Estimated Number of Korean Workers with Back Pain and Population-based Associated Factors of Back Pain: Data from the Fourth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey / 대한산업의학회지

OBJECTIVES: We estimated the number of Korean workers with back pain and evaluated the populationbased factors associated with back pain from a representative sample. METHODS: The number of Korean workers who experienced back pain (back pain-experienced patients), those who had experienced back pain lasting for three or more months during the previous year (chronic patients), and those who were currently suffering from back pain (current patients) were estimated by analyzing the data from the fourth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey conducted in 2007 using the surveyfreq procedure of the SAS statistical package. Population-based odds ratios for being back pain-experienced, chronic, and current patient according to demographic (age, gender, and education), lifestyle (smoking, drinking, and exercise), and occupational (industrial class, employment status, occupation) factors were estimated using the surveylogistic procedure. RESULTS: Among 19,076,186 Korean workers aged 20~69 years in 2007, 2,473,997(proportion, 13.0%; 95% CI, 1,976,779~2,971,216) were estimated to be back pain-experienced patients, 692,046(3.6%; 417,726~966,366) chronic patients, and 1,206,704(6.3%; 893,475~1,519,933) current patients. Each of the explanatory variables was significantly associated with at least one of the response variables for back pain. CONCLUSIONS: Further efforts to investigate the epidemiology of back pain, evaluate the associated factors, and improve treatment outcomes are needed.

A Case of Occupational Asthma and Rhinitis Suspected to be Caused by Exposure to Ethyl Cyanoacrylate / 대한산업의학회지

BACKGROUND: Ethyl cyanoacrylate is used as a component of adhesives used in the industrial, domestic, and medical fields. It is known to cause mucosal irritation, contact dermatitis and respiratory discomfort. However, reports of combined occupational asthma and rhinitis are rare, especially in Korea. We report a case of occupational asthma and rhinitis suspected to be caused by exposure to ethyl cyanoacrylate. CASE REPORT: A 36-year-old woman presented with rhinorrhea, cough, dyspnea and chest discomfort after exposure to ethyl cyanoacrylate adhesive at an assembly area of a plastic products manufacturing company. Nasal endoscopy revealed watery rhinorrhea and hypertrophy of nasal turbinates, which were compatible with rhinitis. The methacholine provocation test showed a positive result. Daily variability of peak expiratory flow increased on work days, but decreased during non-work days. Based on these findings, we diagnosed this case as a combination of occupational asthma and rhinitis suspected to be caused by exposure to ethyl cyanoacrylate. CONCLUSION: There needs to be increased awareness regarding occupational asth-ma and rhinitis caused by exposure to ethyl cyanoacrylate.

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.