This study aims to quantitatively summarize the association between night shift work and the risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS), with special reference to the dose-response relationship with years of night shift work. We systematically searched all observational studies published in English on PubMed and Embase from 1971 to 2013. We extracted effect measures (relative risk, RR; or odd ratio, OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) from individual studies to generate pooled results using meta-analysis approach. Pooled RR was calculated using random- or fixed-effect model. Downs and Black scale was applied to assess the methodological quality of included studies. A total of 13 studies were included. The pooled RR for the association between 'ever exposed to night shift work' and MetS risk was 1.57 (95% CI = 1.24-1.98, pheterogeneity  = 0.001), while a higher risk was indicated in workers with longer exposure to night shifts (RR = 1.77, 95% CI = 1.32-2.36, pheterogeneity  = 0.936). Further stratification analysis demonstrated a higher pooled effect of 1.84 (95% CI = 1.45-2.34) for studies using the NCEP-ATPIII criteria, among female workers (RR = 1.61, 95% CI = 1.10-2.34) and the countries other than Asia (RR = 1.65, 95% CI = 1.39-1.95). Sensitivity analysis confirmed the robustness of the results. No evidence of publication bias was detected. The present meta-analysis suggested that night shift work is significantly associated with the risk of MetS, and a positive dose-response relationship with duration of exposure was indicated.

The incidence of esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) has increased rapidly during the past 4 decades in many Western populations, including North America and Europe. The established etiological factors for EAC include gastroesophageal reflux and obesity, Helicobacter pylori infection, tobacco smoking, and consumption of fruit and vegetables. There is a marked male predominance of EAC with a male-to-female ratio in incidence of up to 9:1. This review evaluates the available literature on the reasons for the male predominance, particularly an update on epidemiologic evidence from human studies during the past decade. The striking sex difference does not seem to be explained by established risk factors, given that the prevalence of the etiological factors and the strengths of associations between these factors and EAC risk are similar between the sexes. Sex hormonal factors may play a role in the development of EAC; estrogenic exposures may prevent such development, whereas androgens might increase the risk of EAC. However, continuing research efforts are still needed to fully understand the reasons for the male predominance of EAC.

This study aimed to examine the global burden, risk factors, and trends of esophageal cancer based on age, sex, and histological subtype. The data were retrieved from cancer registries database from 48 countries in the period 1980–2017. Temporal patterns of incidence and mortality were evaluated by average annual percent change (AAPC) using joinpoint regression. Associations with risk factors were examined by linear regression. The highest incidence of esophageal cancer was observed in Eastern Asia. The highest incidence of adenocarcinoma (AC) was found in the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and Ireland. A higher AC/squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) incidence ratio was associated with a higher prevalence of obesity and elevated cholesterol. We observed an incidence increase (including AC and SCC) in some countries, with the Czech Republic (female: AAPC 4.66), Spain (female: 3.41), Norway (male: 3.10), Japan (female: 2.18), Thailand (male: 2.17), the Netherlands (male: 2.11; female: 1.88), and Canada (male: 1.51) showing the most significant increase. Countries with increasing mortality included Thailand (male: 5.24), Austria (female: 3.67), Latvia (male: 2.33), and Portugal (male: 1.12). Although the incidence of esophageal cancer showed an overall decreasing trend, an increasing trend was observed in some countries with high AC/SCC incidence ratios. More preventive measures are needed for these countries.

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Esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) is characterized by rapidly increasing incidence and poor prognosis, stressing the need for preventive and early detection strategies. We used data from a nationwide population-based case-control study, which included 189 incident cases of EAC and 820 age-and sex-matched control participants, from 1995 through 1997 in Sweden. We developed risk prediction models based on unconditional logistic regression. Candidate predictors included established and readily identifiable risk factors for EAC. The performance of model was assessed by the area under receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) with cross-validation. The final model could explain 94% of all case patients with EAC (94% population attributable risk) and included terms for gastro-esophageal reflux symptoms or use of antireflux medication, body mass index (BMI), tobacco smoking, duration of living with a partner, previous diagnoses of esophagitis and diaphragmatic hernia and previous surgery for esophagitis, diaphragmatic hernia or severe reflux or gastric or duodenal ulcer. The AUC was 0.84 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.81-0.87) and slightly lower after cross-validation. A simpler model, based only on reflux symptoms or use of antireflux medication, BMI and tobacco smoking could explain 91% of the case patients with EAC and had an AUC of 0.82 (95% CI 0.78-0.85). These EAC prediction models showed good discriminative accuracy, but need to be validated in other populations. These models have the potential for future use in identifying individuals with high absolute risk of EAC in the population, who may be considered for endoscopic screening and targeted prevention.The incidence of esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) has increased rapidly during the past four decades in many Western populations, including North America and Europe, with the highest incidence in the United Kingdom.1-3 There were 52 000 new patients with EAC (41 000 men and 11 000 women) worldwide in 2012. 4 The incidence of EAC has increased on average by 5% per year since 1970 in Sweden and even more so during the last 20 years. 1 EAC is also characterized by poor prognosis with an overall 5-year survival lower than 15%. Tumor stage at diagnosis is by far the strongest prognostic factor, 2,3,5 and detection at an early stage would possibly reduce the mortality.6-8 Endoscopy provides an opportunity of early detection of EAC or its premalignant condition, that is, Barrett's esophagus with dysplasia. However, universal endoscopic screening is not feasible or justified given the low absolute risk in the population, the risk of complications and the considerable costs. Identifying a limited group of individuals at high absolute risk of EAC for endoscopic screening is a more feasible strategy. Risk prediction modeling combining information on readily identifiable risk factors is a promising approach for selection of individuals with high absolute risk of EAC.9-12 Unfortunately, such prediction models have rarely been developed for EAC.Using data from a comprehensi...

Overall, the training programs did not seem to prevent the occurrence of MSD among frontline workers. However, participatory training might be effective to reduce MSD in the lower extremities and wrist and finger.

Background: Gastric bypass is considered an effective treatment of co-existing gastro-oesophageal reflux (GERD) and obesity. Previous studies have had small sample sizes, short follow-up or substantial loss to follow-up. Aim:To assess the long-term risk of remaining/recurring reflux symptoms after gastric bypass. Methods:This was a nationwide cohort study of all adults with preoperative reflux who underwent gastric bypass in Sweden between 2006 and 2015, with complete follow-up through 2016. The outcome was remaining/recurring reflux symptoms, defined as use of proton pump inhibitors or histamine-2 receptor antagonists for >6 months after surgery. Cumulative incidence and risk factors of reflux were assessed with multivariable Poisson regression.Results: Among 2454 participants (81.7% female; mean age: 46.1 years, SD: 9.8 years), who were followed for median 4.6 years (interquartile range: 3.1-6.3 years), reflux recurred in 48.8% (95% confidence interval [95% CI], 46.8-51.0) of participants within 2 years of gastric bypass and remained stable up to 10 years after surgery (yearly change in incidence rate ratio [IRR] of 1.00; 95% CI, 0.99-1.02). Risk factors for recurring reflux were high preoperative dose of anti-reflux medication (IRR 1.77; 95% CI, 1.60-1.96 compared with low dose), older age (IRR 1.12; 95% CI 1.02-1.24 comparing age >50 with <40 years), female sex (IRR 1.28; 95% CI, 1.16-1.42) and comorbidity (IRR 1.26; 95% CI, 1.14-1.39 comparing Charlson Comorbidity Index ≥2 with 0). Conclusions:Reflux symptoms decrease rapidly after gastric bypass, but around half of operated patients require continuous anti-reflux medication. The treatment efficacy of gastric bypass on reflux symptoms might have been overestimated.