• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.29 no.3 s.54
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• pp.679-692
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• 1996

This study was performed to find the prevalence and the associated risk factors with low back pain(LBP) of the staffs in a university at Kwang-ju city. The data were collected by a questionnaire including SDS(self - rating depression Scale) battery from September 1st to October 15th, 1996. The results were as follows; 1. The prevalence rate of LBP during lifetime was 73.1%, 53.1% for the last one year, and 23.6% for the last one week. 2. Statistically significant factors related to LBP during lifetime were sex and satisfaction with job. Sex, smoking, alcohol drinking, occupation, work posture, forward bending of trunk and satisfaction with job were selected as significant factors related to LBP during the last one year. The significant determinants related with LBP during the last one week were sex, smoking, alcohol drinking, occupation, forward bending of trunk and satisfaction with job. 3. Through the analysis of self - rating depression scores according to LBP, respondents with LBP had the significantly higher value of physiological disturbances and lower value of psychomotor activities than those without LBP. 4. Through the multivariate logistic regression, significantly associated factors with LBP during lifetime were selected to be female(OR=2.63, 95% CI : $1.08\sim6.40$), dissatisfaction with job(OR=2.16, 95% CI : $1.16\sim4.15$), those for the last one year were chosen to be female(OR=2.30, 95% CI : $1.03\sim5.12$), forward bending of trunk(OR=2.18, 95% CI : $1.26\sim3.79$), dissatisfaction with job(OR=1.84, 95% CI : $1.06\sim3.21$), and those for the last one week were female(OR=3.00, 95% CI : $1.17\sim7.69$), forward bending of trunk(OR=2.85, 95% CI : $1.38\sim5.88$). In conclusion, for effective prevention of the LBP at work site, appropriate improvement of work posture and various psychological factors should be considered.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.11 no.10
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• pp.571-576
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• 2013

The purpose of this study is to investigate work related diseases in Korean firefighters and to prepare the preventive measure for health management for the firefighters. Structured self-reported questionnaire was distributed to the firefighters. The result revealed that 37.7% of fire fighters had chronic diseases and 12.3% had chronic low back pains. The affected parts included lumbar region(41.5%), shoulder(33.0%), and neck(23.6%). The affected parts caused physical pain and work discomfort for more than a month. A total of 54.1% firefighters visited to the hospital within a year. This results suggest that it is necessary to develop the health promotion program for the prevention of musculoskeletal disease and regular health checkup for the acute disorders caused by workload.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.49-59
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• 2004

The purpose of this study was carried out to rind out the prevalence of occupational musculoskeletal disorders among workers in manufacturing industries, so that the result could provide basic data necessary to prevent musculoskeletal disorders. Information on general characteristics, occupational characteristics, and musculoskeletal symptoms were obtained by a self-administered questionnaire between October and November in 2002, from 345 workers in Kim-hae and Ulsan, Kyung-nam province. The data were analyzed for chi-square test by using SPSS NVIN 10.0 program. The results are as follows: According to the self-reports, among musculoskeletal symptoms complain on shoulders are topping for 50.4%, low back is followed for 40.6%, leg/foot 35.7%, neck 34.5%, wrist/hand/finger 30.1%, and arm 24.3%. According to occupational characteristics prevalence by anatomical site, about neck pains 119 subject, occupational satisfaction is 62,6% in moderate group, work shift is 71.8% in no work shift group, each significant high. Symptom complain rate of 104 patients who complained on wrist, hand and finger pain is significantly related that 36.5% below 5 years and 36.5% above 15 years have been worked group. And each of them are significantly related 77.9% in labor workers group, 70% in no work shift group, 54.8% in frequent transfer group. Among 140 subjects who have back pain, that is significationtly reported on 37.1% below 5 years and 37.9% above 15 years and 60.0% moderate satisfied occupation group have been worked group. Therefore, some efforts should be proceeded such as improvement of working condition, flexibility for changing work, more pleasant and better working environment, and etc.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.71-80
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• 2016

Background: Functional capacity evaluations (FCEs) are designed to systematically assess the capacity to perform work-related tasks and to determine worker's ability to return to the previous job following work-related injuries. These evaluations may be rated either by clinician or worker. There has been a lack of consensus between the two scoring methods. Objects: This study aimed: 1) to confirm if the data are fit to the Rasch rating scale model and 2) to investigate the item-level concordance rate between the ratings of clinician and injured worker of the FCE. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample (n=124) of a rehabilitation program with the Occupational Rehabilitation Data Base for workers with low back pain. The functional capacity evaluation at admission and discharge was administered to clinicians and workers. The data were analyzed using both classical test theory-based Pearson's r and intra-class coefficient followed by item-level analysis with Rasch rating scale model. Results: All items of the FCE, except sitting items rated by clinician at admission and handling items rated by both clinician and worker throughout admission and discharge, were acceptable fit statistics with minor out of ranges for a misfit criterion. This may indicate that the items of the FCE overall fit to the Rasch rating scale model. Few problematic items responding differently to clinician and worker both at admission and discharge were detected with the differential item functioning analysis despite the excellent concordance rate using the two conventional statistics-sitting and handling items at admission and handling item at discharge. Conclusion: The item-level speculations using Rasch analysis of the FCE demonstrate that the ratings of clinician and self ratings of worker were psychometrically acceptable though there was an apparent discrepancy between the raters both at admission and discharge.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.525-534
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• 2011

This paper describes the current status of musculoskeletal disorders(MSDs) and its ergonomic risk factors, including the preventive intervention in terms of the working conditions and health promotion among agricultural workers. Korean agricultural workers have been exposed to the poor working condition. They have suffered from a variety of work-related injury and diseases more than the general population or the other occupational group. MSDs are one of the most prevalent problems threatening the agricultural worker's health and quality of life. Low back pain, osteoarthritis of hip and knee joint and carpal tunnel syndrome are well known MSDs that was found easily and frequently among agricultural workers. MSDs are worsened by poor ergonomic working conditions such as heavy weight lifting, repetitive movement and awkward posture which involves squatting with long sitting work on the ground, long working hours and heavy workload which are inherent in the greater part of agricultural works. Even though Korean agricultural workers are very weak population in terms of occupational safety and health, no many studies were conducted in the past and no many social and institutional supports were provided sufficiently. We need more interests and efforts in agricultural fields to improve its working condition and to promote health status of agricultural workers.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.39-49
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• 2013

Objectives: This study aims to investigate the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms and factors related to daily activities in a representative Korean population. Methods: This study was based on the questions about musculoskeletal symptoms in the Korean General Social Survey 2010. The questionnaire about musculoskeletal symptoms was adopted from Korean Occupational Safety and Health Agency guide, and it includes general characteristics, characteristics of pain, work type, work intensity and a 12-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12). We utilized the criteria of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health to define the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms. Demographic, behavioral and socioeconomic factors were analyzed using logistic regression. Results: The prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms was 38.3%. The prevalence was higher in females, the elderly, those without health insurance, and those with a low income, low education, and occupations with a heavy workload. The prevalence by body part was highest in the back, shoulder, and knee, in that order. The physical component summary and mental component summary of the SF-12 decreased with increasing musculoskeletal symptoms. Conclusions: Musculoskeletal symptoms are very common in the general population, and related to various socio-demographic factors. These results suggest that active prevention and management of musculoskeletal symptoms is needed at a national level.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.22-37
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• 2005

This study was performed to investigate LBP(low-back pain) prevalence rate and its related factors inphysical therapists. A self-administered questionnaire survey was conducted to 522 physical therapists in Daegu and Gyeongsangbuk. The LBP prevalence rate for recent 6 months was $61.7\%$. According to age, the prevalence rate was highest in the group aged 24 or less for both male and female physical therapistis. For male physical therapists , it was higher in smokers and drivers, but for female ones, it was not in a significant relationship with smoking and driving. According to work experience, the prevalence rates of those who had been working for less than one year were the highest, and those who had been working at hospitals and clinics were $69.1\%$, significantly high. According to therapy techinque, the prevalence rate related ti PNF was $71.6\%$, the highest and to occupational therapy was $34.3\%$, the lowest. According to working environment for six months, in both male and female physical therapists. LBP prevalence rate was in a statistically significant relationship with work hours during the day, night and weekend duties, repetitive works, motions that bend or twist the waist, the number of patients per day, the number of time to help patients per day, the number of time to carry medical equipment per day and the length of time to work standing. The rate was also higher when physical therapists fekt nire stress from their work. According to the result of multiple logistic regression analysis, male was in a significant relationship with work experience and motions that bend or twist the waist and female was in a significant relationship with work hours during the night and weekend duties, the number of time to help patients per day, motions that bena or twist the waist, actions taken to protect the waist. As for the developmental pattem of LBP in the group of physical therapists with LBP for six moths, $15.7\%$ of them had LBP for first time, $42.3\%$ had recurred LBP, and $42.0\%$ had chronic LBP. As for the causes of LBP, $51.7\%$ said that it was because they worked in the same posture for a long time, and as for how to treat LBP, 48.8% said that they treated themselvs or got help from their co-wokers. The results presented above suggest that physical therapists are exposed to high risk of LBP caused form occupational activities. Therefire, it is necessary to improve working environment to reduce the occurrence of LBP and to develop education programs for preventing the occurrence and recurrence of LBP.

• Asian Spine Journal
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.1106-1116
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• 2018

Study Design: Prospective observational study. Purpose: To evaluate the disability domains relevant to Indian patients with low backache and propose a modified disability questionnaire for such patients. Overview of Literature: The Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) is a self-reported measurement tool that measures both pain and functional status and is used for evaluating disability caused by lower backache. Although ODI remains a good tool for disability assessment, from the Indian perspective questions related to weight lifting and sexual activity of ODI are questioned in some of the earlier studies. Activities of daily living in Indian patients vary substantially from those in other populations and include activities like bending forwards, sitting in floor and squatting which are not represented in the ODI. Methods: In this prospective observational study, a seven-step approach was used for the development of a questionnaire. Thirty patients were interviewed to identify the most challenging issue they faced while performing their daily activities (by free listing) and understand how important the questionnaire items were in terms of the standard ODI. Thus, a comprehensive disability questionnaire comprising 14 questions was developed and administered to 88 patients. Both qualitative (interviews) and quantitative methods (to establish the validity, reliability, and correlation with the Visual Analog Scale [VAS] and Rolland Morris disability questionnaire) were used to identify the 10 questions that best addressed the disability domains relevant to Indian patients. Results: According to free listing, four new questions pertaining to bending forward, sitting on the floor, walking on uneven surfaces, and work-related disabilities were included. In the second phase, wherein the questionnaire with 14 items was used, 56.8% patients did not answer the questions related to sexual activity, whereas 23.8% did not answer those related to walking on uneven surfaces. The modified questionnaire demonstrated good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha=0.892) and correlation with the Rolland Morris questionnaire (Cronbach's alpha=0.850, p>0.05), as well as with the VAS score for disability (Cronbach's alpha=0.712, p>0.05) and pain (Cronbach's alpha=0.625, p>0.05). Conclusions: A modified disability questionnaire that was designed by adding two questions related to bending forward and work status and removing questions related to sexual activity and weight lifting or traveling (depending on the occupation) can help evaluate disability caused by back pain in Indian population.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.36-38
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• 2013

While epidural abscesses are rare in hemodialysis patients, they can cause severe neurological complications that can be fatal because only nonspecific symptoms appear in the early stages of the infection. Their incidence increased recently due to intravenous drug abuse, invasive spinal surgery, percutaneous vertebral procedures, and the development of diagnostic modalities. The increased number of cases is related to the use of dialysis catheters in hemodialysis patients. If a patient has fever and back pain, doctors should eliminate the possibility of other common diseases and consider spinal epidural infection. Early diagnosis and proper treatment are important to prevent neurological complications. In this paper, the symptoms, blood work, magnetic resonanceimaging (MRI) findings, and clinical course of two hemodialysis patients who developed spinal epidural abscesses are described.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.1-23
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• 1998

Work-related Low Back Pain(LBP) is one of tile most important Issues in the field of industrial safety and health. Particularly, manual lifting is known as a major cause of work-related LBP and impairment. Total number of 163 manual lifting tasks in motor assembly processes were investigated. The 1981 and the 1994 equations developed by National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health(NIOSH) were applied to evaluate potential hazards of lifting-related LBP. Comparisons between the 19R I and 1994 NIOSH criteria were made. The relationships between the NIOSH criteria and lifting-related LBP were also analyzed. The results of this study are as follows: 1. The values of Action Limit(AL) by the NIOSH 1981 lifting equation. Recommended Weight Limit(RWL) by the 1994 equation and the weight of the load handled at each manual lifting task were shown log-normal distributions. 2. LI'(the weight of tile load/AL) and LI(the weight of the load/RWL) were calculated estimate the physical stress imposed by each individual lifting task. As a result. 76.7% of the total LI' value exceeded 1 and 12.9% exceeded 3, and 84.7% of the total LI values exceeded 1 and 20.9% exceeded 3. 3. Bus 2 Department showed the highest rate of LI'>1 and LI>1 and Bus 1 Department showed the highest rate of LI'>3 and LI>3 4. In general, the RWLs by the 1994 equation were found lower than the ALs by the 1981 equation. It is assumed to he resulted from the fact that the 1994 equation includes methods evaluating asymmetrical lifting tasks and lifts of objects with less then optimal hand-container couplings, and also covers a larger range of work durations and lifting frequencies than the 1981 equation. 5. Significant correlations were found between LI' and incidence of LBP (R=0.734, p<0.05). LI and incidence of LBP(R=0.671. p<0.10) and load-weights and incidence of LBP(R=0.797, p<0.05). 6. Control measures are required to achieve the value of LI less than 1 for some tasks having high LI values. Engineering control is highly recommended for some tasks having the value of LI above 3.