• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• v.26 no.1 s.41
• /
• pp.147-164
• /
• 1993

A study has been conducted on developing questionnaires to serve as on site diagnostic tools for the early detection of neuropsychiatric impairment among workers chronically exposed to low-level organic solvents. Two drafts of tentative questionnaires have been developed as follows; several question items were selected from questionnaires which were administered to workers exposed to organic solvents in previous studios and were grouped into each symptom category based on the presence of its association using Guttman scaling method, then these selected items were reviewed by neuropsychiatry specialists. The final draft of the questionnaire (total symptom score=36) was developed by selecting 33 question items which had more than a 0.88 Guttman coefficient of reproducibility in each symptom category from a pilot study in which these tentative questionnaires were administered to workers manufacturing soles. Three plants using organic solvents and one plant never using organic solvents as a control group were selected to test the reliability and validity of the developed questionnaires. The major organic solvent in the workplace environment detected by a personal air sampler and GC/MSD nab toluene. The concentration of toluene in air from the department using organic solvent was statistically different from that of the department never using organic solvent. The concentration of toluene from almost all of the workplace did not exceed the allowable level. There was no statistically significant difference between the concentration of urinary hippuric acid from the workers of the department using organic solvent and that of the department never using it. Total symptom score of the plant never using organic solvents was 9.8 and those of the three plants using organic solvents were 15.6, 14.7, and 13,7 respectively. In order to evaluate the validity of the questionnaires, the workers from two different departments of the plant in which usage of organic solvents are totally dofferemt were compared. The total symptom score was 17.8 for workers of the department using organic solvent and 13.5 for the department never using organic solvent and scores of each symptom group between exposure and non-exposure group also showed statistically significant difference. The finding that total symptom score of the exposure group increased as the duration of employment increased indirectly suggests the usefulness of the developed questionnaire to assess the health effects of chronic exposure to organic solvents. The correlation coefficient, which was calculated to evaluate the test-retest reliability, was 0.581 (p=0.001). The coefficient of Crohnbach which reflects the internal consistency of the questionnaire was 0.91. In conclusion, the reliabilty of the questionnaire was well maintained over the time lapse between the two administrations of the questionnaire and despite the seasonal difference.

• Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
• /
• v.34
• /
• pp.24.1-24.13
• /
• 2022

Background: In modern society, depression is serious issue that causes socioeconomic and family burden. To decrease the incidence of depression, risk factors should be identified and managed. Among many risk factors for depression, this study examined socioeconomic risk factors for depression. Methods: We utilized first (2006), second (2008), and third (2010)-wave data from the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging (KLoSA). Depressive symptom was measured with the 10-item Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale, Short Form (CES-D-10) in the survey in 2008 and 2010. Three risk factors including job security, employment type and monthly income were measured in the survey in 2006. The association between risk factors and depressive symptom was analyzed by Cox proportional-hazard model. Results: We analyzed data from 1,105 workers and hazard ratios (HRs) for 3 risk factors were significant entirely. In addition, regular worker with high income group is the most vulnerable group of poor job insecurity on depression among male workers (HR: 1.73; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.07-2.81). Finally, HRs for 7 groups who had at least 1 risk factor had higher HRs compared to groups who had no risk factors after stratifying 3 risk factors. In the analysis, significantly vulnerable groups were total 5 groups and the group who had highest HR was temporary/daily workers with poor job security (HR: 2.51; 95% CI: 1.36-4.64). The results concerning women, regardless of job type, were non-significant. Conclusions: This study presented one or more risk factors among poor job security, low income, temporary/daily employment type increase hazard for depressive symptom in 2 or 4 years after the exposure. These results inform policy to screen for and protect against the risk of depression in vulnerable groups.

• Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Research
• /
• v.10 no.6
• /
• pp.675-685
• /
• 2018

Purpose: This study aims to determine the efficacy and safety of house dust mite (HDM)-sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) in elderly patients with AR. Methods: A total of 45 patients aged ${\geq}60years$ with HDM-induced AR who had ${\geq}3$ A/H ratio on skin prick test and/or ${\geq}0.35IU/L$ to both Dermatophagoides farinae and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus by ImmunoCAP were enrolled in 4 university hospitals. To evaluate additional effects of HDM-SLIT, they were randomized to the SLIT-treated group (n = 30) or control group (n = 15). Rhinoconjunctivitis total symptom score (RTSS), rhinoscopy score, Korean rhinoconjunctivitis quality of life questionnaire, rhinitis control assessment test, asthma control test scores, and adverse reactions, were assessed at the first visit (V1) and after 1 year of treatment (V5); for immunological evaluation, serum levels of HDM-specific immunoglobulin A/IgE/IgG1/IgG4 antibodies and basophil response to HDMs were compared between V1 and V5 in both groups. Results: There were no significant differences in demographics, RTSS, skin reactivity to HDMs, or serum total/specific IgE levels to HDMs (P > 0.05, respectively) between the 2 groups. Nasal symptom score and RTSS decreased significantly at year 1 in the 2 groups (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in percent decrease in nasal symptom score and RTSS at year 1 between the 2 groups (P > 0.05); however, rhinoscopic nasal symptom score decreased significantly in the SLIT-treated group (P < 0.05). Immunological studies showed that serum specific IgA levels (not specific IgE/IgG) and CD203c expression on basophils decreased significantly at V5 in the SLIT-treated group (P = 0.011 and P = 0.001, respectively), not in the control group. The control group required more medications compared to the treatment group, but there were no differences in adverse reactions. Conclusions: It is suggested that HDM-SLIT for 1 year could induce symptom improvement and may induce immunomodulation in elderly rhinitis patients.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
• /
• v.25 no.3
• /
• pp.349-353
• /
• 1998

It has been well known that infertile women experience not only emotional disturbance but also stress. But there is no concern about male infertility patients. So phychiatric symptoms were studied with SCL-90 (Symptom Check List-90) in 30 infertile men who was operated testicular sperm extraction (TESE) in Samsung Cheil Hospital and in age matched 31 fertile men from Jan. 1998 to Aug. 1998. In 5 symptom dimensions (Obcessive-Compulsive, Interpersonal Sensitivity, Depression, Phobic anxiety, Psychoticisim) scores. The Infertile group scored significantly higher than the control group. The result revealed that infertile men also experienced substantially more psychiatric symptoms than fertile men. Considering this results, psychiatric evaluation and tender care by infertility specialist are necessary for infertile men during and after evaluation and treatment.

• Journal of the Korean Society of School Health
• /
• v.27 no.3
• /
• pp.189-195
• /
• 2014

Purpose: This survey was to investigate the differences in smartphone addiction symptoms by the level of addiction among college students in S. Korea. Methods: Two hundred and thirteen university students survey data was collected from December 5th to 9th of 2011 using Smartphone Addiction Scale. 25.3% (n=54) of total respondents were categorized as highly addicted and 28.17% (n=60) were as non-addicted group. Results: There were significant differences in total addiction symptom scores, daily life disorders, loss of self control, pathological concentration, and compulsive symptoms between two groups. There were significantly differences in total addiction symptoms, daily life disorders, loss of self control, pathological concentration, and compulsive symptoms between two groups. Highly addicted group were significantly higher in total addiction symptom scores (3.26 times), daily life disorders (4.96 times), loss of self control (3.07 times), pathological concentration (3.07 times), and compulsive symptoms (2.86 times) compared to non-addicted one. Highly addicted group had significantly higher daily usages of smartphone and were more satisfied with smartphone than non-addicted group. The purpose to use was related to academic works rather than games or entertainment. However satisfaction on academic achievement was very low. Conclusion: The smartphone addicted symptoms related to academic works were significantly high in highly addicted college students so that it disturbed their daily life and psycho-social health in general. It is clear that the highly addicted college students need urgent distinctive interventions such as creative academic guides.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
• /
• v.23 no.4
• /
• pp.109-116
• /
• 2010

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine Bone Marrow Density (BMD) of women suffering from general pain after childbirth. Methods: We studied 18 patients visiting $\bigcirc\bigcirc$hospital from March 2007 to May 2010. The subjects were categorized in two groups, symptom group(n=12) and no symptom group(n=6). We measured BMD using Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) and studied the difference of BMD between two groups by Student T-test using SPSS for windows(version 13.0). Results: The general characteristics such as age, days of postpartum, primiparity, cesarean section, breast-feeding of two groups were not different statistically. BMD, T-score and Z-score of symptom group were statistically lower than no symptom group. Conclusion: The results suggest that women suffering from general pain after childbirth shows low BMD, T-score and Z-score. It seems to be due to the kidney deficiency after childbirth.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
• /
• v.4 no.2
• /
• pp.226-244
• /
• 1996

This study was designed to evaluate the social support network of schizophrenic patients. 64 schizophrenic patients being treated as out-door patient were compared with 30 neurotic control patients. Schizophrenics were divided into positive, subpositive, subnegative and negative subgroups by present symptom and social network of both schizophrenics and control group were evaluated. The results are as follows: 1) Social network of schizophrenics was smaller than that of control group. Size of social network of schizophrenics was 10.6 and that of control group was 23.5. 2) In both kin and nonkin, social network of schizophrenics was smaller than that of control group. Of the kin, schizophrenics were more supported by wife or husband, father, and mother, but were less supported by brother, son and other relatives. 3) There was no difference in the kin or nonkin or total supporters between the four subgroups of schizophrenics. But, subgroup of schizophrenics which was divided as having negative symptom had smaller network than control group in active formal and informal supporters. 4) When divided into 4 support areas, schizophrenics was remarkably less supported in emotional, instrumental and appraisal support area than control group, but there was no difference in the informational support areas. 5) Compared with control group, schizophrenics more often mentioned parent and ten often mentioned nonkin supporter as the one that is most important to him. 6) Schizophrenics had smaller cluster and less leisure activity than control group. Subgroup of schizophrenics who was divided as having negative symptom had less frequency of leisure activity than other subgroups.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
• /
• v.17 no.4
• /
• pp.209-213
• /
• 2014

Purpose: Pathologic aerophagia (PA) may lead to bowel perforation or volvulus in mentally retarded patients. The authors investigated the effects of clonazepam on the management of PA in children with severe to profound mental retardation (MR). Methods: This study was undertaken as a retrospective case analysis of 21 PA patients with MR who were followed for over 12 months and diagnosed as having PA. Patients were assigned to two management groups, that is, to a clonazepam randomized open-labeled, treatment group or a reassurance group. The following were recorded and analyzed; age, response, remission rate to clonazepam treatment, and the side effect of clonazepam. It was defined positive response (response+) as being symptom-free for a whole week within 1 month of commencing treatment and remission(+) as being symptom-free for a whole month within 6 months of treatment. Results: The average age of the 21 PA children with MR was 10 years and 13 patients were female. Symptom duration before diagnosis of PA was 7 months. Clinical features of the clonazepam-trial group (n=11) and the reassurance group (n=10) were non-significantly different. Response(+) was achieved by 2 patients (18.2%) in the clonazepamtrial group and by no patient in the reassurance group. Remission(+) was achieved by 6 patients (54.5%) in the clonazepam-trial group and by one patient (10%) in the reassurance group (p=0.040). Conclusion: When PA children with MR with severe bowel distention are considered for surgical treatment to prevent acute abdomen, a trial of clonazepam could be recommended.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
• /
• v.24 no.3
• /
• pp.149-154
• /
• 2017

Objectives This study investigated associations between symptom severity and neurocognitive functions in patients with major depressive disorder using comprehensive neuropsychological tests. Methods Ten patients with low depression (LD) and 22 patients with high depression (HD) participated. Symptom severity was determined by both the Beck Depression Inventory and the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale. Additionally, anxiety was measured by the Korean version of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-KYZ). Ten subtests of the Korean-Wechsler Adult Intelligence scale (K-WAIS), Stroop test, the word/design fluency tests were administered to assess cognition. Results The LD and HD groups did not differ in any of cognitive measures but anxiety level. Namely, the HD group obtained significantly higher scores on the state (U = 29.50, p < 0.01) and trait (U = 28.50, p < 0.001) anxiety scales than the LD group. A significant interaction effect between trait anxiety and depression severity was observed on the picture arrangement subtest of the K-WAIS [F (1, 27) = 5.09, p < 0.05]. Conclusions Cognitive deficits observed in patients with major depressive disorder may be related to other factors rather than current symptom severity. Trait anxiety possibly moderates the effect of current symptom severity on social judgment in these patients.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.14 no.8
• /
• pp.4571-4576
• /
• 2013

Background: Depression is a comorbid disabling problem and potentially affects patient likelihood of survival. The aims of this study were to recognize the characteristics of depression and investigate associated predictor factors in patients with oral cancers. Methods: A cross-sectional and correlational design was used to collect data for this study conducted in northern Taiwan. A set of questionnaires was used to measure depression, symptom distress, performance status, social support, and demographic and disease-related information. Logistic regression was conducted to determine important factors predicting depression. Results: A total of 132 oral cancer patients participated in this study. Of these, 18.2% were identified as depression cases. The patient average performance status score was 90 or higher. Patients reported mild-to-moderate levels of symptom distress. The majority of social support was from families. Religious belief, alcohol use, symptom distress, and social support from family were found to be important factors predicting depression. Patients with religious belief with alcohol use reported greater symptom distress, and those with lower levels of social support from families were significantly more likely to develop depression. Conclusions: Clinicians should assess patient emotional status and manage symptoms in a timely manner to enhance coping abilities. Supportive care provides assurance during the acute survivor phase.