OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to examine the prevalence of respiratory symptoms, asbestos-related chest radiograph abnormalities and abnormal pulmonary function tests among former asbestos textile factory workers and to reveal the related factors of these abnormal findings. METHODS: There were 119 persons former asbestos textile industry workers registered in the health management pocketbook. Of 97 retired asbestos workers living in Busan, Yangsan and Gimhae, 63(64.9%) retired asbestos workers were enrolled into this study. The researchers administered questionnaires, and performed chest radiographys, and pulmonary function tests (PFT) on participants. The survey was conducted during July, 2009. RESULTS: Among former workers the number of lung fibrosis, pleural plaque, pleural calcification, and pleural thickening was 13(20.6%), 6(9.5%), 3(4.8%), and 1(1.6%) in chest radiography, respectively. Asbestos-related disorders and abnormal pulmonary function test groups had higher prevalence of respiratory symptoms. Participants with crocidolite exposure or long latency period had higher asbestos-related x-ray findings or abnormal PFT findings. CONCLUSIONS: Former asbestos textile workers had a high rate of asbestos-related disorders. Workers with crocidolite exposure or having had a longer latency period had more asbestos-related disorders. Because gradual increase of asbestos related disorders among high asbestos exposure group is expected, sustained, and intensive management is needed for these former workers.
Asbestos ; Asbestos, Crocidolite ; Fibrosis ; Humans ; Latency Period (Psychology) ; Lung ; Prevalence ; Questionnaires ; Respiratory Function Tests ; Retirement ; Textile Industry ; Textiles ; Thorax

PURPOSE: This study examined whether any fracture pattern shown in computed tomography (CT) scan is associated with the presence of lateral meniscus (LM) injury in a tibia plateau fracture. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-three tibia plateau fractures with both preoperative CT and magnetic resonance imagings (MRI) available were reviewed. The patient demographics, including age, sex, body mass index, and energy level of injury were recorded. The fracture type according to the Schatzker classification, patterns including the lateral plateau depression (LPD), lateral plateau widening (LPW), fracture fragment location, and the number of columns involved were assessed from the CT scans. The presence of a LM injury was determined from the MRI. The differences in the factors between the patients with (Group 1) and without (Group 2) LM injuries were compared and the correlation between the factors and the presence of LM injury was analyzed. RESULTS: The LM was injured in 23 cases (Group 1, 43.4%) and intact in 30 cases (Group 2, 56.6%). The LPD in Group 1 (average, 8.2 mm; range, 3.0–20.0 mm) and Group 2 (average, 3.8 mm; range, 1.4–12.1 mm) was significantly different (p < 0.001). The difference in LPW of Group 1 (average, 6.9 mm; range, 1.2–15.3 mm) and Group 2 (average, 4.8 mm; range, 1.4–9.4 mm) was not significant (p=0.097). The other fracture patterns or demographics were similar between in the two groups. Regression analysis revealed that an increased LPD (p=0.003, odds ratio [OR]=2.12) and LPW (p=0.048, OR=1.23) were significantly related to the presence of a LM tear. CONCLUSION: LPD and LPW measured from the CT scans were associated with an increased risk of concomitant LM injury in tibia plateau fractures. If such fracture patterns exist, concomitant LM injury should be considered and an MRI may be beneficial for an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment.
Body Mass Index ; Classification ; Demography ; Depression ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Menisci, Tibial ; Odds Ratio ; Tears ; Tibia ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to identify the status of clerkship education and its evaluation in Korea. METHODS: Questionnaires were sent to 943personnel in 23clinical departments of 41medical schools nationwide from April, 1 to April 10, 2004. We analyzed the 638 questionnaires that were collected from 39medical schools. RESULTS: The most frequently used methodologies for clerkship education were small group lecture(17.1%), observation of ambulatory care(15.7%), seminar(12.9%), observation and support of operation(12.4%), ward rounding(12.1%). The relative proportion of educational methodologies was varied according to the type of clinical departments. Most of the clinical clerkship activity was conducted in the university hospital. Also, the clerkship activities were educated by professors(57.8%), fellows(9.1%), residents(30.6%) and others(2.5%). The evaluation methods were written exam(21.8%), attendance(17.5%), report(14.0%), and oral exam(12.0%). In terms of evaluating items, acquirement of clinical knowledge has been mainly tested. However, students' ability to communicate, build human relationship, and clinical skills has been less frequently evaluated in most of medical schools. CONCLUSION: It is most likely that the current status of clerkship education and its evaluation in Korea is focused on the education and assessment of clinical knowledge. To improve this, the following areas need to be enriched: interaction between faculty and students, experience-based clerkship, effective feedback, time management, objectivity of evaluation, performance evaluation.
Clinical Clerkship ; Clinical Competence ; Education* ; Evaluation Studies as Topic ; Humans ; Korea ; Schools, Medical* ; Time Management ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Background: We hypothesized in this study that the characteristics of retear cases vary according to surgeon volume and that surgical outcomes differ between primary and revision arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (revisional ARCR). Methods: Surgeons performing more than 12 rotator cuff repairs (RCRs) per year were defined as high-volume surgeons, and those performing fewer than 12 RCRs were considered low-volume surgeons. Of the 47 patients who underwent revisional ARCR at our clinic enrolled in this study, 21 cases were treated by high-volume surgeons and 26 cases by low-volume surgeons. In all cases, the interval betweenprimary surgery and revisional ARCR, degree of “acromial scuffing,” number of anchors, RCR technique, retear pattern, fatty infiltration,retear size, operating time, and clinical outcome were recorded. Results: During primary surgery, significantly more lateral anchors (p=0.004) were used, and the rate of use of the double-row repair technique was significantly higher (p<0.001) in the high- versus low-volume surgeon group. Moreover, the “cut-through pattern” was observedsignificantly more frequently among the cases treated by high- versus low-volume surgeons (p=0.008). The clinical outcomes after revisional ARCR were not different between the two groups. Conclusions Double-row repair during primary surgery and the cut-through pattern during revisional ARCR were more frequent in thehigh- versus low-volume surgeon groups. However, no differences in retear site or size, fatty infiltration grade, or outcomes were observedbetween the groups.

Background: We hypothesized in this study that the characteristics of retear cases vary according to surgeon volume and that surgical outcomes differ between primary and revision arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (revisional ARCR). Methods: Surgeons performing more than 12 rotator cuff repairs (RCRs) per year were defined as high-volume surgeons, and those performing fewer than 12 RCRs were considered low-volume surgeons. Of the 47 patients who underwent revisional ARCR at our clinic enrolled in this study, 21 cases were treated by high-volume surgeons and 26 cases by low-volume surgeons. In all cases, the interval betweenprimary surgery and revisional ARCR, degree of “acromial scuffing,” number of anchors, RCR technique, retear pattern, fatty infiltration,retear size, operating time, and clinical outcome were recorded. Results: During primary surgery, significantly more lateral anchors (p=0.004) were used, and the rate of use of the double-row repair technique was significantly higher (p<0.001) in the high- versus low-volume surgeon group. Moreover, the “cut-through pattern” was observedsignificantly more frequently among the cases treated by high- versus low-volume surgeons (p=0.008). The clinical outcomes after revisional ARCR were not different between the two groups. Conclusions Double-row repair during primary surgery and the cut-through pattern during revisional ARCR were more frequent in thehigh- versus low-volume surgeon groups. However, no differences in retear site or size, fatty infiltration grade, or outcomes were observedbetween the groups.