The carpal tunnel syndromes is one of the most common peripheral nerve entrapment syndromes. The typical symptoms are pain, numbness and paresthesia in the median nerve territory of the hand. Recently, it is widely recognized that occupational factor is regarded as the important cause of the carpal tunnel syndrome. Clinical study is performed in the 42 female workers who is repetitively working at packing department in a rayon manufacturing factory from November 1991 till March 1992. The study included a questionnaire, physical examinations, and the neurophysiological test. The summary of the results obtained was as follows: 1. Among 42 packing workers, 9 workers(21.4%) were diagnosed as carpal tunnel syndrome by electromyography. The affected side was bilateral in 4 workers(9.5%), right in 4 workers(9.5%), and left in one worker(2.4%). 2. Among 42 subjects, 28 workers(66.7%) complained the clinical symptoms related to carpal tunnel syndrome, 11 workers(26.2%) showed positive Phalen sign, and 7 workers(16.7%) showed positive Tinel sign. 3. Researchers regard electromyographic finding as the gold standard for diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome. The sensitivity and specificity of the clinical symptoms to diagnose the carpal tunnel syndrome were 0.89, 0.39 respectively. If the carpal tunnel syndrome is diagnosed by the combination of the positive findings of the symptoms and the physical examinations, either Tinel of Phalen sign, the sensitivity and specificity were 0.67 and 0.76 respectively. Considering above results, though this small number of worker is not adequate for epidemiologic conclusions, carpal tunnel syndrome seems to be an important occupational disorder among packing workers in a rayon manufacturing factory.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome* ; Diagnosis ; Electromyography ; Female ; Fibrinogen ; Hand ; Humans ; Hypesthesia ; Median Nerve ; Occupations ; Paresthesia ; Peripheral Nerves ; Physical Examination ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Sensitivity and Specificity

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical features of dry eye in thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO) according to disease activity and analyze the related factors. METHODS: This study included 157 patients diagnosed with TAO and dry eye between March 2009 and March 2015. According to the clinical activity score (CAS), TAO patients were divided into inactive (CAS < 3) and active (CAS ≥ 3) groups. Clinical features included age, sex, visual acuity, proptosis, palpebral fissure width, orbital computed tomography (CT) findings, thyroid hormones, and ocular surface parameters including tear film break-up time (TFBUT), Schirmer tests, keratoepitheliopathy scores, and ocular surface disease index (OSDI) were obtained and compared between the groups. In addition, correlations between clinical features and ocular surface parameters were analyzed in both groups. RESULTS: In the inactive and active TAO groups, CAS was 1.24 ± 0.69 and 4.23 ± 1.13, respectively (p = 0.001). Thyrotropin-binding inhibitory immunoglobulin was significantly higher in the active TAO group than in the inactive TAO group (p = 0.048). On orbital CT, extraocular muscle hypertrophy was more common in the active TAO group than the inactive TAO group (p = 0.020). No significant difference was found in age, sex, visual acuity, free T4, and thyroid-stimulating hormone between the two groups. During analysis of the tear film and ocular surface parameters, TFBUT (p = 0.006) was shorter and OSDI score (p = 0.028) was higher in the active TAO group than the inactive TAO group. TFBUT was negatively correlated with proptosis (r = -0.432, p = 0.001; r = -0.308, p = 0.032) and palpebral fissure width (r = -0.367 p = 0.012; r = -0.312, p = 0.031) in both groups. OSDI was positively correlated with proptosis in the active TAO group (r = 0.301, p = 0.033). CONCLUSIONS: TFBUT was shorter and OSDI score higher in dry eye patients with active TAO than in patients with inactive TAO. The TFBUT was negatively correlated with proptosis and palpebral fissure width in both groups.
Exophthalmos ; Graves Ophthalmopathy* ; Humans ; Hypertrophy ; Immunoglobulins ; Orbit ; Tears ; Thyroid Hormones ; Thyrotropin ; Troleandomycin ; Visual Acuity

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical features of dry eye in thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO) according to disease activity and analyze the related factors. METHODS: This study included 157 patients diagnosed with TAO and dry eye between March 2009 and March 2015. According to the clinical activity score (CAS), TAO patients were divided into inactive (CAS < 3) and active (CAS ≥ 3) groups. Clinical features included age, sex, visual acuity, proptosis, palpebral fissure width, orbital computed tomography (CT) findings, thyroid hormones, and ocular surface parameters including tear film break-up time (TFBUT), Schirmer tests, keratoepitheliopathy scores, and ocular surface disease index (OSDI) were obtained and compared between the groups. In addition, correlations between clinical features and ocular surface parameters were analyzed in both groups. RESULTS: In the inactive and active TAO groups, CAS was 1.24 ± 0.69 and 4.23 ± 1.13, respectively (p = 0.001). Thyrotropin-binding inhibitory immunoglobulin was significantly higher in the active TAO group than in the inactive TAO group (p = 0.048). On orbital CT, extraocular muscle hypertrophy was more common in the active TAO group than the inactive TAO group (p = 0.020). No significant difference was found in age, sex, visual acuity, free T4, and thyroid-stimulating hormone between the two groups. During analysis of the tear film and ocular surface parameters, TFBUT (p = 0.006) was shorter and OSDI score (p = 0.028) was higher in the active TAO group than the inactive TAO group. TFBUT was negatively correlated with proptosis (r = -0.432, p = 0.001; r = -0.308, p = 0.032) and palpebral fissure width (r = -0.367 p = 0.012; r = -0.312, p = 0.031) in both groups. OSDI was positively correlated with proptosis in the active TAO group (r = 0.301, p = 0.033). CONCLUSIONS: TFBUT was shorter and OSDI score higher in dry eye patients with active TAO than in patients with inactive TAO. The TFBUT was negatively correlated with proptosis and palpebral fissure width in both groups.
Exophthalmos ; Graves Ophthalmopathy* ; Humans ; Hypertrophy ; Immunoglobulins ; Orbit ; Tears ; Thyroid Hormones ; Thyrotropin ; Troleandomycin ; Visual Acuity

In this paper, we report a case of bilateral inferior and middle turbinate agenesis, a rare anomaly. A 27-year-old woman presented with nasal obstruction, crust formation, anosmia, and foul odors. Anterior rhinoscopic examination revealed the absence of the middle and inferior turbinates on both sides. The patient had no history of nasal or sinus surgery. She denied over having expelled anything of significance from her nasal cavity. She had no history of infectious disease-including tuberculosis and syphilis, granuolomatous diseases, sarcoids, Wegener's disease, and radiation therapy. There have been few reports on bilateral turbinate agenesis.
Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Nasal Cavity ; Nasal Obstruction ; Odors ; Olfaction Disorders ; Rhinitis ; Rhinitis, Atrophic* ; Syphilis ; Tuberculosis ; Turbinates*

In this paper, we report a case of bilateral inferior and middle turbinate agenesis, a rare anomaly. A 27-year-old woman presented with nasal obstruction, crust formation, anosmia, and foul odors. Anterior rhinoscopic examination revealed the absence of the middle and inferior turbinates on both sides. The patient had no history of nasal or sinus surgery. She denied over having expelled anything of significance from her nasal cavity. She had no history of infectious disease-including tuberculosis and syphilis, granuolomatous diseases, sarcoids, Wegener's disease, and radiation therapy. There have been few reports on bilateral turbinate agenesis.
Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Nasal Cavity ; Nasal Obstruction ; Odors ; Olfaction Disorders ; Rhinitis ; Rhinitis, Atrophic* ; Syphilis ; Tuberculosis ; Turbinates*

In order to provide some basic data for the control of air water pollution in Korea, the suthors have estimated the amount of air and water pollutant emitted from industries which are employed over 20 employes. This study have done from July 1, 1972 to the end March 1973. The results are as follows: 1. Total number of establishments tith over 20 employees is 5,197 in Korea and the largest gorup establishments was the manufacturing of texttiles with 1,363 establishments(26.2%). 2. By order of number of employees it was observed that there 2,800 industries with 20-59(53.9%) employees, 1,101 with 50-99(21.2%), 571 with 100-199(11.0%), 501 with 200-499(9.6%) and 225with over 500(4.3%) respectively. 3. By order of regional distribution, it was observed that there were 2,257 industries in Seoul (43.3%) and 736 industries in Pusan(14.2%). 4. Industrial coal consumption was 596,154 M/T in 1972, but it'11 be 315,000 M/T in 1980, Fuel consumption was 4,972,000 K1 in 1972, and estimated volume will be 19,3700,000 K1 in 1980. 5. Ttotal amounts of air polutants emitted from industris by fuel combustion were sulfur oxides 79,459 tons, carbon monoxide 33,908 tons, particulate 31,304 tons and hydrocarbon 30,280 tons in 1972 but in 1990 there will be sulfur oxides 1,010,474 tons, nitrogen oxides 204,575 tons, carbon monoxide 68,014 tons, particulate 64,820 tons and hydrocarbon 67,622 tons, respectively. 6. Annual emitted air pollutants through the working processes were sulfur oxides 91,250 tons and nitrogen oxides 32,485 tons in 1972, but sulfur oxieds 118,625 tons and nitrogen oxides 42,555 tons will be present in 1980, respectively. 7. Annual emitted air pollutants by national unit area amounted to 0.77 tons/km2/year in 1965 and 14.7 ton/km2/year in 1980. 8. Total industrial wastes from all industries in Korea were estimated at 810,360 tons/day in 1972; manufacturing of chemicals and plastic products showed the highest amount of wastes at 470,000 tons/day. 9. The amounts of water pollutants due to industrial wastes were the .B.O.D., 471.5 tons/day,suspended solid 331.5 tons/day, CN, 2.3 tons/day, and Cr. 3. 4 tons/day in 1972, but it might be evident of a B.O.D of 3.388 tons/day, suspended solid 2,544 tons/day, CN 20.1 tons/day, and 26.5 tons/day in 1990. 10. Total population equivalent of B.O.D. was 943,000 in 1972, and the estimated value in 1990 will be6, 780, 000.
Air Pollutants ; Carbon Monoxide ; Coal ; Industrial Waste ; Korea* ; Nitrogen Oxides ; Plastics ; Seoul ; Sulfur ; Sulfur Oxides ; Water Pollutants* ; Water Pollution

The objective of this study were to evaluate a correlation between airborne benzene concentrations and urinary muconic acid and to evaluate that between airborne benzene concentrations and urinary phenol concentrations. The high performance chromatographic method was used to measure the muconic acid concentrations in urine samples collected from 69 workers exposed to benzene and 155 non-exposed workers. The time weighted average benzene concentrations in breathing zone of workers were also determined. The physical examination and blood counts (hemoglobin, hematocrit, red blood cell, and white blood cell) were made for both workers exposed to benzene and control group. The results are as follows; 1. The geometric mean of airborne benzene concentrations for all workers was 2.0ppm (0.1-56.9ppm). The mean airborne benzene concentration of workers in adhesive tape manufacturing industry was 12.2ppm (8.3-56.9ppm), which was the highest by type of industry. 2. The geometric mean concentration of muconic acid in urine from male workers exposed to benzene was 3.9 mg/l (0.8-40.8 mg/l), which was significantly higher than that of non-exposed workers. The highest muconic acid concentration was indicated in the workers at the adhesive tape manufacturing industry. 3. There was a significant difference between the mean concentration of muconic acid of workers exposed to airborne benzene concentration of 5-10 pm and that of workers exposed to concentrations below 5 ppm. The urinary muconic acid concentration were correlated with airborne benzene concentration for workers (r=0.85). However there was no significant correlation between urinary phenol concentrations and airborne benzene concentrations. 4. The correlation coefficients between the urinary muconic acid concentration and airborne benzene concentration, urinary phenol concentration, exposure dose(airborne benzene concentration x work duration) and white blood cell were 0.85, 0.74, 0.63 and -0.33, respectively.
Adhesives ; Benzene* ; Environmental Monitoring* ; Erythrocytes ; Hematocrit ; Humans ; Leukocytes ; Male ; Phenol ; Physical Examination ; Respiration

BACKGROUNDS/AIMS: The aims of this study were to evaluate risk factors for acute cholecystitis that have been previously acknowledged and to evaluate several co-morbidities, such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular accident and end-stage renal disease for which the prevalence rate has increased in the elderly. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 611 patients who underwent laparoscopic or open cholecystectomy for cholecystitis between January 2005 and January 2010. The relationships between the clinical outcomes and the clinico-demographic factors were analyzed by univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: The diagnoses of the 611 patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy were acute cholecystitis (n=258; 42.2%) and chronic cholecystitis (n=353; 57.8%). Male gender (p<0.000), age >50 (p<0.000), fever (p<0.000), leukocytosis (p<0.000), AST elevation (p=0.009), alkaline phosphatase elevation (p<0.000) and an elevation of total bilirubin (p<0.000) were identified as risk factors for acute cholecystitis. The presence of diabetes mellitus (p=0.002) and hypertension (p=0.019) may be risk factors for acute cholecystitis. CONCLUSIONS: For patients with risk factors for acute cholecystitis, early management, that is, early checkup and diagnosis following early cholecystectomy, is recommended before the disease progresses to an acute form of cholecystitis.
Alkaline Phosphatase ; Bilirubin ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Cholecystectomy ; Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic ; Cholecystitis ; Cholecystitis, Acute ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Fever ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; Leukocytosis ; Male ; Prevalence ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Stroke

Objectives: Digital healthcare is expected to play a pivotal role in patient-centered healthcare. It empowers patients by informing, communicating, and motivating them. However, a pragmatic evaluation of the present status of digital healthcare has not been presented; therefore, we aimed to examine the status of digital healthcare in Korea. Methods: This article discusses digital healthcare, examples of assessment in Korea and other countries, the implications of past examples, and future directions for development. Results: Over the years, various clinical studies have used clinical evidence to assess the feasibility of digital healthcare. If feasible, it is actually clinically effective. If it is effective, can it be commercialized at an acceptable cost? These questions have been investigated in various evidence-based studies. In addition, great efforts are being made to secure ample evidence to assess various aspects of digital healthcare, such as safety, quality, end-user experience, and equity. Conclusions Digital healthcare requires a deep understanding of both the technical and medical aspects. To strengthen the competence of the medical aspect, medical staff, patients, and the government must work together with continuous interest in this goal.