• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.67-75
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• 2015

Purpose: The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of occupational exposure to low dose organic solvents on the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors. Methods: Study design was retrospective cohort study subjected on 191 exposures and 118 controls working in a petrochemical manufacture company. The eight indicators related to CVD risk were followed up for five years from 2008 to 2012. The risk level was compared during the follow up years and subject's characteristics, and the change of risk level were analyzed with repeated measures ANOVA and multiple logistic regression analysis. Results: At the start year 2008, the rate over cutoff value (ROCV) of BS (p<.001) and mean systolic BP (p=.017) were higher in organic solvent exposure group and the others showed no difference. And by the subject's characteristics, odds ratio of the ROCV of BS were higher in organic solvent exposure group and work shift group as 2.51 and 3.07. Comparing the results in 2012 to those of 2008, cardiovascular disease risk in organic solvent exposure group was about 1.5 times higher than that of in the control group. Conclusion: Gradual increase in the CVD risk was identified in organic solvent exposure group. However, the risk might be influenced by shift work and bad behaviors rather than organic solvent exposure.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.54 no.3
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• pp.165-171
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• 2021

As a percutaneous technique for the reduction of mitral regurgitation, the MitraClip system (Abbott Vascular, Abbott Park, IL, USA) for transcatheter edge-to-edge repair of the mitral valve was developed in 1998 and first used in 2003. Its main advantage is being less invasive than surgery, because it can be performed through a transcatheter approach without any hemodynamic compromise. Recent studies have shown that this procedure reduces symptoms and improves functional capacity with low complication rates. Two randomized clinical trials have investigated the use of this technique for functional mitral regurgitation. The Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety approved its use for degenerative mitral regurgitation in 2019, and this procedure started to be performed in Korea in January 2020. Its use for functional mitral regurgitation was also approved in Korea in 2020. In this article, recent evidence on transcatheter edge-to-edge repair of the mitral valve and our initial experiences in Korea will be reviewed.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.367-377
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• 2021

Objectives: Taxi drivers are exposed to various hazards, such as long periods of sedentary work and traffic-related air pollutants. However, studies on the health effects among taxi drivers in South Korea are insufficient. Methods: To assess subclinical hematologic change related to cardiovascular disease among male taxi drivers, we analyzed data from the second Korean National Environmental Health Survey. Fifty-nine taxi drivers and 1,912 controls were included in the analysis. Propensity score matching was performed to adjust for age, body mass index, and urinary cotinine. A total of 295 subjects were matched with 59 taxi drivers. Leukocyte count, platelet count, hematocrit, triglyceride, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol land total IgE of the taxi drivers were compared with the control groups. Results: Taxi drivers showed significantly elevated blood leukocytes and platelets. Serum total IgE was significantly reduced in taxi drivers. However, blood leukocytes, platelets, and serum total IgE were not significantly correlated with work period among taxi drivers. Conclusions: Regarding the change of the blood leukocyte count, platelet count, and serum total IgE, taxi driving has the possibility to be associated with peripheral inflammation, humoral immunity and cardiovascular risk.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.57 no.11
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• pp.472-478
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• 2014

Kawasaki disease (KD), an acute vasculitis that primarily affects young children, is the most common acquired paediatric cardiovascular disease in developed countries. While sequelae of arterial inflammation in the acute phase of KD are well documented, its late effects on vascular health are increasingly unveiled. Late vascular dysfunction is characterized by structural alterations and functional impairment in term of arterial stiffening and endothelial dysfunction and shown to involve both coronary and systemic arteries. Further evidence suggests that continuous low grade inflammation and ongoing active remodeling of coronary arterial lesions occur late after acute illness and may play a role in structural and functional alterations of the arteries. Potential importance of genetic modulation on vascular health late after KD is implicated by associations between mannose binding lectin and inflammatory gene polymorphisms with severity of peripheral arterial stiffening and carotid intima-media thickening. The changes in cholesterol and lipoproteins levels late after KD further appear similar to those proposed to be atherogenic. While data on adverse vascular health are less controversial in patients with persistent or regressed coronary arterial aneurysms, data appear conflicting in individuals with no coronary arterial involvements or only transient coronary ectasia. Notwithstanding, concerns have been raised with regard to predisposition of KD in childhood to accelerated atherosclerosis in adulthood. Until further evidence-based data are available, however, it remains important to assess and monitor cardiovascular risk factors and to promote cardiovascular health in children with a history of KD in the long term.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.42 no.7
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• pp.1095-1104
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• 2012

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the contribution of actual cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk, as well as, individual, psychosocial, and work-related factors as predictors of CVD risk perception among Korean blue-collar workers. Methods: The participants were 238 Korean blue-collar workers who worked in small companies. Data were collected through a survey; anthropometric and blood pressure measures; and blood sampling for lipid levels. Results: Blue-collar workers had high actual CVD risk and low CVD risk perception. The significant predictors of risk perception included perceived health status, alcohol consumption, knowledge of CVD risk, actual CVD risk, decision latitude, and shift work. The model explained 26% of the variance in CVD risk perception. Conclusion: The result suggests when occupational health nurses are giving routine health examination in small companies, they can enhance CVD risk perception in blue-collar workers by providing essential information about CVD risk factors and personal counseling on the individual worker's CVD risk status.

• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.74-84
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• 2017

Purpose: This study aimed to assess the risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD) and to evaluate the effects of intervention for CVD prevention in construction workers. Methods: A total of 497 workers participated the health status survey and finally 90 workers were analyzed for evaluation of the intervention with the one-group pretest-posttest design. The data were collected from the questionnaires and health examinations in the healthcare service for road constructor's CVD prevention as secondary analysis. The intervention of the healthcare was composed of CVD prevention education for all workers and face to face counselling for the high risk group of CVD risk during 6 months in workplace. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, $x^2$ test, Wilcoxon signed rank test, and paired t-test. Results: The moderate and high risk groups of CVD were 9.7% and 0.8%. After the intervention, the physical activity (MET-min/week) significantly increased (Z=-5.46, p<.001). But, there were no significant differences in blood pressure, fasting glucose, body mass index, and CVD risk appraisals between pre and post intervention. Conclusion: The findings imply that it is necessary to develop the health promotion program for construction workers which fully reflects the characteristics of individuals and the organization.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.244-252
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• 2014

Purpose: This study was aimed to examine the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and cardiovascular risk factors among workers at small-sized companies having fewer than 50employees in Korea. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted using a secondary data analysis on workers' health examination data. Data from 21,784 employed workers were analyzed, including 16,488 males (mean age 38.7years)and 5,296 females (mean age 40.5 years). Participants were newly enrolled in annual health check-ups at a professional health clinic from 2009 to 2011. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify age-adjusted gender specific predicting factors of MetS incidence. Results: The prevalence of MetS was 13.4% in male and 7.7% in female workers. Logistic regression analysis showed that, when age was adjusted for, family history of cardiovascular disease (CVD) was a predicting factor in both male and female workers. For male workers, heavy alcohol drinking and non-manual occupation (office workers/drivers) predicted MetS. Conclusion: Health care providers should screen for MetS periodically in small work places especially for those with a family history of CVD. Educational counseling needs to be given to male workers with sedentary occupations with an aim to reduce heavy drinking and encourage lifestyle modification.

• Korean journal of aerospace and environmental medicine
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.34-39
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• 2020

The medical fitness of pilots is part of the civil aviation safety scenery. This study aimed to analyze the health problems occurring among Korean commercial pilots. Three data sources were used to identify the health problems: 7,574 aviation medical examination data, 5,400 sick leaves and 39 cases of a decrease in medical fitness during flight duty period and layover of Korean commercial pilots who have been working for K airline from Jan. 1, 2016 to Dec. 31, 2018. This study was retrospectively analyzed using SPSS 22 statistical program. Waiver of medical certificates was an average 11.9% of total issuance for 3 years, with a denial of 0.1%. The leading cause of denial of medical certificates was predominantly of cardiovascular cause (55.6%). Mild respiratory and digestive disease accounted for 82% of total sick prevalence and 68% of total sick days. The psychiatric and cardiovascular disease were ranked high according to the number of days lost per case. The most common cause of decrease in medical fitness during flight duty period was acute abdominal pain (36.4%) and musculoskeletal disorder (40%) when staying abroad. Aeromedical emphasis on minimizing cardiovascular risk remains appropriate. Major pilot health problems identified in this study should be considered in establishing pilot health promotion programs for aviation safety.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.56 no.4
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• pp.368-376
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• 2023

Objectives: Recent research indicates a potential association between workplace violence and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in the working-age population. However, the relevant evidence in the United States is sparse. Thus, this study was conducted to explore the possible relationship between workplace violence and CVD among United States workers. Methods: We utilized cross-sectional data from the 2015 National Health Interview Survey, which included a representative sample of 18 380 workers, to investigate the associations between workplace violence and the prevalence of CVD using logistic regression. Workplace violence was determined based on self-reported threats, bullying, or harassment at work over the past 12 months, supplemented with additional information regarding frequency. CVD included all forms of heart disease and stroke. Results: A total of 1334 workers reported experiences of workplace violence, and 1336 workers were diagnosed with CVD. After adjustment for covariates, participants who reported any instance of workplace violence had significantly higher odds of having CVD (odds ratio [OR], 1.76; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.35 to 2.30) than those who reported no such violence. Furthermore, the highest odds of CVD (OR, 1.80; 95% CI, 1.23 to 2.63) were observed among those frequently exposed to workplace violence. Even occasional exposure to workplace violence was associated with 74% excess odds of CVD. Conclusions: Our study indicates an association between workplace violence and CVD in United States workers, exhibiting a dose-response pattern.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.28 no.7
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• pp.859-865
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• 2011

A bio-check unit and health index were developed to provide information on personal health state with easily available noninvasive measurements and surveys. Four health indices were defined such as cardiovascular index, stress index, obesity index, and management index. Methods were developed to calculate health index scores from measured physiological signals and answer of survey questions. In order to evaluate effectiveness of the health indices, a clinical trial was conducted for 362 persons who visited general hospital for annual health inspection. The cardiovascular index showed a good correlation coefficient of 0.685 with the cardiovascular health graded by a medical doctor. The stress index showed a good correlation coefficient of 0.638 with the results of stress questionnaires being used in the public health center. Once the health index function is added in the bio-check unit, the unit may provide useful contents for personal health management.