Characteristics of Uveitis in Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis in Korea: A Single-center Survey

OBJECTIVE: Uveitis is the most common extra-articular manifestation occurring in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). This study examined the characteristics of uveitis in patients with AS using a questionnaire survey. METHODS: A questionnaire-based survey was given to patients enrolled in an AS registry at a rheumatology clinic in a tertiary hospital between September 2015 and December 2015. The patients responded to several questions and sub-questions related to uveitis. RESULTS: A total of 750 patients participated in the survey. The number of patients diagnosed with uveitis in the ophthalmology department was 218 (29%). The most common symptoms in patients with uveitis were ocular injection (61%), eye pain (54%), and decreased visual acuity (51%). Interestingly, 91 of the 532 patients (17%) who had not been diagnosed with uveitis before also experienced similar symptoms, such as tearing, ocular injection, and eye pain. The number of patients who experienced a flare of uveitis more than once a year was 109 (50%), and 124 patients with uveitis responded that the treatment of AS had no significant effect on the prevention of uveitis recurrence. CONCLUSION: The clinical characteristics of uveitis that patients experience was investigated through surveys. Because uveitis in patients with AS is not well diagnosed and treated, active screening for suspected symptoms and the prevention of a recurrence is needed.

Characteristics of Occupational Lung Cancer from 1999 to 2005 / 대한산업의학회지

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the characteristics of occupational lung cancer. METHODS: We analyzed the characteristics of 53 occupational lung cancer cases among 128 lung cancer cases applied for industrial accident compensation insurance benefits and referred for the decision of work-relatedness between 1999 and 2005. Statistical analysis was conducted using the Chi-square test on 128 lung cancer cases. RESULTS: The age of diagnosis, smoking history, and cell type of lung cancer cases were not significantly different between 53 cases of occupational lung cancer and 75 cases of non-occupational lung cancer (p>.05). Here is a list of occupational lung cancer case numbers associated with certain carcinogens were: 33(62.3%) cases with asbestos, 23(43.4%) cases with polycyclic aromatic hydro carbon (PAH), 17 cases(32.1%) with chromium VI (Oxidation state), 14 cases(26.4%) with crystalline silica, 12 cases (22.6%) with nickel compounds, 2 cases(3.8%) with radon daughters, and 1 case(1.9%) with arsenic. Eighteen cases(34.0%) of occupational lung cancer had exposures to a single carcinogen, and 35 cases (66.0%) had exposures to more than 2 carcinogens. Job types associated with occupational lung cancer cases were: 16 cases(30.2%) with maintenance, 13 cases(24.5%) with welding; 6 cases(11.3%) with grinding; 4 cases(7.5%) with foundry; 3 cases(5.7%) with driving, casting, and painting' and 14 cases (26.4%) with 'other'. CONCLUSIONS: This study identified the characteristics of occupational lung cancer through the analysis of the age of diagnosis, smoking history, cell type, job, and carcinogen. There is no difference between occupational lung cancer and non-occupational lung cancer except exposure to the carcinogens. these results indicate that past exposure to occupational carcinogens remains an important determinant of occupational lung cancer occurrence.

The Effect of a Stretching Exercise on Myofascial Pain Syndrome Patients in Small and Medium Sized Industries / 대한산업의학회지

OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to identify the effect of a stretching exercise on myofascial pain syndrome patients that work in small and medium-sized industry. METHODS: Questionnaires surveys including general characteristics, work-related characteristics, and musculoskeletal symptoms on neck and shoulder area was administered to 393 subjects who worked in small and medium sized industries. Symptomatic workers were examined to identify whether they had myofascial pain syndrome (MPS). Of the 393 subjects, 108 MPS patients performed 6 weeks stretching exercise program. Intensity of pain was estimated with visual analogue scales (VAS). All patients were interviewed to estimate their compliance to stretching exercise program. RESULTS: Of the 393 workers, 119 workers were diagnosed with MPS of the neck and shoulder. Post-exercise VAS was significantly reduced compared to pre-exercise VAS (p<0.05). High compliance patients to stretching exercise were more effective to exercise therapy (OR 2.89, 95% CI 1.19~7.04), and overtime workers were less effective to exercise therapy (OR 0.41, 95% CI 0.17~0.95). CONCLUSION: The Stretching exercise program was identified to be effective in MPS patients in small and medium-sized industries. It is recommended that workers with MPS in small and medium-sized industries practice a well-designed stretching exercise program, and avoid overtime work.

Factors Related to Occupational Injuries and Health Problems for Some Female Workers in Non-standard Employment / 대한산업의학회지

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to examine certain factors associated with occupational injuries and health problems for some female workers in non-standard employment. METHODS: We enrolled 754 female workers that were selected from 1,040 people who had agreed to be surveyed as part of a group or company in either the Seoul and the Kyonggi area. We performed univariate logistic regression on survey data and again performed multivariate logistic regression on those variables that were statistically significant. RESULTS: In this study, the overall incidence of occupational injury for all workers was 12.5%. The incidence rates by position were as follows: 12.9%(insurance saleswoman), 7.4%(telemarketer), 9.2%(visiting teacher), 22%(golf caddy). The most frequent complaint was lower back pain(12.8%) in insurance saleswomen, voice symptoms(37%) in telemarketers, knee and ankle symptoms(33.8%) in golf caddies, and voice symptoms(14.4%) in visiting teachers. The factors related to occupational injuries included job type, and age. The factors related to health problems were job type, psychosocial stress, accident risk, and social support. The percentage of the cases that occurred without fringe benefits including social welfare was 30.4%, and the percentage of "paid out of the person's own pocket" of ways to arrange costs of accidents was 32.5%. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, some female workers in non-standard employment had relatively high level of occupational injuries, accompanied by various health problems. In these occupational classes, the conditions for social insurance and social welfare were poor. It is necessary to expand the application of social insurances including industrial accident compensation insurance. Regardless of job category, psychosocial stress and social support were statistically significant for many symptoms. We believe that measurement of these factors is necessary. In the future, additional studies are required with the use of objective methods for additional job categories.