Effect of moxibustion on ureteral stent-related symptoms after ureteroscopic lithotripsy / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVES@#To observe the clinical efficacy of moxibustion combined with western medication on ureteral stent-related symptoms after ureteroscopic lithotripsy (URL).@*METHODS@#One hundred and fifty patients with upper urinary tract calculus implanted with ureteral stents after URL were randomly divided into a moxibustion group (50 cases, 1 case dropped out), a placebo moxibustion group (50 cases, 3 cases dropped out) and a blank control group (50 cases). No intervention was performed in the blank control group. On the basis of oral administration with tamsulosin hydrochloride sustained release capsule (starting from the first day after surgery, once a day, 0.2 mg each time, continuously for 4 weeks), in the moxibustion group, moxibustion was operated at Guanyuan (CV 4) and bilateral Shenshu (BL 23); the sham-moxibustion was delivered at the same acupoints in the placebo moxibustion group, once daily, 6 times a week, for 15 min in each treatment. The duration of treatment was 4 weeks. Before treatment, and after 1, 2 and 4 weeks of treatment, the scores of lower urinary tract symptoms, body pain, general health, work performance and satisfaction of sexual matters were compared among the 3 groups. The tract calculus clearance rate, urinary infection and the oral administration of painkillers were compared after 4 weeks of treatment in the 3 groups.@*RESULTS@#The scores of lower urinary tract symptoms, body pain and general health after 1 week of treatment, and the scores of lower urinary tract symptoms, body pain, general health and work performance after 2 and 4 weeks of treatment were lower than those before treatment in the 3 groups (P<0.01). The scores of lower urinary tract symptoms and body pain in the moxibustion group after 1, 2 and 4 weeks of treatment were lower than those in the blank control group and the placebo moxibustion group (P<0.01, P<0.05) respectively. The score of general health in the moxibustion group was lower than that in the blank control group after 1 week of treatment (P<0.01), and lower than those of the blank control group and the placebo moxibustion group after 2 and 4 weeks of treatment (P<0.01, P<0.05). Regarding the score of work performance, it was lower in the moxibustion group after 1 and 2 weeks of treatment compared with those in the blank control group (P<0.05, P<0.01), and lower than those of the blank control group and the placebo moxibustion group after 4 weeks of treatment (P<0.01, P<0.05). The tract calculus clearance rate in the moxibustion group was 95.9% (47/49), higher than that in the blank control group (80.0%, 40/50, P<0.05). The proportion of oral administration of painkillers in the moxibustion group (28.6%, 14/49) and the placebo moxibustion group (40.4%, 19/47) was lower than that in the blank control group (76.0%, 38/50, P<0.01) respectively.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Moxibustion combined with western medication relieves lower urinary tract symptoms and body pain, and accelerate the recovery of general health and work performance in the patients after URL.

Comparison of different ureteral length measurement methods in the indwelling of double-J stent after ureteroscopy / 现代泌尿外科杂志

【Objective】 To investigate the application of different ureteral length measurement methods in the indwelling of double-J stent. 【Methods】 Clinical data of 260 patients with double-J stent indwelling after ureteroscopic surgery during Jul.2018 and Dec.2020 were prospectively analyzed. The patients were randomly divided into height calculation group, CT measurement group, KUB group and ureteroscopic measurement group. The length of ureter was calculated accordingly and the appropriate length of double-J stent was selected. KUB was performed on the first day after operation and before extubation to determine the position of double-J stent. The patients completed the ureteral stent-related symptom questionnaire (USSQ), urinary symptom score, lower urinary tract symptom (LUTS) score, pain score, hematuria score, and quality of life score before and after double-J catheter placement. 【Results】 There were no significant differences in age, gender, height, side of stent and urinary symptom score among the four groups (P>0.05). The average lengths of the ureters measured by the four methods were (21.5±1.0) cm, (21.5±1.8) cm, (23.8±1.3) cm and (21.7±1.8) cm, respectively. There were no significant differences among the height calculation group, CT measurement group and ureteroscope group, but there was significant difference between the three groups and the KUB group. The ideal ureteral stent length indwelling ratio in the ureteroscopic group was 76.9%, which was better than that in the other three groups. Postoperative indwelling time was 7-42 d (mean 29.8 d). The USSQ score of the ureteroscopic group before extubation was (14.1±1.5), which was lower than that of the other three groups (P<0.05). The ureteroscopic group was better than the other three groups in the comparison of frequency and urgency of urination, nocturia, hematuria, quality of life score, and pain score (P<0.05). 【Conclusion】 Intraoperative ureteroscopic measurement of the ureteral length is a simple and feasible method in guiding the indwelling of double-J stent to reduce ureteral stent related symptoms.

Clinical Observation of Bufei Huoxue Capsules Combined with Azithr omycin Tablets in the Treatment of Patients with Stable COPD / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE： To observe the efficacy and safety of Bufei huoxue capsules combined with Azithromycin tablets in the treatment of patients with stable COPD. METHODS： Totally 140 patients with stable COPD were collected from Anhui Chest Hospital during Jun. 2014-Feb. 2018， and then divided into control group and observation group according to random number table， with 70 cases in each group. Both groups received smoking cessation intervention and symptomatic treatment. Control group was additionally given Tiotropium bromide powder for inhalation， once a day+Azithromycin tablets 0.25 g， twice a week. Observation group were additionally given Bufei huoxue capsules 4 pills， 3 times a day， on the basis of control group. Both groups were treated for 180 d continuously. The clinical efficacies of 2 groups were observed， and the levels of serum inflammatory factors （CRP， IL-6 and TNF-α）， lung function related indexes （PEF， FEV1 and FEV1/FVC） and COPD related symptoms （time of AECOPD attack and 6MWT） were observed before and after treatment. The occurrence of ADR was recorded. RESULTS： Totally 9 cases withdrew from the study in control group， and 3 cases in observation group. A total of 128 cases （61 cases in control group， 67 cases in observation group） completed the study. Total response rate was 92.54％ in observation group， which was significantly higher than 80.33％ in control group（P＜0.05）. Before treatment， there was no statistical significance in the levels of serum inflammatory factors， lung function related indexes or COPD related symptoms （P＞0.05）. After treatment， the levels of CRP， IL-6 and TNF-α in 2 groups were decreased significantly， and the times of AECOPD attack were decreased significantly； observation group was significantly lower or less than control group. PEF， FEV1 and FEV1/FVC were increased significantly in 2 groups and 6MWT was prolonged significantly； observation group was significantly higher or longer than control group （P＜0.05）. One case suffered from skin rash in control group， and two cases had mild nausea in observation group； no severe ADR was found in both groups. CONCLUSIONS： Bufei huoxue capsules combined with Azithromycin tablets can significantly reduce the level of serum inflammatory factors of stable COPD patients， improve their lung function， and relieve clinical symptoms with good safety.

Digestive system related symptoms in patients with Parkinson's disease and influencing factors / 中华神经科杂志

Objective To observe the digestive system related symptoms in patients with early-middle stage Parkinson's disease (PD) and healthy subjects,and investigate the incidence of the symptoms and the influencing factors.Methods One hundred and eight PD patients with early and middle stage (Hoehn-Yahr staging 1-3) were admitted to Xuzhou Central Hospital and followed up for a long time.A questionnaire,including seven items of digestive system related symptoms selected from the PD Non-Motor Symptom Scale and the Scale for Outcomes in PD for Autonomic Symptoms (taste abnormalities,swallowing disorders,salivation,easy or early satiety,constipation,loose stools,fecal incontinence),and additional five items of digestive system related symptoms (loss of appetite,dry mouth,oral pain,nausea,vomiting),totally 12 items,was used in a survey on PD patients.Seventy-six healthy subjects in the physical examination center of the hospital served as control group,and conducted the same questionnaire survey.Results There was no statistically significant difference in age,gender,height,weight,body mass index (BMI) between the PD and control groups.In 108 PD patients,dry mouth accounted for 64 cases (59.26％),constipation 53 cases (49.07％) and taste abnormalities 40 cases (37.04％),followed by loss of appetite 35 cases (32.41％) and early satiety 26 cases (24.07％),swallowing disorders 20 cases (18.52％),nausea 11 cases (10.19％),salivation 10 cases (9.26％),oral pain seven cases (6.48％),vomiting four cases (3.70％),loose stools one case (0.87％).In 76 controls,taste abnormalities accounted for 13 cases (17.11％),early satiety six cases (7.89％),loss of appetite six cases (7.89％),nausea five cases (6.58％),salivation three cases (3.95％),oral pain one case (1.32％),and the rest zero.The incidence of constipation (x2=52.390,P＜0.01),dry mouth (x2=69.050,P＜0.01),early satiety (x2=8.128,P=0.004),loss of appetite (x2=16.010,P＜0.01),taste abnormalities (x2=8.642,P=0.003) and swallowing disorders (x2=15.790,P＜0.01) showed statistically significant difference between the two groups.Analysis of the influencing factors showed that male had an effect on constipation (95％CI 1.371-7.495,OR=3.205),early satiety (95％CI 4.227-282.913,OR=34.582),taste abnormalities (95％CI 6.620-88.942,OR=24.260) and swallowing disorders (95％CI 2.784-88.475,OR=22.906),while other factors such as age,body mass index,disease duration and motor symptom types had no effect on the occurrence of digestive system related symptoms.Conclusions Digestive system related symptoms in patients with PD include dry mouth,constipation,taste abnormalities,loss of appetite,early satiety,and swallowing disorders,which may be their unique symptoms.Male is a risk factor for taste abnormalities,swallowing disorders,early satiety and constipation.

Sick building syndrome and associated risk factors among the population of Gondar town, northwest Ethiopia

BACKGROUND@#Sick building syndrome (SBS) consists of a group of mucosal, skin, and general symptoms temporally related to residential and office buildings of unclear causes. These symptoms are common in the general population. However, SBS symptoms and their contributing factors are poorly understood, and the community associates it with bad sprits. This community-based cross-sectional study was, therefore, conducted to assess the prevalence and associated factors of SBS in Gondar town.@*METHODS@#A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from March to April 2017. A total of 3405 study subjects were included using multistage and systematic random sampling techniques. A structured questionnaire and observational checklists were used to collect data. SBS was assessed by 24 building-related symptoms and confirmed by five SBS confirmation criteria. Multivariable binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with SBS on the basis of adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) and p < 0.05. The Hosmer and Lemeshow goodness of fit test was used to check model fitness, and variance inflation factor (VIF) was also used to test interactions between variables.@*RESULTS@#The prevalence of SBS in Gondar town was 21.7% (95% CI = 20.3-23.0%). Of this, the mucosal symptoms account for 64%, the general symptoms account for 54%, and the skin symptoms account for 10%. From study participants who reported SBS symptoms, 44% had more than one symptom. Headache (15.7%), asthma (8.3%), rhinitis (8.0%), and dizziness (7.5%) were the commonest reported symptoms. SBS was significantly associated with fungal growth in the building [AOR = 1.25, 95% CI = (1.05, 1.49)], unclean building [AOR = 1.26, 95% CI = (1.03, 1.55)], houses with no functional windows [AOR = 1.35, 95% CI = (1.12, 1.63)], houses with no fan [AOR = 1.90, 95% CI = (1.22, 2.96)], utilization of charcoal as a cooking energy source [AOR = 1.40, 95% CI = (1.02, 1.91)], cooking inside the living quarters [AOR = 1.31, 95% CI = (1.09, 1.58)], and incensing and joss stick use [AOR = 1.48, 95% CI = (1.23, 1.77)].@*CONCLUSION@#The prevalence of SBS in Gondar town was high, and significant proportion of the population had more than one SBS symptom. Headache, asthma, rhinitis, and dizziness were the commonest reported SBS symptoms. Fungal growth, cleanliness of the building, availability of functional windows, availability of fan in the living quarters, using charcoal as a cooking energy source, cooking inside the quarters, and incensing habit or joss stick use were identified as factors associated with SBS. Improving the sanitation of the living environment and housekeeping practices of the occupants is useful to minimize the prevalence of SBS.

A survey of eye-related complaints among call-center agents in Metro Manila

@#Objective This study determined the most common eye-related complaints among call-center agents in Metro Manila. Methods A survey was conducted among agents employed in a call center in Metro Manila. The questionnaire used categorical scales to measure the prevalence, frequency, diurnal occurrence, duration, and intrusiveness of common eyerelated symptoms. The eye-related symptoms were: dryness, redness, eye strain, blurring of vision, doubling of vision, headaches, eye pain, watery eyes, slow focusing from near to distance or vice versa. Descriptive statistics, measures of frequencies and percentages were derived for demographic characteristics. Cramer's V coefficient was calculated to detect relationship between variables, and p values <0.05 were considered significant. Results Two hundred seventy-seven (277) respondents with a mean age of 24.56 ± 4.14 and consisting of 130 (47%) males and 147 (53%) females participated in the study. The top three eye-related complaints were eye strain or tiredness (68%), headache (66%), and blurring of vision (53%). The symptoms lasted less than an hour, except for headaches that persisted for 1 to 2 hours and had the highest mean severity of 2.31 ± 1.24. The duration of computer use was strongly correlated with the severity of the eye complaints, except for blurring of vision. The duration of employment was also strongly correlated with all the symptoms except for doubling of vision. Conclusion Ocular symptoms were prevalent among call-center agents. The severity of the symptoms was correlated with the duration of computer use and employment as a call-center agent.

An Ecological Study of Food and Nutrition in Elementary School Children in Korea / 대한지역사회영양학회지

The current socioeconomic climate has meant more children spend more time alone at home even for dining. This study was performed to characterize modem Korean childrens' food ecology based on mealtime atmosphere. A total of 705 elementary school students, 347 girls and 358 boys took part in the study. They were chosen evenly from the Seoul metropolitan areas, provincial cities, or rural areas, and were asked to fill out a questionnaire. The questionnaire was categorized to determine various factors related to food ecology, life styles, and health related symptoms. The average age of the study subjects was 11.5 years. The average height, weight, body mass index, and Rohrer index were 143.2 cm, 37.6 kg, 18.2 and 127.2 respectively. A significant number of children(39.2%) answered their bed time was between 11 and 12 pm. Only 28.3% answered that the whole family has breakfast together, and 47.7% have dinner together. A considerable number of children, 17.8% for breakfast and 6.9% for dinner, answered they eat alone. Most of the children answered they like to have dinner with the whole family. Half of the children answered they do not feel hungry before having breakfast. Proportions of children for their favorite meal time were 66.8%, and 25.4% and 7.8% for dinner, school lunch, and breakfast respectively. The largest proportions of children, 53.3% and 68.7%, have breakfast and dinner at home. Most of the children(75.2%) never purchase their dinner. Forty two% of the children answered they like school lunch, however, 60% of children answered they leave portions of lunch uneaten occasionally or always. Only 38.0% and 46.2% of the children have nutritionally adequate diet for breakfast and dinner. Children having more meals with the whole family possessed a more positive attitude towards breakfast compared to the children who eat with the whole family less frequently. In conclusion, Korea children are exposed to different health threatening food ecology problems related to changing environments, and consistent concern and support from community nutritionists are required.

Occupational Lead Exposure of Storage Battery Industry Workers in Korea / 대한산업의학회지

In order to investigate the level of lead absorption of lead workers and to evaluate the effect of blood lead on blood zinc protoporphyrin (ZPP) and prevalence of lead related symptoms, 1,782 lead workers(male: 1,506, female: 276) from 8 storage battery industries were studied. Selected variables as indices of lead exposure were blood lead, blood ZPP, and hemoglobin (HB). Fifteen questionnaires of lead related symptoms were provided to all lead workers and filled up by themselves and confirmed by medical doctors. Personal variables such as age, work duration, smoking and drinking habits were also collected. The results were follows : 1. While the mean blood lead of lead workers of all lead companies was 31.0+/-3.0 ug/100ml (male: 31.5+/-2.9 ug/100ml, female: 27.9+/-3.3 ug/100m1), the mean blood ZPP of all lead workers was 66.7+/-4.1 ug/100ml (male: 59.6+/-3.3, female: 105.3+/-3.0 ug/100ml). The mean hemoglobin of male lead workers was 15.7+/-.3 gm/100ml and that of female lead workers was 13.0+/-.3 gm/100ml. 2. The percentage of lead workers whose blood lead was over 60.0 ug/100m1 and 40.0-59.9 ug/100ml was 2.81 % and 19.08 %, respectively. On the other hand, the percentage of lead workers whose blood ZPP was over 150 ug/100ml and 100-149 ug/100ml was 5.89 % and 8.31 %, respectively. 3. The slopes of simple linear regression of blood lead (independent variable) and blood ZPP in female lead workers was significantly steeper than that of male lead workers. The slope of storage battery industries with better working condition in terms of low air concentration of lead were less steeper than those with poor working condition with high mean air concentration of lead. 4. Stepwise multiple regression analysis, using overall symptom prevalence as a dependent variables, blood lead, blood ZPP, hemoglobin, age, work duration, drinking and smoking habits as independent variables, indicated that only drinking habit and age were significantly contributed to the dependent variable.

The effect of smoking and drinking habit on the health status of lead workers / 예방의학회지

To investigate the effect of smoking and drinking habit on the health status in lead using industries, 2,785 male workers in lead using industries (7 storage battery industries, 7 secondary smelting and related industries, and 4 primary metal and other manufacturing industries) were selected for this study. This study was carried out as a part of periodic health examination. Selected study variables were zinc protoporphyrin in whole blood (ZPP), SGOT and SGPT for laboratory test. Questionnaire for lead related symptoms and smoking and drinking habit was provided to all the workers and filled up by themselves and reconfirmed by physician. The results obtained were as follows; 1. The overall smoking and drinking rate of study population were 69.8% and 73.6%, respectively. While the smoking and drinking rate of storage battery workers were 68.8% and 72.3%, those of secondary smelting industries and other industries were 66.0% and 66.4% and 74.6 and 80.3% respectively. 2. While the mean values of blood ZPP of lead exposed workers were significantly higher than other group, those of SGOT of storage battery workers were significant higher than other worker. But there were no differences of mean values of other variables. 3. Smoking habit did not affect on the mean value of blood ZPP of workers in special health examination group, but there were significant differences of blood ZPP and SGOT between drinker and non-drinker. 4. Symptom prevalence of lead exposure were higher in drinking and smoking group than non-drinking and non-smoking group. 5. In multiple regression analysis of the total lead related symptoms, blood ZPP, SGOT, and SGPT as dependent variable, respectively, and age, work duration, blood ZPP, pack year and amount of alcohol drinking as independent variables, work duration, pack year, amount of alcohol drinking, age contributed to total symptoms; and age, work duration, pack year contributed to blood ZPP; and age, amount of alcohol drinking, work duration contributed to SGOT; and pack year contributed to SGPT.

A Study on the Lead Exposure of Workers in Secondary Smelting and Litharge Making Industries / 대한산업의학회지

Two hundred and six male lead workers (86 lead workers from secondary smelting industries and 120 lead workers from litharge making industries) and 212 office workers who were not exposed to lead occupationally were studied to investigate the effect of lead on the health of lead workers in high risk operation to lead. Blood lead (PbB), zinc protoporphyrin in whole blood (ZPP), delta-aminolevulinic acid in urine (ALAU), Hematocrit (Hct) and hemoglobin (Hb) were selected as an index of lead exposure. Questionnaires of 15 lead related symptoms were provided to all study subject and filled up by themselves and reconfirmed the symptom answers by interviewing medical doctor. While the mean value of PbB, ZPP and ALAU of lead workers in secondary smelting industries were 62.7+/-14.6 microgram/dl, 103.1+/-60.5 microgram/dl and 7.4+/-10.3 mg/liter, those of lead workers in litharge making industries were 58.8+/-14.1 microgram/dl, 74.2+/-45.2 microgram/dl and 5.3+/- 7.9 mg/liter respectively, and there were statistically significant difference of mean values between two groups. Simple linear regression analysis of PBB on ZPP and ALAU shoved the steeper slope in secondary smelting industries than litharge making industries. Higher symptom prevalence rates of lead exposed group were observed in lead colic related symptom (S4) and neuromuscular symptoms compared with non-exposed workers. The prevalence of neuromuscular symptoms only showed dose-response relationship by the increase of PBB and ZPP. But more statistical significances were observed in neuromuscular symptoms by the increase of PBB than ZPP. On stepwise multiple regression using total symptom score as a dependent variable and PBB, ZPP, ALAU, Hct, Hb, age and work duration as a independent variables only ZPP and age contributed to the lead related symptoms.

Study on the lead exposure of workers in a litharge making industry / 예방의학회지

In order to investigate the level of lead exposure of workers in litharge making industry and to evaluate how lead exposure, personal habit such as smoking and drinking affect the prevalence of lead related symptoms and other study variables, we investigate 114 workers(24 office workers and 90 lead exposed workers) in a litharge making industry. Study variables chosen were blood lead(PbB), zinc protoporphyrin in whole blood(ZPP), Hemoglobin(Hb), hematocrit (Hct), SGOT and SGPT. symptom questionnaires which had 15 lead exposure related symptoms were provided to all workers and filled up by themselves and reconfirmed by physician. The results obtained were as follows; 1. The mean value of PbB, ZPP and SGOT in lead exposed group were higher than those of non-exposed group, and there were no differences of means in other study variables. 2. The smoking and drinking rate of study subjects were 65.8% and 71.0% as a whole. Smoking rates were lower in non-exposed group than exposed group, but drinking rate were not. 3. There were no differences of mean values of study variables between smoker and non-smoker in non-exposed and exposed group, but there was a difference of mean value of SGOT between drinker and non-drinker in lead exposed group. 4. while the symptom prevalence of lead exposed group were higher in neuromuscular category than non-exposed group, those of non-exposed group were higher or same with exposed group in gastrointestinal and general symptom category. 5. The symptom prevalence of smoker were higher than non-smoker regardless of exposure. 6. The symptom prevalence of drinker were only higher in gastrointestinal symptom category than non-drinker. 7. In multiple stepwise regression analysis of lead related symptoms as dependent variable and blood lead, smoking habit, drinking habit and work duration as independent variables, drinking habit contributed to the gastrointestinal symptom category, whereas blood lead and smoking contributed to the neuromuscular symptom category. For the total symptoms work duration and smoking habit contributed significantly.

A Study on the Relationship between Subjective symptoms and Psychological Symptoms on some VDT workers / 예방의학회지

The study subjects in this study are 295 workers who work on one electronics industry, and they were composed of 93 VDT and 202 non-VDT workers. This study was carried out to obtain the prevalence of subjective symptoms and to compare psychological symptom scores from SCL-90-R between VDT and non-VDT work groups. And to verify the relationship between VDT work related symptoms and psychological symptoms, the author compared scL-90-R T scores between symptom complaining and non-complaining groups. The results are summarized as follows: 1. Throughout the prevalence study of VDT work related symptoms according to VDT work state, the author could select the final 10 symptoms by sex; 'eye fatigue', 'foggy vision', 'neck discomfort or pain'. 'shoulder discomfort and pain', 'light headedness', 'dizziness', 'aene`, 'itching sensation on face', 'difficulty in concentration', 'memory disturbance' in males, and 'blurred vision`, 'foggy vision', 'neck discomfort or pain', 'shoulder discomfort and pain`, 'abdominal distention','indigestion', 'acne', 'pricking sensation on face', 'difficulty in concentration', 'memory disturbance` in females. 2. Throughout comparison of psychological symptom scores from SCL-90-R between VDT and non-VDT workers' except `interpersonal sensitivity` in female, Mean T score were higher in VDT workers, but not significantly different between the two groups. These results indicate that the relation between VDT work status and psychological symptoms are not strongly correlated. 3. Because of the nonspecific characteristics of VDT work related symptoms, from the 40 subjective symptoms, the author selected the final 10 symptoms by sex, especially correlated to VDT, and divided the study subjects into symptom complaining and non-complaining groups. The mean SCL-90-R T score between the two groups were compared. Except for the opthalmologic symptoms in females, the scores were significantly different between the two groups in all symptoms. And this indicates that the VDT work related symptoms strongly correlated with the present individual psychological conditions. 4. Due to understand that which of the 9 psychological symptom dimensions are strongly correlated with the subjective symptoms, the author excuted multiple logistic regression analysis, and the result were as follows; 'depression' and 'somatization', in male, and 'obsessive-compulsive' and 'somatization' in female.

Prevalence rate of lead related subjective symptoms in lead workers / 예방의학회지

The relationship between lead related subject symptoms and lead exposure indices was studied in 435 male lead workers in thirteen lead using industries. 212 male office workers who were not exposed to lead occupationally were also studied as a control group. Fourteen lead related symptoms were selected. They were further subdivided into 4 sub-symptom groups such as 1) gastrointestinal, 2) neuromuscular and joint 3) constitutional, and 4) psychological symptoms. Symptom questionnaires were provided to the workers and filled up by themselves and reconfirmed by interviewer(doctor). The test used for the evaluation of lead exposure were blood lead (PbB), zinc protoporphyrin in whole blood(ZPP), hemoglobin(Hb), hematocrit(Hct), delta-aminolevulinic acid in urine(DALA). The results obtained were as follows; 1. The higher prevalence rate in the sub-group of neuromuscular and joint symptoms was observed in occupationally lead exposed subjects than non-exposed subjects. Among the sub-groups, the most frequent symptom was "numbness of finger, hands of feet", and the prevalence of the symptom of "arthralgia", "weakness of fingers, hands or feet" and "myalgia" were higher in order. 2. While the symptom which showed the biggest difference of prevalence rate among the 14 symptoms between exposed and non-exposed subjects was "numbness of fingers, hands or feet" , the symptom which showed the highest prevalence rate was "feeling tired generally" in exposed and non-exposed subjects, but no statistical difference of symptom prevalence were observed. 3. In total study population, PbB and ZPP had dose-response relationship with 4 symptoms of neuromuscular and joint symptoms ("numbness of finger, hands or feet", "arthralgia", "weakness of fingers, hands or feet" and "myalgia") and one symptom of gastrointestinal group("intermittent pains in lower abdomen"). 4. In lead exposed workers, only neuromuscular and joint symptoms group showed dose-response relationship with PbB and ZPP. 5. In lead exposed workers, the prevalence rate of overall symptoms of lead workers with age below 39 years was higher than that of lead workers with age above 40. While neuromuscular and joint symptoms group had a dose-response relationship with PbB in former group, it had a dose-response relationship with ZPP in latter group. 6. Age adjusted odds ratios of symptoms of non-exposed with exposed and odds ratios of low exposed with high exposed workers showed the dose-response relationship of lead exposure with neuromuscular and joint symptoms group("numbness of fingers, hands or feet", "arthralgia", "weakness of fingers, hands or feet" and "myalgia") and gastrointestinal symptoms group("intermittent pains in lower abdoman").

Relationship of between blood lead level and lead related symptoms in low level lead exposure / 예방의학회지

This study intended to obtain an useful information on the prevalence of subjective symptoms, and to clarify the interrelationships between blood lead and lead related symptoms in low level lead exposure. The 93 male workers exposed to lead and 56 male nonexposed workers were examined for their blood lead (PBB), Zinc-protoporphy (ZPP), hemoglobin (HB) and personal history, and completed 15 questionnaires related to symptoms of lead absorption; also measured lead concentration in air (PBA) in the workplace. The results obtained were as follow; 1. The means of blood lead (PBB), blood ZPP and hemoglobin (HB) among workers exposed to lead were 26.1+/-8.8 microgram/dl, 28.3+/-26.0 microgram/dl and 16.2+/-1.2g/dl; whereas those of nonexposed workers were 18.7+/-5.1 microgram/dl, 20.6+/-8.7 microgram/dl and 17.3+/-1.1g/dl. The means of above three indicies between two groups showed significant difference statistically (p0.05). 3. The most frequently by complained symptom was "Generalized weakness and fatigue", and fewest symptom was "Intermittent pains in abdomen". 4. Only two symptoms out of fifteen symptoms checked by themselves revealed significant difference between exposed and nonexposed groups. These were "Intermittent pains of abdomen" and "Joint pain or arthralgia" (p<0.05). No positive correlation was found between the levels of blood lead and symptom groups categorized as gastrointestinal, neuromuscular and constitutional symptoms. 5. Blood lead (r=0.3995) and ZPP (r=0.2837) showed statistically significant correlation with mean lead concentration in air, whereas correlations were not demonstrated between blood lead and lead related symptoms or blood ZPP and lead related symptoms. 6. Blood lead (PBB) and ZPP showed association (r=0.2466) and the equation PBB=23.75+0.0842 ZPP was derived. 7. On stepwise multiple regression, using blood lead level as a dependent variable and ZPP, hemoglobin (HB), age, work duration (WD) and symptom prevalence as a independent variables, only ZPP significantly contributed a lot to blood lead level. 8. While the ZPP measurement was found to be a good indicator in evaluating health effect of lead absorption in low level lead exposure, lead related symptoms were not sensitive enough to evaluate of lead absorption in low level exposure.