BACKGROUND: Chemical peels using glycolic acid and tretinoin are known to be safe and effective for treating facial pigmentary lesions. OBJECTIVE: We evaluated and compared the efficacy of tretinoin and glycolic acid peeling for facial pigmentary lesions by using a digital camera and L*a*b* color scale in Adobe Photoshop 5.5(R) METHODS: Thirty eight patients with facial pigmentary lesions were treated with 50% glycolic acid and 1% tretinoin peelings. The treatment was performed 2-3 times per week for a period of 2 weeks and a half. Exposure time was 2 minutes for the glycolic acid and 6 hours for the tretinoin. Before and after the treatment, pigmentary lesions were evaluated using self evaluation forms and the L*a*b* color system (Commission International de I'Eclairage) in Adobe Photoshop 5.5(r) (Adobe Systems Incorporated, USA). Corneometer (Corneometer(r) CM820, Courage Khazaka Electronic GmbH, Germany) was used for the evaluation of skin hydration before and after the treatment. RESULTS: Facial pigmentary lesions were significantly improved in 10 out of 38 patients after 50% glycolic acid peeling and in 12 out of 38 patients after 1% tretinoin peeling. The state of hydration of the treated skin improved significantly after the peeling using both 50% glycolic acid and 1% tretinoin. CONCLUSION: Topical 1% tretinoin peeling is as effective as 50% glycolic acid peeling in the treatment of facial pigmentary lesions and more frequent peeling results in quicker improvement than the previous studies without significant side effects.
Diagnostic Self Evaluation ; Humans ; Skin ; Tretinoin*

BACKGROUND: There were several suicide events of subway drivers in Korea. The aim of this study is to explore work-related factors associated with suicide ideation among subway drivers. METHODS: We analyzed data from 980 male subway drivers. A section of the Korean version of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (K-CIDI 2.1) was administered by trained interviewers to judge whether a driver has suicide ideation and to diagnose psychiatric disorders. A questionnaire was also administered to collect data on sociodemographic characteristics, work environments, occupational stress, person under train (PUT) experience, and work-related problems. Occupational stress was examined by using the Korean Occupational Stress Scale (KOSS). Logistic regression was applied to evaluate the association between work-related factors and suicide ideation among subway drivers. RESULTS: Regarding work-related problems, conflict with passengers and sudden stops due to the emergency bell were significantly associated with suicide ideation. MDD, PTSD, and panic disorder were strongly associated with suicide ideation. In the analysis of occupational stress, insufficient job control (OR 2.34) and lack of reward (OR 2.52) were associated with suicide ideation even after being adjusted for psychiatric disorders and other work-related factors. CONCLUSIONS: Insufficient job control and lack of reward were associated with suicide ideation among subway drivers. Strategies for drivers to have autonomy while working and to achieve effort-reward balance should be implemented. Furthermore, drivers who have experienced negative work-related problems should be managed appropriately.
Emergencies ; Humans ; Korea* ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Panic Disorder ; Railroads* ; Reward ; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic ; Suicide*

PURPOSE: The bedside lung ultrasound in emergency (BLUE) protocol is an excellent diagnostic tool for acute respiratory failures requiring admission to the intensive care unit. We incorporated cardiac ultrasound in the BLUE algorithm because cardiac origin is also necessary to examine in an emergency setting. We studied the usefulness of the emergency department (ED)-BLUE protocol for patients complaining of dyspnea in an emergency department. METHODS: At first, we assessed lung sliding, artifacts (Alines and B-lines), alveolar consolidation and pleural effusion on stage I and II evaluation. Then, we checked heart to detect 3Es (Effusion, Equality, and Ejection fractions). We divided all the possible conditions into 10 categories. We compared it with final diagnosis and examined the agreements using kappa statistics. We compared the physician's level of confidence for the first impression. The 10 categories were: 1) normal or inconclusive, 2) pulmonary embolism, 3) airway disease (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or asthma), 4) pneumothorax, 5) large pleural effusion, 6) alveolar consolidation, 7) acute pulmonary edema due to systolic congestive heart failure, 8) acute respiratory distress syndrome, 9) chronic interstitial lung disease with exacerbation, and 10) pericardial effusion with/without tamponade. RESULTS: This prospective study was performed for 172 patients over 18-years-of-age with dyspnea during a 25-month period. Kappa value between the diagnosis after ED-BLUE and final diagnosis was 0.812(p<0.001). The mean of physician's full term for LOC for the first impression before and after ED-BLUE was 3.09+/-0.83 and 4.36+/-0.70 (paired t-test, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: ED-BLUE protocol could help the emergency physician make an accurate diagnosis in patients with dyspnea in the emergent setting.
Artifacts ; Dyspnea ; Emergencies ; Heart ; Heart Failure ; Humans ; Intensive Care Units ; Lung ; Lung Diseases, Interstitial ; Lung Diseases, Obstructive ; Pericardial Effusion ; Pleural Effusion ; Pneumothorax ; Prospective Studies ; Pulmonary Edema ; Pulmonary Embolism ; Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Adult

Deep penetrating nevus is a distinctive entity first described by Seab et al. in 1989. This is a variant of melanocytic nevus found on the face, the upper part of the trunk, and the proximal part of the limbs of young adults. It is often deeply pigmented with some variegation in color, and it may lead one to a misdiagnosis of blue nevus or malignant melanoma. Histopathologically the lesions are composed of loosely organized nests of slightly to distinctively pleomorphic pigmented cells that deeply penetrated reticular dermis and often extended into the subcutis. There have been no report of deep penetrating nevus in the Korean literature. We report a case of deep penetrating nevus occurring on the chest in a 19-year-old male.
Dermis ; Diagnostic Errors ; Extremities ; Humans ; Male ; Melanoma ; Nevus* ; Nevus, Blue ; Nevus, Pigmented ; Thorax ; Young Adult

Acrokeratoelastoidosis (AKE) is a rare skin disorder initially described by Costa, which is inherited by autosomal dominant, but also may be sporadic. Clinically, it consists of small, firm papules with occasional keratosis or umbilication, characteristically along the margins of hands and feet. Histopathologically, it shows hyperkeratosis, acanthosis in the epidermis and fragmentation and rarefaction of elastic fibers-elastorrhexis-in the dermis. A 32-year-old man presented with multiple papules along the border of the hands and feet, and from histopathology, AKE was diagnosed. Herein we report a case of acrokeratoelastoidosis and review the clinical and histopathologic features, etiology, differential diagnosis and treatment.
Adult ; Dermis ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Epidermis ; Foot ; Hand ; Humans ; Keratosis ; Skin

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to find the prevalence and occupational risk factors for major psychiatric disorders among subway drivers in South Korea. METHODS: Of all 998 current subway drivers, 995 participated in this study. The Korean version of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (K-CIDI 2.1) was administered by trained interviewers to diagnose psychiatric disorders in all participants. The questions on socio-demographic characteristics and working conditions included some questions related to a person under train (PUT) experience and work-related problems. One-year prevalence and lifetime prevalence of major depressive disorder (MDD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and panic disorder were diagnosed through the interview. The standardized prevalence ratios (SPRs) of these three disorders were calculated in the sample of subway drivers using the 2011 Korean National Epidemiologic Survey data as a basis. Multiple logistic regressions were performed to determine the association between work-related factors and the prevalence of the psychiatric disorders. RESULTS: The standardized prevalence ratios (SPRs) for a 1-year prevalence of MDD and PTSD among subway drivers were 1.1 (95% CI 0.7-1.7) and 5.6 (95% CI 3.1-8.8), respectively. Conflict with passengers was significantly associated with an increased risk for both MDD and PTSD in 1-year and in lifetime prevalence. Experiencing a sudden stop due to an emergency bell increased the risk of the lifetime prevalence of MDD (OR 2.61, 95% CI 1.14-6.97) and PTSD (OR 7.53, 95% CI 1.77-32.02). The risk of PTSD significantly increased among drivers who once experienced a near accident in terms of both the 1-year prevalence (OR 8.81, 95% CI 1.96-39.3) and the lifetime prevalence (OR 6.36, 95% CI 2.40-16.90). CONCLUSIONS: PTSD and panic disorder were more prevalent among subway drivers than in the general population. We found that having a conflict with passengers, a near accident, and a breakdown while driving can be risk factors for psychiatric disorders among subway drivers. Therefore, a prompt and sensitive approach should be introduced for these high risk groups within the subway company.
Depressive Disorder, Major ; Emergencies ; Humans ; Korea* ; Logistic Models ; Panic Disorder ; Prevalence ; Railroads* ; Risk Factors ; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic

BACKGROUND: Sleepiness while driving has been regarded as a major cause of death due to traffic accidents. We compared the degree of sleepiness across five different working time periods (first, morning, post-lunch, afternoon, and last) among Korean bus drivers with different shift types (Daily two shift/Alternating day shift). METHOD: We interviewed 332 bus drivers with two shift types (Daily two shift, 128; Alternating day shift, 204). The questionnaire included demographic information (age, alcohol consumption and history of disease), a sleep disorder diagnosed by a doctor, job duration, the number of workdays in the past month, average working hours per workday and week, sleepiness while driving (Karolinska Sleepiness Scale), and sleeping time for both workdays and off-days. We conducted log-binomial regression analyses and produced prevalence ratios (PRs) of severe sleepiness (KSS ≥ 7) while driving with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) to identify the difference in sleepiness for five working times between both groups. RESULTS: For the first and morning periods, there were no statistically significant differences in the KSS scores between the two groups. However, from lunch to last driving, drivers with Alternating day shift had a much larger proportion of severe sleepiness than those on Daily two shift. Thirteen (10.2%), 2 (1.6%) and 7 (5.5%) Daily two shift workers reported severe sleepiness in the post-lunch, afternoon and last periods. In contrast, 81 (39.7%), 63 (30.9%) and 64 (31.4%) of Alternating day shift drivers experienced severe sleepiness during the post-lunch, afternoon and last driving periods (p < 0.0001). According to the log-binomial regression analyses, Alternating day shift was associated with severe sleepiness from lunch to last driving. After adjusting for job duration, alcohol consumption and sleeping time on workdays, the PRs were 3.97 (95% CI: 2.29–6.90) post-lunch, 18.26 (95% CI: 4.51–73.89) in the afternoon and 5.71 (95% CI: 2.51–12.99) for the last driving period. CONCLUSION: We found that Alternating day shift bus drivers suffered from more sleepiness while driving from lunch to last driving than Daily two shift bus drivers. This difference may be because Alternating day shift drivers had more irregular work schedules and longer working hours per day and week.
Accidents, Traffic ; Alcohol Drinking ; Appointments and Schedules ; Cause of Death ; Lunch ; Methods ; Prevalence ; Sleep Wake Disorders

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate factors associated with increased risk of mortality from pneumonia among patients with pneumoconiosis. METHODS: Medical records of 103 pneumoconiosis patients hospitalized for pneumonia were investigated. Seven patients who had lung cancer or other malignancy and 13 patients with insufficient medical record were excluded. Two female patients were excluded due to small number to analyze. The subjects were divided into two groups by clinical outcome of pneumonia, the deceased group and the survival group. The two groups were compared in terms of age, smoking history, episode of recent pneumonia, concomitancy of interstitial fibrosis or fungal ball infection, extent of small opacities, grade of large opacities and results of spirometry. Multiple logistic regression was applied to determine the association between these variables and mortality from pneumonia. RESULTS: The deceased group showed more frequent history of recent pneumonia (p = 0.006), higher prevalence of interstitial fibrosis (p = 0.007) and longer hospitalization period (p = 0.044). The proportion of subjects who had decreased FVC, less than 70 % of predicted value, was higher in the deceased group (p < 0.001). In multiple logistic regression, after adjusting age, smoking history, recent pneumonia, fungal ball, large opacity, profusion and FVC (or FEV1) less than 70 % of predicted value, history of recent pneumonia, concomitancy of interstitial fibrosis, type of pneumoconiosis and fungal ball presented statistically significant association with mortality from pneumonia. CONCLUSIONS: The concomitancy of fungal ball or interstitial fibrosis, history of recent pneumonia within last 90 days, type of pneumoconiosis, FVC less than 70 % of predicted value, FEV1 less than 70 % of predicted value presented statistically significant association with mortality from pneumonia. More attention should be given to patients who have such factors when treating pneumonia with pneumoconiosis.
Female ; Fibrosis ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Lung Neoplasms ; Medical Records ; Mortality* ; Pneumoconiosis* ; Pneumonia* ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors* ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Spirometry

OBJECTIVES: The most common occupational disease that is compensated by Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance (IACI) in Korea is musculoskeletal disease (MSD). Although complaints about the workers' compensation system have been raised by injured workers with MSD, studies that examine workers' experiences with the Korean system are rare. This paper is a qualitative study designed to examine injured workers' experiences with the workers' compensation system in Korea. The aim of this study is to explore the drawbacks of the workers' compensation system and to suggest ways to improve this system. METHODS: All workers from an automobile parts factory in Anseong, GyeongGi province who were compensated for MSD by IACI from January 2003 to August 2013 were invited to participate. Among these 153 workers, 142 workers completed the study. Semi-structured open-ended interviews and questionnaires were administered by occupational physicians. The responses of 131 workers were analyzed after excluding 11 workers, 7 of whom provided incomplete answers and 4 of whom were compensated by accidental injury. Based on their age, disease, department of employment, and compensation time, 16 of these 131 workers were invited to participate in an individual in-depth interview. In-depth interviews were conducted by one of 3 occupational physicians until the interview contents were saturated. RESULTS: Injured workers with MSD reported that the workers' compensation system was intimidating. These workers suffered more emotional distress than physical illness due to the workers' compensation system. Injured workers reported that they were treated inadequately and remained isolated for most of the recuperation period. The compensation period was terminated without ample guidance or a plan for an appropriate rehabilitation process. CONCLUSIONS: Interventions to alleviate the negative experiences of injured workers, including quality control of the medical care institutions and provisions for mental and psychological care for injured workers, are needed to help injured workers return to work earlier and more healthy.
Accidents, Occupational ; Automobiles ; Compensation and Redress ; Employment ; Gyeonggi-do ; Insurance ; Korea ; Musculoskeletal Diseases ; Occupational Diseases ; Occupational Injuries ; Qualitative Research ; Quality Control ; Rehabilitation ; Return to Work ; Sick Leave* ; Workers' Compensation

BACKGROUND: Radial probe endobronchial ultrasound (R-EBUS), is effective for tissue diagnosis of lung lesions. We evaluated the diagnostic performance of R-EBUS both a guide-sheath and fluoroscopy and identified factors associated with accurate diagnosis. The feasibility of molecular and genetic testing, using specimens obtained by R-EBUS, was also investigated. METHODS: The study retrospectively reviewed 211 patients undergoing R-EBUS without a guide-sheath and fluoroscopy, June 2016-May 2017. After excluding 27 patients of which the target lesion was not reached, 184 were finally included. Multivariate logistic regression was used, to identify factors associated with accurate diagnosis. RESULTS: Among 184 patients, R-EBUS-guided biopsy diagnosed malignancy in 109 patients (59%). The remaining 75 patients (41%) with non-malignant results underwent additional work-ups, and 34 were diagnosed with malignancy. Based on final diagnosis, diagnostic accuracy was 80% (136/170), and sensitivity and specificity for malignancy were 76% (109/143) and 100% (27/27), respectively. In multivariate analysis, peripheral location (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 3.925; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.203–12.811; p=0.023), and central position of the probe (aOR, 2.435; 95% CI, 1.424–7.013; p=0.035), were associated with accurate diagnosis of malignancy. Molecular and genetic analyses were successful, in all but one case, with inadequate specimens. CONCLUSION R-EBUS-guided biopsy without equipment, is effective for tissue diagnosis. Peripheral location and central position of the radial probe, were crucial for accurate diagnosis. Performance of molecular and genetic testing, using samples obtained by R-EBUS, was satisfactory.