Association between insomnia and subclinical atherosclerosis among Chinese steelworkers: a cross-sectional survey.

BACKGROUND: Insomnia is a common prevalent sleep disorder. Difficulty maintaining sleep or poor in quality in insomnia caused by disrupted or misaligned circadian rhythms may play an important role in the development of atherosclerosis. This study aimed to examine the association between insomnia and subclinical atherosclerosis in Chinese steelworkers. METHODS: A total of 3240 subjects from a large enterprise located in northern China were included in this study. The Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS) was used to assess the status of insomnia. Subclinical atherosclerosis was evaluated using ultrasonographic measurements of carotid plaque. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify association between insomnia and carotid atherosclerosis. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of insomnia and carotid plaque were 35.3 and 31.7% in the study population. Compared with non-insomnia workers, significantly increased odds of carotid plaque were observed among insomnia workers after adjusting for potential confounders, odds ratio (OR) = 1.38, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.17 to 1.63. Exposure to current shift work and insomnia simultaneously can significantly elevated the odds of carotid plaque. CONCLUSION: Insomnia is associated with elevated odds of carotid atherosclerosis in male steelworkers. Insomnia problems of workers should receive further attention in occupational worker health interventions.

Association between Triglyceride Glucose Index and Corrected QT Prolongation in Chinese Male Steelworkers.

Objectives: Increased triglyceride glucose (TyG) index appears to be linked to carotid and coronary atherosclerosis and calcifications and possesses an elevated future risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Corrected QT (QTc) interval prolongation is associated with ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death, and a high prevalence of prolonged QTc interval was previously reported in blue-collar workers. The purpose of this study was to find the possible causal inter-relationship between TyG index and QTc interval in a large population of Chinese male steelworkers. Methods: A total of 3189 male workers from two steel plants were enrolled. They responded to a cross-sectional questionnaire on basic attributes and lifestyle, including sleep patterns. All workers in the two plants underwent periodic health checkups, including twelve-lead electrocardiography. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to assess the direct and indirect effects of TyG index on QTc interval. Results: With increasing TyG index tertile, the male steelworkers had an increased QTc interval. Applying multivariate analysis, TyG index was associated independently with the odds of QTc prolongation (adjusted odds ratio = 2.73, 95% confidence interval = 1.39-5.24, p = 0.004). SEM revealed that TyG index, hypertension, obesity, lifestyle, white blood cell (WBC) count, and liver function had statistically significant direct effects on QTc interval. Furthermore, TyG index also had an indirect effect on QTc interval through hypertension, obesity, WBC count, and liver function. Moreover, lifestyle had an indirect effect on QTc interval through TyG index. The final model explained 14% of the variability in QTc interval. Conclusions: An increased TyG index was associated with QTc interval prolongation in this study, and SEM delineated possible causal pathways and inter-relationships of the risk factors contributing to the occurrence of QTc prolongation among Chinese male steelworkers.

Diagnosis and Management of Cryptogenic Occupational Tetanus: A Case Report from Rajasthan, India.

The reported cases of non-neonatal tetanus have doubled from 2015 to 2017 in India, while neonatal tetanus has declined by half during this period. Most of these non- neonatal tetanus are acquired by occupational exposure especially in high risk populations such as agricultural workers, industrial workers and health care workers secondary to increased spore exposure or risk for minor injuries. We report a case of occupational tetanus in a steel worker and discuss the importance of recognising tetanus as an occupational hazard and address issues related to its early diagnosis and management. The report also highlights the need for policymakers and health practitioners in India to evolve a robust understanding of the needs and vulnerabilities of high risk occupational groups in order to apply specific and effective interventions to prevent occupational tetanus.