Premium
Work‐attributed symptom clusters (darkroom disease) among radiographers versus physiotherapists: Associations between self‐reported exposures and psychosocial stressors
Author(s) -
Tarlo Susan M.,
Liss Gary M.,
Greene Justina M.,
Purdham Jim,
McCaskell Lisa,
Kipen Howard,
Kerr Mickey
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
american journal of industrial medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.7
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1097-0274
pISSN - 0271-3586
DOI - 10.1002/ajim.20015
Subject(s) - medicine , psychosocial , odds ratio , stressor , confidence interval , cluster (spacecraft) , disease , physical therapy , clinical psychology , psychiatry , computer science , programming language
Background “Darkroom disease” (DRD) has been used to describe unexplained multiple symptoms attributed by radiographers to their work environment. This study determines the prevalence of symptom clusters similar to other unexplained syndromes among (medical radiation technologists (MRTs) as compared with physiotherapists (PTs), and identifies associated work‐related (WR) factors. Methods A mail survey was undertaken of members of the professional associations of MRTs and PTs in Ontario, Canada. Questions were included to determine the prevalence and frequency of symptom clusters including abnormal tiredness as well as WR headaches, and symptoms suggestive of eye, nasal, and throat irritation. For the purpose of this study, these are considered to be DRD symptom clusters. Individuals with doctor‐diagnosed asthma were excluded from our analyses. Results Overall, 63.9% of MRTs and 63.1% of PTs participated. Criteria for DRD were met by 7.8% of 1,483 MRTs and 1.8% of 1,545 PTs [odds ratio, OR 4.8 (confidence interval, CI 3.1–7.5); ( P < 0.0001)]. Both occupations showed significant associations between responses reflecting psychosocial stressors and DRD. Those with this symptom cluster were more likely to report additional symptoms than those without, and MRTs with DRD symptoms reported significantly more workplace chemical exposures. Conclusions Findings suggest excess symptoms consistent with DRD among MRTs versus PTs, and there were associations among those meeting our definition of DRD with self‐reported irritant exposures and psychosocial stressors. Am. J. Ind. Med. 45:513–521, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.