Some circadian rhythms can become disorganized due to rotating shift work. This lack of organization, termed desynchronization, can produce a group of symptoms such as insomnia, GI disturbance and fatigue among many rotating shift workers. The magnitude of these symptoms are influenced by personal and environmental factors and the patterns of shift work. This study was carried out to investigate the subjective symptoms related to rotational schedules of shift work after personal and environmental factors adjusted. 182 male workers in rapidly rotating shift system and 86 male workers in weekly rotating shift system were conducted the questionnaire on personal factors and subjective sleep, GI and fatigue symptoms. Major findings obtained from this study are as follows: 1. The symptoms of 'feeling tired at work' and 'being irritable' were more frequent in weekly rotating shift workers(P<0.05), and the mean of symptom score was significantly higher in weekly rotating shift workers(P<0.01). 2. According to 6 hours of sleeping which is a definite elevation point of fatigue, there was not a significant difference between two groups in sleeping hours. Among workers in rapidly rotating shift system, the mean of symptom score was significantly higher in workers of less than 6 hours of sleeping(P<0.05), but it was not different among weekly rotating shift workers. 3. The symptoms of GI disturbance were more frequent in weekly rotating shift workers but statistically mot significant. 4. The positive rate of mental and physical fatigue symptoms were significantly higher in weekly rotating shift workers(P<0.01) and mental and physical fatigue symptoms were more frequent in them(P<0.01). 5. After the effect of the factors that were significantly different between two groups by X2-test were controlled, the mean score of sleep disturbance was significantly higher in weekly rotating shift workers(P<0.01) and mental physical fatigue symptoms were more frequent in them(P<0.01). Based on these study results, subjective symptoms were more common in the weekly rotating shift workers. In future, medical examination and laboratory test will be also administered to evaluate a more accurate health outcomes and the review of current shift schedules will be required.
Appointments and Schedules ; Circadian Rhythm ; Fatigue ; Humans ; Male ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders

The clinical triad of relapsing iritis, ulcers of the mouth and genitalia was first described in 1939 by Hulusi Behcet. This entity, originally confined to the above triad of symptoms appears to be systemic disease manifested by skin lesion, thrombophlebitis, neurologic, cardiovascular or visceral symptoms. The vascular involvement in Behcet's syndrome has been reported since Mischima first described a case in 1961, four types of vascular lesion are freuqnetly observed most commonly on the inferior or superior vena cava. Treatments consist of anticoagulation and administering oral steroids. We report a case of SVC obstruction in 36 years old female patient with Behcet's syndrome.
Adult ; Behcet Syndrome* ; Female ; Genitalia ; Humans ; Iritis ; Mouth ; Skin ; Steroids ; Thrombophlebitis ; Ulcer ; Vena Cava, Superior

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of VDT work on eyes and vision among workers in a TV manufacturing plant. The study subjects consisted of 264 screen workers and 74 non-screen workers who were less than 40 years old male and had no history of opthalmic diseases such as corneal opacities, trauma, keratitis, etc and whose visual acuity on pre-employment health examination by Han's test chart was 1.0 or above. The screen workers were divided into two groups by actual time for screen work in a day; Group 1, 60 workers, lesser than 4 hours a day and group 11, 204 workers, more than 4 hours a day. From July to October 1992 a questionnaire was administered to all the study subjects for the general charateristics and subjective eye symptoms after which the opthalmologic tests such as visual acuity, spherical equivalent, lacrimal function, ocular pressure, slit lamp test, fundoscopy were conducted by one opthalmologist. The proportion of workers whose present visual acuity was decreased more than 0. 15 in comparison with that on the pre-employment health examination by Han's test chart was 20.6% in Group Ii, 15.0% in Group I and 14.9% in non-screen workers. However, the differences in proportion were not statistically significant. The proportion of workers with decreased visual acuity was not associated with the age, working duration, use of magnifying glass and type of shift work (independent variables) in all of the three groups. However, screen workers working under poor illumination had a higher proportion of persons with decreased visual acuity than those working under adequate illumination (P<0.05). The proportion of workers whose near vision was decreased was 27.5% in Group II, 18.3% in Group I, and 28.4% in non-screen workers and these differences in proportion were not statistically significant. Changes of near vision were not associated with 4 independent variables in all of the three groups. Six out of sever-subjective eye symptoms except tearing were more common in Group I than in non-screen workers and more common in Group II than in Group I (P<0.01). Mean of the total scores for seven subjective symptoms of each worker (2 points for always, 1 point for sometimes, 0 point for never) was not significantly different between workers with decreased visual acuity and workers with no vision change. However, mean of the total scores for Group II was higher than those for the Group I and non-screen workers (P < 0. 01). Total eye symptom scores were significantly correlated with the grade of screen work, use of magnifying glass, and type of shift work. There was no independent variable which was correlated with the difference in visual acuity between the pre-employment health examination and the present state, the difference between far and near visions, lacrimal function, ocular pressure, and spherical equivalent. Multiple linear regression analysis for the subjective eye symptom scores revealed a positive linear relationship with actual time for screen work and shift work(P<0.01). In this study it was not observed that the VDT work decreased visual acuity but it induces subjective eye symptoms such as eye fatigue, blurred vision, ocular discomfort, etc. Maintenance of adequate illumination in the, work place and control of excessive VDT work are recommended to prevent such eye symptoms.
Adult ; Asthenopia ; Corneal Opacity ; Glass ; Humans ; Keratitis ; Lighting ; Linear Models ; Male ; Plants* ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Tears ; Vision, Ocular ; Visual Acuity ; Workplace

PURPOSE: To clarify the short-term effect and long-term results of bronchial arterial embolization forhemoptysis in three groups with tuberculosis, idiopathic bronchiectasis and lung cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS:This study invo l ved 54 patients who underwent arterial embolization for the control of hemoptysis. Among 54, thecauses of hemorrhage were; pulmonary tuberculosis(n=32), idiopathic bronchiectasis (n=15), and lung cancer(n=7).In all patients, em-bolization was performed using Gelfoam particles and three underwent additional coilemboliza-tion. After the procedure, patients were followed up for between 1 and 95 (mean, 36.7) months. Short-termresults were assessed on the basis of careful observation of patients for 1 month after ar-terial embolization andwere classified as either; successful, indicating complete cessation of he-moptysis for 1 month, or failed,indicating continuing hemoptysis or recurrence within 1 month. Long-term results were evaluated in patients inwhom the procedure was successful in the short term and who could be followed up for at least 6 months. Patientsshowed either complete remis-sion(CR), indicating complete cessation of bleeding during the observation period;partial remis-sion(PR), indicating complete cessation of hemoptysis with recurrent bloody sputum during theobservation period; or recurrence, indicating recurrent hemoptysis, and were grouped accordingly. RESULTS: Noserious procedure related complications occurred except for mild chest pain or fever, of which showed spontaneousrelief within a few day s. The overall short-term success rate was 7 9 .6 %(43/54); individual rates were 84.4%for pulmonary tuberculosis (27/32), 80% for idiopathic bronchiectasis (10/15), and 57.1 % for lung cancer (4/7).Long-term follow-up showed that complete remission was achieved in 24 of 43 cases (55.8 %).The respectivelong-term remission and recur-rence rates were 75 % and 25 % for bronchiectasis, 70.4 % and 29.6 % for pulmonarytuberculosis. While four lung cancer patients whose initial outcome was successful showed no recurrence ofhe-moptysis, three died within 3 months of embolization. CONCLUSION: Embolization of bronchial arteries using aGelfoam sponge is effective as initial treat-ment for moderate or severe hemoptysis caused by benign disease.During long-term follow up, high remission rates were achieved in pulmonary tuberculosis and idiopathicbronchiectasis pa-tients, while the shortest bleeding control was in cases involving lung malignancy.
Bronchial Arteries ; Bronchiectasis ; Chest Pain ; Fever ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gelatin Sponge, Absorbable ; Hemoptysis* ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Lung ; Lung Neoplasms ; Porifera ; Recurrence ; Sputum ; Tuberculosis ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary

PURPOSE: To compare the accuracy of initial clinical diagnosis with that of ultrasonography(US) in diagnosingappendicitis and to determine its effect on the care of patients in a community hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and fifty patients with suspected appendicitis were prospectively examined with US. Prior to this,they had been divided into three groups on the basis of clinical judgement regarding diagnosis and their treatmentplan: Group I : high suspicion (probability > 75%) - urgent surgery indicated ; Group II : equivocal (probability25 - 75%) - in hospital for observation, Group III : very unlikely (probability < 25%)- discharge without furthertesting. In order to determine the validity of these groupings, we calculated the sensitivity, specificity, andaccuracy of sonographic examination, and the likelihood ratios of initial clinical diagnosis. RESULTS: USrevealed a sensitivity of 92%, specificity of 90%, positive predictive value of 95%, negative predictive value of85% and overall accuracy of 91%. The initial clinical impression showed a sensitivity of 70%, specificity of 82%,positive predictive value of 89%, negative predictive value of 58%, and overall accuracy of 74%. Among 79 patientsin the high clinical risk category (Group I), the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of US were 96%, 89%, and95%, respectively. Among 71 patients in the low- and intermediate- clinical categories (Groups II and III), thesensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of US were 83%, 90%, and 87%. The likelihood ratios were 3.9 in Group I,0.52 in Group II, and 0.15 in Group III. In 32 of 150 patients (21%), the findings of US led to changes in theproposed management plan. CONCLUSION: The overall accuracy of US in the diagnosis of appendicitis wasstatistically superior to that of the clinician's initial impression (p<0.05). In addition, US played an importantrole in making decisions regarding the treatment plan.
Appendicitis* ; Diagnosis* ; Hospitals, Community* ; Humans ; Prospective Studies ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Ultrasonography

PURPOSE: The focal ossification of auricular cartilage is an unusual clinical entity in which the ear becomes partially or totally rigid and immalleable. This condition may result from cold injury, local trauma, inflammation, or various systemic diseases. Patients may feel mild discomfort, but there are usually no other serious symptoms. We present a case of focal ossification of auricular cartilage in which the cause is unknown. METHODS: A healthy 58-year-old man presented with a 2-year history of hard mass of right posterior auricular area. He denied any precipitating historical events like cold injury and inflammation. Routine testing did not demonstrate systemic abnormalities. Ultrasonographic examination revealed a 22 x 10 x 11 mm sized heterogenous isoechoic mass showing an acoustic shadow. RESULTS: Excisional biopsy was performed under local anesthesia. Histological examination revealed the ossification with deposition of trabecular bone in normal elastic cartilage. The patient was healed without any problems and satisfied with the result. CONCLUSION: We report clinical experience of focal ossification of auricular cartilage, which is quite a rare clinical entity. It should be considered that there is the possibility of ossification of cartilage when it meets the benign mass of the ear.
Acoustics ; Anesthesia, Local ; Biopsy ; Cartilage ; Cold Temperature ; Ear ; Ear Cartilage ; Elastic Cartilage ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Middle Aged

In a TV component manufacturing factory, 102 male workers aged 20~39 years old were participated in testing for physical fitness. At the same time, worker's periodic health examination was done. Test battery for physical fitness include grip strength, trunk flexing, standing long jump, side step, single leg balance with eye close, push ups and Harvard step test. As a result of testing for physical fitness, synthetically, there is no difference between manufacturing workers and officers. By bioelectrical impedance test, it means a declining tendency to all 7 factors in the obese workers, and so, it is important for obese workers not only to promote physical fitness but also to promote health. Excluding grip strength and single leg balance with eye close, 5 fitness factors are negatively associated with degree of diastolic Blood pressure, but it is statistically not significant. And levels of SGOT & SGPT have no association with physical fitness factors.
Alanine Transaminase ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; Blood Pressure ; Electric Impedance ; Exercise Test ; Hand Strength ; Health Promotion ; Humans ; Leg ; Male* ; Physical Fitness* ; Pilot Projects*

Aneurysmal malformation of the portal vein is a rare entity. To our knowledge, only scattered reports ofportal vein aneurysms appear in the literature in English, and there is no previously published report in Korean.We describe a case exhibiting aneurysmal malformation of the extrahepatic portal vein at the hepatic hilum; thefindings demonstrated by ultrasound, CT and angiography are discussed, a review of previously described cases isincluded.
Aneurysm* ; Angiography ; Portal Vein* ; Ultrasonography ; Veins

This study was carried out to assess work ability of manufacturing workers and managerial workers. Subjects were 446 manufacturing workers and 278 managerial workers employed in Gumi industrial complex and the observation period was for 1 month(February to March), 1995. In this study, as a questionnaire for the assessment of work ability, we used the work Ability Index(WAI) which was developed by Institute of Occupational Health in Finland. Major findings obtained from this study were as follows; WAI was poor in lower economic condition, shift work, irregular diet group(p < 0.05). There were no evident trends of WAI in sex, educational level, obesity index, exercise, smoking, and alcohol drinking. In the groups of sensitive to perception of stress, other industrial classification except textile and electronics, the more than 9 hours work, the evident trends of poor WAl were observed(p<0.01). In the groups of 30-39 years old, 40-49 years old, unmarried, high school, shift work, standard body weight, and regular diet, WAl between manufacturing workers and managerial workers was significantly different(p<0.01) and WAI of managerial worker was worse than that of manufacturing worker.
Alcohol Drinking ; Body Weight ; Classification ; Diet ; Finland ; Gyeongsangbuk-do ; Humans ; Obesity ; Occupational Health ; Pilot Projects* ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Single Person ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Textiles

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of percutaneous cholecystostomy (PC) as a therapeutic maneuver for patientswith spontaneous gallbladder (GB) perforation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Ten patients with acute cholecystitis andsuspected GB perforation underwent emergency PC; perforation was documented by means of ultrasound, computedtomography, and/or fluoroscopy. All patients but two had a variety of high risk factors for open cholecystectomy:diabetes mellitus (n=2), cardiac disease (n=2), acute renal failure (n=1), liver cirrhosis (n=1), overwhelmingsepsis (n=1), and age over 80 (n=1). All percutaneous cholecystostomies were performed with ultrasound guidanceand preferably via the transhepatic route. A favorable response to PC was defined as an improvement in clinicalsymptoms and signs or reduction in fever, and return of the WBC to normal within 72 hr of the procedure. RESULTS:All procedures were technically successful, and no major procedure-related complications occurred. Eight patients(80%) responded favorably to PC. One, who did not respond, underwent emergency cholecystectomy next day due toworsening peritonitis, and the other who failed to respond within 72 hr showed delayed response after drainage ofa coexistent liver abscess at seven days after the procedure. A patient who responded to PC experienced catheterdislodgement four days after the procedure but reinsertion was not required. Five of eight patients who respondedpositively underwent elective cholecystectomy after the improvement of clinical symptoms, and the three remainingpatients improved without further surgery. CONCLUSION: For the treatment of patients in whom GB perforation issuspected, PC is a safe and effective alternative to surgical cholecystectomy.
Acute Kidney Injury ; Cholecystectomy ; Cholecystitis ; Cholecystitis, Acute ; Cholecystostomy* ; Drainage ; Emergencies ; Fever ; Fluoroscopy ; Gallbladder* ; Heart Diseases ; Humans ; Liver Abscess ; Liver Cirrhosis ; Peritonitis ; Risk Factors ; Ultrasonography