Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

Research Articles

Distribution of age, gender, and occupation among individuals with carpal tunnel syndrome based on the National Health Insurance data and National Employment Insurance data: Il-Ho Lee, Young-Ki Kim, Dong-Mug Kang, Se-Yeong Kim, In-Ah Kim, Eun-Mi Kim; Ann Occup Environ Med 2019;31:e31. Published online November 7, 2019; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/aoem.2019.31.e31

Background

The present study aimed to investigate the basic characteristics of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and its differences between occupations using Korea's National Health Insurance (NHI) and National Employment Insurance (NEI).

Methods

The study participants were obtained from the NEI and NHI data from 2008 to 2015, with a diagnosis code of G560 (CTS) as the main or sub-diagnosis. Data about gender, age, diabetes mellitus, smoking, drinking, and length of employment, information about type of occupation, and number of employees according to age and occupation were obtained from NHI and NEI data. In total, 240 occupations were classified into blue-collar (BC) and white-collar (WC) work. In addition, each occupation was classified as high-risk and low-risk groups depending on the degree of wrist usage.

Results

The number of patients with CTS per 100,000 individuals increased with advancing age, and it was higher in women (4,572.2) than in men (1,798.5). Furthermore, the number was higher in BC workers (3,247.5) than in WC workers (1,824.1) as well as in the high-risk group than in the low-risk group in both BC workers (3,527.8 vs. 1,908.2) and WC workers (1,829.9 vs. 1,754.4). The number of patients with CTS was higher in the high-risk group than in the low-risk group among male and female BC workers and female WC workers. However, the number was higher in the low-risk group among male WC workers. In the BC category, the number of patients with CTS was highest among food processing-related workers (19,984.5). In the WC category, the number of patients with CTS was highest among social workers and counselors (7,444.1).

Conclusions

The results of this study are expected to help identify occupational differences in patterns of CTS. High number of patients with CTS was seen in new jobs, as well as in previous studies.

Citations

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Development and validation of a clinical model for predicting the severity of carpal tunnel syndrome
Behnaz Aalaie, Javad Sadeghi, Tanya Mohammadi, Babak Mohammadi
Modern Rheumatology.2024; 34(4): 851. CrossRef
Occupational Risk Factor for Carpel Tunnel Syndrome Related to Computer Usage: A Descriptive Cross-Sectional Study
Tallat Anwar Faridi, Neha Justin, Mishal John, Aman Badar, Naveen Faheem
THE THERAPIST (Journal of Therapies & Rehabilitation Sciences).2024; : 37. CrossRef
Worldwide prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome among dental health care personnel - A systematic review and meta-analysis
Deepika Chenna, Medhini Madi, Mathangi Kumar, Vijay Kumar, Sitaram Chopperla, Abhinav Tadikonda, Kalyana Pentapati
F1000Research.2023; 12: 251. CrossRef
Meta-analysis of the prevalence of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) among dental health care personnel
Deepika Chenna, Medhini Madi, Mathangi Kumar, Vijay Kumar, Sitaram Chopperla, Abhinav Tadikonda, Kalyana Pentapati
F1000Research.2023; 12: 251. CrossRef
Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Genetics of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A Review
Mahshid Malakootian, Mahdieh Soveizi, Akram Gholipour, Maziar Oveisee
Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology.2023; 43(5): 1817. CrossRef
Subjective and Objective Differences in Patients with Unilateral and Bilateral Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and the Role of Obesity in Syndrome Severity
Robert C Vernick, Colin H Beckwitt, John R Fowler
Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery.2023;[Epub] CrossRef
The effectiveness of biophysical agents in the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome- an umbrella review
Armaghan Dabbagh, Christina Ziebart, Joy C MacDermid, Tara Packham, Ruby Grewal
BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders.2023;[Epub] CrossRef
Prevalence and risk factors for self-reported symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome among hospital office workers: a cross-sectional study
Seher Kurtul, Nejdiye Mazican
International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics.2023; 29(2): 461. CrossRef
Carpal tunnel syndrome in the workplace. Triggers, coping strategies, and economic impact: A qualitative study from the perspective of women manual workers
Paloma Moro-López-Menchero, César Fernández-de-las-Peñas, Javier Güeita-Rodríguez, Stella Maris Gómez-Sanchez, Antonio Gil-Crujera, Domingo Palacios-Ceña
Journal of Hand Therapy.2023; 36(4): 817. CrossRef
Actividades hospitalarias en residentes e internos del Hospital Angeles Mocel como factor de riesgo para síndrome del túnel del carpo
Anapaula Hornelas Vargas, María José Talayero, Nancy Alva Arroyo, Alejandra López Rubio, Guillermo Alcántara Padilla
Acta Médica Grupo Ángeles.2023; 21(4): 309. CrossRef
An Integrated Review of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: New Insights to an Old Problem
Adekunle E Omole, Ayoola Awosika, Anosh Khan, Uzochukwu Adabanya, Nikhilesh Anand, Tirath Patel, Carolyn K Edmondson, Adegbenro O Fakoya, Richard M Millis
Cureus.2023;[Epub] CrossRef
Prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome in patients with long-term type 2 diabetes mellitus
Defu Dong, Hongwei Liu
Heliyon.2022; 8(12): e12615. CrossRef
The effects of pistol grip power tools on median nerve pressure and tendon strains
Ryan Bakker, Mayank Kalra, Sebastian S. Tomescu, Robert Bahensky, Naveen Chandrashekar
International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics.2022; 28(3): 1904. CrossRef
Diabetic polyneuropathy and carpal tunnel syndrome together affect hand strength, tactile sensation and dexterity in diabetes patients
Yan Zhang, Xinhua Liu, Jie Jia, Qi Zhang, Yifang Lin, Li Zhang, Qi Lu, Haidong Lv, Xianzhao Zheng
Journal of Diabetes Investigation.2021; 12(11): 2010. CrossRef
Manufacturing Workers Have a Higher Incidence of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Eric B. Battista, Nikhil R. Yedulla, Dylan S. Koolmees, Zachary A. Montgomery, Karthik Ravi, Charles S. Day
Journal of Occupational & Environmental Medicine.2021; 63(3): e120. CrossRef
Prevalence and risk factors of self-reported wrist and hand symptoms and clinically confirmed carpal tunnel syndrome among office workers in China: a cross-sectional study
Beibei Feng, Kedi Chen, Xiaoxia Zhu, Wing-Yuk Ip, Lars L. Andersen, Phil Page, Yuling Wang
BMC Public Health.2021;[Epub] CrossRef
Establishing Age-calibrated Normative PROMIS Scores for Hand and Upper Extremity Clinic
Nikhil R. Yedulla, Carson T. Wilmouth, Sreten Franovic, Alaa A. Hazime, Jared T. Hudson, Charles S. Day
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery - Global Open.2021; 9(8): e3768. CrossRef
Blocking CTGF/CCN2 reverses neural fibrosis and sensorimotor declines in a rat model of overuse‐induced median mononeuropathy
Mary F. Barbe, Brendan A. Hilliard, Mamta Amin, Michele Y. Harris, Lucas J. Hobson, Geneva E. Cruz, Jocelynne T. Dorotan, Ryan W. Paul, David M. Klyne, Steven N. Popoff
Journal of Orthopaedic Research.2020; 38(11): 2396. CrossRef

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The roles of doctors, nurses, and industrial hygienists in the healthcare management services in Korea: a comparison of the opinions of specialized health management institutions and entrusted enterprises: Bo-Young Jang, Dong-Mug Kang, Young-Ki Kim, Se-Young Kim, Kyung-Sun Ko; Ann Occup Environ Med 2018;30:50. Published online August 7, 2018; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40557-018-0261-9

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Background

This study aimed to identify the difference of perception about the role of appointing health officers by comparing and analyzing the response of entrustment workplace (EW) and specialized health management institution (SI). This is considered an important aspect of an institutional assessment to improve the quality of health management services.

Methods

A survey questionnaire was mailed to 122 SIs and 319 EWs nationwide. The questionnaire survey was about the general characteristics of SIs and EWs and main occupations for each evaluation item. In total, 81 SIs (66.4%) and 30 EWs responded to the questionnaire. A logistic regression analysis was performed to compare the opinions of SI and EW.

Results

Based on the analysis, the items showing statistically significant differences were as follows. Doctors’ main tasks survey: “Guidance on their wearing personal protective equipment (PPE)” (OR: 4.58), “Guidance of improvement of work environment (WE)” (OR: 3.33), etc.; Nurses’ main tasks survey: “Guidance on their wearing PPE” (OR: 3.86), “Guidance for programs on health process in confined space (CS)” (OR: 0.36), “Guidance on the hearing conservation program (HCP)” (OR: 0.28), etc.; Industrial hygienist (IH)‘s main tasks survey: “Guidance of work through inspection (WTI)” (OR: 0.15), “Guidance on the improvement of WE” (OR: 0.32), “Management confirmation of substances used by process and Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)” (OR: 0.08), “Guidance on posting or keeping of MSDS and warning signs” (OR: 0.03), “Prevention of dust-induced medical problems” (OR: 0.28), “Guidance for programs of health process in CS” (OR: 0.39), etc.

Conclusions

It is necessary to educate the EWs to recognize the need for physicians to perform tasks, such as wearing a PPE, and instruction to improve WE. As for nurses’ tasks, such as education about the CS and the noise work, educating the nurses of the SI is regarded necessary as the demand of the EWs is considered. With respect to the unique tasks of IH, such as WE management and instructions for wearing PPE, among several other tasks of IH, training should be provided for improved IH recognition.

Citations

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Underestimation of smoking hazards and smoking cessation intervention efficiency among healthcare professionals: A cross-sectional study among Korean occupational health nurses
Jihye Lee, Saerom Lee, Woncheol Lee, Seung Hyeun Lee, Won Gun Kwack, Young Joong Kang
Tobacco Induced Diseases.2023; 21(May): 1. CrossRef
The Current Status of the Administrative Dispositions of Nurses: A Nationwide Survey in South Korea
Suyoung KIM, Sanghee KIM
Journal of Nursing Research.2021; 29(5): e170. CrossRef
Occupational health nurses’ personal attitudes toward smoking: A cross-sectional study
Jihye Lee, Saerom Lee, Minkyu Lee, Young Joong Kang
Journal of Occupational Health.2021;[Epub] CrossRef

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Characteristics of occupational musculoskeletal disorders of five sectors in service industry between 2004 and 2013: Hyun-Woo Choi, Young-Ki Kim, Dong-Mug Kang, Jong-Eun Kim, Bo-Young Jang; Ann Occup Environ Med 2017;29:41. Published online September 19, 2017; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40557-017-0198-4

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Background

‘Work related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs)’ have been mostly reported in the manufacturing industry but recently the occurrence of industrial injuries has been constantly increasing in the service industry. This research is going to analyze the data about workers’ compensation for WRMSDs in five different service sectors and identify characteristics of occupations with the highest approved occupations.

Methods

According to the data released from the Korea Worker’s Compensation & Welfare Service, the overview of 12,730 cases of workers’ compensation for WRMSDs in five service sectors from 2004 to 2013 is going to be analyzed and the source data is going to be classified by the Korean Standard Classification of Occupations to select the top five occupations that have the highest number of approval.

Results

After selecting each five occupations from the service sector that have work related musculoskeletal disorders, the result showed that the occupation with the highest number of approval in the health and social care sector were the early childhood educators, cooks in the school canteens in education services sector, garbage collectors in the sanitation and similar services sector, deliverymen in wholesale and retail, consumer goods repair and building cleaners in general management businesses such as those in building maintenance. The major event observed in the top five occupations was the overexertion and reaction as a cause of WRMSDs. The day when the WRMSDs mostly occurred was on Monday and the most likely time was 10 am. The median days away from work and lost working days are 29–90 days and 0–50 days respectively. The difference in each occupation was observed in year of service, age, and gender.

Conclusions

83.21% of the approved cases of workers’ compensation for WRMSDs occurred in the top 25 occupations in all of the five service sectors, which meant that the approval of workers’ compensation is concentrated in specific occupations. This research is going to suggest preventive measures for work related musculoskeletal disorders in the service industry and to help prioritize the preventive measures.

Trial registration

Not applicable.

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A Quick Capture Evaluation System for the Automatic Assessment of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders for Sanitation Workers
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The Correlation of Frequency of Work-Related Disorders with Type of Work among Polish Employees
Katarzyna Kliniec, Mateusz Mendowski, Patrycja Zuziak, Mateusz Sobieski, Urszula Grata-Borkowska
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.2023; 20(2): 1624. CrossRef
Magnitude and possible risk factors of musculoskeletal disorders among street cleaners and solid waste workers: a cross-sectional study
Melkamu Alie, Yohannes Abich, Solomon Fasika Demissie, Fkrte Kebede Weldetsadik, Tesfa Kassa, Kassaw Belay Shiferaw, Balamurugan Janakiraman, Yohannes Awoke Assefa
BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders.2023;[Epub] CrossRef
Cleaning in the 21st Century: The musculoskeletal disorders associated with the centuries-old occupation – A literature review
Jia-Hua Lin, Wonil Lee, Caroline K. Smith, Nanette L. Yragui, Michael Foley, Gwanseob Shin
Applied Ergonomics.2022; 105: 103839. CrossRef
Prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders and risk factors in recyclable material waste pickers from the dump of the structural city in Brasília, Brazil
Ana Clara Bonini-Rocha, Rayssa Alves Costa de Oliveira, Morteza Bashash, Giullia do Couto Machado, Vanessa Resende Nogueira Cruvinel
Waste Management.2021; 125: 98. CrossRef
Effective assessments to identify overuse injuries in unaffected limbs of persons with unilateral upper limb amputations
Sharon R. Flinn, Glenn Goodman
Journal of Hand Therapy.2021; 34(2): 298. CrossRef
Bir Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi Çalışan Sağlığı Biriminde Değerlendirilen Personelin Genel Sağlık Durumunun, Yakınmalarının ve Sık Görülen Hastalıklarının İncelenmesi
Mehmet PEKDEMİR, Neşe AŞICI, Abdülkadir AYDIN, Elif KÖSE, Hasan EKERBİÇER
Sakarya Medical Journal.2020;[Epub] CrossRef
Biomechanical analysis of common solid waste collection throwing techniques using OpenSim and an EMG-assisted solver
Dean D. Molinaro, Andrew S. King, Aaron J. Young
Journal of Biomechanics.2020; 104: 109704. CrossRef
Ergonomic interventions among waste collection workers: A systematic review
Francis J. Emmatty, Vinay V. Panicker
International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics.2019; 72: 158. CrossRef

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Short Communication

Environmental health centers for asbestos and their health impact surveys and activities: Dong-Mug Kang, Jong-Eun Kim, Yong-Jin Lee, Hyun-Hee Lee, Chang-yeol Lee, Seong-Jae Moon, Min-Sung Kang; Ann Occup Environ Med 2016;28:68. Published online December 1, 2016; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40557-016-0154-8

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In 2009, Korea banned the import, transport, and use of asbestos, and the Asbestos Injury Relief Act (AIRA) was promulgated in 2011. Two environmental health centers for asbestos (EHCA), including Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital (PNUYH) and SoonChunHyang University Cheonan Hospital (SCHUCH), were adapted to find environmental asbestos-related diseases (ARDs) and to support the purposes of AIRA. EHCA conducted a health impact survey (HIS) on persons who resided or reside near asbestos factories or mines. A total of 13,433 persons have taken screening examinations in PNUYH EHCA, and 623 persons (4.6%) have had secondary examinations. Of the 21,014 persons who had screening examinations in SCHUCH EHCA, 2490 persons (11.8%) had secondary examinations. Some of those who tested positive for ARDs through HISs filed applications for the asbestos victims’ medical pocketbook (AVMP). Approximately 116 and 612 persons received AVMPs as a result of PNUYH and SCHUCH examinees, respectively. EHCAs have conducted HISs, public relations, and education for asbestos victims, ordinary citizens, and physicians. As HISs are based on voluntary participation, they does not monitor high-risk groups. Active surveillance focusing on high-risk groups has been blocked by the personal information protection act. Although important work has been performed in finding environmental asbestos victims and increasing public awareness on asbestos, it is necessary to improve the current system and registration.

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Air pollution and survival in patients with malignant mesothelioma and asbestos-related lung cancer: a follow-up study of 1591 patients in South Korea
Da-An Huh, Yun-Hee Choi, Lita Kim, Kangyeon Park, Jiyoun Lee, Se Hyun Hwang, Kyong Whan Moon, Min-Sung Kang, Yong-Jin Lee
Environmental Health.2024;[Epub] CrossRef
Occupational and Environmental Asbestos Exposure and Survival of Patients with Asbestos-Related Cancer: A Follow-Up Study on Patients with Malignant Mesothelioma and Asbestos-Related Lung Cancer in Korea
Min-Sung Kang, Woo-Ri Chae, Yong-Jin Lee, Kyong Whan Moon
Toxics.2023; 12(1): 20. CrossRef
Disease Latency according to Asbestos Exposure Characteristics among Malignant Mesothelioma and Asbestos-Related Lung Cancer Cases in South Korea
Da-An Huh, Woo-Ri Chae, Yun-Hee Choi, Min-Sung Kang, Yong-Jin Lee, Kyong-Whan Moon
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.2022; 19(23): 15934. CrossRef
Occupational and environmental asbestos exposure and the risk of lung cancer in Korea: A case-control study in South Chungcheong Province of Korea
Da-An Huh, Min-Sung Kang, Jiyun Lee, Ji Yoon Choi, Kyong Whan Moon, Yong-Jin Lee, Flavio Manoel Rodrigues Da Silva Júnior
PLOS ONE.2021; 16(4): e0249790. CrossRef
Development of Nationwide Excess Lifetime Cancer Risk Evaluation Methods with Comprehensive Past Asbestos Exposure Reconstruction
Dongmug Kang, Seung Ho Lee, Yoon Ji Kim, Tae Kyoung Kim, Ju Young Kim, Youngki Kim
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.2021; 18(6): 2819. CrossRef
Epidemiological Findings on Health Effects of Environmental Exposure to Airborne Asbestos
Hideki Hasunuma, Masayuki Shima
Material Cycles and Waste Management Research.2020; 31(5): 366. CrossRef
Relationships of Lower Lung Fibrosis, Pleural Disease, and Lung Mass with Occupational, Household, Neighborhood, and Slate Roof-Dense Area Residential Asbestos Exposure
Dongmug Kang, Yu-Young Kim, Minseung Shin, Min-Su Lee, Hee-Joo Bae, Se-Yeong Kim, Young-Ki Kim
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.2018; 15(8): 1638. CrossRef
Monitoring and Simulating Environmental Asbestos Dispersion from a Textile Factory
Dongmug Kang, Yongsik Hwang, Yeyong Choi, Se-Yeong Kim, Young-Ki Kim
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.2018; 15(7): 1398. CrossRef
Occupational Burden of Asbestos-Related Diseases in Korea, 1998–2013: Asbestosis, Mesothelioma, Lung Cancer, Laryngeal Cancer, and Ovarian Cancer
Dong-Mug Kang, Jong-Eun Kim, Young-Ki Kim, Hyun-Hee Lee, Se-Yeong Kim
Journal of Korean Medical Science.2018;[Epub] CrossRef
The Asbestos Ban in Korea from a Grassroots Perspective: Why Did It Occur?
Yu-Ryong Yoon, Kyeong Kwak, Yeyong Choi, Kanwoo Youn, Jinwook Bahk, Dong-Mug Kang, Domyung Paek
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.2018; 15(2): 198. CrossRef

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Case Report

Risk assessment of gastric cancer associated with asbestosis: a case report: Soo-Hong Park, Dong-Mug Kang, Bon-Hak Koo, Young-Ki Kim, Jong-Eun Kim; Ann Occup Environ Med 2015;27:9. Published online March 13, 2015; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40557-015-0061-4

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Background

The International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies asbestos as belonging to Carcinogen Group 2A for gastric cancer. We herein report a case of gastric cancer associated with asbestosis and describe the work-related and risk assessments of asbestos exposure for gastric cancer.

Case presentation

The 66-year-old male patient in our case worked in asbestos spinning factories. His level of cumulated asbestos fiber exposure was estimated to be 38.0–71.0 f-yr/cc. Thus, the Excess Life Cancer Risk for lung cancer associated with asbestos exposure was 9,648×10⁻⁵, almost 9,600 times the value recommended by the United States of America Environmental Protection Agency (1 × 10⁻⁵). The relative risk of developing lung cancer for this patient was more than 25 f-yr/cc, a well-known criterion for doubling the risk of lung cancer.

Conclusion

The patient’s exposure to high-dose asbestos was sufficient to increase his risk of gastric cancer because as the risk of lung cancer increased, the risk of gastric cancer was due to increase as well. Therefore, occupational asbestos fiber exposure might be associated with gastric cancer in this case.

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International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.2021; 18(14): 7521. CrossRef
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Current Environmental Health Reports.2016; 3(4): 335. CrossRef

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Research Articles

Work-relatedness of lung cancer by smoking and histologic type in Korea: Young-Il Lee, Sang-Gil Lee, Dong-Mug Kang, Jong-Eun Kim, Young-Ki Kim, Jong-Han Leem, Hwan-Cheol Kim; Ann Occup Environ Med 2014;26:43. Published online December 1, 2014; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40557-014-0043-y

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Objectives

This study investigated the distribution of causative agents related to occupational lung cancer, their relationships with work, and associations between work-relatedness and the histologic type of lung cancer.

Methods

We used data from the occupational surveillance system in Korea in 2013. In addition, data from 1,404 participants diagnosed with lung cancer were collected through interviews. We included the patients’ longest-held job in the analysis. Work-relatedness was categorized as “definite,” “probable,” “possible,” “suspicious,” “none,” or “undetermined.”

Results

Among the subjects, 69.3% were men and 30.7% were women. Regarding smoking status, current smokers were the most prevalent (35.5%), followed by non-smokers (32.3%), ex-smokers (32.2%). Regarding the causative agents of lung cancer, asbestos (1.0%) and crystalline silica (0.9%) were the most common in definite work-related cases, while non-arsenical insecticide (2.8%) was the most common in probable cases followed by diesel engine exhaust (1.9%) and asbestos (1.0%). Regarding histologic type, adenocarcinoma was the most common (41.7%), followed by squamous cell carcinoma (21.2%). Among current smokers, squamous cell carcinoma was the most common among definite and probable cases (13.4%), while non-small cell lung cancer was the least common (7.1%). Among non-smokers, squamous cell carcinoma was the most common (21.4%), while the least common was adenocarcinoma (1.6%).

Conclusions

Approximately, 9.5% of all lung cancer cases in Korea are occupational-related lung cancer. Well-known substances associated with lung cancer, such as crystalline silica, asbestos, and diesel engine exhaust, are of particular concern. However, the histologic types of lung cancer related to smoking were inconsistent with previous studies when work-relatedness was taken into account. Future studies are required to clarify the incidence of occupational lung cancer in agricultural workers exposed to non-arsenical insecticides and the associations between work-relatedness and the histologic type of lung cancer.

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Young Ju Jung, Evaldas Katilius, Rachel M. Ostroff, Youndong Kim, Minkyoung Seok, Sujin Lee, Seongsoo Jang, Woo Sung Kim, Chang-Min Choi
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Long Working Hours and Emotional Well-Being in Korean Manufacturing Industry Employees: Kyoung-Hye Lee, Jong-Eun Kim, Young-Ki Kim, Dong-Mug Kang, Myeong-Ja Yun, Shin-Goo Park, Jae-Seok Song, Sang-Gil Lee; Ann Occup Environ Med 2013;25:38-38. Published online December 5, 2013; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/2052-4374-25-38

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Objectives

Korea is well known for its long work hours amongst employees. Because workers of the manufacturing industry are constantly exposed to extended work hours, this study was based on how long work hours affect their emotional well-being.

Methods

The analysis was done using the secondary Korean Working Condition Survey (KWCS). Long work hours were defined to be more than 48 hours, and they were subcategorized into units of 52 hours and 60 hours. Based on the WHO (five) well-being index, emotional state was subdivided into three groups - reference group, low-mood group, and possible depression group- where 28 points and 50 points were division points, and two groups were compared at a time. Association between long work hours and emotional state was analyzed using binary and multinomial logistic regression analysis.

Results

Working for extended working hours in the manufacturing industry showed a statistically significant increase (t test p < 0.001) in trend among the possible depression group when compared to the reference group and the low-mood group. When demographical characteristics, health behaviors, socioeconomic state, and work-related characteristics were fixed as controlled variables, as work hours increased the odds ratio of the possible depression group increased compared to the reference group, and especially the odds ratio was 2.73 times increased for work hours between 48–52 and 4.09 times increased for 60 hours or more and both were statistically significant. In comparing the low-mood group and possible depression group, as work hours increased the odds ratio increased to 1.73, 2.39, and 4.16 times, and all work hours from working 48–52 hours, 53–60 hours, and 60 hours or more were statistically significant. Multinomial logistic regression analysis also showed that among the reference group and possible group, the possible depression group was statistically significant as odds ratio increased to 2.94 times in working 53–60 hours, and 4.35 times in 60 hours or more.

Conclusions

Long work hours have an adverse effect on emotional well-being. A more diversified research towards variables that affect long work hours and emotional well-being and how they interact with each other and their relationship to overall health is imperative.

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Case Report

Multiple chemical sensitivity caused by exposure to ignition coal fumes: a case report: Myeong-Ja Yun, Dong-Mug Kang, Kyoung-Hye Lee, Young-Ki Kim, Jong-Eun Kim; Ann Occup Environ Med 2013;25:32-32. Published online November 1, 2013; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/2052-4374-25-32

Abstract PDF PubReader ePub

Background

Although multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) is a well-known disorder caused by environmental exposures, MCS caused by occupational exposure has been reported in Korea. Therefore, we report a MCS case caused by environmental exposure to ignition coal after a differential diagnosis to exclude other diseases.

Case report

Since 2011, a 55-year-old woman had experienced edema, myalgia, and other symptoms when she smelled ignition coal near her workplace. She had been diagnosed with fibromyalgia syndrome(FMS) and was treated, with no improvement of symptoms. Since then, she showed the same symptoms after exposure to city gas, the smell of burning, and exhaust gas. To avoid triggering substances, she moved to a new house and used an air purifier. She quit her job in November 2012. After visiting our hospital, she underwent a differential diagnosis for FMS, chronic fatigue syndrome, and somatization disorder. She was diagnosed with MCS by the Korean version of the Quick Environment Exposure Sensitivity Inventory (QEESI). She was educated about the disease and to avoid triggering substances. She received ongoing treatment for her symptoms.

Conclusion

This case showed that symptoms began after smelling ignition coal. After that, her triggers was increased such as the smell of city gas, burning, and exhaust gas. This case is the first reported in Korea of MCS due to environmental exposure after ruling out other diseases.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

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