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Introduction: Noise is one of the most common worldwide environmental pollutants, especially in occupational fields. As a stressor, it affects not only the ear but also the entire body. Its physiological and psychological impacts have been well established in many conditions such as cardiovascular diseases. However, there is a dearth of evidence regarding diabetes risk related to noises.Aim: To evaluate the relationship between occupational exposure to noise and the risk of developing diabetes.Methods: This is a cross-sectional analytical study enrolling two groups of 151 workers each. The first group (noise exposed group: EG) included the employees of a Tunisian power plant, who worked during the day shift and had a permanent position. The second group (unexposed to noise group: NEG) included workers assigned to two academic institutions, who were randomly selected in the Occupational Medicine Department of the Farhat Hached University Hospital in Sousse, during periodical fitness to work visits. Both populations (exposed and unexposed) were matched by age and gender. Data collection was based on a preestablished questionnaire, a physical examination, a biological assessment, and a sonometric study.Results: The mean equivalent continuous sound level was 89 dB for the EG and 44.6 dB for the NEG. Diabetes was diagnosed in 24 workers from EG (15.9%) and 14 workers from NEG (9.3%), with no statistically significant difference (p=0.08). After multiple binary logistic regression, including variables of interest, noise did not appear to be associated with diabetes.Conclusion: Our results did not reveal a higher risk of developing diabetes in workers exposed to noise. Further studies assessing both level and duration of noise exposure are needed before any definitive conclusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

De manière assez paradoxale, les corticostéroïdes, anti-inflammatoires et immunomodulateurs puissants utilisés dans le traitement des manifestations allergiques au sens large, sont dans certains cas à l'origine de véritables réactions d'hypersensibilité retardée. Étudier le profil sociodémographique et professionnel des patients ayant une allergie cutanée aux dermocorticoïdes. Il s'agit d'une étude descriptive portant sur l'ensemble des cas d'allergie cutanée aux dermocorticoïdes colligés à l'unité de dermato-allergologie du service de médecine du travail et pathologies professionnelles du CHU Farhat Hached de Sousse durant une période de 11 ans de 2005 à 2015. Au cours de la période d'étude, 13 cas de sensibilisation aux corticoïdes ont été colligés ce qui représente 0,76 % de l'ensemble des patch-tests réalisés au cours de la période d'étude. La médiane d'âge des patients était de 38 ans avec des extrêmes de 16 et 62 ans. Une légère prédominance masculine était notée (7 hommes vs 6 femmes). Seulement 8 patients étaient en activité professionnelle. La lecture des tests épictanés était faite à 48 h pour tous les patients. La sensibilisation au budésonide était retrouvée chez 7 patients, alors que les 6 autres patients étaient sensibilisés au pivalate de tixocortol. Parmi les 13 cas d'eczéma de contact aux corticoïdes, 9 cas avaient une co-sensibilisation à d'autres allergènes, alors que seulement 4 cas n'étaient sensibilisés qu'aux corticoïdes (3 cas budésonide vs 1 cas au pivalate de tixocortol). La positivité des tests épictanés aux corticoïdes était jugée pertinente chez 9 cas. Les corticostéroïdes, de par leur effet anti-inflammatoire, peuvent masquer les signes cliniques d'allergie, mais aussi rendre l'interprétation des tests cutanés extrêmement difficile. Ainsi l'allergie aux corticostéroïdes reste largement méconnue par un grand nombre de cliniciens parmi lesquels beaucoup sont prescripteurs de ces médicaments. Paradoxically, topical corticosteroids, anti-inflammatory and other immunomodulating drugs used in the treatment of allergic problems can in some cases themselves cause authentic delayed hypersensitivity reactions. To study the socio-demographic and professional profile of patients with a skin allergy to corticosteroids. We conducted an epidemiological study that included all cases of skin allergy to corticosteroids recorded at the Dermatology-Allergology Unit of the Occupational Medicine Department of Farhat Hached University Hospital in Sousse, Tunisia, over an 11-year period of from 2005 to 2015. During the study period, 13 cases of sensitization to corticosteroids were included, representing a frequency of 0.76% in relation to all patch-tests conducted over the same time. Patient age in our study ranged from 16 to 62 years, with a median age of 38 years. Slight male predominance was noted (7 men vs. 6 women). Only 8 patients were professionally active. Reading of the patch-tests was performed for all patients after 48 h. Sensitization to budesonide was seen in 7 patients, while the remaining 6 patients were sensitized to tixocortol pivalate. Among the 13 patients with contact eczema to corticosteroids, 9 had co-sensitization to other allergens, with only 4 patients being sensitized to corticosteroids alone (3 cases of budesonide vs. 1 case of tixocortol pivalate). Positive patch-tests for steroids were deemed relevant in 9 patients. Because of their anti-inflammatory effects, corticosteroids can mask the clinical signs of allergies and even render the interpretation of patch-tests extremely difficult in cases of systemic administration. Very many physicians remain unaware of allergy to corticosteroids, including large numbers actually prescribing these drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) is a common chronic skin disease that generates considerable public-health and socioeconomic costs. This disease affects the quality of life and the occupational activity of patients. Aims. To assess the quality of life (QOL) of patients with ACD and study the impact of this disease on their work productivity. Methods. This is a cross-sectional study carried out from January 2012 to December 2014. All patients diagnosed with ACD in the Dermato-Allergology Unit of the Occupational Medicine Department at Farhat Hached University Hospital, in Sousse, were included. The impact of skin disease on the QOL of affected persons was assessed using the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI). The work productivity was measured using the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Allergic Specific questionnaire (WPAI: AS). Results. The study population consisted of 150 patients. The average score of DLQI was 6.5. Over the previous 7 days, absenteeism rate was 25.9 ± 15.3%, presenteeism rate was 50.2 ± 32%, overall work productivity loss was 29.6 ± 19.4%, and daily activity impairment was 50.4 ± 32.3%. The DLQI score was significantly associated with atopy (p = 0.03), relapses strictly greater than 10 (p = 0.02), presenteeism (p <10−3), overall work productivity loss (p = 0.01), and daily activity impairment (p = 0.03). Conclusion. The impact of ACD on QOL and occupational activity seems important and requires specific attention from the occupational physician. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]