Health screening clinic to reduce absenteeism and presenteeism among NHS Staff: eTHOS a pilot RCT.

Background: Staff sickness absenteeism and presenteeism (attending work while unwell) incur high costs to the NHS, are associated with adverse patient outcomes and have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The main causes are mental and musculoskeletal ill health with cardiovascular risk factors common.

Objectives: To undertake a feasibility study to inform the design of a definitive randomised controlled trial of the effectiveness and cost effectiveness of a health screening clinic in reducing absenteeism and presenteeism amongst the National Health Service staff.

Enhancing the health of NHS staff: eTHOS - protocol for a randomised controlled pilot trial of an employee health screening clinic for NHS staff to reduce absenteeism and presenteeism, compared with usual care.

Background: Staff absenteeism and presenteeism incur high costs to the NHS and are associated with adverse health outcomes. The main causes are musculoskeletal complaints and mental ill-health, which are potentially modifiable, and cardiovascular risk factors are also common. We will test the feasibility of an RCT to evaluate the clinical and cost-effectiveness of an employee health screening clinic on reducing sickness absenteeism and presenteeism.

Lifetime occupational exposures and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease risk in the UK Biobank cohort.

Background And Aim: Occupational exposures are important, preventable causes of COPD. We previously found an increased risk of COPD among six occupations by analysing lifetime job histories and lung function data in the population-based UK Biobank cohort. We aimed to build on these findings and elucidate the underlying potential causal agents to focus preventive strategies.

Occupational causes of hypersensitivity pneumonitis: a systematic review and compendium.

Background: Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) is caused by a variety of antigens and low-molecular-weight chemicals, often through occupational exposure. Making a diagnosis of HP and identifying a cause are challenging. Cryptogenic cases are frequently reported, and missing or incomplete exposure histories can cause misclassification.

Understanding the impact of systemic lupus erythematosus on work amongst South Asian people in the UK: An explorative qualitative study.

SLE has a range of fluctuating symptoms affecting individuals and their ability to work. Although South Asian (SA) patients are at increased risk of developing SLE there is limited knowledge of the impact on employment for these patients in the UK. Understanding ethnicity and disease-specific issues are important to ensure patients are adequately supported at work.

Chronic productive cough and inhalant occupational exposure-a study of the general population.

Purpose: Occupational inhalant exposures have been linked with a higher occurrence of chronic productive cough, but recent studies question the association.

Methods: We included participants from two general population studies, the Copenhagen City General Population Study and the Copenhagen City Heart Study, to assess contemporary (year 2003-2017) and historical (1976-1983) occupational inhalant hazards. Job titles one year prior to study inclusion and an airborne chemical job-exposure matrix (ACE JEM) were used to estimate occupational exposure.

Occupational exposures and exacerbations of asthma and COPD-A general population study.

Purpose: Recent studies suggest that occupational inhalant exposures trigger exacerbations of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, but findings are conflicting.

Methods: We included 7,768 individuals with self-reported asthma (n = 3,215) and/or spirometric airflow limitation (forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1)/ forced expiratory volume (FVC) <0.70) (n = 5,275) who participated in The Copenhagen City Heart Study or The Copenhagen General Population Study from 2001-2016.

Delay in seeking medical help in patients with rheumatoid arthritis in India: A qualitative study.

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease with varied articular and extra-articular manifestations. In developing countries such as India patients with RA often delay seeking medical advice which may impact prognosis and disease burden.

Aim: To explore perceptions and experiences of patients living in India in seeking medical help for their RA symptoms.

Effect of exposure to biomass smoke from cooking fuel types and eye disorders in women from hilly and plain regions of Nepal.

Background/aim: To study the association between exposure to biomass smoke from cooking fuels andi cataract, visual acuity and ocular symptoms in women.

Methods: We conducted a community-based cross-sectional study among women (≥20 years and without a previous diagnosis of cataract, ocular trauma or diabetes or those taking steroids) from hilly and plain regions of Nepal. Eligible participants received an interview and a comprehensive eye assessment (cataract development, visual acuity test and ocular symptoms).

Occupational exposure and the risk of airway obstruction and mortality.

Objectives: To identify occupational groups at high risk of airway obstruction (AO) and mortality and potential interactions with smoking.

Methods: Lung function data from the LuftiBus project were enriched with occupational and follow-up information from the Swiss National Cohort, resulting in a cohort of 10582 adults between 2000 and 2015. We assigned professions to occupational groups and estimated the risk of AO and mortality using adjusted logistic and Cox regression model.

Occupational exposure to inhaled pollutants and risk of airflow obstruction: a large UK population-based UK Biobank cohort.

Background: Although around 10% to 15% of COPD burden can be attributed to workplace exposures, little is known about the role of different airborne occupational pollutants (AOP). The main aim of the study was to assess the effect size of the relationship between various AOP, their level and duration of exposure with airflow obstruction (AFO).

Methods: A cross-sectional analysis was conducted in 228 614 participants from the UK Biobank study who were assigned occupational exposure using a job exposure matrix blinded to health outcome.

Work productivity loss among rheumatoid arthritis patients in India: a qualitative study.

Objective: The aim was to explore the extent to which RA impacts work productivity in patients living with RA in India.

Methods: Face-to-face semi-structured interviews took place with 13 male and seven female patients attending outpatient clinics at Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, India, living with RA. Patients who were currently working were recruited.

The occupations at increased risk of COPD: analysis of lifetime job-histories in the population-based UK Biobank Cohort.

Occupational exposures are important, preventable causes of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Identification of COPD high-risk jobs is key to focus preventive strategies, but a definitive job-list is unavailable.We addressed this issue by evaluating the association of lifetime job-histories and lung function data in the population-based UK Biobank cohort, whose unprecedented sample size allowed analyses restricted to never-smokers to rule out the most important confounder, tobacco smoking.

Knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions towards waterpipe tobacco smoking amongst college or university students: a systematic review.

Background: Despite evidence for the harms of waterpipe tobacco smoking (WTS), its use is increasing amongst college and university students worldwide. This systematic review aims to assess the knowledge of, attitudes towards and perceptions of WTS among college or university students.

Methods: We electronically searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PSYCHINFO and ISI the Web of Science in October 2018, restricting our search to studies published since January 1990.

Feasibility randomised controlled trial of a guided workbook intervention to support work-related goals among cancer survivors in the UK.

Objectives: Employment following illness is associated with better physical and psychological functioning. This study aimed to assess the feasibility and acceptability of a theoretically led workbook intervention designed to support patients with cancer returning to work.

Design: Parallel-group randomised controlled trial with embedded qualitative interviews.

Needlestick injuries among Malaysian healthcare workers.

Background: Needlestick injury (NSI) is a significant occupational health issue among healthcare workers (HCWs).

Aims: To determine the national self-reported incidence and risk factors for NSI among Malaysian Ministry of Health (MOH) HCWs.

Methods: Using data from the MOH national sharps injury surveillance programme, information on reported NSIs over a 1-year period (2016) for different HCW subgroups were extracted and analysed.

Factors in Removing Job Restrictions for Cancer Survivors in the United Kingdom Royal Air Force.

Purpose To identify personal, occupational and clinical factors associated with the lifting of restrictions on duties among Royal Air Force (RAF) personnel who have returned to work after surviving primary cancer treatment. Methods A retrospective cohort of 205 RAF personnel aged 18-58 with cancer diagnosed between 2001 and 2011 was followed-up until May 2012. Personal, occupational, and clinical information was extracted from occupational health and primary care records.

Usefulness and engagement with a guided workbook intervention (WorkPlan) to support work related goals among cancer survivors.

Background: Returning to work after cancer is associated with improved physical and psychological functioning, but managing this return can be a challenging process. A workbook based intervention (WorkPlan) was developed to support return-to-work among cancer survivors. The aim of this study was to explore how participants using the workbook engaged with the intervention and utilised the content of the intervention in their plan to return-to-work.

Factors associated with work productivity among people with COPD: Birmingham COPD Cohort.

Background: Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are more likely to take time off work (absenteeism) and report poor performance at work (presenteeism) compared to those without COPD. Little is known about the modifiable factors associated with these work productivity outcomes.

Aim: To assess the factors associated with work productivity among COPD patients.

Complications after prominent ear correction: A systematic review of the literature.

Background: There is great diversity in reported post-operative outcomes for otoplasty, with the incidence of haematoma or infection ranging from 0% to 15.6% and 0%-10%, respectively. With such variability, it is difficult to determine an overall 'average' incidence of common post-operative complications.

Occupational COPD and job exposure matrices: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: The association between occupational exposure and COPD reported previously has mostly been derived from studies relying on self-reported exposure to vapors, gases, dust, or fumes (VGDF), which could be subjective and prone to biases. The aim of this study was to assess the strength of association between exposure and COPD from studies that derived exposure by job exposure matrices (JEMs).

Methods: A systematic search of JEM-based occupational COPD studies published between 1980 and 2015 was conducted in PubMed and EMBASE, followed by meta-analysis.

Birmingham COPD Cohort: a cross-sectional analysis of the factors associated with the likelihood of being in paid employment among people with COPD.

Background: Employment rates among those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are lower than those without COPD, but little is known about the factors that affect COPD patients' ability to work.

Methods: Multivariable analysis of the Birmingham COPD Cohort Study baseline data was used to assess the associations between lifestyle, clinical, and occupational characteristics and likelihood of being in paid employment among working-age COPD patients.

Results: In total, 608 of 1,889 COPD participants were of working age, of whom 248 (40.