Acquried Dyschromatopsia in Women Workers in Shoe Manufacturing Who were Exposed to Organic Solvents / 대한산업의학회지

OBJECTIVES: This study was undertaken to investigate the relationship between color vision defects and occupational exposure to mixed organic solvents in women workers who were engaged in the shoe manufacturing industry. METHODS: A total of 173 women workers were involved in this study, 85 of whom were exposed to mixed organic solvents and were defined as the exposed group, and 88 workers comprised the non-exposed control group. The patients were questioned as to their drinking history, the year in which they were exposed and whether they had eye symptoms of blurred vision, eye fatigue, and eye irritation. The exposed workers in the shoe manufacturing factory were engaged in 3 work areas which were pasting, trimming, and cleaning. Their Color vision was assessed using the Hahn's double 15 hue test under standard illumination and their current and cumulative exposure levels were measured. RESULTS: The prevalence of color vision defect was 21.2% in the exposed group and 8.0% in the control group, and the blue-yellow defect was found to be 5.9 % in the exposed group. The logistic regression for the acquired dyschromatopsia and color confusion index showed that there were no variables that had significant relationships. Eye symptoms were more frequently developed in the exposed group. CONCLUSIONS: There is a possibility of developing color vision defects when workers are exposed to mixed organic solvents. However, the results of the color confusion index showed that there was no significant relationship to the cumulative exposure level, because of the low exposure level and high occupational turn over rate of the workers. Because the workers in the present study were exposed to low level solvents it will be necessary to study workers exposed to higher levels of organic solvents.

Ambulatory Blood Pressure and Heart Rate of the Workers Exposed to Industrial Noise / 대한산업의학회지

OBJECTIVES: This study was carried out to evaluate the effects of industrial noise on blood pressure and heart rate. METHODS: Resting blood pressure, hearing loss, and general characteristics of the 102 subjects who were engaged in a factory in Pusan were measured from March to June for two years, in 1998 and 1999. With noise dosimeter, noise exposure level was measured from 8 A.M. to 4 P.M. Ambulatory blood pressure and heart rate were also measured every 30 minutes from 8 A.M. to 10 P. M. RESULTS: Controlling for age, smoking, and Quetelet's index, in subjects of under 40 years old exposed to higher than 85dBA, noise exposure and systolic blood pressure had a statistically significant correlation, and the same result was obtained in all subjects. The daily variability of ambulatory blood pressure and heart rate were observed in older than 40 years old group, but only heart rate in under 40 years old. CONCLUSIONS: The blood pressure and heart rate would be elevated when the workers exposed to noise. And in under 40 years old, the systolic blood pressure was elevated to the workers exposed to higher than 85dBA.

A Case of Purpura Fulminans Associated with Meningococcemia / 대한피부과학회지

Purpura fulminans (gangrenosa) is a rare clinical syndrome characterized by sudden appearance of rapidly progressive symmetrical subcutaneous ecchymosis durimg the convalescent stage of various infectious disease. A 4 year-old. boy has developed multiple skin defects with necrosis on extrernities and gangrenous changes on the left foot following a meningococcemia. B-K amputation on left leg and. free skin graft for multiple skin defect on extremities were, carried out.

A Case fo Familial Benign Chronic pemphigus / 대한피부과학회지

Familial benign chronic pemphigus is characterized by a recurrent eruption of plaques of closely grouped vesicles that most frequently occurs about the neck, axilla and groin, singly or in combination with similar lesions in the intertriginous area. A 27-year-old male has had recurrent vesicles, fissures, maceration and crust formation in inguinal and perianal area for 3 yeare. The lesion manifested circinated form of vesicles, fissured and scaly patches over the inguinal, scrotal and perianal area. There were actively inflammatory border, resembling tinea cruris in the inguinal area. Authors diagnosed with clinical symptoms, laboratory examinations, and light and electron microscopic examination.

Two Cases of Epidermolysis Bullosa Simplex / 대한피부과학회지

Epidermolysis Bullosa Simplex is characterized by autosomal dominant rnheritance, and chronic noninflammatory conditions in which the clinical lesions, erosion, blisters usually result from relatively minor mechanical trauma to the skin, especially joints of hands, elbows, knees, and feet and other sites subject to repeated trauma The lesiona are present or appeared after a few days after birth or shortly after especialy of the lower legs or feet, and not involved at naiIs or mucous membranes. Though infection is not common on the feet or hands, even infected lesions generally heal with out scarring. 2 cases of Epidermolysis bullosa simplex were experienced, the one was 5 month old male baby who had fresh vesiculobullous, hemorrhagic bulla, crusts, exfoliation, no nail dystrophy, since a few days after birth. The another was 5 month old female baby, who had pea sized tense bulla, and exfoliations on the hands and feet. Diagnosis confirmed by clinical features and histological findings. Literature were reviewed in comparison with mechanobulIous disease.