medical and dental records were assessed. Peri-implant modified plaque-index (mPI), modified gingival index (mGI), and probing depth (PD) and crestal bone loss (CBL) were recorded. The PISF was collected and CL were determined. p < 0.01 was considered statistically significant. Results: Each of the four groups included 16 subjects (n = 64) with no difference in mean age. In groups 1 and 2, the mean duration of T2DM was 10.5 ± 0.8 and 10.6 ± 0.4 years, respectively. Mean HbA1c levels (p < 0.01) were higher and clinicoradiographic parameters (p < 0.001) were worse in group 1 than in the other groups. The median PISF volume and mean CL were higher in groups 1 (p < 0.01) and 3 (p < 0.01) than groups 2 and 4. There was a statistically significant correlation between PD and CL in group 3 (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Cortisol levels in the PISF are higher in T2DM and non-diabetic patients with peri-implantitis than in healthy individuals with and without peri-implantitis. Hyperglycemia did not influence peri-implant clinicoradiographic parameters and CL in the present patient population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Byline: Bobby. Joseph Although not a stated objective of the Indian Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, this publication provides Occupational Health Physicians in this country a wonderful opportunity to [...]

Introduction: Sickness presenteeism is a phenomenon where "workers go to work when ill." The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of and work-related factors associated with presenteeism among nursing care providers in selected tertiary hospitals in Bangalore city. Methodology: Participants were selected using stratified sampling followed by simple random sampling. A questionnaire was designed to capture socio-demographic information, sickness-related behavior, performance-based self-esteem (PBSE), and selected work-related characteristics. Results: A total of 357 participants were enrolled in the study, 274 were staff nurses (S/N) and 83 were nursing assistants (N/A). About 75% of the participants reported presenteeism at least once in the last year, two-fifths did so in the last 4 weeks and nearly 15% were sick on the day of the interview. The mean Stanford Sickness Presenteeism Scale-6 score was 18.49 ± 3.84. The most frequent reason for presenteeism was "perceived mildness of the disease." In bivariate analysis, those who were younger, male, had children, higher qualifications, chronic ailment/s, financial commitments, lesser work experience, and higher PBSE had higher presenteeism scores. When introduced into a linear regression model, those S/N who had children [Standardized coefficient = 0.23 (0.40--1.97)], higher PBSE scores [Standardized coefficient = 0.385 (0.15--2.55)], and reported sickness absenteeism in the preceding 4 weeks [Standardized coefficient = 0.136 (0.12--1.01)] were significantly associated with higher presenteeism scores. Those N/A who had lesser work experience had higher presenteeism scores [Standardized coefficient = -0.33 (-0.02---0.004)]. Conclusion: Presenteeism is a common phenomenon among nursing care providers. It is imperative that both employers and employees be educated about its ill effects on the individual, fellow staff, and patients, followed by the adoption of preventive measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Natural rubber latex (NRL) is processed from Hevea brasiliensis trees. Allergic reactions to certain proteins in the latex manifest as immediate hypersensitivity reactions and allergic reactions to chemicals added to latex during processing manifest as allergic contact dermatitis. Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at increased risk of developing latex allergies. As little data is available from India, this study was directed toward identifying the prevalence of latex glove-related dermatoses among nurses and the factors leading to it. Methodology: This cross-sectional study was undertaken among nurses in a private tertiary care hospital. Results: A total of 700 nurses were included in the study. Symptoms of latex allergy were present in 74 (10.6%) of study subjects, out of which 69 (9.9%) had features of contact dermatitis. Patch test was done in 50 subjects and was positive in 12 (24%); among them, patch test antigens were positive in 9 (18%) and a positive result to glove piece was seen in 3 subjects. Conclusions: Latex allergy in India is a significant problem; though lesser compared to western countries, its prevalence necessitates the development of pre-employment protocols to avoid workplace morbidity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: This cohort study aimed to compare the effect of ultrasonic scaling on the expression of IL-1β in the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) among ENDS users and non-smokers (NS) with gingivitis., Methods: Self-reported current electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS) users and NS with generalized gingivitis were included in this study. All the patients underwent scaling at the baseline visit (T0). Clinical measures, periodontal parameters [probing depth (PD), plaque index (PI), and bleeding on probing (BOP)], and GCF IL-1β were measured at T0, after 1 week (T1) and after 3 weeks (T2). Wilcoxon signed rank test was used to assess the changes in the periodontal measurements and IL-1β levels at different time points and Mann-Whitney U Test was used to compare the two groups., Results: A total of 38 individuals (18 NS and 20 ENDS users) participated in the study. The PD was significantly higher in ENDS users than in NS at baseline. However, the PI and BOP were similar in all groups at baseline. At T1, the PI was significantly lower for NS than for ENDS users (p=0.045). At T2, there were no significant differences in any of the parameters assessed between the two groups. For ENDS users, BOP was significantly lower at T1 than at baseline. For NS, the BOP at T1 and T2 and the PI at T1 were significantly lower than at baseline. There was no difference in the GCF IL-1β levels in NS and ENDS users at baseline, T1, and T2. At T2, there was a significant reduction in IL-1β (p<0.05) than at baseline in both groups., Conclusions: Both ENDS users and NS with gingivitis responded similarly to scaling. GCF IL-1β levels were significantly higher at baseline (p<0.05) compared with their levels at T1 and T2 for both the groups., Clinical Trial Registration: The study was registered on the official website of ClinicalTrials.gov., Identifier: ID NCT05745324., Competing Interests: The authors have completed and submitted the ICMJE Form for Disclosure of Potential Conflicts of Interest and none was reported., (© 2024 Alkhalifah A.B. et al.)