Background: This study aimed to develop standard job categories for constructing a job-exposure matrix (JEM) for police officers in South Korea and to evaluate their applicability. Methods: We examined standard job codes related to police personnel management and compared them with job classifications from police publications. Using R Shiny, we developed a web-based search tool for standard codes. A pilot survey of 130 police officers assessed the codes' applicability and relevance to health-related hazardous factors. Results: Eighty-seven standard functional codes used in the police personnel management system POOL were organized into minor categories as the basic units of standard jobs. These were grouped into 20 sub-major categories and further consolidated into 10 major categories to develop the standard job codes. The responses to the standard job codes in the pilot survey were 75% accurate compared with the final expert evaluation results and 99.2% accurate compared with the algorithm-based automatic allocation results. The results of the job-hazardous factor network analysis revealed that the most frequently reported hazardous factor was emotional labor, followed by night shifts and electromagnetic waves. Emotional labor was identified as the top hazardous factor in six out of the nine standard job categories. Conclusions The standard job codes developed in this study were designed in connection with the personnel management system for police officers, making them well-suited for constructing a comprehensive JEM for the entire police force.

Objectives: This study investigated factors influencing intentional self-harm in Chungcheongbuk Province (hereinafter, Chungbuk) compared to Seoul in the Republic of Korea. Methods: Raw data from the Discharge In-depth Injury Survey conducted by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency were utilized. From 2,329,149 cases recorded over 9 years (2013–2021), 911 were identified as intentional self-harm cases (248 from Chungbuk and 633 from Seoul). We analyzed the differences in and influencing factors of intentional self-harm in Chungbuk relative to Seoul using the independent sample t-test, chi-square test, and binomial logistic regression analysis. Results: Intentional self-harm was found to be 1.232 times more prevalent among females than males (p < 0.05); 2.327 times more prevalent among middle-aged and older adults, ages 50 to 64, compared to those under 50 years old (p < 0.01); 8.603 times more prevalent among those using hospitals with fewer than 500 beds compared to those with 500 beds or more (p < 0.001);2.412 times more prevalent among individuals using hospitals in different regions compared to those within the same region (p < 0.01); 2.217 times more prevalent among those attempting intentional self-harm during daily activities compared to other specified activities (p < 0.01);and 6.987 times more prevalent among those using pesticides or herbicides compared to other poisons (p < 0.001) in Chungbuk relative to Seoul. Conclusion In the Chungbuk region, intentional self-harm prevention programs should be implemented, specifically targeting women, particularly those aged 50 to 64. Additionally, due to the high incidence of intentional self-harm involving pesticides or herbicides in Chungbuk, these substances should be stringently monitored to restrict access.

Objectives: This study investigated factors influencing intentional self-harm in Chungcheongbuk Province (hereinafter, Chungbuk) compared to Seoul in the Republic of Korea. Methods: Raw data from the Discharge In-depth Injury Survey conducted by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency were utilized. From 2,329,149 cases recorded over 9 years (2013–2021), 911 were identified as intentional self-harm cases (248 from Chungbuk and 633 from Seoul). We analyzed the differences in and influencing factors of intentional self-harm in Chungbuk relative to Seoul using the independent sample t-test, chi-square test, and binomial logistic regression analysis. Results: Intentional self-harm was found to be 1.232 times more prevalent among females than males (p < 0.05); 2.327 times more prevalent among middle-aged and older adults, ages 50 to 64, compared to those under 50 years old (p < 0.01); 8.603 times more prevalent among those using hospitals with fewer than 500 beds compared to those with 500 beds or more (p < 0.001);2.412 times more prevalent among individuals using hospitals in different regions compared to those within the same region (p < 0.01); 2.217 times more prevalent among those attempting intentional self-harm during daily activities compared to other specified activities (p < 0.01);and 6.987 times more prevalent among those using pesticides or herbicides compared to other poisons (p < 0.001) in Chungbuk relative to Seoul. Conclusion In the Chungbuk region, intentional self-harm prevention programs should be implemented, specifically targeting women, particularly those aged 50 to 64. Additionally, due to the high incidence of intentional self-harm involving pesticides or herbicides in Chungbuk, these substances should be stringently monitored to restrict access.

Objectives: This study investigated factors influencing intentional self-harm in Chungcheongbuk Province (hereinafter, Chungbuk) compared to Seoul in the Republic of Korea. Methods: Raw data from the Discharge In-depth Injury Survey conducted by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency were utilized. From 2,329,149 cases recorded over 9 years (2013–2021), 911 were identified as intentional self-harm cases (248 from Chungbuk and 633 from Seoul). We analyzed the differences in and influencing factors of intentional self-harm in Chungbuk relative to Seoul using the independent sample t-test, chi-square test, and binomial logistic regression analysis. Results: Intentional self-harm was found to be 1.232 times more prevalent among females than males (p < 0.05); 2.327 times more prevalent among middle-aged and older adults, ages 50 to 64, compared to those under 50 years old (p < 0.01); 8.603 times more prevalent among those using hospitals with fewer than 500 beds compared to those with 500 beds or more (p < 0.001);2.412 times more prevalent among individuals using hospitals in different regions compared to those within the same region (p < 0.01); 2.217 times more prevalent among those attempting intentional self-harm during daily activities compared to other specified activities (p < 0.01);and 6.987 times more prevalent among those using pesticides or herbicides compared to other poisons (p < 0.001) in Chungbuk relative to Seoul. Conclusion In the Chungbuk region, intentional self-harm prevention programs should be implemented, specifically targeting women, particularly those aged 50 to 64. Additionally, due to the high incidence of intentional self-harm involving pesticides or herbicides in Chungbuk, these substances should be stringently monitored to restrict access.

Objectives: This study investigated factors influencing intentional self-harm in Chungcheongbuk Province (hereinafter, Chungbuk) compared to Seoul in the Republic of Korea. Methods: Raw data from the Discharge In-depth Injury Survey conducted by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency were utilized. From 2,329,149 cases recorded over 9 years (2013–2021), 911 were identified as intentional self-harm cases (248 from Chungbuk and 633 from Seoul). We analyzed the differences in and influencing factors of intentional self-harm in Chungbuk relative to Seoul using the independent sample t-test, chi-square test, and binomial logistic regression analysis. Results: Intentional self-harm was found to be 1.232 times more prevalent among females than males (p < 0.05); 2.327 times more prevalent among middle-aged and older adults, ages 50 to 64, compared to those under 50 years old (p < 0.01); 8.603 times more prevalent among those using hospitals with fewer than 500 beds compared to those with 500 beds or more (p < 0.001);2.412 times more prevalent among individuals using hospitals in different regions compared to those within the same region (p < 0.01); 2.217 times more prevalent among those attempting intentional self-harm during daily activities compared to other specified activities (p < 0.01);and 6.987 times more prevalent among those using pesticides or herbicides compared to other poisons (p < 0.001) in Chungbuk relative to Seoul. Conclusion In the Chungbuk region, intentional self-harm prevention programs should be implemented, specifically targeting women, particularly those aged 50 to 64. Additionally, due to the high incidence of intentional self-harm involving pesticides or herbicides in Chungbuk, these substances should be stringently monitored to restrict access.

Objectives: This study investigated factors influencing intentional self-harm in Chungcheongbuk Province (hereinafter, Chungbuk) compared to Seoul in the Republic of Korea. Methods: Raw data from the Discharge In-depth Injury Survey conducted by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency were utilized. From 2,329,149 cases recorded over 9 years (2013–2021), 911 were identified as intentional self-harm cases (248 from Chungbuk and 633 from Seoul). We analyzed the differences in and influencing factors of intentional self-harm in Chungbuk relative to Seoul using the independent sample t-test, chi-square test, and binomial logistic regression analysis. Results: Intentional self-harm was found to be 1.232 times more prevalent among females than males (p < 0.05); 2.327 times more prevalent among middle-aged and older adults, ages 50 to 64, compared to those under 50 years old (p < 0.01); 8.603 times more prevalent among those using hospitals with fewer than 500 beds compared to those with 500 beds or more (p < 0.001);2.412 times more prevalent among individuals using hospitals in different regions compared to those within the same region (p < 0.01); 2.217 times more prevalent among those attempting intentional self-harm during daily activities compared to other specified activities (p < 0.01);and 6.987 times more prevalent among those using pesticides or herbicides compared to other poisons (p < 0.001) in Chungbuk relative to Seoul. Conclusion In the Chungbuk region, intentional self-harm prevention programs should be implemented, specifically targeting women, particularly those aged 50 to 64. Additionally, due to the high incidence of intentional self-harm involving pesticides or herbicides in Chungbuk, these substances should be stringently monitored to restrict access.

Background: Nasal swabs and saliva samples are being considered alternatives to nasopharyngeal swabs (NPSs) for detecting severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2); however, few studies have compared the usefulness of nasal swabs, NPSs, and saliva samples for detecting SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory virus infections. We compared the positivity rates and concentrations of viruses detected in nasal swabs, NPSs, and saliva samples using cycle threshold (Ct) values from real-time PCR tests for respiratory viruses. Methods: In total, 236 samples (48 five-rub and 10 10-rub nasal swabs, 96 NPSs collected using two different products, 48 saliva swabs, and 34 undiluted saliva samples) from 48 patients (34 patients with SARS-CoV-2 and 14 with other respiratory virus infections) and 40 samples from eight healthy controls were obtained. The PCR positivity and Ct values were compared using Allplex Respiratory Panels 1/2/3 and Allplex SARS-CoV-2 real-time PCR. Results: NPSs showed the lowest Ct values (indicating the highest virus concentrations); however, nasal and saliva samples yielded positive results for SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory viruses. The median Ct value for SARS-CoV-2 E gene PCR using nasal swab samples collected with 10 rubs was significantly different from that obtained using nasal swabs collected with five rubs (Ct=24.3 vs. 28.9; P=0.002), but not from that obtained using NPSs. Conclusions Our results confirm that the NPS is the best sample type for detecting respiratory viruses, but nasal swabs and saliva samples can be alternatives to NPSs. Vigorously and sufficiently rubbed nasal swabs can provide SARS-CoV-2 concentrations similar to those obtained with NPSs.

Objective: Disruptive behavior disorder (DBD) adversely impacts children and adolescents. However, a comprehensive and cost-effective scale to assess DBD is lacking in Korea. Therefore, this study translated the Disruptive Behavior Disorders Rating Scale (DBDRS) into Korean and analyzed its psychometric properties. Methods: Parents and primary caregivers of non-clinical (n=429) and clinical (n=28) children and adolescents aged 6–15 years were included in the analysis. Confirmatory factor analysis was conducted; further, concurrent validity and internal consistency were investigated using correlation analysis and Cronbach’s alpha, respectively. Furthermore, discriminative capacity was estimated using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. Results: The four-factor model of K-DBDRS showed good model fit indices and factor loadings, which supported the construct validity of the scale. Strong correlations between K-DBDRS and related measurements were observed, and a robust level of Cronbach’s alpha was confirmed (0.891–0.933). The discriminative capacity of the scale was good, based on the area under the curve values (0.933–0.953). Conclusion This study indicated that the K-DBDRS is an appropriate screening tool for Korean children and adolescents. Thus, this scale can be applied in clinical and community settings to identify children and adolescents with disruptive behavior disorders.

The Sézary syndrome is a leukemic form of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma characterized by the presence of erythroderma covering at least 80% of the body-surface area, lymphadenopathy, and the presence of clonally related neoplastic T cells with cerebriform nuclei (Sézary cells) in the blood, skin, and lymph nodes. Hypereosinophilia can be caused by hematologic malignancy with clonal abnormality, which is often associated with Sézary syndrome. Sézary syndrome has rarely been reported in Korea. However, hypereosinophilia in the Sézary syndrome has not been reported in Korea. Here, we report a case of 75-year-old man with hypereosinophila, erythroderma, and cutaneous T-cell lymphoma which was finally diagnosed as Sézary syndrome.

Objective: Although accurate diagnosis in neurologic emergencies is critical, the emergency department (ED) suffers from a shortage of neurologists. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a dedicated neurologist on the competence in the management of ED physicians on patients with neurologic abnormalities. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients with neurologic abnormalities between 1 March 2016 and 30 September 2019. Two periods, including control and intervention periods, were assigned. Neurology consultations were routinely performed by an ED physician in the control period and by a physician of the ED working with a dedicated neurologist in the intervention period. Results: In the control period, the most frequent chief complaints were dizziness (22.45%), focal motor weakness (except the face, 19.62%), altered mental status (9.98%), dysarthria (9.62%), seizures (8.57%), and headaches (6.87%). In the intervention period, the rate of final disposition by the ED physician was significantly increased in patients with dizziness (P<0.001), altered mental status (P=0.003), dysarthria (P<0.001), seizure (P<0.001), headaches (P<0.001), facial palsy (P<0.001), and memory impairment (P=0.043). Conclusion ED physicians who were educated by a dedicated neurologist could effectively enhance the competence in the management of the patient with neurologic abnormalities. We suggest that the method implemented in this study can be a good alternative for solving the gap in neurology department consultation.