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B Netterstrøm

Publications and source records attributed to B Netterstrøm.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1994

[Self-evaluated job satisfaction and ischemic heart disease. A 10-year follow-up study of bus drivers in a big city].

Several studies have shown that bus driving is a high risk occupation for ischaemic heart disease (IHD). In order to study contributing factors in the job, all full-time bus drivers in the three major cities in Denmark were followed for ten years. It was hypothesized that bus drivers who reported job strain and job dissatisfaction would have an excess risk of subsequent death due to IHD. Of 2465 bus drivers, 2045 (83%) responded to a questionnaire distributed in 1978 on psychosocial well-being and work conditions. The men had their mortality recorded during the years 1978-1988. Information on causes of death was obtained from the Danish Register of Causes of Death. Some 212 respondents died during the follow-up period, 59 from IHD Relative risk (RR) for death due to IHD and all other causes of death was calculated. As expected, we found a significantly increased risk of death due to IHD in bus drivers working in high traffic intensity areas, RR = 1.6. In contrast to what was expected, men who reported never experiencing mental exhaustion after work, that their job was very varied, that their job was something special, and those who reported that they would choose the same job again, had an excess risk. Death due to other causes was positively associated with marital status only. We suggest that inconsistencies in the literature on self-assessed job strain and risk of IHD may be partly explained by the fact that studies in general have focused on absence or presence of the psychosocial factor in question. A more differentiated assessment of exposure might prove more useful.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

[Accidents and accident mortality in Denmark--a comparison with Scandinavia and Europe].

As the development in mean age of the population and life expectancy has been less favourable in Denmark than in the rest of Western Europe, the Ministry of Health decided to investigate statistics for the period, 1972-1990, for the main areas where Danish life expectancy was poorer. A sharp increase in the incidence of accidental poisoning with medical drugs and alcohol during the period was found to be a factor contributing to the poorer Danish statistics during the period. In the subcategory, death after a fall, there was an increase in incidence among the elderly, but the loss of life-years remained constant. The subcategory, fatal road accidents, manifested a marked reduction in incidence, despite the increase in traffic density during the period, and there was a reduction in the loss of life-years. Thus, in the category, accidental deaths, the increase in the incidence of accidental poisonings would appear to be the only factor contributing to the poorer development in mean age and life expectancy in Denmark.

Accidents↗
PubMed1993

[Work load and cardiovascular risk factors. A cross-sectional study of employed Danish men and women].

As part of World Health Organisation initiated MONICA project, 2000 men and women aged 30, 40, 50 and 60 from the general population were invited to undergo a medical examination with special emphasis on cardiovascular disease. A total of 1504 (75%) participated, 1209 of whom were employed. The participants answered a questionnaire on working, social, and health conditions and underwent clinical examinations that included the measurement of blood pressure and serum cholesterol triglycerides, high density lipoprotein, fibrinogen and glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1C) concentrations. Using the demand control model for measuring job strain suggested by Karasek, the employed people were classified according to those who had suffered job strain and those who had not in two different ways. The subjective classification was based on the participants' statements regarding demand and control in their jobs, whereas the objective classification was based on job title and mode of payment. More women than men were classified as having high strain jobs. After adjusting for age and sex no significant association was found between coronary risk factors and subjective job strain. A tendency for an association between fibrinogen and job strain was found. Body mass index and HbA1C concentration were significantly associated with objective job strain independent of confounders.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

[Teflon fever--a differential diagnosis of acute fever].

Two case-histories are presented with onset while at work of fever, leucocytosis and general malaise, all of short duration. Both men had previously experienced similar episodes in connection with work, and both were occupationally exposed to teflon powder. The episodes ceased after there was no further exposure to teflon. It is concluded that the episodes were most likely caused by inhalation of combustion products of teflon originating from teflon-contaminated cigarettes.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1993

Self-assessed job satisfaction and ischaemic heart disease mortality: a 10-year follow-up of urban bus drivers.

Several studies have shown that bus driving is a high-risk occupation for ischaemic heart disease (IHD). In order to study contributing factors in the job, all male full-time bus drivers in the three major cities in Denmark were followed for 10 years. It was hypothesized that bus drivers who reported job strain and job dissatisfaction would have an excess risk of subsequent death due to IHD. Of 2465 bus drivers, 2045 (83%) responded to a questionnaire distributed in 1978 on psychosocial well-being and work conditions. The men had their mortality recorded during the years 1978-1988. Information on causes of death was obtained from the Danish Register of Causes of Death. Some 212 respondents died during the follow-up period, 59 from IHD. Relative risk (RR) for death due to IHD and all other causes of death was calculated. As expected, we found a significantly increased risk of IHD in bus drivers working in a high traffic intensity area, RR = 1.6. In contrast to what was expected, men who reported a high degree of job satisfaction had increased risk of IHD. Those who did not look for another job had a highly significant sixfold increased risk of future death from IHD. Also those who reported never experiencing mental exhaustion after work, that their job was very varied, that their job was something special, and those who reported that they would choose the same job again, had an excess risk. Death due to other causes was positively associated with marital status only. We suggest that inconsistencies in the literature on self-assessed job strain and risk of IHD may be partly explained by the fact that studies in general have focused on absence or presence of the psychosocial factor in question. A more differentiated assessment of exposure might prove more useful.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Lung function in insulation workers.

To evaluate the effects of working with modern insulation materials (rock and glass wool), the members of the Copenhagen Union of Insulation Workers were invited to participate in a study based on a health examination that included lung function tests. Three hundred and forty men (74%) agreed to participate, and 166 bus drivers served as the control group. Age distribution, height, and smoking habits were similar in the two groups. Forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) were used as tests for lung function. There were no differences in FVC between the study and control groups, but the insulation workers had significantly lower values of FEV1 (mean 2.51) compared with the controls (mean 3.4 1), independent of smoking habits. Six years before the present study, 114 of the insulation workers participated in a similar study, and eight years after the initial study, the lung function of 59 of the bus drivers was tested. The decline in FVC in insulation workers who smoked was significantly higher (7.7 cl/year) than in bus drivers who smoked (3.1 cl/year); the decline in FEV1 was significantly higher in insulation workers independent of smoking habits (17.0 cl/year v 2.9 cl/year). Self assessed former exposure to asbestos was not associated with lung function in insulation workers. The study concludes that working with modern insulation materials is associated with increased risk of developing obstructive lung disease.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

[Unconsciousness after ingestion of nail varnish].

Two males in their twenties lost consciousness after ingestion of 50 ml gamma-butyrolactone. Bradycardia was observed and treated during the first hours and they recovered after a few hours.

4-Butyrolactone↗
PubMed1992

Effect of occupational exposure to cobalt blue dyes on the thyroid volume and function of female plate painters.

It has previously been shown that long-term oral exposure to cobalt can cause goiter and myxedema. The effect of industrial cobalt exposure on thyroid volume and function was determined for 61 female plate painters exposed to cobalt blue dyes in two Danish porcelain factories and 48 unexposed referents. Thyroid volume was determined by ultrasonography. The cobalt blue dyes were used in one of two forms, cobalt aluminate (insoluble) and cobalt-zinc silicate (semisoluble). Only the subjects exposed to semisoluble cobalt had a significantly increased urinary cobalt content (1.17 micrograms.mmol-1 versus 0.13 micrograms.mmol-1, P less than 0.0001). These subjects also had increased levels of serum thyroxine (T4) and free thyroxine (FT4I) (P = 0.0001 and 0.0029, respectively), unaltered serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), and marginally reduced 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine (T3), whereas thyroid volume tended to be lower (P = 0.14). The group exposed to insoluble cobalt did not differ significantly in any thyroid-related parameters. No correlation between urinary cobalt and FT4I or thyroid volume was found. The study demonstrates an effect of cobalt on thyroid hormone metabolism.

Air Pollutants, Occupational↗
PubMed1991

Job strain and cardiovascular risk factors: a cross sectional study of employed Danish men and women.

As part of the World Health Organisation initiated MONICA project, 2000 men and women aged 30, 40, 50, and 60 from the general population were invited to undergo a medical examination with special emphasis on cardiovascular disease. A total of 1504 (75%) participated, 1209 of whom were employed. The participants answered a questionnaire on working, social, and health conditions and underwent clinical examinations that included the measurement of blood pressure and serum cholesterol, triglyceride, high density lipoprotein, fibrinogen, and glycated haemoglobin (HbA1C) concentrations. Using the demand-control model for measuring job strain suggested by Karasek, the employed people were classified according to those who had suffered job strain and those who had not in two different ways. The subjective classification was based on the participants' statements regarding demand and control in their jobs whereas the objective classification was based on job title and mode of payment. More women than men were classified as having high strain jobs. After adjusting for age and sex no significant association was found between coronary risk factors and subjective job strain. A tendency for an association between fibrinogen and job strain was found. Body mass index and HbA1C concentration were significantly associated with objective job strain independent of confounders.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Peptic ulcer among urban bus drivers in Denmark.

As part of a survey on the work environment of bus drivers, 2045 (83%) of 2465 male bus drivers in the three major cities in Denmark in 1978 answered a postal questionnaire on health and working conditions. In order to evaluate the relative occurrence of peptic ulcer among the bus drivers, a follow-up study was also conducted. All hospital discharges with a peptic ulcer diagnosis among the bus drivers were registered from the Danish National Patient Register. All Danish men were used as reference group. On the basis of the 1978-questionnaire association between occupational and psychosocial factors and subsequent hospital discharge with a peptic ulcer diagnosis was studied. The prevalence of abdominal pain alleviated by food intake was 12% among bus drivers and 6% in the reference group. The incidence of hospital discharge with duodenal ulcer among younger bus drivers was twice the incidence among Danish men in the same age group. The incidence of all manifestations of peptic ulcer disease among bus drivers did not differ from the incidence among Danish men. Of occupational and psycho-social factors, wage dissatisfaction and smoking showed statistically significant association with hospital discharge with PU in a 6 3/4-year period. Job dissatisfaction, stress symptoms and lack of some social network factors tended to increase the risk of hospital discharge with PU.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

[Psychiatric admissions among city bus drivers. A prospective study].

During the period from 1978 until and including 1984, 2,645 male bus drivers were followed as regards psychiatric admissions. In 1978, 83% of these had replied to a questionnaire about job-satisfaction and working conditions. Fifty-eight out of these 2,465 had been admitted to psychiatric departments during the follow-up period, corresponding to 117 admissions. The commonest diagnoses on discharge were affect reactions with a total of 35 discharges. The number of admissions to psychiatric hospitals among bus drivers was compared with the number of admissions among Danish men in 1981. Significantly fewer admissions among bus drivers were found in the diagnostic group manic depressive psychoses, reactive conditions and for all psychiatric admissions. On the other hand, the number of admissions among bus drivers where the diagnoses of affect reactions, paranoid conditions and non-specific psychoses were found to be significantly higher (standard morbidity ratio statistic = 217) than for Danish men. Odds-ratio for psychiatric admissions among the 2,045 bus drivers who had replied to the questionnaire in 1978 were significantly raised for the bus drivers who did not feel their work monotonous, were divorced, felt unbalanced and frequently stressed. Previous smokers had significantly lower odds ratio as compared with others.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Low back trouble among urban bus drivers in Denmark.

The occurrence of low back trouble and possible connection with psychosocial conditions among urban bus drivers were studied using a questionnaire and subsequent registration of hospital discharges. 2,045 (83%) full-time male bus drivers in the three largest cities in Denmark answered a questionnaire in 1978 regarding psychosocial factors and health. The prevalence of frequent low back pain was 57%. In a control group of 195 motormen the prevalence was 40%. Standardized Morbidity Ratio for bus drivers discharged from hospital during the period 1978-1984 with the diagnosis lumbar disc herniation was 137 compared to all Danish men. These differences were statistically significant. Of psychosocial factors only "the feeling of being mentally unbalanced" was found to be statistically significantly related to subsequent hospital discharge with a LBT-diagnosis. Long seniority as bus driver of those discharged from hospital with LBT makes it probable that LBT has etiologic factors in the work environment. The sedentary position and whole-body vibrations may be contributory causes.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Cancer incidence among urban bus drivers in Denmark.

During the period from 1978-1984 the incidence of cancer among 2,465 male urban bus drivers in three major cities in Denmark was studied. The information with regard to cancer diagnosis was obtained from the Danish Cancer Registry. Danish men in 1981 were used as reference. Standardized Morbidity Ratio (SMR) for bladder- and skin cancer was significantly elevated among the bus drivers with values of 206 and 202, respectively. As to other cancers, no significant deviations from the expected were found. The same result was found when only drivers with more than ten years' seniority were included in the calculations. The incidence of skin cancer remained significantly elevated when corrected for degree of urbanization. Traffic density and whether the drivers worked in Copenhagen or in the province were not related to cancer incidence.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Glycated hemoglobin as a measure of physiological stress.

The concentration of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) is an integrated expression of the blood glucose concentration level in the previous weeks. The levels of HbA1c were measured in 23 medical students who had to pass an examination within a few weeks. Twelve other students served as a control group. Four months later, the blood tests were repeated. In addition, serum cholesterol was measured. HbA1c levels were significantly higher in the exam group compared with the control group. The second test revealed a significant decrease in HbA1c in the exam group, while the values in the control group were stable. No differences in serum cholesterol were detected. It is concluded that HbA1c might be of value as a measure of physiological stress.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Impact of work-related and psychosocial factors on the development of ischemic heart disease among urban bus drivers in Denmark.

From 1978 to 1985, 2,465 male bus drivers in the three major cities in Denmark were followed with regard to hospital admission due to myocardial infarction (MI) and death due to ischemic heart disease (IHD). In all 2,045 (83%) of these men responded in 1978 to a questionnaire on psychosocial well-being and work conditions. The respondents did not differ from the nonrespondents regarding hospital admissions and death in the follow-up period (1978-1984). Sixty-two cases of MI were registered among the 2,045 bus drivers in 1978-1984. On this basis relative risk for MI was calculated with a multiple regression model for independent variables regarding psychosocial well-being and work conditions. High work load (driving in heavy traffic) was significantly associated with the occurrence of MI. Of the psychosocial factors "no social contact with colleagues" and "increased work pace" were also significantly associated with the occurrence of MI. Smoking habits tended to be associated with the occurrence of MI, while stress symptoms and job dissatisfaction did not. The mental burden on bus drivers working in heavy traffic seems a possible explanation for the findings.

Adult↗