• Safety and Health at Work
• /
• 제14권2호
• /
• pp.141-152
• /
• 2023

Objective: We performed a meta-analysis of epidemiological results for the association between occupational exposure as a firefighter and cancer as part of the broader evidence synthesis work of the IARC Monographs program. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted to identify cohort studies of firefighters followed for cancer incidence and mortality. Studies were evaluated for the influence of key biases on results. Random-effects meta-analysis models were used to estimate the association between ever-employment and duration of employment as a firefighter and risk of 12 selected cancers. The impact of bias was explored in sensitivity analyses. Results: Among the 16 included cancer incidence studies, the estimated meta-rate ratio, 95% confidence interval (CI), and heterogeneity statistic (I²) for ever-employment as a career firefighter compared mostly to general populations were 1.58 (1.14-2.20, 8%) for mesothelioma, 1.16 (1.08-1.26, 0%) for bladder cancer, 1.21 (1.12-1.32, 81%) for prostate cancer, 1.37 (1.03-1.82, 56%) for testicular cancer, 1.19 (1.07-1.32, 37%) for colon cancer, 1.36 (1.15-1.62, 83%) for melanoma, 1.12 (1.01-1.25, 0%) for non-Hodgkin lymphoma, 1.28 (1.02-1.61, 40%) for thyroid cancer, and 1.09 (0.92-1.29, 55%) for kidney cancer. Ever-employment as a firefighter was not positively associated with lung, nervous system, or stomach cancer. Results for mesothelioma and bladder cancer exhibited low heterogeneity and were largely robust across sensitivity analyses. Conclusions: There is epidemiological evidence to support a causal relationship between occupational exposure as a firefighter and certain cancers. Challenges persist in the body of evidence related to the quality of exposure assessment, confounding, and medical surveillance bias.

• 대한한방내과학회지
• /
• 제44권3호
• /
• pp.439-454
• /
• 2023

Objectives: As Korea transitions into an aging society, the incidence of cerebrovascular disease is expected to increase. Herbal medicine is commonly used in Oriental medicine to treat cerebrovascular disease. However, there is insufficient clinical evidence to actively support the safety of herbal medicine in clinical practice. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the toxicity and safety of four herbal medicines (Cheongsimyeonja-tang, Dodam-tang, Hyeolbuchukso-tang, and Boshiniknai-tang) in patients with cerebrovascular disease. Methods: This study used electronic medical records to analyze patients admitted to an oriental medicine hospital from April 1, 2017, to December 31, 2020. Liver and renal function values at the time of admission and discharge were compared. Results: A total of 25 patients were included in this study. We found no significant differences in various variables, such as complete blood count, liver-renal function test, and urine, before and after the administration of the four herbal medicines. Additionally, no significant adverse events related to herbal medicine were observed. Conclusions: This study confirmed the safety of the four herbal medicines in patients with cerebrovascular disease who were hospitalized in a single Oriental medicine hospital.

• 대한기관윤리심의기구협의회지
• /
• 제2권1호
• /
• pp.6-22
• /
• 2020

Purpose: Clinical studies require institutional review board (IRB) approval based on the ethical principle and regulations. While the number of clinical studies has been increased and diversified, duplicated IRB review for multi-center studies has become a major issue. Therefore, single IRB system has been suggested in revised Common Rule. This study aimed to identify and assess the current status of single IRB in Korea and the anticipated needs of single IRB from researchers and IRB member or administrators. Methods: We developed 14 questions including perceived advantages and disadvantages of single IRB, and anticipated problems. The online survey collected opinions on single IRB from researchers, IRB members and IRB administrators. We also interviewed five IRB administrators who have an experience of single IRB. Results: A total of 80 responses were analyzed in this study. Although efficiencies were suggested for the advantages of single IRB in terms of reducing burden of duplicated review, respondents also perceived that the different review criteria between single IRB and each IRB would be a major hurdle for adopting single IRB system. Therefore, the standardization of standard of procedures (SOP) and the standardization of IRB submission materials should be preceded. According to the small group experiences of single IRB in Korea, we also observed the similar anticipated problems of single IRB. Conclusion: Single IRB system has many advantages for conducting multi-center trial. However, many specialists still have a lot of concerns about introducing a single IRB system in Korea. Therefore, a gradual, step-by-step process for conducting a single IRB system in Korea will be needed. Many studies for improving currently suggested single IRB system and the improvement of awareness about the essential of single IRB system would be needed.

• 한국노년학
• /
• 제30권4호
• /
• pp.1129-1143
• /
• 2010

본 연구의 목적은 지역사회거주 노인들의 건강증진행위(Health Promoting Behavior : HPB)에 영향을 미치는 요인들을 규명하고자 하는 것이다. 본 연구는 생태체계적 관점(Ecological Perspective)에서 Pender (1996)의 건강증진모델을 활용하여 연구모형을 설정하고 이를 분석하고자 하였다. 본 연구의 자료수집을 위해 2009년 1월 18일부터 2월 28일 까지 서울지역에 거주하는 만 60세 이상 노인을 대상으로 면접조사를 하였으며 총 495부를 최종 분석에 사용하였다. 연구결과 노인의 건강증진행위 평균값은 3.11(SD=0.41)로 나타났다. 위계적 다중회귀분석 결과, 본 연구에서 모델I의 설명력은 5%이었으나 행위관련인지요인을 투입한 모델II에서 48.3%로 증가하였고, 환경요인을 투입한 모델III에서는 56.1%로 증가하였다. 모든 변수를 투입한 모델IV의 총설명력은 55.7%로 나타났다. 연구대상자들의 건강증진행위에 영향을 미치는 변수들의 상대적 영향력은 지각된 유익성(β=.475)이 가장 높았으며, 그리고 사회적 지지, 자기효능감, 지역사회환경, 주관적 건강상태, 교육 및 연령 등의 순으로 나타났다. 본 연구결과를 바탕으로 첫째, 노인의 건강증진행위를 증진시키기 위한 교육적이고 지지적이며, 다양한 수준의 프로그램 개발, 둘째, 노인복지기관의 접근성 증진을 위한 환경의 조성, 셋째, 프로그램 참여자들을 대상으로 한 자조그룹의 조직, 넷째, 노인 친화적인 환경의 구축과 건강증진관련 시설 및 서비스들의 통합과 조정을 위한 지역단위 해결방안의 모색과 끝으로 노인복지 담당 사회복지사의 건강관련 전문성 증진을 위한 교육 및 훈련의 필요성이 제시되었다.

• 한국노년학
• /
• 제31권3호
• /
• pp.553-571
• /
• 2011

본 논문의 목적은 4개 국가에서 이뤄진 60세 이상 노인을 대상으로 한 우울증 관리 프로그램의 전체, 단·장기 효과성의 메타 비교 분석을 통해 효과적인 한국의 노인 우울증 관리 프로그램 개발에 정책적 함의를 제공하는 것이다. 분석 자료는 AMED, EMBASE, Ovid Medline, PsycInfo에서 두 차례에 걸쳐 체계적 검토 방법을 통해 추출된 총 10건의 RCT 연구 논문이다. Review Manager를 사용한 메타 분석 결과, 첫째, 노인 우울증 관리 프로그램은 전체적으로 효과적이었고(OR=0.47, 신뢰도 95%, 신뢰구간 0.36-0.61), 둘째, 단기적으로도 효과적이었으며(OR=0.37, 신뢰도 95%, 신뢰구간 0.26-0.54), 셋째, 장기적으로도 효과적이었다(OR=0.61, 신뢰도 95%, 신뢰구간 0.41-0.89). 본 논문의 분석 결과는 한국의 노인을 위한 효과적인 우울증 관리 프로그램 개발에 세 가지 정책적 함의를 제공해 주고 있다. 첫째, 전체적으로 높은 성공률(53%)이 입증된 외국의 노인 우울증 관리 프로그램의 한국적 응용을 모색하면서 장기적 효과성이 담보되지 못함(24% 감소)에 주의하여 한국의 노인을 위한 우울증 관리 프로그램은 장기적 효과성도 담보 될 수 있는 요소가 고려되어야 한다. 둘째, 장기적 효과성이 담보된 노인 우울증 관리 프로그램을 적용할 때 남성 노인에게는 전반기에, 여성 노인에게는 후반기 적용에 보다 더 큰 관심이 요구된다. 끝으로, 새로운 노인 우울증 관리 프로그램은 기존의 의료적 모델에 사회적 지지 모델의 핵심 요소들을 결합한 형태로 이뤄져야 할 것이다.

• 한국방사선학회논문지
• /
• 제17권7호
• /
• pp.1099-1108
• /
• 2023

Mortise view 검사는 발목관절 검사로써 발목관절의 외상이나 염좌, 탈구가 의심되는 병변의 유무를 관찰한다. mortise view 검사 시 사용되는 보조기구는 영상에 인공물을 발생하거나, 종류가 다양하지 않아 환자 맞춤형으로 제작되지 않고 가격이 비싸다. 이에 본 연구는 3D 프린팅 기술을 이용하여 mortise view 검사보조기구(ShinHan Device; SHD)를 제작하였다. SHD를 사용했을 때와 시제품인 hologic tool을 사용했을 때의 목말종아리관절, mortise 관절, 목말정강관절의 길이를 5명의 연구자가 측정하여 평가하였다. SHD를 사용했을 때 평균값의 범위는 TTJ에서 39.42~39.47 mm, TCJ 31.41~31.57 mm, MJ 21.21~21.23 mm의 범위로 나타났다. hologic tool를 사용했을 때는 TTJ 39.73~39.79 mm, TCJ 31.46~31.50 mm, MJ 21.31~21.35 mm의 범위로 측정되었다. 본 연구결과, 모든 위치에서의 오차범위가 hologic tool에 비해 SHD를 사용 때 TTJ는 24%, TCJ는 17%, MJ는 36% 감소하였으며, SHD를 사용하였을 때 재현성 높은 검사자세를 구현할 수 있었으며(ICC=0.99), hologic tool에서 발생하던 인공물을 제거한 영상을 획득할 수 있었다.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• 제67권1호
• /
• pp.73-83
• /
• 2024

Objective : The Act on Life-Sustaining Treatment (LST) decisions for end-of-life patients has been effective since February 2018. An increasing number of patients and their families want to withhold or withdraw from LST when medical futility is expected. This study aimed to investigate the status of the Act on LST decisions for patients with acute cerebrovascular disease at a single hospital. Methods : Between January 2017 and December 2021, 227 patients with acute cerebrovascular diseases, including hemorrhagic stroke (n=184) and ischemic stroke (n=43), died at the hospital. The study period was divided into the periods before and after the Act. Results : The duration of hospitalization decreased after the Act was implemented compared to before (15.9±16.1 vs. 11.2±18.6 days, p=0.127). The rate of obtaining consent for the LST plan tended to increase after the Act (139/183 [76.0%] vs. 27/44 [61.4%], p=0.077). Notably, none of the patients made an LST decision independently. Ventilator withdrawal was more frequently performed after the Act than before (52/183 [28.4%] vs. 0/44 [0%], p<0.001). Conversely, the rate of organ donation decreased after the Act was implemented (5/183 [2.7%] vs. 6/44 [13.6%], p=0.008). Refusal to undergo surgery was more common after the Act was implemented than before (87/149 [58.4%] vs. 15/41 [36.6%], p=0.021) among the 190 patients who required surgery. Conclusion : After the Act on LST decisions was implemented, the rate of LST withdrawal increased in patients with acute cerebrovascular disease. However, the decision to withdraw LST was made by the patient's family rather than the patient themselves. After the execution of the Act, we also observed an increased rate of refusal to undergo surgery and a decreased rate of organ donation. The Act on LST decisions may reduce unnecessary treatments that prolong end-of-life processes without a curative effect. However, the widespread application of this law may also reduce beneficial treatments and contribute to a decline in organ donation.

• 대한영상의학회지
• /
• 제83권6호
• /
• pp.1259-1272
• /
• 2022

목적 이러닝 센터의 개선 사업을 위해 회원들에게 현재 이러닝 센터의 만족도 및 개선되어야 할 점에 대해 설문조사를 진행하고자 하였다. 대상과 방법 영상의학과 전문의(454/617명) 및 전공의(163/617명)를 대상으로 이메일로 설문조사를 진행하였다. 설문조사 문항은 근무처 등 기본적인 정보와 현재 이러닝 센터의 이용 빈도, 만족도, 만족/불만족 이유 및 기타 개선되었으면 하는 점 등으로 구성하여 조사하였다. 결과 연회원전용 이러닝의 경우 67%, 전체회원용 이러닝의 경우 42%가 평균 이상의 만족도를 보였다. 한 달에 5회 이상 이러닝을 이용하는 회원은 30% 정도였으며, 특히 전공의의 이용 빈도가 높았다. 원하는 강의를 찾기 어렵거나(연회원전용: n = 28/97, 전체회원용: n = 72/166), 원하는 주제의 강의가 없는 경우(연회원전용: n = 37/97, 전체회원용: n = 58/166)가 있어 이 부분에 대한 개선 요구가 있었으며, 강의가 주기적으로 업데이트되었으면 좋겠다는 의견이 있었다. 또한 이러닝 시스템의 사용 편의성 및 안전성 향상에 대한 의견들이 많았다. 결론 설문조사를 토대로 이러닝 강의의 양뿐만 아니라 질적 향상의 도모, 그리고 시스템의 안전성 및 편의성 증대를 기본 방향으로 이러닝 센터 개선작업을 진행할 계획이다.

• 대한통합의학회지
• /
• 제12권2호
• /
• pp.89-100
• /
• 2024

Purpose : The objective of this study was to determine the major factors influencing the onset of diabetes and prediabetes and for collection of the basic data required to reduce the prevalence of diabetes and plan for administration of an effective health care system. By classifying the level of blood sugar management according to three categories: normal, prediabetes, and diabetes diagnosis, and determining the causes of diabetes in consideration of various variables, we will conduct an analysis of the main factors to be addressed for effective management of blood sugar and for preparation of basic data for use in early management. Methods : In this study, an analysis of raw data from the 8th National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey collected over a period of three years from 2019 to 2021, including 8,110 subjects in 2019, 7,359 subjects in 2020, and 7,090 subjects in 2021 was performed. A total of 22,559 subjects were aged 19 years or older, and 15,821 subjects were classified as subjects for inclusion in the final analysis. In the analysis, categorical variables were tested for difference, analysis of continuous variables using regression was performed, and analysis of influencing factors was performed using multinomial logistic analysis. Result : Significant factors related to the onset of diabetes and prediabetes included age (p<.001), marital status (p<.001), occupation (p<.001), hypertension (p<.001), dyslipidemia (p<.001), cardiovascular disease (p=.008), alcohol (p=.030) smoking (p=.005), systolic blood pressure (p<.001), diastolic blood pressure (p<.001), body mass index (p<.001) and waist circumference (p=.037), blood triglycerides (p<.001), and blood cholesterol (p<.001). Conclusion : Diabetes, a complex disease affected by a variety of diseases, requires active management from the prediabetes stage, and providing an appropriate level of medical information and services to elderly individuals without family support is considered a long-term health care system requirement in Korean society where the demographic structure is changing. In particular, determining the causes of prediabetes and development of a preventive approach to administering the health care system will be important for efficient management of diabetic patients.

• Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
• /
• 제35권
• /
• pp.38.1-38.10
• /
• 2023

Background: Hearing loss (HL) is linked to an elevated risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). The pathogeneses of HL and CVD commonly involve inflammatory responses. Previous studies investigated elevated levels of inflammatory biomarkers in subjects with HL, however, their findings did not demonstrate statistical significance. In our cross-sectional and longitudinal study, we investigated the correlation between HL and increased high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels to determine how HL is associated with CVDs. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study with workers aged over 18 years who underwent health check-ups at our institution between 2012 and 2018 (n = 566,507), followed by conducting a longitudinal study of workers aged > 18 who underwent health checkups at least twice at our institution between 2012 and 2018 (n = 173,794). The definition of HL was as an average threshold of ≥ 20 dB in pure-tone air conduction at 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 kHz in both ears. The incidence of increased hsCRP levels throughout the follow-up period was defined as a level exceeding 3 mg/L. Logistic regression and generalized estimating equations were performed to estimate the risk of increased hsCRP levels according to the occurrence of HL in groups stratified by age. Results: In the cross-sectional study, the multivariate-adjusted odds ratio (OR) was 1.17 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.02-1.34); the OR was 0.99 (95% CI: 0.80-1.22) in those under 40 and 1.28 (1.08-1.53) in those over 40. In the longitudinal study, the multivariable-adjusted OR was 1.05 (95% CI: 0.92-1.19); the OR was 1.10 (95% CI: 0.90-1.35) in those under 40 and 1.20 (1.01-1.43) in those over 40. Conclusions: This cross-sectional and longitudinal study identified an association between HL and increased hsCRP levels in workers aged over 40 years.