Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

Won Jun Choi

4 Articles

Risk Assessment for Cardiovascular Diseases in Male Workers: Comparing KOSHA Guidelines and the Framingham Risk Score System: In Yong Um, Won Jun Choi, Deul Lee, Jae Seok Oh, Min Kee Yi, Jong Wan Yoon, Sang Hwan Han; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2012;24(4):365-374. Published online December 31, 2012; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2012.24.4.365

OBJECTIVES
This study aimed to investigate the 10-year risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) by Framingham risk score (FRS) who classified as "healthy group" by Korean Occupational Safety and Health Agent (KOSHA)' s cardiovascular risk assessment.
METHODS
The subjects of this study were 1,781 male workers in a large steel company. Health status was obtained periodically through medical examinations and questionnaires. We assessed cardiovascular risk using KOSHA guidelines and calculated the 10-year risk of cardiovascular disease using the Framingham risk score for those categorized to the "healthy group" by KOSHA guideline. A closer examination of cardiovascular risk factors was performed in 62 subjects paradoxically placed in the "healthy group" by KOSHA guidelines and the "high-risk group" by FRS.
RESULTS
Among the "healthy group" by KOSHA's cardiovascular risk assessment, 230(15.8%) subjects had more than 3 CVD risk factors and 62(4.2%) subjects were high risk group (more than 20%) in 10-years risk of CVD by Framingham risk score. Modifiable risk factors included cigarette smoking (96.8%), high serum total cholesterol (82.3%), high serum triglyceride (66.1%), insufficient physical activity (66.1%), and obesity (58.1%).
CONCLUSIONS
Among subjects with normal blood pressure, it seems that KOSHA guidelines underestimate CVD risk, identified by the Framingham risk score. For the effective prevention and management of CVD, modifiable risk factors, such as cigarette smoking, dyslipidemia, and obesity, need to be constructively controlled.

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Comparing Korea Occupational Safety & Health Agency and National Health Insurance Service’s cardio-cerebrovascular diseases risk-assessment tools using data from one hospital’s health checkups
Yunrae Cho, Dong Geon Kim, Byung-Chan Park, Seonhee Yang, Sang Kyu Kim
Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2023;[Epub] CrossRef
Comparison of risk-assessment tools for cardio-cerebrovascular diseases (CVD) in male shipyard workers: a cross-sectional study
Jea Chul Ha, Jun Seok Son, Young Ouk Kim, Chang Ho Chae, Chan Woo Kim, Hyoung Ouk Park, Jun Ho Lee, Young Hoo Shin, Hyun Woo Park
Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2019;[Epub] CrossRef
Cardiovascular Disease According to Job Type and Life Style
Wan-Young Yoon
Journal of Digital Convergence.2016; 14(2): 501. CrossRef
The Assessment of Framingham Risk Score and 10 Year CHD Risk according to Application of LDL Cholesterol or Total Cholesterol
Se Young Kwon, Young Ak Na
Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science.2016; 48(2): 54. CrossRef
10-Year Risk for Cardiovascular Disease Among Male Workers in Small-Sized Industries
Kyongok Park, Seon Young Hwang
Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing.2015; 30(3): 267. CrossRef

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A Case of Silicosis and Pneumothorax in a Workplace Producing Dental Porcerlain: Youngjoong Kang, Won Jun Choi, Sang Yun Lee, Jong Wan Yun, Hyung Sik Kim, Jong Uk Won, Sang Hwan Han; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2010;22(1):58-63. Published online March 31, 2010; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2010.22.1.58

Abstract PDF: BACKGROUND
Silicosis is more likely to occur in people working in the mining industry. However, workers suffering from silicosis have recently been reported frequently in other areas. We present a case of silicosis occuring in a 43-year-old man who had worked for 20 years in a workplace producing dental porcelain.
CASE
The man was admitted to the emergency room with acute chest pain caused by pneumothorax. Chest X-ray indicated numerous small opacities spread over the whole lung field and a large opacity in the right middle lung field. According to ILO classification, the shape of the small opacities was t/s, the profusion rate was 2/3 and the large opacity was classified into the B category. Following this diagnosis of silicosis, the patient's medical history and work exposure history were examined. According to his medical history, he had undergone closed thoracostomy in 2006 because he had suffered pneumothorax twice (in 2005 and 2006) and his smoking history was 7 pack years. In particular, he had been exposed to silica dust for 20 years in his workplace.
CONCLUSION
Despite the absence of any specific risk factor that caused pneumothorax, the patient suffered this condition three times. All clinical results and the progress of his physical symptoms, including radiologic findings from chest X-ray and computed tomography, clearly supported the diagnosis of silicosis. Except for exposure to silica dust in the workplace, no other risk factors causing silicosis were found. Therefore, he was finally diagnosed as having silicosis caused by exposure to silica dust in the workplace and followed by pneumothorax.

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The Relationship between Depressive Symptoms, Job Stress and Intensity of Labor among Security Firm Workers: Yoon Hee Song, Jung Ok GongYoo, Inah Kim, Won Jun Choi; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2008;20(4):283-294. Published online December 31, 2008; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2008.20.4.283

Abstract PDF

OBJECTIVES
To investigate the mental health status of security firm workers focusing on job stress, depressive symptoms, and overall psychosocial stress and to determine the relationship between depressive symptoms and the level of distress with changes in labor conditions and intensity.
METHODS
Using a cross-sectional design, a formal survey including basic sociodemographic factors, job-related characteristics, job stress, psychosocial stress, depressive symptoms, and changes in labor conditions and intensity was conducted on workers employed in nine security firms. A total of 1,313 workers replied to the survey. We estimated the relationship between psychosocial stress and depressive symptoms with job stress, and changes in labor conditions and intensity by multivariate logisitic regression analysis.
RESULTS
Severe and intermediate level of depressive symptoms occurred in 18.5% (209) of the workers, and the high risk psychosocial distress groups accounted for 44.2% or the workers. Based on multivariate analysis, the Borg scale (OR=2.43 95%, CI=1.72-3.45), relative labor intensity (OR=1.05, 95% CI=1.00-1.09), high job demand (OR=1.47, 95% CI=1.06-2.06) were significantly associated with depressive symptoms. For psychosocial stress, the Borg scale (OR=2.39, 95% CI=1.84-3.10), relative labor intensity (OR=1.06, 95% CI=1.02-1.09), low job control (OR=1.80, 95%CI=1.38-2.35), and high job instability (OR=1.53, 95%CI=1.02-2.29) were significantly associated with high risk groups.
CONCLUSIONS
This study showed that a large proportion of security firm workers encountered depressive symptoms and psychosocial stress. Also, labor intensity and changes in labor condition (relative work intensity) were influential factors for depressive symptoms and psychosocial stress. Therefore, we conclude that not only an intervention for job stress should be offered, but also a policy toward the systemic problem of labor intensification should be considered.

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Wearables for Well-Being: A Longitudinal in Situ Study of Smartwatches to Understand and Enhance Line-Level Housekeeping Work
Aaron Necaise, Cynthia Mejia, Joseph T. Kider, Mindy Shoss, Mary Jean Amon
International Journal of Human–Computer Interaction.2024; : 1. CrossRef
Changes in Working Hours and Labor Intensity and Their Effect on Sleep Difficulties of Shift Work Nurses in Hospitals
Ji Yun Lee, Kyung Jin Hong
Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing Administration.2023; 29(4): 446. CrossRef
Effects of Work Intensity and Physical Discomfort on Job Satisfaction in Clinical Nurses
Hyojin Kim, Soonjoo Park
Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing Administration.2016; 22(4): 362. CrossRef
Application of Community-Based Participatory Research Principles: Preventing Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders Among Female Korean–Chinese Migrant Workers in Korea
Hyeonkyeong Lee, Duckhee Chae, Kyongeun Lee, Meenhye Lee
Workplace Health & Safety.2012; 60(7): 313. CrossRef
The Influence of Workplace Violence on Work-related Anxiety and Depression Experience among Korean Employees
Eun Sook Choi, Hye-Sun Jung, Su-Hyun Kim, Hyunju Park
Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing.2010; 40(5): 650. CrossRef

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Validity of NIOSH- and Nordic-style Questionnaires in the Screening and Surveillance of Neck and Upper Extremity Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders: Won Jun Choi, Nak Jung Sung, Young Joong Kang, Sang Hwan Han; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2008;20(3):205-214. Published online September 30, 2008; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2008.20.3.205

Abstract PDF

OBJECTIVES
The study aimed to compare the validity of two questionnaires (NIOSH- and Nordic-style) which are used for the screening and surveillance of neck and upper extremity work-related musculoskeletal disorders. To evaluate the validity, clinical examination was used as the reference.
METHODS
Two types of questionnaire were filled out by 208 workers from three different plants in Incheon, Korea. Workers underwent clinical examination by three occupational physicians. The presence of a symptom or sign in at least one body region was regarded as positive in both results of questionnaire and case definition using clinical examination. Validity was evaluated by sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and agreement (Kappa coefficient). For the Nordic-style questionnaire, the sum of the symptom scores was used to yield the ROC curve.
RESULTS
The results of the NIOSH-style questionnaire were sensitivity 59.5%, specificity 68.0%, positive predictive value 68.0%, negative predictive value 59.5%, and Kappa coefficient 0.27(95% confidence interval [CI]=0.14~0.40). The results of the Nordic-style questionnaire were sensitivity 73.9%, specificity 68.0%, positive predictive value 72.6%, negative predictive value 69.5%, and Kappa coefficient 0.42 (95% CI=0.30~0.54). For the Nordic-style questionnaire, sensitivity was 72.1% and specificity was 70.1% based on the sum of the symptom scores > or =2.
CONCLUSIONS
Both questionnaires demonstrated appropriate validity for the screening and surveillance of work-related musculoskeletal disorders. The selection of questionnaire may depend on the purpose of investigation and characteristics of the work place.

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Association between Musculoskeletal Pain and Bone Turnover Markers in Long-Term Pb-Exposed Workers
Ravibabu Kalahasthi, Bhavani Shankara Bagepally, Tapu Barman
Journal of Research in Health Sciences.2021; 21(3): e00522. CrossRef
Risk factors of work-related upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders in male cameramen
Jung ho Kim, Byung seong Suh, Soo Geun Kim, Won sool Kim, You il Shon, Hee seung Son
Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2015;[Epub] CrossRef
Analysis of Risk Factors for Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders in Radiological Technologists
Taehyung Kim, Hyolyun Roh
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Risk factors of musculoskeletal symptoms in university hospital nurses
Eunkwang Ryu, Byeongjin Ye, Youngil Yi, Jungwon Kim
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Work-Related Musculoskeletal Symptoms Among Dairy Farmers in Gyeonggi Province, Korea
Ji-Hyuk Park, Hyun-Sul Lim, Kwan Lee
Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health.2010; 43(3): 205. CrossRef

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