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Biomedical subjects

H Brenner

Publications and source records attributed to H Brenner.

311 records · Page 18Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

[Incidence and prevalence of cox- and gonarthrosis in the general population].

AIM OF STUDY: Analysis of data on the incidence and prevalence of osteoarthritis (OA) of the hip and knee in the general population. METHOD: Review of relevant investigations concerning epidemiology of hip and knee OA. RESULTS: Estimates of incidence and prevalence of OA of the hip and knee vary considerably among 29 studies from 14 countries and 4 ethnic groups (incidence: 10 to 2230 per 10(5) person-years, prevalence: 0.5% to 36%. DISCUSSION: Because of the differences in study design, study populations, and the definition of OA, a comparison between different studies is very difficult. Nevertheless, the following patterns can be identified: In general, both the incidence and prevalence of OA of the hip and knee increase with age. The sharp increase in incidence of symptomatic OA of the knee after age 50 in women suggests an influence of menopausal changes of hormonal status. The prevalence of radiographically defined OA of the hip is higher in men than in women, but a reverse pattern was found for OA of the knee, especially after age 45. The prevalence of radiographically OA was found to be higher in caucasian than non-caucasian populations at the hip but not the knee joint. Among patients with radiographically defined OA at the hip, joint pain seems to be more common in women than in men. In contrast, the frequency of joint pain in persons with radiographically defined OA of the knee is about the same in women and men.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Alcohol consumption and smoking habits as determinants of blood lead levels in a national population sample from Germany.

We investigated the influence of various lifestyle factors on blood lead levels in a representative sample from the general adult population (i.e., > or = 18 y of age) of West Germany in 1987-1988. The overall mean blood lead level was 73 microg/l (standard deviation = 41.4 microg/l) in 834 men and 54 microg/l (standard deviation = 26.8 microg/l) in 1,065 women. In a multiple linear regression analysis, alcohol consumption accounted for the largest proportion of variability in blood lead levels, followed by both age and smoking. Other significant contributing factors were gender, hematocrit, calcium intake, and consumption of milk and milk products. Wine had a greater effect on blood lead levels than beer (i.e., per g of alcohol consumed). With respect to cigarette smoking (i.e., no. of cigarettes smoked/d), filterless cigarettes were associated with higher blood lead levels than filter-tipped cigarettes. In addition, smoking cigars, cigarillos, or a pipe resulted in higher blood lead levels than smoking only cigarettes. Alcohol consumption and smoking were independent contributors to blood lead levels in both men and women, but effects of alcohol consumption were stronger in women than in men. We concluded that consumption of alcohol and tobacco represent major avoidable sources of lead exposure.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Back pain in industry: prevalence, correlation with work conditions and requests for reassignment by employees].

Using data from a cross-sectional survey of 974 employees of a metal company in Germany, we analysed the frequency of chronic back pain, ist associations with working conditions, and the requests for workplace modifications, expressed by persons afflicted with chronic back pain. With a prevalence of 32% chronic back pain was the most common health problem. Physical work exposures, such as lifting and carrying as well as working in an awkward position, were strongly (multivariable odds ratios > or = 2.8) associated with chronic back pain, whereas environmental factors were moderately (multivariable odds ratios = 1.6) associated. Most psychosocial stressors, such as time pressure, and conflicts with co-workers and superiors, were moderately associated with chronic back pain as well (age-adjusted odds ratios between 1.4 and 1.8). Stress symptoms, such as irritation and strain, are rated as mediators by possibly linking psychosocial stressors to chronic back pain. If the individual subject is compelled to perform monotonous or repetitive work, he feels underrated, and this has proved to be a risk factor in its own right. Prolonged exposure to physical stressors (> 7 years) was associated with a strongly elevated risk for chronic back pain (age-adjusted odds ratios > or = 4.0 compared to the nonexposed). Blue collar workers afflicted with chronic back pain requested a reduction of their physical work load significantly more often than their non-afflicted colleagues. In contrast, female white collar employees with chronic back pain layed most emphasis on more physical exercise at work. Worksite health promotion programmes should consider these differences in order to meet the specific needs and preferences of different occupational groups.

Adult↗