• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.25-36
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• 2024

Purpose: Tetracycline is not recommended for children under 12 by guideline due to the risk of tooth discoloration. We aimed to assess the incidence of dental discoloration in Korean children prescribed tetracyclines and investigate whether its risk was greater in tetracycline-exposed children than in the general population. Methods: This population-based cohort study using the Health Insurance Review and Assessment service database included children aged 0-12 years exposed to tetracyclines for at least 1 day between January 2008 and December 2020. The primary outcome was the incidence rate of dental discoloration ≥6 months after prescription, and the standardized incidence ratio (SIR) was evaluated as secondary outcome. Results: 56,990 children were included-1,735 and 55,255 aged <8 and 8-12 years, respectively. 61% children were prescribed tetracycline for <14 days with mostly second-generation tetracyclines, doxycycline (61%) and minocycline (35%). The 5- and 10-year cumulative incidence rates of dental discoloration were 4.1% (95% confidence interval [CI], 3.0-5.7%) and 5.7% (95% CI, 4.1% to 7.8%), respectively, in the 0-7 years age group and 0.8% (95% CI, 0.7% to 0.9%) and 1.3 (95% CI, 1.1% to 1.4%), respectively, in the 8-12 years age group. Tetracycline exposure did not increase such risk compared to that in the general population (SIR, 1.08; 95% CI, 0.69 to 1.60). Conclusions: The incidence of dental discoloration was lower than previously suggested. Relieving the age restriction for prescribing tetracyclines may be considered.

• Journal of Korean Medical Science
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• v.33 no.47
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• pp.292.1-292.10
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• 2018

Background: We investigated the incidence of active tuberculosis among patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) treated with tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors, with or without latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI). Methods: The study was performed at a Korean tertiary referral center between January 2011 and June 2017. In total, 740 patients with IBD who underwent LTBI screening tests and were followed-up for ${\geq}1$ year after TNF inhibitor treatment initiation were enrolled. LTBI was detected on the basis of tuberculin skin test results, interferon-gamma release assay results, chest X-ray findings, and previous tuberculosis treatment history. The patients were classified into LTBI (n = 84) or non-LTBI (n = 656) group. The risk of developing tuberculosis in each group was assessed on the basis of standardized incidence ratio (SIR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for active tuberculosis. Results: Mean patient age was 33.1 years, and patients with Crohn's disease were predominant (80.7%). Within 1 year after the initiation of TNF inhibitor treatment, 1 patient in the LTBI group (1/84; 1.2%) and 7 patients in the non-LTBI group (7/656; 1.1%) developed active tuberculosis. The overall 1-year incidence of tuberculosis among the patients was significantly higher than that among the general population (SIR, 14.0; 95% CI, 7.0-28.0), and SIR was not affected by LTBI status (LTBI group: 14.5, 95% CI, 2.0-102.6; non-LTBI group: 14.0, 95% CI, 6.7-29.4). Conclusion: Patients with IBD undergoing TNF inhibitor treatment showed a higher 1-year incidence of tuberculosis than the general population irrespective of LTBI status.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.346-354
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• 2015

Objectives: This study was conducted to evaluate the changes and regional differences of mortality and morbidity particularly respiratory system diseases in the area of exposure to coal dust(Ansim area, Dong-gu, Daegu). Methods: The authors analyzed secondary data(cancer registration data, mortality data, and health insurance data) for respiratory system diseases. We calculated age standardized incidence ratio(SIR), mortality ratio(SMR), and health care utilization ratio(SHR) using those data. Results: There were no significant differences between Ansim area(or Dong-gu, Daegu) and the control area for cancer registration data and mortality data. In the results for the health insurance data, significant increased SHR in asthma was observed compared to the control area. Conclusions: Although confounders such as selection bias were not clearly ruled out, our findings reveal increased asthma SHR in the area of exposure to coal dust. Further prospective studies are required to clarify the increasing respiratory disease due to exposure to coal dust.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.335-345
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• 2013

Objectives: As the suspicion was raised that 'Agent Orange' was reclaimed 30 years ago at Camp Carol, located in Waegwan, Gyeongsangbuk-do, the government conducted an investigation of the influence of environmental and health effects around Camp Carol through a public-private joint investigation team. As part of the investigation of population health effects, this study was carried out in order to observe changes and regional differences in diseases, particularly cancer, by year. Methods: We authors conducted an analysis of secondary health data, such as cancer registration data, mortality data, and health insurance data. We drew an age standardized incidence ratio (SIR), death rate (SDR), mortality ratio (SMR), and health care utilization rate using these data. Results: For gastric cancer in women, and other cancers in men, a significant increase in incidence was observed compared to the control area. For biliary tract cancer, gallbladder cancer, and thyroid cancer in women, and prostate cancer in men, a significant decrease in incidence was observed compared to the control area. In the national statistical analysis of data, such as health insurance data and mortality data, we did not observe a significant increase at the Waegwan region compared to other regions. Conclusions: We must consider the limitations of this study. Because thirty years have passed from the time of the estimated landfill of 'Agent Orange', recent national statistical data may not reflect the past real situation. Therefore, the monitoring of secondary data for health effects at the municipal level should be carried out continuously.