title: Illness absences among beryllium sensitized workers.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study examined absence rates among US Department of Energy workers who had beryllium sensitization (BeS) or were diagnosed with chronic beryllium disease (CBD) compared with those of other workers.
  
  
  METHODS
  We used the lymphocyte proliferation test to determine beryllium sensitivity. In addition, we applied multivariable logistic regression to compare absences from 2002 to 2011 between workers with BeS or CBD to those without, and survival analysis to compare time to first absence by beryllium sensitization status. Finally, we examined beryllium status by occupational group. Results. Fewer than 3% of the 19,305 workers were BeS, and workers with BeS or CBD had more total absences (odds ratio [OR] = 1.31; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.18, 1.46) and respiratory absences (OR = 1.51; 95% CI = 1.24, 1.84) than did other workers. Time to first absence for all causes and for respiratory conditions occurred earlier for workers with BeS or CBD than for other workers. Line operators and crafts personnel were at increased risk for BeS or CBD. Conclusions. Although not considered "diseased," workers with BeS have higher absenteeism compared with nonsensitized workers.
authors.affiliation: Janice P. Watkins, Elizabeth D. Ellis, David J. Girardi, and Donna L. Cragle are with the Oak Ridge Associated Universities, Oak Ridge, TN. Bonnie S. Richter is with the US Department of Energy, Office of Health and Safety, Washington, DC.
authors.forename: Janice P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Watkins
authors.forename: Elizabeth D
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Ellis
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Girardi
authors.forename: Donna L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Cragle
authors.forename: Bonnie S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Richter
mesh_terms: D000041:Absenteeism; D000328:Adult; D001607:Berylliosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D001608:Beryllium / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D018582:Sick Leave / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016019:Survival Analysis
chemical_list: D001608:Beryllium