Disorders In Employees Research Articles

Noise Against Auditory and Non-Auditory Disorders in PT PLN Employees

Noise has several impacts on health. Besides the impact on hearing loss, high noise intensity can also cause loss of concentration, loss of balance and disorientation, fatigue, and communication disorders. This research design is analytic survey with cross sectional study approach. The location of this research is at PT PLN Persero Persero West Halmahera, North Maluku Province. The population was 123 people. The sample was 94 people with purposive sampling technique. The results obtained P value = 0.000 (P <0.05) means there is an influence of noise. The results of statistical chi-square test obtained P value = 0.003 (P <0.05) means that there is an effect of noise on physiological disorders. P value = 0.006 (P <0.05) means that there is an effect of noise on psychological disorders P-value 0.000 means that there is an effect of noise on work productivity Conclusion there is an effect of noise on communication disorders psychological disorders, work productivity disorders and physiological disorders in employees

Leading Risk Factors for Diseases of the Circulatory and Musculoskeletal Systems in Metallurgical Workers

Introduction: It is important to assess health impact of the entire set of heterogeneous risk factors and identify the key ones in order to develop personalized measures for prevention of non-occupational diseases in workers. Objective: To establish the major risk factors for circulatory and musculoskeletal disorders in employees of a metallurgical enterprise. Materials and methods: We used anonymized data from a special assessment of working conditions and production control of the forging departments of the forging-rod and forging-press shops of a metallurgical enterprise producing titanium alloys for the years 2016–2020. To determine the presence of personal biological and behavioral risk factors for diseases of the circulatory and musculoskeletal systems, we examined anonymized data of the periodic medical check-up conducted in 2020 of 146 male blacksmiths working with hammers and presses. The mean age of the workers was 35.9 ± 8.8 years (range: 21 to 57 years) and their mean length of current employment was 18.9 ± 9.7 years (range: 2 to 41 years). The method of simple and multiple logistic regression was used to build models for predicting the likelihood of a disease; odds ratios were calculated with a 95 % confidence interval. The quality of the models was assessed using the maximum likelihood estimation. Results: We determined the factors allowing prediction of the disease likelihood. The prevalence of circulatory diseases correlated with age, length of employment, and the body mass index, whole-body and hand-arm vibration, noise exposure, high ambient temperature, thermal radiation, and heavy physical work. The prevalence of musculoskeletal diseases, in its turn, had a somewhat weaker statistically significant association with the same risk factors. Models predicting the likelihood of circulatory and musculoskeletal diseases have been built. The best predictive model for circulatory diseases included the combined effect of the body mass index and heavy physical work while that for musculoskeletal disorders – of the body mass index and hand-arm vibration. Conclusion: Multiple logistic regression used to analyze statistical relationships between work-related risk factors and disease prevalence in employees in specific occupations allowed identification of the leading factors contributing the most to the disease development and can be recommended for solving practical problems in occupational medicine.

Pengukuran Beban Kerja Fisik Menggunakan Cardiovascular Load dan Evaluasi Postur Kerja untuk Mengurangi Keluhan Muskuloskeletal

CV Dwi Jasa Logam is a company engaged in metal casting. This company places employees in jobs that are heavy on physical exertion in the production process, causing employees to get a high workload. In addition, many employees are elderly, causing them to feel tired more quickly. Employees who are placed on the job, need a longer rest time. When working, employees do not pay attention to work posture while working, so that poor work posture can cause musculoskeletal disorders. The purpose of this study was to analyze the physical workload of employees, analyze musculoskeletal disorders in employees and evaluate employees' poor work posture. The methods used are Cardiovascular Load (CVL), Nordic Body Map (NBM), Ovako Work Analysis System (OWAS). The CVL method is used to calculate physical workload, the NBM questionnaire is used to measure musculoskeletal disorders and identify musculoskeletal disorders and the OWAS method is a method used to assess body posture when working, which is related to body parts such as the back, arms, legs and heavy loads. Based on the results of data processing using the CVL method, there are 20 employees who have a moderate workload level and 10 employees who have a low workload level. Data processing using the NBM questionnaire shows that 8 employees have the highest score in the high risk category, while 22 employee’s other employees have moderate risk categories and data processing using the OWAS method for 8 employees gets category 2 and 3 results, namely improvements need to be made.

Markers of adipokine metabolism and hormonal-metabolic disorders in workers exposed to electric and magnetic fields of industrial frequency

Introduction. With the growth of urbanization processes, the problem of professional exposure to electric and magnetic fields of industrial frequency is an increasingly relevant topic. Recently, the scientists paid a special attention to the long-term health consequences associated with prolonged exposure to harmful physical factors. The previously obtained data on the increase in the levels of lipid metabolism and hormonal and metabolic disorders in workers exposed to electric and magnetic fields of industrial frequency determine the relevance of studying adipokine metabolism and assessing genetic risk factors for predisposition to cardiovascular pathology in employees of the electric power industry.
 The study aims to research the relationship of biochemical and molecular genetic markers of adipokine metabolism with indicators of hormonal and metabolic disorders for a comprehensive assessment of cardiovascular risk in workers exposed to electric and magnetic fields of industrial frequency.
 Materials and methods. The researchers examined 144 employees of the main group engaged in the repair and operation of power grid facilities and 40 employees of the control group who are not exposed to electromagnetic fields of industrial frequency.The concentration of leptin and adiponectin was determined in blood serum samples. The authors have calculated the ratio of adiponectin to leptin. We have performed a molecular genetic study of single nucleotide polymorphisms of leptin (LEP) G2548A (rs7799039), leptin receptor (LEPR) A668G (rs1137101) and adiponectin type two receptor (ADIPOR2) G795A (rs16928751) genes.
 Results. The staff of the main group revealed a higher level of leptin (8.1 (3.7; 14.4) ng/ml) relative to the same indicator in the control group (6.0 (4.1; 11.1) ng/ml), p<0.028. Levels of leptin and adiponectin moderately and weakly correlate with hormonal and metabolic parameters. In the group of employees with less than 10 years of experience, a higher level of adiponectin was established compared to the group with 11–20 years of experience (6.1 (4.6; 9.1) mcg/ml and 4.5 (3.6; 6.4) mcg/ml, respectively); with an increase in work experience of more than 20 years, a significant increase in the concentration of leptin was found (p<0.05). Scientists have identified the significance of single-nucleotide polymorphisms of the LEPR, LEP, ADIPOR2 genes in the development of abdominal obesity, an increase in cholesterol levels and a decrease in the level of total testosterone in workers exposed to electric and magnetic fields of industrial frequency.
 Limitations. The study is limited to the number of surveyed (144 employees).
 Conclusion. The results of the study indicate the relationship of biochemical and molecular genetic markers of adipokine metabolism with indicators of hormonal and metabolic disorders in employees exposed to electric and magnetic fields of industrial frequency. When examining workers exposed to electric and magnetic fields of industrial frequency, the use of clinical and laboratory markers of adipokine metabolism (biochemical, molecular genetic) is informative in a comprehensive assessment of cardiovascular risk.
 Ethics. The work complies with ethical standards developed in accordance with the Helsinki Declaration of the World Medical Association "Ethical Principles of conducting Scientific medical research with human participation" as amended in 2000 and the "Rules of Clinical Practice in the Russian Federation" approved by Order of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation No. 200n dated 01.04.2016. Informed consent to participate in the study was received from each of the surveyed, approved in accordance with the established procedure by the local ethics committee of Izmerov Research Institute of Occupational Health (minutes of the meeting of the Ethics committee of Izmerov Research Institute of Occupational Health No. 4 dated 12/25/2013).

Correlation between body mass index with musculoskeletal disorders in employees at Annika Linden Center

Background: Problems that often occur in employees are health problems, especially musculoskeletal complaints. Internal and external factors can cause musculoskeletal complaints in employees. One of the internal factors is body mass index (BMI). Someone with an obese BMI will increase the risk of musculoskeletal disorders because when they want to work, the pressure on the waist usually feels heavy due to weakened muscle tone. This study aims to determine the relationship between BMI with musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs).
 Methods: This study used a cross-sectional study design. The sampling technique in this study uses the total sampling method. The number of samples is 50 people. Researchers took place at the Annika Linden Center. The measurement of musculoskeletal disorders using the Nordic body map (NBM).
 Results: The analysis of the relationship between BMI and musculoskeletal disorders using the Somers test obtained p=0.001 (p<0.05), meaning a significant relationship exists between body mass index and musculoskeletal disorders.
 Conclusion: There is a significant relationship between BMI and musculoskeletal complaints in Annika Linden Center employees.

Hygienic integral assessment of the allergy hazard degree of the working conditions for employees exposed to organic aerosols

In the early 2000s, we substantiated the allergy hazard criteria of the working conditions for employees who are in contact with chemical allergens (sensitizing ability degree, exposure intensity, and entry route into the body, combined nature of toxicant and allergen effects, combined exposure to harmful factors of physical nature) that were quantified separately and totally depending on their significance in the formation of professional allergic pathology. On this basis, an integral assessment scale of the allergy hazard degree of the working conditions in production and use of chemical allergens was developed. This shows 4 corresponding allergy hazard degrees of work (slight, moderate, high and extremely dangerous), probable levels of occupational health disorders in employees and the risk for developing occupational allergic pathology.The aim of this work was a hygienic integral assessment of the degree of allergy hazard of employees working under the influence of industrial aerosols of biological nature using the approved approaches and the criteria previously developed for industrial chemical allergens.The article proves the possibility of using the above criteria for hygienic integral assessment of the allergy hazard degree of work performed under the influence of organic aerosols. This is the result of Belarusian scientist-hygienists who developed and implemented the scientific concept and modern methodology of experimental hygienic regulation of the different-origin industrial organic dust content in the air of the working area according to the leading harmful allergic effect on the body of the protein-antigenic complex (PAC) of dust, including the original methods for obtaining soluble high-molecular PAC from dust samples, an objective assessment of the degree of their sensitizing ability and the class of allergy hazard.The analysis of the results on the characteristics of the working conditions for different-profession employees exposed to industrial aerosols of different biological nature with the use of the criteria for quantitative assessment of the allergy hazard of industrial environment factors substantiates their assignment mainly to a high or moderate degree of allergy hazard. For employees working under these conditions, a significant frequency and a severity of shifts in the indicators of various immune system components and the development of mixed-type allergic reactions to protein-antigenic complexes of organic dust have been established, which determines the prevalence of health disorders of predominantly allergic nature, increasing with age. This confirms a potential risk of developing occupational allergic diseases (with a probability of up to 30 %) and an increase in the production-related immune-dependent pathology level.The use of the system of social and hygienic monitoring of integral assessment of the allergy hazard degree of working conditions for employees in different production fields exposed to industrial allergens and the identification of priority production factors in their formation allow a targeted and more efficient implementation of a set of technical and medical measures to prevent occupational allergic and production-related diseases.

A qualitative exploration of the mental health challenges and therapeutic needs of Canadian correctional workers.

Correctional work is described as a high-stress environment associated with increased prevalence of mental health disorders in employees. Identifying appropriate healthcare services necessitates investigating the mental health challenges and needs of correctional workers (CWs). Individual interviews (n = 9; 5 M and 4 W) and a mixed gender focus group (n = 6; 3 M and 3 W) were conducted to gather a general sense of the mental health landscape. Data were analyzed to develop a targeted and comprehensive question guide for gender-specific focus groups (n = 14 unique participants; 6 M and 8 W). Eight themes emerged from the gender-specific focus groups. Themes focusing on work culture described the negative repercussions of job stress and the inability to discuss challenges openly due to confidentiality concerns and feelings of seclusion associated with the CW profession. Men were more likely to be subjected to physical violence and women to emotional and sexual harassment from staff and inmates. Themes related to mental health care described the benefits and limitations of the current services and digital mental healthcare. Stigma and accessibility were notable treatment barriers. Lastly, sector-specific therapy was seen as an important component in enhancing engagement and therapist interaction. The study demonstrates the interconnection between work culture and CW mental health that needs to be acknowledged when addressing mental health care.

Diagnostic markers of early metabolic disorders in workers of an oil-producing enterprise

The oil industry is a significant component of the industry of Bashkortostan. The complex of harmful factors for oil production workers includes industrial noise, vibration, exposure to harmful substances, the severity and intensity of work, unfavorable microclimate conditions. The researchers conditionally divide production factors of chemical nature into natural chemicals that are part of oil and associated gases (hydrocarbons, hydrogen sulfide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide, mercaptans), and substances used to enhance oil recovery, preparation, transportation of oil and gas (reagents, acids, surfactants, methanol, welding aerosols). There is a role of changes in metabolic processes at the level of cells and subcellular structures in the development of pathological processes under the influence of harmful production factors in a number of studies. The study aims to substantiate the markers of early metabolic disorders in employees of an oil-producing enterprise. We conducted a study of metabolic processes in 340 oil production workers. The researchers represented the professional production groups by drillers (35.3%), operators of underground well repair (64.7%). The authors carried out characteristics of the factors of the working environment and the labor process of oil-producing industries in accordance with R 2.2.2006-05. The researchers also performed biochemical studies of the parameters of the lipid spectrum of blood serum, free radical processes and endogenous intoxication. The level of exposure to the average concentrations of the chemical factor at the workplaces of drillers and operators of underground well repair corresponds to classes 2-3.1. The influence of harmful production factors causes metabolic disorders in the body of oil production workers in the form of a violation of the lipid spectrum (an increase in total cholesterol, triglycerides), changes in the activity of cytolytic enzymes (GGT, AST, ALT), activation of lipid peroxidation processes, a decrease in catalase activity, an increase in the level of medium-molecular peptides in blood serum, which confirms the presence of endogenous intoxication syndrome in the examined workers. The impact of harmful production factors on the body of oil production workers causes metabolic disorders in the body and dictates the need for a complex of biochemical studies for the early diagnosis of prenosological processes and timely preventive measures.

Analysis of Employee’s Working Capacity in Children’s City Outpatient’s Clinic №133 of Moscow City Health Department after COVID-19

The issues of long-lasting violations of physical and mental health among employees of Children’s City Outpatient’s Clinic №133 of Moscow City Health Department after COVID-19, as well as they effect on work quality and efficacy, and in some cases loss of any interest to work got us thinking about the features of post-COVID-19 syndrome and and forced us to analyze the prevalence and duration of various symptoms in employees. The protocol for this observational study was approved by the Moscow City Independent Ethics Committee. Developed questionnaires with questions both on the course of COVID-19 and on the postcovid period have fully revealed the picture of psychological, cognitive and asthenovegetative disorders in employees. Healthcare professionals of our clinic were interested in studying this issue as many symptoms of the disease have significantly affected the working capacity of several people. The study involved 68 volunteers. Interesting data and correlations were obtained and they have confirmed the fact of cognitive and memory decline in some employees of Children’s City Outpatient’s Clinic №133 who underwent COVID-19 and the effect of these disorders on working capacity. Study results have shown that 47.5% of doctors and 50% of nurses feel disability of varying degrees after COVID-19. The major task of the head of the facility in such situation is to implement long, comprehensive and effective rehabilitation for employees in order to maintain the capacity of medical workers.

Инсомнии у медицинских работников: теоретические аспекты (обзор литературы)

More and more medical staff is involved in work in a continuous mode, and therefore the study of their health problems becomes more and more relevant and practically significant. In the article, we summarized domestic and foreign data of the problem of sleep disorders in employees with shift work, gave modern approaches to the classification and diagnosis of insomnia. We have described the adverse physiological effects of the daily and night schedule on the body of medical staff. Analyzing the literary sources, we came to the conclusion that the state of health and the violation of circadian rhythms due to the shift work schedule are directly related. To date, there is no undisputed curative and preventive doctrine of insomnia. Scheduling nursing staff according to circadian rhythms, maximizing schedule stability and adhering to a healthy lifestyle can minimize most of the problems caused by shift work.

Hubungan Faktor Individu dan Faktor Pekerjaan terhadap Keluhan Musculoskeletal Disorders pada Pegawai

Musculoskeletal disorders are work-related diseases and conditions that are not safe and uncomfortable, almost all employees have experienced the disorders, ranging from pain in the neck, shoulders, and lower back. This study was conducted to determine the relationship of individual factors and work factors to complaints of musculoskeletal disorders in employees at the Ministry of Health’s Republic of Indonesia Civil Service Bureau in 2020. This study used a cross-sectional study design with the Purposive Sampling technique, with a sample of 103 employees. The research instruments used in the study were the questionnaire regarding individual characteristics, Rapid Office Strain Assessment (ROSA), Nordic Body Map (NBP), and Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ) questionnaire. The result of this study indicates that the variables related to complaints of musculoskeletal disorders are age (p-value=0,001), work period (p-value=0,001), and work posture (p-value=0,001), while gender, BMI, physical activity, duration of the word are not related to complaints of musculoskeletal disorders. Employees must do physical activity 3 times a week, need to reorganize the design of the workplace so it can reduce the presence of awkward posture, and pay more attention to the position of the body at work.

Influence of production and behavioral risk factors on health disorders in employees of locomotive crews

Preserving the working longevity of locomotive crew employees is one of the priority tasks of Russian Railways. The urgency of the problem is related to both the medical aspects of railway traffic safety and the importance of preserving human capital. The aim of study is to research the influence of occupational and behavioral risk factors on health disorders in drivers and their assistants. The study included the results of a survey of 9308 employees of locomotive crews on the presence of production and behavioral risk factors for health disorders, as well as on the presence of cases of temporary disability, hospitalization or unscheduled medical care in the previous year. Additionally, the results of clinical and laboratory studies were studied. Noise exposure is the main production factor affecting the unscheduled attendance of locomotive crew employees to the doctor, the number of cases of temporary disability and hospitalization. Only 13% of respondents have a high level of commitment to a healthy lifestyle. Among employees who are not exposed to industrial noise, the number of people who have a high commitment to a healthy lifestyle is 2 times higher than among those who complain about the presence of an acoustic factor. The main differences in adherence to a healthy lifestyle between people who have and do not have complaints about the negative impact of the sound factor are related to alcohol abuse (1.4 times more often used by people working in conditions of noise exposure), frequent use of semi-finished products and fatty foods (1.2 times more often). Among people exposed to industrial noise, a body mass index (BMI) exceeding 25 kg/m2 is 1.5 times more common than in people who do not have noise exposure. The frequency of occurrence of blood pressure is more than 130/80 mm Hg. and blood cholesterol more than 5 mmol/l, respectively, is 1.9 and 2.2 times higher in individuals with intra-cab acoustic load, compared with those without. An increase in the number of cases of temporary disability, hospitalization, and unscheduled visits to a doctor in people who report exposure to noise in the driver's cab may be associated with both occupational and behavioral factors: alcohol consumption, poor nutrition, and a high proportion of people with a BMI exceeding 25 kg/m2.

Professional risk of health disorders of employees of enterprises for the extraction of polymetallic ores by underground method

The hygienic assessment of working conditions of workers engaged in underground mining of ores corresponds to the category of occupational risks ranging from «average» to «very high». Taking into account the risk category and severity of occupational disease, occupational disease index for workers, the level of occupational risk ranges from «small» to «very high».

Identification and Risk Profiling of Major Stressors in the Indian IT Sector

Workplace stress has always been considered as a potential source of job dissatisfaction and many psychosomatic disorders in employees the world over. The IT sector has emerged as a major contributor to work stress in India over the last 2 decades. Still there is lack of sector-specific studies, and most of the existing studies treat work stress as an umbrella term. Against this background, the objective of this article is twofold: one, to identify different types of stressors, and the other, to rate them according to their severity. The outcome should be helpful in devising proper mitigation strategies. On the basis of findings from the two field studies, the article identifies major stressors among junior level Indian IT professionals ( n1 = 38), and then furnishes a risk profile of these stressors on the basis of their frequency and impact ( n2 = 234). At the end, 21 stressors are identified in the given context, and their ‘riskiness’ is presented in a descending order in terms of risk scores. Implications of findings are discussed at the end. All the stressors were assigned a score in terms of their frequency, impact and risk. At the end, techno-stress emerged as the most serious stressor in both in terms of its frequency of occurrence and impact. The results serve as a guide to the management in the IT firms in addressing the prevalent high levels of stress at workplace. The risk scores will help them in allocating resources and, setting and prioritizing their HR strategies to this end. Amid few studies conducted in the context of stress in the Indian IT sector, this article offers useful and practical insights while deploying a novel approach of risk profiling.

The role of shift work and psychosocial stress in development of hemostasis disorders in employees of EMERCOM of Russia

Relevance. Shift work was found to induce pathological processes due to desynchronization of human circadian biorhythms.Intention. To determine incidence of hemostasis disorders and their relation to labour nature in employees of EMERCOM of Russia.Methodology.There were examined 37 employees of EMERCOM of Russia aged 32–58 (42.0 ± 6.8) with work experience (12.0 ± 6.9) years, high level of psychosocial stress and different work schedules: day (n = 11), shift (n = 14), irregular working hours (n = 12). The level of professional stress was studied using a specially developed questionnaire and the night sleep – using Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Сortisol circadian dynamics was evaluated, hemostasis state was fully assessed.Results and Discussion.The questionnaire showed irregularity of work schedule, additional working hours, decreased leisure time and high intensity of work in all study groups. High incidence of arterial hypertension (44 %) was registered without constant antihypertensive therapy. Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) indicated sleep disorders among 24 (65 %) EMERCOM employees. Сortisol circadian dynamics test demonstrated increased level of the evening cortisol in 40 % of EMERCOM employees indicating widespread desynchronosis signs in the study group. Hemostatic system comprehensive assessment showed absence of considerable changes in thrombocytic component and a significant activation of plasma hemostasis according to the thrombodynamics assay. Hemostasis disorders were most expressed in the group with shift work and high psychosocial stress; they manifested in increased clots formation, spontaneous clots formation and increased VIII coagulation factor activity.Conclusion. The study confirmed the existing vision that chronic stress and desynchronosis change the hemostatic balance into chronic hypercoagulation state.

Occupational Stress Impact and the Risk of Burn-Out for Employees of the Healthcare Sector, Germany

In accordance with the German annual health report mental disorders of employees continue to grow. In particular the German employees of the healthcare sector have work challenges like demographic change, lack of specialists, etc. Thus it seems obvious that these employees suffer from risk of a high stress level. The present paper focuses primarily on quantitative analysis of the stress level of employees in the rural healthcare sector. This study analyses the mental and physical burdens. The results of this paper support the concept that employees of the healthcare sector experience a strong stress levels. The results also support the assumption that communication and company structure is influencing the individual stress level of these employees. Further results show that physical and mental comfort is strongly influenced by weekly working hours and they show there is an impact of working atmosphere and working conditions to mental and physical burdens.

Prevention of Common Mental Disorders in Employees. Perspectives on Collaboration from Three Health Care Professions.

Collaboration among occupational health physicians, primary care physicians and psychotherapists in the prevention and treatment of common mental disorders in employees has been scarcely researched. To identify potential for improvement, these professions were surveyed in Baden-Württemberg (Germany). Four hundred and fifty occupational health physicians, 1000 primary care physicians and 700 resident medical and psychological psychotherapists received a standardized questionnaire about their experiences, attitudes and wishes regarding activities for primary, secondary and tertiary prevention of common mental disorders in employees. The response rate of the questionnaire was 30% (n = 133) among occupational health physicians, 14% (n = 136) among primary care physicians and 27% (n = 186) among psychotherapists. Forty percent of primary care physicians and 33% of psychotherapists had never had contact with an occupational health physician. Psychotherapists indicated more frequent contact with primary care physicians than vice versa (73% and 49%, respectively). Better cooperation and profession-specific training on mental disorders and better knowledge about work-related stress were endorsed. For potentially involved stakeholders, the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration for better prevention and care of employees with common mental disorders is very high. Nevertheless, there is only little collaboration in practice. To establish quality-assured cooperation structures in practice, participants need applicable frameworks on an organizational and legal level.

Temporomandibular disorders and relationship with socio-demographic and clinical variables in a University of the state of Rio de Janeiro

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: This study aimed at identifying the prevalence of suspected temporomandibular disorders in employees and students of a Brazilian university and at evaluating the influence of socio-demographic and clinical variables on this disorder. METHODS: This study had a non-probabilistic sample of 575 volunteers who were evaluated by a questionnaire proposed by the American Academy of Orofacial Pain. RESULTS: Suspected temporomandibular disorder was present in 60.87% of the population. By means of multiple logistic regression analysis, just clinical variables were associated to the presence of suspected temporomandibular disorder, such as: headache, neck pain or teethache (OR=47.60), stiff, tight or regularly tired jaws (OR=13.37), mouth opening difficulty (OR=13.55) and pain around the ears, temples or cheeks (OR=4.61). CONCLUSION: The questionnaire was effective as a pre-screening tool to identify symptoms, and results support the importance of clinical symptoms for the identification and follow up of patients with such disorders.

Interdisciplinary Care of Employees with Mental Disorders: A Fact Check Using the Salzgitter-Model as an Example

Mental disorders are quite common among employees, and cause enormous economic costs. The Salzgitter-Model aims at an early recognition of mental disorders in employees of raw material processing industries by rendering a diagnostic examination (DE), so that appropriate health-care services may be provided promptly. Data of a consecutive sample consisting of 133 mentally ill employees (61% men) were analyzed. Mental disorders were diagnosed using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV. Moreover, routine data of company health insurance funds collected in the 6 months preceding the DE were evaluated. On average, the DE was conducted 14 days after application. Half the diagnoses were of mood disorders, while almost one third consisted of neurotic, stress-related, and somatoform disorders. For 63% of diagnoses from the DE, a correspondence was found with diagnoses made by practitioners during standard care over the previous 6 months. Of these employees, 42% received drug therapy. However more than one fifth did not receive guideline-based psychopharmacological treatment. Psychological symptoms and work-related factors were the main reasons for utilization of the DE. No employee had received psychotherapeutic treatment prior to the DE; more than 90% accepted the recommendation of treatment after the DE. Strengthened interdisciplinary cooperation can improve the utilization of an employee group that usually does not seek out specific diagnostic examinations and psychotherapeutic treatment.

Prevention of common mental disorders in employees – Conception, study design and sample characteristics of a multi-target survey

BackgroundIn Germany, no systematic approach is used to structure the cooperation of occupational health physicians (OP), primary care physicians (PP), and psychotherapists (PT) at relevant interfaces engaged in the prevention of common mental disorders (CMD) in workers. In our study, we aimed to gain insight into their perceptions and cooperation experiences, while also taking the view of human resource managers (HRM) into account. In this paper, we present the study design and sample characteristics. MethodsIn 2014, a questionnaire was sent to 1000 primary care physicians, 700 psychotherapists, 450 occupational health physicians, and 1426 human resource managers resident in the federal state of Baden-Württemberg, Germany. ResultsWith response rates between 12% and 30%, only a marginal non-responder bias was found, but the disproportion of HRM in large enterprises was high. ConclusionThough our study is limited by partly low survey response rates, it provides a first and detailed standardized insight into the relevant professional interfaces preventing and caring for CMD of the working population.