Anna Jedryka-Góral

Publications of Anna Jedryka-Góral

• [The role of psychosocial work factors in the development of musculoskeletal disorders in workers].

  Authors: Joanna Bugajska, Dorota Zołnierczyk-Zreda, Anna Jedryka-Góral

  Medycyna pracy. 01/2011; 62(6):653-8.

  The aim of the study was to determine the role of psychosocial work factors in the development of musculoskeletal disorders in workers. It should be stressed that over a decade these disorders haveThe aim of the study was to determine the role of psychosocial work factors in the development of musculoskeletal disorders in workers. It should be stressed that over a decade these disorders have been the subject of studies because of complaints reported not only by workers performing heavy physical work or working in awkward, forced body posture. It has also been acknowledged that stress at work caused by various psychosocial work factors can significantly influence their development. One of the models, most popular nowadays, was used in the study. It takes into account various risk factors in the etiology of cervical spine disorders. Based on this model it was shown that certain psychosocial and cultural variables (e.g., work demands and control, individual variables, individual values, work group's culture) may constitute occupational stressors and, when combined with physical load factors, may lead to stress and musculoskeletal disorders. It was also indicated that such psychosocial work factors as excessive work demands (quantitative or qualitative), inadequate control at work or lack of social support are the most frequent sources of work-related stress. The article presents the results of some prospective studies in which the role of these factors in the development of musculoskeletal disorders has been considered. Apart from work properties (factors), the role of other psychological variables was shown; these include: work involvement, perfectionism, negative affectivity or work style, which in numerous studies turned out to be important risk factors in the development of musculoskeletal disorders. Finally, potential mechanisms underlying the relationships between psychosocial factors and musculoskeletal disorders were indicated. However, it was stressed that the majority of them still require to be confirmed in future descriptive or experimental studies.

• [Acquired musculoskeletal dysfunction syndromes in workers in the light of epidemiological studies].

  Authors: Joanna Bugajska, Anna Jedryka-Góral, Robert Gasik, Dorota Zołnierczyk-Zreda

  Medycyna pracy. 01/2011; 62(2):153-61.

  Acquired musculoskeletal dysfunction syndromes (overload syndromes) that cause limitation of the system efficiency belong nowadays to the most serious problems in the medical care of workers. TheAcquired musculoskeletal dysfunction syndromes (overload syndromes) that cause limitation of the system efficiency belong nowadays to the most serious problems in the medical care of workers. The etiology of overload syndromes is multifactorial, which means that occupational factors constitute only one of many causes fostering the development of those disorders. Occupational factors which increase the risk of musculoskeletal disorders include physical factors related to the work environment or the way the work is performed, such as body posture, value of exerted forces, movement repetitiveness, load handling, mechanical vibration or microclimate as well as psychosocial factors, such as quantitative and qualitative overload, lack of control, lack of social support or work insecurity. The consequence of musculoskeletal overload syndromes is the progressing reduction of its efficiency causing limitation or even loss of work ability, which results in premature exclusion from social and occupational activities. This article presents etiological factors of musculoskeletal complains and overload syndromes and their prevalence in workers.

• [Psychologic stress and its predictors in rheumatoid arthritis].

  Authors: Anna Jedryka-Góral

  Annales Academiae Medicae Stetinensis. 01/2010; 56 Suppl 1:83-5.

  This article presents the current conceptualization of stress with particular attention focused on psychologic stress in rheumatic diseases: its sources, pathophysiology, and techniques of coping.This article presents the current conceptualization of stress with particular attention focused on psychologic stress in rheumatic diseases: its sources, pathophysiology, and techniques of coping. Predictors, i.e., factors heralding psychologic stress in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are discussed in relation to the mechanism of the "vicious circle" as well as to the socio-economic and medico-psychologic context in which the patient functions. The author's results from a comparative Polish-German study on predictors of psychologic stress in RA patients are provided.

• Coronary heart disease risk factors and cardiovascular risk in physical workers and managers.

  Authors: Joanna Bugajska, Janina Małgorzata Michalak, Anna Jedryka-Góral, Adam Sagan, Maria Konarska

  International journal of occupational safety and ergonomics : JOSE. 02/2009; 15(1):35-43.

  This study aimed to assess the incidence of coronary heart disease (CHD) risk factors and cardiovascular risk in physical workers and managers in Poland. There were 232 male subjects: 123 managersThis study aimed to assess the incidence of coronary heart disease (CHD) risk factors and cardiovascular risk in physical workers and managers in Poland. There were 232 male subjects: 123 managers (48.9 +/- 11.2 years old) and 109 physical workers (37.5 +/- 11.1 years old). The family history of CHD was recorded and anthropometric and biochemical indices, i.e., body mass index, visceral obesity index, blood pressure, glucose, total cholesterol, fibrinogen, HDL (high density lipoprotein), LDL (low density lipoprotein) and triglycerides were measured. Cardiovascular risk was assessed with the Systematic Coronary Risk Evaluation (SCORE) table system. The factors that turned out to be the most common in the managers were obesity, hypertension, and elevated levels of blood glucose and LDL, whereas cigarette smoking, premature CHD in the family and a high level of fibrinogen were more common in physical workers. Very high cardiovascular risk was found in 35% of managers and in 16% of physical workers.

• Perceived work-related stress and early atherosclerotic changes in healthy employees.

  Authors: Joanna Bugajska, Maria Widerszal-Bazyl, Piotr Radkiewicz, Tomasz Pasierski, Grazyna Anna Szulczyk, Jakub Zabek, Bozena Wojciechowska, Anna Jedryka-Góral

  International archives of occupational and environmental health. 08/2008; 81(8):1037-43.

  OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to investigate the relationship between perceived work-related stress and preclinical atherosclerosis. METHODS: A total of 100 managers and 50 office workers agedOBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to investigate the relationship between perceived work-related stress and preclinical atherosclerosis. METHODS: A total of 100 managers and 50 office workers aged 35-65 participated in a questionnaire study. Individual, family and work-related stress risk factors and coping were evaluated in all the studied individuals. Serum levels of biochemical (total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, TG, glucose) and serological risk factors of atherosclerosis (anticardiolipin, anti-beta(2) GPI, anti-oxLDL, anti-HSP and anti-hsCRP antibodies) were evaluated. A computer analysis of B-mode ultrasound images was used to assess carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) and atherosclerotic plaque in carotid arteries. Statistical analysis was conducted with SPSS v. 11.5. RESULTS: The studied individuals showed average ranges of both the global stress level and of coping results. In 71% no changes were found in the ultrasound image and in 29% of individuals (43) the presence of plaque was shown. The mean value of the IMT measure was 0.0618 +/- 0.013 mm. IMT and plaque correlated negatively with the level of global work-related stress (r = -0.26; P < 0.01; and r = -0.28; P < 0.01; respectively). No correlation was found either between work-related stress and coping, or between coping and IMT (P > 0.05), or between work-related stress and healthy lifestyle (no smoking, no excessive use of alcohol, high physical activity), or between healthy lifestyle and IMT (P > 0.05). Positive correlation between IMT and LDL and smoking did not result from higher stress reaction in the studied individuals. CONCLUSIONS: The explanation of the negative correlation between perceived work-related stress and preclinical atherosclerosis was not confirmed either by the subjects under high stress undertaking healthy protective activities or by their escaping into unhealthy behaviour. The most probable interpretation of the results is that in individuals with a low level of perceived work-related stress, somatization of stress takes place.

• Carpal tunnel syndrome in occupational medicine practice.

  Authors: Joanna Bugajska, Anna Jedryka-Góral, Iwona Sudoł-Szopińska, Kazimierz Tomczykiewicz

  International journal of occupational safety and ergonomics : JOSE. 02/2007; 13(1):29-38.

  Work-related overload syndromes are chiefly associated with the upper limbs, where carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) plays a leading role. This article analyses methods of diagnosing CTS, with specialWork-related overload syndromes are chiefly associated with the upper limbs, where carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) plays a leading role. This article analyses methods of diagnosing CTS, with special emphasis on those that can be used by physicians in early diagnosis of CTS in workers doing monotonous work. It also discusses occupational (e.g., assembly work, typing, playing instruments, packaging and work associated with the use of a hammer or pruning scissors) and extra-occupational factors (e.g., post-traumatic deformation of bone elements of the carpal tunnel, degenerative and inflammatory changes in tendon sheaths, connective tissue hypertrophy or formation of crystal deposits) leading to CTS; diagnostic methods (subjective symptoms, physical examination and manual provocative tests, vibration perception threshold, electrophysiological examination and imaging methods); and therapeutic and preventive management tools accessible in occupational medicine practice.

• Occupational work and quality of life in osteoarthritis patients.

  Authors: Elzbieta Łastowiecka, Joanna Bugajska, Andrzej Najmiec, Maria Rell-Bakalarska, Irena Bownik, Anna Jedryka-Góral

  Rheumatology international. 01/2007; 27(2):131-9.

  The ageing European population suffers from chronic diseases, including osteoarthritis (OA). The aim of this study was to investigate the work activity/ability, the quality of life and reciprocalThe ageing European population suffers from chronic diseases, including osteoarthritis (OA). The aim of this study was to investigate the work activity/ability, the quality of life and reciprocal interaction between both in OA patients. A total of 750 OA outpatients were evaluated by a questionnaire study. Work Ability Index (WAI) and General Health Questionnaire 28 (GHQ 28) were used as tools for work ability and quality of life assessment, respectively. Statistical analysis was performed by means of ANOVA tests. A total of 22.2% OA patients were still active professionally. They had decreased work ability and decreased quality of life. A worse work ability and a worse quality of life were related with a blue-collar work, multi-joint localization of OA and co-existence of other diseases. A negative correlation was found between general scores of GHQ 28 and that of WAI and five WAI components. Findings indicate a need for work ability promotion among OA working patients to maintain both, better quality of life and higher level of satisfaction with job.

• Work ability in ageing workers suffering from chronic diseases.

  Authors: Anna Jedryka-Góral, Joanna Bugajska, Elzbieta Łastowiecka, Andrzej Najmiec, Maria Rell-Bakalarska, Irena Bownik, Janina M Michalak, Marek Kochmański

  International journal of occupational safety and ergonomics : JOSE. 01/2006; 12(1):17-30.

  The aim of this study was to investigate the work ability in ageing workers suffering from osteoarthritis (OA), coronary heart disease (CHD) or hypertension (H). One hundred and sixty-six OA and 355The aim of this study was to investigate the work ability in ageing workers suffering from osteoarthritis (OA), coronary heart disease (CHD) or hypertension (H). One hundred and sixty-six OA and 355 CHD/H outpatients were evaluated. The Work Ability Index (WAI) served for work ability assessment. Patients' results were compared with the results of a control group of 225 healthy young workers. Statistical analysis was performed with ANOVA tests. WAI in female and male CHD/H patients was higher than in OA patients (p < .01), better work ability was related to better education (p < .01), white-collar work (p < .01) and better recreation (p < .01); subjective work ability was determined mostly by the objective health status. The promotion of work ability among workers suffering from advanced age-related diseases should be closely related to the promotion of health. It is indicative to improve occupational education and skills, already at an early stage of a disease.

• Self-rated emotional functioning of patients with neurological or asymptomatic form of Wilson's disease.

  Authors: Joanna Seniów, Barbara Mroziak, Anna Członkowska, Anna Jedryka-Góral

  The Clinical neuropsychologist. 09/2003; 17(3):367-73.

  Psychopathology was assessed in 50 patients with the neurological form of Wilson's disease (WD-N) and in 17 asymptomatic patients (WD-A) compared to matched healthy controls and to rheumatoidPsychopathology was assessed in 50 patients with the neurological form of Wilson's disease (WD-N) and in 17 asymptomatic patients (WD-A) compared to matched healthy controls and to rheumatoid arthritis (RA) control patients using The Hopkins Symptom Checklist. As hypothesized, WD-N patients had significantly lower interpersonal sensitivity and aggression/hostility scores than had healthy controls, but did not differ from them either in depression or anxiety levels. Retarded depression and anxiety were higher among RA patients than in WD-N patients. This nondistressed response to the chronic disabling disease was even more salient in 19 WD patients with lesions in basal ganglia only. WD-A patients did not differ from their healthy peers, which suggests a tendency towards hypercompensation and denial in the former. WD-N patients' limited awareness of their deficits (including impaired control of affective behavior) seems to result from their brain damage implicating the basal ganglia.

• Stress--where are we now? Does immunity play an intrinsic role?

  Authors: Anna Jedryka-Góral, Włodzimierz Maślinski, Maria Ziółkowska, Maria Konarska, Dorota Zołnierczyk-Zreda

  Autoimmunity. 12/2002; 35(7):421-6.

  The whole world experiences progress and development, however it is the human being who pays the price in stress--an inevitable part of modern life. When encountering stress, an individual reacts atThe whole world experiences progress and development, however it is the human being who pays the price in stress--an inevitable part of modern life. When encountering stress, an individual reacts at the level of both the micro- and macroenvironment. Nowadays, stress is defined as a real or interpreted threat to the physiological or psychological integrity of an individual, which results in a physiological and/or behavioral response. In the article a review of the stress conceptualization, health consequences of stress (its neurophysiology and relation to autoimmune disease) as well as ways of management (exercises and psychotherapeutic intervention) is given.