• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.19-27
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• 2022

The industrial development and socioeconomic structures of a society are inextricably linked to occupational accidents and diseases. Since the 1970s, a series of major occupational diseases have occurred in South Korea, such as mercury poisoning in Munsong-myeon, carbon disulfide poisoning at Wonjin Rayon, and leukemia at Samsung Electronics. These incidents have caused us to take a critical look at the level of worker safety and health management within companies and the government. These serve as symbolic and representational events. Doctors, lawyers, and labor activists concerned about employee safety and lives came together for years to struggle with the government and industry in order to determine what caused the diseases and to obtain compensation for victims. They finally achieved recognition for occupational diseases and recompense for losses. It is difficult to find similar cases to the baby powder asbestos talc cases and the radon bed case internationally, or there is no case where such a large number of consumers have been potentially harmed. It is also difficult to prove that the damage took place due to the victims' diverse geographic locations and ages, as well as the disease's long incubation period. Based on this premise, businesses and the government have been apathetic in acknowledging these diseases and compensating for damages, with few practical outcomes. Furthermore, unlike the large-scale occupational disease cases, only a few people including expert groups were organized and actively participated in the settlement of these issues, so it remains unfinished business for our society to address.

• Electronics and Telecommunications Trends
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.73-81
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• 2024

As the demand for a healthy life increases and the use of information technology expands, interest in digital healthcare has increased. Among the digital healthcare technologies, digital therapeutics (DTx), which are capable of disease prevention, management, and treatment rather than simple healthcare, are expected to play a key role in future healthcare services. As interest in untact remote treatment that can minimize the risk of viral infection has rapidly increased since the spread of COVID-19, the application of DTx has received much attention because it can partially replace face-to-face treatment for mental illnesses, chronic diseases, and other diseases, reducing concerns about infection. In addition, because of the nature of software, DTx have lower toxicity and fewer side effects than existing treatments and do not require manufacturing, transportation, and storage like general medicines. Hence, they can be supplied in large quantities at low cost and have the advantage of lowering medical costs. However, despite these advantages, it has been pointed out that there are difficulties in investment and universal use because of the complexity of pricing and malpractice compensation. In other words, if it is difficult to prove and measure the improvements in disease management and treatment using DTx and it takes a considerable amount of time and money to do so, it will be difficult to attract investment from stakeholders such as medical providers and pharmaceutical companies. In this paper, we examine the domestic and global application status and development trends of DTx and determine the relevant implications.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2010

Objectives : It is necessary that the international classification of diseases (ICD) be examined in order to comprise the third revision of the Korean Classification of Disease on Oriental Medicine (KCD-OM) and disease classification in the oriental internal medicine field. It is essential that the selection, classification and definition of disease and pattern names of oriental concepts in internal medicine be clear. Since 2008, the fifth revision of the Korean Classification of Disease (KCD-5) has been used in Korea. It was required to use the reference classification from the Oriental medicine area based on the ICD-10. Methods : In this review, the necessity for, meaning of and content of the third revision are briefly described. The ICD system was reviewed and KCD-OM was reconstructed. How diagnosis in the oriental internal medicine area had changed is discussed. Review and Results : In 1973, the disease classification of oriental medicine was established the basis on the contents of Dongeuibogam. It was irrespective of the ICD. As to the classification system in the Oriental internal medicine field, systemic disease was comprised of wind, cold, warm, wet, dryness, heat, spirit, ki, blood, phlegm and retained fluid, consumptive disease, etc. Diseases of internal medicine comprised a system according to the five viscera and the six internal organs and followed the classification system of Dongeuibogam. The first and second revisions were of the classification system based on the curriculum in 1979 and 1995. In 1979, in the first revision, geriatric disease and idiopathic types of disease were deleted, and skin disease was included among surgery diseases. This classification was expanded to 792 small classification items and 1,535 detailed classification items to the dozen disease classes. In 1995, in the second revision, it was adjusted to 644 small classes and 1,784 detailed classification items in the dozen disease classes. KCD-OM3 did KCD from this basis. It added and comprised the oriental medical doctor's concept names of diseases considering the special conditions in Korea. KCD-OM3 examined the KCD-OMsecond revised edition (1994). It improved the duplex classification, improper classifications, etc. It is difficult for us to separate the disease names and pattern names in oriental medicine. We added to the U code and made one classification system. By considering the special conditions in Korea, 169 codes (83 disease name codes, 86 pattern name codes) became the pre-existence classification and links among 306 U codes of KCD-OM3. 137 codes were newly added in the third revision. U code added 3 domains. These are composed of the disease name (U20-U33, 97 codes), the disease pattern name (U50-U79, 191 codes) and the constitution pattern name of each disease (U95-U98, 18 codes). Conclusion : The introduction of KCD-OM3 conforms to the diagnostic system by which oriental medical doctors examine classes used with the basic structure of the reference classification of WHO and raises the clinical study and academic activity of the Korean oriental medicine and makes the production of all kinds of nation statistical indices possible. The introduction of KCD-OM3 promotes the diagnostic system by which doctors of Oriental medicine examine classes using the association with KCD-5. It will raise the smoothness and efficiency of oriental medical treatment payments in the health insurance, automobile insurance, industrial accident compensation insurance, etc. In addition, internationally, the eleventh revision work of the ICD has been initiated. It needs to consider incorporating into the International Classification of Diseases some of every country's traditional medicine.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.79-81
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• 2014

Spasmodic dysphonia (SD) is a chronic, focal, speech-induced, action-specific dystonia, resulting strained voice. Muscle tension dysphonia (MTD) may also result in a strangled, strained voice quality, usually as a result of compensation for underlying laryngeal disease such as glottal insufficiency. Patients with SD and MTD were suffered from the severely limiting people's communication, especially via telephone and in noisy backgrounds. SD is usually of the adductor type characterized by glottic contractions causing tightness and voice breaks, which is difficult to distinguish from MTD. In this review article, we present the characteritics and management of SD and MTD.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.67-74
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• 2020

Objectives: Previous study has shown that the positive rate of latent tuberculosis infection(LTBI) among former workers in dusty environments was higher than that among high-risk groups of tuberculosis(TB). The objective of the present study was to identify the development of active TB among former workers in dusty environments diagnosed with LTBI. Methods: Between January 2015 and May 2017, 796 former workers in dusty environments who had been subjects of epidemiology research for work-related chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD) had received the QuantiFERON-TB® Gold In-Tube(QFT-GIT) from the Institute of Occupation and Environment(IOE) under the Korea Workers' Compensation and Welfare Service(KCOMWEL). Among them, 437 participants who received a health examination for work-related pneumoconiosis between January 2015 and December 2018 were selected as study subjects. Active TB was defined as a positive result for active PTB and non-tuberculosis mycobacteria infection in the result of the Pneumoconiosis Examination Council's assessment by KCOMWEL. Results: A total of 437 subjects were followed up for 2.1 years. Four of them(4/437, 0.9%) developed active TB during the follow-up period. The attack rate of active TB among subjects who were diagnosed LTBI positive and those who were diagnosed LTBI negative were 0.9%(3/320) and 0.9%(1/115), respectively. Conclusions: Most previous studies reported that the attack rate of the development of active TB in subjects who had been diagnosed LTBI positive was higher than that among subjects who had been diagnosed LTBI negative. To the contrary, the present study found that the rate of developing active TB among former workers in dusty environments diagnosed as LTBI positive was not higher than that in those who were diagnosed LTBI negative.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.201-209
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• 2011

The incidence of asbestos-related diseases (ARD) has increased in the last four decades. In view of the historical use of asbestos in Singapore since the country started banning it in phases in 1989 and the long latency of the disease, the incidence of ARD can be expected to increase further. As occupational exposure to asbestos still occurs, preventive measures to eliminate ARD continue to be required to protect the health of both workers and the public from asbestos exposure. The majority of occupational exposures to asbestos at present occur during the removal of old buildings. Preventive measures have been utilized by different government ministries and agencies in eliminating ARD in Singapore over the past 40 years. These measures have included the enforcement of legislation, substitution with safer materials, and engineering controls during asbestos removal as well as improvements in personal hygiene and the use of personal protective equipment. The existing Workman's Compensation System for ARD should be further refined, given that is currently stipulates that claims for asbestosis and malignant mesothelioma be made within 36 and 12 months after ceasing employment.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.236-250
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• 2019

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of intensive rehabilitation programs on pain, range of motion (ROM), lumbar muscle strength, core muscle endurance, disability, and depression in patients with traumatic low back injuries and to compare the efficacy of this therapy with that of conventional rehabilitation therapy. Methods: The study was performed with a retrospective medical chart review of patients with traumatic low back injury referred to the rehabilitation center at the Daegu Hospital of the Korean Workers Compensation and Welfare Service. Forty-four patients were allocated to either the conventional rehabilitation group (CRG; n = 22) or the intensive rehabilitation group (IRG; n = 22). The CRG group patients, who received 30-min therapist-supervised physical therapy and modality therapy five times per week for four weeks, were compared with the IRG group patients, who received 60-min therapist-supervised physical therapy, 30-min therapist-patient 1:1 matching rehabilitation therapy, and modality therapy five times per week for four weeks. Outcome measures were a numerical rating scale, ROM, lumbar muscle strength, lumbar core muscle endurance, thickness of lumbar deep focal core muscle (transverse abdominis and lumbar multifidus), Oswestry disability index (ODI), and depression (Korean version patient health questionnaire-9). Results: There were statistically significant improvements after treatment in all outcome measures in both groups (p < 0.05). In the intergroup comparison, NRS scores on the activity and thickness of lumbar deep focal core muscles increased significantly more in the IRG than in the CRG (p < 0.05). There were no statistically significant intergroup differences in NRS scores on resting, ROM except left lateral bending, lumbar muscle strength, core muscle endurance, ODI, and depression. Conclusions: We could confirm the superior effectiveness of an intensive rehabilitation program compared to conventional rehabilitation therapy in patients with traumatic low back injuries.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.35-43
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• 2013

Background: Diagnosis procedure combination (DPC) has recently been introduced in Korea as a demonstration project and it has aimed the improvement of accuracy in bundled payment instead of Diagnosis related group (DRG). The purpose of this study is to investigate that the model of end-stage liver disease (MELD) score as the severity classification of liver diseases is adequate for improving reimbursement of DPC. Methods: The subjects of this study were 329 patients of liver disease (Korean DRG ver. 3.2 H603) who had discharged from National Health Insurance Corporation Ilsan Hospital which is target hospital of DPC demonstration project, between January 1, 2007 and July 31, 2010. We tested the cost differences by severity classifications which were DRG severity classification and clinical severity classification-MELD score. We used a multiple regression model to find the impacts of severity on total medical cost controlling for demographic factor and characteristics of medical services. The within group homogeneity of cost were measured by calculating the coefficient of variation and extremal quotient. Results: This study investigates the relationship between medical costs and other variables especially severity classifications of liver disease. Length of stay has strong effect on medical costs and other characteristics of patients or episode also effect on medical costs. MELD score for severity classification explained the variation of costs more than DRG severity classification. Conclusion: The accuracy of DRG based payment might be improved by using various clinical data collected by clinical situations but it should have objectivity with considering availability. Adequate compensation for severity should be considered mainly in DRG based payment. Disease specific severity classification would be an alternative like MELD score for liver diseases.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.477-486
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• 2020

This study was undertaken to analyze the correlation between depression and memory, by considering the occurrence of ApoE ɛ4 and clinical dementia rating in the elderly with Alzheimer's dementia. This study included 50 participants over 65 years of age, evaluated with CDR 0.5 to 2. We performed CDR, SVLT-E, RCFT, SGDS-K, and ApoE genotyping. Spearman's correlation analysis was used for determining the correlation between depression and memory. The results indicate a significant negative correlation between depression and immediate recall verbal memory in the CDR 1 and 2 without ApoE ɛ4 carrier group (p<0.05). Furthermore, a significant negative correlation was also determined between depression and delayed recall verbal memory in the CDR 1 of the same group. Ed. Notes: The previous sentence already shows this correlation. I suggest this should be deleted from this statement. However, no significant correlation was observed between depression and visual memory. This study found a significant correlation between depression and immediate recall verbal memory. Also, the presence of ApoE ɛ4 indicates a significant correlation between depression and delayed verbal recall memory. Taken together, our results indicate that verbal memory training rather than visual memory training can be more effective in early AD. Also, the treatment of depression will provide a complementary effect.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.302-312
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• 2017

Objectives: In this study, an evaluation of the working environment of furnace workers was performed and the work-relatedness of the occupational diseases were examined Methods: In this study, two electric furnaces at a single casting business site producing manganese-based iron alloy were selected, and occupational exposures to hazardous substances were evaluated for furnace workers and furnace worker assistants. Results: As a result, total dust concentration were $0.407{\sim}3.001mg/m^3$ and respirable dust concentration were $0.196{\sim}0.584mg/m^3$. The highest concentration of crystalline silica was $0.079mg/m^3$ In the case of Masato and Sosuckwhoi crystalline silica, they contained 90.85% and 4.17% respectively. Manganese concentration was the highest at a $0.205mg/m^3$ maximum. The average of black carbon is $11.56{\mu}g/m^3$ and the maximum concentration is $604.23{\mu}g/m^3$. PAHs concentration was the highest at a $78.301{\mu}g/m^3$ of naphthalene. The concentration of carbon monoxide was 18.82 ppm(total average 3.89 ppm) during pouring, and the maximum is 131 ppm. The formaldehyde concentration was 0.003 to 0.007 ppm. Conclusions: It seems that conditions in the past were worse, since casting has recently been performed only twice per day for about 20 minutes, reducing the amount of pouring, and local exhaust systems have been installed one-by-one. In addition, it was judged that the past exposure levels were higher considering the points measured on the back-side due to the risk of damage to the individual samples. It was found that operators could be exposed to high concentrations of crystalline silica, and that they were also exposed to high concentrations of metal(fume) and carbon monoxide during pouring. Therefore, there is a risk that occupational diseases such as lung cancer and COPD may occur with long-term work in such a process.