Some aspects of the diagnosis of osteopenic syndrome in workers of vibration-hazardous professions

Introduction. The adverse effects of both production factors and the labour process affect the bone mineral density, increasing the risk of developing osteopenic syndrome in workers of harmful industries, which is an urgent social and hygienic problem due to the high prevalence and severity of medical and social consequences.

Objective. The study of the state of bone tissue in miners whose occupational activities are associated with the impact of vibration (general and local).

Materials and methods. For the period 2015–2022, there were examined three hundred twenty mining workers, whose activities were associated with exposure to general and local vibration (group 1). The average age of the workers was 46.64±2.33 years. The comparison group (Group 2) consisted of 290 men without identified pathology of the musculoskeletal system, not employed in production associated with exposure to general and local vibration and who gave voluntary consent to the study. The average age of the examined cases is 45.57±2.28 years. Markers of bone formation and bone resorption in body fluids were analyzed. The statistical data were expressed as an average value ± standard deviation. The differences were checked using the T-test. The values of p <0.05 were considered statistically significant.

Results. The T-score in patients of group 1 ranged from –1 SD to –2.5 SD (–1.41±0.07*), which corresponded to osteopenia. Elevated levels of CRP (4.24±0.20 mmol/L), ESR (8.91±0.45 mm/h) and leukocytes (12.91±0.70×10⁹ g/L) were revealed among patients of group 1. Changes in the state of calcium-phosphorus metabolism among patients of the 1st group were noted. The formation of osteopenic syndrome was accompanied by an imbalance between the processes of resorption and bone formation in group 1 patients (p<0.05).

Limitations. The process under study was osteopenic syndrome, 310 workers — a quantitative parameter, mining production — a qualitative indicator.

Conclusion. According to the results of laboratory and instrumental methods of research, osteopenic syndrome was revealed in workers in vibrio-hazardous occupations. Its early diagnosis, determination of a complex of specific treatment and rehabilitation techniques will prevent the progression of the pathological process and maintain professional orientation.

Compliance with ethical standards. Clinical trials have been approved by the Ethics Committee of the Federal Scientific Center of Hygiene named after F.F. Erisman of the Federal Service for Supervision in Protection of the Rights of Consumer and Man Wellbeing, Mytishchi, 141014, Russian Federation (Protocol No. 3, 2021). 

Patient consent. Each participant of the study (or his/her legal representative) gave informed voluntary written consent to participate in the study and publish personal medical information in an impersonal form in the journal "Gigiena i Sanitariya (Hygiene and Sanitation, Russian journal)".

Contribution:
Klimkina K.V. — writing text, collection and processing of material, statistical processing;
Lapko I.V. — concept and design of research, collection of literature data, editing;
Bogatyreva I.A. — concept and design of research, collection of literature data, editing.
All authors are responsible for the integrity of all parts of the manuscript and approval of the manuscript final version. 

Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest. 

Acknowledgement. The study had no sponsorship. 

Received: July 22, 2022 / Accepted: December 8, 2022 / Published: January 12, 2023