Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

Original Article

Association between ambient particulate matter levels and hypertension: results from the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study: Sewhan Na, Jong-Tae Park, Seungbeom Kim, Jinwoo Han, Saemi Jung, Kyeongmin Kwak; Ann Occup Environ Med 2023;35:e51. Published online December 4, 2023; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/aoem.2023.35.e51

Abstract Abstract in Korean PDF Supplementary Material PubReader ePub: Background
Recently, there has been increasing worldwide concern about outdoor air pollution, especially particulate matter (PM), which has been extensively researched for its harmful effects on the respiratory system. However, sufficient research on its effects on cardiovascular diseases, such as hypertension, remains lacking. In this study, we examine the associations between PM levels and hypertension and hypothesize that higher PM concentrations are associated with elevated blood pressure.
Methods
A total of 133,935 adults aged ≥ 40 years who participated in the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study were analyzed. Multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to investigate the short- (1–14 days), medium- (1 and 3 months), and long-term (1 and 2 years) impacts of PM on blood pressure. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to evaluate the medium- and long-term effects of PM on blood pressure elevation after adjusting for sex, age, body mass index, health-related lifestyle behaviors, and geographic areas.
Results
Using multiple linear regression analyses, both crude and adjusted models generated positive estimates, indicating an association with increased blood pressure, with all results being statistically significant, with the exception of PM levels over the long-term period (1 and 2 years) in non-hypertensive participants. In the logistic regression analyses on non-hypertensive participants, moderate PM₁₀ (particulate matter with diameters < 10 μm) and PM_2.5 (particulate matter with diameters < 2.5 μm) levels over the long-term period and all high PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 levels were statistically significant after adjusting for various covariates. Notably, high PM_2.5 levels of the 1 year exhibited the highest odds ratio of 1.23 (95% confidence interval: 1.19–1.28) after adjustment.
Conclusions
These findings suggest that both short- and long-term exposure to PM is associated with blood pressure elevation.; 대기 중 미세먼지 농도와 고혈압과의 연관성: 한국인유전체역학조사사업 자료를 기반으로
목적
환경보건에서 대기 중 미세먼지 농도의 중요성이 갈수록 커지고 있으나 아직 미세먼지 농도와 고혈압과의 연관성에 대한 연구 결과가 충분하지 못하여 확실한 결론을 내리기 어려운 상황에 처해있다. 본 연구는 대기 중 미세먼지 노출과 혈압 상승의 상관관계를 밝히는 데에 목적을 두고 있다.
방법
본 연구는 질병관리청 국립보건연구원에서 담당하고 있는 한국인유전체역학조사사업 코호트와 대기오염 모니터링 자료가 연계된 데이터에서 추출한 133,935 명을 대상으로 하였다. 다중선형 회귀분석과 로지스틱 회귀분석을 수행하여 대기 중 미세먼지 농도와 혈압 수준과의 상관관계를 평가하였다.
결과
다중선형 회귀분석에서는 성별, 나이 등과 같은 공변수들을 보정하기 전과 후 모두 통계적으로 유의하게 미세먼지 농도가 증가할수록, 혈압이 상승하였다. 로지스틱 회귀분석에서 고혈압의 오즈비(odds ratio; OR)는 높은 대기 중 미세먼지 농도에 노출된 참여자들에서 통계적으로 유의하게 증가한 반면, 중등도의 미세먼지 농도에 노출된 참여자들에서는 노출기간에 따라 결과가 달라지는 양상을 보였다.
결론
본 연구의 결과는 대기 중 미세먼지 노출이 고혈압 위험도 증가와 관련될 수 있음을 시사한다.

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Original Article

Sunlight exposure and eye disorders in an economically active population: data from the KNHANES 2008-2012: Junhyeong Lee, Ui-Jin Kim, Yongho Lee, Eunseun Han, Seunghon Ham, Wanhyung Lee, Won-Jun Choi, Seong-Kyu Kang; Ann Occup Environ Med 2021;33:e24. Published online July 16, 2021; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/aoem.2021.33.e24

Abstract Abstract in Korean PDF PubReader ePub

Background

Sunlight exposure is a major risk factor for eye disorders. Most outdoor workers cannot avoid sunlight exposure. This study aimed to analyze the relationship between outdoor sunlight exposure and eye disorders in an economically active population.

Methods

This study analyzed the 2008–2012 Korea National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey data. Sunlight exposure was categorized as < 5 hours and > 5 hours. We also analyzed the dose-dependent relationship between exposure to sunlight and eye disorders (cataracts, pterygium, and age-related macular degeneration [AMD]) using data from 2010 to 2012 by subdividing the exposure groups into < 2 hours, 2–5 hours, and ≥ 5 hours. Eye disorders were diagnosed by an ophthalmologist. The study participants were stratified by sex, and the results were analyzed using the χ² test and multiple logistic regression analysis.

Results

In the female group, the odds ratio of pterygium in the high-level sunlight exposure group was 1.47 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.15–1.89). Regarding AMD, the odds ratios were 1.42 (95% CI: 1.16–1.73), 1.33 (95% CI: 1.03–1.73), and 1.58 (95% CI: 1.15–2.16) in the total, male, and female groups, respectively. Analysis of the dose-response relationship revealed that the odds ratios of pterygium in the high-level sunlight exposure subgroups of the total and female groups were 1.62 (95% CI: 1.25–2.08) and 2.00 (95% CI: 1.39–2.88), respectively.

Conclusions

This study demonstrated a relationship between sunlight exposure and eye disorders in an economically active population. Women were found to be especially vulnerable to pterygium. However, additional prospective studies to clarify the pathophysiology of pterygium are needed.

경제활동인구의 햇빛노출과 안질환:2008-2012 국민건강영향조사 자료 분석
목적
햇빛 노출은 안질환의 주된 위험인자이며, 일반 인구집단에서 안질환 유병률과의 관련이 잘 알려져 있다. 옥외작업자는 자신의 의지로 햇빛 노출을 피할 수 없을 가능성이 높다. 본 연구는 경제활동인구의 옥외 햇빛 노출과 안구 질환의 관계를 분석하는 것을 목적으로 하였다.
방법
이 연구는 2008-2012년 국민건강영양조사 자료를 집계하여 사용하였다. 햇빛 노출은 5시간 미만과 5시간 이상 노출 그룹으로 세분화되었으며, 2010-2012년 자료를 활용해 2시간 미만, 2-5시간, 5시간 이상 노출 그룹으로 세분화하여 양-반응 관계 분석을 시행하였다. 안질환은 안과의사에 의해 진단되었다. 연구 참여 집단을 성별로 층화하여 카이제곱 분석과 다중 로지스틱 회귀분석을 시행하였다.
결과
여성 집단에서 햇빛 고노출군의 익상편 유병 오즈비는 1.47 (95% CI=1.15-1.89)이었다. 나이관련황반변성의 경우 전체 집단에서 유병 오즈비는 1.42(95% CI=1.16-1.73), 남성 집단에서 1.33 (95% CI=1.03-1.73), 여성 집단에서 1.58 (95% CI=1.15-2.16)이었다. 양-반응 관계 분석 결과 햇빛 고노출군에서 전체 집단의 익상편 유병 오즈비는 1.62 (95% CI=1.25-2.08)이었고, 여성 집단에서는 2.00(95% CI=1.39-2.88)이었다.
결론
본 연구는 몇 가지 제한점이 있지만 경제활동인구에서의 햇빛 노출과 안질환 유병률에 대한 관계에 대한 정보를 제공한다. 특히 익상편의 경우 여성이 더 취약한 것으로 나타났는데, 발병기전을 고려한 전향적 연구 등의 추가적인 연구가 필요하다.

Citations

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Research Article

Factors affecting heat-related diseases in outdoor workers exposed to extreme heat: Jungsun Park, Yangho Kim, Inbo Oh; Ann Occup Environ Med 2017;29:30. Published online June 29, 2017; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40557-017-0183-y

Abstract PDF PubReader ePub

Background

The objectives of the present study are to: (i) evaluate the effect of environmental and metabolic heat on heat-related illnesses in outdoor workers; and (ii) evaluate the effect of personal factors, including heat acclimation, on the risk of heat-related illnesses in outdoor workers.

Methods

We identified 47 cases of illnesses from exposure to environmental heat in outdoor workers in Korea from 2010 to 2014, based on review of workers’ compensation data. We also obtained the information on location, time, and work environment of each heat-related illness.

Results

Our major results are that 29 cases (61.7%) occurred during a heat wave. Forty five cases (95.7%) occurred when the maximum estimated WBGT (WBGTmax) was equal to or greater than the case specific threshold value which was determined by acclimatization and metabolic rate. Twenty two cases (46.8%) were not acclimated to the heat. Thirty-seven cases (78.7%) occurred after tropical night (temperature above 25 °C), during which many people may find it hard to sleep.

Conclusion

Personal risk factors such as heat acclimation as well as environmental factors and high metabolic rate during work are the major determinants of heat-related illnesses.

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