• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.472-481
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• 2012

Objectives: This study aims to investigate the AD (allergic diseases: asthma, allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis) prevalence among elementary schoolchildren in an industrial city, Ulsan, and identify major environmental risk factors associated with AD prevalence. Methods: Data on the physician-diagnosed prevalence over the past 12 months and potential risk factors of AD were collected through a questionnaire from a 2009-2010 survey of 4,067 schoolchildren living in different urban environments. The logistic regression analysis was performed to assess differences in AD prevalence among the areas and to determine which environmental factors impacted AD. Results: Our survey results showed that the AD prevalence rate ranged between 26.2% and 35.9%. Children living in polluted areas (near industrial and central urban areas) had about a 10% higher prevalence of AD than did those living in coastal or suburban residences. The Chi-Square test demonstrated that this local difference was statistically significant before and after adjustment of major confounders such as parental AD history and parental education. The results of the logistic regression analysis showed a statistically significant association between several environmental factors (ventilation in winter, odor conditions and exposure to traffic smoke, and outdoor $PM_{10}/O_3$ pollution) and the prevalence of AD found by multivariate model after adjusting confounders. Conclusion: These results suggest that local differences in AD prevalence are significantly associated with outdoor environmental factors. Although there are likely to be other risk factors for AD, living in a polluted area and exposure to high levels of air pollutants can contribute to an increased risk of childhood AD.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.249-258
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• 2015

Objectives: This study aims to investigate the correlations between the prevalence of allergic rhinitis (AR) and cytokines among elementary school children in an industrial city, Ulsan, South Korea, and to identify major environmental risk factors associated with AR prevalence. Methods: We conducted a case-control study in June 2009 and February 2010 in order to evaluate the relationship between AR and related cytokines. Data on physician-treated prevalence over the past 12 months and potential risk factors for AR were compiled through a questionnaire from a survey of 339 schoolchildren living in different urban environments. Logistic regression analysis was carried out with propensity score matched data (n=180) to assess the influences of cytokines (IL-13, IL-33, IL-4 and IL-5) on AR prevalence and to determine which environmental factors affected AR. Results: In univariate analysis, the AR prevalence was influenced by family history of AR (mother and siblings), environmental factors (odor condition and irritated symptoms of air pollution), and indoor allergens (D. farinae and D. pteronyssinus). The t-test demonstrated that eosinophils, Immunoglobulin E (IgE), and interleukins (IL-13 and IL-5) were statistically significantly different according to treatment of allergic rhinitis over the preceeding 12 months. The results of the multiple logistic regression analysis showed that a statistically significant association between several factors (such as irritated symptoms of air pollution (OR 4.075, CI 1.735-9.568), IL-13 (OR 0.825, CI 0.734-0.928), odor condition (OR 2.409, CI 0.908-6.389), and AR history of siblings (OR 2.217, CI 0.999-4.921)) and the prevalence of AR was found after adjusting for confounders. Conclusion: These results suggest that AR prevalence is significantly associated with cytokine level, genetic background, and outdoor environmental factors. Although living in a polluted area and genetic background can contribute to an increased risk of childhood AR, cytokine level should be considered as an important factor in the treatment of AR in the last 12 months.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.20-26
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• 2008

The objective of the study which utilised population based data was to determine the respiratory condition of elementary school children in Gangneung. From October 9th to December 14th, 2006, Pulmonary Function Tests (PFT) including Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) and Forced Expiratoy Volume in I Second $(FEV_1)$ were conducted on the target group of children using a spirometer. The prevalence of asthmatic symptoms was 29.8% among boys and 39.6% among girls. By using logistic regression, we found that family history of allergic rhinitis (OR=3.90, CI=1.05-14.51), experience of allergic conjunctivitis (OR=4.67, CI=1.54-14.16) and atopic dermatitis (OR=2.86, CI=1.17-7.05) significantly increased the asthmatic symptoms. Also, a family history of asthma and food allergy were associated with asthmatic symptoms. In relation to housing and environmental risk factors, residences under the ground (OR=3.59, CI=1.35-9.51) and big-size dolls (OR=2.71, CI=0.86-8.53) significantly increased the prevalence of asthmatic symptoms. For PFT, above four families, exposure of passive smoking and pets significantly reduced FVC in both groups (p<0.05). In girls, a big-size doll was significantly associated with decreased lung function (FVC and $FEV_1$). In boys, using bed significantly reduced $FEV_1$. Also, the risk of asthmatic symptoms was found to increase when the house has been built for 5 years or more, the house is close to a road $({\leq}100m)$, a gas/Kerosene heater or carpet is utilized within the house. However, their differences were not significant. It is concluded that genetic factor such as a family history of respiratory disease, allergic symptoms and housing risk factor are related to asthmatic symptoms. These results were worth noting because the findings will help address risk factors related respiratory symptoms especially in relation to housing and environment.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.11
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• pp.6293-6299
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• 2013

Background: A number of clinicopathologic factors have been found to be associated with pathological lymph node metastasis (pLNM) in rectal cancer; however, most of them can only be identified by expensive high resolution imaging or obtained after surgical treatment. Just like the Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) and the model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) scores which have been widely used in clinical practice, our study was designed to assess the pre-operative factors which could be obtained easily to predict intra-operative pLNM in rectal cancer. Methods: A cohort of 469 patients who were treated at our hospital in the period from January 2003 to June 2011, and with a pathologically hospital discharge diagnosis of rectal cancer, were included. Clinical, laboratory and pathologic parameters were analyzed. A multivariate unconditional logistic regression model, areas under the curve (AUC), the Kaplan-Meier method (log-rank test) and the Cox regression model were used. Results: Of the 469 patients, 231 were diagnosed with pLNM (49.3%). Four variables were associated with pLNM by multivariate logistic analysis, age<60 yr (OR=1.819; 95% CI, 1.231-2.687; P=0.003), presence of abdominal pain or discomfort (OR=1.637; 95% CI, 1.052-2.547; P=0.029), absence of allergic history (OR=1.879; 95% CI, 1.041-3.392; P=0.036), and direct $bilirubin{\geq}2.60{\mu}mol/L$ (OR=1.540; 95% CI, 1.054-2.250; P=0.026). The combination of all 4 variables had the highest sensitivity (98.7%) for diagnostic performance. In addition, age<60 yr and direct $bilirubin{\geq}2.60{\mu}mol/L$ were found to be associated with prognosis. Conclusion: Age, abdominal pain or discomfort, allergic history and direct bilirubin were associated with pLNM, which may be helpful for preoperative selection.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.182-192
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• 2011

Objectives: This study aims to identify the influential factors on the pulmonary function of targeted general residents in the areas surrounding Gwangyang Steel Mill. Methods: An PFT (Pulmonary Function Test) was conducted from May 2007 to November 2007 on 974 target residents (438 male, 536 female), including an exposed group (674 people) who resided within a radius of 5 km from Gwangyang Steel Mill in Gwangyang-si, Jeollanam-do and a control group (300 people) who resided outside a radius of 15 km. A survey related to personal characteristics, life habits, respiratory diseases and allergic symptoms, medical histories and living environments of the residents was also conducted to identify influential factors on pulmonary function. Results: As %$FEV_1$ and %FVC of the exposed group are 99.17% and 96.98%, respectively, and those of the control group are 105.47% and 101.91%, respectively, with the PFT values of the exposed group being lower than those of the control group (p<0.001), it turns out that the pollution in the industrial complex is likely to trigger a reduction in the pulmonary function of local residents. The odds ratio analysis result for asthma diagnosis history indicates that the odds ratios tend to be higher among surveyed residents who are living near above-average traffic volumes and are using beds, where it is statistically meaningful that especially the odds ratios are higher if the residences are closer to roads (p<0.01, CI=1.12-4.52). The factors that affect the FEV1 are identified as smoking, passive smoking, asthma diagnosis history, nasal congestion symptoms and allergic eye disease ($R^2$=0.154, p<0.001). The factors that affect the FVC are identified as smoking, passive smoking, asthma diagnosis history and allergic coryza ($R^2$=0.158, p<0.001). In addition, the analysis result for the relevance of air pollution levels to pulmonary function ($FEV_1$, FVC) shows that FEV1 and FVC tend to decrease as the concentration of $O_3$ increases. Conclusions: We believe that this study may provide preliminary data for the development of preventive measures for health effects on the residents and environmental health control measures for environmental pollution in the industrial complex area.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.174-182
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• 2000

Objectives : In order to apply herbal medicine to aroma-therapy, we observed clinically remedical effect for allergic rhinitis of aroma-therapy using herbal medicine. Methods : Twenty-four allergic rhinitis patients were treated in the Kun-po Oriental Medical Hospital of Wonkwang University from September 2000 to October 2000. They were treated with aroma-therapy and analyzed clinically. Results : 1. 25.0% (6 cases) of all cases involved pre-teenagers; teenagers 29.2% (7 cases); patients in their 20s, 20.8% (5 cases); patients in their 30s, 12.5% (3 cases); patients in their 40s, 8.3% (2 cases); patients in their 50s, 4.2% (1 cases). 2. The ratio of male to female patients was 58.3%(14 cases) to 41.7%(10 cases). 3. Cases involving patients under the age of six months was 0%; under 1 year 12.5% (3 cases); under 2 years 33.3%(8 cases); under 3 years 16.7%(4 cases); over 3 years 37.5%(9 cases). 4. Past history : The cases of sinusitis were 33.3%(8 cases); otitis media 20.8%(5 cases), bronchitis 16.7%(4 cases), atopic dermatitis 12.5%(3 cases), asthma 8.3%(2 cases). 5. The ratio of allergic onset based on seasons were : spring 16.7%(4 cases), summer 0%, fall 29.2%(7 cases), winter 16.7%(4 cases), and not defined 37.5%(9 cases). 6. The cases of nasal obstruction was 91.7%(22 cases); followed by : sneezing 83.3(20 cases), white rhinorrhea 70.8%(17 cases), eye itching 66.7%(16 cases), nasal itching 58.3%(14 cases), rhinalgia 58.3%(14 cases), postnasal drip 50.0%(12 cases), headache 41.7%(10 cases), yellow rhinorrhea 33.3%(8 cases), cough 33.3%(8 cases), fatigue 29.2%(7 cases). 7. The cases of familial factor was 66.7%(16 cases); the non-familial factor 33.3%(8 cases). 8. The remedical effect of the treatment showed an improvement in 58.4% of the total cases studied. 9. The improvement-rate of the 1st group (mahwang group) was 66.7%; of the 2nd group (hwangkum group) 48.5%, and of the 3rd group (pine group) 55.8%. Conclusions : Considering the above results, we have concluded that the remedical effect for allergic rhinitis of aroma-therapy using herbal medicine showed to be intentional in comparison with aroma-therapy using aroma-oil.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.117-129
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• 2014

Objective : To study current status on characteristics of allergic rhinitis patients by using the electronic medical record (EMR) data and to explore the feasibility of clinical studies using the EMR data in three different Korean medical hospitals. Methods : We studied allergic rhinitis patients who visited the department of ophthalmology, otolaryngology and dermatology in the three different Korean hospitals from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2012. We retrospectively collected medical history and characteristics of study subjects using data of EMR. Results : In hospital A, we were able to collect data of 18 years of age or older. In hospital C, we could only collect data after July 1, 2012. Therefore, each hospital's data had different settings in measuring them. Men and women were accounted for similar percentage, and teens were the highest in the age group. J30.4, unspecified allergic rhinitis, was the highest in diagnosis of the allergic rhinitis. Most of the patients have received acupuncture treatments. Moreover, 74.6 percent of the total patients were prescribed with Chinese medicine. Conclusions : Based on this exploratory study, further studies were needed on clinical studies using data of systematic EMR.

• Journal of the Korean Society of School Health
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.133-150
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• 2021

Purpose: The epidemiologic understanding of allergic diseases, including prevalence and risk factors, is needed for allergy management. This study identified the prevalence of and coping patterns for various types of allergies, such as asthma, allergic rhinitis (AR), atopic dermatitis (AD), allergic conjunctivitis (AC), food allergy (FA), and drug allergy (DA), in Nam-gu, Ulsan, one of the most industrialized districts in Korea. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed using a self-report multiple choice questionnaire. The International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) and other measures were reviewed to develop the questionnaire. Data was collected from May 9th to November 30th of 2018. Descriptive and frequency analyses were performed to apprehend the prevalence of symptoms, diagnostic rates, diagnosis dates, treatment history, and others. Results: By randomized sampling, 9,102 children from 25 nurseries, 25 kindergartens, and 15 elementary schools participated in the study. The prevalence of asthma, AR, AD, AC, FA, and DA were 11.1%, 48.7%, 15.5%, 17.6%, 15.1%, and 2.0%, respectively. The respective rate of ever being diagnosed with asthma, AR, AD, AC, FA, and DA were 4.2%, 38.4%, 25.5%, 23.3%, 9.7%, and 1.1%, respectively. Last year's allergy related school absenteeism rates were 10.8%, 4.1%, and 1.3% for asthma, AR, and AD, respectively. Lastly, 59.2% of the participants considered air pollution as the most challenging factor in allergy management. Conclusion: This study comprehensively investigated the current state of various allergic diseases in Nam-gu, Ulsan. The study's findings are expected to be applied to strategies for decreasing the socioeconomic burden of allergic diseases.

• Korean Journal of Human Ecology
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.491-506
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• 2013

The allergenic food labeling system for 12 foods has been operated in Korean school food service since 2012. This study was conducted to evaluate the food allergy status of Korean elementary school children's and their parents' perceptions of allergenic food labeling system. The parents of school aged(6-9yr olds) children in Gyeongbuk area were recruited to assist in this survey. Surveys were conducted by 404 parents. The prevalence of food allergy was 18.1%(73 students) and about one-half of the food allergic children had a family history of allergies, in particular, maternal family history. The major symptoms were related to skin and the major allergenic foods were mackerel, eggs, milk, wheat, crab and tomatoes. The parents eliminated the allergenic food from diet of 43.8% of the children with food allergy. Participants had an average knowledge score of 68% correct. The average knowledge score was higher for parents with food allergic children than for parents with intact children(p<.05). Over 61% of the respondents were not satisfied with allergenic food labeling system operated in school food service. The requirements for the allergenic food labeling system were the front-of-package labeling, conspicuous description and insert of warning sign. The parents estimated that the most important effect of the allergenic food labeling system was the improvement of psychological and physical health in children with food allergy. Because the only prevention method for food allergy is the restriction of allergenic food, the institutional device to expand the food labeling to unpackaged food as well as packaged food and to make people trust the food labeling should be prepared.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.153-163
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• 2004

Objective: For last 20 years our living environment has been changed rapidly. Accordingly. there have been many changes in prevalence of diseases; In nasal disease of the pediatrics, the number of children suffering from chronic rhinorrhea and nasal obstruction has been increased. And respiratory symptoms suggesting rhinitis and sinusitis also were increased. Allergic disease is considered as an important cause of this phenomenon while importance of infection as pathogen is fading today. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of TonggyutangGarnibang on the nasal disease of children. Methods: Children with nasal disease answer the questionnaires on their chief complaints and medical past history on their first visit to our clinic. They were treated 'With TonggyutangGarnibang for 4weeks. After treatment they answered the questionnaire on improvement of their symptoms. Results: Among treated patients, 70 were male(69%) and 32 were female(31%); sex ratio was 2.2.3:l(male:female). And children from 3-8 years old took majority of patients(64%). Major symptoms of children with nasal disease were as follows; nasal obstruction 9lchildren(62%), rhinorrhea 86children(84%), sneezing 63children(62%), cough 63children(62%), snoring 48children (47%), poor appetite 44children(43%), itching 39children(38%), headache 32children(31%), stomache 25children(25%), epistaxis 23children(23%), constipation 17children(17%), diarrhea 12children(12%). Past history and impression of the disease of the patients were as follows; allergic rhinitis(66%), atopic dermatitis(42%), sinusitis(40%), asthma(25%), urticaria(12%). Severity of symptom improved after TonggyutangGamibang treatment, it showed high treatment efficacy as follows; sneezing 70%, cough 70%, rhinorrhea 63%, nasal obstruction 59% Conclusion: This study shows TonggyutangGamibang has distinctive treatment effect on children with nasal disease.