Physical workload of student nurses and serum markers of collagen metabolism.
OBJECTIVE
This study explored the association between biomarkers of type I collagen metabolism and exposure to physical workload.


METHODS
In a prospective cohort study, serum concentrations of markers of type I collagen synthesis and degradation were assessed monthly for student nurses who worked as nurses for a period of 6 months and compared with those of a reference group. The number of patient-handling activities was estimated from observations at the workplace. Linear generalized estimating equations were used to analyze differences in the serum concentrations of the biomarkers between the exposed group and reference group, as well as to analyze whether the number of patient-handling activities was associated with serum concentrations of the biomarkers.


RESULTS
Serum concentrations of the biomarkers were found to differ between the groups. The biomarkers reflected a higher anabolism of type I collagen in the exposed group when compared with that of the reference group. An analysis of the effect of the number of patient-handling activities revealed that a higher exposure was associated with higher effective type I collagen synthesis within the exposed group.


CONCLUSIONS
These results indicate that serum concentrations of these biomarkers of type I collagen metabolism can reflect differences in exposure between contrasting groups, and also varying levels of exposure between persons within an occupation.
Coronel Institute for Occupational and Environmental Health, AmCOGG Amsterdam Center for Research into Health and Health Care, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Judith I
JI
Kuiper
Jos H A M
JH
Verbeek
Jan P
JP
Straub
Vincent
V
Everts
Monique H W
MH
Frings-Dresen
D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D015331:Cohort Studies; D024042:Collagen Type I / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D016272:Occupational Health; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012016:Reference Values; D012044:Regression Analysis; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012737:Sex Factors; D013338:Students, Nursing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016526:Workload
D015415:Biomarkers; D024042:Collagen Type I