Table 3 Neurological symptoms among 40 dental assistants with probable previous exposure to mercury during work, compared with 64 assistant nurses
From: Neurological symptoms among dental assistants: a cross-sectional study
Neurological symptom | Dental assistants (%) | Assistant nurses (%) | OR (95%CI)* |
|---|---|---|---|
Unintentionally dropping things | 60 | 19 | 9.0 (2.5–32.3) |
Felt weak in your arms and legs | 78 | 55 | 3.0 (1.0–9.2) |
Felt less in your arms and legs | 60 | 38 | 2.1 (0.8–5.7) |
Felt numbness or heaviness in your arms and legs | 66 | 56 | 2.6 (0.9–7.8) |
Felt tingling in your arms and legs | 64 | 34 | 4.0 (1.3–12.0) |
Had problems with balance | 53 | 13 | 7.7 (2.2–27.1) |
Noticed changes in sense of smell or taste | 29 | 6 | 8.6 (1.7–43.2) |
Noticed less sensation in your face | 17 | 2 | 8.5 (0.9–85.6) |
Had difficulty controlling hand movements | 39 | 8 | 5.5 (1.2–20.5) |
Felt slow in carrying out your daily activities | 32 | 38 | 0.8 (0.3–2.6) |
Felt shakiness in your hands | 44 | 16 | 6.8 (1.9–24.6) |