The association between long working hours and marital status change: middle-aged and educated Korean in 2014–2015

BACKGROUND: We investigated the association between long workhours and marital status change from married to divorced or separated status that might have bad health effects. METHODS: A total of 40,654 participants with married status in 2014 were followed up in 2015. Weekly workhours were categorized into four groups: ≤ 40, 41–52, 53–60, and > 60 hours per week. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the relationship between groups of workhours and marital status change after adjusting for age, total monthly household income, working type, and depression with sex stratification. RESULTS: The study populations consisted of 8,346 (20.5%) females and 32,308 (79.5%) males. Odd ratios (ORs) of marital status change for females working for more than 60 hours per week was 4.26 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.25–14.5), when working less than or equal to 40 hours per week was used as reference in the crude model. ORs of working more than 60 hours per week was 4.57 (95% CI: 1.02–20.5) in female workers when considering age, total household earning per month, working type of daytime, and depression in a dose-response manner. However, for male workers, long workhours were not significantly related to change of marriage status. CONCLUSIONS: Long workhours for more than 60 hours per week had significantly higher risk of divorce or separation in females, but not in males. Further follow-up studies are needed to evaluate long term effects of long workhours on divorce risk.

Comparison of work-related musculoskeletal symptoms between male cameramen and male office workers

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have classified cameramen’s job as physiologically heavy work and identified the risk factors of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMDs) in cameramen. However, those studies limited their research subjects to cameramen. In this study, we compared the frequency and severity of WRMDs between cameramen and office workers. METHODS: A total of 293 subjects working in four broadcasting companies in Korea were recruited. A questionnaire survey was conducted for a month, starting in October 2016. The subjects were divided into cameramen and office workers according to their occupation. We compared the frequency and severity of WRMDs and ergonomic risk assessment results between the two groups. RESULTS: The high-risk WRMD group had a higher proportion of cameramen than office workers. Moreover, the high ergonomic risk group also had a higher proportion of cameramen than office workers for WRMDs in the upper extremities and waist+lower extremities. In the multivariable-adjusted model comparing cameramen and office workers, the odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (95% CI) for high-risk WRMDs was 3.50 (95% CI: 1.92–7.72) for the upper extremities and 3.18 (95% CI: 1.62–6.21) for the waist and the lower extremities. The ORs by body parts were 3.11 (95% CI: 1.28–7.57) for the neck, 3.90 (95% CI: 1.79–8.47) for the shoulders, and 4.23 (95% CI: 1.04–17.18) for the legs and feet. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that cameramen are at high risk of WRMDs. Workplace improvements and management of the neck, shoulders, and lower extremities, which are susceptible to WRMDs, are necessary to prevent musculoskeletal disorders among cameramen.

Hydrofluoric Acid Burns: A Case Report / 대한산업의학회지

BACKGROUND: Hydrofluoric acid_(HF) is widely used in many industrial and domestic settings such as etching glass, and polishing metals. HF is one of the most corrosive inorganic acids and can produce progressive and serious tissue necrosis with severe pain. Since HF chemical burns can be asymptomatic for the first few hours, it is crucial to understand its toxicity and the early use of antidote. CASE: A 37-year-old man presented with erythematous lesion and pain on his face, anterior neck, both forearms, both thighs, and left ankle after injury resulting from a chemical burn caused by HF. He showed normal vital signs and dyspnea, but complained of a sore throat. Liquid form of HF had splashed on his face and anterior neck first and run down his forearms and thighs while working at HF supply tanks. Some of the HF was splashed into his mouth. He immediately removed his clothes and showered with abundant water. A 4.5% calcium gluconate jel was applied to the involved area. He was given subcutaneous injection of 10% calcium gluconate solution. During 17 days of admission he didn't show any signs of systemic intoxication or deep tissue defects. CONCLUSIONS: Immediate cleansing of the affected area with running cold water is the first critical treatment for a chemical burn due to HF. Applying calcium gluconate gel within one hour was very effective for preventing further damage to the injured area as well as systemic injury. In order to reduce the risk of accident and perform first-aid treatment quickly, it is imperative to provide workers with safety education and establish safety facilities.

Worker's Compensation Claims and Approval Status for Occupational Cancers in Korea from 2000 to 2009 / 대한산업의학회지

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to analyze the characteristics of the occupational cancer claims compensated by the Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance that is operated by the Korea Workers' Compensation and Welfare Service (COMWEL). METHODS: Using the COMWEL electronic database, we collected 1,933 claims for occupational cancer based on the worker's compensation records in the COMWEL from 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2009. We analyzed the characteristics of the claims. RESULTS: The average number of claims per year for occupational cancer was 193 and the approval rate was 13.1% from 2000 to 2009. Men accounted for 93.7% of the approved cases and had a higher approval rate. Approval rates increased with age. Among claims for occupational cancer, the most common was digestive cancer. On the other hand, the highest approval rate was for mesothelioma claims, followed by respiratory cancer, lymphoid or hematopoietic cancer. By industry, claims were most common in manufacturing, but the approval rate was highest in mining and quarrying. By occupation, claims most commonly came from legislators, senior officials & managers, but the approval rate was highest for craft & related trades workers. The average of tenure period was 15.5 years for approved cases, but 10.3 years for non-approved cases, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: We analyzed the characteristics of the occupational cancer claims which were compensated for the last 10 years accrording to the approved results. For the purpose of long-term understanding and management of worker's compensation status for occupational cancer, we should gather accurate information of the carcinogenic factors involved in order to achieve the systematic improvement that is needed.

The Efficacy of Rectal Thiopental According to the Enema Positions for Pediatric Sedation

PURPOSE: We wanted to compare the efficacy of rectal thiopental according to the enema position for pediatric sedation in the emergency department METHODS: One hundred sixty patients were sedated with rectal thiopental for CT or laceration repairs. The dosage of thiopental was 25 mg/kg and second dose was 15 mg/kg if the patient was not sedated. After administration, one group was positioned erect for 5 minutes and other group was positioned supine for 5 minutes. After the patients were sedated, we checked the Ramsay scales and the FLACC scales during compression by a BP cuff and/or injection of local anesthetics. All the patients were monitored for their oxygen saturation and their vital signs RESULTS: Successful sedations and adequate procedures were obtained in each group: 95.2% in the erect group and 94.7% in the supine group. The induction time and recovery time after the first injected dose were not significantly different between the groups: 16+/-6 min and 57+/-3 min in the erect group and 16+/-8 min, 61+/-4 min in the supine group. After second dose injection, the induction and recovery time were not different between both groups. The Ramsay scale and FLACC scale during compression by a BP cuff were not different in the two groups. As compared to the FLACC scale for measuring pain during injecting local anesthetics to repair lacerations, the percentage of patients who had their pain recorded via the FLACC pain scale as 0 were different; 25.9% in a erect group and 4.5% in a supine group. But the difference between the groups was not significat (p=0.1). There were no significant side effects during the total sedations. CONCLUSION: The efficacy when administrating rectal thiopental was not significantly different as related to the enema positions.

The Effect of Three Surface Sealants on Microleakage of Class V Composite Resin Restorations / 대한치과보철학회지

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Microleakage at the occlusal and gingival margin of Class V cavities restored with composite resin has traditionally been considered an obstacle to successful restoration. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of three different surface sealants(Fortify, Permaseal and Biscover LV) on the marginal sealing of Class V light-activated composite resin restorations(Z250). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty noncarious human premolars and molars extracted within a three-month period were selected. Class V cavities with the occlusal margin in enamel and gingival margin in cementum were prepared in both buccal and lingual surfaces. The teeth, randomly assigned in four groups with twenty cavities in each group, were restored with composite resin after applying an adhesive system(Clearfil SE bond). After the finishing and polishing procedures, the restorations were covered with a specific surface sealants, except for the control samples, which were not sealed. After placing restorations, the specimens were thermocycled, and immersed in a 2% methylene blue solution for twenty four hours and sectioned longitudinally. The marginal microleakage was evaluated at the occlusal and gingival interfaces using a microscope and compared among the four groups using ANOVA test and Wilcoxon Rank-Sum test(alpha=0.05). RESULTS: Statistical analysis showed that there was significantly less leakage when the surface sealants were used than there was in control group (P .05). CONCLUSION: Application of surface sealants was an effective method of surface coating in reducing microleakage at occlusal and gingival margins of Class V composite resin restorations. However, it is certain that some microleakage still occurred despite the application of surface sealants, especially gingival margins.