Risk Factors for Musculoskeletal Symptoms Among Korean Broadcast Actors

Background: Musculoskeletal diseases (MSDs) are functional disabilities in the musculoskeletal area that occur when continuous damage to the muscles or tissues is caused by performing a repetitive task. These diseases are usually found in the waist, shoulder, neck, arm, and wrist. MSD is also referred to as cumulative trauma disorder, repetitive strain injury, occupational overuse syndrome, and visual display terminal, depending on the country. The condition is now commonly referred to as work-related musculoskeletal disorder. Objectives: The aim of this study was to develop a prevention plan against musculoskeletal disease and to provide better health care to broadcast actors by understanding the association between musculoskeletal symptoms and working conditions. The results of the study can be utilized to maintain effective systematic resources to treat such diseases. Methods: A survey was conducted in Seoul between January 1 and May 10, 2014 with broadcast actors working in the South Korean entertainment industry. Findings: Tests with respect to musculoskeletal symptoms indicated that the study participants were likely to experience having musculoskeletal symptoms in the shoulders, waist, neck, leg/foot, hand/wrist/finger, and arm/elbow. Most of the participants reported pain on both sides of their shoulders and in their legs/feet or on the right side of the arm/elbow and in hand/wrist/finger. Pain lasted between 1 and 7 days, with an incidence of 33.8% in the neck, 36% in the shoulders, 33.3% in the arm/elbow, 47.4% in the hand/wrist/finger, 34.7% in the waist, and 39.3% in the leg/foot. Conclusions: This study should prove useful in determining systematic and effective resources to prevent broadcast actors from developing MSD in the future

Analysis of radiation risk to patients from intra-operative use of the mobile X-ray system (C-arm)

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate clinical applications of mobile C-arms and consequent radiation risk, to increase medical attention on radiation protection, and to provide basic data for safe radiation use in the operating room. Materials and Methods: In this study, a total of 374 surgical operations, conducted using a portable fluoroscopic X-ray system from January to March of 2013, were analyzed. Dose summaries produced by the General Electric C-arm and data elements in digital imaging and communications in the medicine header of Ziehm C-arm, fluoroscopy time were used to obtain dose-area product (DAP) and effective dose. Corresponding mean and maximum values were calculated, and the resulting data on the frequency of application, fluoroscopy time, DAP, and effective dose were compared and analyzed in terms of surgical specialty and operation types. Results: Orthopedic surgery was the most frequent with 165 cases (44.1%). The highest DAP value and effective dose were found in liver transplant among surgical specialty fields, with mean values of 2.90 ± 3.76 mGy∙m 2 and 58 ± 75.2 mSv, respectively (P = 0.0001). The highest DAP value and effective dose were observed in intra-operative mesenteric portography among types of surgery, showing mean values of 2.90 ± 3.81 mGy∙m 2 and 58.03 ± 76.24 mSv, respectively (P = 0.0001). Conclusion: Because DAP varies significantly across surgical specialties and types of operation, aggressive efforts to understand the effects of radiation dose is critical for radiation protection from intra-operative use of mobile C-arms