The role of occupation in SARS-CoV-2 infection within a Brazilian municipality: A test-negative case-control study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between occupation and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections within a Brazilian municipality. METHODS: In this test-negative study, cases and controls were randomly selected among individuals aged 18-65 years that were registered in a primary health care program in São Caetano do Sul, Brazil. Those who had collected samples for RT-PCR testing between April 2020 and May 2021 were randomly selected to compose the case (positive for SARS-CoV-2) and control (negative for SARS-CoV-2) groups, frequency-matched by sex, age group, and month of sample collection. Complementary data were collected through phone interviews. We estimated the residual effect of occupation on SARS-CoV-2 infection using multiple conditional logistic regression models incrementally adjusted for confounding variables. RESULTS: 1724 cases and 1741 controls who reported being at work at the time of RT-PCR collection were included. Cases were mainly females (52.9%), Whites/Asians (73.3%), and unvaccinated against COVID-19 (46.6%). Compared to other university-level professionals, the highest odds of having COVID-19 were found for workers in police and protective services (odds ratio [OR] 2.21; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.27-3.84), healthcare and caregiving (OR 1.90; 95% CI 1.34-2.68), and food retail and production (OR 1.88; 95% CI = 1.14-3.11), after adjustment for age, sex, education, means of transport, household crowding, and COVID-19 vaccination. CONCLUSION: Occupation played an important role in SARS-CoV-2 infection. Food retail and production, health care and caregiving, and police and protective services showed the highest odds of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Latin America and the Caribbean Code Against cancer 1st edition: Environment, occupation, and cancer.

Within the framework of the Latin America and Caribbean region (LAC) Code Against Cancer 1st edition, the current work presents recommendations to reduce exposure to environmental and occupational carcinogenic agents relevant for LAC. Using the methodology established by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) in the World Code Against Cancer Framework and experience from developing the European Code Against Cancer 4th edition, a working group of LAC cancer-prevention experts reviewed the list of Group I IARC carcinogenic agents, identified prevalent environmental and occupational exposures in the region, and proposed evidence-based cancer prevention recommendations suited to the epidemiological, socioeconomic, and cultural conditions of LAC countries. Two sets of recommendations were drafted: those targeting the general public and a second set for policymakers. Outdoor and indoor air pollution, ultra-violet radiation and occupational exposures to silica dust, asbestos, benzene, diesel, and welding fumes were identified as prevalent carcinogens in LAC and as agents that could be reduced or eliminated to prevent cancers. Recommendations for additional risk factors were not included due to insufficient data of their attributable burden in LAC (sunbeds, radon, aflatoxin), or lack of a clear preventive action to be taken by the individual (arsenic in drinking water, medical radiation), or lack of evidence of carcinogenicity effect (bisphenol A, phthalates, and pesticides). A broad consensus was reached on environmental and occupational carcinogenic exposures present throughout the LAC region and on individual-level and public policy-level recommendations to reduce or eliminate these exposures. Key educational content for the dissemination of these recommendations was also developed as part of LAC Code Against Cancer 1st Edition.

Asian Intensive Reader of Pneumoconiosis program: examination for certification during 2008-2020.

This study examined physicians' participation and performance in the examinations administered by the Asian Intensive Reader of Pneumoconiosis (AIR Pneumo) program from 2008 to 2020 and compared radiograph readings of physicians who passed with those who failed the examinations. Demography of the participants, participation trends, pass/fail rates, and proficiency scores were summarized; differences in reading the radiographs for pneumoconiosis of physicians who passed the examinations and those who failed were evaluated.By December 2020, 555 physicians from 20 countries had taken certification examinations; the number of participants increased in recent years. Reported background specialty training and work experience varied widely. Passing rate and mean proficiency score for participants who passed were 83.4% and 77.6 ± 9.4 in certification, and 76.8% and 88.1 ± 4.5 in recertification examinations. Compared with physicians who passed the examinations, physicians who failed tended to classify test radiographs as positive for pneumoconiosis and read a higher profusion; they likely missed large opacities and pleural plaques and had a lower accuracy in recognizing the shape of small opacities. Findings suggest that physicians who failed the examination tend to over-diagnose radiographs as positive for pneumoconiosis with higher profusion and have difficulty in correctly identifying small opacity shape.

The Brazilian System for Monitoring Workers and General Population Exposed to Asbestos: Development, Challenges, and Opportunities for Workers' Health Surveillance.

The lack of safe levels of asbestos exposure and the long latency of asbestos-related disease (ARD) makes workers' health surveillance challenging, especially in lower-income countries. This paper aims to present the recently developed Brazilian system for monitoring workers and general population exposed to asbestos (Datamianto), and to discuss the main challenges and opportunities for workers' health surveillance. METHODS: a descriptive study of the Datamianto development process, examining all the stages of system planning, development, improvement, validation, availability, and training of health services for its use, in addition to presenting the main challenges and opportunities for its implementation. RESULTS: The system was developed by a group of software developers, workers' health specialists, and practitioners, and it was recently incorporated by the Ministry of Health to be used for workers' health surveillance. It can facilitate the monitoring of exposed individuals, epidemiological data analysis, promote cooperation between health services, and ensure periodical medical screening guaranteed to workers by labor legislation. Moreover, the system has a Business Intelligence (BI) platform to analyze epidemiologic data and produce near real-time reports. CONCLUSIONS: Datamianto can support and qualify the healthcare and surveillance of asbestos-exposed workers and ARD, promoting a better quality of life for workers and improving companies' compliance with legislation. Even so, the system's significance, applicability, and longevity will depend on the efforts aimed at its implementation and improvement.

Cinquentenário da Revista Brasileira de Saúde Ocupacional: um marco para celebrar o passado e construir o futuro / Fiftieth anniversary of the Brazilian Journal of Occupational Health: a milestone to celebrate the past and build the future

Resumo A Revista Brasileira de Saúde Ocupacional (RBSO) é um periódico considerado referência pela comunidade da área de segurança e saúde do trabalhador, sendo veículo dedicado à publicação de artigos científicos que contribuam para a reflexão e análise científica de questões atuais e relevantes relacionadas às relações entre trabalho e saúde. Em 2023, a RBSO completa 50 anos de existência. Esta nota editorial dedica-se a relatar o evento comemorativo, descrevendo os principais aspectos abordados nas apresentações e nos debates ocorridos, com vistas a registrar este importante momento, que pode ser considerado um marco para celebrar o passado e construir o futuro da revista. Tal evento foi uma oportunidade crucial, não somente para celebrar o meio século de existência da RBSO, mas também para propiciar o encontro de uma comunidade dedicada à publicação científica em saúde do trabalhador, que proporcionou reflexões, propostas e recomendações voltadas ao fortalecimento da revista e do campo. A presença e o envolvimento da equipe editorial, bem como dos convidados, foram fundamentais para o sucesso desse encontro, durante o qual a RBSO reafirmou o compromisso com a busca contínua por aprimoramento editorial, a partir das experiências e ideias debatidas.

Abstract The Brazilian Journal of Occupational Health (RBSO) is a reference journal within the occupational health and safety community. It is dedicated to publishing scientific articles that contribute to the critical analysis of current and pertinent issues concerning the relationship between work and health. In 2023, RBSO celebrates its 50th anniversary. This editorial note is dedicated to reporting on the commemorative event, describing the main topics covered in the presentations and discussions, with the aim of documenting this important moment, which can be considered a milestone for celebrating the past and building the future of RBSO. This event offered a crucial opportunity not only to celebrate RBSO's five decades of existence but also to bring together a community deeply committed to scientific publishing in the field of occupational health. It brought valuable reflections, proposals, and recommendations aimed at strengthening both the journal and the field it represents. The presence and active participation of the editorial team, along with the invited attendees, played an indispensable role in the success of this gathering. During this event, RBSO reaffirmed its dedication to keep enhancing its editorial standards, drawing from the experiences and ideas that have been discussed.

Analysis of Mortality from Asbestos-Related Diseases in Brazil Using Multiple Health Information Systems, 1996-2017.

Background: In Brazil, asbestos was intensively used from the 1960s until its ban in 2017. Mesothelioma, asbestosis, and pleural plaques are typical asbestos-related diseases (ARD-T). To create an ARD-T national database, death records from 1996-2017 were retrieved from several health information systems (HIS). Methods: All national HIS containing coded diagnoses (ICD-10) and death information were obtained. Linkage was performed to create a single database of ARD-T death records, either as underlying or contributory causes, in adults aged 30 years and older. Results: A total of 3,057 ARD-T death records were found, 2,405 (76.4%) of which being malignant mesotheliomas (MM). Pleural MM (n = 1,006; 41.8%) and unspecified MM (n = 792; 32.9%) prevailed. Male to female MM ratio (M:F) was 1.4:1, and higher ratios were found for non-malignant ARD-T: 3.5:1 for asbestosis and 2.4:1 for pleural plaques. Male crude annual mesothelioma mortality (CMmm x1,000,000) was 0.98 in 1996 and 2.26 in 2017, a 131.1% increment, while for females it was 1.04 and 1.25, a 20.2% increase, correspondingly. The small number of deaths with asbestosis and pleural plaques records precluded conclusive interpretations. Conclusions: Even with the linkage of several HIS, ARD-T in death records remained in low numbers. MM mortality in men was higher and showed a rapid increase and, along with non-malignant ARD-T, higher M:F ratios suggested a predominant pattern of work-related exposure. The monitoring of workplace and environmental asbestos exposure needs to be improved, as well as the workers surveillance, following the recent Brazilian ban.

Correction: Saito et al. Sex-Specific Mortality from Asbestos-Related Diseases, Lung and Ovarian Cancer in Municipalities with High Asbestos Consumption, Brazil, 2000-2017. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19, 3656.

In the original publication [...].

Volume-based tomography for the diagnosis of incipient silicosis in former gold miners.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate silicosis diagnosed through CT, with integration of clinical-occupational data, in silica-exposed workers presenting chest X-rays within International Labor Organization (ILO) category 0. METHODS: Cross-sectional study with 339 former gold miners, with comparable exposures and X-rays classified as ILO subcategory 0/0 (n=285) and 0/1 (n=54) were submitted to volume-based CT. The findings were classified according to the International Classification of HRCT CT for Occupational and Environmental Respiratory Diseases. RESULTS: A profusion degree of round opacities (RO)>1 was found in 22.4% (76/339) of the CT exams. After integrating the CT findings with clinical and occupational data, silicosis was diagnosed as follows: 43/285 (15.1%) and 14/54 (25.9%) in workers whose X-rays had been classified as 0/0 and 0/1, respectively. There was an upward trend towards longer exposures, reaching 38.9% when working more than 10 years underground and classified as 0/1 (p=0019). Those with presence of RO whose final diagnosis was not silicosis were mainly cases of tuberculosis or 'indeterminate nodules'. Emphysema was found in 65/339 (19.1%), only 5 being detected in the X-ray. CONCLUSION: Volume-based CT proved to be useful in the investigation of silicosis among individuals with a relevant exposure to silica, capturing diagnoses that had not been identified on X-rays. A response gradient of silicosis was showed by CT even in this population with ILO category 0 radiographs. It can be indicated based on quantitative and/or qualitative criteria of occupational exposure, especially considering the possibilities of low CT dosage.

Sex-Specific Mortality from Asbestos-Related Diseases, Lung and Ovarian Cancer in Municipalities with High Asbestos Consumption, Brazil, 2000-2017.

The aim of this study is to compare the mortality rates for typical asbestos-related diseases (ARD-T: mesothelioma, asbestosis, and pleural plaques) and for lung and ovarian cancer in Brazilian municipalities where asbestos mines and asbestos-cement plants had been operating (areas with high asbestos consumption, H-ASB) compared with in other municipalities. The death records for adults aged 30+ years were retrieved from multiple health information systems. In the 2000-2017 time period, age-standardized mortality rates (standard: Brazil 2010) and standardized rate ratios (SRR; H-ASB vs. others) were estimated. The SRRs for ARD-T were 2.56 for men (257 deaths in H-ASB municipalities) and 1.19 for women (136 deaths). For lung cancer, the SRRs were 1.33 for men (32,604 deaths) and 1.19 for women (20,735 deaths). The SRR for ovarian cancer was 1.34 (8446 deaths). Except for ARD-T and lung cancer in women, the SRRs were higher in municipalities that began using asbestos before 1970 than in municipalities that began utilizing asbestos from 1970 onwards. In conclusion, the mortality rates for ARD-T, and lung and ovarian cancer in municipalities with a history of asbestos mining and asbestos-cement production exceed those of the whole country. Caution is needed when interpreting the results of this ecological study. Analytical studies are necessary to document the impact of asbestos exposure on health, particularly in the future given the long latency of asbestos-related cancers.

Inter-observer agreement and accuracy in classifying radiographs for pneumoconiosis among Asian physicians taking AIR Pneumo certification examination.

This study examined inter-observer agreement and diagnostic accuracy in classifying radiographs for pneumoconiosis among Asian physicians taking the AIR Pneumo examination. We compared agreement and diagnostic accuracy for parenchymal and pleural lesions across residing countries, specialty training, and work experience using data on 93 physicians. Physicians demonstrated fair to good agreement with kappa values 0.30 (95% CI: 0.20-0.40), 0.29 (95% CI: 0.23-0.36), 0.59 (95% CI: 0.52-0.67), and 0.65 (95% CI: 0.55-0.74) in classifying pleural plaques, small opacity shapes, small opacity profusion, and large opacities, respectively. Kappa values among Asian countries ranging from 0.25 to 0.55 (pleural plaques), 0.47 to 0.73 (small opacity profusion), and 0.55 to 0.69 (large opacity size). The median Youden's J index (interquartile range) for classifying pleural plaque, small opacity, and large opacity was 61.1 (25.5), 76.8 (29.3), and 88.9 (23.3), respectively. Radiologists and recent graduates showed superior performance than other groups regarding agreement and accuracy in classifying all types of lesions. In conclusion, Asian physicians taking the AIR Pneumo examination were better at classifying parenchymal lesions than pleural plaques using the ILO classification. The degree of agreement and accuracy was different among countries and was associated with background specialty training.

Agreement and validity of asbestos-related cancers in the hospital information system of the Brazilian Unified Health System. / Concordância e validade dos diagnósticos de cânceres associados ao asbesto no sistema de informação hospitalar do Sistema Único de Saúde.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the degree of agreement and validity of diagnoses of asbestos-related malignant neoplasms registered in the Hospital Information System of the Brazilian Unified Health System (SIH/SUS), in comparison to the Hospital Cancer Registries of the State of São Paulo (HCR/SP). METHODS: Deaths with records of malignant neoplasms associated with asbestos were identified and extracted from SIH/SUS between 2007 and 2014. Deaths in cases registered in the HCR/SP were extracted for the same period. The databases were linked using software Link Plus. A single ICD-10-coded diagnosis selected from each system was analyzed. The proportion of agreement, and the sensitivity, specificity and predictive values were estimated. RESULTS: 19,458 pairs were found with records in both bases. The proportion of agreement was high, ranging from 92.4% for the unknown primary site, to 99.7% for cancer of the pleura. The Kappa Index ranged from 0.05 (95%CI 0.04 - 0.07) for cancer of the pleura to 0.85 (95%CI 0.84 - 0.87) for lung cancer. Sensitivity varied from 0.08 (95%CI 0.01 - 0.25) for cancer of the pleura, to 0.90 (95%CI 0.90 - 0.91) for lung cancer. CONCLUSION: Diagnosis of asbestos-related malignancies reached higher levels of agreement and validity when common. Rare diagnoses showed low accuracy in SIH/SUS.

OBJETIVO: Estimar o grau de concordância e validade dos diagnósticos de neoplasias malignas relacionadas à exposição ao asbesto registrados no Sistema de Informação Hospitalar do Sistema Único de Saúde (SIH/SUS), em comparação aos Registros Hospitalares de Câncer do Estado de São Paulo (RHC/SP). MÉTODOS: Óbitos com registros de neoplasias malignas associadas ao asbesto foram identificados e extraídos do SIH/SUS entre 2007 e 2014. Óbitos nos casos de câncer registrados na base do RHC/SP foram extraídos para o mesmo período. Essas bases foram unidas pelos mesmos indivíduos empregando-se o software Link Plus. Um único diagnóstico codificado pela CID-O3 ou CID-10 selecionado de cada sistema foi analisado. A proporção de concordância e a sensibilidade, especificidade e valores preditivos foram estimados. RESULTADOS: Encontraram-se 19.458 pares com registros nas duas bases. A proporção de concordância foi elevada, variando de 92,4% para a localização primária desconhecida a 99,7% para o câncer de pleura. O índice Kappa variou de 0,05 (IC95% 0,04 - 0,07) para o câncer de pleura a 0,85 (IC95% 0,84 - 0,87) para o câncer de pulmão. A menor sensibilidade foi de 0,08 (IC95% 0,01 - 0,25), para o câncer de pleura, e a maior de 0,90 (IC95% 0,90 - 0,91), para o câncer de pulmão. CONCLUSÃO: Diagnósticos de neoplasias malignas associadas ao asbesto alcançaram maiores níveis de concordância e validade quando comuns. Os diagnósticos mais raros apresentaram baixa acurácia no SIH/SUS.

Causes of death in former asbestos-cement workers in the state of São Paulo, Brazil.

BACKGROUND: In low- and middle-income countries, such as Brazil, studies on the causes of death in asbestos-exposed workers are scarce. METHODS: A cohort study was performed involving 988 males who had worked in the asbestos-cement industry in the state of São Paulo, with a total of 12,217 person-years of observation between 1995 and 2016. The standardized mortality ratio (SMR) stratified by age was calculated as the ratio between the observed rate and the expected rate in the state of São Paulo. RESULTS: Increased SMRs were observed for overall mortality (SMR 1.1, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.98-1.23) and mortality due to pleural malignant neoplasms (MN) (SMR, 69.4; 95% CI, 22.55-162.1), asbestosis (SMR, 975.7; 95% CI, 396.4-2031), peritoneal MN (SMR, 5.0; 95% CI, 0.13-27.78), laryngeal MN (SMR, 1.4; 95% CI, 0.30-4.20), and pulmonary MN (SMR, 1.5; 95% CI, 0.82-2.64). CONCLUSION: The present study highlights the damage caused by asbestos exposure and reinforces the existing evidence of a causal association between exposure and increased mortality due to pleural MN, pulmonary MN, and asbestosis.

Recovering records on cancer of the larynx from anonymous health information databases.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a linkage algorithm to match anonymous death records of cancer of the larynx (ICD-10 C32X), retrieved from the Mortality Information System (SIM) and the Hospital Information System of the Brazilian Unified National Health System (SIH-SUS) in Brazil. METHODOLOGY: Death records containing ICD-10 C32X codes were retrieved from SIM and SIH-SUS, limited to individuals aged 30 years and over, between 2002 and 2012, in the state of São Paulo. The databases were linked using a unique key identifier developed with sociodemographic data shared by both systems. Linkage performance was ascertained by applying the same procedure to similar non-anonymous databases. True pairs were those having the same identification variables. RESULTS: A total of 14,311 eligible death records were found. Most records, 10,674 (74.6%), were exclusive to SIM. Only 1,853 (12.9%) deaths were registered in both systems, representing true pairs. A total of 1,784 (12.5%) cases of laryngeal cancer in the SIH-SUS database were tracked in SIM with different causes of death. The linkage failed to match 167 (9.4%) records due to inconsistencies in the key identifier. CONCLUSION: The authors found that linking anonymous data from mortality and hospital records is a feasible measure to track missing records and may improve cancer statistics.

Mortality from silicosis in Brazil: Temporal trends in the period 1980-2017.

BACKGROUND: Silicosis is the most prevalent pneumoconiosis in Brazil. We aimed to estimate mortality rates and temporal trends for silicosis, and to identify areas of highest mortality. METHODS: Records of silicosis as the underlying (1980-2017) or contributory (2000-2017) cause of death in adults aged 20 years and older were retrieved from the Brazilian Mortality Database. Age-standardized mortality rates (ASMR) were calculated. The annual trend in ASMR was analyzed by joinpoint regression. Mortality rates per 100,000 person-years were calculated for each municipality. We analyzed temporal trends in municipalities where similar activities with exposure to silica were performed. RESULTS: There were 3164 death records (96.6% men) distributed over 14% of the municipalities. Mean age of death was 59.2 (SD 15.1) and mean ASMR was 0.085/100,000 (confidence interval 0.080-0.091). Joinpoint regression showed a significant increase in ASMR from 1980 to 2006 and a significant decrease after 2006 driven by a decline in deaths of individuals younger than 70 years. The highest mortality rate was 21.83/100,000 person-years, in a municipality with small mining operations for gems. Gold mining municipalities showed the highest composite death rate, 4.0/100,000 person-years. Tuberculosis was the main cause of death when silicosis was a contributing cause. CONCLUSIONS: In contrast with developed countries, silicosis mortality in Brazil increased to 2006 and subsequently started to drop, mostly from a plateau or decrease in deaths occurring in municipalities which regulated economic activities. However, this decrease did not occur in the older age group nor in the unregulated sector, the latter being the main challenge for exposure control and surveillance.

Recovering records on cancer of the larynx from anonymous health information databases / Recuperação de registros de câncer de laringe de bancos de dados anônimos de saúde

ABSTRACT: Objective: To develop a linkage algorithm to match anonymous death records of cancer of the larynx (ICD-10 C32X), retrieved from the Mortality Information System (SIM) and the Hospital Information System of the Brazilian Unified National Health System (SIH-SUS) in Brazil. Methodology: Death records containing ICD-10 C32X codes were retrieved from SIM and SIH-SUS, limited to individuals aged 30 years and over, between 2002 and 2012, in the state of São Paulo. The databases were linked using a unique key identifier developed with sociodemographic data shared by both systems. Linkage performance was ascertained by applying the same procedure to similar non-anonymous databases. True pairs were those having the same identification variables. Results: A total of 14,311 eligible death records were found. Most records, 10,674 (74.6%), were exclusive to SIM. Only 1,853 (12.9%) deaths were registered in both systems, representing true pairs. A total of 1,784 (12.5%) cases of laryngeal cancer in the SIH-SUS database were tracked in SIM with different causes of death. The linkage failed to match 167 (9.4%) records due to inconsistencies in the key identifier. Conclusion: The authors found that linking anonymous data from mortality and hospital records is a feasible measure to track missing records and may improve cancer statistics.

RESUMO: Objetivo: Desenvolver um algoritmo de vinculação de registros para parear registros de óbito por câncer de laringe (CID-10 C32X), recuperados do Sistema de Informação de Mortalidade (SIM) e do Sistema de Informações Hospitalares do Sistema Único de Saúde (SIH-SUS) do Brasil. Métodos: Foram filtrados registros de óbitos contendo códigos CID-10 C32X do SIM e do SIH-SUS, de indivíduos de mais de 30 anos, entre 2002 e 2012, no Estado de São Paulo. As bases de dados foram vinculadas por meio de um identificador único e de variáveis sociodemográficas comuns a ambos os sistemas. O desempenho da vinculação de dados foi aferido aplicando-se o mesmo procedimento em bancos de dados nominais. Os pares verdadeiros apresentavam os mesmos valores nas variáveis de identificação. Resultados: Ao todo, 14.311 registros elegíveis de óbito foram encontrados. A maioria dos registros, 10.674 (74.6%), era exclusiva do SIM. Apenas 1.853 (12.9%) óbitos foram registrados em ambos os sistemas, representando pares verdadeiros. Um total de 1.784 (12.5%) casos de câncer de laringe presentes no SIH-SUS constavam com diferentes causas de óbito no SIM. Houve falha na vinculação em 167 (9.4%) registros, devido a inconsistências na chave de identificação. Conclusão: Constatou-se que a vinculação de dados anônimos de registros hospitalares e registros de óbito é viável e pode auxiliar na melhoria de estatísticas de câncer.