OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the relationship between night work, supervisor support, and depressive symptoms among full-time wage workers, with a focus on gender differences. METHODS: A nationwide sample of 22,422 full-time wage workers from the Sixth Korean Working Conditions Survey (2020-2021) was analyzed. Experiences of night work were categorized into 5 groups based on the number of night work days per month: 0, 1-5, 6-10, 11-15, and 16-31. Depressive symptoms were evaluated using the 5-item World Health Organization Well-Being Index. Supervisor support was assessed with 5 items. RESULTS: Workers who engaged in 1-5 days (prevalence ratio [PR], 1.23; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.12 to 1.36) and 6-10 days (PR, 1.17; 95% CI, 1.06 to 1.30) of night work per month exhibited a higher prevalence of depressive symptoms than those without night work. After stratifying by supervisor support levels, workers with 1-5 days, 6-10 days, and 11-15 days of night work per month were more likely to experience depressive symptoms compared to those without night work in the low supervisor support group. In contrast, no association was found between night work (≥6 days) and depressive symptoms in the high supervisor support group. Furthermore, gender differences were notable: female workers with 6-10 days (PR, 1.45; 95% CI, 1.23 to 1.70), and 11-15 days (PR, 1.43; 95% CI, 1.08 to 1.90) of night work per month exhibited a higher prevalence of depressive symptoms, whereas their male counterparts did not. This pattern of gender difference was also found among those with low supervisor support. CONCLUSIONS Supervisor support may mitigate the adverse effects of night work on depressive symptoms among full-time wage workers, with differences manifested across genders.

OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the relationship between night work, supervisor support, and depressive symptoms among full-time wage workers, with a focus on gender differences. METHODS: A nationwide sample of 22,422 full-time wage workers from the Sixth Korean Working Conditions Survey (2020-2021) was analyzed. Experiences of night work were categorized into 5 groups based on the number of night work days per month: 0, 1-5, 6-10, 11-15, and 16-31. Depressive symptoms were evaluated using the 5-item World Health Organization Well-Being Index. Supervisor support was assessed with 5 items. RESULTS: Workers who engaged in 1-5 days (prevalence ratio [PR], 1.23; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.12 to 1.36) and 6-10 days (PR, 1.17; 95% CI, 1.06 to 1.30) of night work per month exhibited a higher prevalence of depressive symptoms than those without night work. After stratifying by supervisor support levels, workers with 1-5 days, 6-10 days, and 11-15 days of night work per month were more likely to experience depressive symptoms compared to those without night work in the low supervisor support group. In contrast, no association was found between night work (≥6 days) and depressive symptoms in the high supervisor support group. Furthermore, gender differences were notable: female workers with 6-10 days (PR, 1.45; 95% CI, 1.23 to 1.70), and 11-15 days (PR, 1.43; 95% CI, 1.08 to 1.90) of night work per month exhibited a higher prevalence of depressive symptoms, whereas their male counterparts did not. This pattern of gender difference was also found among those with low supervisor support. CONCLUSIONS Supervisor support may mitigate the adverse effects of night work on depressive symptoms among full-time wage workers, with differences manifested across genders.

OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the relationship between night work, supervisor support, and depressive symptoms among full-time wage workers, with a focus on gender differences. METHODS: A nationwide sample of 22,422 full-time wage workers from the Sixth Korean Working Conditions Survey (2020-2021) was analyzed. Experiences of night work were categorized into 5 groups based on the number of night work days per month: 0, 1-5, 6-10, 11-15, and 16-31. Depressive symptoms were evaluated using the 5-item World Health Organization Well-Being Index. Supervisor support was assessed with 5 items. RESULTS: Workers who engaged in 1-5 days (prevalence ratio [PR], 1.23; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.12 to 1.36) and 6-10 days (PR, 1.17; 95% CI, 1.06 to 1.30) of night work per month exhibited a higher prevalence of depressive symptoms than those without night work. After stratifying by supervisor support levels, workers with 1-5 days, 6-10 days, and 11-15 days of night work per month were more likely to experience depressive symptoms compared to those without night work in the low supervisor support group. In contrast, no association was found between night work (≥6 days) and depressive symptoms in the high supervisor support group. Furthermore, gender differences were notable: female workers with 6-10 days (PR, 1.45; 95% CI, 1.23 to 1.70), and 11-15 days (PR, 1.43; 95% CI, 1.08 to 1.90) of night work per month exhibited a higher prevalence of depressive symptoms, whereas their male counterparts did not. This pattern of gender difference was also found among those with low supervisor support. CONCLUSIONS Supervisor support may mitigate the adverse effects of night work on depressive symptoms among full-time wage workers, with differences manifested across genders.

OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the relationship between night work, supervisor support, and depressive symptoms among full-time wage workers, with a focus on gender differences. METHODS: A nationwide sample of 22,422 full-time wage workers from the Sixth Korean Working Conditions Survey (2020-2021) was analyzed. Experiences of night work were categorized into 5 groups based on the number of night work days per month: 0, 1-5, 6-10, 11-15, and 16-31. Depressive symptoms were evaluated using the 5-item World Health Organization Well-Being Index. Supervisor support was assessed with 5 items. RESULTS: Workers who engaged in 1-5 days (prevalence ratio [PR], 1.23; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.12 to 1.36) and 6-10 days (PR, 1.17; 95% CI, 1.06 to 1.30) of night work per month exhibited a higher prevalence of depressive symptoms than those without night work. After stratifying by supervisor support levels, workers with 1-5 days, 6-10 days, and 11-15 days of night work per month were more likely to experience depressive symptoms compared to those without night work in the low supervisor support group. In contrast, no association was found between night work (≥6 days) and depressive symptoms in the high supervisor support group. Furthermore, gender differences were notable: female workers with 6-10 days (PR, 1.45; 95% CI, 1.23 to 1.70), and 11-15 days (PR, 1.43; 95% CI, 1.08 to 1.90) of night work per month exhibited a higher prevalence of depressive symptoms, whereas their male counterparts did not. This pattern of gender difference was also found among those with low supervisor support. CONCLUSIONS Supervisor support may mitigate the adverse effects of night work on depressive symptoms among full-time wage workers, with differences manifested across genders.

Background: This study aimed to identify the prevalence of workplace hazards and organizational protection resources according to the size of the enterprise in the manufacturing industry of the Republic of Korea. Methods: We analyzed data of waged workers (weighted N = 5,879) from the Fifth Korean Working Conditions Survey (2017). Enterprise sizes were categorized as “micro enterprises” (less than five employees), “small enterprises” (5–49 employees) and “medium-large enterprises” (50 or more employees). Self-reported exposure to 18 physical, chemical, ergonomic, and psychological hazards were measured. The presence of organizational protection resources such as a labor union, a safety delegate working at the company, designated spaces to deal with safety, and the provision of health and safety information was evaluated. Results: Compared to workers in medium-large enterprises, those in micro enterprises showed a higher proportion of exposure to most of physical, chemical, ergonomic, and psychological hazards, except for exposure to solvents, prolonged sitting, and experiencing a state of emotional unrest. On the other hand, workers in micro enterprises had the lowest proportion of access to organizational protection resources. Conclusion Our study demonstrates that manufacturing workers at the micro enterprise in the Republic of Korea are exposed to the most hazardous work environment and yet have access to the fewest organizational protection resources.

Background/Aims: To eliminate hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) according to the World Health Organization (WHO) criteria in 2021, this study investigated the national core indicators representing the current status of viral hepatitis B and C in South Korea. Methods: We analyzed the incidence, linkage-to-care, treatment, and mortality rates of HBV and HCV infection using the integrated nationwide big data of South Korea. Results: According to data from 2018–2020, the incidence of acute HBV infection in South Korea was 0.71 cases per 100,000 population; tthe linkage-to-care rate was only 39.4%. Among those who need hepatitis B treatment, the treatment rate was 67.3%, which was less than 80% reported in the WHO program index. The annual liver-related mortality due to HBV was 18.85 cases per 100,000 population, exceeding the WHO target of four; the most frequent cause of death was liver cancer (54.1%). The annual incidence of newly diagnosed HCV infection was 11.9 cases per 100,000 population, which was higher than the WHO impact target of five. Among HCV-infected patients, the linkage-to-care rate was 65.5% while the treatment rate was 56.8%, which were below the targets of 90% and 80%, respectively. The liver-related annual mortality rate due to HCV infection was 2.02 cases per 100,000 population. Conclusions Many of the current indicators identified in the Korean population did not satisfy the WHO criteria for validation of viral hepatitis elimination. Hence, a comprehensive national strategy should be urgently developed with continuous monitoring of the targets in South Korea.

Background: and Purpose The rate of donepezil discontinuation and the underlying reasons for discontinuation in Asian patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) are currently unknown. We aimed to determine the treatment discontinuation rates in AD patients who had newly been prescribed donepezil in routine clinical practice in Asia. Methods: This 1-year observational study involved 38 institutions in seven Asian countries, and it evaluated 398 participants aged 50–90 years with a diagnosis of probable AD and on newly prescribed donepezil monotherapy. The primary endpoint was the rate of donepezil discontinuation over 1 year. Secondary endpoints included the reason for discontinuation,treatment duration, changes in cognitive function over the 1-year study period, and compliance as assessed using a clinician rating scale (CRS) and visual analog scale (VAS). Results: Donepezil was discontinued in 83 (20.9%) patients, most commonly due to an adverse event (43.4%). The mean treatment duration was 103.67 days in patients who discontinued. Among patients whose cognitive function was assessed at baseline and 1 year, there were no significant changes in scores on the Mini-Mental State Examination, Montreal Cognitive Assessment, and Trail-Making Test–Black and White scores, whereas the Clinical Dementia Rating score increased significantly (p<0.001). Treatment compliance at 1 year was 96.8% (306/316) on the CRS and 92.6±14.1% (mean±standard deviation) on the VAS. Conclusions In patients on newly prescribed donepezil, the primary reason for discontinuation was an adverse event. Cognitive assessments revealed no significant worsening at 1 year, indicating that continuous donepezil treatment contributes to the maintenance of cognitive function.

Background: and Purpose The rate of donepezil discontinuation and the underlying reasons for discontinuation in Asian patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) are currently unknown. We aimed to determine the treatment discontinuation rates in AD patients who had newly been prescribed donepezil in routine clinical practice in Asia. Methods: This 1-year observational study involved 38 institutions in seven Asian countries, and it evaluated 398 participants aged 50–90 years with a diagnosis of probable AD and on newly prescribed donepezil monotherapy. The primary endpoint was the rate of donepezil discontinuation over 1 year. Secondary endpoints included the reason for discontinuation,treatment duration, changes in cognitive function over the 1-year study period, and compliance as assessed using a clinician rating scale (CRS) and visual analog scale (VAS). Results: Donepezil was discontinued in 83 (20.9%) patients, most commonly due to an adverse event (43.4%). The mean treatment duration was 103.67 days in patients who discontinued. Among patients whose cognitive function was assessed at baseline and 1 year, there were no significant changes in scores on the Mini-Mental State Examination, Montreal Cognitive Assessment, and Trail-Making Test–Black and White scores, whereas the Clinical Dementia Rating score increased significantly (p<0.001). Treatment compliance at 1 year was 96.8% (306/316) on the CRS and 92.6±14.1% (mean±standard deviation) on the VAS. Conclusions In patients on newly prescribed donepezil, the primary reason for discontinuation was an adverse event. Cognitive assessments revealed no significant worsening at 1 year, indicating that continuous donepezil treatment contributes to the maintenance of cognitive function.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a condition in which gastric contents regurgitate into the esophagus or beyond, resulting in either troublesome symptoms or complications. GERD is heterogeneous in terms of varied manifestations, test findings, and treatment responsiveness. GERD diagnosis can be established with symptomatology, pathology, or physiology. Recently the Lyon consensus defined the “proven GERD” with concrete evidence for reflux, including advanced grade erosive esophagitis (Los Angeles classification grades C and or D esophagitis), long-segment Barrett’s mucosa or peptic strictures on endoscopy or distal esophageal acid exposure time > 6% on 24-hour ambulatory pH-impedance monitoring. However, some Asian researchers have different opinions on whether the same standards should be applied to the Asian population. The prevalence of GERD is increasing in Asia. The present evidence-based guidelines were developed using a systematic review and meta-analysis approach. In GERD with typical symptoms, a proton pump inhibitor test can be recommended as a sensitive, cost-effective, and practical test for GERD diagnosis.Based on a meta-analysis of 19 estimated acid-exposure time values in Asians, the reference range upper limit for esophageal acid exposure time was 3.2% (95% confidence interval, 2.7-3.9%) in the Asian countries. Esophageal manometry and novel impedance measurements, including mucosal impedance and a post-reflux swallow-induced peristaltic wave, are promising in discrimination of GERD among different reflux phenotypes, thus increasing its diagnostic yield. We also propose a long-term strategy of evidence-based GERD treatment with proton pump inhibitors and other drugs.

Background: With increasing economic evaluation studies on the treatment of or screening tools for liver diseases that cause hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), interest in the analysis of the medical utilization and costs of HCC treatment is increasing. Therefore, we aimed to estimate the medical utilization and costs of HCC patients, and calculate the cost of main procedures for HCC treatment, including liver transplant (LT), hepatic resection (HR), radiofrequency ablation (RFA), and transarterial chemoembolization (TACE). Methods: We analyzed claim data from January to December 2018 from the Health Insurance and Review and Assessment Service–National Patient Sample (HIRA-NPS-2018) dataset, including data of patients diagnosed with HCC (Korean Standard Classification of Diseases code C22.0) who had at least one inpatient claim for HCC. Results: A total of 715 HCC patients were identified. In 2018, the yearly average medical cost per HCC patient was ₩18,460K (thousand), of which ₩14,870K was attributed to HCC. Among the total medical costs of HCC patients, the inpatient cost accounted for the largest portion of both the total medical and HCC-related costs. The major procedures of HCC treatment occurred most frequently in the order of TACE, RFA, HR, and LT. The average medical cost per treatment episode was the highest for LT (₩87,280K), followed by HR (₩10,026K), TACE (₩4,047K), and RFA (₩2,927K). Conclusion By identifying the medical costs of HCC patients and the costs of the main procedures of HCC treatment, our results provide basic information that could be utilized for cost estimation in liver disease-related economic evaluation studies.