[Peptic ulcer among workers in the engineering and chemical industries]

Incidence of peptic ulcer among workers employed in the engineering and chemical industries is presented in view of selected environmental factors. The study covered 157 workers with peptic ulcer who reported themselves to outpatient clinics at the Nitrogenous Fertilizers Plant in Pulawy and the Automobile Works in Lublin (5000 and 3252 employees, respectively). The study was conducted over a period of one year. It included: medical examinations, supplementary tests and a questionnaire survey. The questionnaire asked, among others, about working conditions, type of occupation performed and lifestyle. Peptic ulcer was diagnosed in 2.03% of workers engaged in the engineering industry and 1.82% of those working at the chemical plant. The incidence of peptic ulcer was higher among manual workers (2.18%) than in office workers (1.16%). The patients had been exposed to the following environmental factors: excessive noise--21%, vibration--17.2%, commuting--11.5%, extra work--14.5%, conflicts at work--13.5%, conflicts at home--15.3%, irregular meals--21.6%, alcohol intake--22.4%, cigarette smoking--62.4%. The study indicates that peptic ulcer is more often diagnosed in manual than in office workers and its incidence can be associated with working conditions and lifestyle. However, no significant variation in annual morbidity caused by peptic ulcer was observed among workers of the plants under study.