Occupational blood exposures in health care workers: incidence, characteristics, and transmission of bloodborne pathogens in South Korea.

BACKGROUND: Health care workers (HCWs) are at high risk for occupational blood exposures (OBEs) and transmission of bloodborne pathogens. This study elucidated the incidence rate and epidemiological characteristics of OBEs among HCWs and investigated the pathogen transmission rate for hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). METHODS: Self-reported OBEs from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2015 were obtained from the electronic recording system. OBE incidence densities per 100 person-years and per 100 bed-years were calculated with a 5-year trend analysis. OBE characteristics and pathogen transmission rates were evaluated. RESULTS: Among 10,452 HCWs and 1072 average yearly beds, 1076 OBEs were reported. OBE incidence rate was 5.6 cases per 100 person (full-time equivalent)-years and 20.3 per 100 bed-years. Incidence rate decreased and was significantly associated with a decrease of beds served per HCW. Housekeeping showed the highest OBE rate (14.8%) followed by doctors (8.5%) and nurses (6.2%). OBEs occurred in wards, emergency rooms, and operating rooms (38.1%, 13.3% and 12.2%, respectively) via percutaneous (86.7%) and mucocutaneous exposures (13.2%). Of OBEs associated with HBV (n = 133), HCV (n = 126), and HIV (n = 25), only one led to an infection (HCV; transmission rate of 0.8%). Neither HBV nor HIV infection occurred. CONCLUSIONS: OBE incidence rate in a Korean university hospital was 5.6 cases per 100 person-years and 20.3 per 100 bed-years and was related to HCW workload and work proficiency. Though the actual bloodborne pathogen transmission rate was low, efforts to prevent OBE should be made for hospital safety.

The relationship between lower urinary tract symptoms/benign prostatic hyperplasia and the number of components of metabolic syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS)/benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) and a number of components of metabolic syndrome (MetS). METHODS: A total of 1224 male police officers aged 50-59 years who had participated in a health examination were included. LUTS/BPH were assessed by prostate-specific antigen, international prostate symptom score (IPSS), total prostate volume (TPV), maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax), and postvoid residual (PVR) urine volume. Testosterone levels were also examined. MetS was defined using National Cholesterol Education Program-Adult Treatment Panel III guidelines. The subjects were classified into 4 groups according to the number of exhibited MetS components (0, 1-2, 3, and 4-5). We used the Mantel-Haenszel extension test and logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: MetS was diagnosed in 29.0% of the patients. The BPH ratio (IPSS >7, TPV ≥30 mL, and/or Qmax <15 mL/sec), TPV ≥30 mL, and PVR ≥50 mL significantly increased with an increasing number of metabolic abnormalities. The odds ratio (OR) in relation to a TPV ≥30 mL and a PVR ≥50 mL significantly rose as the number of positive MetS components increased after adjusting for age and testosterone. Additionally, the ORs (adjusting for age and testosterone) in relation to BPH also increased as the number of positive MetS components increased, with a suggestive threshold effect associated with 4-5 positive components (BPH: IPSS >7 + TPV ≥30 mL; 4 and 5 components, 3.496, 1.805-6.769, P = .001; BPH: IPSS >7 + TPV ≥30 mL + Qmax <15 mL/sec; 4 and 5 components, 5.458, 1.777-16.764, P = .002). CONCLUSION: According to our results, the cases of LUTS/BPH were positively associated with the number of MetS components.