Jung-Il Kim

The Relationship between Cold Exposure and Hypertension

The Relationship between Cold Exposure and Hypertension: Joon‐Youn Kim, et al. Department of Preventive Medicine, Medical College, Dong‐A University, Korea—This study was performed to determine whether there was any relationship between cold exposure and hypertension, and to evaluate risk factors affecting hypertension in cold‐exposed workers. In 11 refrigeration industries, 68 male workers working in cold areas more than once per day were selected as the cold‐exposed group, and 68 workers not exposed to cold were selected as the control group. The questionnaire survey, clinical and laboratory tests were performed. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures were significantly higher in the cold‐exposed group, and body core temperature was significantly lower in the cold‐exposed group (p<0.05). In logistic regression analysis, age, cold exposure severity and milk intake were significant variables affecting hypertension in cold‐exposed workers, whose odd ratios were 5.204 (95% CI 1.440–18.812), 2.674 (95% CI 1.080–6.618), and 0.364 (95% CI 0.141–0.942), respectively. Cold exposure was a risk factor for hypertension, and risk factors affecting hypertension in cold exposed workers were age, cold exposure severity, and milk intake. Therefore, cold exposed workers should minimize cold exposure time as much as possible, and ingest foods containing calcium such as milk. In particular, old workers working in cold areas should check their blood pressure and electrocardiogram periodically.

0371 The relationship between welding fume exposure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in shipyard welders in Korea

Objectives Welding fume is suspected to accelerate the decline of lung function and development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between welding fume exposure and COPD in Korean shipyard welders. Method 240 male welders who were working at two shipyards and took the annual health examination including pulmonary function test in 2010 participated in this study. A questionnaire about smoking habits and occupational history was administered. PFT was carried out with strict quality control measures. Exposed fume concentrations were estimated using 884 welding fume measurements taken 2002–2009 in one of the shipyards. Linear multiple regression was employed to evaluate the association between cumulative fume exposure and lung function parameters. Logistic regression was employed to test the excess risk of COPD by cumulative fume exposure. Age, height, the smoking amount, and cumulative fume exposure were incorporated as independent variables in those models. Results Mean age was 48, and mean work duration was 18 years. The mean cumulative fume exposure was 7.7 mg/m3. The prevalence of COPD was 14.6%. FEV1 and FVC showed negative correlations with cumulative fume exposure, but statistically non-significant. Odds ratios of COPD were significantly elevated for middle (5.02, 95% CI:1.27–33.55) and high exposure group (6.20, 95% CI:1.41–44.98) compared to the low fume exposure group. Conclusions Our findings suggest a potential association between metal fume exposure and COPD. Further study with a prospective design is needed to investigate the excessive decline of lung function by welding fume exposure.

Absence of Hyper-Responsiveness to Methacholine after Specific Bronchial Provocation Tests in a Worker With Hydroxyapatite-Induced Occupational Asthma

Hydroxyapatite is commonly used as a filler to replace amputated bone or as a coating to promote bone ingrowth into prosthetic implants. Many modern implants, such as hip replacements and dental implants, are coated with hydroxyapatite. We report a patient with occupational asthma due to hydroxyapatite, proven by a specific inhalation challenge, who experienced an early asthmatic reaction after exposure to hydroxyapatite, without increased airway responsiveness to methacholine despite an increased eosinophil count in the peripheral blood. A 38-year-old male dental implant worker visited our allergy department for the evaluation of occupational asthma. He had treated dental implant titanium surfaces with hydroxyapatite for 1.5 years. One year after starting his employment, he noticed symptoms of rhinorrhea, paroxysmal cough, and chest tightness. His symptoms were aggravated during and shortly after work and subsided several hours after work. When he stopped working for 2 months because of his chest symptoms, he became asymptomatic. After restarting his work, his symptoms reappeared and were aggravated. A methacholine bronchial challenge test had a negative response. The following day, a specific bronchial provocation test with wheat powder was negative. On the third day, a specific bronchial provocation test with hydroxyapatite powder produced an early asthmatic response. On the fourth day, a methacholine bronchial challenge test was negative. Further studies are needed to evaluate the exact pathogenetic mechanism of hydroxyapatite-induced occupational asthma.

Sexual activity and hepatitis B and C virus infection among young adults after introduction of a vaccination program in an area of high endemicity.

Background In areas where hepatitis is endemic, little is known about the sexual transmission of HBV after introduction of an HBV vaccination program. Methods We used a self-administered questionnaire and serological tests for HBsAg, anti-HBs, anti-HBc, and anti-HCV to examine the role of sexual activity, as well as sociodemographic status, lifestyle habits, and a history of vaccinations, transfusions, and surgery, in the transmission of HBV and HCV in Korea. The subjects were 865 female and 541 male university students (median age, 19 years; age range, 16–25). Results Overall seropositivity was 8.1% for HBsAg, 69.3% for anti-HBs, 21.3% for anti-HBc, and 0.4% for anti-HCV. Regarding HBV, 8% of the subjects were chronic carriers or had recently been infected, 22.8% were never exposed and nonvaccinated, 16.6% were exposed noncarriers, and 52.7% had most likely been vaccinated. We found a significant association between HBsAg seropositivity and history of sexual intercourse (Odds Ratio, 1.8; 95% CI, 1.1–2.8). Students without serologic evidence of immunization against HBV were more likely to have become HBsAg-positive after becoming sexually active. Conclusions Our findings suggest that sexual transmission does occur among adolescents and young adults who have not been vaccinated, whereas vaccination protects individuals from becoming an HBV carrier after becoming sexually active.