Clinical Evaluation of Primary Hyperparathyroidism in Korean: Collected Review of 11 Cases / 대한내분비외과학회지

This paper presents a clinical analysis of 11 patients with primary hyperparathyroidism treated by surgical operation during last 13 years from 1963 to 1976 in Korea. For all the cases presented, histopathological diagnosis was confirmed by the surgical specimens. The results of the study were as follows: 1) The sex distribution was 55% in female and 45% in male. 2) The age distribution was from 17 to 65 years in age and the peak age incidence was between 30 to 39 years. 3) The most frequent presenting clinical manifestation was skeletal symptoms with 9 cases (81.8%) and followed by renal symptoms with 5 cases (45.4%). In the series of this study, the skeletal symptom was more common and prominent than the renal symptoms. 4) The initial diagnosis was estabilished by the findings of increased calcium level in serum and decreased phosphorus level adjunct with X-ray examination of bone series. 5) The location of lesion was more common in the right side of parathyroid than the left side. There were no difference between upper and lower parts of parathyroids. 6) Histopathological findings disclosed that 10 of the 11 patients were found at surgery to have a single adenoma and with low grade cancer. 7) surgical excision of parathyroid tumor was performed for all cases.

Carpal Tunnel Configuration Measured by Ultrasonography as a Risk Factor of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in Motor Part Manufacturing Workers / 대한산업의학회지

OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to evaluate individual susceptibility to carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) by ultrasonographic measurement of the carpal tunnel configuration in workers doing repetitive work. METHODS: The study subjects consisted of 24 male and 11 female workers in a soundproof material manufacturing company in Gyeongju. We conducted a self-reported questionnaire survey, a physical examination and an electrodiagnostic study (EDS) in April 2000. After the examination, jobs were rearranged for workers with CTS. A follow up physical examination, EDS, and measurement of the carpal tunnel by ultrasonography was done six months later. RESULTS: Of those studied, prevalence of CTS was 63.6/100 persons among women and 29.2/100 persons among men. Mean depth and width of wrist was shorter in those with CTS compareal to the controls (p<0.05). The risk of CTS was higher in workers whose carpal tunnel ratio (displacement/width) was 0.17 or higher (OR 7.13, 95 % confidence interval 1.18-43.1), and in workers whose carpal tunnel area was less than 300 mm2 (OR 8.00, 95 % confidence interval 1.18-68.5). Carpal tunnel depth and depth/width ratio had a positive correlation with motor latency of the median nerve and median-ulnar sensory latency difference (p<0.05), whereas the carpal tunnel width, displacement/depth ratio, and area (width X displacement) had a negative correlation with median nerve latencies after adjusting for gender. Workers who showed an improvement in the clinical stage of CTS after job rearrangement had a significantly lower carpal tunnel displacement/width ratio and displacement/depth ratio. They also had smaller upper carpal tunnel area ( width X displacement) and larger upper carpal tunnel area [(depth-displacement) X width] than the controls (p< 0.05 ). CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasonographic measurement of the carpal tunnel is a good predictor of susceptibility and prognosis of CTS in workers doing repetivive work.

Carpal Tunnel Configuration Measured by Ultrasonography as a Risk Factor of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in Motor Part Manufacturing Workers / 대한산업의학회지

OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to evaluate individual susceptibility to carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) by ultrasonographic measurement of the carpal tunnel configuration in workers doing repetitive work. METHODS: The study subjects consisted of 24 male and 11 female workers in a soundproof material manufacturing company in Gyeongju. We conducted a self-reported questionnaire survey, a physical examination and an electrodiagnostic study (EDS) in April 2000. After the examination, jobs were rearranged for workers with CTS. A follow up physical examination, EDS, and measurement of the carpal tunnel by ultrasonography was done six months later. RESULTS: Of those studied, prevalence of CTS was 63.6/100 persons among women and 29.2/100 persons among men. Mean depth and width of wrist was shorter in those with CTS compareal to the controls (p<0.05). The risk of CTS was higher in workers whose carpal tunnel ratio (displacement/width) was 0.17 or higher (OR 7.13, 95 % confidence interval 1.18-43.1), and in workers whose carpal tunnel area was less than 300 mm2 (OR 8.00, 95 % confidence interval 1.18-68.5). Carpal tunnel depth and depth/width ratio had a positive correlation with motor latency of the median nerve and median-ulnar sensory latency difference (p<0.05), whereas the carpal tunnel width, displacement/depth ratio, and area (width X displacement) had a negative correlation with median nerve latencies after adjusting for gender. Workers who showed an improvement in the clinical stage of CTS after job rearrangement had a significantly lower carpal tunnel displacement/width ratio and displacement/depth ratio. They also had smaller upper carpal tunnel area ( width X displacement) and larger upper carpal tunnel area [(depth-displacement) X width] than the controls (p< 0.05 ). CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasonographic measurement of the carpal tunnel is a good predictor of susceptibility and prognosis of CTS in workers doing repetivive work.

Wrist Ratio as a Risk Factor of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome / 대한산업의학회지

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the risk factors of the carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and the impact of the wrist ratio on the prevalence of CTS in workers on repetitive work over a long term. METHODS: Study subjects consisted of 45 male and 16 female workers in a company that produces soundproof material in Gyeongju. We conducted a physical examination, a self-reported questionnaire survey and a nerve conduction study. CTS cases were defined as those subjects that had a positive finding in both the nerve conduction study and the physical examination done by a doctor specializing in rehabilitation medicine. RESULTS: Prevalence of CTS among the study subjects was 26.2/100 persons. The prevalence of CTS was positively associated with increasing age (p<0.01, using the chi-square test for trend) and female gender (OR=6.98, 95% CI=1.66-31.0), but was negatively associated with the educational level (p<0.01 by the chi-square for trend). Workers in the production area had a higher prevalence of CTS compared to those in the clerical area (OR=10.8 in the frame manufacturing process, OR=32.2 in the vacuum molding process). Patients with CTS had a narrower mean wrist width and a shorter mean hand and palm length, compared to those that had no disease (p<0.01 by the Student's t-test). The number of subjects who had a wrist ratio of 0.74 or more was significantly higher in cases of CTS (OR=4.0, 95% CI=1.01-16.3). However, a multiple logistic regression analysis showed only that the type of work was a significant variable after adjusting for the other variables. CONCLUSIONS: The wrist ratio, a surrogate of carpal tunnel configuration, can represent individual susceptibility to CTS. However this study shows that the use of the wrist ratio for predicting CTS risk is not adequate. The development of a new carpal tunnel configuration index based on more direct measurements of the tunnel shape will provide a better predictor of individual susceptibility to CTS.

Study on the Pre-employment Lumbo-sacral Simple X-Ray Examination / 대한산업의학회지

OBJECTIVES: A study was conducted for investigating the status of simple X-rays on lumbosacral regions at pre-employment health examination and analysing the effectiveness of simple X-rays on lumbosacral regions. METHODS: The study data were pre-employment health examination data in a university hospital from Jan 3, 1993 through October of 1997. And, 97 newly employed workers who claimed no low back pain at pre-employment health examination of a certain company were follow-up survey about low back pain and related factors in April, 1995 and October of 1997. The data were collected by a self-reported questionnaire and a medical examination with a rehabilitation specialist. RESULTS: Taking the simple X-rays on lumbo-sacral regions was 1, 591 workers(10.5%) among 15,166 pre-employment health examination from Jan 3, 1993 through October of 1997. And yearly application rates of these X-ray tests have been significantly statistical increasing (p<0.01). 2. The abnormal findings of simple X-rays on lumbo-sacral regions at pre-employment health examination were 40 workers. But, there was not significantly statistical difference between normal and abnormal group for the complaint rate of low back pain. 3. The number of case with symptoms of low back pain at the follow-up survey were 46, so the incidence density was 37. 1 persons/ 100 person-years. And the incidence density was not significantly statistical difference between normal and abnormal group of simple X-rays on lumbo-sacral regions. 4. Through the multivariate logistic regression, significantly associated factors with low back pain were found to be tenure(OR=0.36, 95%CI: 0.17-0.79), lifting of heavy materials(OR=5. 86, 95%CI: l. 58-21. 74). CONCLUSION: The simple X-rays on lumbo-sacral regions at pre-employment health examination is required further research for utilizing pre-employment health examination according to above results.

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Myofascial Pain Syndrome on School Boys / 예방의학회지

OBJECTIVES: To inquire the prevalence and the risk factors for myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) on young boys in order to use these results as the fundamental data for the prevention of their MPS. METHODS: For 7 days in May 1999, this research was taken on 489 male students ranging from 6th to 12th grade. We randomly selected a class for every group and from these classes we operated physical examinations, self-reported questionnaires and from a rehabilitation doctor, MPS test was taken. Thoracic kyphosis and lumbar lordosis were also taken by using the inclinometer. We defined MPS as a regional pain complaint, palpable taut band that is painful on compression. RESULTS: The shoulder MPS prevalence of the subjects were 29.7 persons/100 persons. The statistics revealed that as grades went up, the percentage significantly increased in the MPS prevalence. As of case-control study, 145 students who were tested postive in all aspects were placed as cases, and 176 students who were perfectly normal as controls on risk factors. As a result of comparing the student groups who were satisfied with their chairs to the student groups were not satisfied, the latter showed a significantly higher odds ratio (p<0.01). By the multiple logistic regression test, we concluded that the MPS disease was prevailed far more in the students in the higher grades (Odds ratio: 1.16, 95% C.I.: 1.03-1.31), and also those who were dissatisfied with their chairs than in the ones who were satisfied (Odds ratio: 1.92, 95% C.I.: 1.17-3.17). CONCLUSIONS: Significant correlations showed between the MPS diagnosed group and the students who are dissatisfied with their chairs. As a result, more research and observation has to be made concerning this disease, and the desks and chairs should be adjusted to suit the student? physical standards.

Epidemiologic Investigation of a Mumps Outbreak in a Middle School in Pohang, Korea: Effect of vaccination during outbreak / 한국역학회지

BACKGROUND: There was a widespread outbreak of mumps at elementary and middle schools in Pohang city in March 1999. We have carried out an epidemiologic survey to trace the source and mode of transmission of the outbreak, as well as evaluating the effect of vaccination as a measure of controlling the outbreak. METHODS: Questionnaire survey on 959 students showed that attack rate was 10.7%. There was no significant difference between genders in terms of attack rates. However, second graders outnumbered other groups as 16.9%, comparing to 8.1% among first graders and to 7.0% in the third graders. RESULTS: Cases of mumps were reported in 1998, primarily in the neighboring elementary schools. The disease was also reported earlier in 1999, sporadically. In March, however, number of the cases was sharply on the rise as the middle schools opened for a new semester. Our investigation revealed that infection stemmed from more than three different sources, particularly in the classes of second graders, and then spread to all students, corresponding to the distance between students. Effect of vaccination during the outbreak was pretty good: attack rate of the group vaccinated since May 1st, considering the maximum latent period of infections (21 days), was 0.8%, comparing to 5%. The efficiency of vaccination marked 84.8%.(95% confidence interval 79.66-89.94) Although the authors recommended the students to wear flue masks and wash their hands as often as possible to screen infections among the students, it turned out that such measures had little effect for the prevention of spread. CONCLUSIONS: The number of mumps cases dropped remarkably among vaccinated the students the prevalent period of the disease. Authors concluded that is effective to control the outbreak if it is done at early stage.

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Occupational Low Back Pain among the Production Workers in a Steel and a Welding Material Manufacturing Factories / 대한산업의학회지

A cross-sectional study was conducted for detecting the risk factors and to propose an effective control program for occupational low back pain. The subjects were 1,665 male production workers employed at a steel factory and a welding material manufacturing factory. The data were collected by a self-reported questionnaire and a medical examination with a rehabilitation specialist for ten days in September, 1997. The contents of the questionnaire were as follows: general characteristics, physical characteristics, employment status, type of work, working environment and the experience of low back pain. The number of cases with symptoms of occupational low back pain were 321, so the point prevalence was 19.3 persons/100 persons. The number of cases with a history of occupational low back pain for one year were 554, so the one year period prevalence was 33.3 persons/100 persons. The point and one year period prevalences of occupational low back pain showed no significant differences in age, marital status, educational level and body mass index. The point and one year period prevalences of occupational low back pain showed no significant differences in alcohol drinking, smoking, stretching exercise and regular exercise. The point and one year period prevalences of occupational low back pain were significantly higher in the unsatisfied group than the satisfied group(p < 0.01), However, no significant differences were found among tenures and shift work. The point and one year period prevalences of occupational low back pain were significantly higher in the lifting of heavy materials group than the nonlifting group(p < 0.01). However, no significant differences were found among posture of the waist and the working posture. Through the multivariate logistic regression, significantly associated factors with occupational low back pain were found to be dissatisfaction with job(point prevalence: OR=1.78, 95% CI: 1.21-2.61; one year prevalence: OR=1.76, 95% CI: 1.26-2.47), lifting of heavy materials(point prevalence: OR=1.94. 95% CI: 1.44-2.61: one year prevalence: OR=2.17, 95% CI: 1.70-2.77) and tenure(point prevalence: OR=1.03. 95% CI: 1.01-1.06: one year prevalence: OR=1.02, 95% CI: 1.00-1.05).