A new disability rating method according to the job using the Korean Academy of Medical Science disability guideline

The purpose of this study was to develop a disability rating scale according to job classification using the Korean Academy of Medical Society (KAMS) guidelines. All jobs were categorized based on their level of physical activity and professional skills. The KAMS guidelines were used for the impairment rating. We modified the California Schedule for rating permanent disabilities. The differences were plotted to compare between the impairment rate and the job-adjusted disability rate. The KAMS job-adjusted disability rates were then compared to the McBride and workers' compensation rates. A total of 1,206 occupations were classified into 44 groups. The occupational disability indexes were rated on a scale of 1 to 7. The differences in the McBride disability rates varied inconsistently from 0% to 35%, while the differences in the KAMS disability rates were between 0% and 18%. The KAMS disability rates were slightly higher than the McBride disability rates for the upper extremities, but were lower for the lower extremities and internal organs. This is the first Korean job-adjusted disability rating method. There are several limitations, but its impairment rating is more scientific and reflects the current Korean occupational environment.ope

Area-Based Occupational Disease Surveillance in Incheon, Korea: Results of an 11-year Data Survey

Objectives: Between Jan 1998 and Dec 2008, area-based occupational disease surveillance in Incheon was used to collect data on occupational diseases. The long-term data was used to estimate the scale of disease, to analyze disease characteristics, and to achieve surveillance in order to determine development tasks. Methods: For a period of 11 years, occupation-related disease surveillance was performed on an annual basis for employees of Incheon industries. All cases of occupational disease were reported by means of the Incheon Occupational Disease Information Network (IODIN) web site, downloaded, and analyzed, subsequently. Results: Between Jan 1998 and Dec 2008, 1577 cases of occupational disease were reported. Of these, there were 1043(66.1%) cases of occupational musculoskeletal disorders, 172(10.9%) cases of occupational asthma, 162(10.3%) cases of occupational dermatoses, 135(8.6%) cases of occupationally-related cancers, 30(1.9%) cases of pneumoconiosis, 27(1.7%) cases of toxic hepatitis, and 8(0.5%) cases of occupational neuronal disease. Conclusion: In the Incheon area, small and medium industries comprise 99% of business. The composition of the industry by category, in Incheon, is similar to the country on the whole. In actually, the data on occupational diseases in Korea are almost workers’compensation data. Thus, the survey of occupational disease based in Incheon, Korea, can serve as an estimate of the trends and size of the occupational disease throughout the entire countryope

Current situation and issue of Industrial Accident Compensation insurance

Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance (IACI) has a history of about 50 yr, and is the oldest social insurance system in Korea. After more than 20 times of revision improvements in benefits, its contents and claim systems have been upgraded. It became the protector of injured workers and their families, and at the same time became the system which could cope with both financial burden of employers and their responsibilities. However, there are some issues to be reformed to upgrade the IACI: 1) the problems in the approval system of occupational diseases, 2) quality improvement of workers' compensation medical care, 3) vocational rehabilitation and return to work, 4) workers' compensation premiums and out-of-pocket money of injured workers, 5) issues in application of IACI. Growth of IACI cannot be achieved by an effort of an individual. Efforts by workers, owners, and government, in addition to physicians and welfare professionals toward the same goal are required for the next level improvement of IACI.ope

A Workplace Cardiovascular Health Promotion Program and its Short-term Health Effects

Objectives: Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death and a major source of workers’ compensation claims in Korea. Since 2000 the Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency (KOSHA), working through local occupational health institutions, has supported cardiovascular disease prevention programs at a number of companies in Korea. The purpose of this study was to assess the short-term effects of this effort. Methods: A total of 11,077 workers at risk were enrolled in the workplace cardiovascular disease prevention program and 5,902 workers (53.3%) completed the 1-year course during 2007. The program consisted of a medical checkup and health counseling for the workers by occupational health nurses. The guidelines for this prevention program were adopted from KOSHA Code H-11-2004. To determine the program’s effectiveness, the workers’ risks for cardiovascular disease were assessed before and one year after completion of the program. Results: The intervention led to significant reductions in the mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures of 4.9 ㎜Hg and 3.1 ㎜Hg, respectively. Mean total cholesterol and BMI were also reduced significantly by 8.4 g/㎗ and 0.1 ㎏/㎡. The rate of smoking was decreased by 6.0% and the percentage of workers engaging in regular exercise was increased by 23.1%. Of the 3,530 workers with the low risk and above, the overall cardiovascular risk was improved in 1,734 (49.1%) of them. Conclusions: The cardiovascular disease prevention program supported by the Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency reduces cardiovascular diseases risks among workers and may improve the health status of workers in Koreaope

Comparison of Cardiovascular Disease Characteristics According to the Employment Status among Emergency Department Patients

employed population in comparson with the non-employed group. Methods: The study subjects were patients aged 20~65 from 3 university based hospital emergency centers and a structured questionnaire were used for comparing the characteristics of cardiovascular disease according to employment status. Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the association between employment status and cardiovascular disease risk factors. Results: Among the patients, 573 people were employed (482 males, 91 females) and 251 were nonemployed (117 males, 134 females). Compared to the non-employed group, the employed group was distinctive in that it contained patients of younger age, had a male dominant gender distribution, and a higher proportion of smoking and drinking patients. The employed group was less likely to be previouslydiagnosed with diabetes, hypertension, chronic renal failure, cardiovascular disease, or cerebrovascular disease. The employed group was generally more stressed out but there was no significant differences in sleeping time. Infarction was more frequent in the employed group, but hemorrhage was more frequent in the non-employed group. According to the multivariate logistic regression analysis results, the odds ratio of drinking and stress was 1.89(95% CI: 1.25~2.86) and 2.68(95% CI: 1.80~3.99) respectively. Conclusions: Infarction was more frequent in the employed group. Drinking and stress were also more frequent in the employed group. The results of this study don’t necessarily mean that stress and drinking are more important than other risk factors but, it means stress and drinking control are more important in the employed group compared to the non-employed group.ope

Radiotechnologists and Radiation Exposure from PET and PET/CT Systems.

OBJECTIVES: In this study, radiotechnologists who work performing PET and PET/CT methodologies were analyzed in order to find the cause for the differences in radiation exposure as they applied to general characteristics, work characteristics, knowledge, and exposure recognition or conduct. METHODS: From April 15th, 2010 to May 14th, 2010, we conducted a retrospective analysis on 80 radiotechnologists using data garnered from their individual general characteristics, work characteristics, knowledge, and exposure recognition or conduct. Their average annual radiation exposure dosages were measured using a thermoluminescence dosimeter. A multiple regression analysis was performed as a statistical tool. RESULTS: Regarding the general PET and PET/CT characteristics, when the work experience was short, the exposure dose was higher. The factors of age, marriage, work experience in nuclear medicine, PET, PET/CT, and sex were found to have statistically significant effects. The knowledge, recognition, and conduct factors for the radiotechnologists were affected by unsecure radiation exposure at the moment of carrying, unsecure radiation exposure at the moment of injection, the application of protection at the moment of injection, and the use of auto distributor. It was found that, the use of an auto distributor, efforts in reducing the radiation exposure, unsecure exposure when with a patient, and the application of protective procedures at the moment of injection affected the overall factor of radiotechnologists radiation exposure dose. CONCLUSIONS: We believe that if radiotechnologists would reduce their radiation exposure by using auto distributors, make efforts to reduce the chance of exposure, and be conscious of radiation, they would be able to reduce the radiation exposure dose even during unavoidable circumstances.ope

Bilirubin-binding capacity of albumin in Korean neaonates

의학과/석사[한글]불포화 빌리루빈 (unconjugated bilirubin)은 혈청의 알부민과 결합하여 간으로 이동하는데 알부민과 결합하지 않은 빌리루빈을 유리 빌리루빈 (free bilirubin 또는 unbound bilirubin)이라고 하며, 이 유리빌리루빈은 혈뇌장벽을 통과하여 뇌손상을 일으키게 된다. 알부민에는 2개와 결합부(binding site)가 있는데 일차 결합부 (primary binding site)가 이차 결합부 (secondary binding site) 보다 결합력이 대단히 강하여 일차 결합부가 포화되면 유리 빌리루빈의 농도가 증가하게 된다. 유리 빌리루빈의 농도는 알부민의 빌리루빈 결합능력 (bilirubin binding capacity)과 친화성 (binding affinity)에의 하여 좌우된다. 저자는 연세 의료원에서 출생한 건강한 만삭아 24명과 의과대학생 20명을 대상으로, 정상 신생아와 정상 성인에서 총 빌리루빈치, 유리 빌리루빈치, 알부민의 빌리루빈 결합능력 및 친화성을 비교관찰하고저, Bromcresol green 방법으로 혈청 알부민을 측정하고, peroxidase 효소학적 측정법을 자동화시킨 일본 Kuraray사의 UB analyzer UA-1로 총 빌리루빈과 유리 빌리루빈을 측정 하였으며 Scatchard plot을 이용하여 알부민의 빌리루빈 결합능력과 친화성을 산출하였다. 1.정상상태에서 신생아는 성인에 비하면 유리 빌리루빈의 농도가 성인보다 더 높고, 일차 결합부에서 이차 결합부로의 이행도 더 낮은 빌리루빈 농도에서 이루어졌다. 2. 빌리루빈 알부민 물농도에 따른 유리 빌리루빈양을 비교할때 신생아는 성인에 비하여 일차 결합부에서 이차 결합부로의 이행이 더 낮은 빌리루빈 물농도에서 이루어져, 유리 빌리루빈으로 쉽게 유리됨을 알 수 있었다. 3. 신생아 알부민의 빌리루빈 결합능력(25.55±3.95mg/dl 또는 bilirubin:albumin molar ratio 0.87±0.15)은 성인 알부민의 빌리루빈 결합능력 (35.59±5.77 mg/dl 또는 bilirnbin:albumin molar ratio 1.05±0.14)보다 낮았고, 신생아 알부민의 빌리루빈 친화성(8. 81±2.65 × 10**7 /M)도 성인 (17.83±7.34 × 10**7 /M)의 1 / 2 정도로 낮았다. 또한 한국 신생아의 경우 미국 신생아에 비해 알부민의 빌리루빈 결합능력은 비슷하였으나 빌리루빈 친화성은 낮은 것으로 나타났다. 결론적으로 정상 신생아는 정상 성인에 비해 알부민의 결합능력과 빌리루빈 친화성이 낮으므로, 신생아는 빌리루빈 농도가 낮아도 유리 빌리루빈으로 쉽게 유리되어 핵황달의 위험성이 높은 것으로 사료되었다. [영문]The binding of bilirubin by albumin is thought to play an important role in the pathogenesis of kernicterus. Free bilirubin hypothesis had led to develop methods to evaluate the binding capacity and affinity of bilirubin to albumin in the plasma. Horseradish peroxidase oxidation of free bilirubin (FB) can estimate the level of free bilirubin, bilirubin binding capacity(capacity) and bilirubin binding affinity(Ka). Twenty four term infants and twenty adults were participated in this study. Serum free bilirubin concentration was determined by automated peroxidase micromethod. Each serum was titrated for the determination of binding capacity and Ka by serial additions of small aliquots of bilirubin to the serum. Titration curves were plotted as FB versus total bilirubin concentration. The titration data were plotted as Scatchard graphs to estimate the binding capacity and Ka. FB concentration of neonatal serum were 3.76±1.20 n Mol/L. Binding capacity of neonatal serum(25.55±3.95 ㎎%, or bilirubin: albumin molar ratios 0.87±0.15) was significantly lower than that in adult serum(35.59±5.77 ㎎%, or bilirubin: Albumin molar ratios 1.05±0.14). Ka of neonatal serum(8.81±2.65 × 10**7 /M) was significantly lower than that in adult serum(17.83±7.34 × 10**7 /M) . We concluded that the bilirubin binding ability of infant serum is less than that of adult seru,. Adult serum can bind bilirubin nearly twice as effectively as infant serum can.restrictio

군집분석을 이용한 직업적 위험요인에 따른 직업적 특성

Dept. of Public Health/박사Objective: Health problems caused by chronic exposure to various risk factors recently have been recognized as problematic in the occupational setting. To address this concern, we performed cluster analysis to provide a comprehensive examination of occupational risk factors to which individuals are exposed and to identify occupational characteristics.Methods: The current study analyzed data from the 3rd Korean Working Conditions Survey (KWCS) that were collected by the Korea Occupational Safety & Health Agency in 2011. The KWCS was conducted between June 1 and November 30, 2011. A total of 50,032 workers were surveyed (male: 28,640 (57.2%); female: 21,392 (42.8%)). Cluster analysis was performed on occupational risk factors such as chemicophysical factors, musculoskeletal factors, job stress, working hours, and age of workers. Cluster analysis was also performed by gender.Results: Workers were divided into 6 clusters: “old age,” “high stress,” “overwork,” “low risk,” “intermediate risk,” and “high risk.” Although there were slight gender differences in the degree of risk factors, clusters could be defined as above. The “old age” group had short working hours and low occupational risk factors due to age, but they also had high overall occupational illness and physical illness. Workers belonging to this cluster (52.8%) were employed in agriculture, fishery, and forestry. The “high stress” group had intermediate levels of other occupational risk factors, and they had intermediate levels of occupational illness. The “overwork” group had intermediate levels of other occupational risk factors. Of the self-employed without employees, 31.3% belonged to this cluster, whereas 33.8% of unpaid family workers belonged to the cluster. Occupational illness in this cluster was intermediate, but mental illness was high. The “high risk” group had high levels of occupational risk factors and high occupational illness. Blue-collar workers mainly belong to this cluster. With the “low risk” group as the reference, the odds ratio (OR) for occupational illness was 3.4 (95% CI, 3.15–3.62) in this cluster.Conclusions: A comprehensive plan and appropriate measures are required to prevent occupational illness. Risk factors have been examined according to occupational category and business type in the past. However, this study revealed that workers under the same occupational category can be classified into different clusters depending on the risk factors to which they are exposed. Therefore, such characteristics must be taken into consideration when implementing policies for the prevention of occupational illness.ope

Electrochemical characteristics of EMD as a cathode material for Li secondary batteries

학위논문(석사) --서울대학교 대학원 :재료공학부,2007.Maste

Study on Development of CWS (buried wale Continuous Wall System) Method

A down construction method is frequently used in these days to reduce popular discontent and to assure sufficient working space at early stage in downtown area. There are two main problems in the existing down construction method. One is a confliction between frame works and excavation works, and the other is a cold joint in retaining wall which is unavoidable due to a sequence of concrete placement and induces a water leakage. Therefore, a new method is needed to overcome these problems. The CWS (buried wale Continuous Wall System) method was developed by authors. By replacing RC perimeter beam with embedded steel wale, the steel frame works of substructure can be simplified and the water leakage can be prevented using continuous retaining wall. Consequently, the improved qualify and reduction of construction period can be obtained from CWS method.ope