Is Farming a Risk Occupation for Cardio-cerebrovascular Diseases? A Scoping Review on Cardio-cerebrovascular Disease Risk in Farmers.

Objectives: In Korea, cardio-cerebrovascular disease (CCVD) is recognized as an occupational disease when sufficient evidence of a work-related burden exists. In 2021, approximately 26.8% of the payments from occupational disease insurance under the Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance Act were allocated to CCVDs.

Introduction to the forensic research via omics markers in environmental health vulnerable areas (FROM) study.

This research group (forensic research via omics markers in environmental health vulnerable areas: FROM) aimed to develop biomarkers for exposure to environmental hazards and diseases, assess environmental diseases, and apply and verify these biomarkers in environmentally vulnerable areas. Environmentally vulnerable areas-including refineries, abandoned metal mines, coal-fired power plants, waste incinerators, cement factories, and areas with high exposure to particulate matter-along with control areas, were selected for epidemiological investigations. A total of 1,157 adults, who had resided in these areas for over 10 years, were recruited between June 2021 and September 2023.

Coronary Artery Calcification on Low-Dose Lung Cancer Screening CT in South Korea: Visual and Artificial Intelligence-Based Assessment and Association With Cardiovascular Events.

Coronary artery calcification (CAC) on lung cancer screening low-dose chest CT (LDCT) is a cardiovascular risk marker. South Korea was the first Asian country to initiate a national LDCT lung cancer screening program, although CAC-related outcomes are poorly explored. The purpose of this article is to evaluate CAC prevalence and severity using visual analysis and artificial intelligence (AI) methods and to characterize CAC's association with major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) in patients undergoing LDCT in Korea's national lung cancer screening program.

Association between Weight Change and Incidence of Dyslipidemia in Young Adults: A Retrospective Cohort Study of Korean Male Soldiers.

Background: Recent lifestyle changes have increased the prevalence of dyslipidemia in Korea. Young men are known to have a low awareness of dyslipidemia and a lack of motivation to maintain their weight. However, the association between weight change and dyslipidemia in young adults has not been thoroughly examined.

Twenty-two-year incidence trend of urological cancers in the Republic of Korea: 1999-2020.

Purpose: Cancer is a disease with high social costs, and policymaking through accurate statistics is very important. This study presents the national cancer statistics on the incidence of urological cancers in the Republic of Korea over 22 years, from 1999 to 2020.

Materials And Methods: Through the Korean Statistical Information Service, data on the incidence of urological cancers by sex and age in each year was obtained.

Association between Occupational Noise Exposure and Insomnia among Night-Shift Production Workers: A 4-Year Follow-up Study.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate whether occupational noise exposure is a risk factor for insomnia among male night-shift production workers.

Methods: This study followed 623 male night-shift production workers at a tire manufacturing factory without insomnia for 4 years. Insomnia was evaluated based on the insomnia severity index at baseline and at 4-year follow-up.

A case of syncope in a villager with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy after hydrogen sulfide exposure by an unauthorized discharge of wastewater.

Background: Hydrogen sulfide is a toxic substance that humans can be exposed to occupationally, and cases of hydrogen sulfide poisoning of workers in industrial sites are commonly reported. However, there have been no cases of poisoning of the public due to an unauthorized discharge of wastewater, so it is important to describe this incident.

Case Presentation: In a small village in Jeollanam-do, Republic of Korea, accounts of a terrible stench had been reported.

Validation of prediction algorithm for risk estimation of intracranial aneurysm development using real-world data.

Intracranial aneurysm (IA) is difficult to detect, and most patients remain undiagnosed, as screening tests have potential risks and high costs. Thus, it is important to develop risk assessment system for efficient and safe screening strategy. Through previously published research, we have developed a prediction model for the incidence risk of IA using cohort observational data.

The Association Between Blood Lead Levels and Coronary Artery Calcium Score Determined by Using Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography.

Background: Lead exposure is a known risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD), and coronary artery calcification (CAC) is a biomarker for diagnosing atherosclerotic CVD. This study investigated the association between blood lead level (BLL) and CAC using coronary computed tomography (CT) angiography.

Methods: This study enrolled 2,189 participants from the general population with no history or symptoms of CVD.

Obstructive sleep apnea risk and hearing impairment among occupational noise-exposed male workers.

This study aimed to investigate the association between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) risk and hearing impairment among workers exposed to occupational noise. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 607 healthy male workers at a tire-manufacturing factory. The subjects underwent audiometric testing, and their OSA risk was examined based on the STOP-Bang questionnaire.

Changes in the Health Indicators of Hospital Medical Residents During the Four-Year Training Period in Korea.

Background: In South Korea, the legal maximum working hours per week for medical residents is 88 hours, which are longer than those for other occupations, and the intensity of the workload is also remarkably high. Long working hours and job-related stress can worsen the health status of residents. This study aimed to analyze the four-year annual health checkup (AHC) data of residents to identify changes in their health indicators.

Occupational dose and associated factors during transarterial chemoembolization of hepatocellular carcinoma using real-time dosimetry: A simple way to reduce radiation exposure.

Transarterial chemoembolization is the standard treatment option for intermediate-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, during the interventional procedure, occupational radiation protection is compromised. The use of real-time radiation dosimetry could provide instantaneous radiation doses.

Twenty-year incidence trend of hematologic malignancies in the Republic of Korea: 1999-2018.

Background: In this study, we presented the national cancer statistics on the incidence of hematologic malignancies in the Republic of Korea (ROK) over a period of 20 years, from 1999 to 2018.

Methods: We obtained data on the incidence of hematologic malignancies using the Korean Statistical Information Service (KOSIS). For each hematologic malignancy, the number of cases, crude incidence rate, and age-standardized incidence rate were calculated, and the statistical trends were confirmed by Poisson regression and Joinpoint regression analysis.

The relationship between chronotypes and musculoskeletal problems in male automobile manufacturing workers.

Background: Previous studies have shown that morning types are less sensitive to pain. This study aimed to examine the relationship between chronotypes and musculoskeletal problems in workers with musculoskeletal burdens at work.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 119 male production workers from a large automobile manufacturing plant.

Seroprevalence of measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella-zoster antibodies in new female nurses in the Republic of Korea.

Background: For health care workers, immune management plays an important role in the protection against infectious diseases. This study investigated the seroprevalence of measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella-zoster in newly employed female nurses.

Methods: We conducted a survey on the seroprevalence of measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella-zoster in newly employed female nurses at a university hospital from 2011 to 2019, before the nurses were given their department placements and duty start.

Associations between Blood Lead Levels and Coronary Artery Stenosis Measured Using Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography.

Background: Lead exposure is a risk factor for increased blood pressure and cardiovascular disease, even when blood lead levels (BLLs) are within the normal range.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the association between BLL and coronary artery stenosis (CAS) in asymptomatic adults using 128-slice dual-source coronary computed tomography (CT) angiography.

Methods: We analyzed medical records data from 2,193 adults (1,461 men and 732 women) who elected to complete a screening health examination, coronary CT angiography, and BLL measurement during 2011-2018 and had no history of CAS symptoms, cardiovascular disease, or occupational exposure to lead.

Effects of Exposure to Lead and Cadmium on Health of Inhabitants of Abandoned Metal Mine Area in Korea.

People living near abandoned mines are at increased risk of exposure to toxic metals. We surveyed 4500 inhabitants with the mean age of 68.5 years old (male: 1768, female: 2732) living near 104 abandoned metal mines from 2013 to 2017 (the 2nd phase health survey in Korea).

Collective exposure to lead from an approved natural product-derived drug in Korea.

Background: In Asian countries, including Korea, lead poisoning caused by traditional herbal medicines is often observed in the clinic. However, there have been no reports thus far of lead poisoning caused by drugs that were approved by the Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA). Here, we describe seven patients who ingested a problematic natural product-derived drug (NPD).

Night shiftwork and prostate-specific antigen level in a tire manufacturing factory.

Background: Recent studies suggest that night shiftwork may increase the risk of prostate cancer and elevated serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level. The purpose of this study was to verify whether rotating night shiftwork affects serum PSA level.

Methods: This study included 3,195 male production workers who work in a large tire manufacturing factory.

The association between serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) levels and job-related stress among female nurses.

Background: Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) is an endogenous steroid hormone produced by the adrenal gland. DHEAS has been suggested to play a protective role against psychosocial stress. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between job-related stress and blood concentrations of DHEAS according to occupational stress factors among female nurses.

Blood lead level and infection in a healthy population: A cross-sectional study.

The aim of this study was to investigate whether elevated blood lead level (BLL) is a risk factor for infection. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy was performed on 2,625 subjects who visited a university hospital for general health examination. infection was detected using histologic examination with Giemsa staining, and BLLs were measured.

The menstrual cycle associated with insomnia in newly employed nurses performing shift work: a 12-month follow-up study.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate whether insomnia among newly-employed shift-working nurses is associated with menstrual cycle irregularity.

Methods: We followed 287 nurses employed between 2015 and 2016 for 12 months. An Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) was completed to determine levels of insomnia 6 months after beginning work.

Acute radiation syndrome in a non-destructive testing worker: a case report.

Background: In Korea, there were repeated radiation exposure accidents among non-destructive testing workers. Most of the cases involved local injury, such as radiation burns or hematopoietic cancer. Herein, we report a case of acute radiation syndrome caused by short periods of high exposure to ionizing radiation.

Selection of Surgical Approach for Trigonal Meningiomas in Consideration of Visual Outcome.

Objectives: We report the surgical outcome of trigonal meningiomas through 3 different approaches with attention to visual outcomes.

Methods: Between 1994 and 2017, 23 patients underwent resection of trigonal meningiomas. We performed tumor removal using 3 different surgical approaches through the superior parietal lobule, middle temporal gyrus (MTG), and modified MTG.