Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

Research Article

Risk factors associated with mortality from pneumonia among patients with pneumoconiosis: Bum Seak Jo, Jongin Lee, YounMo Cho, Junsu Byun, Hyoung Ryoul Kim, Jung Wan Koo, Jun Pyo Myong; Ann Occup Environ Med 2016;28:19. Published online April 7, 2016; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40557-016-0103-6

Background

The aim of this study was to evaluate factors associated with increased risk of mortality from pneumonia among patients with pneumoconiosis.

Methods

Medical records of 103 pneumoconiosis patients hospitalized for pneumonia were investigated. Seven patients who had lung cancer or other malignancy and 13 patients with insufficient medical record were excluded. Two female patients were excluded due to small number to analyze. The subjects were divided into two groups by clinical outcome of pneumonia, the deceased group and the survival group. The two groups were compared in terms of age, smoking history, episode of recent pneumonia, concomitancy of interstitial fibrosis or fungal ball infection, extent of small opacities, grade of large opacities and results of spirometry. Multiple logistic regression was applied to determine the association between these variables and mortality from pneumonia.

Results

The deceased group showed more frequent history of recent pneumonia (p = 0.006), higher prevalence of interstitial fibrosis (p = 0.007) and longer hospitalization period (p = 0.044). The proportion of subjects who had decreased FVC, less than 70 % of predicted value, was higher in the deceased group (p < 0.001). In multiple logistic regression, after adjusting age, smoking history, recent pneumonia, fungal ball, large opacity, profusion and FVC (or FEV₁) less than 70 % of predicted value, history of recent pneumonia, concomitancy of interstitial fibrosis, type of pneumoconiosis and fungal ball presented statistically significant association with mortality from pneumonia.

Conclusions

The concomitancy of fungal ball or interstitial fibrosis, history of recent pneumonia within last 90 days, type of pneumoconiosis, FVC less than 70 % of predicted value, FEV₁ less than 70 % of predicted value presented statistically significant association with mortality from pneumonia. More attention should be given to patients who have such factors when treating pneumonia with pneumoconiosis.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Co-occurrence of pneumoconiosis with COPD, pneumonia and lung cancer
N T Rayens, E A Rayens, R M Tighe
Occupational Medicine.2022; 72(8): 527. CrossRef
Influenza and pneumonia knowledge level and vaccination status of pneumoconiosis patients
Yusuf Samir HASANLI, Meral TÜRK, Emin ERDEM
Acta Medica Alanya.2022; 6(3): 263. CrossRef
Immunity Testing as a Stage of Forming the Immunocompromised Occupational Cohort for Vaccination against Pneumococcal Disease
TV Bushueva, NA Roslaya, AN Varaksin, MS Gagarina, OV Shirokova, AS Shastin, EP Artemenko, YuV Shalaumova, MS Vedernikova, AK Labzova
ЗДОРОВЬЕ НАСЕЛЕНИЯ И СРЕДА ОБИТАНИЯ - ЗНиСО / PUBLIC HEALTH AND LIFE ENVIRONMENT.2021; : 78. CrossRef
Immunological Risk Factors for Community-Acquired Pneumonia in Chrysotile Asbestos Workers
TV Bushueva, NA Roslaya, AV Ankudinova, AV Somova, AN Varaksin, AS Shastin, EP Artemenko, MS Vedernikova, AK Labzova, YuV Gribova, MS Gagarina
ЗДОРОВЬЕ НАСЕЛЕНИЯ И СРЕДА ОБИТАНИЯ - ЗНиСО / PUBLIC HEALTH AND LIFE ENVIRONMENT.2020; : 79. CrossRef
Association between Occupational and Radiological Factors and Nontuberculous Mycobacteria Lung Infection in Workers with Prior Dust Exposure
Ji-Won Lee, Jun-Pyo Myong
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.2019; 16(11): 1966. CrossRef

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Original Article

The Assessment of Pulmonary Function in Dental Technicians: Kyoung Han Kim, Jong In Lee, Min Choi, Jun Pyo Myong, Yong Sang Park, Tae Won Jang, Jung Wan Koo; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2012;24(4):356-364. Published online December 31, 2012; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2012.24.4.356

Abstract PDF: OBJECTIVES
Dental technicians are exposed to various toxic materials in the workplace. The objectives of this study were to assess the pulmonary function of dental technicians and to evaluate the association between work-related factors and pulmonary function of dental technicians.
METHODS
Study subjects were 209 dental technicians in the Korean Dental Technologist Association. A self-report questionnaire including general characteristics, respiratory symptoms, and work-related characteristics was conducted on study subjects, and a pulmonary function test (PFT) was done. Study subjects were classified into two groups(normal and abnormal pulmonary function) based on the pulmonary function test (PFT).
RESULTS
43 subjects (20.6%) among 209 subjects had abnormal pulmonary function. After adjusting for general characteristics such as age, sex, past medical history, familial history, and smoking status, the odds ratio for work duration (per year) was 1.42(95% confidence interval (CI) 1.14~1.83). After adjusting for general and work-related characteristics, the odds ratio for work duration (per year) was 1.48(95% CI 1.18~1.92).
CONCLUSIONS
Dental technicians are exposed to hazardous materials, which might lead to abnormal pulmonary function. A long work duration could increase exposure time, thereby increasing the chance for abnormal pulmonary function. Therefore, pulmonary function tests should be carried out periodically in dental technicians to ensure their pulmonary health.

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Case Report

A Case of Epilepsy and Assessments of Fitness for Work: Kyoung Han Kim, Min Choi, Se Eun Kim, Tae Won Jang, Hyoung Ryoul Kim, Jung Wan Koo; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2012;24(3):287-293. Published online September 30, 2012; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2012.24.3.287

Abstract PDF: BACKGROUND
Epilepsy affects an individual's ability to work as well as their daily activities. Patients with epilepsy have difficulties in finding and maintaining jobs, and they may not have opportunities to perform adequately. Therefore, evaluation of work-fitness is important for patients with epilepsy. In this report, the authors reviewed a case of epilepsy and discussed aspects of the case for evaluation of work-fitness.
CASE
REPORT: A 43-year-old man with epilepsy visited the hospital for evaluation of work-fitness. His job consisted of forklift driving and crane operation using a remote control. As a seizure attack could threaten worker's safety, we recommended a job change. The employer refused to approve a job change due to the company's circumstances, so we recommended several conditions, including continuous medication, use of protective equipment, restriction of night-shift work, restriction of strenuous exercise, and profound sleep. An epilepsy event occurred during the follow-up period, prompting his company to evaluate his work. There were frequent movements of forklift operations and workers in the workplace, so we recommended restriction of forklift driving and a job change if possible. As a result, the employer changed his job and we recommended "capable of performing work without any conditions".
CONCLUSION
For evaluation of work-fitness in patients with epilepsy, adequate job analysis, assessment of patient's medical conditions, and interviews of coworker and employers should be conducted. It is also important to let the employer make the best decision in terms of the patient's health and coworker's safety.

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Case Report

A Case of Sarcoidosis in a Stonemason Exposed to Crystalline Silica: Young Seung Cho, Kyeong Yeon Kim, Hyoung Gyu Yoon, Jung Wan Koo; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2012;24(2):189-194. Published online June 30, 2012; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2012.24.2.189

Abstract PDF: BACKGROUND
Sarcoidosis is a systemic granulomatous disease that can affect any organ, the exact cause of which is uncertain. Currently, investigations of crystalline silica improve the mechanism how it works the course of autoimmune diseases and some hypothesis supports that it also can attribute to sarcoidosis.
CASE
REPORT: The patient was a 53-year-old male, who works as a stonemason for 30 years. Sarcoidosis was suspected based on his chest X-ray and CT(Computed tomography). A biopsy was performed and he was indeed diagnosed with sarcoidosis.
CONCLUSION
It is thought that sarcoidosis is more prevalent in the people who work at places with a risk of exposure to crystalline silica. This case suggests that if a patient gets sarcoidosis after being exposed to crystalline silica, or after once being diagnosed with silicosis, his or her sarcoidosis may have occurred due to exposure to crystalline silica.

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Original Article

Influence of Job Stress Change on Body Mass Index (BMI) and Waist Circumference among Male White-Collar Workers: A Two-Year Longitudinal Study: Jiwon Kim, Hyoung Ryoul Kim, Se Eun Kim, Sung Mi Jang, Jung Wan Koo; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2012;24(2):180-188. Published online June 30, 2012; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2012.24.2.180

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