[Diagnostic criteria for occupational allergic diseases]. / Dijagnosticki kriteriji profesionalnih alergijskih bolesti.

Exposure to allergens at workplace is more frequent nowadays. The most common occupational allergic diseases with proven association of the disease and occupational exposure determining damage to function and/or morphology and confirming the disease by diagnostic workup are occupational allergic rhinitis, occupational asthma, allergic alveolitis and allergic contact dermatitis. This paper describes diagnostic algorithms of differential diagnosis to confirm the diagnosis of occupational disease and to take measures for preserving functional capacity of the employees.

[Human lifespan: to live and outlive 100 years?]. / Ljudski vijek: dozivjeti i nadzivjeti 100 godina?

Aged population dominates in developed countries. Centenarians are a select group, and only one in 7,000 to 10,000 reach that age. Factors of longevity are numerous and include genetic predisposition (a locus on chromosome 4), environment, healthy lifestyle (hypocaloric diet, regular physical and mental exercise), accessible health services, and efficient health protection at old age. Centenarians are well adapted to the new life and compensate for the loss of functions with age. The limits of human life are extended, so that nowadays the oldest person has reached the age of 128. Some geographic areas are characterised by higher numbers of centenarians. This article mentions a few individuals who outlived 100 years in the world, Croatia, and neighbouring countries. Although some argue that the limits of human life cannot be extended over the age of 120 years, for now we cannot predict the actual limits of human life.

Respiratory findings in a nursing home population.

The prevalence of respiratory abnormalities was studied in an elderly nursing home population. This study investigated 475 female and 147 male individuals living in five nursing homes in Zagreb, Croatia. Chronic respiratory symptoms were recorded using the British Medical Research Council questionnaire. Ventilatory capacity was measured with maximum expiratory flow-volume (MEFV) curves on which forced vital capacity (FVC), one-second forced expiratory volume (FEV1), maximum expiratory flow rate at 50% FVC (FEF50), and maximum expiratory flow rate at 25% FVC (FEF25) were measured. A high rate of chronic respiratory illness and symptoms was found in both female and male nursing home residents. The highest rates were for asthma, chronic cough, and for chest tightness. Odds ratios (OR) showed that smoking and the length of employment were significant risk factors among men. Pulmonary function testing demonstrated a decrease in measured values compared to predicted (p<0.01). This was particularly pronounced for FEF50 and FEF25, suggesting obstructive changes in smaller airways. Regression coefficients were significant for smoking and employment primarily for FEF50 and FEF25. Our data suggest that older individuals residing in nursing homes exhibit an excess of respiratory symptoms, and lung function abnormalities. Smoking and past employment are important risk factors for these respiratory findings. Medical surveillance and preventive strategies should be implemented for this high risk population.

Alcohol--health effects, working environment and prevention.

Alcoholism is a growing medical and public health issue both in adults and in the younger generation. It is a multietiological phenomenon influenced by genetic, psychological, cultural and other factors. Alcoholic beverages have traditionally been prepared from various ingredients such as grapes, hops, rice, honey, etc. Drinking prevalence has varied and is more pronounced in women and the youth. Alcoholism is shown to be of neurophysiological etiology and may lead to impairment of all human body systems. The most frequent cause of death in alcoholics are diseases of the cardiovascular system. The problem of alcoholism at workplace is very important since by affecting health and reducing work productivity it leads to accidents, injuries and decreased working capacity. Efficient solving of alcoholism and related problems includes early detection, so it is necessary to orient the health care services towards primary prevention and early interventions.

[Alcoholism--how it affects health and working capacity]. / Ovisnost o alkoholu - posljedice za zdravlje i radnu sposobnost.

Alcoholism is a growing medical and public health issue both in adult and in younger populations. It is a multi-aetiological phenomenon influenced by genetic, psychological, cultural and other factors. Alcoholic beverages have traditionally been prepared from various ingredients, such as grapes, malt, and rice. Drinking prevalence has varied and is more pronounced in women and the youth. Alcoholism is shown to be of neurophysiologic origin and may lead to the impairment of all human body systems. The most frequent cause of death in alcoholics are the diseases of the cardiovascular system. Alcoholism at workplace is a very important issue as it affects health, reduces productivity, and may lead to accidents, injuries and decreased working capacity. Alcohol-related difficulties develop much earlier than the clinical picture. The diagnosis of alcoholism includes early detection of alcohol-related problems, so it is necessary to orient the healthcare services towards primary prevention and early intervention.

[Healthy aging and productive retirement]. / Zdravo starenje i produktivno umirovljenje.

Characteristics of aging as a normal physiological process are presented. The main indicators of increased the number of older population in the world as well as problems related to society and particularly to public health are listed. The difference between gerontology and geriatrics is described. Retirement is separately presented as a psychological process. Reported are the most frequent chronic diseases that may develop in older people including dementia, mental depression, and other psychological problems. The theories of aging related to organs and organic systems are described. The importance of geroprophylaxis, including primary, secondary and terciary prevention for older people is particularly stressed.

[Reference values of ventilatory capacity in persons in the third stage of life]. / Referentne vrijednosti ventilacijske funkcije pluca osoba trece zivotne dobi.

UNLABELLED: Ventilatory capacity was measured in a group of 622 subjects aged 60 years and older (475 women and 147 men). METHODS: Maximum expiratory flow-volume curve was recorded, on which forced vital capacity (FVC), one second forced expiratory volume (FEV1) and maximum expiratory flow rates at 50% and the last 25% of vital capacity (FEF50, FEF25) were read. Reference values of ventilatory capacity tests for women and men were calculated by linear multiple regression with age and height as predictors, separately for smokers and nonsmokers. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Results of ventilatory capacity tests in our population showed better compliance with the reference values proposed by Mustajbegovic et al. compared to those by Quanjer et al. According to our results the ventilatory capacity values decreased by the age of 70-79 years, followed unexpectedly by an increase relative to the expected values. Since ventilatory capacity tests do not follow a linear decrease, in the evaluation of lung function in the elderly it is necessary to use reference values specific for this population.

[Occupational diseases in instrumental musicians]. / Bolesti profesionalnih glazbenika instrumentalista.

Occupational diseases, work-related diseases and occupational stigma in professional musicians are discussed. Predominant diseases and symptoms related to various organic systems, such as musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, respiratory system, skin, mouth and teeth diseases, as well as the effect of noise and psychological stress, have been listed. The preventive measures in order to promote health of musicians are described in particular.

[The role of occupational medicine in evaluation of work capacity and invalidity]. / Uloga medicine rada u ocjeni radne sposobnosti i invalidnosti.

The basic parameters of work capacity as well as difference to temporary work capacity are described. Separately listed are principles of assessment of work capacity before employment, during employment as well as for determination of invalidity. Differences between impairment and disability are stressed. The importance of vocational guidance and selection of workers is stressed. The characteristics of insurance medicine are presented.

[Respiratory symptoms, diseases and pulmonary ventilatory capacity in persons in the third stage of life]. / Respiratorni simptomi, bolesti i ventilacijska funkcija pluca osoba trece zivotne dobi.

The study included 622 persons of the third age, 60-94 years old. The subjects were analyzed by age, smoking habits, profession and place of longest residence. In the studied group, there were 27.2% men smokers and 12.6% women smokers. In relation to profession, women were mostly office employees (35.4%) and men were mostly workers (46.9%). Ventilatory capacity was measured by recording maximum expiratory flow-volume on which forced vital capacity (FVC), one second forced expiratory volume (FEV1), and maximum expiratory flow rates at 50% and the last 25% of vital capacity were read (FEF50' FEF25). All respiratory symptoms were significantly more prevalent in smokers than in nonsmokers. The highest prevalence was found for chronic cough in men (31.1%) and in women (30.1%) as well as for dyspnea in women (54.7%) and in men (43.5%). A higher prevalence of respiratory symptoms was found in the age group 60-69 years old than in subjects older than 70 years. Asthma was more prevalent in workers and farmers, which is probably the result of work exposure. Logistic regression analysis of chronic respiratory symptoms and diseases in older men and women by profession, age, place of longest residence and smoking habits did not show statistically significant difference between effects of those variables on the development of respiratory symptoms and disease. The measured values of ventilatory capacity tests were decreased up to 70-79 years of age. After that there is no decrease expressed as a percentage of reference values.