This review examines the challenges associated with occupational disease surveillance in Korea, particularly emphasizing the limitations of current data sources such as the Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance (IACI) statistics and special health examinations. The IACI system undercounts cases due to its emphasis on severe diseases and restrictions on approvals. Special health examinations, although they cover a broad workforce, are constrained by their annual scheduling, which leads to missed acute illnesses and subclinical conditions. The paper also explores the history of occupational disease surveillance in Korea, highlighting the fragmented and disease-specific approach of earlier systems. The authors introduce the newly established Korea Occupational Disease Surveillance Center (KODSC), a comprehensive nationwide system designed to gather, analyze, and interpret data on occupational diseases through a network of regional centers. By incorporating hospital-based surveillance and focusing on acute poisonings and other sentinel events, the KODSC aims to overcome the limitations of previous systems and promote collaboration with various agencies. Although it is still in the early stages of implementation, the KODSC demonstrates potential for improving data accuracy and contributing valuable insights for public health policy.

This review examines the challenges associated with occupational disease surveillance in Korea, particularly emphasizing the limitations of current data sources such as the Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance (IACI) statistics and special health examinations. The IACI system undercounts cases due to its emphasis on severe diseases and restrictions on approvals. Special health examinations, although they cover a broad workforce, are constrained by their annual scheduling, which leads to missed acute illnesses and subclinical conditions. The paper also explores the history of occupational disease surveillance in Korea, highlighting the fragmented and disease-specific approach of earlier systems. The authors introduce the newly established Korea Occupational Disease Surveillance Center (KODSC), a comprehensive nationwide system designed to gather, analyze, and interpret data on occupational diseases through a network of regional centers. By incorporating hospital-based surveillance and focusing on acute poisonings and other sentinel events, the KODSC aims to overcome the limitations of previous systems and promote collaboration with various agencies. Although it is still in the early stages of implementation, the KODSC demonstrates potential for improving data accuracy and contributing valuable insights for public health policy.

This review examines the challenges associated with occupational disease surveillance in Korea, particularly emphasizing the limitations of current data sources such as the Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance (IACI) statistics and special health examinations. The IACI system undercounts cases due to its emphasis on severe diseases and restrictions on approvals. Special health examinations, although they cover a broad workforce, are constrained by their annual scheduling, which leads to missed acute illnesses and subclinical conditions. The paper also explores the history of occupational disease surveillance in Korea, highlighting the fragmented and disease-specific approach of earlier systems. The authors introduce the newly established Korea Occupational Disease Surveillance Center (KODSC), a comprehensive nationwide system designed to gather, analyze, and interpret data on occupational diseases through a network of regional centers. By incorporating hospital-based surveillance and focusing on acute poisonings and other sentinel events, the KODSC aims to overcome the limitations of previous systems and promote collaboration with various agencies. Although it is still in the early stages of implementation, the KODSC demonstrates potential for improving data accuracy and contributing valuable insights for public health policy.

This review examines the challenges associated with occupational disease surveillance in Korea, particularly emphasizing the limitations of current data sources such as the Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance (IACI) statistics and special health examinations. The IACI system undercounts cases due to its emphasis on severe diseases and restrictions on approvals. Special health examinations, although they cover a broad workforce, are constrained by their annual scheduling, which leads to missed acute illnesses and subclinical conditions. The paper also explores the history of occupational disease surveillance in Korea, highlighting the fragmented and disease-specific approach of earlier systems. The authors introduce the newly established Korea Occupational Disease Surveillance Center (KODSC), a comprehensive nationwide system designed to gather, analyze, and interpret data on occupational diseases through a network of regional centers. By incorporating hospital-based surveillance and focusing on acute poisonings and other sentinel events, the KODSC aims to overcome the limitations of previous systems and promote collaboration with various agencies. Although it is still in the early stages of implementation, the KODSC demonstrates potential for improving data accuracy and contributing valuable insights for public health policy.

This review examines the challenges associated with occupational disease surveillance in Korea, particularly emphasizing the limitations of current data sources such as the Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance (IACI) statistics and special health examinations. The IACI system undercounts cases due to its emphasis on severe diseases and restrictions on approvals. Special health examinations, although they cover a broad workforce, are constrained by their annual scheduling, which leads to missed acute illnesses and subclinical conditions. The paper also explores the history of occupational disease surveillance in Korea, highlighting the fragmented and disease-specific approach of earlier systems. The authors introduce the newly established Korea Occupational Disease Surveillance Center (KODSC), a comprehensive nationwide system designed to gather, analyze, and interpret data on occupational diseases through a network of regional centers. By incorporating hospital-based surveillance and focusing on acute poisonings and other sentinel events, the KODSC aims to overcome the limitations of previous systems and promote collaboration with various agencies. Although it is still in the early stages of implementation, the KODSC demonstrates potential for improving data accuracy and contributing valuable insights for public health policy.

Background: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are generated from the incomplete combustion of organic materials such as fossil fuels and wood. These compounds, often inhaled, cause respiratory issues like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease due to oxidative stress and inflammation. Pohang, South Korea’s iron and steel hub, experiences significant polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons emissions from extensive industrial activities and heavy truck movements. This study investigates the link between urinary polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons metabolites and respiratory diseases among Pohang residents, considering their cumulative exposure and duration of residency. Methods: Utilizing data from the National Environmental Research Institute’s health impact assessment conducted between 2012 and 2015, this study included 1,189 participants from Pohang. Urinary concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons metabolites served as exposure indicators. The study assessed the correlation between these metabolite levels and self-reported respiratory diseases, considering variables such as duration of residence, smoking status, and occupational exposures. Statistical analyses involved logistic regression and fixed-effect meta-analysis. Results: The findings indicate a significant association between elevated levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons metabolites and an increased risk of respiratory diseases, particularly among those in the highest exposure quartile. The study also found a notable dose-response relationship, emphasizing the heightened risk with longer residency durations near the industrial complex. Despite yearly fluctuations, the trend suggests a persistent risk associated with high polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons exposure. Conclusions Elevated exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons near industrial areas such as the Pohang Industrial Complex is significantly associated with an increased prevalence of respiratory diseases. The study underscores the importance of implementing public health strategies to reduce polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons exposure, especially in industrial regions. Future research should broaden the scope of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons metabolites analyzed and consider comprehensive exposure histories to better understand the relationship between polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons exposure and respiratory health outcomes.

Background: In this study, we aimed to investigate whether opioid-sparing anesthesia (OSA) reduces postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) in patients undergoing laparoscopic gynecological surgery. Methods: Adult patients undergoing elective laparoscopic gynecological surgery were randomly assigned to either the opioid-using anesthesia (OUA) or the OSA groups. In the OUA group, remifentanil was administered as an opioid during general anesthesia. In the OSA group, apart from a single dose of 5 μg/kg of alfentanil for tracheal intubation, no other opioids were used. In both groups, a multimodal intravenous non-opioid analgesic regimen was used preferentially in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU). The primary outcome was the incidence of PONV, assessed by symptoms until the postoperative day 1. Results: A total of 120 patients were included in this study. The incidence of nausea in the PACU was significantly lower in the OSA group compared to in the OUA group (31.7% in the OSA group vs. 51.7% in the OUA group, P = 0.026). Pain scores and the incidence of opioid analgesic administration were lower in the OSA group during PACU stay, resulting in a significantly lower number of patients requiring rescue opioid analgesics (3.3% vs. 18.3%, P = 0.008). There were no significant differences in intraoperative vital signs, hemodynamic interventions, or duration of PACU and hospital stay between the two groups. Conclusions OSA significantly reduced postoperative nausea, pain scores, and the need for rescue analgesics in the PACU without increasing hemodynamic instability in patients undergoing laparoscopic gynecological surgery.

Background: In this study, we aimed to investigate whether opioid-sparing anesthesia (OSA) reduces postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) in patients undergoing laparoscopic gynecological surgery. Methods: Adult patients undergoing elective laparoscopic gynecological surgery were randomly assigned to either the opioid-using anesthesia (OUA) or the OSA groups. In the OUA group, remifentanil was administered as an opioid during general anesthesia. In the OSA group, apart from a single dose of 5 μg/kg of alfentanil for tracheal intubation, no other opioids were used. In both groups, a multimodal intravenous non-opioid analgesic regimen was used preferentially in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU). The primary outcome was the incidence of PONV, assessed by symptoms until the postoperative day 1. Results: A total of 120 patients were included in this study. The incidence of nausea in the PACU was significantly lower in the OSA group compared to in the OUA group (31.7% in the OSA group vs. 51.7% in the OUA group, P = 0.026). Pain scores and the incidence of opioid analgesic administration were lower in the OSA group during PACU stay, resulting in a significantly lower number of patients requiring rescue opioid analgesics (3.3% vs. 18.3%, P = 0.008). There were no significant differences in intraoperative vital signs, hemodynamic interventions, or duration of PACU and hospital stay between the two groups. Conclusions OSA significantly reduced postoperative nausea, pain scores, and the need for rescue analgesics in the PACU without increasing hemodynamic instability in patients undergoing laparoscopic gynecological surgery.

Background: In this study, we aimed to investigate whether opioid-sparing anesthesia (OSA) reduces postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) in patients undergoing laparoscopic gynecological surgery. Methods: Adult patients undergoing elective laparoscopic gynecological surgery were randomly assigned to either the opioid-using anesthesia (OUA) or the OSA groups. In the OUA group, remifentanil was administered as an opioid during general anesthesia. In the OSA group, apart from a single dose of 5 μg/kg of alfentanil for tracheal intubation, no other opioids were used. In both groups, a multimodal intravenous non-opioid analgesic regimen was used preferentially in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU). The primary outcome was the incidence of PONV, assessed by symptoms until the postoperative day 1. Results: A total of 120 patients were included in this study. The incidence of nausea in the PACU was significantly lower in the OSA group compared to in the OUA group (31.7% in the OSA group vs. 51.7% in the OUA group, P = 0.026). Pain scores and the incidence of opioid analgesic administration were lower in the OSA group during PACU stay, resulting in a significantly lower number of patients requiring rescue opioid analgesics (3.3% vs. 18.3%, P = 0.008). There were no significant differences in intraoperative vital signs, hemodynamic interventions, or duration of PACU and hospital stay between the two groups. Conclusions OSA significantly reduced postoperative nausea, pain scores, and the need for rescue analgesics in the PACU without increasing hemodynamic instability in patients undergoing laparoscopic gynecological surgery.

Background: In this study, we aimed to investigate whether opioid-sparing anesthesia (OSA) reduces postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) in patients undergoing laparoscopic gynecological surgery. Methods: Adult patients undergoing elective laparoscopic gynecological surgery were randomly assigned to either the opioid-using anesthesia (OUA) or the OSA groups. In the OUA group, remifentanil was administered as an opioid during general anesthesia. In the OSA group, apart from a single dose of 5 μg/kg of alfentanil for tracheal intubation, no other opioids were used. In both groups, a multimodal intravenous non-opioid analgesic regimen was used preferentially in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU). The primary outcome was the incidence of PONV, assessed by symptoms until the postoperative day 1. Results: A total of 120 patients were included in this study. The incidence of nausea in the PACU was significantly lower in the OSA group compared to in the OUA group (31.7% in the OSA group vs. 51.7% in the OUA group, P = 0.026). Pain scores and the incidence of opioid analgesic administration were lower in the OSA group during PACU stay, resulting in a significantly lower number of patients requiring rescue opioid analgesics (3.3% vs. 18.3%, P = 0.008). There were no significant differences in intraoperative vital signs, hemodynamic interventions, or duration of PACU and hospital stay between the two groups. Conclusions OSA significantly reduced postoperative nausea, pain scores, and the need for rescue analgesics in the PACU without increasing hemodynamic instability in patients undergoing laparoscopic gynecological surgery.