[Epidemiological studies of peptic ulcer in coal miners. II. Effect of occupational factors]

In the part I the effect of social and life factors on the development of peptic ulcer in miners has been analysed. Now, in the same population of 8302 miners composing the crew of three coal mines, an evaluation of the role of occupational factors has been performed on the basis of inquiry and documentation data of the outpatient department. It was found that the frequency of peptic ulcer is more dependent on years of employment than on age. The percentage of peptic ulcer cases among the underground crew and this working on the surface did not reveal distinct differences. Only in miners, working underground a shortest time, it was less than in the analogous groups working on the surface. Among miners performing the longest time very arduous work, the frequency of peptic ulcer is less than in the remaining crew. The psychical burden and the paid by the job system as well as night shift work influence the increase of patients. These results demonstrate that in the mining the peptic ulcer hazard is augmented by similar factors as in other industries, the effect of underground work however has not been observed. The conditions of mining induce miners suffering from peptic ulcer to avoid more burdening job and this is why percentage of ill miners is less among those whose work is more arduous.