Incidence, mortality and survival of pleural mesothelioma in Zurich between 1981 and 2019, Switzerland.

Background: Pleural mesothelioma is mainly caused by (occupational) asbestos exposure. Since 1990, the import and use of asbestos is prohibited in Switzerland. However, due to the long latency time between exposure and the development of disease, incidence in Switzerland was expected to further increase for years after the ban.

Natural language processing analysis of the theories of people with multiple sclerosis about causes of their disease.

Background: While potential risk factors for multiple sclerosis (MS) have been extensively researched, it remains unclear how persons with MS theorize about their MS. Such theories may affect mental health and treatment adherence. Using natural language processing techniques, we investigated large-scale text data about theories that persons with MS have about the causes of their disease.

Predictors of work inability after acute myocardial infarction in Switzerland.

This study aimed to examine whether acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients in Switzerland return to work and identify factors associated therewith. Data of 4315 working-age AMI patients enrolled in the Swiss AMIS Plus registry between 01/2006 and 09/2021 with 1-year follow-up and self-reported work status were analyzed. Patient characteristics were compared between those who did not reduce their work hours, those who reduced, and those who were no longer working 1 year after AMI.

[Workplace-associated fever].

Febrile conditions often have an infectious etiology. However, there are also fevers associated with occupational exposures. A detailed occupational history can hold the key to the diagnosis.

ERS technical standard: Global Lung Function Initiative reference values for exhaled nitric oxide fraction ( ).

Background: Elevated exhaled nitric oxide fraction at a flow rate of 50 mL·s ( ) is an important indicator of T-helper 2-driven airway inflammation and may aid clinicians in the diagnosis and monitoring of asthma. This study aimed to derive Global Lung Function Initiative reference equations and the upper limit of normal for .

Methods: Available individual data were collated and harmonised using consensus-derived variables and definitions.

Post COVID-19 condition, work ability and occupational changes in a population-based cohort.

Background: Evidence on the impact of post COVID-19 condition (PCC) on work ability is limited but critical due to its high prevalence among working-age individuals. This study aimed to evaluate the association between PCC, work ability, and occupational changes in a population-based cohort.

Methods: We used data from working-age adults included in a prospective, longitudinal cohort of a random sample of all individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2 between August 2020 and January 2021 in the Canton of Zurich, Switzerland.

Hospitalisations Related to Adverse Drug Reactions in Switzerland in 2012-2019: Characteristics, In-Hospital Mortality, and Spontaneous Reporting Rate.

Introduction: Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) contribute to morbidity, and serious ADRs may cause hospitalisation and death. This study characterises and quantifies ADR-related hospitalisations and subsequent in-hospital deaths, and estimates the spontaneous reporting rate to regulatory authorities in Switzerland, where healthcare professionals are legally obliged to report ADRs.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study from 2012 to 2019 analysed nationwide data from the Federal Statistical Office.

Frequency-based rare diagnoses as a novel and accessible approach for studying rare diseases in large datasets: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Up to 8% of the general population have a rare disease, however, for lack of ICD-10 codes for many rare diseases, this population cannot be generically identified in large medical datasets. We aimed to explore frequency-based rare diagnoses (FB-RDx) as a novel method exploring rare diseases by comparing characteristics and outcomes of inpatient populations with FB-RDx to those with rare diseases based on a previously published reference list.

Methods: Retrospective, cross-sectional, nationwide, multicenter study including 830,114 adult inpatients.

A new approach for the detection of obesity-related airway obstruction in lung-healthy individuals.

Background: Subjects with obesity show an increased prevalence of airway obstruction but it is not clear in each case whether this reflects genuine lung disease. Via intentional increase in end-expiratory lung volume we studied the detection of obesity-induced airway obstruction in lung-healthy obese subjects.

Methods: The primary study population comprised 66 lung-healthy obese subjects and 23 normal weight subjects.

Electronic Health Diary Campaigns to Complement Longitudinal Assessments in Persons With Multiple Sclerosis: Nested Observational Study.

Background: Electronic health diaries hold promise in complementing standardized surveys in prospective health studies but are fraught with numerous methodological challenges.

Objective: The study aimed to investigate participant characteristics and other factors associated with response to an electronic health diary campaign in persons with multiple sclerosis, identify recurrent topics in free-text diary entries, and assess the added value of structured diary entries with regard to current symptoms and medication intake when compared with survey-collected information.

Methods: Data were collected by the Swiss Multiple Sclerosis Registry during a nested electronic health diary campaign and during a regular semiannual Swiss Multiple Sclerosis Registry follow-up survey serving as comparator.

A Multi-component Intervention (NEXpro) Reduces Neck Pain-Related Work Productivity Loss: A Randomized Controlled Trial Among Swiss Office Workers.

Purpose Neck pain is common among office workers and leads to work productivity loss. This study aimed to investigate the effect of a multi-component intervention on neck pain-related work productivity loss among Swiss office workers. Methods Office workers, aged 18-65 years, and without serious neck-related health problems were recruited from two organisations for our stepped-wedge cluster randomized controlled trial.

[Maternity Protection - A Guide for Pregnant Physicians and Their Employers].

Maternity Protection - A Guide for Pregnant Physicians and Their Employers The proportion of women in the medical profession is high and shows an upward trend. When a woman becomes pregnant, she has a legal right to various measures to protect herself and the unborn child. Practice and literature show that even 20 years after the introduction of the Maternity Protection Ordinance, the knowledge and ultimately the implementation of the existing legislation in everyday clinical practice is still expandable.

Test-retest reliability of lung diffusing capacity for nitric oxide during light to moderate intensity cycling exercise.

This study examined test-retest reliability of single-breath lung diffusing capacity for nitric oxide (DLNO) and carbon monoxide (DLCO) during exercise. Sixteen healthy subjects (age 20-67 years) performed DLNO-DLCO tests during light and moderate intensity cycling exercise at 50% and 80% of individual anaerobic threshold (IAT). Primary endpoint was DLNO at 80% IAT.

Occupations and geographical distribution of mesothelioma in Switzerland 1989-2018 - record linkage of an asbestos-exposed population with the Swiss National Cohort.

Objective: We investigated the possibility of linking the data of the Swiss Laboratory for Particle Analysis (Silag), a valuable but incomplete data source in the field of asbestos-related diseases, to the Swiss National Cohort (SNC). With the resulting comprehensive dataset, we intended to provide a source for further research in the field. We also conducted preliminary analyses of data focusing on occupations and regional distribution of malignant pleural mesothelioma cases.

Small Area Variation of Adherence to Clinical Recommendations: An Example from Switzerland.

Background: Unwarranted variation in healthcare utilization can only partly be explained by variation in the health care needs of the population, yet it is frequently found globally. This is the first cross-sectional study that systematically assessed geographic variation in the adherence to clinical recommendations in Switzerland. Specifically, we explored 1) the geographic variation of adherence to clinical recommendations across 24 health services at the sub-cantonal level, 2) assessed and mapped statistically significant spatial clusters, and 3) explored possible influencing factors for the observed geographic variation.

Humidification of indoor air for preventing or reducing dryness symptoms or upper respiratory infections in educational settings and at the workplace.

Background: Indoor exposure to dry air during heating periods has been associated with dryness and irritation symptoms of the upper respiratory airways and the skin. The irritated or damaged mucous membrane poses an important entry port for pathogens causing respiratory infections.

Objectives: To determine the effectiveness of interventions that increase indoor air humidity in order to reduce or prevent dryness symptoms of the eyes, the skin and the upper respiratory tract (URT) or URT infections, at work and in educational settings.

COVID-19 pandemic restrictions continuously impact on physical activity in adults with cystic fibrosis.

Background: We have recently reported reduced physical activity (PA) in people with cystic fibrosis (pwCF) with and without lung transplantation (LTX) during a 6-week stringent lockdown in Switzerland. This follow-up study explores the impact of coronavirus-2019 disease (COVID-19) related pandemic restrictions on individuals' therapy regimens and health-related aspects in pwCF.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional web-based national survey in Spring 2021.

Lung diffusing capacity for nitric oxide measured by two commercial devices: a randomised crossover comparison in healthy adults.

In Europe, two commercial devices are available to measure combined single-breath diffusing capacity of the lung for nitric oxide ( ) and carbon monoxide ( ) in one manoeuvre. Reference values were derived by pooling datasets from both devices, but agreement between devices has not been established. We conducted a randomised crossover trial in 35 healthy adults (age 40.

Surgical procedures in inpatient versus outpatient settings and its potential impact on follow-up costs.

Objective: We examined real-world effects of cantonal legislations to direct surgery patients from the inpatient to the outpatient setting in Switzerland.

Methods: Analyses were based on claims data of the Helsana Group, a leading Swiss health insurance. The study population consisted of 13'145 (in 2014), 12'455 (in 2016), and 12'875 (in 2018) insured persons aged >18 years who had haemorrhoidectomy, inguinal hernia repair, varicose vein surgery, knee arthroscopy/meniscectomy or surgery of the cervix/uterus.

Criterion validity of the ActiGraph and activPAL in classifying posture and motion in office-based workers: A cross-sectional laboratory study.

Background: The ActiGraph and activPAL monitors are the most frequently used thigh-worn devices to measure motion and posture, but the criterion validity to measure sitting, standing and postural transfer in the office setting is not known. Research question: To examine the criterion validity of the ActiGraph and activPAL activity monitors in repeatedly measuring a variety of different postures and motion in the office setting.

Methods: Twenty office workers from the University of Zurich wore an ActiGraph and activPAL during two identical laboratory experiments lasting approximately 60 minutes each, within a maximum of 7 days.

Are weak or negative clinical recommendations associated with higher geographical variation in utilisation than strong or positive recommendations? Cross-sectional study of 24 healthcare services.

Objectives: When research evidence is lacking, patient and provider preferences, expected to vary geographically, might have a stronger role in clinical decisions. We investigated whether the strength or the direction of recommendation is associated with the degree of geographic variation in utilisation.

Design: In this cross-sectional study, we selected 24 services following a comprehensive approach.

No evidence for an effect of working from home on neck pain and neck disability among Swiss office workers: Short-term impact of COVID-19.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of working from home on neck pain (NP) among office workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: Participants from two Swiss organisations, aged 18-65 years and working from home during the lockdown (n = 69) were included. Baseline data collected in January 2020 before the lockdown (office work) were compared with follow-up data in April 2020 during lockdown (working from home).

No Evidence for a Decrease in Physical Activity Among Swiss Office Workers During COVID-19: A Longitudinal Study.

Purpose: The COVID-19 lockdown interrupted normal daily activities, which may have led to an increase in sedentary behavior (Castelnuovo et al., 2020). The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the level of physical activity among Swiss office workers.

Temporal trends and regional disparities in cancer screening utilization: an observational Swiss claims-based study.

Background: We examined colorectal, breast, and prostate cancer screening utilization in eligible populations within three data cross-sections, and identified factors potentially modifying cancer screening utilization in Swiss adults.

Methods: The study is based on health insurance claims data of the Helsana Group. The Helsana Group is one of the largest health insurers in Switzerland, insuring approximately 15% of the entire Swiss population across all regions and age groups.