Publications by authors named "Volker Harth"

Aim was to investigate to what extent cognitive functioning differs by three socioeconomic conditions: low income, being without employment, and living alone. A total of N = 158,144 participants of the population-based German National Cohort (NAKO) provided data on socioeconomic conditions and completed cognitive tests. Multivariable confounder-adjusted regression analyses indicated that cognitive functioning was lower in those with low income (b = -0.

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Background: Somatic Symptom Disorder (SSD) is characterized by excessive thoughts, emotions, and behaviors related to physical symptoms irrespective of their etiology. Estimates of SSD frequency assessed via self-report questionnaires range between 6.7% (general population) and 53% (specialized setting).

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The present study analyses the technical requirements as well as the user behaviour of seafarers for an app-based health prevention, including apps for wellness, prevention, fitness, medical care and mental well-being. In a maritime field study 976 seafarers on 65 merchant ships participated in the survey carried out with a questionnaire. The vast majority (98.

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Article Synopsis
  • A study was conducted on 44 male soldiers undergoing an 84-day combat-swimmer training (CST) to analyze changes in resting metabolic rate (RMR) and see if they support the 'constrained model' of metabolism.
  • Participants showed improved oxygen uptake (VO) and exercise efficiency during training, but there was significant variability in how RMR changed, with no significant overall difference between those who completed training and those who dropped out.
  • Despite some soldiers losing fat mass (FM) and gaining fat-free mass (FFM), baseline fitness levels (VO) were linked to success rates in the training, highlighting that individuals responded differently to the physical demands of CST.
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Background: The value of maximal oxygen uptake (VO) is a key health indicator. Usually, VO is determined with cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET), which is cumbersome and time-consuming, making it impractical in many testing scenarios. The aim of this study is to validate a novel seismocardiography sensor (Seismofit, VentriJect DK, Hellerup, Denmark) for non-exercise estimation of VO.

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The usage of smart glasses in goods logistics and order picking has mainly been studied through cross-sectional experimental studies. Our longitudinal field study investigated the effects of smart glasses on the eyesight of 43 employees at two German companies. We combined ophthalmological examinations and questionnaire surveys at two points in time, six months apart.

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  • Maritime workers face significant physical challenges that can lead to lower back pain (LBP), particularly due to the strenuous conditions on ships and the impact of moving environments.
  • A systematic review of studies from 2000 to 2021 identified 13 relevant studies, with biomechanical assessments highlighting high physical strain during heavy tasks and a need for compensatory efforts due to ship movements.
  • The findings indicate that fishermen exhibit a notably higher prevalence of LBP (60.95% to 82.13%) compared to land-based populations (48.63%), while seafarers experience lower rates (28.42%), emphasizing the need for targeted studies and prevention strategies in maritime work environments.*
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  • The COVID-19 pandemic led to studies on how it affected people's mental health, with mixed results; some felt worse, while others stayed stable.
  • The study focused on 135,445 people in Germany to see how age and past mental health issues affected depression and anxiety during the early pandemic.
  • Results showed people with past mental health problems felt the same after the pandemic began, but younger folks without those issues felt worse, highlighting the need for better support strategies.
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Background: Symptoms of sexual dysfunction and somatic symptom disorder may resemble each other in their presentation as lasting and distressing alterations of expected bodily "functioning"; their co-occurrence has not yet been studied in nonclinical settings or by DSM-5 criteria (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition).

Aim: To investigate (1) the association of indicators consistent with DSM-5 sexual dysfunction and somatic symptom disorder diagnoses, (2) whether individuals with different sexual dysfunction diagnoses differ in somatic symptoms and their perception, and (3) whether distress from sexual difficulties is related to somatic symptoms and symptom perception.

Methods: We examined links among sexual dysfunctions/distress from sexual difficulties (Brief Questionnaire on Sexuality), somatic symptom severity (Patient Health Questionnaire-15 [PHQ-15]), and symptom perception (Somatic Symptom Disorder-B Criteria Scale) in 9333 participants of the Hamburg City Health Study aged 45 to 74 years.

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Study Objectives: The association of shift work (SW) and disrupted circadian rhythm with markers of large artery atherosclerosis and cerebral small vessel disease is uncertain. We aimed to study the separate association of current and former SW with these markers.

Methods: We included participants from the population-based Hamburg City Health Study.

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Background: Hybrid working arrangements that combine remote and office work are on the rise. Although hybrid work has been associated with mental health benefits in employees, challenges in the transformation to hybrid persist particularly in public administration organizations which have been connected to a pronounced culture of presence and inadequate technical infrastructure. Further evidence on the link between hybrid working conditions and employee health is needed.

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Objectives: To examine the level of indicators of technostress among nurses with and without a leadership position, the relationship between indicators of technostress and burnout and the moderating role of support offered by employers. The availability of support offers and further needs of nurses were also explored.

Design: Cross-sectional online survey.

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Objectives: The risk of Post-COVID-19 condition (PCC) under hybrid immunity remains unclear.

Methods: Using data from the German National Cohort (NAKO Gesundheitsstudie), we investigated risk factors for self-reported post-infection symptoms (any PCC is defined as having at least one symptom, and high symptom burden PCC as having nine or more symptoms).

Results: Sixty percent of 109,707 participants reported at least one previous SARS-CoV-2 infection; 35% reported having had any symptoms 4-12 months after infection; among them 23% reported nine or more symptoms.

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Background: Health-oriented leadership (HoL) has a positive impact on health- and work-related outcomes of employees in face-to-face settings. Increased digitization during the COVID-19 pandemic has led to many changes and increased job demands. According to current state of research, HoL in virtual teamwork is insufficiently researched.

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  • - Insufficient physical activity (PA) is a major risk factor for non-communicable diseases and has significant economic impacts on healthcare systems; this study analyzed the cost differences between varying levels of PA in Germany.
  • - Data was collected from over 157,000 participants using the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire to assess their PA levels and categorize them as sufficient or insufficient, with costs calculated from self-reported health resource use and productivity losses.
  • - Findings showed that individuals with insufficient PA incurred higher average annual healthcare costs and that these cost differences were more pronounced in older adults, particularly concerning leisure activities, suggesting different cost implications based on the type of PA.
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Background: Student midwives deliver care for women under challenging job demands, which may affect their mental health- thus creating a high need for health promotion. Given the lack of research addressing this topic, the aim of this study is to examine the links between stress perception, coping behaviors, work-privacy conflict, and perception of COVID-19 pandemic impact on studies of student midwives in northern Germany.

Methods: Data were collected using a cross-sectional online-survey at nine midwifery study sites in northern Germany from October 2022 to January 2023.

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Study Aim: The aim of this study was to describe the characteristics of future occupational physicians and to evaluate their expectations from and motivations for undertaking postgraduate medical education courses in occupational medicine. This will provide a basis for further increasing the attractiveness of occupational medicine as a discipline in preventive medicine and counteracting the shortage of occupational medical physicians.

Methods: At five locations in Germany, physicians in postgraduate medical education courses in occupational medicine were asked about their expectations from occupational medicine, their reasons for starting postgraduate medical education courses, and their assessment of these courses.

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Background: Seafarers' diets are often high in fat, sugar and calories, thus contributing to an increased risk of obesity, metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease. The multitude of obstacles to healthy eating in the on-board environment on merchant ships makes it essential to find new approaches for health promotion. This study explored seafarers' attitudes, the status quo of support measures and chances to improve nutrition on merchant ships from the perspective of crews and cooks.

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Background: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) represents the most common inflammatory neurological disease causing disability in early adulthood. Childhood and adolescence factors might be of relevance in the development of MS. We aimed to investigate the association between various factors (e.

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Background: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are responsible for many deaths. They are associated with several modifiable and metabolic risk factors and are therefore prone to significant regional variations on different scales. However, only few intra-urban studies examined spatial variation in NCDs and its association with social circumstances, especially in Germany.

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Large population-based cohort studies utilizing device-based measures of physical activity are crucial to close important research gaps regarding the potential protective effects of physical activity on chronic diseases. The present study details the quality control processes and the derivation of physical activity metrics from 100 Hz accelerometer data collected in the German National Cohort (NAKO). During the 2014 to 2019 baseline assessment, a subsample of NAKO participants wore a triaxial ActiGraph accelerometer on their right hip for seven consecutive days.

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Background: The use of digital information and communication technologies (ICT) can be accompanied by increased technostress for nursing staff, which in turn can be associated with health consequences. In addition, the use-related constant accessibility through ICT can have a negative impact on health-related recovery and regeneration phases. Health-promoting behaviors of supervisors can influence health complaints and conflicts between employees' work and private lives.

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Objective: To determine the association between personality characteristics and use of different cancer screenings.

Methods: We used data from the German National Cohort (NAKO; mean age was 53.0 years (SD: 9.

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To compare health service use (HSU) between migrants and non-migrants in Germany. Using data from the population-based German National Cohort (NAKO), we compared the HSU of general practitioners, medical specialists, and psychologists/psychiatrists between six migrant groups of different origins with the utilization of non-migrants. A latent profile analysis (LPA) with a subsequent multinomial regression analysis was conducted to characterize the HSU of different groups.

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Background: Obesity is a worldwide health problem. We conducted detailed analyses of anthropometric measures in a comprehensive, population-based, current cohort in Germany.

Methods: In the German National Cohort (NAKO), we analyzed cross-sectional data on body mass index (BMI), waist and hip circumference, subcutaneous (SAT) and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) as measured by ultrasound, and body fat percentage.

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