The Impact of a Change in Employment on Three Work-Related Diseases: A Retrospective Longitudinal Study of 10,530 Belgian Employees

Background: The literature that has investigated to what extent a change in employment contributes to good health is contradictory or shows inconsistent results. The aim of this study was to investigate whether an association exists between a change in employment and cardiovascular, musculoskeletal and neuropsychological diseases in a sample of 10,530 Belgian workers in a seven-year follow-up study period. Methods: The following factors were analysed: Demographic variables, a change in employment and the work-related risks. Individuals being on medication for cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, and neuropsychological diseases were used as proxies for the three health issues. Logistic regression models for autocorrelated data with repeated measures were used to examine each medication type. Results: A change in employment and psychosocial load can have an important effect on the health of cardiovascular employees. Demographic variables, such as BMI and age, are risk factors for all three medications. Repetitive, manual tasks, handling static, exposure to noise levels of 87 dB, mechanical and/or manual handling with loads, and shift work were found to be positively associated with medications taken for musculoskeletal diseases. Exposure to noise 80 dB(A), managing physical loads and night work were found to be associated with being on medication for neuropsychological diseases. Physical activity and skill levels were considered to be protective factors for being on medication for neuropsychological diseases. Conclusions: Change in employment and psychosocial load were found as two important risk factors for being on medication for cardiovascular (CVD). Dealing with loads, doing shift work and being daily exposed to the noise of 87 dB correlated with being on medication for musculoskeletal (MSD). Dealing with physical loads, doing night work and being exposed to the noise of 80 dB were risk factors for being on medication for neuropsychological (NPD). While doing physical activity and reporting higher skill levels were found to be protective factors for NPD.

On the neurological roles of chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine sulfate: a systematic analysis

Chondroitin sulfate (CS) and glucosamine sulfate (GS) are widely used as chondroprotectors. Data mining of 42,051 publications on the effects of CS/GS showed that impairments in the their metabolism were characteristic of ischemic, neurodegenerative diseases, convulsive disorders or conditions, and neuropsychological diseases (schizophrenia, affective disorders). The results of experimental studies indicate that it is expedient to use CS and GS in the therapy of ischemic and neurodegenerative diseases.

MEDHYA EFFECT OF KUSHMANDAVALEHA IN NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL DISORDERS IN PAEDIATRIC PATIENTS: CASE STUDY

ABSTRACT In paediatric patients, neuropsychological diseases such as cerebral palsy are seen. In such cases, as these are asadhya diseases, only yapan is possible, using rasayana and medhya medications. Ghrit kalpana is majorly prescribed in such cases. However, children are reluctant to take sidhha ghrita due to disagreeable taste, texture and smell. Also ghrita kalpanas are comparatively costlier. An attempt was made to find an alternative which acts as medhya rasayana, and would be palatable for paediatric patients and also be cost-effective than sidhha ghrit. Kushmanda fruit (Benincasa hispida) exhibits medhya properties, and is sheet, brihan and chetorog hrut. Kushmandavaleha is balya, brihan along with having other benefits of kushmanda. Kushmandavaleha was administered to 3 paediatric patients suffering from cerebral palsy, Duchenne’s muscular dystrophy and having psychological symptoms such as krodhadhikya, rodan etc in dose 5gms twice a day. After 30 days, significant effect was seen on these symptoms. Kushmandavaleha can serve as an effective medhya rasayanaa which is economical and palatable in paediatric patients suffering from neuropsychological disorders.

Congresses and conferences

On October 5-8 this year, the first scientific session of the Ural Psychoneurological Institute took place in Perm. The session was devoted to the question of exogenous forms of neuropsychological diseases, which is very topical in modern neuropsychiatry.