Determination of Ameliorable Health Impairment Influencing Health-Related Quality of Life among Patients with Silicosis in China: A Cross-Sectional Study

Prevalence and associations between occupational diseases, emotional exhaustion, and dust mask anxiety among coal miners in Northern China

This study examined the prevalence and associations between occupational-related diseases, emotional exhaustion, and dust mask anxiety among coal miners in Northern China. The study sampled 506 miners from two coal mines in Northern China. Descriptive (frequency, percentages, and chi-square tests) and inferential (complementary log-log logistic regression) analyses were carried out to assess prevalence and associations. The prevalence of coal mining-related pulmonary diseases was 94%, with 40% and 37% reporting pneumoconiosis and bronchitis respectively. Emphysema and tuberculosis were less prevalent with a total prevalence of 5% while 12% of the miners reported two, three, or four of these diseases. For cardiovascular diseases, 66% of the miners reported 3H (hypertension, hyperlipemia, and hyperglycemia) while heart disease and cerebral infarction were reported by 6% and 2% of the miners respectively. Also, 5% and 2% of the miners reported two or all three of 3H, heart condition, and cerebral infarction. The overall prevalence of cardiovascular diseases was 81% while 82% and 63% of the miners reported experiencing some frequency of emotional exhaustion and dust mask anxiety respectively. The study also identified associations between mining-related diseases, emotional exhaustion, dust mask anxiety, and other demographic, personal habits and work-related factors. Miners with pulmonary diseases were more likely to experience emotional exhaustion and dust mask anxiety. Contrariwise, miners with cardiovascular diseases were less likely to experience dust mask anxiety. Factors such as age, engaging in physical exercises, rhinitis, source of pressure and shift system were also associated with emotional exhaustion and dust mask anxiety. These findings highlight the prevalence of occupational diseases, emotional exhaustion, and dust mask anxiety among coal miners in China. The study emphasizes the need for interventions to address health risks, improve work conditions, and support miners' well-being in the coal mining industry.

The magnitude and associated factors of anxiety and depression among non-communicable chronic disease patients during COVID-19 pandemic in a resource-limited setting

Objective

To assess the magnitude and associated factors of depression and anxiety among chronic disease patients during the COVID-19 pandemic at the University of Gondar Comprehensive and Specialized Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia 2021.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was done from June 1 to August 30, 2021 among non-communicable chronic disease patients. A systematic random sampling technique was used to collect data from 400 patients. Data were entered into EPI Info and to SPSS version 23 for analysis. Descriptive data analysis was done and bivariable and multi-variable logistic regression was used to identify factors. Variables with a p-value of 0.05 were considered statically significant.

Results

The mean age of the respondents was 51.3 ± 0.8 years. The prevalence of anxiety and depression among non-communicable chronic disease patients was 17.9% (95%CI 14.2, 21.7) and 16.3% (95%CI 12.6, 20.1)) respectively. Being female (AOR = 2.56, 95% CI: 1.21, 5.41), divorced (AOR = 3.42, 95% CI: 1.02-11.50), and ever cigarette smoking (AOR = 5.00, 95% CI: 1.66-14.90) were significantly associated with depression. Whereas, ever cigarette smoking (AOR = 2.74, 95% CI: 1.04, 7.21), number of closed contacts (AOR = 1.16, 95% CI: 1.03, 1.31), and poor social support (AOR = 2.98, 95% CI: 1.16, 7.65) were significantly associated with the anxiety.

Conclusion

The magnitude of depression and anxiety was high. Thus, appropriate action should be taken to identify those patients and integration of psychiatric care into the usual care of non-communicable chronic disease patients is vital.

Predictors of health-related quality of life among semi-precious stone mineworkers exposed to silica dust

OBJECTIVE

The study aimed to comparatively evaluate HRQOL in miners of semi-precious stones with and without silicosis, and determine the associated factors, as well as the performance of two different questionnaires in measuring HRQOL.

METHODS

In a cross-sectional study of 348 male miners (129 with silicosis) who underwent an interview and spirometry, HRQOL was assessed using the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF) questionnaire and the Saint George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ).

RESULTS

Miners with silicosis were older, had less schooling, worked more hours daily, and had longer exposure to silica. They also had worse scores of QoL in both questionnaires. Respiratory symptoms and %FEV₁ were contributing factors for the models of total health and all the domains of the SGRQ, and 40% of the variability of the general health domain of WHOQOL-BREF was due to dyspnea, wheezing, %FEV₁, and pack-years of cigarette smoking. Respiratory symptoms, lung function, pack-years of cigarette smoking, years of education, and average monthly income were contributing factors for the models of the different domains of the WHOQOL-BREF.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study revealed impaired HRQOL in semi-precious stone miners evaluated using both questionnaire tools of SGRQ and WHOQOL-BREF, of which SGRQ had superior performance. Respiratory symptoms, functional impairment, and pack-years of cigarette smoking were the most important determinants of the workers' general HRQOL.

Quality of life and influencing factors of coal miners in Xuzhou, China

Background

Coal industry is one of the national pillar industries in China. A large number of coal miners are exposed to various occupational hazards, which might cause occupational disease. The aim of the study was to assess the quality of life (QOL) of coal miners in Xuzhou, China and explore influencing factors to QOL of coal miners.

Methods

Six hundred and twelve underground miners and 354 ground workers in one of coal mines of Xuzhou were enrolled in our study. The 36-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) questionnaires were applied to evaluate the QOL of coal miners. Multivariate stepwise regression analysis was used to assess the potential impact factors on QOL.

Results

The score of role limitations due to physical health problems (RP) dimension in underground miners was significantly lower than that of ground workers (P=0.005). Multivariate stepwise regression analysis showed that longer job tenure for dust exposure significantly lower coal miners' RP score. Comparing with normal populations, our subjects scored lower in both the physical health components (PHC) and the mental health components (MHC), and many factors accounted for it including job tenure for dust exposure, chronic disease, medical insurance, etc.

Conclusions

QOL of coal miners has been affected. Some measures might be taken by enterprise and coal miners themselves to protect the health of coal miners and improve their quality of life.

Evaluation of bone mineral density and 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels in subjects with silica exposure

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the bone mineral density (BMD) and 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels in patients with silica exposure.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study included 104 male subjects with silica exposure and 36 healthy subjects. Posterior-anterior radiographs were classified according to the International Labour Office (ILO) Classification. Category 0 patients were classified as Group I (n = 54), category I patients were classified as Group II (n = 25), Category II and III patients were classified as Group III (n = 25).

RESULTS

Femoral neck BMD values were significantly lower in Group III (p = 0.007). Lumbar vertebrae BMD values were significantly lower in all groups with silica exposure than in the control group (p = 0.000). The osteoporosis rate was significantly higher in Group III (p = 0.000). Subjects with silica exposure were determined to have diminished 25(OH)D levels (p = 0.012).

CONCLUSION

The results of this study demonstrated that subjects with silica exposure have diminished BMD and 25(OH)D levels.

Protective effect of Ac-SDKP on alveolar epithelial cells through inhibition of EMT via TGF-β1/ROCK1 pathway in silicosis in rat

The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a critical stage during the development of silicosis fibrosis. In the current study, we hypothesized that the anti-fibrotic tetrapeptide, N-acetyl-seryl-aspartyl-lysyl-proline (Ac-SDKP) may exert its anti-fibrotic effects via activation of the TGF-β1/ROCK1 pathway, leading to inhibition of EMT. To address this hypothesis, we first examined the effect of Ac-SDKP upon EMT using an in vivo rat silicosis model, as well as in an in vitro model of TGF-β1-induced EMT. Confocal laser scanning microscopy was used to examine colocalization of surfactant protein A (SP-A), fibroblast specific protein-1 (FSP-1) and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) in vivo. Western blot analysis was used to examine for changes in the protein levels of E-cadherin (E-cad) and SP-A (epithelial cell markers), vimentin (mesenchymal cell marker), α-SMA (active myofibroblast marker), and collagen I and III in both in vivo and in vitro experiments. Secondly, we utilized Western blot analysis and confocal laser scanning microscopy to examine the protein expression of TGF-β1 and ROCK1 in in vivo and in vitro studies. The results revealed that Ac-SDKP treatment prevented increases in the expression of mesenchymal markers as well as TGF-β1, ROCK1, collagen I and III. Furthermore, Ac-SDKP treatment prevented decreases in the expression of epithelial cell markers in both in vivo and in vitro experiments. Based on the results, we conclude that Ac-SDKP inhibits the transition of epithelial cell-myofibroblast in silicosis via activation of the TGF-β1/ROCK1 signaling pathway, which may serve as a novel mechanism by which it exerts its anti-fibrosis properties.

The influence of the social support on symptoms of anxiety and depression among patients with silicosis

The improvement of social support promotes the mental health and improves the health status. The study aimed to examine the influence of the social support on symptoms of anxiety and depression among patients with silicosis and provide the scientific basis to further alleviate anxiety and depression and to monitor their whole quality of life. We investigated 324 inpatients with silicosis between April 2011 and September 2011. The HADS (the Hospital Anxiety-Depression Scale) was the major methodology used to evaluate anxiety and depression, and the MSPSS (the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support) to evaluate the social support level. Among patients with silicosis, 99.1% had anxiety symptoms, and 86.1% had depression symptoms. Meanwhile, the social support significantly influenced symptoms of anxiety and depression. The study suggested that patients with silicosis presented more anxiety and depression symptoms, while the social support levels of the patients were relatively low. The influence of social support on symptoms of anxiety and depression among patients with silicosis implied that improving the level of social support and the effective symptomatic treatment might alleviate anxiety and depression symptoms and improve physical and mental status.