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1

Aktywność zawodowa chorych na padaczkę

100%

Staniszewska A., Sobiecki M., Duda-Zalewska A., Religioni U., Juszczyk G., Tatara T., Słoniewski R.

Medycyna Pracy

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2015

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vol. 66

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issue 3

343-350

EN

Background The aim of the study was to determine the occupational activity of epileptic patients. Particular attention was paid to employment of people with epilepsy, the way the workplace is informed about the disease, impact of education on employment opportunities and the relationship between clinical type of epilepsy and professional activity. Material and Methods Patients were recruited from the neurological outpatient clinic in Warszawa and asked to fill in a customized questionnaire, containing questions on their socio-demographic, clinical and employment status. Results The study included 197 adult patients with epilepsy (64 professionally active and 133 inactive). As many as 47.7% of respondents declared that the disease impeded their employment, and 77.2% admitted that the occurrence of seizure at work had negatively affected their comfort. As many as 42.2% professionally active respondents had revealed the disease at work. There was a statistically significant difference between individuals with primarily generalized seizures and those with partial and secondarily generalized seizures (30.61% vs. 2.63%, p < 0.05). Education had also a significant positive impact on employment (47.06% employed with university degree vs. 9.76% with primary education, p < 0.05). No significant correlations between duration of the disease or number of the epileptic seizures, independent of their type and revealing the disease in the workplace, were observed (p > 0.05). Neither current work status had impact on opinions about difficulties in finding a job (p > 0.05). Conclusions Epilepsy is a great obstacle to finding and maintaining employment. Less than 1/2 of patients inform the workplace about their illness, mainly due to previous negative experiences. Since education significantly enables the employment, programs aimed at promoting vocational activation of patients should facilitate access to learning. Med Pr 2015;66(3):343–350

PL

Wstęp Celem badania było poznanie aktywności zawodowej chorych na padaczkę. Badano formy zatrudnienia chorych, sposób informowania o chorobie w miejscu pracy, wpływ wykształcenia na możliwość znalezienia zatrudnienia oraz zależność między kliniczną postacią padaczki a aktywnością zawodową. Materiał i metody Badaniem objęto pacjentów leczonych ambulatoryjnie w warszawskiej poradni neurologicznej. Opracowano ankietę zawierającą pytania charakteryzujące badaną grupę pod względem socjodemograficznym i klinicznym oraz dotyczące zatrudnienia. Wyniki Do badania włączono 197 dorosłych chorych z rozpoznaną padaczką (64 aktywnych i 133 nieaktywnych zawodowo). Spośród badanych 47,7% zdeklarowało, że choroba utrudnia lub utrudniała im podjęcie pracy, a 77,2% przyznało, że wystąpienie napadu padaczkowego w pracy wpłynęło negatywnie na komfort pracy. W grupie czynnych zawodowo 42,2% osób poinformowało w miejscu zatrudnienia o chorobie – istotna statystycznie była różnica między chorymi z napadami pierwotnie uogólnionymi a ogniskowymi i wtórnie uogólnionymi (30,61% vs 2,63%, p < 0,05). Poziom wykształcenia istotnie wypływał na zatrudnienie (47,06% pracujących chorych z wykształceniem wyższym vs 9,76% z wykształceniem podstawowym, p < 0,05). Nie wykazano istotnych zależności między czasem trwania choroby lub liczbą napadów a informowaniem o chorobie w miejscu pracy (p > 0,05). Status zawodowy także nie wpływał na różnice w opiniach dotyczących utrudnień w znalezieniu pracy (p > 0,05). Wnioski Padaczka jest istotną przeszkodą w podejmowaniu i utrzymaniu pracy. Mniej niż 1/2 chorych zatrudnionych (częściej chorzy z łagodniejszą postacią padaczki) mówi o swojej chorobie w miejscu pracy, prawdopodobnie z powodu wcześniejszych negatywnych doświadczeń. Czynnikiem sprzyjającym podjęciu i utrzymaniu pracy zawodowej chorych jest wykształcenie, dlatego programy wspierające zatrudnienie powinny ułatwiać dostęp do edukacji. Med. Pr. 2015;66(3):343–350

2

Patients with epilepsy as drivers in Poland

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Staniszewska A., Mąka A., Religioni U., Olejniczak D., Juszczyk G., Gierczyński R., Marcinkiewicz A.

Medycyna Pracy

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2021

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vol. 72

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issue 4

341-350

EN

Drivers suffering from epilepsy are commonly regarded as a threat to road safety. However, inability to use their own means of transport very often implies specific professional effects and lowers the quality of life. The aim of this study was to analyze the driving status of patients with epilepsy in Poland.Material and MethodsThe prospective study was performed using an independent questionnaire developed by the authors, consisting of 4 parts: 1) socio-demographic information, 2) clinical information, 3) driving information, and 4) opinions about patients with epilepsy as drivers. The study was conducted in November 2018–September 2019. A total of 188 patients completed this study.ResultsMore than one-quarter of the patients have a driving license. Among them, 35 individuals (accounting for 18.62% of the whole study group) said that they had received their driving license after the diagnosis of epilepsy. In 10 cases (5.32%), seizures occurred while the patients were driving and in 72 cases (38.30%) while they were traveling as passengers. Among all socio-clinical factors, having a driving license was conditioned by the marital status (p = 0.008) and education (p = 0.007). Other factors did not affect having a driving license or the time of obtaining the license (p > 0.05 for all cases). A relationship was observed between the occurrence of side effects of antiepileptic drugs and the occurrence of seizures while traveling as a car passenger (p = 0.001). Other factors did not affect the occurrence of epileptic seizures while traveling by car, either as a driver or a passenger (p > 0.05).ConclusionsA significant proportion of the respondents were of the opinion that patients with epilepsy should not be allowed to obtain a driving license, which is probably related to concerns about the occurrence of epileptic seizures while driving. It is necessary to conduct a nationwide educational and information campaign on epilepsy in various aspects.

3

Ochrona zdrowia pracujących przed zakażeniem koronawirusem SARS-CoV-2 wywołującym COVID-19 – aktualny stan wiedzy i zalecenia

100%

Świątkowska B., Walusiak-Skorupa J., Juszczyk G., Gierczyński R., Socha K., Lipińska-Ojrzanowska A.

Medycyna Pracy

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2021

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vol. 72

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issue 1

69-87

EN

The COVID-19 pandemic, despite the restrictions and preventive measures applied, has rapidly spread and reached Poland. The adaptation to the dynamically changing epidemiological situation requires a prompt implementation of effective preventive measures. The aim of the publication is to provide current knowledge to all persons involved in the preventive care system, i.e., employees, employers and professionals of occupational medicine, about the epidemiological situation related to SARS‑CoV-2, as well as recommendations and possible solutions. In order to analyze these issues, a review of literature was conducted based on medical research databases: PubMed, SCOPUS, and the Web of Science Core Collection. The literature was supplemented with studies found on websites of the Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization. Data on the cases of and deaths due to COVID-19 come from reports provided by the Ministry of Health, data published on the websites of the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control, and ourworldindata.org. By the time of submitting the publication, 34 154 cases and 1444 deaths due to coronavirus had been recorded in Poland. Data from published studies suggest that the virus is mainly transmitted via droplets or through contact with contaminated objects and surfaces. Therefore, in the absence of an effective vaccine, preventive actions are based mainly on strategies that minimize the risk of pathogen transmission. In addition to discussing the current epidemiological situation, diagnostic procedures, risk groups and COVID-19 characteristics, the paper presents recommendations and proposed solutions for employers and employees regarding the prevention of SARS‑CoV-2, along with currently applicable laws and recommendations on employee prophylactic examinations during the pandemic. Subsequently, COVID-19 was discussed in the aspect of an occupational disease and other health threats related to the pandemics. The epidemiological situation regarding coronavirus indicates the need to take immediate and effective actions to minimize infection transmission among employees, and to develop procedures for a quick and effective ability to locate the COVID-19 outbreaks in workplaces.

PL

Pandemia COVID-19 – mimo wprowadzanych ograniczeń i działań zapobiegawczych – w niedługim czasie rozprzestrzeniła się i dotarła także do Polski. Dostosowanie do dynamicznie zmieniającej się sytuacji epidemiologicznej wymaga szybkiej implementacji efektywnych działań prewencyjnych. Celem tej publikacji jest dostarczenie wszystkim osobom zaangażowanym w system opieki profilaktycznej – pracownikom, pracodawcom i profesjonalistom służby medycyny pracy – aktualnej wiedzy dotyczącej sytuacji epidemiologicznej związanej z SARS‑CoV-2 oraz połączonych z nią zaleceń i rozwiązań. W celu analizy tej problematyki przeprowadzono przegląd piśmiennictwa, wykorzystując internetowe bazy medycznych doniesień naukowych: PubMed, SCOPUS i Web of Science Core Collection. Literaturę uzupełniono o opracowania zagadnień znajdujących się na rzetelnych stronach internetowych, m.in. serwisach Ministerstwa Zdrowia (MZ) i Światowej Organizacji Zdrowia. Dane dotyczące zachorowań i zgonów z powodu COVID-19 pochodzą z raportów udostępnianych przez MZ, danych publikowanych na stronach Europejskiego Centrum ds. Zapobiegania i Kontroli Chorób oraz globalnego serwisu analitycznego ourworldindata.org. W chwili złożenia publikacji w Polsce odnotowano 34 154 przypadki zakażeń i 1444 zgony z powodu koronawirusa. Dane z opublikowanych badań sugerują, że wirus przenosi się głównie drogą kropelkową lub przez kontakt z zanieczyszczonymi przedmiotami i powierzchniami. Dlatego przy braku możliwości zastosowania skutecznej szczepionki działania prewencyjne opierają się głównie na strategiach minimalizujących ryzyko transmisji patogenu. Oprócz omówienia aktualnej sytuacji epidemiologicznej, procedur diagnostycznych, grup ryzyka i charakterystyki przebiegu COVID-19 w artykule przedstawiono zalecenia i zaproponowano rozwiązania dla pracodawców i pracowników dotyczące zapobiegania transmisji SARS‑CoV-2 oraz aktualnie obowiązujące przepisy prawa i zalecenia dotyczące badań profilaktycznych pracowników w okresie pandemii. W dalszej kolejności omówiono COVID-19 w aspekcie choroby zawodowej oraz wskazano inne zagrożenia zdrowotne związane z pandemią. Sytuacja epidemiologiczna dotycząca koronawirusa wskazuje na konieczność podejmowania natychmiastowych i skutecznych działań minimalizujących transmisję zakażenia wśród pracowników oraz opracowania procedur postępowania w celu szybkiej i skutecznej zdolności do lokalizowania i wygaszania ognisk COVID-19 w zakładach pracy.

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Occupational risks for SARS-CoV-2 infection: the Polish experience

100%

Sierpiński R., Pinkas J., Jankowski M., Juszczyk G., Topór-Mądry R., Szumowski Ł.

International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health

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2020

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vol. 33

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issue 6

781-789

EN

ObjectivesThe disease caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), termed COVID-19, is asymptomatic or mild in most cases. These patients do not need treatment in hospital and can be isolated at home. To date, most studies have been conducted among inpatients with severe COVID-19. In this study, the authors surveyed patients with mild COVID-19 who remained in home isolation, and analyzed the sources and occupational risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 infections.Material and MethodsThis cross-sectional study was carried out on April 17–18, 2020, among patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 who remained in home isolation in Poland. Data were acquired through a structured interview that included questions about the isolation course, symptoms, comorbidities, infection source, household characteristics, occupation, and workplace. Data were presented with descriptive statistics.ResultsOf the 4878 patients in home isolation, the authors were able to contact 3313. Of them, 1191 patients declined their invitation, and 2122 agreed to take part. The median age of the patients included in the study was 50 years; 59% were female. Most patients (92%) had not been abroad before the infection. More than half (55%) knew how they became infected; of them, 75% became infected at work. Of all patients, 70% were occupationally active. Nearly half of the occupationally active patients (48%) worked in healthcare, 3% worked in public administration or defense, 3% worked in transportation, and 2% worked in education. Sixty-five percent of the occupationally active patients worked in companies with >100 employees.ConclusionsMost of the patients with COVID-19 in home isolation in Poland were occupationally active, wherein the majority of people who were aware of the source of SARS-CoV-2 infection worked in healthcare. As most of the infected patients worked in companies with >100 employees, which is not a Polish employment pattern, the authors expect that smaller companies may have a lower risk of SARS-CoV-2 infections.

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Ozone disinfection of community pharmacies during the COVID-19 pandemic as a possible preventive measure for infection spread

68%

Merks P., Religioni U., Bilmin K., Bogusz J., Juszczyk G., Barańska A., Kuthan R., Drelich E., Jakubowska M., Świeczkowski D., Białoszewski A., Jaguszewski M., Panford-Quainoo E., Vaillancourt R., Białoszewski D.

Medycyna Pracy

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2021

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vol. 72

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issue 5

529-534

EN

The COVID-19 pandemic is currently one of the major global health and economic challenges. An efficient method for reducing the transmission of the virus is a still unmet medical need. Existing experimental data have shown that coronavirus survival is negatively impacted by ozone, high temperature, and low humidity. Therefore, it is feasible to use area ozonation in pharmacies – the front line of the healthcare system. Nevertheless, further work is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of ozone disinfection to reduce the transmission of this virus in pharmacies, hospitals, and other public environments. Med Pr. 2021;72(5):529–34

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Healthcare workers highly affected during the COVID-19 epidemic wave in Poland prior to vaccination availability: seroprevalence study

68%

Rosińska M., Stępień M., Kitowska W., Milczarek M., Juszczyk G., Nowacka Z., Gardel A., Hermann A., Bardoń-Błaszkowska A., Cudnik R., Czubak H., Wolniak-Bińkowska M., Źródłowska I. A., Sadkowska-Todys M.

Medycyna Pracy

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2022

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vol. 73

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issue 2

109-123

EN

The aim of the study was to assess seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among healthcare workers (HCW) before introduction of vaccination, in selected areas in Poland as well as to identify potential risk factors and estimate the cumulative incidence of COVID-19 infections in this population.Material and MethodsThe authors conducted a sero-epidemiological, cross-sectional study among HCW of 5 non-COVID-19 hospitals in Poland. The recruitment took place in December 1–23, 2020, all HCW at selected hospitals could volunteer into the study. All persons were screened with rapid SARS-CoV-2 IgM/IgG tests in capillary blood. In case of positive result, 5 ml of venous blood was drawn for confirmatory testing with ELISA assay. The authors estimated prevalence of laboratory confirmed anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody presence and examined factors associated with positive result. Cumulative incidence was estimated applying 2-source capture-recapture method to serology results and self-report of past infection.ResultsOut of 1040 HCW included in the analysis, one-fourth (25.2%) received a positive result for anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies by ELISA test, the prevalence among women was 25.3% (95% CI: 22.5–28.4) and 24.6% (95% CI: 19–31.2) among men. The prevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies was the highest among respondents who declared home contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case, 43.9% (95% CI: 32.4–56.1). It was also elevated among those who indicated contact with patients with COVID-19, 32.5% (95% CI: 26.7–38.8) and business contacts, including at the workplace, 28.9% (95% CI: 22.5–36.3). The estimated cumulative incidence of COVID-19 infections in the population, using the capture-recapture method was 41.2% (95% CI: 38.1–44.2).ConclusionsHealthcare workers remained at increased risk of infection largely due to work-related contacts with infected patients, although home exposure was also common. Estimated cumulative incidence is higher than the antibody prevalence, which indicates the need to monitor HCW for possible immunity waning, also post-immunization immunity. Med Pr. 2022;73(2):109–23

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Aktywność zawodowa chorych na padaczkę

Patients with epilepsy as drivers in Poland

Ochrona zdrowia pracujących przed zakażeniem koronawirusem SARS-CoV-2 wywołującym COVID-19 – aktualny stan wiedzy i zalecenia

Occupational risks for SARS-CoV-2 infection: the Polish experience

Ozone disinfection of community pharmacies during the COVID-19 pandemic as a possible preventive measure for infection spread

Healthcare workers highly affected during the COVID-19 epidemic wave in Poland prior to vaccination availability: seroprevalence study