Search

Background: Although no dose-response relationship for the health risks associated with the occupational exposure to inhaled anaesthetics exists, public health authorities recommend threshold values. The aim of the present study was to assess if and to what extent these threshold values are exceeded in an eastern European university hospital before and after measures had been taken to reduce occupational exposure.Methods: At nine workplaces occupational exposure of anaesthetists to nitrous oxide and halothane or isoflurane was measured by means of photoacoustic infrared spectrometry. The measurements were carried out in 1996 and were repeated in 1997 after the installation of active scavenging devices at five workplaces and an air-conditioning system at one workplace.Results: Occupational exposure to nitrous oxide and halothane or isoflurane was lower in 1997 compared to 1996. In 1997 most of the nitrous oxide values still exceeded the threshold value of 100 ppm, whereas most of the halothane and isoflurane values were already below the threshold values of 5 ppm and 10 ppm in 1996.Conclusion: The measures taken were effective in reducing waste gas exposure. Nevertheless, further efforts are necessary, especially for nitrous oxide, to reach western European standards. These efforts comprise structural measures such as active scavenging devices and air-conditioning systems at all workplaces, the use of total intravenous anaesthesia, low-flow anaesthesia and an appropriate working technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the discrepancy between the apparent pharmacokinetic disposition of (+)-penicillamine in plasma and urine, the spontaneous degradation of (+)-penicillamine was studied in acidified and non- acidified urine. Degradation was prevented by acidification. The oxidized metabolites were converted to reduced (+)-penicillamine by electrolysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To compare function and disability in fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) cases in the community versus controls, and to identify variables predicting poor function and disability., Methods: We identified 100 FMS cases, 76 pain controls, and 135 general controls in a random survey of 3,395 noninstitutionalized adults., Results: FMS cases reported worse function (P < 0.00001), more days in bed (P < 0.001), and more healthy years of life lost (P < 0.0001). More FMS cases were disabled (P < 0.00001) and receiving pensions (P < 0.00001). Risk factors for disability included middle age and previous heavy manual labor. Pain, fatigue, and weakness were most often claimed to affect the ability to work Variables predicting work disability were the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) score, a prior diagnosis of FMS, nonrestorative sleep, and past heavy physical labor. Variables influencing the FIQ score were the number of major symptoms, self-reported health satisfaction, tender point count, and education level., Conclusion: FMS commonly results in loss of function and work disability.

Twenty-five patients with adult Still's disease were studied to determine clinical course and possible HLA associations. Two types of disease evolution were distinguishable clinically: a self-limited remitting disease with or without recurrent cyclic exacerbations was found in 11 patients, and a persistent disease with continuous activity for more than 1 year, generally accompanied by progressive joint disease, was determined in 8. Disease course could not be classified in 6 patients. The antigen frequencies of HLA-Bw35 (40%, P less than 0.05) and Cw4 (44%, P less than 0.05) were increased in adult Still's disease as compared to controls (18% and 20%, respectively). Because HLA-Bw35 was associated with self-limited remitting type disease (P less than 0.02), this antigen may be a favorable prognostic marker in adult Still's disease.