Vigilance and sleepiness in nurses working 12-hr shifts and their coping strategies.

AIM: To describe the progression of vigilance and sleepiness over the shift and the coping strategies of nurses working 12-hr day or night shifts. BACKGROUND: The spread of 12-hr shift work in nursing raises the question of whether sufficient vigilance can be maintained to ensure quality of care. METHOD: 18 nurses working 12-hr shifts filled out a Karolinska Sleepiness Scale questionnaire and a Brief Psychomotor Vigilance Test, at the beginning of the shift and then every 3 hr. Coping strategies and quality of care were assessed on self-administered questionnaires, filled out at 3 hr, 6 hr, 9 hr and 12 hr after the start of the shift. RESULTS: The present investigation did not show significantly excessive sleepiness or vigilance impairment or poor self-perception of quality of work during 12-hr nursing work shifts, although Psychomotor Vigilance Test results gradually deteriorated slightly over duty time (from start to end of shift). Certain coping strategies were preferred such as 'having a nap' later in the night shift. CONCLUSION: Attention needs to be paid to the health status of nurses working 12-hr shifts, with regular medical monitoring by the occupational health service. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: Coping strategies to maintain sufficient vigilance to ensure quality of care should be facilitated.

Factors Contributing to Delayed Return to Work among French Healthcare Professionals Afflicted by COVID-19 at a Hospital in the Rhône-Alpes Region, 2021.

COVID-19 is an emerging disease whose impact on the return to work of hospital staff is not yet known. This study was aimed at evaluating the prevalence of delayed return to work associated with medical, personal, and professional factors in hospital staff who tested positive for COVID-19 during the second epidemic wave. A descriptive, analytical observational study was conducted. The source population consisted of all staff of a French University Hospital Center who had an RT-PCR test or an antigenic test positive for SARS-CoV-2 during the period from 6 September to 30 November 2020. A delayed return to work was defined as a return to work after a period of at least 8 days of eviction, whereas before the eviction period decided by the French government was 14 days. Data collection was carried out through an anonymous online self-questionnaire. The participation rate was 43% (216 participants out of 502 eligible subjects). Moreover, 40% of the staff had a delayed return to work, and 24% of them reported a delayed return to work due to persistent asthenia. Delayed return to work was significantly associated with age, fear of returning to work, and persistent asthenia, but the number of symptoms lasting more than 7 days was the only factor that remained significantly associated after multivariate analysis. From this study, it appears that interest in identifying the number of persistent symptoms as a possible indicator of delayed work emerges. Moreover, persistent asthenia should be given special attention by practitioners to detect a possible long COVID.

General practitioners' management of patients consulting for "mental distress at work".

BACKGROUND: Mental distress at work is a complex multifactorial phenomenon liable to impact health and personal life. OBJECTIVE: To assess the proportion of general practice consultations for mental distress at work and determine how general practitioners (GPs) manage these patients and the factors leading to consultation. METHODS: The frequency of consultations for mental distress at work was assessed on a self-administered questionnaire sent to the general practitioners (GPs) of the Loire administrative Département (France). Information on factors leading to consultation on management was obtained by a self-administered questionnaire in a sample of GPs and patients. RESULTS: Twenty-two patients were included by 16 GPs. 27% of patients were referred to an occupational physician. The frequency of consultations for mental distress at work was about 2%. Patients may wait several weeks or months before consulting, although a majority reported an impact on family life and health. A triggering event was often present, but no work accident procedure was undertaken. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the importance of better identifying adverse experience of working conditions and impaired mental health and reporting this to an occupational physician who can undertake preventive measures. Communication between occupational physician, employee and GP needs to be improved.

COVID-19 Health Crisis Workloads and Screening for Psychological Impact in Nursing Home Staff: A Qualitative and Quantitative Survey.

Background: Nursing homes were particularly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this study was to evaluate qualitatively and quantitatively with the use of a self-reported questionnaire as a tool for screening for mental disorders in nursing home staff. Methods: A multicenter epidemiological study was conducted in 12 nursing homes in France with 1117 nursing home staff eligible. Socio-demographic, occupational, and medical data were collected by anonymous self-reported questionnaire using validated scales to assess anxiety/depressive symptoms (HAD scale) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PCL-5). A total of 12 semi-structured interviews were conducted to assess acceptance and expectations for the use of the questionnaire. Results: The participation rate was 34.5%. Data from 373 questionnaires were included in the analysis. The questionnaire was well accepted by the participants and met their wishes for prevention action. The sample was 82% female. More than half reported a feeling of powerlessness and lack of time or staffing. The prevalence of anxiety symptoms was 22%, depressive symptoms 10%, and post-traumatic stress 7%. Conclusions: This study underlines the interest in screening for mental disorders by self-reported questionnaire and deploying preventive actions in the workplace to reduce stress and facilitate the reconciliation of family and working life in this context of the pandemic.

Effect of influenza vaccination among healthcare workers on hospital-acquired influenza in short-stay hospitalized patients: A multicenter pilot study in France.

BACKGROUND: Exposure to infected healthcare workers (HCWs) is a source of hospital-acquired (HA) influenza. We estimated the risk of HA influenza for hospitalized patients by rate of influenza vaccine coverage (IVC) of HCWs. METHODS: A case-case negative control study nested in a prospective cohort was conducted in 2 French university hospitals during 2 influenza seasons. Each inpatient with influenza-like illness (ILI) provided a nasal swab sample that was systematically analyzed for influenza virus by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing. An HA influenza case was a patient with a virological confirmation of influenza with onset of symptoms ≥72 hours after admission to the ward. The IVC rate of HCWs in each participating ward was calculated from the data provided by the occupational health departments. A mixed-effect logistic regression was performed with adjustments on patient sex, age, the presence of a potential source of influenza on the ward in the 5 days prior to the start of the ILI, type of ward and influenza season. RESULTS: The overall HA influenza attack rate was 1.9 per 1,000 hospitalized patients. In total, 24 confirmed HA influenza cases and 141 controls were included. The crude odds ratio (OR) of HA influenza decreased from 0.52 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.21-1.29) to 0.14 (95% CI, 0.03-0.63) when the IVC of HCWs increased from 20% to 40%. After adjustment, IVC ≥40% was associated with a risk reduction of HA influenza (aOR, 0.07; 95% CI, 0.01-0.78). CONCLUSIONS: Considering a limited sample size, influenza vaccination of HCWs is highly suggestive of HA flu prevention among hospitalized patients.Trial Registration: clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT02198638.

Underreporting of occupational blood and body fluid exposure in French university hospitals in 2017.

BACKGROUND: Occupational blood and body fluid exposures (OBBFEs) are one of the biological risks run by health professionals, especially in hospitals. OBJECTIVE: The objectives of this study were to assess the occurrence and reporting of occupational blood and body fluid exposures (OBBFEs) in university hospital medical staff and to investigate factors associated to declared OBBFE and factors associated to reported OBBFE. METHODS: A self-administered questionnaire has been e-mailed to all junior and senior medical staff in four university hospital centers in one administrative region of France in 2017. RESULTS: 292 of the 1,228 respondents declared at least one OBBFE. More than two-thirds (70.2%) were under-reporters and more than half (53.8%) non-reporters. Younger subjects, surgical specialties and other associated work accidents were risk factors for OBBFE. Considering the reporting procedure too complex was a risk factor for underreporting. CONCLUSIONS: Underreporting by hospital medical staff was a persistent phenomenon, with a high rate. The OBBFE reporting procedure needs rethinking.

Occupational exposure to arsenic, cadmium, chromium, lead and nickel, and renal cell carcinoma: a case-control study from Central and Eastern Europe.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the risk of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) in Central and Eastern Europe in relation to exposure to known and suspected carcinogenic metals. METHODS: During 1999-2003, the authors conducted a hospital-based study in Czech Republic, Poland, Romania and Russia, including 1097 cases of RCC and 1476 controls. Occupational exposure to arsenic, cadmium, chromium(III), chromium(VI), lead and nickel was assessed by teams of local industrial hygiene experts, based on detailed occupational questionnaires. RESULTS: The ORs for RCC were 1.55 (95% CI 1.09 to 2.21) for exposure to lead and 1.40 (95% CI 0.69 to 2.85) for exposure to cadmium. No clear monotonic exposure-response relation was apparent for either duration of exposure or cumulative exposure to either metal, although the OR for the highest category of cumulative exposure to lead was 2.25 (95% CI 1.21 to 4.19). Exposure to other metals did not entail an increased risk of RCC. CONCLUSIONS: For cadmium, the lack of statistical significance of most results, potential confounding and the absence of clear dose-response relations suggest that an association with RCC is unlikely to be causal. In the case of lead, however, the elevated risk in the category of highest cumulative exposure is noteworthy and justifies further investigation.

Is Isocyanate Exposure and Occupational Asthma Still a Major Occupational Health Concern? Systematic Literature Review.

Isocyanate, whose disease-inducing mechanism is poorly understood, with poor prognosis, is widely used. Asthma is the most frequent manifestation of prolonged exposure. We assessed the evolution of the incidence of isocyanate-induced occupational asthma over time. PubMed and Cochrane databases were systematically searched for studies published since 1990 that assessed the relationship between occupational exposure to isocyanates and asthma. We identified 39 studies: five retrospective cohort studies, seven prospective cohort studies, three of which were inception cohorts), seven observational cross-sectional studies, five literature reviews, two case series, and 13 registry studies. The incidence of occupational asthma secondary to isocyanate exposure has decreased from more than 5% in the early 1990s to 0.9% in 2017 in the United States. Despite the wide use of optimal collective and individual protection measures, the risk of occupational asthma has stabilized. Occupational asthma risk can be assessed with good sensitivity using self-questionnaires and pulmonary function tests. Occupational avoidance should be implemented as soon as possible after the first symptoms appear because the prognosis becomes increasingly poor with the persistence of exposure. It is now necessary to study specifically cutaneous sensitization to isocyanates and to define what protective equipment is effective against this mode of exposure.

Prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in a population of French firefighters.

Firefighters' activities increase the risk of sudden cardiac events. The main objective of this study was to describe the Loire firefighters' cardiovascular risk factors according to their cardiovascular risk and to their professional status. A retrospective study of the entire population of firefighters of the Loire department was conducted. Risk factors derived from the data collected during the occupational health follow-up medical examinations were described and the cardiovascular risk was assessed for 417 firefighters. The most frequent cardiovascular risk factors were: overweight and obesity (62.1%), high blood pressure (27.8%) and active smoking (16,1%). There were no significant differences between career firefighters and volunteers. The prevalence of risk factors for cardiovascular diseases is less than in the general population. Obesity remains the most common risk factor, especially among firefighters with high cardiovascular risk.

Telework and Psychological Health in Hospital Staff during the First Wave of the COVID-19 Epidemic in France.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic led to a change in work organization with the development of telework. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of anxiety and depressive symptoms in teleworking staff in a university hospital center in France during the first lockdown, and to identify personal, medical and occupational factors associated with anxiety disorder. METHODS: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted in 474 hospital staff working from home during the first lockdown. The sociodemographic, occupational and medical information (anxiety and depressive disorders measured on the Hospital Anxiety and Depression (HAD) scale) was collected by an anonymous online self-administered questionnaire. The variables associated with anxiety disorder were investigated by a univariate analysis (chi² and Fisher tests) and a multivariate analysis (logistic regression model). RESULTS: Three hundred and forty hospital staff participated in the study (72% response rate). Of the participants, 106 subjects (32.1%) showed signs of an anxiety disorder and 26 (7.65%) of a depressive disorder. An anxiety disorder was significantly associated with mental workload, changes in working hours, difficulties in teleworking due to issues of internet connection or due to noise, difficulties in combining family and occupational life, sleep disturbance, worry about media information and worry about the health of a loved one. An anxiety disorder remained associated with occupational stress and personal stress during lockdown after a multivariate logistic regression. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlighted the association between an anxiety disorder and perceived occupational and personal stress levels in hospital staff teleworking during the first lockdown. Stress management workshops could be proposed to hospital staff. Prevention of anxiety requires reinforced medical monitoring and reduced stress.

Factors Associated with Psychological Distress in French Medical Students during the COVID-19 Health Crisis: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of psychological distress in medical students during the COVID-19 health crisis and to identify factors associated with psychological distress. METHODS: A cross-sectional observational study was presented to 1814 medical students (from first to sixth year) in a French university hospital center. Sociodemographic, occupational and medical information (psychological distress measured on the French GHQ12 scale) were collected via an online anonymous self-administered questionnaire. Variables associated with psychological distress were investigated using univariate analysis and multivariate analysis (modified Poisson regression). RESULTS: In total, 832 medical students responded (46%) and 699 completed the questionnaire in full (39%); 625 (75%) showed signs of psychological distress and 109 (15%) reported suicidal ideation. Female gender, psychological trauma during the COVID-19 health crisis, change in alcohol consumption, and difficulties with online learning emerged as risk factors for psychological distress, whereas a paid activity, a feeling of mutual aid and cooperation within the studies framework, and recognition of work appeared to be protective factors. CONCLUSIONS: Mental health care or suicide prevention should be provided to students at risk in the aftermath of the pandemic. Knowing the educational and medical factors associated with psychological distress enables areas for prevention to be identified.

Relationship between Occupational Exposure to Airborne Nanoparticles, Nanoparticle Lung Burden and Lung Diseases.

The biomonitoring of nanoparticles in patients' broncho-alveolar lavages (BAL) could allow getting insights into the role of inhaled biopersistent nanoparticles in the etiology/development of some respiratory diseases. Our objective was to investigate the relationship between the biomonitoring of nanoparticles in BAL, interstitial lung diseases and occupational exposure to these particles released unintentionally. We analyzed data from a cohort of 100 patients suffering from lung diseases (NanoPI clinical trial, ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02549248) and observed that most of the patients showed a high probability of exposure to airborne unintentionally released nanoparticles (>50%), suggesting a potential role of inhaled nanoparticles in lung physiopathology. Depending on the respiratory disease, the amount of patients likely exposed to unintentionally released nanoparticles was variable (e.g., from 88% for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis to 54% for sarcoidosis). These findings are consistent with the previously performed mineralogical analyses of BAL samples that suggested (i) a role of titanium nanoparticles in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and (ii) a contribution of silica submicron particles to sarcoidosis. Further investigations are necessary to draw firm conclusions but these first results strengthen the array of presumptions on the contribution of some inhaled particles (from nano to submicron size) to some idiopathic lung diseases.

Understanding Experiences of Fibromyalgia Patients Involved in the Fimouv Study During COVID-19 Lockdown.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic implied a period of lockdown for the general population, increasing the risk to develop some physical or mental disorders. In fibromyalgia patients, these disorders are part of the large clinical picture of the syndrome. Fibromyalgia management is especially based on a regular practice of physical activity. Lockdown imposed a break in rhythms, requiring a restructuring of scheduling. Thus, the present study aimed to investigate the experiences of fibromyalgia patients during COVID-19 lockdown using a qualitative analysis. Method: 19 patients (52 ± 9 years old) who completed a 3-month therapeutic education and/or supervised physical activity program were invited to participate (Fimouv study, Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04107948). A sociologist collected data by means of semi-structured interviews and analyzed them using thematic content analysis. Results: Lockdown exacerbated the main symptoms of fibromyalgia, but adjusting the rhythms of life to fluctuations of these symptoms allowed a better quality of life. Patients felt the lack of physical activity and 68% found alternatives to remain physically active. The reduction of social constraints allowed them to better contend with their pathology. Fibromyalgia stopped being a main priority. Conclusion: Lockdown was positively experienced by fibromyalgia patients. They linked the absence of physical activity with increased pain and fatigue. Nevertheless, reducing social constraints could be a key for fibromyalgia management, where symptoms seemed to take less space in everyday life. Clinical Trial Registration: www.ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: NCT04107948.

Efficiency of an Optimized Care Organization in Fibromyalgia Patients: The From Intent to Move (FIMOUV) Study Protocol of a Randomized Controlled Trial.

Introduction: Fibromyalgia (FM) is characterized by multiple symptoms including pain, fatigue, and sleep disorders, altering patient's quality of life. In the absence of effective pharmacological therapy, the last European guidelines recommend a multidisciplinary management based on exercise and education. Thus, our main objective was to measure the effectiveness of a healthcare organization offering a specific program of adapted physical activity combined with a therapeutic education program for FM patients. Methods and Analysis: The From Intent To Move (FIMOUV) study will recruit 330 FM patients randomized into two groups: test and control. The test group will benefit from a 1-month mixed exercise training program supervised at the hospital, followed by 2 months in a community-based relay in a health-sport structure. In addition, each of the two groups will benefit from therapeutic patient education sessions. The main endpoint is the measurement of the level of physical activity by accelerometry at 1 year. The secondary endpoints concern adherence to the practice of physical activity, impact on lifestyle, state of health, and physical capacity, as well as an estimate of the budgetary impact of this management strategy. Discussion: This interventional research will allow us to assess the evolution of behaviors in physical activity after an FM syndrome management based solely on patient education or based on a supervised and adapted practice of physical activity associated with this same therapeutic education program. It seems to be the first study evaluating the impact of its intervention on objective data for measuring physical activity and sedentary behavior via accelerometry among FM patients. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04107948.

Soy phytoestrogens modify DNA methylation of GSTP1, RASSF1A, EPH2 and BRCA1 promoter in prostate cancer cells.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of soy phytoestrogens on the methylation of promoter genes in prostate tumors. The incidence of prostate cancer in Asia is thirty percent lower than in Western countries. Since soy phytoestrogens represent a large portion of the Asian diet, evidence suggests their protective effect against prostate cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In three human prostate cancer cell lines, methylation-specific-PCR was used to determine the effect of soy isoflavones (genistein and daidzein), compared to known demethylating agent 5-azacytidine as control in the promoter regions of glutathione S-transferase P1 (GSTP1), Ras association domain family 1 (RASSF1A), ephrin B2 (EPHB2) and breast cancer 1 (BRCA1) genes. In parallel, immunohistochemistry was used to assess the effects of genistein, daidzein and 5-azacytidine treatment on the corresponding protein expression. RESULTS: All studied promoters, with the exception of that for BRCA1, were strongly methylated without treatment. After treatment by phytoestrogens, demethylation of GSTP1 and EPHB2 promoter regions was observed and an increase in their protein expression was demonstrated by immunohistochemistry. CONCLUSION: Epigenetic modifications of DNA, such as the promoter CpG island demethylation of tumor suppressor genes, might be related to the protective effect of soy on prostate cancer.

Impact of a decision-aid tool on influenza vaccine coverage among HCW in two French hospitals: A cluster-randomized trial.

INTRODUCTION: Nosocomial outbreaks of seasonal influenza are frequent, and vaccination is largely recommended for healthcare workers (HCWs). Vaccine coverage in French HCWs does not exceed 20%. Decision-aids (DA) are potential useful interventions to increase vaccine coverage (VC). Our aim was to evaluate the impact of a DA on HCWs influenza vaccine coverage. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Prospective cluster-randomized trial conducted in 83 departments in two public hospitals (a teaching and a non-teaching hospital) during the 2018-2019 flu season. Distribution of the DA and of questionnaire about decisional conflict and knowledge in the departments randomized in the intervention group. RESULTS: A total number of 3 547 HCWs were concerned by the study (1 953 in the intervention group, 1 594 in the control group). Global VC was 35.6% during the 2018-2019 season, instead of 23.6% in the 2017-2018 season (p < 0.005). During the 2018-2019 season, VC was 31% (95% CI 28.7-33.3) in the control group and 38.7% (95% CI 36.5-40.9) in the intervention group (p < 0.005). Among the 158 HCWs exposed to the DA who answered the survey, 51.3% had no decisional conflict. HCWs without decisional conflict were more prone to get vaccinated before flu season. CONCLUSION: The use of the DA was associated with a 25% relative increase in VC among HCWs against seasonal influenza. This modest increase remained far from the WHO 75% target, but may have reduced the number of nosocomial. Multi-component interventions are needed to increase VC in HCWs.

COVID-19 in health-care workers: lessons from SARS and MERS epidemics and perspectives for chemoprophylaxis and vaccines.

Introduction: The world is now facing the COVID-19 pandemic. Experience with SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV, and early reports about SARS-CoV-2 infection suggest that health-care settings and health-care workers (HCWs) are vulnerable in the context of the emergence of a new coronavirus. Areas covered: To highlight the need for prophylactic strategies particularly for HCWs, we identified SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, and SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks in health-care settings and the incidence of infections in HCWs by a search on MEDLINE and MEDxRIV (for SARS-Cov-2). To identify prophylactic strategies against, we conducted a search on MEDLINE and clinicaltrials.gov about studies involving SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, and SARS-CoV-2. Expert opinion: HCWs account for a great part of SARS, MERS, and SARS-CoV-2 infections, they may also contribute to the spread of the disease, particularly in health-care settings, and contribute to nosocomial outbreaks. Some preventive strategies were evaluated in previous emerging coronavirus epidemics, particularly in MERS-CoV. For COVID-19 prevention, different chemoprophylaxis with drug repositioning and new agents are under evaluation, and different vaccine candidates entered clinical development, with clinical trials. HCWs are a crucial target population for pre-exposure and post-exposure prophylaxis.

Genetic polymorphisms in CYP1A1, CYP1B1, COMT, GSTP1 and NAT2 genes and association with bladder cancer risk in a French cohort.

UNLABELLED: Tobacco smoking and environmental exposures are the main known risk factors for bladder cancer (BC) via exposure to chemical carcinogens. Genetic differences in the metabolism of chemicals have been suggested to be associated with individual susceptibility to BC. Polymorphisms in genes coding to metabolising enzymes, resulting in variation of carcinogen detoxification efficiency, may therefore change the response of individuals to chemical carcinogens and be associated with an increased BC risk. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The aim of the study was to investigate the association between functional polymorphisms in CYP1A1, CYP1B1, COMT, GSTP1 and NAT2 genes and BC risk, through a hospital-based case-control study. The genotyping of 11 Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) was carried out on DNA of 51 bladder cancer male patients and 45 male controls. The technique of MGB (Minor Groove Binder) probes that utilize allelic discrimination with the Taqman(R) method was used. RESULTS: Individuals with NAT2 slow acetylator genotypes had a significant increase in risk of BC compared to individuals with NAT2 rapid acetylators (OR adjusted for smoking status=2.70; 95% CI, 1.10-6.61). GSTP1 Ile(105)Val variants (deletion of one - Ile/Val- and two -Val/Val-, null genotype- copies) showed a marginal increased risk of BC with OR adjusted for smoking status of 2.27 (95% CI, 0.97-5.31) compared to individuals carrying wild-type genotype (Ile/Ile). No statistically significant effects on BC risk with CYP1A1, CYP11B1 and COMT genotypes were observed. CONCLUSION: The results are consistent with previous literature among Caucasian populations.

Methylation analysis of BRCA1, RASSF1, GSTP1 and EPHB2 promoters in prostate biopsies according to different degrees of malignancy.

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. CpG island methylation causes gene silencing and could be decisive in prostate carcinogenesis and progression. Its role was investigated at multiple gene sites during prostate carcinogenesis. Methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (MS-PCR) was used to analyze 4 interest gene promoter status in 12 patients with adenocarcinoma, 7 patients with prostate intraepithelial neoplasia, 3 patients with peritumor tissues and 15 healthy patients, so a total of 37 prostate biopsy samples constituted the cohort of the study. Despite the biopsy histology, the results have confirmed that BRCA1, RASSF1, GSTP1 and EPHB2 promoter methylation was found in each sample, except two.

Immunohistochemical staining of mucin 1 in prostate tissues.

UNLABELLED: Prostate cancer is a major public health problem in the world. Molecular studies are necessary for the development of prognostic markers in prostate cancer. There is a great interest in mucin studies in treatment development of human malignancies, including prostate cancer. Nevertheless, their expressions in prostate cancer need further investigation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Mucin 1 (MUC1) expression was examined in 100 prostate biopsies and were compared with prostate carcinoma cell lines (DU-145, PC-3, LNCaP) by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Biopsies were healthy, tumor, peritumor or presented an intraepithelial neoplasia. Staining of MUC1 was exihibited in PC-3 cells, was higher in DU-145, and was not expressed by LNCaP. Tumor sections presented more positive expression of MUC1 than non-tumor sections. CONCLUSION: MUC1 expression is correlated with the histological degree of malignancy.