Objectives: The landscape of work environments has undergone rapid transformation in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aims to identify oral health issues among mobile platform workers, analyze the risk factors within their working environment, and promote their oral health. Methods: A purposive sampling approach was employed to select fifteen participants, including replacement drivers, delivery drivers, and delivery couriers/messengers operating within Seoul’s mobile platform workforce. In-depth interviews were conducted between August and November 2023, with all sessions recorded and transcribed. Utilizing grounded theory methodology, data analysis progressed through stages of open coding, axial coding, and selective coding, ultimately leading to the construction of a paradigm model. Results: The majority of participants were male (93.3%), with an average age of 58.7 years. The paradigm model revealed low tooth brushing rates among mobile platform workers. This phenomenon was attributed to a poor brushing environment and a lack of willingness to brush, with the related context being the poor working environment. Intervention conditions included support for tooth brushing, oral health education, and oral examinations. Implementing an action-interaction strategy, which involves problem-solving pathways and a strong motivation to improve, resulted in improved tooth brushing rates. Conclusions To promote the oral health of mobile platform workers, it is essential to improve the environment for tooth brushing, particularly by increasing the availability of restrooms and related facilities as brushing spaces. Additionally, It is necessary to develop oral health policies and implement interventions based on an understanding of the working environment of mobile platform workers.

BACKGROUND: Osteoporosis is becoming major health problem in old age and menopausal women, and osteoarthritis is most common joint disease in both ages. The inverse relationship between osteoporosis and osteoarthritis was first noticed 20years ago. However the subject had not been studied in korea. Thus, our objectives is to examine the influence of osteoarthritis on bone density measurements. METHODS: The study group consisted of 120 women, aged over 40 years, who visited for health examination in Health Center of Poondang Jesaeng general hospital from October 1998 to April 1999. Bone mineral density(BMD) of the lumar spine was measured, using dual energy X ray absorptiometry(Lunar, Expert XL), and lateal lumbar spine radiograph was taken. Severity of osteoarthritis were scored on osteophytes, disk space narrowing and vertebral body sclerosis. RESULTS: Postmenopausal women had signifcantly lower BMD than premenopausal women(p<0.001). Age(r= 0.545, p<0.001), body mass index(r=0.264, p<0.01) and education(r=0.284, p<0.01) were significantly correlated with BMD, but smoking, exercise, radiogrphic OA variables not correlated. However, stepwise multiple regression analysis using osteoporosis related variables and OA variables is indicated that menopausal status, body mass index, age, osteophytes were significantly associated factor with BMD, and lumbar osteophytes explained 2.7% of variation in lumbar spine BMD. CONCLUSION: We conclude that, among women, lumbar BMD is highier in those with osteophytosis of the lumbar spine. The effect is largely directed by osteophytes being included in the BMD measurement.
Body Mass Index ; Bone Density* ; Female ; Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Joint Diseases ; Korea ; Osteoarthritis* ; Osteophyte ; Osteoporosis ; Sclerosis ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Spine*

BACKGROUND: A considerable portion of patients in primary care are thought to have mental disorders in Korea. But they are not easily noticed and are thus underdiagnosed and approached improperly. This study was done to assess the prevalence of common mental disorders in a hospital-based family practice and to evaluate the utility of a diagnostic tool, the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ). METHODS: Ten or more patients each day were systematically selected in family practice clinics for two weeks in a university and a community hospital-based family practice clinics in Seoul, Korea. Routine care was delivered as a control during the first week and the PHQ was administered to patients during the second week and the physicians were allowed to review the PHQ just before making clinical decisions. Physicians were asked to answer whether they recognized patients' with mental disorders before reviewing the PHQ. RESULTS: The prevalence of mental disorders was higher in the test group than the control except for eating disorders and other anxiety disorders (P <0.05)(test vs. control group): major depressive disorders 1.75% vs. 3.8%, other depressive disorders 6.8% vs. 11.4%, panic disorders 0.6% vs. 2.3, somatoform disorders 3% vs. 5%, alcohol abuse 2.2% vs. 8.7%, and any mental disorders 20.9% vs. 29.4%. In the test group, the percentage (95% confidence interval in parenthesis) of newly diagnosed mental disorders after physicians' review of the PHQ were 66% (49~82) in major depressive disorders, 70% (50~90) in panic disorders, 70% (56~83) in somatoform disorders, 84% (75~92) in alcohol abuse, and 68% (62~74) in any mental disorders. Patients' response to the PHQ was overall very receptive. CONCLUSION: One-week prevalence of common mental disorders in the hospital-based family practice was 29.4% and the PHQ tool was efficient to help the family physicians recognize hidden mental disorders.
Alcoholism ; Anxiety Disorders ; Confidence Intervals ; Depressive Disorder ; Depressive Disorder, Major ; Diagnosis ; Eating Disorders ; Family Practice* ; Humans ; Korea* ; Medical History Taking ; Mental Disorders* ; Panic Disorder ; Physicians, Family ; Prevalence* ; Primary Health Care ; Seoul ; Somatoform Disorders ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the current status of periodontal disease programs implemented by public health centers in the Republic of Korea. Methods: An explanatory survey was conducted by the Ministry of Health and Welfare from October to November 2023. The survey focused on the periodontal programs and the implementation status across different stages. Distributed and collected via Google Forms, the survey targeted 196 oral health teams within public health centers in Korea. A total of 109 public health centers responded to the study questionnaire, yielding a participation rate of 55.6%. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, version 26. Results: A majority of periodontal disease programs were implemented exclusively by oral health teams, with a rate of 33.0%. The implementation rate of collaboration with home-visiting health teams was 17.4% and with other teams was 10.1%. The implementation rates of periodontal management across stages were as follows: 11.9% for periodontal examination, 18.3% for periodontal treatment, and 11.9% for sustainable periodontal care. Conclusions Periodontal disease programs are predominantly conducted by oral health teams with limited collaboration across other health teams. Additionally, periodontal management activities, such as examinations and treatments, remain insufficient. Integration between oral health teams and other health teams within public health centers or private dental clinics should be improved.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the current status of periodontal disease programs implemented by public health centers in the Republic of Korea. Methods: An explanatory survey was conducted by the Ministry of Health and Welfare from October to November 2023. The survey focused on the periodontal programs and the implementation status across different stages. Distributed and collected via Google Forms, the survey targeted 196 oral health teams within public health centers in Korea. A total of 109 public health centers responded to the study questionnaire, yielding a participation rate of 55.6%. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, version 26. Results: A majority of periodontal disease programs were implemented exclusively by oral health teams, with a rate of 33.0%. The implementation rate of collaboration with home-visiting health teams was 17.4% and with other teams was 10.1%. The implementation rates of periodontal management across stages were as follows: 11.9% for periodontal examination, 18.3% for periodontal treatment, and 11.9% for sustainable periodontal care. Conclusions Periodontal disease programs are predominantly conducted by oral health teams with limited collaboration across other health teams. Additionally, periodontal management activities, such as examinations and treatments, remain insufficient. Integration between oral health teams and other health teams within public health centers or private dental clinics should be improved.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the current status of periodontal disease programs implemented by public health centers in the Republic of Korea. Methods: An explanatory survey was conducted by the Ministry of Health and Welfare from October to November 2023. The survey focused on the periodontal programs and the implementation status across different stages. Distributed and collected via Google Forms, the survey targeted 196 oral health teams within public health centers in Korea. A total of 109 public health centers responded to the study questionnaire, yielding a participation rate of 55.6%. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, version 26. Results: A majority of periodontal disease programs were implemented exclusively by oral health teams, with a rate of 33.0%. The implementation rate of collaboration with home-visiting health teams was 17.4% and with other teams was 10.1%. The implementation rates of periodontal management across stages were as follows: 11.9% for periodontal examination, 18.3% for periodontal treatment, and 11.9% for sustainable periodontal care. Conclusions Periodontal disease programs are predominantly conducted by oral health teams with limited collaboration across other health teams. Additionally, periodontal management activities, such as examinations and treatments, remain insufficient. Integration between oral health teams and other health teams within public health centers or private dental clinics should be improved.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the current status of periodontal disease programs implemented by public health centers in the Republic of Korea. Methods: An explanatory survey was conducted by the Ministry of Health and Welfare from October to November 2023. The survey focused on the periodontal programs and the implementation status across different stages. Distributed and collected via Google Forms, the survey targeted 196 oral health teams within public health centers in Korea. A total of 109 public health centers responded to the study questionnaire, yielding a participation rate of 55.6%. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, version 26. Results: A majority of periodontal disease programs were implemented exclusively by oral health teams, with a rate of 33.0%. The implementation rate of collaboration with home-visiting health teams was 17.4% and with other teams was 10.1%. The implementation rates of periodontal management across stages were as follows: 11.9% for periodontal examination, 18.3% for periodontal treatment, and 11.9% for sustainable periodontal care. Conclusions Periodontal disease programs are predominantly conducted by oral health teams with limited collaboration across other health teams. Additionally, periodontal management activities, such as examinations and treatments, remain insufficient. Integration between oral health teams and other health teams within public health centers or private dental clinics should be improved.

PURPOSE: Cardiac troponin T (cTnT), a useful marker for diagnosing acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in the general population, is significantly higher than the usual cut-off value in many end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients without clinically apparent evidence of AMI. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical usefulness of cTnT in ESRD patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two hundred eighty-four ESRD patients with ACS were enrolled between March 2002 and February 2008. These patients were followed until death or June 2009. Medical records were reviewed retrospectively. The cut-off value of cTnT for AMI was evaluated using a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. We calculated Kaplan-Meier survival curves, and potential outcome predictors were determined by Cox proportional hazard analysis. RESULTS: AMIs were diagnosed in 40 patients (14.1%). The area under the curve was 0.98 in the ROC curve (p<0.001; 95% CI, 0.95-1.00). The summation of sensitivity and specificity was highest at the initial cTnT value of 0.35 ng/mL (sensitivity, 0.95; specificity, 0.97). Survival analysis showed a statistically significant difference in all-cause and cardiovascular mortalities for the group with an initial cTnT > or =0.35 ng/mL compared to the other groups. Initial serum cTnT concentration was an independent predictor for mortality. CONCLUSION: Because ESRD patients with an initial cTnT concentration > or =0.35 ng/mL have a poor prognosis, it is suggested that urgent diagnosis and treatment be indicated in dialysis patients with ACS when the initial cTnT levels are > or =0.35 ng/mL.
Acute Coronary Syndrome/blood/complications/*diagnosis/mortality ; Aged ; Biological Markers/blood ; Female ; Humans ; Kidney Failure, Chronic/blood/complications/*diagnosis/mortality ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Troponin T/*blood

Sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis(SEP) is now a well-recognised, but uncommon complication of chronic ambulatory peritoneal dialysis(CAPD). The etiology is unclear, but SEP is believed to be multifactorial. The most important factors seem to be the length of time on peritoneal dialysis and previous episodes of peritonitis. Anorexia, nausea, vomiting, weight loss, abdominal pain, and a reduction of the ability of the peritoneum to act as a dialyzing membrane are the usual presenting problems. We experienced one case of SEP presenting a huge pseudocyst in the patient of end stage renal failure on the maintenance hemodialysis for 5 years, even though he had a history of CAPD for 5 years. So we report this case with review of the literature.
Abdominal Pain ; Anorexia ; Humans ; Membranes ; Nausea ; Peritoneal Dialysis ; Peritoneal Dialysis, Continuous Ambulatory ; Peritoneum ; Peritonitis* ; Renal Dialysis* ; Renal Insufficiency* ; Vomiting ; Weight Loss

BACKGROUND: Diamond Blackfan anemia (DBA), characterized by impaired red cell production, is a rare condition that is usually symptomatic in early infancy. The purpose of this study was to assess nationwide experiences of DBA encountered over a period of 20 years. METHODS: The medical records of 56 patients diagnosed with DBA were retrospectively reviewed from November 1984 to July 2010. Fifteen institutions, including 13 university hospitals, participated in this study. RESULTS: The male-to-female ratio of patients with DBA was 1.67:1. The median age of diagnosis was 4 months, and 74.1% were diagnosed before 1 year of age. From 2000 to 2009, annual incidence was 6.6 cases per million. Excluding growth retardation, 38.2% showed congenital defects: thumb deformities, ptosis, coarctation of aorta, ventricular septal defect, strabismus, etc. The mean hemoglobin concentration was 5.1+/-1.9 g/dL, mean corpuscular volume was 93.4+/-11.6 fL, and mean number of reticulocytes was 19,700/mm3. The mean cellularity of bone marrow was 75%, with myeloid:erythroid ratio of 20.4:1. After remission, 48.9% of patients did not need further steroids. Five patients with DBA who received hematopoietic transplantation have survived. Cancer developed in 2 cases (3.6%). CONCLUSION: The incidence of DBA is similar to data already published, but our study had a male predilection. Although all patients responded to initial treatment with steroids, about half needed further steroids after remission. It is necessary to collect further data, including information regarding management pathways, from nationwide DBA registries, along with data on molecular analyses.
Anemia ; Anemia, Diamond-Blackfan ; Aortic Coarctation ; Bone Marrow ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Diamond ; Erythrocyte Indices ; Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular ; Hemoglobins ; Hospitals, University ; Humans ; Incidence ; Korea ; Male ; Medical Records ; Registries ; Reticulocytes ; Retrospective Studies ; Steroids ; Strabismus ; Thumb ; Transplants