The presented case demonstrates that acute lead poisoning may occur due to just short-term exposure to a mixture of lead-containing dust and ammunition. Such exposure may result in high blood lead levels persisting for years in the absence of any symptoms. A middle-aged male with a history of an approximately 7-day cleanup of an old recreational firing range with large ammunition and dust deposits presented to an emergency department with abdominal pain, dyspnea, fatigue and impaired cognitive function. Given his occupational history, specific tests were performed that showed high lead concentrations in both blood and urine. The patient was diagnosed with acute lead poisoning. He was started on chelation therapy that improved both clinical and laboratory parameters. Over a subsequent nearly 3-year follow-up, the patient's blood lead levels fluctuated and continued to be increased. Given the absence of other sources of lead exposure, these were likely due to the formation of bone deposits. Med Pr 2020;71(3):375-9

Based on the high prevalence, diabetes mellitus (DM) is considered as a worldwide problem. More than 8.3 % of the world population is suffering from this disease. One of the causing factors of this disease can be the absence or imbalance of trace, essential elements. It can cause collapses of antioxidant defence and glucose intolerance. It plays a role in the pathogenesis and progression to diabetes mellitus. This review focuses on chromium, copper, selenium, vanadium, and zinc. Many studies deal with these elements but there is variability in opinions. Insulin-mimetic activity and ability to control the concentrations of blood glucose were confirmed. However, these effects were of more importance in patients with prediabetes. In patients with prediabetes, due to the supplementation of selected trace elements, it is possible to normalize the blood glucose level and prevent the development of diabetes mellitus. The importance of supplementation was confirmed for chromium and zinc. The supplementation of vanadium has a positive effect on the normalization of glycaemia but it is necessary to control the level as it can have toxic effects during long-term treatment. Conversely, higher copper concentrations in the body adversely affect patients and chelation therapy is needed. Selenium must be kept in the standard concentration and regular control of the concentration in the body is necessary. For this reason it is necessary to continue with analysis and the creation of new methodologies that could unify the view on the issue.

Introduction: Voice disorders primarily affect workers in professions with increased voice demands, such as teaching personnel in educational system, singers, lecturers, actors or managers. Severe voice disorders often require a permanent change of work position. Methods: Retrospective analysis of a set of patients with occupational voice disorders who were hospitalized at the Clinic of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology, Martin University Hospital (COMaT, MUH) in the years of 2000–2017. Comparison of the data obtained with the National Centre of Medical Information (NCMI) data on the occurrence of occupational voice disorders throughout the Slovak Republic (SR). Comparison with the retrospective analysis of reported occupational voice disorders in the years of 1967-1996. Case report of a patient with an occupational voice disorder. Results: We point to a long-term low incidence of occupational voice disorders. In the years of 2000-2017, 24 cases of occupational voice disorders were reported in Slovakia, of which 20 cases were reported under item 42-1 and 4 cases under item 42-2 in the List of Occupational Diseases. Through the COMaT, MUH 11 cases of occupational voice disorders were reported during these years, of which 9 cases were listed under item 42-1 and 2 cases under item 42-2. From 1967 to 1996 there were 52 occupational voice disorders reported in Slovakia, of which 45 were under item 42-1 and 7 under item 42-2. Conclusions: As there is a tendency to underestimate the voice difficulties among teaching staff, it is necessary to provide better information about the possible consequences, prevention, and treatment of these diseases. All of this should be in the competency of occupational health services.