Exhaled Nitric Oxide and Sputum Eosinophils Are Complementary Tools for Diagnosing Occupational Asthma.

Background: Exposure-related changes in exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) and sputum eosinophils have not been thoroughly compared in the investigation of occupational asthma.

Objective: This study aimed at comparing the accuracies of the changes in FeNO concentrations and sputum eosinophil counts in identifying asthmatic reactions induced by occupational agents during specific inhalation challenges (SICs).

Methods: This retrospective multicenter study included 321 subjects who completed an assessment of FeNO and sputum eosinophils before and 24 h after SICs with various occupational agents, of whom 156 showed a positive result.

The dispersion method does not affect the in vitro genotoxicity of multi-walled carbon nanotubes despite inducing surface alterations.

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) are a desirable class of high aspect ratio nanomaterials (HARNs) owing to their extensive applications. Given their demand, the growing occupational and consumer exposure to these materials has warranted an extensive investigation into potential hazards they may pose towards human health. This study utilised both the in vitro mammalian cell gene mutation and the cytokinesis-blocked micronucleus (CBMN) assays to investigate genotoxicity in human lymphoblastoid (TK6) and 16HBE14o human lung epithelial cells, following exposure to NM-400 and NM-401 MWCNTs for 24 h.

Profiles of the maternal occupational exposome during pregnancy and associations with intrauterine growth: Analysis of the French Longitudinal Study of Children - ELFE study.

Background: Numerous agents in the workplace are suspected of impairing fetal growth. To date, no epidemiological studies have specifically described the occupational exposome during pregnancy.

Objective: The objectives were to determine maternal occupational exposome profiles and study their associations with intrauterine growth characteristics measured by small for gestational age (SGA), birthweight (BW), and head circumference (HC).

Introducing the OECD guidance document on occupational biomonitoring: A harmonized methodology for deriving occupational biomonitoring levels (OBL).

Derivation of occupational biomonitoring levels (OBLs) is needed to effectively utilize biomonitoring for assessing exposures to chemical substances, and consequently, implement risk reduction measures to reduce health risks among workers. OBLs are the appropriate option for chemical substances that can be absorbed through the skin. This methodology for derivation of OBLs has been developed in collaboration with scientific and regulatory experts from more than 40 institutes in 15 countries within the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) framework.

Associations Between Active Commuting and Sickness Absence in Finnish Public Sector Cohort of 28 485 Employees.

Active commuting can be beneficial for health. We examined whether active commuting by walking or cycling was associated with a lower risk of sickness absence in a Finnish public sector cohort of 28 485 employees. We used negative binomial regression to test associations of weekly active commuting in kilometers (no, low, moderate, and high dose) with all-cause sickness absence.

Associations of perceived privacy at the workplace with short sickness absences in a cohort of Finnish office workers.

Objective: To investigate perceived task privacy in 2022 associated with short (1-3 days) self-certified sickness absence (SA) in 2023.

Methods: A prospective cohort of 1400 Finnish office workers with survey data in 2022 about e.g.

Psychosocial risks and resources at work and employee wellbeing in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic: time series of cross-sections.

Objective: We examined the relationships between psychosocial factors and employee wellbeing in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: Survey data were from Finnish public sector employees from 2018 (T1 = before), 2020 (T2 = during), and 2022 (T3 = after the pandemic) (n = 29,360). Employee wellbeing was measured with self-rated health, work ability, and recovery from work.

Associations of Shared Workspaces with Healthcare Professionals' Work Engagement and Perceived Stress.

Introduction: The reform of the health and social services in Finland includes the modernization of both work processes and facilities. This means a transition to patient reception rooms and office facilities that are in shared use. However, research on the associations of shared workspaces with well-being is rare.

Concurrent Trajectories of Objectively Measured Insufficient Recovery and Workload Among a Cohort of Shift Working Hospital Employees: Quantitative Empirical Research.

Aim: To investigate concurrent changes in short shift intervals (< 11 h) and workload among hospital employees.

Design And Data Sources: This cohort study of 1904 employees in one hospital district in Finland utilised data on employees' working hours for short shift intervals and workload based on the patient classifications aggregated to a 3-week period level across 2 years, 2018-2019. The data was analysed by group-based trajectory modelling and multinominal regression models.

Workload management measures for supporting nuclear industry main control room operators and emergency response organization personnel during crises-a scoping review.

The aim of this scoping review was to provide an overview and classification of existing studies on strategies and measures to reduce the workload of nuclear industry main control room operators and emergency response organization personnel to support their wellbeing and functional capacity during crises. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) statement guidelines were followed. All the 49 studies included involved main control room operators.

Trajectories of work ability and associated work unit characteristics from pre-COVID to post-COVID pandemic period.

Objectives: To identify trajectories of work ability from pre-COVID to post-COVID-19 pandemic period and to examine work unit characteristics associated with these trajectories.

Methods: The study population was a cohort of Finnish public sector employees (n=54 651) followed from 2016 until 2022. We used trajectory analysis to identify trajectories of work ability and multinomial regression to examine their associations with prepandemic work unit characteristics and pandemic-related changes at workplaces.

Towards the year 2049: The next 25 years of occupational health and safety research.

Objective: In this discussion paper, we close our 2024 series reflecting on the successes, failures, and promises of occupational health and safety research in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health (SJWEH). This paper aims to elaborate on the future of our research field.

Methods: We conducted a narrative review of lessons learned in the series, examining insights gained and key takeaways.

Risk factors for shoulder pain and stiffness in adults aged 44 and older: an 11-year longitudinal population-based study.

Objective: We conducted a longitudinal observational study over 11 years to identify the risk factors for developing shoulder pain, stiffness, or both.

Method: The study population (n = 1645) was identified from Health 2000 Survey, a nationally representative sample of Finns aged ≥ 44 years, without shoulder pain and stiffness at the start of the study based on a questionnaire. The independent variables included age, sex, body mass index (BMI), education level, diabetes, physical work exposures, and Beck's depression score.

Sequences of sickness absence, disability pension and unemployment four years before and five years after musculoskeletal diagnosis among Swedish twins.

Aims: To investigate sustainable working life via identification of time-related sequences of sickness absence (SA), disability pension (DP) and unemployment four years before and five years after the first musculoskeletal diagnosis in a Swedish twin cohort. Other aims were to account for familial confounding and to examine the associations between sequences and sociodemographic characteristics.

Methods: Among 28,474 Swedish twins, the patterns of interruptions of working life four years before the first M00-M99 diagnosis (MSD) and five years after MSD diagnosis were investigated with a sequence analysis in a seven-element state space consisting of sustainable working life, unemployment >90 days, moderate SA/DP (30-179 days), almost full year of SA/DP (180-365 days), full year of SA/DP (⩾ 365 days), death, and old-age pension.

Executive functions and processing speed in covert cerebral small vessel disease.

Background And Purpose: Executive dysfunction and slowed processing speed are central cognitive impairments in cerebral small vessel disease (cSVD). It is unclear whether the subcomponents of executive functions become equally affected and whether computerized tests are more sensitive in detecting early cognitive changes over traditional tests. The associations of specific executive abilities (cognitive flexibility, inhibitory control, working memory) and processing speed with white matter hyperintensities (WMHs) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) were examined.

The prevalence of respiratory symptoms and diseases and declined lung function among foundry workers.

Background: Foundry workers are occupationally exposed to a variety of inhalable chemical substances. Occupational exposure to vapors, gases, dusts, and fumes can lead to adverse health effects on the respiratory system and cause chronic respiratory diseases, such as interstitial lung diseases (ILDs), chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD), chronic bronchitis, and emphysema. Research on respiratory symptoms, diseases, and lung function in foundry workers over the past few decades has been limited.

Ill persons and capable workers: Constructing work ability in return-to-work negotiations after sickness absence.

In return-to-work (RTW) negotiations after sickness absence, the work ability of an individual employee becomes a shared interest for the multiple stakeholders representing both the healthcare sector and working life. In practice, the employee, employer and occupational health professionals need to reach a shared understanding of the employee's work ability to enable shared decision-making concerning the plans for sustainable RTW. Drawing on 14 video-recorded RTW negotiations, we used conversation analysis-informed membership categorization analysis to examine how the participants of RTW negotiations discuss the work ability of an employee to pursue a shared understanding of the situation.

Functioning of post-COVID-19 patients: a cross-sectional study at the outpatient clinic for long-term effects.

Background: After COVID-19 infection, long-term impacts on functioning may occur. We studied the functioning of patients with post-COVID-19 condition (PCC) and compared them to controls without PCC.

Methods: This cross-sectional study consisted of 442 patients with PCC referred to rehabilitation at the Helsinki University Hospital (HUS) Outpatient Clinic for the Long-Term Effects of COVID-19, and 198 controls without PCC.