The association between shift work and the incidence of reflux esophagitis in Korea: a cohort study.

Shift work has adverse health effects such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, sleep disturbance, depression, and breast cancer. Gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) results in lesions such as reflux esophagitis (RE) and Barrett's esophagus. This study investigated the association between shift work and RE.

Overall and cardiovascular mortality according to 10-year cardiovascular risk of the general health checkup: the Kangbuk Samsung Cohort Study.

Background: According to the occupational accident status analysis in 2020, of 1,180 occupational deaths, 463 were caused by cardiovascular disease (CVD). Workers should be assessed for CVD risk at regular intervals to prevent work-related CVD in accordance with the rules on occupational safety and health standards. However, no previous study has addressed risk and mortality.

Effect of vitamin D deficiency on metabolic syndrome among Korean shift workers.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effect of vitamin D deficiency on metabolic syndrome among shift workers.

Methods: This study included 207 756 workers who underwent a comprehensive health examination at a large South Korean university hospital between 2012 and 2018. We performed multivariate-adjusted logistic regression analysis and analyzed mediation and exposure-mediator interaction.

Association between sitting-time at work and incidence of erosive esophagitis diagnosed by esophagogastroduodenoscopy: a Korean cohort study.

Background: Most previous longitudinal studies on lifestyle and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) have focused on physical activity rather than sitting time. The main purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between prolonged sitting time and the development of erosive esophagitis (EE).

Methods: A self-report questionnaire was used for measuring sitting time in the Kangbuk Samsung Health Study.

The effect of long working hours on developing type 2 diabetes in adults with prediabetes: The Kangbuk Samsung Cohort Study.

Background: Long working hours are known to account for approximately one-third of the total expected work-related diseases, and much interest and research on long working hours have recently been conducted. Additionally, as the prevalence of prediabetes and the high-risk group for diabetes are increasing worldwide, interest in prediabetes is also rising. However, few studies have addressed the development of type 2 diabetes and long working hours in prediabetes.

Erratum: Need for individual-based evaluation to determine the association between humidifier disinfectants and health injuries.

[This corrects the article e21 in vol. 33.].

Need for individual-based evaluation to determine the association between humidifier disinfectants and health injuries.

Background: Injuries caused by humidifier disinfectants (HDs) can no longer be grouped under the concept of HD lung injury. Focusing on individual cases, we were able to evaluate the relevance not only of diseases for which epidemiological correlation is recognized but also all diseases and symptoms that the victims complain of.

Methods: In-depth interviews and reassessment of 113 HD-exposed patients who had not been acknowledged as victims by the government were conducted, and their medical records were reviewed.

Digital health care and arrhythmia: a case of WPW syndrome in South Korea, 2020.

Background: The digital health care field is expanding from the daily monitoring of chronic diseases to the detection of acute diseases, such as arrhythmia. Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome, a congenital cardiac disorder due to accessory pathways, causes tachycardia, syncope, and even sudden death.

Case Presentation: We presented a 26-year-old female office worker with WPW syndrome managing the disease with a wearable device and discussed its significance in occupational medicine.

A case series of flight attendants at risk of COVID-19 in South Korea in 2020.

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has infected many individuals worldwide. Individuals in contact with unspecified people during their work, may be at risk of occupational exposure. On June 22, 2020, 1,435 overseas patients were identified in the Republic of Korea.

Cross-sectional association between long working hours and endoscopic gastritis: the Kangbuk Samsung Health Study.

Objectives: This study aimed to determine the cross-sectional association between long working hours and gastritis diagnosed by endoscopy.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: Large university hospitals in Seoul and Suwon, South Korea.

A longitudinal study of working hours and chronic kidney disease in healthy workers: The Kangbuk Samsung Health Study.

Objectives: Long working hours are linked to an increased risk of exposure to work safety hazards that threaten the health of workers. To date, only a few cross-sectional studies regarding the relationship between working characteristics, such as over-workload and chronic kidney disease (CKD) have been reported. Therefore, in this longitudinal study, we aimed to examine the direct relationship between long working hours and the incidence of CKD.

Long working hours are associated with a higher risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: A large population-based Korean cohort study.

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a common chronic liver disease, may progress to fibrosis, cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, and liver failure. But only a few cross-sectional studies have reported an association of NAFLD with working hours. This cohort study further examined the association between working hours and the development of NAFLD.

Association between Shift Work and Reflux Esophagitis: The Kangbuk Samsung Health Study.

This cross-sectional study investigated the relationship between shift work and reflux esophagitis verified by endoscopic findings. Participants underwent a comprehensive health examination and esophagogastroduodenoscopy between January 2011 and December 2018. We examined endoscopic findings and performed multivariate-adjusted regression analysis of the association between shift work and reflux esophagitis using multiple demographic and clinical factors.

Cross-sectional association between long working hours and liver function: the Kangbuk Samsung Health Study.

Objectives: Although the effects of long working hours on liver function remain unclear, in South Korea, there is a social perception that long working hours are associated with poor liver function. Thus, long working hours have recently become a major issue. This study aimed to determine the association between long working hours and liver function, as indicated by the alanine transaminase (ALT) levels.

Recommendation for the establishment of a poison control center at the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency.

There is currently no governmental body in South Korea resembling the type of poison center (PC) recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). All Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) member countries except for South Korea maintain such a PC tasked with both preventing poisoning accidents and supporting the prompt treatment of poisoned patients. Such a PC could very possibly have allowed the country to more promptly recognize the widespread wave of humidifier disinfectant (HD) associated health effects, including fatal lung injury and death, that lasted started roughly in 2000 and continued through 2011.

Fighting the COVID-19 pandemic: onsite mass workplace testing for COVID-19 in the Republic of Korea.

The ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is causing tremendous damage globally. The Republic of Korea (ROK), a highly export-dependent nation, is a leader in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic and coping well with the disaster. Like the drive-through COVID-19 testing, which reflects the brilliant flexibility of the Korean medical system, onsite mass workplace testing for COVID-19, which our hospital has been performing over the past few months, is a unique and valuable countermeasure.

Mental health impact on a humidifier disinfectant disaster victim: a case report.

In Korea, the cause of lung disease of unknown origin was identified as humidifier disinfectants in November 2011. In February 2017, the 'Special Act on Remedy for Damage Caused by Humidifier Disinfectants' was promulgated. Even though emotional and mental injuries caused by humidifier disinfectants have been reported, the focus of the special act has been on physical injury only, and criteria for recognizing mental health impact have not been considered.

Factors associated with anti-hepatitis A virus immunoglobulin G seropositivity among Korean workers: a cross-sectional study.

Objectives: Hepatitis A incidence in Korea has dramatically increased in recent years. Individuals in their twenties and thirties, who account for majority of the workforce in Korea, are particularly susceptible to infection owing to a low seroprevalence of anti-hepatitis A virus (anti-HAV) immunoglobulin G (IgG). This study aimed to identify behavioural and occupational factors related to anti-HAV IgG seropositivity.