OBJECTIVES: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease involving the upper and lower motor neuron of the brain and spinal cord, leading ultimately to death due to respiratory failure in most cases. The etiology of ALS is currently unknown, but several studies show that lead exposure might be one of the potential environmental causes of ALS. In this perspective, we introduce a case involving an ALS patient exposed to lead while maintaining mechanical equipment in a waste treatment plant. METHODS: The patient was interviewed and his medical records were investigated to confirm the final diagnosis of ALS. The results of his health examination and working environment measurement were reviewed in order to evaluate the relation of his work with ALS. We also performed an analysis of lead concentration from samples taken from his workplace when we visited the plant to survey the work environment. RESULTS: Based on the patient's clinical information, work environment, relatively high level of blood lead concentration, and several studies proposing the occupational relationship between lead and ALS, his ALS may possibly have been caused by lead exposure at his workplace. CONCLUSIONS: Given the recent situation where the causal association between lead exposure and ALS is still unclear, this case report could be used as a basis to support the relevance of lead exposure with ALS, and to help improve the health and work environment of other workers who are likely to be exposed to lead.
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis ; Brain ; Humans ; Medical Records ; Motor Neurons ; Neurodegenerative Diseases ; Occupational Exposure ; Plants ; Respiratory Insufficiency ; Spinal Cord

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.
Autoimmune Diseases ; Biopsy ; Crystallins ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pneumoconiosis ; Sarcoidosis ; Silicon Dioxide ; Silicosis ; Thorax

OBJECTIVES: To reveal the influence of job stress change on body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference in white-collar male workers. METHODS: A total of 277 male workers in a Korean R&D company were enrolled between 2008 and 2010. Baseline and follow-up data were collected with structured self-administered questionnaires and anthropometric measurements by nurses. The questionnaire survey included general and work-related characteristics and the Korean Occupational Stress Scale-Short Form (KOSS-SF). The job stress scores in each examination were dichotomized at the median values for the Korean workers and categorized into four groups as follows: Group I: Both low job stress (2008, 2010), Group II: High job stress (2008) & low job stress (2010), Group III: Low job stress (2008) & high job stress (2010), Group IV: Both high job stress (2008, 2010). Multiple logistic regression modeling was used to determine the influence of job stress change on BMI and waist circumference. RESULTS: The adjusted odds ratio for the change in waist circumference above the 75th percentile for Group IV in 'job demand' increased more than in Group I (OR = 2.54 95% CI=1.06~5.55). Also, Group IV in 'job demand' has higher odds ratio for change in BMI above the 75th percentile than Group I (OR=2.25 95% CI=1.01~5.00). Adjusted odds ratios comparing Group II to Group I for the change in waist circumference above the 75th percentile were 0.36 (95% CI=0.15~0.87) in 'inadequate social support', 0.12 (95% CI=0.02~0.98) in 'lack of reward', 0.25 (95% CI=0.08~0.80) in 'total score', respectively. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that sustained high job control is a risk factor for abdominal obesity and weight gain. Also, diminished job stress has a negative influence on change in abdominal obesity. Further studies are required to establish job stress intervention plans.
Body Mass Index ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Longitudinal Studies ; Male ; Obesity, Abdominal ; Odds Ratio ; Questionnaires ; Risk Factors ; Waist Circumference ; Weight Gain

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to investigate the risk of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and its related factors among firefighters dispatched to the rescue sites after the Great Japanese Earthquake in 2011. METHODS: Among 104 male firefighters dispatched to rescue sites after the Great Japanese Earthquake, 73 firefighters were assessed. The 73 firefighters completed questionnaires, which include general characteristics, an impact of event scale-revised Korean version (IES-R-K), a coping checklist, a scale of perceived social support, and a post-traumatic stress diagnostic scale (PDS). The data was analyzed to find factors related to PTSD risk. RESULTS: The mean value of age and work tenure in this study were 38.6 years (SD=5.7) and 11.6 years (SD=6.0), respectively. The number and rate of the PTSD high-risk group in dispatched firefighters in this study was 7 cases and 9.6% using IES-R-K, with an over 25-point cutoff score. The mean rank of tenure, 53.5 in the PTSD high-risk group (n=7), was significantly higher than that of 32.2 in the PTSD low-risk group (n=66). The mean rank of assessable support, 20.2 in the PTSD high-risk group was significantly lower than that of 38.7 in the PTSD low-risk group. In logistic analysis of model 1 including PDS in independent variables, were associated with being a PTSD high-risk group as in the following: higher PDS score (OR 2.18, 95% CI: 1.07~4.46), longer tenure (OR 3.42, 95% CI: 1.01~11.89), more using coping method (OR 1.35, 95% CI: 1.00~1.81), and lower perceptions of social support (OR 0.84, 95% CI: 0.72~0.97). In logistic analysis of model 2 without PDS in independent variables, more using coping method (OR 1.14, 95% CI: 1.01~1.28) and lower perceptions of social support (OR 0.95, 95% CI: 0.91~0.98) were associated with being a PTSD high-risk group. CONCLUSION: The PTSD high-risk group in dispatched firefighters indicated that their odds ratios were increased when they used more coping methods under specific stress conditions and had lower perceptions of social support. Therefore, for those, who might be dispatched to overseas, the psychological support approach should be considered to produce effective coping methods against traumatic events and to be aware of abundant resources for social support regarding the problem.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Checklist ; Earthquakes ; Firefighters ; Humans ; Male ; Odds Ratio ; Questionnaires ; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic

OBJECTIVES: This study was performed to analyze the factors that have been meaningful in recognizing cerebrovascular and cardiovascular diseases in manufacturing sector workers as work-related diseases, since amendment of Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance Act on July 1st, 2008, and provide information to establish an objective standard. METHODS: We examined 359 claims of cerebrovascular and cardiovascular diseases which were presented as occupational diseases from January 1st, to December 31th, 2010, collecting Industrial Accident Compensation data from the six Provincial Committees for work-related disease decision. We analyzed the approval rate and odds ratio of the general characteristics, past medical history and work-related information, by using univariate logistic regression. In addition, we confirmed the factors that have effects on when approving work-related diseases by using multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: Overall, 92 claims out of the 359 claims were recognized as worked-related diseases with an approval rate of 25.6%. Because of accidental situations such as altercation, cold environments, fire etc., only 12 cases were approved. In addition, due to short-term overwork such as outdoor work in cold environments, only 18 cases were approved. Sixty-two cases were approved for chronic overwork. On chronic overwork, the approval rate was not significantly different in univariate logistic regression in gender, age, claimed disease, survival or death, smoker or non-smoker, or associated disease. However, factory size and, average working time for last one week and average working time for last four weeks were significantly. In the multivariate logistic regression analyzed, adjusted for age and sex, we found that the factors in approving cerebrovascular and cardiovascular disease as work-related disease were average working time for the last four weeks and factory size. CONCLUSION: We concluded that there has been a great deal of subjective judgements when approving cerebrovascular and cardiovascular diseases to be occupational diseases. Therefore, objective criteria should be established, especially with regard to the approval of work-related cerebrovascular and cardiovascular diseases and working hours.
Accidents, Occupational ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Cold Temperature ; Compensation and Redress ; Fires ; Insurance ; Logistic Models ; Occupational Diseases ; Odds Ratio ; Workers' Compensation

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate the job stress level of post-graduate students in schools of natural sciences and engineering in order to evaluate the relationship between temperament, character and job stress. METHODS: All the 254 subjects were interviewed by means of a structured questionnaire, KOSS-SF and TCI-RS. Among them, only 220 were eligible for analysis. Statistical methods used included chi-square test, independent t-test, Mann Whitney test, ANOVA test, correlation analysis and multiple linear regression analysis with PASW ver.18. RESULTS: Age, degree course, working hours per week, work tenure, smoking habits, exercise, and disease history were associated with job stress and hours worked per week, smoking being associated with TCI-RS subscales. For job demand, interpersonal conflict scores were higher than Korean standard. In multiple linear regression analyses, R2 scores of temperament subscales on job stress were 0.099~0.312 and those of character subscales on job stress were 0.056~0.249. CONCLUSIONS: Job stress was associated with the unique traits of individuals, temperament and character. In order to manage job stress, the personality, as well as work environment, was found to be important considerations.
Humans ; Linear Models ; Natural Science Disciplines ; Questionnaires ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Temperament

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to develop a program applying participatory action-oriented training (PAOT) methods for the management of cardiovascular disease risk factors and to assess its effectiveness in the workplace. METHODS: The cardiovascular disease risk factors of 817 workers in the workplace were assessed, and periodic health examination was conducted. Sixty-four workers (7.8%) were selected as a moderate-risk group and high risk group, and performed the participatory approach program for cardiovascular disease preventive management. RESULTS: The sixty-four workers who participated in the participatory approach program made a total of 246 action plans, 3.8 action plans per person and 115 action plans were achieved after three months, so that 46.7% of action plans have been achieved. In the intervention group that participated in the program, the rate of smoking decreased from 36.2% to 8.6% and systolic and diastolic blood pressure significantly decreased from 140.0+/-9.4 mmHg to 134.2+/-12.3 mmHg and from 92.6+/-7.1 mmHg to 80.0+/-9.8 mmHg respectfully. In addition, risk factor score also decreased by 0.3, whereas the control group who did not participate in the program also showed a significant reduction in the mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Regular exercise increased from 8.5% to 16.0%. CONCLUSIONS: To improve the effectiveness of the participatory approach program for the management of cardiovascular disease risk factors, the need to continues implementing programs and analysis of the long-term effects are required.
Blood Pressure ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Humans ; Risk Factors ; Smoke ; Smoking

OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to investigate problem drinking and analyze factors associated with alcohol use among female firefighters, as well as to provide useful data for management of alcohol use by female firefighters. METHODS: The study includeed 1,587 female firefighters from throught Koea. Data were collected from June to July in 2008 using self-administered questionnaires including a general questionnaire, work related questionnaire, the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), the Korean Occupational Stress Scale Short Form (KOSS-26), and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CESD). Among 1,263 female firefighters (75.6%) surveyed, the results of 1,084 qualified questionnaires (70.5%) were analyzed using the chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, and multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: The prevalence of problem drinking (AUDIT score > or =8) in female firefighters was 12.5%. Multiple logistic analysis showed that being single, smoking and depression were correlated with problem drinking. Single female firefighter, present smokers and individuals positive for symptoms of depression had OR values of 2.11, 17.58 and 1.76, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Three factors were found to influnce the occurrence of problem drinking. Accordingly, smoking related education, counseling to cope effectively with depression and health promotion programs that consider psychological effects of job stress are needed to reduce work related factors that lead to problem drinking by female firefighters.
Counseling ; Depression ; Drinking ; Drinking Behavior ; Epidemiologic Studies ; Female ; Firefighters ; Health Promotion ; Humans ; Phosphatidylethanolamines ; Prevalence ; Questionnaires ; Smoke ; Smoking

OBJECTIVES: A growing body of evidence states that vitamin D deficiencies may adversely affect cardiovascular disease, however data from Korean workers are lacking. The purpose of this study was to investigate the vitamin D level of the Korean worker and the relationship between vitamin D levels and the Framingham Risk Score. METHODS: 11,448 male workers who visited a university hospital for health screening between March 2010 and August 2011, were enrolled in the study. We measured their of serum vitamin D(25(OH)D) levels and calculated their Framingham Risk Score. RESULTS: The mean serum vitamin D(25(OH)D) level of the surveyed workers was 13.03+/-6.47 ng/mL. 12.4% of the total workers had adequate vitamin D levels. It was found that the lower the vitamin D level, the higher the risk of cardiovascular disease. The Framingham Risk Score and vitamin D levels were found to be significantly related (OR=1.39, 95% CI 1.14~1.68) through a multivariate logistic regression analysis. CONCLUSIONS: 87.6% of workers possessed inappropriate vitamin D levels. Management for this high risk group in regards to cardiovascular disease should be included in the evaluation and vitamin D levels should be corrected.
Cardiovascular Diseases ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Mass Screening ; Risk Factors ; Vitamin D ; Vitamin D Deficiency ; Vitamins

BACKGROUND: In Korea, the only case of occupational erythema multiforme was found to be due to Bolivian rosewood, but there has been no case due to occupational chemicals in the manufacturing industry. Here, we report a case of erythema multiforme caused by dichlone and 3,3'-dichlorobenzidine(DCB) in a dye worker. CASE REPORT: We report a 43-year-old male worker manifesting erythema multiforme-like skin lesions during the DCB synthesis, The patient's dermatitis was relieved when he avoided the process, and it became aggravated when he restarted his work. Patch and prick tests confirmed positive irritant reactions to two chemicals. CONCLUSION: This case was diagnosed as erythema multiforme based on clinical manifestations. Symptoms worsened upon exposure to chemicals while avoiding exposure improved symptoms. Skin test results showed that dichlone and 3,3'-dichlorobenzidine induced irritant reactions. We assume that erythema multiforme occurring in workers is an occupational skin disease likely caused by dichlone and 3,3'-dichlorobenzidine.
3,3'-Dichlorobenzidine ; Adult ; Dermatitis ; Dermatitis, Contact ; Erythema ; Erythema Multiforme ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Naphthoquinones ; Skin ; Skin Diseases ; Skin Tests