International journal of occupational medicine and environmental health最新文献

{"title":"Aspects of young employees' mental health: a narrative review.","authors":"Aleksandra Marczak, Julia Piechota, Kaja Staszewska, Marta Wiszniewska","doi":"10.13075/ijomeh.1896.02787","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.13075/ijomeh.1896.02787","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The mental health of employees has attracted an increasing degree of scientific attention. However, the majority of studies address the working population as a whole, with limited focus on young employees as a distinct group. The present narrative review synthesizes literature that was published in 2003-2025, which was identified through major online databases. This review focuses on young workers, most commonly defined in the literature as individuals aged 18-35 years who have entered the workforce within the past years. The aim of this review is to present the current state of knowledge with respect to the mental health of young workers, with particular attention to psychosocial risk factors contributing to this issue. The focus is on the differences between generations, the state of young employees' mental health, psychosocial work factors connected to it and identifies 6 key psychosocial risk factors associated with poorer mental health outcomes: poor psychosocial job quality, exposure to sexual harassment, emotional workload and work pressure, subjective job insecurity, effort-reward imbalance with low social support, and precarious employment. In the analyzed studies, young workers appear to be a group at risk of mental disorders, with work-related stressors playing a significant role in their occurrence. The review also compiles practical organizational solutions aimed at improving job quality, stability, support and minimizing psychosocial risks. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2026;39(2).</p>","PeriodicalId":14173,"journal":{"name":"International journal of occupational medicine and environmental health","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-05-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147837746","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Differences in work satisfaction among remote, hybrid, and on-site workers: the role of core self-evaluations and fulfilment of basic psychological needs.","authors":"Radoslaw Bartosz Walczak","doi":"10.13075/ijomeh.1896.02695","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.13075/ijomeh.1896.02695","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>This study investigated the differential impact of work arrangements (on-site, hybrid, remote) on employee well-being. It tested a model where work mode predicts basic psychological needs (Hypothesis [H] 1), these needs predict work satisfaction (H2), and core self-evaluations (CSE) predict needs fulfilment (H4), ultimately examining the mediating role of needs in the work mode and CSE-satisfaction relationships (H3 and H5).</p><p><strong>Material and methods: </strong>A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among 612 working adults from southern Poland, recruited from various companies in November 2023 - March 2024. Measurements included <i>Core Self-Evaluation Scale</i> (ω = 0.846),<i> Basic Psychological Needs Satisfaction and Frustration Scale</i> (ω = 0.764-0.894), and 4-item work satisfaction subscale from the <i>Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire</i> (COPSOQ-II) (ω = 0.866). Statistical analyses employed robust ANOVA, hierarchical regression with bootstrapped confidence intervals, and bias-corrected bootstrapped mediation analyses.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Work mode predicted basic psychological need for autonomy (F = 6.55, p = 0.006), competence (F = 10.23, p < 0.001), and work satisfaction (F = 16.80, p < 0.001), with on-site workers reporting the lowest levels of needs fulfilment and work satisfaction (H1a). Need for relatedness did not differ by work mode (H1b not supported). Autonomy (β = 0.31, p < 0.001) and competence (β = 0.28, p < 0.001), but not relatedness, were significant predictors of work satisfaction (H2 partially supported). Core self-evaluations was a significant predictor of all needs (H4 supported). Only autonomy satisfaction significantly mediated the relationship between work mode and work satisfaction (H3 partially supported) and similarly CSE and work satisfaction (H5 partially supported).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Core self-evaluations are a universal predictor of work satisfaction regardless of work arrangement. However, the mediating role of autonomy does not work in the online context. Study limitations include a non-random, cross-sectional study sample and geographic specificity to southern Poland. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2026;39(2).</p>","PeriodicalId":14173,"journal":{"name":"International journal of occupational medicine and environmental health","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-04-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147770673","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Individual and occupational correlates of work ability of Polish employees with visual impairments.","authors":"Katarzyna Weronika Binder-Olibrowska, Arkadiusz Mirosław Jasiński, Magdalena Agnieszka Wrzesińska","doi":"10.13075/ijomeh.1896.02762","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.13075/ijomeh.1896.02762","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Although occupational activity is a key determinant of human well-being, labor market participation among people with visual impairments remains low. While barriers to employment for individuals with low vision or blindness have been explored, little is known about how they perceive their own work ability. This study therefore aimed to assess the level of work ability in this population in Poland and identify its correlates, using the person-environment fit model as a theoretical framework.</p><p><strong>Material and methods: </strong>A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among 67 participants with visual impairments, of whom 41 were partially sighted and 60% were women. The questionnaire collected sociodemographic, health, disability, and job-related information, as well as data on social support from colleagues and supervisors (<i>Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire</i>). A dependent variable was measured with the <i>Work Ability Index</i>. Descriptive statistics, correlation, and hierarchical multiple regression analyses were performed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Participants reported a generally good level of work ability (M±SD 37.54±6.46). Correlation analysis identified 5 variables significantly associated with work ability. In the regression model, 4 remained significant predictors: satisfaction with household income (β = 0.34, p < 0.001), self-rated health (β = 0.27, p < 0.01), presence of additional disability (β = -0.22, p < 0.01), and shift work (β = -0.23, p < 0.05). The model explained 62% of the variance in work ability (R² = 0.62). Additional analyses indicated that the examined variables explained more variance in the subjective-resource component of WAI than in its objective health component.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The findings highlight key personal and occupational factors shaping work ability among employees with visual impairments. Considering these factors in workplace interventions may help sustain employment and promote occupational well-being in this group. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2026;39(2).</p>","PeriodicalId":14173,"journal":{"name":"International journal of occupational medicine and environmental health","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-04-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147770700","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Study of contaminants in natural cosmetics.","authors":"Agnieszka Rybka, Adam Sidor, Małgorzata Marć, Maria Kunysz, Dorota Szczepańska, Edyta Barnaś","doi":"10.13075/ijomeh.1896.02617","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.13075/ijomeh.1896.02617","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Cosmetic products placed on the market should be safe for both the consumer and the professional user. Safety monitoring of cosmetics is regulated by law in the European Union. In practice, there are 3 levels of safety assessment: the manufacturer, a qualified safety assessor and the competent authority, which in Poland is the State Sanitary Inspectorate, responsible also for official surveillance and product sampling. To identify the occurrence of threats to human health from selected chemical and biological factors based on cosmetic products distributed in Podkarpackie Province in 2023.</p><p><strong>Material and methods: </strong>The material was 40 randomly selected samples of cosmetic products for body, face and hair. Formaldehyde was determined by spectrophotometry, silver(I) nitrate (AgNO₃) by spectrophotometric methods, and mercury by atomic absorption spectrometry with an amalgamation technique. In addition, the total number of aerobic mesophilic microorganisms and <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> were analyzed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Formaldehyde content was <0.005% in all tested cosmetics for skin and hair cleansing. Mercury ranged from 0.0000001±0.00000001% to 0.0000002±0.00000003%. Silver(I) nitrate(V) in eye products was <1.57%. The total count of aerobic microorganisms was <10 CFU/g, and <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> was not detected.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Cosmetic products tested in 2023 showed formaldehyde below the detection limit (<0.005%), while mercury, AgNO₃, and microbiological contaminants were within legal limits. Results apply only to the analyzed samples and should be interpreted considering current formaldehyde limits in cosmetics (0.001%, 10 ppm). Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2026;39(2).</p>","PeriodicalId":14173,"journal":{"name":"International journal of occupational medicine and environmental health","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-04-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147770711","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The implementation of the urinalysis method for ²¹⁰Po monitoring of employees in the selected industrial sector operating with NORMs in Poland.","authors":"Katarzyna Rzemek, Małgorzata Dymecka","doi":"10.13075/ijomeh.1896.02688","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.13075/ijomeh.1896.02688","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>This study is focused on internal exposure to ²¹⁰Po, a highly radiotoxic α-emitting radioactive element. This isotope is important in evaluating internal exposure among industrial workers, especially in sectors that handle naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORMs), where polonium can be present in workplace as a result of its release in thermal processes and other processes in which enhanced NORMs are utilized. The aim of this paper is to present a validation of an implemented method for determining ²¹⁰Po in urine and its application in industrial sector where internal ²¹⁰Po contamination is a potential risk.</p><p><strong>Material and methods: </strong>The presented method for determination of ²¹⁰Po activity in urine involved radiochemical preparation of 24-hour urine samples followed by spontaneous deposition of polonium on a silver disc and measurement by α spectrometry. The method was applied to urine samples analyzed as part of the validation process as well as to urine samples collected by industrial workers.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The method was validated in interlaboratory comparison and implemented in Radiation Protection Measurements Laboratory (Laboratorium Pomiarów Dozymetrycznych - LPD) of the National Centre for Nuclear Research in Poland. Precision, selectivity and detection limit were also characterized in validation process. The implemented method allowed to obtain relatively high values of tracer recovery (²⁰⁹Po), on average at a level >70%.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Conducted analyses of urine samples collected from selected industrial workers confirmed that radiation exposure to ²¹⁰Po at positions directly related to the technological process was higher than at other positions, however committed effective doses were on the safe level. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2026;39(2).</p>","PeriodicalId":14173,"journal":{"name":"International journal of occupational medicine and environmental health","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-04-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147722934","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effect of mechanical vibration on peripheral blood flow in laboratory exposure: a narrative review.","authors":"Fawaz O Alenazy, Abozer Y Elderdery, Arun Vijay Subbarayalu, Badr Alzahrani, Emad Manni, Jeremy Mills, Mariam A Ameer, Shereen Mohamed Said","doi":"10.13075/ijomeh.1896.02702","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.13075/ijomeh.1896.02702","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Although mechanical vibration (MV) has grown in popularity and utilization in recent years, there is lack off the literature in relation to its impact on peripheral blood flow. The main aim of the current narrative review is to examine the effects of local mechanical vibration (LMV) and whole‑body vibration (WBV) on peripheral blood flow in different populations. Between January 2000 - February 2025, the authors used the following keywords related to MV and peripheral blood flow: \"whole-body vibration,\" \"WBV,\" \"whole-body periodic acceleration,\" \"WBPA,\" \"local vibration,\" \"LV\", \"mechanical vibration,\" \"MV,\" \"blood flow,\" \"peripheral blood flow,\" and \"peripheral circulation\" to search Google Scholar, Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed databases and reference lists from relevant articles. The authors used both single-word and combination searches. Nineteen potential articles that fit the inclusion criteria were identified. While LMV exhibited positive as well as negative impacts on peripheral blood flow in several studies, WBV was demonstrated to have a favorable effect on peripheral blood flow. Furthermore, the impact of MV on blood flow was modified by variables such as vibration type and frequency. Mechanical vibration has benefits and risks to the peripheral blood flow. When it comes to enhancing peripheral blood flow, WBV is more beneficial than LMV. Standardized procedures and uniform results reporting can be more advantageous in order to facilitate future meta-analyses and allow for more transparent comparisons between studies. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2026;39(2).</p>","PeriodicalId":14173,"journal":{"name":"International journal of occupational medicine and environmental health","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-03-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147673399","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The circadian rhythm of heart rate variability in academic teachers with anxiety disorders.","authors":"Anna Janocha, Robert Skalik, Aldona Molęda, Aleksander Stal, Dariusz Kałka","doi":"10.13075/ijomeh.1896.02689","DOIUrl":"10.13075/ijomeh.1896.02689","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>The academic teachers are increasingly diagnosed with anxiety disorders, which results from a high level of work-related stress. These disorders can be both an independent risk factor of many somatic conditions and the cause of complications of various organic disorders leading to poor prognosis. The purpose of this study is to compare the heart rate variability (HRV) recorded both during the day and at night in the academic teachers with anxiety disorders and healthy individuals.</p><p><strong>Material and methods: </strong>The study was conducted on 38 academic teachers - consecutive outpatients with anxiety disorders who participated in the intensive group psychotherapy. The diagnosis was made according to<i> Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, fourth edition, text revision</i> (DSM-IV-TR) criteria using the <i>Present State Examination</i> (PSE-10) questionnaire. Seventeen examined patients were diagnosed with panic disorder (PD) and 21 with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). The control group consisted of 40 healthy academic teachers. The resulting 3 groups were compared in terms of circadian HRV using the Oxford Medilog Suprima Holter System.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The HRV analysis showed the nocturnal falls in the time and frequency parameters related to the parasympathetic activity, e.g., high frequency. The most unfavorable alterations were observed in the PD group, which comprised the disappearance of day vs. night amplitude of the majority of HRV parameters. Hence, the PD group was particularly susceptible to the arrhythmic events. It was noticeable that nocturnal vagotonia in the PD group was significantly lower as compared with the GAD and control group.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The innovative aspect of the present study was to find a distinct profile of HRV with regard to the types of anxiety disorders because of the existing considerable differences between the nature of PD and GAD. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2026;39(1):55-67.</p>","PeriodicalId":14173,"journal":{"name":"International journal of occupational medicine and environmental health","volume":" ","pages":"55-67"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-03-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13004294/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146201574","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Acute effect of precise manual tasks on physiological tremor of both upper limbs in young and elderly people.","authors":"Joanna Mazur-Różycka, Jan Gajewski","doi":"10.13075/ijomeh.1896.02647","DOIUrl":"10.13075/ijomeh.1896.02647","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>The aim of the study was to assess physiological tremor as a result of fatigue related to manual activities, taking into account age, gender and upper limb (dominant and non-dominant).</p><p><strong>Material and methods: </strong>The study included participants from 2 age groups, 25-35 years and 55-65 years. Work fatigue was induced during a 3-hour (180 min) 2-handed upper limb control task which consisted of 3 stages. The first stage lasted 30 min, the second stage - 60 min (90 min from the beginning of the effort) and the third stage - 90 min (180 min from the beginning of the effort). Measurements of physiological tremor were performed before exercise and at 30 min, 90 min and 180 min of exercise duration. An acceleration measurement set-up for both upper limbs was used to collect tremor time courses. The power spectral density functions of the tremor signals were analyzed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Amplitude indicators from the frequency range 1-5 Hz and 8-14 Hz were extracted for analysis. The age of the subjects did not significantly affect the parameters of physiological tremor. Amplitude indicators from lower (1-5 Hz) and higher (8-14 Hz) frequencies take lower average values for women. For both indicators, a significant difference was observed in the subsequent measurements. The mean values of both indicators for the non-dominant limb were significantly higher.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Physiological tremor measurement carried out simultaneously for both upper limbs to analyze muscle fatigue during repetitive work can improve the efficiency of assessing the occurrence of fatigue on the job and increase the efficiency of assessing adaptive capabilities. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2026;39(1):16-27.</p>","PeriodicalId":14173,"journal":{"name":"International journal of occupational medicine and environmental health","volume":" ","pages":"16-27"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-03-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13004297/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146201589","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Application of slightly acidic electrolyzed water (SAEW) for surface disinfection in waste sorting and sewage treatment plants: a pilot study.","authors":"Marcin Cyprowski, Bartłomiej Wróbel, Anna Ławniczek-Wałczyk","doi":"10.13075/ijomeh.1896.02734","DOIUrl":"10.13075/ijomeh.1896.02734","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of surface disinfection using slightly acidic electrolyzed water (SAEW), concerning microorganisms detected in organic dust at a municipal waste sorting plant (WSP) and a sewage treatment plant (STP).</p><p><strong>Material and methods: </strong>Five sampling sites were selected at each facility. Four disinfectants used in the tests included: SAEW solutions with active chlorine concentrations of 100 mg/l and 300 mg/l; a mixture of SAEW (100 mg/l) and silver nanoparticles (25 mg/l); and a commercially available disinfectant, a mixture of alcohols. Surface swab samples were collected to evaluate microbial contamination and compare bacterial and fungal levels after disinfection.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Analysis of the control samples (with no disinfectant application) revealed significant microbiological contamination of the surface tested. The tested disinfectants showed varying effectiveness against the microorganisms under study. For the aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, the highest decrease in concentrations was achieved when SAEW (300 mg/l) was applied. For the sampling sites in WSP, the log reduction values (LRV) were 2.32 and 1.99, respectively. For samples from the STP, the LRVs were 2.57 and 2.42. The most significant decrease in fungal concentration was induced by a commercial disinfectant made from a mixture of alcohols. For the samples collected at WSP, the LRV was 2.06, while for those from STP, it was 0.95. The lowest biocidal effectiveness was found for the preparation consisting of a mixture of SAEW and silver nanoparticles, for which the LRV values did not usually exceed 1.00.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The results indicate that SAEW can be a promising alternative to the traditional alcohol-based disinfectants in occupational environments contaminated with organic dust. However, more comprehensive project should be conducted that would include a wider variety of work surfaces to be tested and a broader range of active chlorine concentrations. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2026;39(1):93-8.</p>","PeriodicalId":14173,"journal":{"name":"International journal of occupational medicine and environmental health","volume":" ","pages":"93-98"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-03-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13004293/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147365137","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Prevalence and occupational risk of hip osteoarthritis and rotator cuff lesions - claims data analysis.","authors":"Kristina Hagenström, Katharina Müller, Theresa Klinger, Matthias Augustin, Albert Nienhaus","doi":"10.13075/ijomeh.1896.02663","DOIUrl":"10.13075/ijomeh.1896.02663","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Hip osteoarthritis (OA) and rotator cuff lesions (RCL) are major musculoskeletal disorders that cause chronic pain, reduced mobility, and work incapacity. While certain occupational groups have been studied, limited data exist on other physically demanding professions typically performed by women, such as healthcare, childcare, and hairdressing. This study examines the prevalence and occupational risks of hip OA and RCL in Germany.</p><p><strong>Material and methods: </strong>A retrospective analysis was conducted using anonymized, large-scale, nationwide claims data (2016-2020). Individuals aged 18-65 years diagnosed with OA (International Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems [ICD-10]: M16) or RCL (ICD-10: M75) were identified. Physically demanding occupational groups were classified according to the German Federal Employment Agency and compared to a propensity score-matched control group of office workers.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Between 2016 and 2020, the prevalence of hip OA increased from 1.8% to 1.9%, and RCL from 4.4% to 4.6%. Higher prevalence rates for RCL were found in exposed occupations (4.9%). Increased risks were observed in elderly care (OA: odds ratio [OR] = 1.33, RCL: OR = 1.49) and in health and nursing care (OA: OR = 1.33, RCL: OR = 1.27) compared to office workers with lower physical exposure. Restricting the analysis to women yielded similar effect estimates.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The findings highlight an elevated occupational risk for hip OA and RCL in physically demanding professions such as nursing. Targeted prevention, ergonomic interventions, and early screening are essential to reducing work disability and improving long-term health outcomes. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2026;39(1):68-78.</p>","PeriodicalId":14173,"journal":{"name":"International journal of occupational medicine and environmental health","volume":" ","pages":"68-78"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-03-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13004296/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147377283","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}