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Biomedical subjects

W Jedrychowski

Publications and source records attributed to W Jedrychowski.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Effect of occupational air pollutants on various histological types of lung cancer: a population based case-control study.

A population based case-control study was performed in Cracow, Poland, to determine the effect of occupational air pollutants on various histological types of lung cancer. Male cases and controls were identified from the Cracow Death Register. Information was obtained by mailed questionnaire from next of kin on smoking, occupational branch, occupational exposures, and other pertinent variables. Response rates were 73.5% in cases and 72.0% in controls. For cases that underwent a bronchial biopsy or surgical excision the histological diagnosis of the tumour was obtained from clinical records. The case group contained 343 subjects with squamous cell carcinomas, 151 with small cell carcinomas, and 106 with adenocarcinomas. Twenty seven cases showed other histological types (large cell carcinoma and not classifiable). Analysis was performed separately by histological type for occupational exposure variables adjusted for smoking. Long term exposure to mineral dust and metal dust (20 years or more) was found to be a significant risk factor for small cell and squamous cell carcinoma. The effect was more pronounced if the analysis was restricted to those aged less than 70 years. The highest relative risk (RR) due to occupational exposures was found for squamous cell carcinoma and exposure to mineral dust for more than 20 years (RR = 2.45, 95% CI 1.43-4.19). The estimated effect of mineral dust on small cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma was smaller (RR = 2.29, 95% CI 1.16-4.53 and RR = 2.04, 95% CI 0.89-4.64 respectively). The effect of metal dust and fumes seemed about the same for squamous and small cell carcinoma. No specific agent could be identified as particularly important for a specific histological type; it rather seemed that the effects of the substances considered were similar for lung cancers in general.

Adenocarcinoma↗

[On the need for training in environmental epidemiology].

The growing awareness and understanding of the fact that the maintenance of the health status of population is affected by environment, implements new objectives in undergraduate and postgraduate training of medical doctors and a necessity in producing a new generation of epidemiologists being able to solve environment health--related problems. While in Western European countries an intensive training in environmental epidemiology takes place, not much is done in this respect in our country. The training programs in environmental epidemiology should be based on the good recognition of the nature of the environmental hazards and local health needs. These requirements are urgent as one expects from medical doctors to-day, not only a proper understanding of relations between environment and health status of population, but also certain skills and ability to use epidemiologic methods in everyday clinical practice.

Curriculum↗

Effect of tobacco smoking on various histological types of lung cancer.

In a population-based case/control study the differential lung cancer risk patterns due to tobacco smoking habits of various histological types have been investigated. The cases were 1432 deaths from lung cancer in the years 1980-1987, of which the histological type was known for 627 individuals. There was 54% squamous cell carcinoma, 24% small-cell carcinoma and 17% adenocarcinoma. Controls were 1343 deaths from other causes. Next-of-kin interviews were performed. The results of the study confirmed that cigarette smoking is associated with all histological types of lung cancer; however, the dose/response relationship between smoking and adenocarcinoma differed clearly from that observed in squamous and small-cell carcinomas. In the latter histological types the gradient of risk was much stronger as the number of cigarettes smoked or duration of smoking increased. The overall relative risk for smoking in small-cell and squamous cell carcinoma was 15.4 and 13.5 respectively, whereas that for adenocarcinoma was weaker (relative risk = 3.1). An interesting difference between squamous and small-cell carcinomas was found also for patients who gave up smoking. The effect of stopping was more pronounced in squamous cell carcinoma. The attributable risks for smoking in squamous and small-cell carcinoma were much higher (90% and 88% respectively) than for adenocarcinoma (64%). The data suggest that adenocarcinoma is likely to be related to other factors than tobacco smoking to a greater extent than are squamous or small cell carcinoma. Possible sources of bias, such as missing histological diagnoses, are discussed in detail.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Dietary practices in households as risk factors for stomach cancer: a familial study in Poland.

In the framework of a nationwide case-control study of risk factors for stomach cancer, a household survey was conducted on those food habits at the family level which were considered relevant for stomach cancer. The practices of 741 case and 741 control households were compared and relative risks calculated by the unconditional maximum likelihood method. For each household, the person responsible for cooking completed the survey. Respondents to the household survey were 35% of the cases and 40% of the controls of the case-control study and otherwise other household members. Case households relied more frequently on their own gardens as a major source of vegetables and fruit, and they cooked their vegetables more often than control households. The vegetable and fruit consumption during the summer period per family member was significantly less in case households compared to control households. The difference in per capita vegetable and fruit consumption between case and control households persisted, but was considerably less pronounced when the consumption of the index person (case or control) was subtracted from the household consumption. The consumption of mainly wholemeal bread showed a relative risk (RR) of 0.18 (95% CI 0.07-0.44) compared with mainly white bread consumption, whereas frequent frying and stewing of meat was associated with an increased risk compared to boiling of meat (RR = 2.06, 95% CI 1.48-2.87). No association with risk was found for long-term refrigerator use or other storage modalities.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Case-Control Studies↗

[Tobacco smoking and alcohol consumption as risk factors for stomach cancer in different locations and histologic types].

A multicancer hospital based case-control study involving interviews with 741 incident male and female gastric cancer cases under the age of 75 years and an equal number of age and sex matched controls has been carried out in Poland. Smoking cigarettes without filter increased the risk for intestinal cancer in the cardia part of the stomach (OR = 3.72, 95% CI: 1.35-10.23). Relative risk of the intestinal type of cancer in the distal part of the stomach was augmented with the increasing frequency and amount of vodka drinking. Subjects who drank vodka at least once a week had about 4.5 times the risk of intestinal cancer of the gastric corpus compared to non-drinkers (RR = 4.45, CI: 2.26-8.75). The relative risk of intestinal carcinoma in the distal stomach due to vodka drinking among those who used to drink vodka on an empty stomach was also elevated (RR = 3.28, CI: 1.33-8.13), but the effect of years of vodka drinking habit failed to show significant association with gastric cancer. A weak interaction effect between smoking and vodka drinking was found for intestinal cardia cancer. Diffuse type gastric carcinoma or mixed type carcinoma were not significantly related to smoking or vodka drinking habits.

Aged↗

[Effect of smoking on the development of various histological types of lung cancer].

The aim of this clinically controlled trial was to assess the effect of different smoking patterns on development of different histological types of lung cancer. The study group consisted of 1,432 subjects that died due to lung cancer in the years 1980-1987. 627 of these had the histological type of the cancer determined; 54% had squamous cell cancer, 24% small cell lung cancer (SCLC), 17% adenocarcinoma. The control group consisted of 1,343 subjects that died due to other causes. Medical and social history was taken from the families of the deceased. The results of the analysis demonstrate that lung cancer development is related to smoking although differences were seen in the different types of cancer. The calculated risk of a smoker developing lung cancer-squamous cell and SCLC was respectively 15.4 and 13.5 while for adenocarcinoma it was much lower--3.1. Important differences were seen in ex-smokers developing squamous cell lung cancer and SCLC. The risk of developing squamous cell lung cancer and SCLC in this group was 89% and 88%, and adenocarcinoma only 64%. This suggests that adenocarcinoma is related more to environmental factors than the other two types of lung cancer.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Dietary risk factors in intestinal and diffuse types of stomach cancer: a multicenter case-control study in Poland.

A hospital-based, multicenter, case-control study has been performed in Poland covering 741 incident stomach-cancer cases (520 males and 221 females) and the same number of controls. All stomach-cancer diagnoses were evaluated for histologic type according to the Lauren criteria. Fifty-one percent were of the intestinal type, 35 percent of the diffuse type, and 8.5 percent of the mixed type. The frequency of consumption of individual food items and several food groups was analyzed and the association of various foods with stomach cancer risk was evaluated after controlling for sex, age, occupation, education, and residency. Increased consumption of sausages was related significantly to gastric cancer risk, whereas increased consumption of cheese products, nonwhite bread, vegetables, and fruit was associated with decreased risk. A particularly strong decrease in risk was associated with consumption of radishes and onions. When consumption of fruits and vegetables, sausages, nonwhite bread, and cheese were introduced simultaneously in a multivariate model, independent effects were found only for fruit and vegetables, sausages, and nonwhite bread. The use of table salt, the frequency of eating hot meals, and an irregular eating pattern were also associated with increased risk, while additional consumption of fruit between meals showed reduced risk. If a reduction in vegetable and fruit consumption took place after marriage, an increased risk for stomach cancer was found, whereas augmented consumption of these food items after marriage decreased the risk. Separate risk models were calculated for stomach cancer of the intestinal and diffuse types, but both histologic varieties showed the same pattern of associations with dietary risk factors.

Adenocarcinoma↗

The effect of acute broncho-pulmonary infections on the FEV1 change in 13-year follow-up. The Cracow Study.

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of acute bronchitis and pneumonia on the FEV1 decline rate in a random sample of Cracow inhabitants followed over a 13-year period. A total of 718 males and 1029 females completed the spirometric testing and interview in 13-year follow-up period. Acute chest diseases diagnosed and treated by doctors and reported by respondents in surveys were the source of data on broncho-pulmonary infections. The rate of FEV1 change, expressed in ml per year was estimated for each person in 13-year follow-up period. Persons who reported recurrent bronchitis and pneumonia had significantly lower initial FEV1 levels than those without infections. The effect was controlled for confounders like age, height, smoking and chronic chest symptoms. The initial low ventilatory function by itself was not a predisposing factor for chest infections, unless they were associated with chronic respiratory symptoms. Lung function in men decreased steeply after pneumonia infection, but the effect appeared to be reversible. This effect was not limited to people with pre-existing chronic respiratory disease. The data indicated that in some subjects who reported new symptoms of dyspnea on effort, the acceleration of FEV1 decline due to pneumonia was greater than in people without the symptoms. This may result from the fact that in lower respiratory infection, bacterial or viral agents can produce serious dysfunction of small airways.

Acute Disease↗

Occupational exposure and incidence of chronic respiratory symptoms among residents of Cracow followed for 13 years.

We analyzed the relationship between incidence rates of chronic respiratory symptoms over 13 years and occupational exposure during the first five years of follow-up. The study group contained 1132 males and 1598 females, 19 to 60 years of age, randomly selected from residents of Cracow, Poland. The data was collected in three surveys conducted in 1968, five and 13 years later. Prolonged occupational exposure (i.e. reported in the initial survey and 5 years later) to dusts doubled the odds for the appearance of chronic phlegm and attacks of breathlessness in all men, and of chronic bronchitis in men aged 41 to 50, initially free of the symptom. In women, this exposure doubled the odds for new chronic cough and for chronic bronchitis. Prolonged exposure to chemicals doubled the incidence rates of attacks of breathlessness and dyspnea in all women and of chronic bronchitis in women with the lowest level of education. Prolonged work in variable temperatures doubled the risk of wheeze in women. The effects of discontinuation or start of exposure during the initial 5 years of the study were also seen on the incidence rates of the symptoms but were less pronounced. The detected effects of occupational exposure were not modified by cigarette smoking or living in areas of the city with various levels of air pollution. This longitudinal analysis confirms the results of cross-sectional studies which have indicated deleterious effects of even moderate occupational exposures on respiratory symptoms.

Adult↗

A case-control study of lung cancer with special reference to the effect of air pollution in Poland.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to assess the affect of inhaled pollutants on lung cancer risk. DESIGN: The study was a retrospective case-control survey of lung cancer deaths over a six year period (1980-1985). Information on occupation, smoking habits, and residency was collected from next of kin. Classification of exposure to community air pollution was based on measured levels of total suspended particular matter and sulphur dioxide. SETTING: Cases and controls had been resident in the city of Cracow, Poland. PARTICIPANTS: Cases were male (n = 901, questionnaire response rate 70.7%) and female (n = 198, response rate 65.1%) lung cancer deaths; controls were deaths from other causes, excluding other respiratory diseases, and frequency matched by age and sex (males n = 875, response rate 73.5%; females n = 198, response rate 64.0%). MAIN RESULTS: Lung cancer risk was found to depend strongly on total cigarette consumption, on age at starting to smoke, and on time since stopping smoking. Relative risk estimates for occupational exposure in iron and steel foundries or in other industries were significantly increased in males. Relative risk in men for highest air pollution level was 1.48 (95% confidence interval 1.08-2.01), while in women the increase was not significant. The joint action of the risk facts of smoking, occupational exposure, and air pollution was found to fit almost perfectly into a multiplicative model. CONCLUSIONS: Under conditions found in Cracow, air pollution may increase lung cancer risk, acting multiplicatively with known risk factors such as smoking and industrial exposure.

Adolescent↗

The analytic epidemiologic study on occupational factors and stomach cancer occurrence.

A multicenter hospital based case-control study involving 562 incident male gastric cancer caused under the age of 75 years and an equal number of age matched controls has been carried out. The study aimed at examining occupational factors in the development of stomach cancer after accounting for confounding variables such as dietary habits and alcohol consumption. The interviews with case and control series covered detailed questions on frequency of consumption of various dietary items and socio-demographic characteristics. The results of the study showed that manual workers in industry and farmers run the higher risk of stomach cancer compared with non-exposed clerical workers. Some job categories like painters, tanners and millers displayed the highest relative risk (RR: 3.4) and this higher risk could not be explained by differences in dietary habits or alcohol consumption. The results of the study are discussed against background of possible occupational hazards present in particular environmental settings.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Ventilatory lung function and chronic chest symptoms among the inhabitants of urban areas with various levels of acid aerosols: prospective study in Cracow.

The analysis carried out earlier in Cracow showed that the high level of SO2 and particulate matter (PM) alone cannot be responsible for an excess of chronic chest symptoms and faster lung function deterioration in the population at large. To check the hypothesis that acid aerosols present in the urban air may cause substantial damage of the lungs, data from a 13-year follow-up survey of chronic chest diseases in Cracow (1968-1981) have been reanalyzed. In the plan of the analysis, three areas of the city with various levels of sulfate and sulfur transformation ratio (STR) in the urban air have been defined. In each of the defined areas, the prevalence of chronic chest symptoms, as well as lung function decline, have been studied. In total, the lung function study group consisted of 1414 persons (584 males and 830 females). Those men who lived in the area with the higher sulfate and STR had lower FEV1 levels by about 151 mL than did the residents of the other areas, and this was equivalent to the effect of smoking. In females, the pattern was generally the same. In men, the FEV1 decline rate (mL/year) over the 13-year period was significantly faster by about 11 mL/year in the areas with higher and intermediate STR, which was again equivalent to the effect of smoking. It was found that the level of SO2 and PM in the urban air correlated with the symptom prevalence in women; however, it had no clear impact on lung function deterioration.

Acid Rain↗

Lung cancer, smoking, and employment in foundries.

A case-referent study on lung cancer was conducted in Cracow, Poland. Men dying of lung cancer within a 6-year period (1980-1985) formed the case group. The reference series was selected from death registers and was frequency-matched with the cases by sex and age. Deaths due to other respiratory diseases were excluded. Information on the occupation, smoking habits, and residency of 901 cases and 875 referents was collected from their next-of-kin. The combined effect of smoking and industrial exposure, in particular employment in steel or iron foundries, was investigated by multivariate analyses and was very well fitted by a multiplicative model. Foundry employment, in particular in the younger age (less than 70 years) group, occupational exposure to known carcinogens in other industries for more than 20 years, and smoking were found to be risk factors.

Adult↗

Erythrocytes parameters due to aging, smoking, alcohol consumption and occupational activity in a working population of petrochemical industry. The Pavia Study.

The main purpose of the study was to assess the red blood cell disorders in works employed in the petrochemical industry in the Lombardia region (ENI). In the analysis of the data the confounding factors such as age, smoking habit, alcohol consumption, nutritional status based on body mass index have also been taken into consideration. In total, material consisted of 1175 male workers in whom red blood cell examination of the peripheral fasting blood was carried out. The results of the study showed that clinical anemia has been found in 1.7% of subjects examined. The distribution of anemia cases was not related to job category or physical occupational activity, neither to age, smoking or alcohol consumption. However, the results of the study suggest that aging processes are associated with weakening of hemopoietic system which affect in a great extent hemoglobin production. The effect of smoking on hemopoietic system appeared to have different features from that attributed to aging. Smoking increased hemoglobin level and hematocrit significantly in comparison to nonsmokers, but had no effect on the number of erythrocytes. It was concluded that adaptation to carbon monoxide inhaled with cigarette smoke is reflected by an increased red cell mass and hemoglobin. Occupational factors measured by the type of job (manual vs nonmanual) appeared to have no harmful effect on the hemopoietic system, however, respondents who reported working physically in an intensive way, showed significantly lower mean corpuscular concentration hemoglobin level than those having a sedentary job or engaged in very small physical activity at work.

Adult↗

Coronary heart disease risk score and ECG abnormalities in apparently healthy workers from petrochemical industry. The Pavia Study.

The purpose of the study undertaken was to define the vulnerable fraction of the industrial population in northern Italy using the CHD risk score profile. In addition, ECG examinations were carried out in order to see whether there is a correlation between cardiovascular risk profile and the frequency of ECG abnormalities. The study covered in total 1443 male workers employed in various petrochemical plants. The calculation of the CHD risk score was based on age, relative weight, serum cholesterol, systolic blood pressure, smoking habit, physical activity at work and at home, and heredity factors. The study demonstrated that on an average 47.3% of male workers in the petrochemical industry have high or very high risk of cardiovascular disease and this draws the attention to the urgent need to develop the better and more effective primary preventive strategy against cardiovascular diseases, specially among manual workers. The study disclosed also that the persons with elevated risk score displayed more frequently ECG repolarization disorders.

Adult↗

[Clinical and control studies of cancer of the lungs. Smoking and employment in metallurgy].

Deaths due to the lung cancer has been investigated among the Cracow inhabitants in years 1980-1985. The control group consisted of men died to other causes than diseases and neoplasms of the respiratory tract. Data on smoking habits and habitation place of the investigated and the control group were received from family members of subjects studied. It has been stated that relative risk of death due to the lung cancer in subjects working in metallurgical industry increases parallely to the time of work and the class of workers employed more than 30 years and in these groups the relative risk of death to above cancer was equal to 2.66 (95% PU 1.37-5.42). The relative risk associated with occupational exposure has also been significant in subject working more than 20 years in other industry branches. The cigarette smoking has been determined as most significant etiologic factor of the lung cancer.

Adult↗

[Accuracy and reliability of epidemiologic interviews using substitute respondents].

The evaluation of reliability and relevancy of information gathered from substitutive respondents is now subject to much interest and careful analysis. The consistency of demographic-social data with some medical information between the main and substitutive respondents is on the whole very good. As to the characteristics of nutrition, the degree of consistency is worse, but so far there has been no research into the relevancy of such an interview. The correctness of classifying respondents into smokers and non-smokers was confirmed in many investigations and the relevancy of this classification estimated in comparison with biochemical indexes of exposition. Professional interviews from substitute respondents are burdened by a significant error, the level of the error being correlated with the number of working posts and employment period. The research discussed in the article made it possible to formulate conclusions for the planning of epidemiological investigations based on information gathered from substitutive respondents.

Epidemiologic Methods↗