Albina A. Distanova

Introduction. The most important preventive measure for occupational diseases (OD) is the diagnosis of their early manifestations during periodic medical examinations (PME).The purpose of the study. To investigate the effectiveness and quality of PME to assess their role in the prevention system of OD among workers in a number of subjects of the Volga Federal District between 2021 and 2023.Materials and methods. We have analyzed the reporting forms of the centers of occupational pathology (COP) in 4 regions of the Volga Federal District: the Republics of Bashkortostan, Tatarstan, Samara and Orenburg regions between 2021 and 2023. To assess the effectiveness and quality of PME, the following indicators are calculated: the coverage of employees by periodic medical examinations, the detection of diseases, and primary disability. The detection of chronic non-infectious diseases (CNID) using the χ2 criterion and its reliability (p) with multiple comparisons of groups and reliability p < 0.05 has been analyzed. Statistical processing was carried out using Microsoft Excel software.Results. Over the studied period, the PFO revealed an increase in the number of employees covered by PMO. There was a low proportion of employees subject to PME in the COP (2.1–4.2% in Bashkortostan during 2021–2023; 1.7% in the Samara Region in 2023). Low rates of OD detection were identified in Bashkortostan — 17.6%, high ones in Tatarstan — 82.0% and Orenburg Region — 91.2%. An increase in primary disability of workers with OD was recorded — 2.8 — 3.8 — 12.2%. In 2023, the detection of NICD decreased, especially neoplasms (χ2 = 153.6; p = 0.001), diseases of the genitourinary system (χ2 = 710.2; p = 0.001). The COP reports do not contain information on the number of workers with early signs of OD based on the PME results.Research limitations. The study is limited to data on examinations of workers in the Volga Federal District.Conclusions. Obtaining reliable and objective information for the purpose of analyzing the effectiveness and quality of PME based on the reports of the COP is difficult. The qualitative indicators of PME based on the example of several subjects of the Volga Federal District indicate to their low effectiveness in the system of prevention of OD.Compliance with ethical standards. The study does not require the submission of the conclusion of the biomedical ethics committee or other documents.Contribution of the authors: Valeeva E.T., Shaikhlislamova E.R. — research concept and design, writing the text, compilation of the list of literature, statistical data processing; Shastin A.S., Akhmetshina V.T., Babanov S.A., Galimova R.R., Basyrova A.R. — collection and processing of material; Distanova A.A. — writing the text, statistical data processing, editing. All authors are responsible for the integrity of all parts of the manuscript and approval of the manuscript final version.Funding. The study had no sponsorship.Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.Received: July 4, 2024 / Revised: February 18, 2025 / Accepted: June 24, 2025 / Published: October 31, 2025

In the Russian Federation, the automotive industry is one of the most important sectors of the economy, employing tens of thousands of employees. The production environment in the workplaces of the automotive industry is characterized by the impact of a combination of negative factors, the combination of which often causes the development of disorders in the work of various organs and body systems, classified as both production-related and professional. The aim is to develop an algorithm for the formation of a «risk» group with signs of occupational diseases in automotive workers in order to optimize professional fitness and develop preventive measures. To achieve this goal, the results of periodic medical examinations, hygiene studies, production control data (350 maps) and a special assessment of working conditions (103 maps) conducted at automotive enterprises located in the Republic of Bashkortostan were used. Algorithms for the formation of a «risk» group with occupational vibration disease and hearing organ damage have been developed. The proposed algorithms make it possible to quickly and cost-effectively identify people with signs of occupational diseases during periodic medical examinations, determine with a high degree of efficiency the capabilities of an employee working in certain conditions, and choose the optimal strategy when choosing diagnostic and therapeutic measures aimed at detecting and preventing health disorders at an early stage. The introduction of the principles of effective professional selection, taking into account the severity of clinical manifestations of pre-nosological and nosological forms of diseases, will improve the quality of preliminary (when applying for a job) and periodic medical examinations and resolve issues of professional suitability in a more differentiated and reasonable manner.

BACKGROUND: Considering the complex epidemiological situation, studying the primary incidence patterns among the working-age population is crucial for developing health risk management mechanisms. AIM: To analyze primary incidence patterns among the working-age population in the Volga Federal District during the COVID-19 pandemic. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using federal statistical surveillance data, absolute and relative primary incidence rates per 100,000 working-age individuals were calculated for the Russian Federation as a whole and for the Volga Federal District and its constituent regions from 2014 to 2021 across 15 ICD-10 disease classes. Median values (Me), the 25th and 75th percentiles [Q25; Q75], standard deviation (σ), and the growth rate of primary incidence levels relative to Me in 2020–2021 were determined. RESULTS: During the COVID-19 pandemic (2020–2021), changes in primary incidence rates among the working-age population in the regions of the Volga Federal District exhibited distinct regional characteristics. These changes were marked by a general upward trend in primary incidence rates across all diseases, particularly in respiratory diseases and COVID-19 itself. Significant variations in the rates of increase (and decrease) in primary incidence levels were identified across the regions of the district. In some regions, the healthcare system maintained a high level of adaptation to emergency epidemiological conditions. CONCLUSION: The identified regional incidence patterns among the working-age population can be utilized by public health authorities to improve the effectiveness of state measures aimed at reducing premature mortality and increasing life expectancy in the district’s population.

Most jobs in the automotive industry are characterized by the impact on workers of the entire complex of harmful production factors: noise, vibration, chemicals, the severity of the labor process, etc. Calculations of individual risk (IR) make it possible to carry out risk ranking in the course of research with an analysis of working conditions and health indicators and further use the data to develop preventive programs. According to the results of this study, high, medium and low levels of individual occupational risk for employees of various professions were determined according to the total assessment of the class of harmfulness and danger of automotive production. It was revealed that the priority is the average level of IR, which was established in 62.5 % — 77.2 % of workers who are in production conditions of harmful class 3 1–2 degrees of harmfulness. A low level of risk was diagnosed in a small number of employees of all groups. At the same time, in the group of workers in the conditions of a harmful third class of the 2nd degree of harmfulness, IR indicators corresponding to a high risk were established: among MSR locksmiths, every third employee had 31,0 %, and in the group of painters and laboratory assistants, every four th had 25,0 %.

Introduction. The health of the working-age population is determined by many indicators, including life expectancy, mortality in working age, and morbidity. An objective analysis of the incidence of the working-age population, depending on the place of residence, professional affiliation and other factors, has a crucial role in building logistic models for maintaining health. The purpose of the study. The study of indicators and characteristics of the primary morbidity of people of working age in the territories of the Volga Federal District (PFD) in 2014–2019. Materials and methods. The analysis was carried out on the basis of federal statistical observation data on the incidence of the population of the Russian Federation for 2014–2019. Results. Statistical analysis showed that the main causes of primary morbidity in the Volga Federal District and the Russian Federation coincide. In some subjects of the district, pronounced regional features were revealed in the structure of nosological causes of primary morbidity. Average long-term levels in the subjects of the district have multiple differences for individual classes of ICD-10. The most stable annual incidence rates were in class X (J00–J99), unstable annual incidence rates were in class IV (E00–E90). A statistically heterogeneous set of indicators for the entire range of subjects of the Volga Federal District was found in classes VI (G00–G99) (Cvo = 37.0%) and III (D50–D89) (Cvo = 32.8%). Research limitations. The indicators were studied in the scope of federal statistical observation forms No. 12 “Information on the number of diseases registered in patients living in the service area of a medical organization” Conclusion. Indicators of primary morbidity among the working-age population in the subjects of the Volga Federal District have pronounced regional characteristics, which must be taken into account when developing and implementing measures to manage the health risk of this category of the population.

Musculoskeletal and connective tissue diseases (MSD) are highly prevalent in all public strata. Today, research on MSD prevalence among the working-age population is complicated by the lack of available information. Objective. To analyze the overall prevalence of MSD among the working-age population of the Volga Federal District (VFD) in 2020—2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Material and methods. The prevalence of MSD among the adult working-age population of VFD per 100.000 people was calculated in general and by certain nosologies. A nonparametric Wilcoxon test was used to assess the differences between all the studied indicators of the overall prevalence in 2020 and 2021. The critical level of significance for the absence of differences was 0.05. We used applied and descriptive statistics methods, Microsoft Excel program, and the Wolfram Research Mathematica v.11.3 system. Results. The study indicates a statistically significant decrease in the overall prevalence of MSD among the working-age population of most VFD entities in 2020—2021. We noted significant fluctuations in the overall prevalence rates in some regions by certain MSD nosologies, including statistically significant increases and statistically significant decreases. Thus, regarding the prevalence rates, the maximum overall prevalence of arthroses and arthropathies in 2020—2021 was registered in the Republic of Bashkortostan and was twice as high as the minimal rates registered in the Udmurt Republic and the Penza Region. Conclusion. We detected pronounced regional differences in the overall prevalence of MSD among the working-age population of VFD entities. The general trend was the increase in prevalence during the COVID-19 pandemic. Governing bodies of subjects in health protection and main freelance domain experts shall consider the features of disease prevalence among the working-age population when planning and implementing public health promotion programs.

Introduction: The automotive industry is characterized by a complex and combined workers’ exposure to occupational risk factors. The problem of early detection, course and development of prognostic criteria for modern forms of occupational pathology remains relevant. Objective: To assess the main workplace hazards in the automotive industry and the risk of occupational diseases in its workers. Materials and methods: We conducted our own occupational health studies, examined production control data (348 units) and results of special evaluation of working conditions (97 units) at an automobile manufacturing enterprise of the Republic of Bashkortostan in 2020–2023. In total, we took 554 measurements of noise, 554 – of hand-arm vibration, 448 – of chemicals, and 554 – of work heaviness. To assess occupational risk, we used an integral indicator of the frequency and severity of occupational diseases, the index of occupational diseases (IOD), as the inverse value of the categories of risk (Cr) and severity (Cs), a single-digit indicator (IOD), combining Cr and Cs. Calculations were done in Microsoft Excel. Results: In the course of work, employees are exposed to a combination of physical factors, such as noise (Class 3.2) and hand-arm vibration (Class 3.1); chemical factors, including fibrogenic aerosols, metal dusts, toxicants from welding fumes, paints and varnishes (Class 3.1), and physical overload (Class 3.1). The overall working conditions correspond to Hazard Class 3, degrees 1–2. We assessed risks of developing the following occupational diseases (IOD = 0.16, total IOD = 0.32): vibration disease from exposure to hand-arm vibration and sensorineural hearing loss from noise exposure; chronic poisoning with manifestations of disorders of the pulmonary system (toxic bronchitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) related to chemical exposures. Occupational diseases had a mild course with minor functional grade 1 manifestations and no progression of the pathological process. Conclusions: The complex and combined exposure to industrial safety hazards in the automotive industry determines the moderate risk of developing occupational diseases in its workers.

Introduction. The problem of disability of the population includes medical and social, economic, moral, and ethical aspects, since it affects a considerable number of people, mainly of working age. This also applies to health care workers, whose role in solving the tasks of state policy to preserve and prolong the active life of a person is invaluable. Purpose. Analysis of the levels, trend, and structure of primary disability among the Republic of Bashkortostan’s adult population and health care workers. Material and methods. Primary disability was studied according to the annual reports and 936 certificates of examination for disability in the Bureau of medical and Social expertise of the Republic of Bashkortostan for 2015-2017. Results. During the analyzed period, there is practically no tendency to decrease disability indices among the population of the Republic of Bashkortostan; among health care workers, in 2017 this value decreased by 1.1 times compared to 2015, amounting to 49.5 per 10 thousand population. In the structure of primary disability, the most numerous both among the population and among medical workers were persons with group III disability. Among the causes of disability of the adult population of the Republic of Bashkortostan, diseases of malignant aetiology (37.4%) and diseases of the circulatory system (25.9%) hold the top place. The direct access to disability, the cause of neoplasms of malignant aetiology, in medical workers for all the years of observation exceeded the national indices by 1.1-1.4 times. Breast, ovarian, and cervical cancer prevailed in the structure of oncological diseases among doctors. Disability among medical workers due to conditions of the circulatory system is established for every third doctor (32.9%). Conclusion. The basis for early diagnosis of diseases and prevention of disability of health care workers should be high-quality periodic medical examinations with mandatory implementation of the full scope of laboratory and functional research methods.

Objective: The development of asthma and its related phenotypes is most likely due to the polymorphism of the so-called modifier genes. The goal of this study was to evaluate the polymorphic locus rs1695 of the GSTP1 gene association with risk factors for developing asthma and its phenotypic manifestations. Methods: This case-control study involved 164 patients with confirmed asthma diagnosis and 147 age- and sex-matched controls. Patients were divided into two groups: with (n = 121) and without complications (n = 43). Among asthmatic patients, 34 manifested hypersensitivity to household allergens. The GSTP1 rs1695 polymorphism was genotyped using the technique of polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. Results: There were no differences between patients and controls in allelic or genotype frequencies of polymorphic locus rs1695 of the GSTP1 gene. However, the frequency of the A/A genotype in the patient group with complications was significantly lower than that in complication-free patients (p = 0.040), while the frequency of the G allele was higher in patients with complications (p = 0.030). The frequency of the A/A genotype was decreased in the patient group with an allergic reaction to household allergens in comparison with controls (p = 0.037). Conclusion: These results suggest that the carriage of the A/A genotype of polymorphic locus rs1695 of the GSTP1 gene is a protective factor in the development of complications and an allergic reaction to house allergens among asthmatics, while the carriage of the G allele is associated with an increased risk for asthma complications.

The problem of the studies on occupational cancer diseases is one of the most important issues of occupational health. Its significance is due to a gap of knowledge, an increase in morbidity and mortality rate from cancer. The Republic of Bashkortostan is one of the most developed industrial regions of Russia with a significant number of production processes where carcinogenic substances and factors are used. The analysis has shown that the greatest number of carcinogens is found in the production of continuous fiberglass, rubber products, lubricants and cooling materials, fuels, and organic substances. Over the past 10 years, only 11 cases of work-related malignancies have been identified in the republic. The main reasons for the development of occupational neoplasms (skin, larynx, lungs, blood) are Group I chemicals (the degree of evidence is sufficient) (72.7 %). Exposure to physical factors (ionizing radiation) led to the development of occupational cancer (kidney, thyroid, connective tissue) in 27.3 % of patients. A low identification rate of occupational neoplasms in the republic indicates the need to be increasingly cautious about cancer at the stages of preventive health check-ups of workers exposed to carcinogenic factors and substances.