Epidemiolgia (Basel, Switzerland)最新文献

{"title":"Temporal Trends and Epidemiological Patterns of Clinically Relevant Microorganisms in a Burn Unit: An 11-Year Retrospective Study from a Tertiary Hospital in Southern Brazil.","authors":"Raquel Lima Palermo, Isabela Madeira de Castro, Lais Fernanda de Almeida Spoladori, Eliandro Reis Tavares, Marcia Regina Eches Perugini, Lucy Megumi Yamauchi, Eliana Carolina Vespero, Sueli Fumie Yamada-Ogatta","doi":"10.3390/epidemiologia7050130","DOIUrl":"10.3390/epidemiologia7050130","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background/objectives: </strong>Burn patients are particularly vulnerable to microbial colonization and healthcare-associated microorganisms due to extensive skin barrier disruption, prolonged hospitalization, immune imbalance, and frequent invasive procedures. This study aimed to characterize the epidemiological profile and temporal trends of clinically relevant microorganisms isolated from patients admitted to a burn unit over an 11-year period.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This retrospective observational study analyzed microbiological records from burn patients at a Brazilian tertiary hospital (2014-2024), including only the first isolate per patient, clinical episode, and specimen type. Microorganisms were categorized by taxon, group, and specimen sources. Temporal trends were evaluated using regression-based count models and nonparametric tests, while dominant taxa and distribution shifts were identified via epidemiological ranking, Pareto distribution, and heatmap analyses.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 6769 clinically relevant microbial isolates were analyzed. Gram-negative bacteria predominated (60.6%), followed by Gram-positive bacteria (28.9%) and fungi (10.5%). The most frequently identified taxa were <i>Acinetobacter</i> spp. (17.3%), coagulase-negative staphylococci (13.7%), and <i>Pseudomonas</i> spp. (12.6%). Eight taxa accounted for 79.5% of all isolates, demonstrating a highly concentrated microbiological profile. Temporal analyses revealed a significant increase in Gram-positive bacterial isolates and a decline in fungal isolates throughout the study period. The distribution of microorganisms varied significantly according to clinical specimen type.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The burn unit microbiological profile was dominated by Gram-negative pathogens and exhibited important temporal shifts over the 11-year period. These findings highlight the value of continuous local surveillance to inform infection prevention measures, and support institution-specific antimicrobial stewardship programs.</p>","PeriodicalId":72944,"journal":{"name":"Epidemiolgia (Basel, Switzerland)","volume":"7 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-09-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13600085/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149032118","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Greece, 2020-January 2023: An Analysis Based on National Digital COVID-19 and Vaccination Registries.","authors":"Ivo Rakovac, Christos Triantafyllou, Vion Psiakis, Adela Galinovic, Ana Marques Domingues, Pavlos Myrianthefs, Joao Breda","doi":"10.3390/epidemiologia7050129","DOIUrl":"10.3390/epidemiologia7050129","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background/objectives: </strong>From early 2020, Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic spread rapidly worldwide, bringing unprecedented challenges. It severely disrupted health, social, and financial systems while exacerbating poverty and socioeconomic problems globally. This study aimed to investigate the characteristics and general health status-including age, comorbidities, and COVID-19 vaccination status-of SARS-CoV-2-infected patients as documented in Greek national registries, with a particular emphasis on COVID-19-related mortality.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Anonymized individual-level data were obtained from the national digital registries of COVID-19 patients and vaccinations. Data extraction was initiated on 7 January 2023, and the linked anonymized dataset was provided to the research team on 18 January 2023. The data sets were linked by the e-Government Center for Social Security Services using the Greek social security number (AMKA). Data on comorbidities were estimated by, and extracted from, medicine prescriptions in outpatient settings using the standardized therapeutic prescribing protocol as defined by the Ministry of Health of the Hellenic Republic. Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine factors associated with COVID-19 death.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of 33,740 people who died of COVID-19 infection, 70.0% (23,606) were not vaccinated. Sixty-seven point two percent (18,474) of individuals dying from COVID-19 were 70 years or older and not vaccinated. Hypertension was the most common comorbidity among patients who died from COVID-19 (67.1%). Among the 27,489 recorded COVID-19 deaths in individuals aged 70 years or older, unvaccinated individuals with two comorbidities accounted for 17.6% of deaths, while unvaccinated individuals with three comorbidities accounted for 16.7%. The multivariable analysis showed a much lower risk for people who had received two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine compared to those who are unvaccinated [odds ratio (OR) = 0.35; 95% CI: 0.33-0.36]. The existence of one or more comorbidities increased the risk of death (OR = 1.10; 95% CI: 1.09-1.11).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Most COVID-19 fatalities in Greece occurred among unvaccinated individuals over 70 years of age. Mortality among vaccinated individuals was relatively low and was predominantly observed in those with multiple underlying health conditions. Thus, increasing Greece's vaccination rate and addressing non-communicable diseases could significantly lower future COVID-19 deaths.</p>","PeriodicalId":72944,"journal":{"name":"Epidemiolgia (Basel, Switzerland)","volume":"7 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-09-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13600023/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149032123","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Correlation Between the <i>TAS2R38</i> Genetic Polymorphism, PROP Perception and Eating Habits: A Cross-Sectional Molecular Epidemiological Study.","authors":"Tommaso Rondini, Lisa Parri, Maya Petricciuolo, Cristina Fatigoni, Milena Villarini, Ermanno Federici, Massimo Moretti, Mattia Acito","doi":"10.3390/epidemiologia7050131","DOIUrl":"10.3390/epidemiologia7050131","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background/Objectives</b>: Genetic variation in bitter taste receptors, particularly <i>TAS2R38</i>, influences sensitivity to bitter compounds such as 6-n-propylthiouracil (PROP). However, its influence on food preferences and dietary habits remains unclear. This study investigated the relationship between <i>TAS2R38</i> rs713598 polymorphism, a variant in strong linkage disequilibrium with other common variants and therefore served as a proxy for TAS2R38 bitter taste-related genetic variation, PROP responsiveness, food preferences, and adherence to the Mediterranean diet. <b>Methods</b>: A cross-sectional molecular epidemiological study was conducted on 200 Italian adults. Participants completed questionnaires assessing food preferences, Mediterranean diet adherence (energy-restricted Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener; er-MEDAS), and physical activity (IPAQ). Bitter taste perception was evaluated using the PROP test and a Labelled Magnitude Scale. Saliva samples were collected for <i>TAS2R38</i> rs713598 genotyping by qPCR. Associations were analysed using Spearman's correlation and generalised linear models. <b>Results</b>: Genotyping was completed for 176 participants. A significant positive correlation was found between rs713598 genotype and PROP sensitivity (ρ = 0.404, <i>p</i> < 0.01). Women showed higher PROP responsiveness than men. No significant associations were observed between PROP responsiveness or <i>TAS2R38</i> genotype and either food preferences or Mediterranean diet adherence. Older age was associated with greater preference for bitter foods (<i>p</i> = 0.008), whereas higher physical activity and non-smoking status were associated with greater adherence to the Mediterranean diet (<i>p</i> = 0.020 and <i>p</i> = 0.024, respectively). <b>Conclusions</b>: <i>TAS2R38</i> polymorphism influenced bitter taste perception but showed limited relevance for food preferences and dietary habits. Lifestyle factors appeared more influential in shaping dietary behaviour.</p>","PeriodicalId":72944,"journal":{"name":"Epidemiolgia (Basel, Switzerland)","volume":"7 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-09-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13600190/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149031957","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Overweight and Obesity and Their Association with Neurodevelopmental Delay Among Preschoolers.","authors":"Ana Cristina Castañeda-Márquez, Yolanda Martínez-López, Jaime Salvador-Moysén, Edgar Felipe Lares-Bayona, José Ángel Hernández-Mariano","doi":"10.3390/epidemiologia7050128","DOIUrl":"10.3390/epidemiologia7050128","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background/Objectives</b>: Neurodevelopmental delays can have significant long-term consequences. Given that overweight and obesity have been associated with alterations in several biological processes related to child development, we aimed to evaluate their association with neurodevelopmental delays in children. <b>Methods</b>: We conducted an analytical cross-sectional study among 280 children aged 2-5 years. Child neurodevelopmental information was obtained from the Battelle Developmental Inventory Screening Test, which includes 96 items and measures fundamental developmental skills in five domains: Personal/Social; Adaptive; Motor; Communication; and Cognitive. Nutritional status was obtained from weight and height measurements. Anthropometric indicators, including BMI and height-for-age, were calculated. World Health Organization (WHO) cutoff points were used to classify children as overweight or obese. Associations were assessed using logistic regression models adjusted for confounders and evaluating interaction terms. <b>Results</b>: A total of 19.8% were overweight or obese. More than 20% of the children showed delays in at least one developmental domain. Participants who were overweight or obese were more likely to have a delay in the Personal/Social domain (Odds Ratio (OR) = 2.36, <i>p</i> = 0.03). Children who were overweight or obese and whose mothers were ≤30 years old were more likely to have a delay in the Adaptive domain (OR = 4.8, <i>p</i> = 0.02); on the other hand, being male and being overweight or obese increased the likelihood of having a delay in the Personal/Social domain (OR = 11.1, <i>p</i> = 0.006). Similar results were observed in the communication domain (OR = 5.88, <i>p</i> = 0.007). <b>Conclusions</b>: The results suggest that nutritional status is associated with delays in Personal/Social, Adaptative and Communication domains; the child's sex and the mother's age may modify this association.</p>","PeriodicalId":72944,"journal":{"name":"Epidemiolgia (Basel, Switzerland)","volume":"7 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-09-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13600123/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149031955","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Current Tobacco Use Status Associated with Insufficient Sleep Duration and Sleep Problems Among Non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic Men with Chronic Conditions.","authors":"Ashley L Merianos, Jodi L Kaminski, Jahmai Irehovbude, E Melinda Mahabee-Gittens, Ledric D Sherman, Caroline D Bergeron, Matthew Lee Smith","doi":"10.3390/epidemiologia7050127","DOIUrl":"10.3390/epidemiologia7050127","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><i>Background and Objectives:</i> This study aimed to examine the associations between exclusive cigarette smoking, dual-tobacco use, and poly-tobacco use and sleep duration and sleep problems among non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic men with chronic conditions. <i>Materials and Methods:</i> Cross-sectional, internet-administered survey data were collected in September-November 2019 from 1673 U.S. non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic men aged ≥40 years. Current (past 30-day) tobacco use was classified as non-tobacco use, exclusive combustible cigarette smoking, dual-tobacco use (cigarettes plus one additional tobacco product), and poly-tobacco use (cigarettes plus ≥ 2 additional tobacco products). Other tobacco products included cigars, electronic cigarettes, hookah, pipes, and bidis. Insufficient sleep duration was classified as <7 h, and sleep problems were defined as having sleep concerns in the past week. Two multivariable logistic regression models were performed to estimate adjusted odds ratios (AORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs) for insufficient sleep and sleep problems while adjusting for sociodemographics, body mass index (BMI), and number of chronic conditions. Participants that were missing data on tobacco use, sleep outcomes, and BMI were excluded. <i>Results:</i> Overall, 46.9% of participants reported insufficient sleep duration, and 46.2% reported sleep problems. Exclusive combustible cigarette smokers (AOR = 1.43, 95%CI = 1.07-1.92) and dual-tobacco users (AOR = 1.56, 95%CI = 1.06-2.28) had significantly higher odds of insufficient sleep than non-tobacco users. Dual-tobacco users (AOR = 1.96, 95%CI = 1.32-2.91) and poly-tobacco users (AOR = 1.66, 95%CI = 1.01-2.74) had significantly higher odds of sleep problems than non-tobacco users. <i>Conclusions:</i> Findings suggest that cigarette smoking, whether exclusively or in combination with other tobacco products, may exacerbate sleep disparities among middle-aged and older non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic men with chronic conditions.</p>","PeriodicalId":72944,"journal":{"name":"Epidemiolgia (Basel, Switzerland)","volume":"7 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-09-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13600172/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149032009","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Sick Leave in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease Before and After Diagnosis: A Retrospective Matched Cohort Study in Germany.","authors":"Annika Fernandez Milano, Sarah Krieg, Karel Kostev","doi":"10.3390/epidemiologia7050126","DOIUrl":"10.3390/epidemiologia7050126","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background/objectives: </strong>Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) can affect work participation. Evidence on sick leave among IBD patients in Germany is limited. We compared the occurrence and duration of certified sick leave between IBD patients and non-IBD controls.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Practice data from the Disease Analyzer database in Germany were used. Newly diagnosed IBD patients were matched to non-IBD controls using propensity scores. Sick leave occurrence and duration were evaluated in the year before and two years after diagnosis, using logistic and zero-inflated negative binomial regression, respectively. Stratified analyses explored variations by IBD subtype, sex, and age group.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Sick leave occurred more frequently in IBD patients than controls pre-index (45.7% vs. 42.2%) and during the second year post-index (49.6% vs. 42.5%), consistent with higher odds in these periods (odds ratio (OR) 1.17, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.11-1.22 and OR 1.35, 95% CI 1.29-1.42, respectively) but not during the first year post-index, when proportions were highest in both cohorts (56.2% vs. 56.4%). While median sick leave durations were low in both cohorts (0-2 days), mean durations were higher among IBD patients. In the second year post-index, IBD patients had 1.59 times (95% CI 1.50-1.69) more sick leave days than controls. Stratified analyses suggested higher sick leave estimates in ulcerative colitis than Crohn's disease, more frequent sick leave in younger patients, and longer mean sick leave durations in older patients.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>IBD is associated with a greater certified sick leave burden before and after diagnosis, although absolute differences compared with controls were modest.</p>","PeriodicalId":72944,"journal":{"name":"Epidemiolgia (Basel, Switzerland)","volume":"7 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-09-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13600078/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149032095","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Trends in Hospitalization, Case Fatality, and Mortality for Community-Acquired Pneumonia in Portugal over 20 Years.","authors":"Rita Oliveira, Diogo Batista, Filipa Lufinha, Henrique Oliveira, António Diniz, Filipe Froes, João Gonçalves Pereira","doi":"10.3390/epidemiologia7050125","DOIUrl":"10.3390/epidemiologia7050125","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide and a major driver of hospital admissions. Older adults are disproportionately affected, owing to immune senescence and a higher prevalence of chronic comorbidities. This study examined two decades (2000-2019) of adult hospital admissions for CAP in mainland Portugal.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We analyzed adult CAP hospitalizations between 2000 and 2019 from the Portuguese Mainland Hospital Diagnosis National Database. We assessed all hospitalizations attributable to CAP over the 20 years, stratified by age group, and examined seasonal variation. Trends in hospital length of stay and in-hospital case fatality were evaluated.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Between 2000 and 2019, the adult CAP hospitalization rate in Portugal rose from 3.61 to 5.28 per 1000 persons-year. This was fostered by patients older than 80 years, who grew from 30.4% to 53.1% of CAP admissions. The mean age increased over time, from 70.1 ± 17.0 years to 77.7 ± 14.1 years. Hospitalization episodes of patients older than 85 years admitted for CAP increased fourfold. CAP-associated case fatality increased slightly, driven by patients older than 80 years. A modest decline was noted from 2016 to 2019 (from 23.1% to 21.8%). This was strongly correlated with mean age. Invasive mechanical ventilation was offered in a growing number of hospitalization episodes of CAP (from 3.1% in 2000 to 7.5% in 2019) but with significant age imbalance. Admissions peaked in January, whereas case fatality was highest during the summer months.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>These findings underscore the growing burden of CAP on healthcare systems, driven by an aging population and rising life expectancy. This has implications for both resource allocation and preventive strategies.</p>","PeriodicalId":72944,"journal":{"name":"Epidemiolgia (Basel, Switzerland)","volume":"7 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-09-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13600124/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149032113","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Deaths Mentioning Both Pancreatic Cancer and Renal Failure in the United States, 1999-2024: Temporal Trends and Disparities.","authors":"Arkadeep Dhali, Ali Shan Hafeez, Jyotirmoy Biswas, Ashish Sharma, Dushyant Singh Dahiya, Rick Maity, Saikat Mandal","doi":"10.3390/epidemiologia7050124","DOIUrl":"10.3390/epidemiologia7050124","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>We examined temporal trends in deaths mentioning both pancreatic cancer and renal failure in the United States.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We analyzed CDC WONDER multiple-cause-of-death data for adults aged ≥25 years from 1999 to 2024. Age-adjusted mortality rates (AAMRs) were assessed using Joinpoint regression. Secondary analyses quantified renal-failure co-recording among pancreatic-cancer-involving deaths, renal-failure subtypes, disparities, and comparisons with lung and bronchus, colorectal, and liver and intrahepatic bile duct cancers.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Overall, 31,497 deaths mentioned both conditions. The AAMR increased from 0.37 per 100,000 in 1999 to 0.82 in 2024, with the most rapid increase during 2018-2024 (annual percentage change, 10.77%; 95% CI, 7.18-18.22%). Renal failure was co-recorded in 2.98% of pancreatic-cancer-involving deaths. Corresponding proportions were 2.37% for lung and bronchus, 4.75% for colorectal, and 5.77% for liver and intrahepatic bile duct cancer; recent trends did not differ significantly from pancreatic cancer. Acute kidney failure was the most frequently recorded renal subtype (43.22%). In 2024, AAMRs were higher among males and highest among non-Hispanic Black individuals.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Renal-failure co-recording with pancreatic cancer increased markedly after 2018 but was not unique to pancreatic cancer. Death-certificate data do not establish temporal sequence or causality; linked clinical data are needed to clarify potentially modifiable kidney-related pathways.</p>","PeriodicalId":72944,"journal":{"name":"Epidemiolgia (Basel, Switzerland)","volume":"7 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-09-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13600201/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149032030","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Germany's Epidemiological Data on Cleft Lip and Palate After the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant Accident: A Systematic Literature Review.","authors":"Claas Willem Molsen, Pascal Grün, Christian Philipp Schnell, Flora Turhani, Sebastian Fitzek, Marius Meier, Dritan Turhani","doi":"10.3390/epidemiologia7050123","DOIUrl":"10.3390/epidemiologia7050123","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background/objectives: </strong>The aetiology of facial clefts remains incompletely understood, and ionising radiation has been discussed as a potential exogenous factor. This review investigated the epidemiology of cleft lip and/or palate (CL/P) in Germany in relation to the Chernobyl NPP accident.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A systematic literature search was conducted using MEDLINE, LIVIVO, and the Cochrane Library, supplemented by additional searches. OHAT risk-of-bias domains were applied to the included studies.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In total, 276 potentially relevant records were identified, of which six were included. Studies from Bavaria and the former German Democratic Republic reported regional associations between increased CL/P prevalence and the Chernobyl NPP accident. None of the included studies assessed radiation exposure at the individual level; exposure assessment was regional or ecological.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Associations were reported in some more heavily contaminated regions, whereas no statistically significant differences were found in regions affected by lower levels of fallout. One study reported an estimated additional regional exposure of 1.2 mGy in the most heavily contaminated areas. This estimate does not substitute for individual dosimetry and should be interpreted cautiously. Experimental and other sources cited in the review discuss malformation effects at doses of at least 50 mGy. Given the heterogeneous study designs, ecological exposure assessment, inadequate control of confounding, and very low certainty of evidence, the available data do not support establishing a causal relationship between Chernobyl-related exposure and CL/P in Germany.</p>","PeriodicalId":72944,"journal":{"name":"Epidemiolgia (Basel, Switzerland)","volume":"7 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13600118/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149031990","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Ergonomic Risks, Psychosocial Associations and Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Symptoms Among Laboratory Workers in a Malaysian Medical Research Institute.","authors":"Imanul Hassan Abdul Shukor, Mohd Faiz Ibrahim, Wei Fern Siew","doi":"10.3390/epidemiologia7050122","DOIUrl":"10.3390/epidemiologia7050122","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background/objectives: </strong>Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) represent a significant occupational health concern among medical laboratory workers (MLWs) worldwide. However, in cross-sectional epidemiological assessments, these are more accurately characterized as self-reported musculoskeletal symptoms (MSSs). Despite growing awareness of physical ergonomic risk factors, the multifactorial etiology of these symptoms, such as psychosocial factors, remains incompletely understood in research laboratory settings. Consequently, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of MSSs among MLWs in a Malaysian research institute, assess physical ergonomic risk in their daily tasks, and evaluate the empirical association between MSSs and psychosocial work engagement.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional study was conducted among MLWs at a Malaysian medical research institute. The 12-month prevalence of self-reported MSSs was assessed using the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire. Physical ergonomic risk was evaluated utilizing the Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA). Psychosocial work engagement was measured using the 17-item Utrecht Work Engagement Scale.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 115 MLWs participated, with 73 (63.5%) reporting MSSs. The neck had the highest complaints (<i>n</i> = 43, 37.4%), followed by the lower back (<i>n</i> = 35, 30.4%) and shoulders (<i>n</i> = 33, 28.7%). Multivariable modified Poisson Generalized Estimating Equations revealed that physical ergonomic risk (REBA) was significantly associated with symptoms in the shoulder, upper back, and lower back. Female sex was independently correlated with the overall prevalence of MSSs (aPR = 1.39; 95% CI = 1.14-1.68), with marked associations observed for the neck and knees. Psychosocially, high \"absorption\" in work was significantly associated with upper back symptom prevalence (aPR = 1.57; 95% CI = 1.15-2.14).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Ergonomic strain demonstrates a strong association with axial and shoulder symptoms among MLWs, while demographic characteristics and cumulative tenure correlate with specific extremity symptoms. Paradoxically, high psychological absorption emerges as a distinct correlate of upper back symptoms, likely due to prolonged postural neglect during deep concentration. Occupational health programs may benefit from combining targeted ergonomic accommodations with strategies designed to mitigate the potential physical vulnerabilities of highly absorbed personnel.</p>","PeriodicalId":72944,"journal":{"name":"Epidemiolgia (Basel, Switzerland)","volume":"7 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13600081/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149032024","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}