Framingham Risk Scores by Occupational Group: Based on the 3rd Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey / 대한산업의학회지

OBJECTIVES: To find differences in Framingham risk scores which predict the probable risk of future cardiovascular disease, among three different occupational categories. METHODS: Subjects were selected from respondents of the 3rd Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. A total of 2,059 employed people between 20 to 59 years old were selected. The occupational categories were professional and office workers, salespeople and service workers and technicians and elementary occupations. The Framingham risk score was calculated to find the risk of cardiovascular disease within the next 10 years. In addition socio-demographic characteristics, life-styles, the prevalence of chronic disease, and cardiovascular disease were compared among the occupational categories. RESULTS: The average Framingham risk score was 2.77+/-6.44 for professional and office workers (n=771), 5.95+/-6.10 for salespeople and service workers (n=603) and 7.07+/-5.87 for technician and elementary occupations (n=685) Statistically significant multiple regression equations were derived (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Framingham risk scores of technicians and elementary occupations were highest which suggests that this occupational group has the highest risk of cardiovascular disease.

The Relationship between Job Stress and Depressive Symptoms in Migrant Workers in Kyung-gi Province in Korea / 대한산업의학회지

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the mental health status of migrant workers. We focused on the relationship between depressive symptoms and job stress. METHEOD: A questionnaire was administered to 488 migrant workers who visited NGO migrant worker centers located in Kyung-gi province. A structured, self-reported questionnaire was used to assess each responder's sociodemographics, work related characteristics, health behaviors, past medical history, job stress and depression symptoms. The job stress questionnaire was used according to KOSS-26 and depression symptoms were measured using CES-D, which was translated into Korean. We used multiple logistic regression analysis to assess the relationship between risk factors included job stress and depression symptoms. RESULTS: The prevalence of depression symptoms in survey subjects was 25.2%, but the prevalence of non-Chinese nationalities and illegal workers were 32.1% and 32.8%, respectively. Adjusting for confounding factors, job stress (OR 2.55, 95% CI=1.30-4.99) had a statistical meaningful relationship with depression symptoms. Among job stress domains, physical environment (OR 2.97, 95% CI=1.59-5.53), job demand (OR 2.33, 95% CI=1.26-4.32) and occupational climate(OR 3.10, CI=1.49-6.48) were most likely to experience depression symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of depressive symptoms among the study subjects was similar to the prevalence among the general population in Korea, but higher than that among the Korean workers. In particular, the prevalence among non-Chinese and illegal workers was higher. However, the job stress factor appeared to have a more direct correlation with depressive symptoms than the sociodemographic factors of nationality or residential status. Hence, in order to prevent depressive symptoms of the migrant workers, we believe that intervention on job stress is necessary.

The Relationship between Depressive Symptoms, Job Stress and Intensity of Labor among Security Firm Workers / 대한산업의학회지

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the mental health status of security firm workers focusing on job stress, depressive symptoms, and overall psychosocial stress and to determine the relationship between depressive symptoms and the level of distress with changes in labor conditions and intensity. METHODS: Using a cross-sectional design, a formal survey including basic sociodemographic factors, job-related characteristics, job stress, psychosocial stress, depressive symptoms, and changes in labor conditions and intensity was conducted on workers employed in nine security firms. A total of 1,313 workers replied to the survey. We estimated the relationship between psychosocial stress and depressive symptoms with job stress, and changes in labor conditions and intensity by multivariate logisitic regression analysis. RESULTS: Severe and intermediate level of depressive symptoms occurred in 18.5% (209) of the workers, and the high risk psychosocial distress groups accounted for 44.2% or the workers. Based on multivariate analysis, the Borg scale (OR=2.43 95%, CI=1.72-3.45), relative labor intensity (OR=1.05, 95% CI=1.00-1.09), high job demand (OR=1.47, 95% CI=1.06-2.06) were significantly associated with depressive symptoms. For psychosocial stress, the Borg scale (OR=2.39, 95% CI=1.84-3.10), relative labor intensity (OR=1.06, 95% CI=1.02-1.09), low job control (OR=1.80, 95%CI=1.38-2.35), and high job instability (OR=1.53, 95%CI=1.02-2.29) were significantly associated with high risk groups. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that a large proportion of security firm workers encountered depressive symptoms and psychosocial stress. Also, labor intensity and changes in labor condition (relative work intensity) were influential factors for depressive symptoms and psychosocial stress. Therefore, we conclude that not only an intervention for job stress should be offered, but also a policy toward the systemic problem of labor intensification should be considered.

A Case of Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis in a Worker Exposed to Metal Working Fluid / 대한산업의학회지

INTRODUCTION: There have been no reports of hypersensitivity pneumonitis caused by metal working fluids in Korea, despite their existence in other countries. Here, we report the first such case, along with an assessment of work-relatedness through exposure assessment. CASE REPORT: A 64-year old male patient visited the hospital with dyspnea after metal pipe cutting for about a year. He was diagnosed with hypersensitivity pneumonitis from the evidence of specific exposure history, clinical symptoms, and radiologic findings. The air exposure levels of the oil mist, endotoxin, total bacteria and fungus in the work environment was TWA(8-hr) 0.531 mg/m3, 6.33 EU/m3, 100 CFU/m3 and 75 CFU/m3, respectively. The concentrations of the endotoxin, total bacteria and fungus within the metal working fluid was 1.5x10(4) EU/mL, 4.6x10(5) CFU/mL and 1.8x10(5) CFU/mL, respectively. DISCUSSION: Although the patient did not receive a specific precipitating antibody test, the microbial concentration within the metal working fluid was higher than normal and similar to previous case reports, The oil mist level in the air exceeded the NIOSH REL and ACGIH NIC, and were similar or higher than previous cases. By excluding other causes of hypersensitivity pneumonitis, we concluded that the disease developed from exposure to microbial antigens in the metal working fluid.

A Case of Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis in a Worker Exposed to Metal Working Fluid / 대한산업의학회지

INTRODUCTION: There have been no reports of hypersensitivity pneumonitis caused by metal working fluids in Korea, despite their existence in other countries. Here, we report the first such case, along with an assessment of work-relatedness through exposure assessment. CASE REPORT: A 64-year old male patient visited the hospital with dyspnea after metal pipe cutting for about a year. He was diagnosed with hypersensitivity pneumonitis from the evidence of specific exposure history, clinical symptoms, and radiologic findings. The air exposure levels of the oil mist, endotoxin, total bacteria and fungus in the work environment was TWA(8-hr) 0.531 mg/m3, 6.33 EU/m3, 100 CFU/m3 and 75 CFU/m3, respectively. The concentrations of the endotoxin, total bacteria and fungus within the metal working fluid was 1.5x10(4) EU/mL, 4.6x10(5) CFU/mL and 1.8x10(5) CFU/mL, respectively. DISCUSSION: Although the patient did not receive a specific precipitating antibody test, the microbial concentration within the metal working fluid was higher than normal and similar to previous case reports, The oil mist level in the air exceeded the NIOSH REL and ACGIH NIC, and were similar or higher than previous cases. By excluding other causes of hypersensitivity pneumonitis, we concluded that the disease developed from exposure to microbial antigens in the metal working fluid.

The Health Status Including Biologic Exposure Indices of Migrant Workers: Based on 2005 Special Health Examination Data / 대한산업의학회지

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the general health status and severity of exposure to hazardous agents - with a focus on heavy metals - of migrant workers utilizing the 2005 Special Health Examination data. METHODS: With data from the 2005 Special Health Examination, we examined the biologic exposure indices and several major clinical exam items of 25,086 migrant workers in the whole country in comparison with those of 19,616 native Korean workers in Kyunggi-do province. Of these we chose homogeneous samples from the same 3 health service centers in Kyunggi-do. (native workers:19,616, migrant workers:1,886) to be more precise. RESULTS: The results from the samples of the 3 centers were as follows. Blood lead (natives: 6.09 microgram/dl migrants: 8.37 microgram/L) and cadmium (natives: 0.29 microgram/dl, migrants: 0.36 microgram/L) were higher in the migrant workers than in the native Korean workers, whereas the biologic exposure indices of organic solvents were higher in the native workers. As for major clinical exam items, the liver battery was worse in the natives with incidence of abnormal AST/ALT level (natives: 8.1/6.8% migrants: 5.7/5.4%, p-value<0.01 for AST). Anemia was more prevalent in the migrant workers (natives: 9.0% migrants: 11.0%, p-value<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Migrant workers in Korea are more frequently or more severely exposed to a hazardous working environment containing heavy metals. However, we were not able to explain the results for the exposure indices or organic solvents, and such an explanation will require further study in the future.