Factors That Predict Early Return to Work After Myocardial Infarction: Importance of Coworker Support.

Aim    Myocardial infarction (MI) affects the working-age group and cause many absences and lost days of work. Some occupational factors effect in the prognosis of MI patients. The objective of this study was to determine predictors of early, late and no return to work (RTW) after MI.Material and methods    In this cohort study, 240 pre-employed, male patients with MI from April 2020 through February 2022 provided data about their demographic, occupational, psychosocial, and medical information. Data was also collected about the treatment they received as patients, their feelings about socioeconomic support, and RTW time. RTW within two weeks after MI was defined as early RTW. The relationships of these variables and with early RTW and with late or no RTW were analyzed.Results    Ninety-four patients (39.6 %) returned to work within two weeks after MI, whereas 207 patients (87.3 %) returned to work by the end of six months. Many variables, including coworker support, were associated with early RTW in a univariate analysis. Regression analysis revealed that age, coworker support, marital status, the patient's own estimated RTW time, the number of the vessels with occlusion, and comorbidity were predictors of early RTW. Of these factors, only coworker support would be subject to modification.Conclusions    This study indicates that improving support from coworkers can increase early RTW after MI.

Pachydermoperiostosis and Work Restrictions: A Case Report.

Pachydermoperiostosis (PDP) is a rare disease that mimics the clinical and radiographical manifestations of acromegaly. Therefore, it should be considered as one of the differential diagnoses in the evaluation of acromegalic patients. In this study, we discussed a case of PDP in a 24-year-old simple worker working in a food industry factory and reviewed the work restrictions caused by the complications of the disease.

An Easy-to-Use Platform for Reporting COVID-19 Patients by Private Offices and Clinics Without IT Support: A Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND: It is feasible to collect data rapidly and online using IT solutions. OBJECTIVES: To present a data collection platform for COVID-19 suspected patients in private offices and clinics without a standard software. METHODS: The proposed system for collecting and sharing data of patients with respiratory symptoms was designed to be simple to use, without the need for special technology, and with proper security to authenticate reporters. RESULTS: Two methods were developed to collect data from private physicians and offices. Finally, the data collected by both approaches is integrated and provided to primary healthcare staff to arrange appropriate healthcare measures. CONCLUSION: Our platform can provide an easy-to-use case reporting system for private physicians.

Manual material handling in the Tehran Grand Bazaar, a type of traditional heavy work with musculoskeletal effects.

BACKGROUND: Manual Material Handling (MMH) is a type of heavy work that causes a wide variety of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). Porters constitute a poor socioeconomic group of workers who are faced with these risk factors. This study focuses on porters who push and pull loads of goods on handcarts inside and outside the Tehran Grand Bazaar. OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of MSDs in porters of the Tehran Grand Bazaar. METHODS: Based on official registries, more than 5000 porters work in the Tehran Grand Bazaar. In total, 398 porters were selected using the simple random sampling method. The prevalence of MSDs was assessed using the Standardized Nordic Questionnaire for the Analysis of Musculoskeletal Symptoms. The tasks of the porters were analyzed during walk-through surveys in the Tehran Grand Bazaar. RESULTS: The prevalence of MSDs in at least one body part was 53.8% in the last 12 months and 45.2% in the last 7 days. The most prevalent symptoms in the last 12 months were low-back pain (29.6%) and knee pain (19.6%). Symptoms were associated with age, height, weight, waist circumference, work duration, number of children, and manually handling goods heavier than 20 kg. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of MSDs is high in the porters of the Tehran Grand Bazaar, likely due to heavy MMH.