Association between Job Stress and Alexithymic Traits / 대한산업의학회지

OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the association between job stress and alexithymic traits in Korean workers. METHODS: Workers (n=521) who visited two university hospitals for medical check-ups were recruited for this study. Job stress was evaluated using the Korean version of Karasek's Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ), and alexithymic traits were assessed using the Korean version of the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20K). Crude and adjusted odds ratios (ORs) of job stress scales (job strain, job insecurity, and job dissatisfaction) with alexithymic traits(total TAS score > or =52) were calculated. RESULTS: High job strain compared with low strain had a high, but insignificant association with alexithymic traits (adjusted OR, 2.26; 95% CI, 0.93-5.44). High job insecurity (adjusted OR, 2.26; 95% CI, 1.21-4.22), and high job dissatisfaction (adjusted OR, 1.99; 95% CI, 1.06-3.74) had significant associations with alexithymic traits. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that job stress is associated with alexithymic traits in workers.

A Case of Trichloroethylene Intoxication with Neuropsychiatric Symptoms / 대한산업의학회지

BACKGROUND: Trichloroethylene (TCE) has been widely used as a typewriter correction fluid, paint remover, adhesive, spot removers and, particularly, as a degreasing agent in metal-fabricating operation. However, few studies have reported on the effects of TCE intoxication, in spite of numerous occupational accidents arising from TCE intoxication, even until quite recently used in small companies. TCE affects mainly the central nervous system (CNS) and is carcinogenic, even when carefully used and managed. CASE REPORT: A 48-year-old male worker visited our hospital complaining of decreased motivation and general weakness. In history taking, the patient had suffered insomnia, memory disturbance, stuttering, loss of interest and sexual desire, depressive mood for 4 years, dysesthesia with tingling sensation and pain in both extremities, and a nauseas feeling similar to a hangover which had been aggravated for 4 months before admission. The patient had been engaged in metal degreasing with TCE for 8 years. Electromyography indicated disturbance of autonomic function, but there was neither peripheral neuropathy nor cervical radiculopathy. Organic abnormalities including cerebellar atrophy and CNS infection were ruled out, while there was no indication of malignancy in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and metabolic disorders and electrolyte imbalances in laboratory test. The authors performed biological monitoring for the possible exposed chemicals. Urinary 2,5-hexanedione, a metabolite of n-hexane, was undetected but 3,331.1 mg/g creatinine of urinary trichloro-compounds, a metabolite of TCE, was detected. The patient was diagnosed as TCE intoxication due to a level of urinary trichloro-compounds in excess of the normal range (300 mg/g creatinine), in addition to an occupational history and clinical symptoms. TCE exposure was stopped in admission and the neuropsychiatric symptoms of the patient were improved as the urinary trichloro-compounds were decreased from 3,331.1 mg/g creatinine to 64.6 mg/g creatinine in 5 days. CONCLUSION: Low-dose, chronic TCE intoxication shows neuropsychiatric symptoms, which are often misrecognized merely as a psychiatric disorder; its appropriate diagnosis, early treatment and exposure assessment are therefore difficult. The neuropsychiatric symptoms in workers who have been exposed to TCE should be monitored, detailed job history should be taken and biological monitoring should be conducted to gain early insight of chronic TCE exposure.

A Case of Trichloroethylene Intoxication with Neuropsychiatric Symptoms / 대한산업의학회지

BACKGROUND: Trichloroethylene (TCE) has been widely used as a typewriter correction fluid, paint remover, adhesive, spot removers and, particularly, as a degreasing agent in metal-fabricating operation. However, few studies have reported on the effects of TCE intoxication, in spite of numerous occupational accidents arising from TCE intoxication, even until quite recently used in small companies. TCE affects mainly the central nervous system (CNS) and is carcinogenic, even when carefully used and managed. CASE REPORT: A 48-year-old male worker visited our hospital complaining of decreased motivation and general weakness. In history taking, the patient had suffered insomnia, memory disturbance, stuttering, loss of interest and sexual desire, depressive mood for 4 years, dysesthesia with tingling sensation and pain in both extremities, and a nauseas feeling similar to a hangover which had been aggravated for 4 months before admission. The patient had been engaged in metal degreasing with TCE for 8 years. Electromyography indicated disturbance of autonomic function, but there was neither peripheral neuropathy nor cervical radiculopathy. Organic abnormalities including cerebellar atrophy and CNS infection were ruled out, while there was no indication of malignancy in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and metabolic disorders and electrolyte imbalances in laboratory test. The authors performed biological monitoring for the possible exposed chemicals. Urinary 2,5-hexanedione, a metabolite of n-hexane, was undetected but 3,331.1 mg/g creatinine of urinary trichloro-compounds, a metabolite of TCE, was detected. The patient was diagnosed as TCE intoxication due to a level of urinary trichloro-compounds in excess of the normal range (300 mg/g creatinine), in addition to an occupational history and clinical symptoms. TCE exposure was stopped in admission and the neuropsychiatric symptoms of the patient were improved as the urinary trichloro-compounds were decreased from 3,331.1 mg/g creatinine to 64.6 mg/g creatinine in 5 days. CONCLUSION: Low-dose, chronic TCE intoxication shows neuropsychiatric symptoms, which are often misrecognized merely as a psychiatric disorder; its appropriate diagnosis, early treatment and exposure assessment are therefore difficult. The neuropsychiatric symptoms in workers who have been exposed to TCE should be monitored, detailed job history should be taken and biological monitoring should be conducted to gain early insight of chronic TCE exposure.

The prevalence of microalbuminuria and associated factors in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus in Korea / 대한내과학회지

BACKGROUND: To determine the prevalence and the associated factors of microalbuminuria in Korean subjects with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus. METHODS: A total of 304 patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus that visited Anam Hospital, Korea University Medical Center, were studied cross-sectionally for the presence of microalbuminuria and other micro- and macrovascular complications. Microalbuminuria was calculated by the amount of albumin excretion in the urine for 24 hrs (30-299 mg/24hr) or by the albumin creatinine ratio in a spot urine sample (30-299 mg/g creatinine). Subjects were divided into two groups: the normoalbuminuria group and the microalbuminuria group. RESULTS: The prevalence of microalbuminuria, normoalbuminuria and overt proteinuria in patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus was 17.1%, 80.3% and 2.6%. respectively. Microalbuminuria was significantly correlated with the body mass index (BMI), fasting insulin level, fasting C-peptide level and triglyceride level. The number of metabolic syndrome components was significantly correlated with the amount of microalbuminuria. In patients with microalbuminuria and without retinopathy, the correlation of microalbuminuria and the presence of metabolic syndrome was also significant. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of microalbuminuria in 304 Korean patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus was 17.1%, and microalbuminuria had a correlation with the BMI, fasting insulin level, fasting C-peptide level, HOMA level, triglyceride level and the presence of metabolic syndrome.