Vol. 24 No. 3, Page 111-150

July 1, 2005

Bending and twisting of the back during working are risk factors for low back pain

By Diana Samara, Johnny Sulistio, M.R. Rachmawati, Ridwan Harrianto

Disorders of musculoskletal during working as the cause of low back pain (LBP) are common. Both individual and job factors are the risk factors of LPB. A cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate the relationship between trunk position during working and the occurrence of LPB. LBP was defined as a pain localized at the low back in the past 12 months. Diagnosis criteria are subjects with LPB during the last one year and have paralumbal or gluteal muscles pain in palpation with or without referred pain to legs. Data were collected in October December 2004 with total sample. The number of subjects in this study were 223 individuals, the prevalence of LBP was 36,8%. The main risk factor for LBP was the posture while working. The subjects working by bending or twisting his back have the risk to get LBP 2,58 times more than the subjects working by erecting their back (95% CI=1,24-5,35). The subjects who were working by the combination of posture such as erecting,bending or twisting his back have the risk to get LBP 2,68 times mor than the subjects who were working by erecting their back (95% CI=1,38-3,30). The subjects who didn’t understand good posture and how to work rightly had the risk to get LBP 2,13 times more than the subjects who understand. (95% CI=1,38-3,30). Bending, twisting or combination postures and no understanding of good posture and how to work rightly were identified as risk factors contributed to LBP.

Keywords: Low back pain, knowledge, fexion, rotation
Language : Indonesia

Periodontal disease as a risk factor for coronary heart disease

By Kartika Wangsarahardja

In recent years there has been increasing interest in the relation between periodontal disease and cardiovascular disease. Several studies have supported the notion that individuals with periodontitis have a greater risk of developing coronary heart disease than those who had little or no periodontal infection. Periodontal disease may predispose affected individuals to coronary heart disease by elevating systemic C-reactive protein level and pro-inflammatory activity and accelerate development of coronary heart disease. According to Buhlin et al, individuals with periodontal disease had significantly higher level of circulating monocytes, C-reactive protein and lower levels of HDL-cholesterol, in comparison with the controls. This study suggests that periodontal disease, once considered a purely local disease, may cause systemic inflammation and lipid changes known to increase the risk of coronary heart disease. However, other investigators disagreed with the concept. Lavelle concluded that current evidence is insufficient to unequivocally support the premise that periodontal infections constitute an independent risk factor for coronary heart disease. Since the potential health impact of this relationship might be extensive, further studies are needed for re-examing the association between periodontal disease and coronary heart disease.

Keywords: Periodontal, cardiovascular, risk
Language : Indonesia

Spirometric reference values for healthy elderly

By Martiem Mawi

Spirometry, which probably the most important tool in screening for pulmonary disease, is the most frequently performed pulmonary function test. The aim of this study was to describe spirometric equation reference equations for healthy elderly male and female. Reference equations and normal ranges for forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), FEV1/FVC ratio were derived from healthy 137 subjects age 60-80 years. This study showed that the age distribution of the women and men were similar (mean age of men was 66.3 ± 4.8 years and women 65.9 ± 5.3 years). Men were taller than women (mean height of men was 152.6 ± 4.8 cm and women 151.2 ± 7.6 cm). Comparing the various lung function between men and women of similar age groups, it was found that in group 70 years and more all the measurements were lower in female. In both men and women, the FEV1, FVC and FEV1/FVC ratio show a clear steady decline with age. There was a relationship between FEV1 and FVC with age and height. The spirometry reference values from this study determine the normal range for healthy elderly

Keywords : Elderly, spirometric, FEV1, FVC
Language : Indonesia

Clinical description of irritable bowel syndrome : a preliminary study

By A. Nurman

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common syndrome affecting 9% to 24% of the population in western countries. Until now there is no report on the prevalence of IBS in Indonesia. In a prospective study, during a period of one year (2003-2004), 51 patients were found; man-to-woman ratio was 2 : 1, most patients were at the age group of 21-30 years (31.4%). Constipation-type IBS was predominant and alternating-type was the least frequent type. Constipation, diarrheal and alternating-type IBS were found in 32 (62.7%), 16 (31.4%) and 3 (5.9%) patients respectively. In the constipation-type IBS, women (84,4%) especially young women (46.9%) were predominant and in the diarrheal type, men (62.5%) were predominant. This gender distribution does not differ much from that of IBS in western countries. The associated disorders were reflux esophagitis and sensitivity to certain food in 1 (2%) and 1(2%) patients respectively.

Keywords: Irritable bowel syndrome, male, female, constipation type, diarrheal type
Language : Indonesia

Management of stress at work

By Ridwan Harrianto

The term occupational stress implies a set of mental and physical response to threatening situations at work. It is essentially a physiological rather than a pathological response to threats. Problem may arise when a worker is trying to cope with turbulence and instability coping mechanism. Unfortunately people tend to prefer short-term relief solutions and try to escape uncomfortable situations with a quick remedy, but they usually lead to secondary problems such as long-term reduction in performance at work, drinking excessively, and absenteeism. Understanding the underlying causes and helping the patient cope are a key issues. Failure to do so, is often results in repeated resorts to medication of symptom control with little long-term relief and the risk of drug dependence for patient.

Key words: Occupational, stress, coping mechanism
Language : Indonesia

The role of cytosolic Ca2+ and cyclic GMP on endothelin-3 in rat aorta

By Sri Agus Sudjarwo

The role of cytosolic Ca²⁺ and cyclic GMP on endothelin-3 (ET-3) induced vasorelaxation in rat aorta were investigated. ET-3 induced transient increased in cytosolic Ca²⁺ [Ca²⁺]_i and cyclic GMP accompanied by transient vasorelaxation in aortic strips precontracted with 100 nM norepinephrine. An inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase, 100 µM NG-monomethyl-L-arginine(L-NMMA), abolished completely the increase in cyclyc GMP and the relaxant effect but not the increase in endothelial [Ca²⁺]_i of ET-3. In the absence of the endothelium or in the presence of an antagonist of ETB receptors, 3 µM IRL 1038 almost completely inhibited [Ca²⁺]_i increase, cyclic GMP increase, and vasorelaxation induced by ET-3 whereas pretreatment with an ETA receptor antagonist, 3 µM BQ 123 did not change the increase [Ca²⁺]_i, increase cyclic GMP and relaxation induced by ET-3. These results suggest that ET-3 acts on ETB receptors in the vascular endothelium to increase [Ca²⁺]_i and the production of nitric oxid in the endothelium. Nitric oxide, in turn, stimulates guanylate cyclase to increase production of cyclic GMP leading to relaxation of the aorta.

Keywords : Endothelin-3, Cytosolic Ca²⁺ levels, cyclic GMP
Language : English