• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
• /
• v.19 no.1
• /
• pp.23-30
• /
• 2024

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to identify the incidence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and risk factors for diseases in adults over 40 years of age in Korea, and to provide basic data for the prevention of COPD incidence through management. METHODS: Based on the 2019 data of the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES), 1,788 adults over the age of 40 who participated in pulmonary function test and health survey were selected as subjects. COPD incidence risk factors were analyzed using complex sample multiple logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: As a result of the analysis, the incidence of COPD in Korea was 11.5%, and the risk of developing COPD was higher in men, age, and current smokers. Compared to women, men had an increased risk of developing COPD by 2.369 times (95% CI 1.289-4.355). In age, the risk of COPD incidence increased by 3.702-fold (95% CI 1.923-7.124) in their 50s, 11.238-fold (95% CI 6.009-21.017) in their 60s, and 28.320-fold (95% CI 14.328-55.977) in their 70s compared to those in their 40s. In the smoking state, 2.302 times (95% CI 1.373-3.860) of past smokers and 4.542 times (95% CI 2.694-7.658) of current smokers were found to have a higher risk of developing COPD than non-smokers. CONCLUSION: To reduce the incidence of COPD, interventions are required to prevent disease development through lifestyle and smoking cessation education in subjects with COPD risk factors.

• Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
• /
• v.34
• /
• pp.33.1-33.13
• /
• 2022

Background: Circadian rhythm disturbance caused by shift work has adverse effects on the metabolic homeostasis of the liver. Disruption of the metabolic homeostasis of the liver causes fat accumulation in the liver. The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between shift work and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) among male workers in the steel manufacturing industry of Korea. Methods: Based on medical examination data collected in June 2020, 2,511 male subjects from one steel manufacturing company in Korea were selected in total. NAFLD was evaluated using abdominal ultrasound, which was performed by two experienced radiologists. The multinomial logistic regression analysis was performed by adjusting for age, physical activity, smoking history, alcohol consumption, body mass index, waist circumference, blood pressure, blood glucose, lipidemia, liver function test, employment duration, and hepatotoxic materials exposure status. Results: Compared to daytime workers, the odds ratio (OR) of moderate-severe NAFLD in shift workers was 1.449 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.028-2.043). Compared to daytime workers, the ORs of moderate-severe NAFLD were significantly higher for the group that engaged in total shift work for more than 20 years (OR, 2.285; 95% CI, 1.051-4.970), the group that was not allowed to sleep during night shift work (OR, 1.463; 95% CI, 1.030-2.078), and the group that consumed food during night shift work (OR, 1.580; 95% CI, 1.093-2.284). Conclusions: There was a correlation between shift work and moderate-severe NAFLD in male steel manufacturing workers. There will be a need for more research related to the correlation of shift work with steatohepatitis and cirrhosis in the future.

• Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
• /
• v.34
• /
• pp.9.1-9.13
• /
• 2022

Background: Long working hours causes several health risks, but little is known about its effects on the liver. This study aimed to examine the correlation between working hours and abnormal liver enzyme levels. Methods: We used data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey IV-VII. For the final 15,316 study participant, the information on working hours was obtained through questionnaires, and liver enzyme levels, consisting of serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), through blood tests. The relationship between weekly working hours and abnormal levels of liver enzymes was analyzed using multiple logistic regression, and a trend test was also conducted. Results: In male, working ≥ 61 hours per week was significantly associated with elevated AST and ALT levels compared with working 35-52 hours per week. Even after adjusting for covariates, the odds ratios (ORs) of abnormal AST and ALT increased by 1.51 (95% confidence interval: 1.20-2.05) and 1.25 (1.03-1.52), respectively, and a dose-response relationship was observed. This association was more prominent among the high-risk group, such as those aged > 40 years, obese individuals, worker on non-standard work schedule, pink-collar workers, or temporary worker. No correlation was observed in female. Conclusions: Long working hours are associated with abnormal liver function test results in male. Strict adherence to statutory working hours is necessary to protect workers' liver health.

• Journal of Technology Innovation
• /
• v.11 no.1
• /
• pp.147-176
• /
• 2003

This Paper Presents a new measurement technique to derive the level of BSRC (Basic Science and Research Capacity) index by use of the factor analysis which is extended with the assumption of the standard normal probability distribution of the selected explanatory variables. The new measurement method is used to forecast the gap of Korea's BSRC level compared with those of major OECD countries in terms of time lag and to make their international comparison during the time period of 1981∼1999, based on the assumption that the BSRC progress function of each country takes the form of the logistic curve. The US BSRC index is estimated to be 0.9878 in 1981, 0.9996 in 1990 and 0.99991 in 1999, taking the 1st place. The US BSRC level has been consistently the top among the 16 selected variables, followed by Japan, Germany, France and the United Kingdom, in order. Korea's BSRC is estimated to be 0.2293 in 1981, taking the lowest place among the 16 OECD countries. However, Korea's BSRC indices are estimated to have been increased to 0.3216 (in 1990) and 0.44652 (in 1999) respectively, taking 10th place. Meanwhile, Korea's BSRC level in 1999 (0.44652) is estimated to reach those of the US and Japan in 2233 and 2101, respectively. This means that Korea falls 234 years behind USA and 102 years behind Japan, respectively. Korea is also estimated to lag 34 years behind Germany, 16 years behind France and the UK, 15 years behind Sweden, 11 years behind Canada, 7 years behind Finland, and 5 years behind the Netherlands. For the period of 1981∼1999, the BSRC development speed of the US is estimated to be 0.29700. Its rank is the top among the selected OECD countries, followed by Japan (0.12800), Korea (0.04443), and Germany (0.04029). the US BSRC development speed (0.2970) is estimated to be 2.3 times higher than that of Japan (0.1280), and 6.7 times higher than that of Korea. German BSRC development speed (0.04029) is estimated to be fastest in Europe, but it is 7.4 times slower than that of the US. The estimated BSRC development speeds of Belgium, Finland, Italy, Denmark and the UK stand between 0.01 and 0.02, which are very slow. Particularly, the BSRC development speed of Spain is estimated to be minus 0.0065, staying at the almost same level of BSRC over time (1981 ∼ 1999). Since Korea shows BSRC development speed much slower than those of the US and Japan but relative]y faster than those of other countries, the gaps in BSRC level between Korea and the other countries may get considerably narrower or even Korea will surpass possibly several countries in BSRC level, as time goes by. Korea's BSRC level had taken 10th place till 1993. However, it is estimated to be 6th place in 2010 by catching up the UK, Sweden, Finland and Holland, and 4th place in 2020 by catching up France and Canada. The empirical results are consistent with OECD (2001a)'s computation that Korea had the highest R&D expenditures growth during 1991∼1999 among all OECD countries ; and the value-added of ICT industries in total business sectors value added is 12% in Korea, but only 8% in Japan. And OECD (2001b) observed that Korea, together with the US, Sweden, and Finland, are already the four most knowledge-based countries. Hence, the rank of the knowledge-based country was measured by investment in knowledge which is defined as public and private spending on higher education, expenditures on R&D and investment in software.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
• /
• v.17 no.4
• /
• pp.306-316
• /
• 2015

An experiment in a controlled environment was conducted to evaluate the genotypic differences of grain yield and yield-related elements of rice under elevated air temperature. Eight rice genotypes included in three maturing group (early, medium, and medium-late maturing group) were grown with 1/5,000 a Wagner pots at four plastic houses that were controlled to the temperature regimes of ambient temperature (AT), $AT+1.5^{\circ}C$, $AT+3.0^{\circ}C$, and $AT+5.0^{\circ}C$ throughout the rice growing season in 2011. Ripened grain ratio and 1000 grain weight showed the most susceptible and tolerant responses to elevated air temperature, respectively. The grain yield reduction was attributable to the sharp decrease of ripened grain ratio. Grain yield was significantly decreased above the treatment of $AT+1.5^{\circ}C$ and $AT+3.0^{\circ}C$ in early maturing group and the others, respectively. Highly correlation to average temperature from heading to 20 days was revealed in yield (r = -0.69), ripened grain ratio (r = -82), fully-filled grain (r = -70), and 1000 grain weight (r = -0.31). The responses of yield and yield-related elements except number of spikelets and panicle to elevated air temperature were fitted to a logistic function. The parameters of logistic function for each elements except grain yield could not be applied to the other varieties. In conclusion, yield and yield-related elements responded differentially to elevated air temperature according to maturity groups and rice varieties. Ongoing global warming is expected to decrease the grain yield not only by decreasing the grain weight but also decreasing the ripened grain ratio in the future. However, the yield reduction would be mitigated by adopting and/or breeding the less sensitive varieties to high temperature.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.47 no.3
• /
• pp.186-193
• /
• 2014

This study aimed to analyze spatio-temporal trends of phenological characteristics in South Korea by using MODIS EVI. For the phenology analysis, we had applied double logistic function to MODIS time-series data. Our results showed that starting date of phenology seems to have a tendency along with latitudinal trends. Starting date of phenology of Jeju Island and Mt. Sobeak went back for 0.38, 0.174 days per year, respectively whereas, Mt. Jiri and Mt. Seolak went forward for 0.32 days, 0.239 days and 0.119 days, respectively. Our results exhibited the fluctuation of plant phonological season rather than the change of phonological timing and season. Starting date of plant phenology by spatial distribution revealed tendency that starting date of mountain area was late, and basin and south foot of mountain was fast. In urban ares such as Seoul metropolitan, Masan, Changwon, Milyang, Daegu and Jeju, the phonological starting date went forward quickly. Pheonoligcal attributes such as starting date and leaf fall in urban areas likely being affected from heat island effect and related warming. Our study expressed that local and regional monitoring on phonological events and changes in Korea would be possible through MODIS data.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
• /
• v.23 no.3
• /
• pp.99-119
• /
• 2006

Objectives: This study intends to understand the difference within group of social support level and the effect of social support to health behaviors and health status of the elderly by selecting the old of local society as target. Methods: Data were obtained from self-administered questionnaire of 8,688 persons, older than 65 years, living in a community. We measured the sociodemographic characteristics, social support(family support, other support, quality of support), physical health state(subjective health status, number of chronic disease), physical function state(activities of daily living; ADL, instrumental activities of daily living; IADL), cognition state(mini-mental state examination-Korean; MMSE-K) and depression state(short form of geriatric depression scale; SGDS), health behaviors(smoking, drinking, exercise, eating habit). Univariate, multinominal logistic regression and covariance structure analysis were employed to analyze factors affecting on the social support of the elderly. Results: When considering the degree of social support by the sociodemographic characteristics of the older adults, the family support, other support and quality of support is better when the old is male, young, high education and self-reported living status is good and it has significance statistically. When considering the relation between social support and health status, the family support, other support and quality of support is better when the old's subjective and objective physical health status is good. The family support, other support and quality of support is better when the old's subjective health status is better. The other support and quality of support is better when the old's ADL(activities of daily living) and IADL(instrumental activities of daily living) are good. The family support, other support and quality of support is better when the old's cognitive function and depression state is better. When considering the relation between social support and health behaviors, in case of smoking and drinking, the quality of support, family support and other support is better when the old smokes and drinks rather than the old does not. In case of exercise and eating habit, the family support, other support and quality of support is better when the old exercises and eats regularly rather than the old does not. It has significance statistically. From the result of performing covariance structure analysis by structural equation modeling(SEM) with two endogenous variable(health behaviors and health status) and one exogenous variable(social support), factor loading of health status is 0.74 and factor loading of health behaviors is 0.05. The social support explains health status of 55.4% and health behaviors of 2.9%. Conclusions: This study has the meaning that it finds the difference of social support generating from inside of the group for the old residing in city and country and specifies the effect that the difference of social support influences to health status and health behaviors. From now on, in the development of health improvement strategy of the olds, it is necessary to approach from inclusive aspect while considering psychosocial factor such as social support and social economical factor as well as health status.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.66 no.3
• /
• pp.186-191
• /
• 2009

Background: Osteoporosis is a significant comorbidity in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This study examined the prevalence and risk factors associated with osteoporosis in patients with COPD. Methods: The bone mineral densities (BMDs) of the lumbar spine and femoral bone were measured in 53 patients with clinically stable COPD and 41 age- and gender-matched control subjects showing a normal lung function. Osteoporosis was defined as a T-score $\leq$-2.5. The subjects' clinical characteristics and laboratory data were reviewed, and multiple logistic regression analysis was used to identify the risk factors associated with osteoporosis in COPD patients. Results: The prevalence of osteoporosis was 47% and 32% in the COPD patients and controls, respectively. In particular, using the femoral neck T-score, the prevalence of osteoporosis in COPD patients was higher than that in the controls (26% vs. 5%; p=0.006). The average T-score of the lumbar spine (p=0.025) and femoral neck of COPD patients were significantly lower than those of the controls (p=0.001). The forced expiratory volume in the 1 second ($FEV_1$) % predicted (p=0.019; odds ratio [OR], 0.955; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.919-0.993) and age (p=0.024; OR, 1.144; 95% CI, 1.018-1.287) were independently associated with osteoporosis in patients with COPD. Conclusion: Using the femoral neck T-score, the prevalence of osteoporosis in patients with COPD was higher than the age-and gender-matched controls. A lower $FEV_1$ and older age further increase the risk of osteoporosis in patients with COPD.

• Journal of Korean Society of Transportation
• /
• v.27 no.4
• /
• pp.91-100
• /
• 2009

The purpose of this study is to introduce the Levying Garage Option on Car Buyers which has become operative firstly in Korea, and to suggest the way to activate the system, hearing the view of Jeju residents with positive and negative function of parking. Levying Garage Option on Car Buyer is the system to apply a law for establishing garages to all of vehicles. Especially this is proposed to correct the disorder of Local street night parking, to improve the fine view of street, and to recover the original function of street to residents. To make this system successful there should be separate solutions at the densely built up area as a result of survey. This study conduct the Logistic Regression Analysis for and against the system. If the more residents approve the system, we should concern about the several solutions such as easing the distance between the garage and street, regulating, and special plan for an apartment house, etc. The suggestions are as follows. First, the policy needs to ease the distance between the garage and street gradually. Second, the Jeju government need to offer the residents the incentive such as reduce or exempt the tax and make them establish the private parking lot with supplying the low interest loan. Third, there should be connected with the project to break up the fences of their houses.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
• /
• v.34 no.2
• /
• pp.256-266
• /
• 2009

Objectives: This study was to investigate the factors affecting the depression of the elderly women in poverty in community. Methods: The subjects were 1,208 elderly women over 65 years who were enrolled in the Public Health Care Center from Apr. 2008 to Jun. 2008. Data were collected using questionnaires including general characteristics, health related behaviors and health status by nurses at the time of enrollment. The collected data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, $x^2$-test, Pearson correlation coefficients and multivariate logistic regression. Results: The major findings of this study are as follows : The elderly women in poverty show a tendency to have lower level in income, education, self-rated health, cognitive function compared with ordinary women in old age. The predictors of depression of the elderly women in poverty were spouse's existence or nonexistence, type of insurance, cognitive function, and self-rated health. Conclusion: These findings suggest the need to develop nursing strategies for decreasing depression in the elderly women in poverty. To decrease the depression of the elderly women, the above-mentioned major influencing factors should be considered.