Background: Although the association between handgrip strength and glycemic control has been reported, studies conducted exclusively within specific occupational groups remain limited. To explore the association between handgrip strength and metabolic health in industrial settings, this study examined the relationship between relative handgrip strength and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) among male automobile manufacturing workers using vibration tools in South Korea. Methods: Using 66,212 occupational health examination records collected at Inha University Hospital between January 2024 and April 2025, a total of 3,365 workers with HbA1c and handgrip strength measurements were identified. After excluding duplicates (n = 1,536), female workers (n = 2), and records without Hb and estimated glomerular filtration rate, 1,823 male participants were included in the final analysis. Relative handgrip strength was calculated as the maximum value of bilateral grip strength divided by body mass index. Multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to assess the association between relative handgrip strength and HbA1c, adjusting for age, smoking status, alcohol consumption, current hypertension, current dyslipidemia, current hypoglycemic-agents use, family diabetes history, leisure-time physical activity, and resistance exercise. Results: Relative handgrip strength was inversely associated with HbA1c levels (B: –0.060; 95% confidence interval [CI]: −0.081 to −0.039; p < 0.001). The association was strongest among normoglycemic participants (B: −0.185; 95% CI: −0.305 to −0.065; p = 0.003). Effect size was reduced but significantly associated among individuals with prediabetes (B: −0.115; 95% CI: −0.180 to −0.050; p < 0.001) and further attenuated to a borderline significance in individuals with diabetes (B: −0.023; 95% CI: −0.050 to 0.003; p = 0.082). These findings indicate that greater muscle strength relative to body size is related to better glycemic control. Conclusions Handgrip strength was associated with HbA1c levels in industrial workers. This study suggests that handgrip strength may provide complementary information on metabolic health in occupational settings.

Background: Humans are exposed to mercury primarily in its highly toxic form, methyl mercury, which is known to have adverse effects on various organs and systems. The negative impact of mercury exposure on the growth, development, and mental health of children, from infancy to adolescence, is well-documented. However, there are no internationally standardized safe limits for mercury exposure. This study investigated the impact of dietary habits and higher body mass index (BMI) on blood mercury levels in adolescents. Methods: This study analyzed the data from the 4th Korean National Environmental Health Survey (KoNEHS) 2018–2020. The focus was on 825 middle and high school students aged 13–18 years, whose blood mercury levels were measured. A survey on dietary and lifestyle habits was also conducted. Blood mercury levels were categorized by geometric median values, and associations with overweight status and seafood consumption were examined using a generalized linear model. Results: The geometric mean blood mercury level for the entire sample was 1.37 μg/L, with levels of 1.31 μg/L in normal-weight individuals and 1.43 μg/L in overweight individuals, showing a statistically significant difference between the two groups. After adjusting for other variables, blood mercury levels were significantly associated with overweight status (estimate: 0.084; p = 0.018; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.015–0.153), consumption of large fish and tuna more than once a week (estimate: 0.18; p = 0.001; 95% CI: 0.077–0.284), and consumption of fish once a week or more (estimate: 0.147; p = 0.004; 95% CI: 0.043–0.250). Conclusions In adolescents, a higher BMI and an increased consumption of large fish, tuna, and fish were associated with higher blood mercury levels. Notably, a stronger association was found between large fish consumption and blood mercury levels in the overweight group. These findings suggest the need to moderate seafood consumption and establish more proactive mercury exposure standards for adolescents.

No abstract available.
Skin Diseases* ; Thyroidectomy*

PURPOSE: Patients treated with anticancer agents often experience a variety of treatment-related skin problems, which can impair their quality of life. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) and clinical information were evaluated in patients under active anticancer treatment using a questionnaire survey and their medical records review. RESULTS: Of 375 evaluated subjects with anticancer therapy, 136 (36.27%) and 114 (30.40%) were treated for breast cancer and colorectal cancer, respectively. We found that women, breast cancer, targeted agent use, and longer duration of anticancer therapy were associated with higher dermatology-specific quality of life distraction. In addition, itching, dry skin, easy bruising, pigmentation, papulopustules on face, periungual inflammation, nail changes, and palmoplantar lesions were associated with significantly higher DLQI scores. Periungual inflammation and palmoplantar lesions scored the highest DLQI. CONCLUSION: We believe our findings can be helpful to clinicians in counseling and managing the patients undergoing anticancer therapy.
Antineoplastic Agents* ; Breast Neoplasms ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; Counseling ; Cross-Sectional Studies* ; Dermatology ; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions ; Female ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Medical Records ; Pigmentation ; Pruritus ; Quality of Life* ; Skin*