Objectives: This study was carried out to understand the seroprevalence and risk factors for severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) among the Korea National Park Service (KNPS) workers. Methods: We used the stored serum samples (763) and survey results collected from the previous investigation on scrub typhus and Lyme disease among the KNPS workers during 2016-2017. The serum samples were analyzed by double-antigen sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, which was used to test the total antibody including IgG and IgM. Results: The SFTS seroprevalence among the KNPS worrkers was 1.4%. In multivariate logistic analysis, the national park exploration programs (odds ratio, 3.48; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-12.01) was significantly associated with the seroprevalence of SFTS. Conclusion This study was the first serological study of SFTS among forestry workers in South Korea. Although the KNPS workers are at a high-risk group of SFTS, the prevention activities related to the working environment and habit was insufficient. Thus, systematic prevention education and training for the KNPS workers need to be strengthened.

Objective: To investigate the reliability of knee extensor strength measurements using a supine hand-held dynamometer (HHD) anchoring frame in patients with limited physical activity. Although an HHD is suitable for bedside use, its inter-rater reliability is low because measurements can be influenced by tester strength. Methods: Maximal knee extensor isometric strength was measured using an HHD anchored to the supine frame. Three trials of three maximal contractions were assessed by two raters. Results: A total of 33 inpatients who were non-ambulatory due to acute illness participated in the study. The intraclass correlation coefficients were 0.974 (inter-rater) and 0.959 (intra-rater). The minimal detectable changes in intra- and inter-observer measurements were 29.46 N (24.10%) and 36.73 N (29.26%), respectively. The limits of agreement ranged from -19.79% to 24.81% for intra-rater agreement and from -21.45% to 37.07% for inter-rater agreement. Conclusion The portable dynamometer anchoring system can measure the isometric strength of the knee extensor reliably in the supine position, and could be used for measurements in patients who have difficulty visiting the laboratory and maintaining a seated posture.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aim of this study is to describe the outcome of the national survey and to determine the endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) quality in Korea by comparing with the quality indicators. METHODS: We used the database of Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service and then performed anonymous national survey. RESULTS: Completed questionnaires were returned by 129 of 157 ERCP endoscopists. In Korea, annual ERCP rates have been consistently increased over years. Individual ERCP volume was high (>200 per year) in about half of ERCP endoscopists. Most ERCP endoscopists performed all of level I procedures. However, manometry, cholangiopancreatoscopy, and pancreatic procedures were performed mostly in institutions with high hospital volume. The rate of overall success was more than 90% in most ERCP endoscopists. However, the rate of precut sphincterotomy was high in more than a fourth of ERCP endoscopists. Twelve ERCP endoscopists experienced post-ERCP mortality within recent 1 year. ERCP training and radiation protection during ERCP did not meet the standard of quality indicators especially in institutions with low or moderate hospital volume. CONCLUSIONS: Technical issues during ERCP procedures in Korea fulfill the standard of quality indicators. However, a great effort is needed to improve issues about ERCP training and radiation protection.
Anonyms and Pseudonyms ; Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde ; Insurance, Health ; Korea ; Manometry ; Mortality ; Radiation Protection ; Republic of Korea ; Surveys and Questionnaires

BACKGROUND: Due to an increasing number of workers aged 50 years and above, the number of those employed is also on the rise, and those workers aged 50 and over has exceeded 50% of the total fatal occupational injuries. Therefore, it is necessary to implement the selection and concentration by identifying the characteristics of high-risk groups necessary for an effective prevention against and reduction of fatal occupational injuries. METHODS: This study analyzed the characteristics of high-risk groups and the occupational injury fatality rate per 10,000 workers among the workers aged 50 and over through a multi-dimensional analysis by sex, employment status of workers, industry and occupation by targeting 4,079 persons who died in fatal occupational injuries from January 2007 to December 12. RESULTS: The share of the workers aged 50 years and above is increasing every year in the total fatal occupational injuries occurrence, and the high-risk groups include 'male workers' by sex, ‘daily workers’ by worker’s status, ‘craft and related-trades workers’ by occupation, and ‘mining’ by industry. CONCLUSION: The most frequent causal objects of fatal occupational injuries of the workers aged 50 years and above are found out to be ‘installment and dismantlement of temporary equipment and material on work platforms including scaffold’ in the construction industry and ‘mobile crane, conveyor belt and fork lifts’ in the manufacturing industry.
Construction Industry ; Employment ; Humans ; Occupational Injuries* ; Occupations

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study is to identify high-risk groups for industrial accidents by setting up 2003 as the base year and conducting an in-depth analysis of the trends of major industrial accident indexes the index of industrial accident rate, the index of occupational injury rate, the index of occupational illness and disease rate per 10,000 people, and the index of occupational injury fatality rate per 10,000 people for the past 10 years. METHODS: This study selected industrial accident victims, who died or received more than 4 days of medical care benefits, due to occupational accidents and diseases occurring at workplaces, subject to the Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance Act, as the study population. RESULTS: According to the trends of four major indexes by workplace characteristics, the whole industry has shown a decreasing tendency in all four major indexes since the base year (2003); as of 2012, the index of industrial accident rate was 67, while the index of occupational injury fatality rate per 10,000 people was 59. CONCLUSION: The manufacturing industry, age over 50 years and workplaces with more than 50 employees showed a high severity level of occupational accidents. Male workers showed a higher severity level of occupational accidents than female workers. The employment period of < 3 years and newly hired workers with a relatively shorter working period are likely to have more occupational accidents than others. Overall, an industrial accident prevention policy must be established by concentrating all available resources and capacities of these high-risk groups.
Accidents, Occupational* ; Compensation and Redress ; Employment ; Female ; Humans ; Insurance ; Male ; Occupational Injuries ; Republic of Korea*

BACKGROUND: To investigate the relationship between musculoskeletal disorders and comorbid health problems, including depression/anxiety disorder, insomnia/sleep disorder, fatigue, and injury by accident, and to determine whether certain physical and psychological factors reduce comorbid health problems. METHODS: In total, 29,711 employees were selected from respondents of the Third Korean Working Conditions Survey and categorized into two groups: Musculoskeletal Complaints or Musculoskeletal Sickness Absence. Four self-reported health indicators (overall fatigue, depression/anxiety, insomnia/sleep disorder, and injury by accident) were selected as outcomes, based on their high prevalence in Korea. We used multiple logistic regression analysis to determine the relationship between comorbid health problems, musculoskeletal complaints, and sickness absence. RESULTS: The prevalence of musculoskeletal complaints and musculoskeletal sickness absence due to muscular pain was 32.26% and 0.59%, respectively. Compared to the reference group, depression/anxiety disorder and overall fatigue were 5.2-6.1 times more prevalent in the Musculoskeletal Complaints Group and insomnia/sleep disorder and injury by accident were 7.6-11.0 times more prevalent in the Sickness Absence Group. When adjusted for individual and work-related physical factors, prevalence of all four comorbid health problems were slightly decreased in both groups. CONCLUSION: Increases in overall fatigue and depression/anxiety disorder were observed in the Musculoskeletal Complaints Group, while increases in insomnia/sleep disorder and injury by accident were observed in the Sickness Absence Group. For management of musculoskeletal complaints and sickness absence in the workplace, differences in health problems between employees with musculoskeletal complaints and those with sickness absence as well as the physical and psychological risk factors should be considered.
Surveys and Questionnaires ; Fatigue ; Korea ; Logistic Models ; Prevalence ; Psychology ; Risk Factors

No abstract available.
Bronchial Spasm ; Pulmonary Edema

There has been a mistake, claimed and confirmed by all the authors of Vol 50(1), 2012, p. 1-9 issue, that first author should have been Il-Han Kim instead of Kwan-Tae Noh.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a mouthguard on stress distribution under mandibular impact. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The FEM model of head consisted of skull, maxilla, mandible, articular disc, teeth, and mouthguard. The impact locations on mandible were gnathion, the center of inferior border, and the anterior edge of gonial angle. And the impact directions were vertical, oblique (45degrees), and horizontal. The impact load was 800 N for 0.1 sec. RESULTS: When vertical impact was applied, the similar stress and the distribution pattern was occurred without the relation of the mouthguard use (P>.05). The model with mouthguard was dispersed the stress to the teeth, the facial bone and the skull when the oblique (45degrees) impacts were happened. However, the stress was centralized on the teeth in the model without mouthguard (P<.05). The model with mouthguard was dispersed the stress to the teeth, the facial bone and the skull when the horizontal impacts was occurred. However, the stress was centralized on the teeth without mouthguard (P<.05). For all impact loads, stress concentrated on maxillary anterior teeth in model without mouthguard, on the contrary, the stress was low in the model with mouthguard and distributed broadly on maxillary anterior teeth, facial bone, and skull. CONCLUSION: The mouthguard was less effective at shock absorbing when vertical impact was added. However, it was approved that mouthguard absorbed the shock regarded to the oblique (45degrees) and horizontal impact by dispersing the shock to the broader areas and decreasing the stress.
Facial Bones ; Finite Element Analysis ; Head ; Mandible ; Maxilla ; Shock ; Skull ; Tooth

No abstract available.
Heart ; Pulmonary Embolism ; Thrombosis