[Preliminary results of a health survey of muscular-skeletal disorders in a group of 2247 small building trades in the Province of Bergamo]. / Primi risultati di un'indagine sanitaria sui disturbi muscolo-scheletrici in un gruppo di 2247 artigiani edili nella provincia di Bergamo.

BACKGROUND: In the past ten years European and Italian statistics reported a significant increase in work-related musculoskeletal disorders, which also covered the construction industry. OBJECTIVES: To verify this issue, the EPM Research Unit, in collaboration with the Small Craft Industries Territorial Joint Committee in Bergamo (CPTA), undertook a research project on muscular-skeletal disorders with special reference to the lumbar spine and upper limbs. METHODS: The health survey was carried out by an ad hoc trained staff RESULTS: Between November 2009 and July 2010, data on 2247 subjects doing a variety of jobs were obtained, more than 50% of whom were masons. The entire sample and the group of masons were investigated and both exhibited a prevalence of upper limb disorders that was definitely higher than in the reference group of non-exposed subjects. Regarding the lumbar spine, the most significant evidence was the high prevalence of degenerative diseases (herniated disc), while subjective disorders appeared to be lower than in the reference groups. These data are influenced by the healthy worker effect, which is extremely marked in this industrial sector, as well as by the economic crisis that led to many workers having to leave. CONCLUSIONS: Active research needs to be included in the protocol of health surveillance (with appropriate clinical protocol), of upper limb and spinal MSDs. The data also highlight the need for biomechanical overload exposure data aimed at reconstructing risk profiles (from biomechanical overload)for each job and at simplifying risk assessment requirements according to present legislation but above all at identifying the technological and organizational solutions to eliminate this particular risk.

[Gender differences in workplace bullying]. / Le differenze di genere nelle situazioni di mobbing.

BACKGROUND: Despite the attention that international Agencies give to the gender issue in situations of workplace bullying, few investigations have been performed on this topic. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study is describe the gender differences in victims of workplace bullying observed in an Italian survey. METHODS: A total of 243 subjects (124 males and 119 females) were examined at the Centre for Occupational Stress and Harassment of the "Clinica del Lavoro Luigi Devoto" (University of Milan and IRCCS Foundation); they were selected among patients who met the criteria for being considered victims of negative actions at work leading to workplace bullying. Data regarding the person, workplace and the workplace bullying situation were collected by means of an ad hoc questionnaire. RESULTS: Analysis of the data, compared with those of IS-TAT 2002, showed a higher prevalence of females subjected to negative actions at work. In women, the risk of being subjected to negative actions leading to workplace bullying was shown to increase in the 34-44 age range and to decrease in higher age ranges; in men the risk remained elevated also after 55 years of age. CONCLUSIONS: In general, women were victims of negative actions regarding personal values related to emotional-relational factors, while men were attacked on their work performance. Sexual harassment, may mark the onset of other types of psychological harassment or can be one of its components.

Helicobacter pylori stool antigen test: a method to confirm eradication in children.

We evaluated an antigen-based stool assay as an indicator of Helicobacter pylori (Hp) status during treatment aimed at eradicating Hp in 22 Hp-positive patients and 63 negative control patients. The sensitivity and specificity of the assay was 100% and 70%, respectively, when the manufacturer's cutoff was used. When we used the cutoff calculated from a receiver operating characteristic curve, the specificity of this test increased. Under these conditions, the test could be used in monitoring treatment and verifying eradication of Hp infection. Further studies must be carried out to standardize the cutoff in children.