• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.11-18
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• 2020

Background: Nivolumab and pembrolizumab are antagonists of the programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) receptor that function as immuno-oncological agents. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of nivolumab and pembrolizumab in elderly patients in outpatient settings. Methods: The safety and efficacy of nivolumab and pembrolizumab were compared retrospectively among patients at the Veterans Health Service (VHS) Medical Center in Seoul, South Korea, from September 1, 2017 to August 25, 2018. Results: Eighty-seven patients were selected for the study. The median progression-free survival was 63 days for nivolumab (95% confidence interval (CI), [14 to 282]) vs. 243 days for pembrolizumab (95% CI, [22 to 348]) (p =0.04). The objective response rate (ORR) was 0% in the nivolumab group vs 5.6% in the pembrolizumab group (p =0.310). All the patients exhibited treatment-related adverse effects. More than 89% of the patients exhibited diseases of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Pneumonia, of grades three or higher, was the most common adverse effect, followed by weakness and anorexia. Conclusions: There was no statistically significant difference between the nivolumab group and the pembrolizumab group with respect to the ORR. The incidence and severity of the adverse effects in this study were higher than those of previous studies; however, these adverse effects are generally manageable in a real-world clinical setting. Further randomized controlled studies will be necessary to confirm these results in elderly patients.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.82-91
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• 2011

The present study reviewed the effects of excess iodine intake on thyroid function and the incidence of thyroid disease and discussed the scientific basis for establishing a tolerable upper intake level (UL) of iodine for Koreans. ULs are defined as "the highest level of daily nutrient intake that is likely to pose no risk of adverse effects to almost all individuals in the general population." Koreans consume excess iodine from seaweed, and iodine intake is strongly influenced by seaweed consumption. However, no dose-response data derived from subjects consuming excess iodine frequently but not continuously during a lifetime are available. Therefore, the Korean DRI committee set the iodine UL to reduce the risk of adverse health effects by excess iodine intake for Koreans with distinctive seaweed-eating habits.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.65-80
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• 2005

This study examines the effects of supplemental insurance on health care utilization and expenditures among cancer patients, who were hospitalized in a general hospital in Korea 2003. We find that those who purchase the supplemental insurance in addition to the social health insurance use more health care services and pay more than those who do not, suggesting insurance effects. This paper, however, cannot distinguish the moral effects of the health insurance from the selection effects due to adverse selection.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.581-594
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• 2017

Bisphenol A(BPA), known as a typical endocrine disruptor, has been used commercially and widely for plastics and epoxy resins. BPA-based plastic is used extensively for the production of water bottles, food containers, CDs, DVDs, and panels that can be applied in construction. Epoxy resins containing BPA are used for coatings on the insides of water pipes, food cans, and thermal papers that are used in sales receipts. As its estrogenic effects and other adverse health effects have published, BPA has been regulated in many countries, and there have been efforts made to replace BPA. Other bisphenols substitutes such as bisphenol S(BPS) and bisphenol F(BPF) have been used. Currently, BPS- and BPF-based products labeled BPA-free products have been widely consumed. Because of structural similarities with BPA, however, these alternatives also show endocrine disruption effects like BPA, and many studies on adverse health effects of these alternatives are being reported. In this review, we describe the adverse health effects of bisphenols and the current status of regulation.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.17
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• pp.309-312
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• 2001

It has recently been suggested that the release of "endocrine disrupters (EDs)" into the environment has resulted in adverse health effects on wild life populations and humans (Golden et al., 1998; Tyler et al., 1998; Kang et al., 2000). Human sperm counts have declined significantly throughout the world during the past fifty years, and which is a significant public health concern (Carlsen et al., 1992; Carlsen et al.. 1995). In addition, the EDs persisting in the environment are known to disrupt the normal endocrine systems of wildlife (Colborn, 1995; Crewet al., 1995; Folmer et at, 1996; Sumpter, 1995; Tyler, 1998). Some estrogenic chemicals bind to estrogen receptors (Bolger et al.. 1998), interfere with the binding of physiological ligands to steroid hormone-binding proteins (Danjo, 1997; Milligan et al., 1998). and show immunotoxicity (Sakae et al., 1998). (omitted) (omitted)

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.8
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• pp.4081-4086
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• 2012

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use is prevalent among individuals with cancer, especially breast cancer survivors. This study was conducted among 394 breast cancer survivors in selected regions of Peninsular Malaysia to identify the pattern and factors associated with CAM use. About 51% of the respondents reported CAM use as complementary treatment. Vitamins (47.2%), spiritual activities (33.2%) and other dietary supplements (30.7%) were the most commonly used CAM therapies. Common reasons for CAM use were to increase the body's ability to perform daily activities (70.9%), enhance immune function (58.3%) and improve emotional well-being (31.7%). Users obtained CAM information mainly from friends and family members (62.5%), physicians (25.0%) and mass media (13.9%). Ethnicity and years of education were significantly associated with CAM use. Although no adverse effects of CAM were reported, breast cancer survivors should discuss their CAM use with health professionals to prevent potential adverse effects of these therapies.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.299-306
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• 2013

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to provide current the recent information on indium-related adverse health effects and the Korean indium-related industries. Methods: Peer review papers were searched in environmental, occupational and medical journals with the keyword of 'Indium' and 'ITO' and reviewed. To determine the indium related industries and indium consumption amounts, references and database were investigated and analyzed. In addition, field walk-through surveys and interviews were conducted in order to collect field data and to ascertain the field situation for the processes and industries. Results: A total of 10 cases of indium lung diseases have been reported in series since the first case reported in 2001. Seven cases were found in Japan, two cases in the United States, and one in China. No indium lung case has been reported yet in Korea, but it is believed that there are high potential risks among workers in indium-related industries. There are four categories in indiumrelated- industry; indium production and smelting, manufacturing of indium products such as ITO target, the production of thin films of flat panel display, and indium recovery industry. We found that all these types of industries are operating in Korea. Therefore, it is necessary for industrial hygienists to understand the processes and industries related to indium as well as the adverse health effects of indium. Conclusions: It was found that all four categories of indium-related industry from the indium production to recovery industry are active in Korea. However, the adverse health effects of indium are not well recognized. Therefore, it is believed that there is a high risks in indium-related industry, and it is necessary to make emergency interventions.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.323-330
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• 2010

Although copper and zinc are essential metals for human health, excessive level of these metals is toxic. Besides, aluminum is known to induce various adverse health effects including neurological disorders. Therefore, monitoring the human body burden of these metals is important in preventing adverse health effects. In this study, we assessed the exposure to copper, zinc, and aluminum among an adult population residing in Daegu and Kyungbuk areas. Based on data from 171 participants, we found that the geometric mean copper, zinc, and aluminum concentrations in hair were $15.1\;{\mu}g/g$ [95% confidence interval (CI): 13.1~17.5], 76.9 (95% CI: 70.4~84.1), and $1.11\;{\mu}g/g$ (95% CI: 0.81~1.51), respectively. The copper concentrations in hair were significantly related to age, education, and residence area. In addition, zinc concentrations in hair were significantly related to age, whereas higher hair aluminum concentrations were related to alcohol drinking. Correlations between copper and zinc in hair had a significant positive correlation. Our findings suggest that the body burden of copper, zinc, and aluminum varies according to demographic factors, and hair could be used as a valuable biological medium for metal exposure.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.24-43
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• 2004

Although alcohol misuse contributes substantially to mortality from diseases, injuries and adverse effects, a few attempts have been made to figure out size of adverse consequences attributable to alcohol in Korea. This study was conducted to describe trends of estimated deaths attributable to alcohol in Korea. Estimations were made by employing Korean alcohol aetiological fraction(AEF) into deaths from alcohol-related diseases, injuries, and adverse effects from year of 1995 through 2000. Korean AEF was derived from previous studies on AEF applied to USA and Canada (Schultz et al.,1991; English et al., 1995) with reflecting peculiar drinking patterns in Korea. An average number of deaths attributable to alcohol was 21,123, accounting for 8.76% of all deaths reported to National Statistical Office during the period. Death rates attributable to alcohol tended to decrease from year of 1995 to 1997 and then increased with peak at year of 1999. Sex-age standardized alcohol attributable death rates varied among areas, with those of metropolitan areas being lower than those of non metropolitan areas. Years of potential life lost (YPLL) were estimated to reflect qualitative aspect of deaths attributable to alcohol. Similar change patterns during the year were observed between number of deaths and YPLL. Average YPLL of men was longer than that of women by about 4 years. Some implications for future study have been discussed.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.228-236
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• 2001

Objectives : To propose a feasible, valid and appropriate study designs and epidemiologic methods for evaluating the adverse health effects of Agent Orange-chemical defoliants used in Vietnam- in Korea. Methods : A literature study was peformed on Agent Orange, herbicides, pesticides and dioxins. The study subjects, study design, exposure assessment and health outcomes assessment were examined in each study. The potential data sources for the study subjects, study design, exposure assessment and health outcomes assessment in Korea were investigated. Results and Conclusion : In earlier Korean studies, research subjects for studying the effects of Agent Orange were identified from the patients or persons who claimed to have Agent Orange-related diseases due to the difficulties in identifying the entire population of Vietnam veterans in Korea. In this study, an attempt was made to identify the total number of Vietnam veterans in Korea. As a result, the addresses of 20,000 Vietnam veterans were obtained. It is proposed that a retrospective cohort design on a sample of the total number of Vietnam veterans is a feasible and appropriate study design. Self report questionnaires and military records were proposed to assess the exposure level. It is believed that measuring the plasma or tissue TCDD should be used only for a validation study assessing the level of exposure. For the health outcomes assessment, it is possible to obtain the mortality, cancer frequency, physical examination, screening and medical insurance record data.