• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
• /
• v.11 no.2
• /
• pp.322-330
• /
• 2011

To compare of quality control for chest radiography between special examination (SEP) and medical institution for pneumoconiosis (MIP). For the first time, we had visited at 33 institutions (SEP; 17 institutions, MIP; 16 institutions) to evaluate the quality control of chest radiography which is used in diagnosis of patients with pneumoconiotic complications. Image quality was rated by two experienced chest radiologists, and evaluated for radiological technique (RT), reading environment (RE) and image quality (IQ) between SEP and MIP according to the guideline published by OSHRI. Generator capacity, used duration and modality of chest radiography equipment were not signigicant difference between SEP and MIP, but there were signigicant difference in tube voltage and grid ratio used for chest radiography except to tube current and exposure time. SEP was statistically significant higher in RT (71.2 vs. 54.5, p=0.015), RE (78.8 vs. 51.5, p=0.007) to MIP, but not significant difference in IQ (64.8 vs. 59.3, p=0.180). For reliable and precisional diagnosis of patients with pneumoconiotic complications, the MIP requires the evaluation and education of quality control for improving chest radiography.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
• /
• v.33 no.2
• /
• pp.85-91
• /
• 2010

Digital radiography has been replacing rapidly the analog radiography for diagnosis of pneumoconiosis. The purpose of this study is to compare quality control of digital radiography (DR) and analog radiography (AR) for chest radiography in medical institution for pneumoconiosis (MIP) For the first time, we visited MIP to evaluate the chest radiography which is used for patients with pneumoconiosis, including equipment, technical parameters and reading environment. There were 33 institutions. DR and AR were installed in 24 and 9 institutions, respectively. Between DR and AR, we compared the radiological technique (RT), image quality (IQ) and reading environment (RE) to use the guideline published by Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute (OSHRI). The image quality was rated by two experienced chest radiologists for pneumoconiosis with certified from OSHRI. The chest radiography equipment was not significantly difference between AR and DR, but there were significantly difference in tube voltage and grid ratio used for chest radiography except to tube current, exposure time. Statistically, DR is significantly higher in RT(70.3 vs. 43.8, p = 0.009), RE(77.7 vs. 33.3, p = 0.004) than AR, but it's not significantly difference in IQ (65.6 vs. 52.8, p = 0.050). AR and DR in RT were passed 33.3%, 75.0% respectively (p = 0.044) and 44.4%, 79.2% (p = 0.090) in IQ and 44.4%, 91.7% (p = 0.009) in RE. In MIP, DR needs to replace AR in diagnosis of pneumoconiosis.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
• /
• v.39 no.4
• /
• pp.206-212
• /
• 2014

We report here on the results of evaluating the radiation doses using chest computed tomography (CT) for patients with pneumoconiosis complication. For the first time, we visited the 17 MIPs to evaluate the dose-length product (DLP, $mGy{\cdot}cm$), CT unit, and protocols of scanning and image reconstruction those is routinely used for treating patients with pneumoconiosis who have complication. All statistical analysis was performed using the Statistical Program for Social Sciences (SPSS ver. 19.0, Chicago, IL, USA). Mean of total DLP was $727.7mGy{\cdot}cm$, ranging from 272.0 to $1228.7mGy{\cdot}cm$. DLP from obtaining parenchymal lung images was significantly reduced than that from obtaining total lung images (555.9 vs. 707.2, p<0.001). Third quartile of total and pre-scanning DLP was 1036.1 and $504.1mGy{\cdot}cm$, respectively. Chest CT radiation doses for patients with pneumoconiosis complication are similar with korean diagnostic reference level as well as international guidelines.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.48 no.1
• /
• pp.54-66
• /
• 2000

Background: Pneumoconiosis, like other chronic respiratory diseases, is essentially incurable and, for many, progressive. While improved survival time is an important aim of treatment, there is growing recognition that for some people, improving the quality of life is more important than extending the length of life. Currently the measurement of the quality of life is used to assess the efficacy of therapeutic agents. Methods: Sixty-three pnemoconiotics who were admitted to St. Mary's Hospital between April and August 1999 were interviewed using COOP charts, Chronic Respiratory Questionnaire(CRQ) and Pneumoconiotic Respiratory Questionnaire(PRQ), a newly developed questionnaire concerning clinical and socioeconomic features of pneumoconiotics. Also, ILO classification of the chest film, pulmonary function test, and arterial blood gas analysis of the patients were evaluated. The scores between Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance(IACI) covered and uncovered patients and between clinically stable and unstable patients were compared. Results: Domains of CRQ and PRQ showed a high internal consistency reliability($\alpha$=0.86-0.89, 0.77-0.81) except the dyspnea domain($\alpha$=0.63) of CRQ. The scores on the CRQ and PRQ showed statistically significant correlations with the results of COOP charts, pulmonary function test and arterial blood gas analysis. The dyspnea domain and social activity domain of the PRQ showed significant difference between IACI covered and uncovered patients and between clinically stable and unstable patients. Conclusion : Korean translation of the Chronic Respiratory Questionnaire and the newly developed Pneumoconiotic Respiratory Questionnaire are reliable and valid methods and are likely to be useful in measuring the quality of life in patients with the chronic respiratory disease including pneumoconiosis.

• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
• /
• v.18 no.2
• /
• pp.185-193
• /
• 2009

Purpose: Loneliness may be a typical psychological consideration in chronically ill patients, linking with low life satisfaction. We aimed to determine if loneliness would be independently associated with life satisfaction in pneumoconiosis patients hospitalized in long-term care facilities. Methods: We recruited 164 patients from 3 pneumoconiosis-specialized hospitals in M and S cities, South Korea, and measured loneliness and life satisfaction by using the University of California Los Angeles loneliness and life satisfaction index-Z scales. The Multiple regression analysis was performed to examine an independent association between loneliness and life satisfaction after adjustment for age, the levels of dyspnea and bronchitis-emphysema symptom, length of institutionalization, marital status, previous coal work experience, perceived socioeconomic status, and presence of caregivers. Results: The mean of loneliness was 46.4. We found a significant association between loneliness and life satisfaction (standardized beta=-0.16, p=0.049), independent of all the covariates. Conclusions: Loneliness was an independent associate of life satisfaction in patients with pneumoconiosis who were institutionalized in long-term care facilities. Thus, a nursing intervention strategy for relieving loneliness is needed to increase life satisfaction in these patients.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• v.26 no.1 s.41
• /
• pp.49-64
• /
• 1993

To provide the basic data for assessment of renal dysfunction related to silicosis, urinary N-acetyl-$\beta$-D-giucobarninidase(NAG) activity known as a sensitive markers for early renal damage were measured in 58 silicosis patients, and control subjects of 40 pulmonary tuberculosis Patients and 51 official workers. The results were summarized as fellows. 1. The values of blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine in all subjects were within reference limits. But the mean value of urinary NAG activity($7.25{\pm}7.31U/g\;creatinine$) was beyond reference value and more sensitive test than others. 2. The mean value of urinary NAG activity in silicosis group was $11.98{\pm}9.05U/g\;creatinine$ and significantly higher than in tuberculosis and healthy group(p<0.01), but the mean values of NAG activity in tuberculosis and healthy group were not different(p>0.05). 3. The value of NAG activity in tuberculosis had a tendency to be increased according to severity of disease, but that was not significant(p>0.05). The value of NAG activity was increased significantly by use of nephrotoxic antituberculosis drugs(p<0.05). 4. The value of NAG activity in silicosis had a tendecy to be increased according to the size of nodule, use of nephrotoxic antituberculosis drugs and shortness of onset duration, but the increase was not significant(p>0.05). 5. After excluding the users of nephrotoxic antituberculosis drugs, the mean values of NAG activity in healthy control and in tuberculosis control were same as 3.63 U/g creatinine and 3.60 U/g creatinine, respectively. But the mean value of NAG activity in silicosis group was remarkably increased as 10.90 U/g creatinine(p<0.01). As above results, even though there are no abnormal finding in screening renal function test, silicosis can be related with renal dysfunction. And it will be very useful to apply urinary NAG activity in health management of workers exposed to dust.