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Hansson E, Jakobsson K, Glaser J, Wesseling C, Chavarria D, Lucas RAI, Prince H, Wegman DH. Impact of heat and a rest-shade-hydration intervention program on productivity of piece-paid industrial agricultural workers at risk of chronic kidney disease of nontraditional origin. Ann Work Expo Health 2024; 68:366-375. [PMID: 38367206 PMCID: PMC11033565 DOI: 10.1093/annweh/wxae007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/19/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Assess the impact of environmental heat and a rest-shade-hydration (RSH) intervention against heat stress on productivity of piece-paid Mesoamerican sugarcane cutters. These workers are at a high risk of chronic kidney disease of non-traditional origin (CKDnt), from the severe heat stress they experience due to heavy work under hot conditions. RSH interventions in these populations improve kidney health outcomes, but their impact on productivity has yet to be examined. METHODS We accessed routine productivity data from seed (SC, N = 749) and burned (BCC, N = 535) sugarcane cutters observed over five harvest seasons with increasing RSH intervention at a large Nicaraguan sugarcane mill. Hourly field-site wet-bulb globe temperature (WBGT) was recorded by mill staff and summarized as a daily mean. Mixed linear regression was used to model daily productivity, adjusting for age (18-29, 30-44, and >45 years), sex, WBGT (<28, 28-29, 29-30, 30-31, and >31 °C) on the same and preceding day, harvest season (2017-18 to 2021-22), month, and acclimatization status (<1, 1-2, and >2 weeks). RESULTS There was an inverse dose-response relationship between SC productivity and WBGT on the same and preceding days, decreasing by approximately 3%/°C WBGT. Productivity increased during the study period, i.e. coinciding with RSH scale-up, by approximately 19% in SC and 9% in BCC. CONCLUSION Agricultural worker productivity was expected lower on hotter days, strengthening the interest in all stakeholders to mitigate increasing global temperatures and their impact. Despite decreasing the total time allocated for work each day, an RSH intervention appears to result in increased productivity and no apparent loss in productivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik Hansson
- La Isla Network, 2219 California NW Unit 52, 20008 Washington, District of Columbia, United States
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Box 414, 413 90 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Kristina Jakobsson
- La Isla Network, 2219 California NW Unit 52, 20008 Washington, District of Columbia, United States
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Box 414, 413 90 Gothenburg, Sweden
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Box 414, 413 90 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Jason Glaser
- La Isla Network, 2219 California NW Unit 52, 20008 Washington, District of Columbia, United States
| | - Catharina Wesseling
- La Isla Network, 2219 California NW Unit 52, 20008 Washington, District of Columbia, United States
- Unit of Occupational Medicine, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Box 210, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Denis Chavarria
- Occupational Health Management, Ingenio San Antonio/Nicaragua Sugar Estates Limited, Km. 119 Carretera León-Chinandega, Chichigalpa, Nicaragua
| | - Rebekah A I Lucas
- La Isla Network, 2219 California NW Unit 52, 20008 Washington, District of Columbia, United States
- School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - Heath Prince
- La Isla Network, 2219 California NW Unit 52, 20008 Washington, District of Columbia, United States
- LBJ School of Public Affairs, University of Texas at Austin, 2315 Red River St, Austin, TX 78712,United States
| | - David H Wegman
- La Isla Network, 2219 California NW Unit 52, 20008 Washington, District of Columbia, United States
- University of Massachusetts Lowell, 1 University Avenue, Lowell, 01854 MA, United States
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Hansson E, Wesseling C, Wegman D, Ekström U, Chavarria D, Glaser J, Jakobsson K. Point-of-care biomarkers for prediction of kidney function trajectory among sugarcane cutters: a comparative test accuracy study. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e060364. [PMID: 36400724 PMCID: PMC9677021 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-060364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Heat-stressed Mesoamerican workers, such as sugarcane cutters, suffer from high rates of chronic kidney disease of non-traditional origin (CKDnt). We aimed to identify easily available early markers of rapid kidney function decline in a population at high risk of CKDnt. DESIGN The accuracy of different biomarkers measured during harvest for prediction of cross-harvest kidney function decline were assessed in an exploratory study group, and the performance of the most promising biomarker was then assessed in an independent confirmation group. SETTING Male sugarcane cutters in El Salvador and Nicaragua. PARTICIPANTS 39 male Salvadoran sugarcane cutters sampled fortnightly at ≤9 occasions before and after work shift during harvest. 371 male Nicaraguan sugarcane cutters were sampled as part of routine monitoring during two harvests. Cutters worked at high physical intensity at wet-bulb globe temperatures mostly above 29°C for 6-8 hours per day 6 days a week during the 5-6 months harvest season. PRIMARY OUTCOMES Change in estimated glomerular filtration rate (CKD Epidemiology Collaboration) across the harvest season (ΔeGFRcross-harvest). RESULTS Dipstick leukocyturia after work shift in the El Salvadoran group was the most promising marker, explaining >25% of ΔeGFRcross-harvest variance at 8/9 occasions during harvest. Leukocyturia was associated with experiencing fever, little or dark urine, cramps, headache, dizziness and abdominal pain in the preceding 2-week period. Decreasing blood haemoglobin (Hb) and eGFR during harvest were also predictive of ΔeGFRcross-harvest. In the Nicaraguan confirmation dataset, those having ≥++ leukocyturia at any sampling during harvest had a 13 mL/min/1.73 m2 (95% CI 10 to 16 mL/min/1.73 m2) worse ΔeGFRcross-harvest than those without recorded leukocyturia. CONCLUSION Leukocyturia and Hb, both measurable with point-of-care methods, may be early indicators for kidney injury and risk for eGFR decline among heat-stressed male workers, thereby facilitating individual-level prevention and research aiming to understand the causes of CKDnt.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik Hansson
- La Isla Network, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Göteborg, Sweden
| | - Catharina Wesseling
- La Isla Network, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Unit of Occupational Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - David Wegman
- La Isla Network, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
- University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Ulf Ekström
- La Isla Network, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Denis Chavarria
- Occupational Health Management, Ingenio San Antonio/Nicaragua Sugar Estates Limited, Chichigalpa, Nicaragua
| | - Jason Glaser
- La Isla Network, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Kristina Jakobsson
- La Isla Network, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Göteborg, Sweden
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
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Hansson E, Glaser J, Jakobsson K, Weiss I, Wesseling C, Lucas RAI, Wei JLK, Ekström U, Wijkström J, Bodin T, Johnson RJ, Wegman DH. Pathophysiological Mechanisms by which Heat Stress Potentially Induces Kidney Inflammation and Chronic Kidney Disease in Sugarcane Workers. Nutrients 2020; 12:E1639. [PMID: 32498242 PMCID: PMC7352879 DOI: 10.3390/nu12061639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2020] [Revised: 05/22/2020] [Accepted: 05/25/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic kidney disease of non-traditional origin (CKDnt) is common among Mesoamerican sugarcane workers. Recurrent heat stress and dehydration is a leading hypothesis. Evidence indicate a key role of inflammation. METHODS Starting in sports and heat pathophysiology literature, we develop a theoretical framework of how strenuous work in heat could induce kidney inflammation. We describe the release of pro-inflammatory substances from a leaky gut and/or injured muscle, alone or in combination with tubular fructose and uric acid, aggravation by reduced renal blood flow and increased tubular metabolic demands. Then, we analyze longitudinal data from >800 sugarcane cutters followed across harvest and review the CKDnt literature to assess empirical support of the theoretical framework. RESULTS Inflammation (CRP elevation and fever) and hyperuricemia was tightly linked to kidney injury. Rehydrating with sugary liquids and NSAID intake increased the risk of kidney injury, whereas electrolyte solution consumption was protective. Hypokalemia and hypomagnesemia were associated with kidney injury. DISCUSSION Heat stress, muscle injury, reduced renal blood flow and fructose metabolism may induce kidney inflammation, the successful resolution of which may be impaired by daily repeating pro-inflammatory triggers. We outline further descriptive, experimental and intervention studies addressing the factors identified in this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik Hansson
- School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Box 414, 405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden;
- La Isla Network, 1441 L Street NW, Washington, DC 20005, USA; (J.G.); (I.W.); (C.W.); (R.A.I.L.); (U.E.); (D.H.W.)
| | - Jason Glaser
- La Isla Network, 1441 L Street NW, Washington, DC 20005, USA; (J.G.); (I.W.); (C.W.); (R.A.I.L.); (U.E.); (D.H.W.)
- Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Kristina Jakobsson
- School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Box 414, 405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden;
- La Isla Network, 1441 L Street NW, Washington, DC 20005, USA; (J.G.); (I.W.); (C.W.); (R.A.I.L.); (U.E.); (D.H.W.)
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Box 414, 405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Ilana Weiss
- La Isla Network, 1441 L Street NW, Washington, DC 20005, USA; (J.G.); (I.W.); (C.W.); (R.A.I.L.); (U.E.); (D.H.W.)
| | - Catarina Wesseling
- La Isla Network, 1441 L Street NW, Washington, DC 20005, USA; (J.G.); (I.W.); (C.W.); (R.A.I.L.); (U.E.); (D.H.W.)
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Nobels väg 13, 171 65 Solna, Sweden;
| | - Rebekah A. I. Lucas
- La Isla Network, 1441 L Street NW, Washington, DC 20005, USA; (J.G.); (I.W.); (C.W.); (R.A.I.L.); (U.E.); (D.H.W.)
- School of Sport, Exercise & Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Birmingham, 142 Edgbaston Park Rd, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Jason Lee Kai Wei
- Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 2 Medical Drive, MD9, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117593, Singapore;
- Global Asia Institute, National University of Singapore, 10 Lower Kent Ridge Rd, Singapore 119076, Singapore
- N.1 Institute for Health, National University of Singapore, 28 Medical Dr, Singapore 117456, Singapore
| | - Ulf Ekström
- La Isla Network, 1441 L Street NW, Washington, DC 20005, USA; (J.G.); (I.W.); (C.W.); (R.A.I.L.); (U.E.); (D.H.W.)
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Division of Clinical Chemistry and Pharmacology, Lund University, 221 85 Lund, Sweden
| | - Julia Wijkström
- Division of Renal Medicine, Department of Clinical Science Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet, 141 86 Stockholm, Sweden;
| | - Theo Bodin
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Nobels väg 13, 171 65 Solna, Sweden;
| | - Richard J. Johnson
- Division of Renal Diseases and Hypertension, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO 80045, USA;
| | - David H. Wegman
- La Isla Network, 1441 L Street NW, Washington, DC 20005, USA; (J.G.); (I.W.); (C.W.); (R.A.I.L.); (U.E.); (D.H.W.)
- Department of Work Environment, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, MA 01845, USA
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