• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
• /
• v.38 no.1
• /
• pp.39-48
• /
• 2013

Objectives: This research was done to identify relationships among job stress, fatigue, job satisfaction, and commitment to organization in customized home health care nurses. Methods: Research participants were 130 nurses who worked in the customized home health care of 20 county in Gyeongnam province. Data collection for this descriptive correlational study was done at August 2010 using self report questionnaires, and analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, and we analyzed a four step approach in which several regression analyses were conducted and significance of the coefficients is examined at each step. Results: The results from step 1 showed that, the effect of each job stress was significantly related to job satisfaction. In step 2, the direct effect of commitment to organization on job satisfactions were all significant too. Step 3 analysis showed that the total effect of each job stress on commitment to organization symptoms was significant. Step 4 showed the results of controlling for mediating factor (job satisfaction): job demand and insecurity were significantly associated with commitment to organization(p<0.001), the finding supports that others were fully mediated by each job satisfaction, and, the job demand and insecurity were partially mediated by job satisfaction. Conclusion: Results of this research indicated that job stress in customized home health care nurses was the principal variable affecting job satisfaction and commitment to organization. Appropriate stress management strategies based on assessment of job demand and job security for these nurses lead to development of improved commitment to organization.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
• /
• v.17 no.2
• /
• pp.61-67
• /
• 2015

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the predictive value of snoring frequency in the diagnosis and severity of obstructive sleep apnea. Methods: Patients who underwent polysomnography with one or more of the following characteristics were included: 1) sleepiness, non-restorative sleep, fatigue, or insomnia symptoms; 2) arousal due to cessation of breathing or the occurrence of gasping or choking when waking up; and 3) habitual snoring, breathing interruptions, or both, noted by a bed partner or other observer. We analyzed the differences in clinical and polysomnographic variables between patients with and without obstructive sleep apnea and investigated the associations of those variables with obstructive sleep apnea severity. Results: One hundred ninety-three patients met the inclusion criteria, and 145 of the 193 patients were diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that large neck circumference (p = 0.0054) and high snoring index (p = 0.0119) were independent predictors for obstructive sleep apnea. Moreover, between the obstructive sleep apnea severity groups, there was a strong tendency of difference in body mass index (p = 0.0441) and neck circumference (p = 0.0846). However, there was no significant difference in snoring frequency according to obstructive sleep apnea severity (p = 0.4914). Conclusions: We confirmed that snoring frequency is a predictor of obstructive sleep apnea. In addition, we showed for the first time that snoring frequency is not associated with obstructive sleep apnea severity, thus it is not a valuable marker for predicting obstructive sleep apnea severity.

• Safety and Health at Work
• /
• v.8 no.1
• /
• pp.99-104
• /
• 2017

Background: Workers laboring in steel industries in tropical settings with high ambient temperatures are subjected to thermally stressful environments that can create well-known risks of heat-related illnesses and limit workers' productivity. Methods: A cross-sectional study undertaken in a steel industry in a city nicknamed "Steel City" in Southern India assessed thermal stress by wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) and level of dehydration from urine color and urine specific gravity. A structured questionnaire captured self-reported heat-related health symptoms of workers. Results: Some 90% WBGT measurements were higher than recommended threshold limit values ($27.2-41.7^{\circ}C$) for heavy and moderate workloads and radiational heat from processes were very high in blooming-mill/coke-oven ($67.6^{\circ}C$ globe temperature). Widespread heat-related health concerns were prevalent among workers, including excessive sweating, fatigue, and tiredness reported by 50% workers. Productivity loss was significantly reported high in workers with direct heat exposures compared to those with indirect heat exposures ($x^2=26.1258$, degrees of freedom = 1, p < 0.001). Change in urine color was 7.4 times higher among workers exposed to WBGTs above threshold limit values (TLVs). Conclusion: Preliminary evidence shows that high heat exposures and heavy workload adversely affect the workers' health and reduce their work capacities. Health and productivity risks in developing tropical country work settings can be further aggravated by the predicted temperature rise due to climate change, without appropriate interventions. Apart from industries enhancing welfare facilities and designing control interventions, further physiological studies with a seasonal approach and interventional studies are needed to strengthen evidence for developing comprehensive policies to protect workers employed in high heat industries.

• Proceedings of the Ginseng society Conference
• /
• 1988.08a
• /
• pp.70-76
• /
• 1988

Since ancient times, records pertaining to chi-reinforecenent of ginseng have been documented in books of Chinese nedicine. We, therefore, assessed the therapeutic effects of ginseng on patients with chi-deficiency syndrome. Eigheen cases of chi-deficiency, screened at the outpatient service in the internal department of Chinse medicine at the China Medical College Hospital. were prescribed two grams of Korean red ginseng powder three times daily for a two week period. For evaluation, a questionnaire and diagnosis by sphygmography were conducted prior to and after administration of the prescription. For control purposes, fourteen volunteers fasted for more than five days (seven had access only to ginseng. and the other seven were given only mineral water) and were subsequently evaluated by the same criteria. Three results were obtained for the ginseng treated group: (1) improvements in symptoms of chi-deficiency such as fatigue and dizziness; (2) changes in pulse waves with time domains showing alternate P-waves, strengthened dicrotic waves, and some minute waves in the end-diastolic period; (3) frequency domains with enhanced amplitudes around 12Hz. These three findings, which are consistent with each other, suggest the reinforcement of the effect of ginseng on 'heart-spleen chi' in Chinese medicine.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.70 no.4
• /
• pp.342-346
• /
• 2011

Herein we report the case of a 71-year-old woman who complained of fatigue and enlarged right axillary lymph nodes for 18 months. At her first visit, her chest X-ray showed diffuse nodular opacities in both lung fields. Initial excisional biopsy of the axillary lymph nodes showed granulomatous lesions and acid fast bacilli were seen on Ziehl-Neelsen staining. However, even after 15 months of anti-tuberculosis (TB) medication, her right axillary lymph nodes were enlarged. We re-performed an excisional biopsy of the nodes, which showed Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL). A retrograde review of the biopsy before anti-tuberculous medication, revealed HL coexisting with TB. HL and TB cause difficulties in differential diagnosis due to similarities in clinical course, imaging procedures and histopathological analysis of the involved tissue. Therefore, it is important to consider the possibility of concurrent HL and TB when patients who undergo treatment for TB or chemotherapy for lymphoma complain of persistent systemic symptoms or enlarged lymph nodes.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Navigation and Port Research Conference
• /
• 2006.06b
• /
• pp.19-27
• /
• 2006

The purpose of this study was to find of morbidity rate and pattern of disease and affect of variables related disease and medical management of seafares' The subjects this study were 1049 seafares' who took education in Korea Institute of Maritime and Fisheries Technology. This questionnaire was focused on finding the basic data for prevention of disease and promotion health for the seafares' The collected data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics, Chi-square, cross tab, linear regression by SPSS 10.1 package. The result of this study are as follow. 1)The morbidity rate within recent 12 months was 69.0%. 2)there were significant differences of occurred disease in age(p<0.05), income(p<0.01), career of ship on board(p<0.01), rank(p<0.01), perceived health status(p<0.01), worry of health(p<0.01), fatigue symptoms(0.01), satisfy of job(p<0.05), rest time(p<0.05) 3) Considering disease unable to work more than 4 hour, the number of those who had oral disease 7.3%> tinea 6.6%> gastric ulcer 6.4, and musculoskeletal disease group were 20.9%, which revealed the highest rate oral disease 13.6%> skin disease> 12.4%, digestive disease> 12.1%. 4) As refer to medical management, The pain above 31days 35.7%, hospitalization and treatment below 7days were each 50.2%, 42.8%, medical service were doctor's office 27.9, which revealed the highest rate.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• v.22 no.3 s.27
• /
• pp.313-322
• /
• 1989

The present status of the traffic accident rate in Korea shows that it is the highest in the world with a continuously increasing trend. Human factors account for 90% of the causes of traffic accidents. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine some human factors related to traffic accidents by studying the relationship between health status and traffic accidents. To accomplish this purpose, all taxi companies located in the Seoul area were divided in three groups according to the number of taxi possessed, then some companies in each ?roup were randomly selected for study, and a total of 222 drivers in those selected companies were questioned and examined from April 15 to April 22, 1989. Seventy drivers among 222 had experienced a traffic accident. A $x^2$-test was performed on the data, then, factor analysis and discrminant analysis were executed with the following results: 1. The drivers complaining of gastroenteric symptoms numbered 110(49.5%), which was the major symptom among all drivers complaining of poor health. 2. In the primary analysis, variables related to traffic accidents were divided into general, occupational, and health characteristics. Drivers having no traffic accident experience and drivers having that experience were subjected to question about age, educational level, residential status, monthly average income, working hours and days, degree of satisfaction with their profession and homelife, degree of worry about health. degree of fatigue, medication, drunken driving, and illness, but there were no statistical significances. 3. In the factor analysis, the 8 health variables which cause traffic accidents were classified into 3 common factors which were perceived health factor, sleeping and drunken driving, and visual acuity and smoking factor. Perceived health was the factor which contributed most to explaining accidents. 4. In the discriminant analysis, a correct prediction rate of 68.0% was obtained in the factors of all the characteristics. 5. Degree of sttisfaction with their homelife and educational and economic factor in the general characteristics, degree of satisfaction with their profession in the occupational characteristics, and sleeping and drunken driving in the health characteristics were selected as statistically significant factors to discriminant the traffic accident. 6. Among the factors of the general, occupational, and health characteristics, degree of satisfaction with their homelife, driving experience, family factor, perceived factor were selected as the statistically significant factors.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.52 no.3
• /
• pp.258-267
• /
• 2019

Purpose: Upper respiratory tract infections are major causes of the common cold throughout the world. Cordyceps militaris (C. militaris) is a well-known functional food for its anti-fatigue and immunomodulating activities. On the other hand, there are no reports on the protective effect against upper respiratory tract infections (URI). This study was a 12 week randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled trial in healthy volunteers. Methods: A total of 100 subjects 20 ~ 70 years of age with a history of at least two colds in the year were enrolled in the study. The participants were required to record any adverse events and rate any cold-related incidents in a diary during the investigation period. The efficacy end point was the symptoms and incidence of URI, and changes in cytokines, IgA and natural killer (NK) cell activity. Results: The Cordyceps militaris group over 12 weeks showed no significant impact on the incidence and symptomatology of URI compared to the placebo group. On the other hand, the experimental group showed significantly higher NK cell activity (p = 0.047) and IgA level (p = 0.035) compared to the placebo group. The NK-cell activity and IgA level were increased significantly by Cordyceps militaris over 12 weeks. Conclusion: The results suggest the possible beneficial immunomodulating effects, but the protective effects on URI could not be demonstrated under these conditions. Additional research will be needed to determine the efficacy and mechanisms of Cordyceps militaris function.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
• /
• v.34 no.6
• /
• pp.45-55
• /
• 2019

Objective : Diabetic gastroparesis is a complication that is defined as delayed gastric emptying and upper gastrointestinal symptoms and often occurs in long-standing diabetic patients. Bojungikgi-tang (BJT) is a traditional oriental herbal formula that has long been used for the treatment of digestive disorders. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of BJT on streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic gastroparesis rat model. Methods : Sprague-Dawley (SD) male rats (250-270g) were divided into 13 groups including normal group, STZ-induced diabetic control group, BJT diet (7 various concentrations), and insulin-, glibenclamide-, metformin-treated group were used for the experiments for the comparison. Diabetic gastroparesis was induced by intraperitoneal injection of STZ. The water intake, food intake, body weights and fasting blood glucose levels were measured. After 4 weeks the animals were sacrificed and gastrin, leptin, insulin, hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c), lactate, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), bilirubin, creatinine, albumin and lipid levels were evaluated. Results : Intraperitoneal injection of BJT for 4 weeks resulted in increased levels of gastrin in blood and decreased leptin and lactate concentration in STZ-induced diabetic gastroparesis rat model. BJT did not affect insulin, fasting glucose, HbA1c, and lipid levels in STZ-induced diabetic gastroparesis rat model. Conclusion : These results indicated that BJT would have protect effect on diabetic gastroparesis through the improvement effect of gastric motility and fatigue syndrome in STZ-induced diabetic rats. This study shows that BJT might be effective for treatment of diabetes and its complications such as gastroparesis.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.43 no.3
• /
• pp.396-412
• /
• 2022

Objective: The aim of this study was to identify the clinical features of post-acute COVID-19 syndrome and the efficacy and safety of Korean medicine treatment. Methods: This study was conducted on 15 patients with post-acute COVID-19 syndrome who visited the outpatient Allergy, Immune, and Respiratory System Department at Kyung Hee University Korean Medicine Hospital from January 10, 2021 to April 10, 2022. We retrospectively analyzed the charts of 15 patients and collected clinical characteristics, Korean medicine treatments, outcome variables (Numeral Rating Scale (NRS), modified Medical Research Council scale (mMRC), Leicester Cough Questionnaire (LCQ), Quality of Life Visual Analog Scale (QOL-VAS), The Post-COVID-19 Functional Status (PCFS)), adverse events, etc. Results: Of the 15 patients, seven (46.7%) were men, and the average age of all patients was 49.7±13 years. The most common symptom was cough (n=9, 60%), and it was followed by dyspnea or increased respiratory effort, fatigue, insomnia, anosmia, etc. The herbal medicine was prescribed for all 15 patients, and Saengmaek-san (n=8, 53.5%) was the most prescribed. Additionally, acupuncture and cupping were performed in four patients (26.7%) each, and electroacupuncture was applied to one patient (6.7%). As a result of Korean medicine treatment, NRS, mMRC, LCQ, QOL-VAS, and PCFS showed improvement, and adverse events were mild. Conclusions: This study presented the clinical features of post-acute COVID-19 syndrome and suggested that Korean medicine treatment may be effective in alleviating related symptoms and enhancing quality of life.