Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine最新文献

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic drastically modified the occupational system wherein telecommuting has risen as the major form of work. Few studies have incorporated Karasek's job demand-control (JDC) model into explaining the health effects of telecommuting. This study aimed to investigate the health risk in South Korean telecommuters during the pandemic, and its distribution according to the job stress-related factors.

Methods: A nationwide population-based cross-sectional study of South Korean laborers was conducted, utilizing the 6th Korean Working Conditions Survey (2020-2021). Following the previously described concept of telecommuting, 14,478 white-collar employees were eligible study participants. Telecommuting, job demand, job control, and various health indicators were measured by the responses to the survey. Participants were stratified into 4 job profiles classified by the JDC model. We conducted multiple logistic regression analyses between telecommuting and health-related outcomes to estimate the odds ratio (OR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI).

Results: One hundred forty-six low-strain, 223 active, 69 passive, and 148 high-strain workers were screened as telecommuters. Compared to office workers, telecommuters had a higher proportion in high job control groups. Subgroup analysis demonstrated different relationships between telecommuting and health, where only active telecommuters showed a higher prevalence of depression (OR: 1.980, 95% CI: 1.126-3.481), and high-strain telecommuters were affected in most outcomes including insomnia (OR: 2.555, 95% CI: 1.473-4.433), musculoskeletal pain (OR: 2.786, 95% CI: 1.719-4.517), headache/eye strain (OR: 3.074, 95% CI: 1.992-4.745) and presenteeism (OR: 1.932, 95% CI: 1.193-3.131).

Conclusions: This study revealed significantly increased odds of multiple health outcomes among South Korean telecommuters during the COVID-19 pandemic era. High-strain job holders were prominently susceptible to the negative health impacts of telecommuting. Occupational health management towards telecommuters should approach mitigating high job demand and low job control.

Background: After the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, the widespread adoption of working from home, or teleworking, has prompted extensive research regarding its effects on work productivity and the physical and mental health of employees. In this context, our study aimed to investigate the association between working from home and health-related productivity loss (HRPL).

Methods: An online survey was conducted with a sample of 1,078 workers. HRPL was estimated by the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaire: General Health version. Workers that have been working from home in the last 6 months were categorized into the "work from home" group. Generalized linear models were used to compare the mean difference of HRPL between "work from home" and "commuters" group. Stratified analyses were conducted based on various factors including gender, age, income level, occupation, education level, previous diagnosis of chronic disease, presence of preschool children, living in studio apartment, living alone, commuting time, working hours and regular exercise.

Results: The overall HRPL was higher in the "work from home" group than in the "commuters" group with a mean difference of 4.05 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.09-8.01). In the stratified analyses, significant differences were observed in workers with chronic diseases (mean difference: 8.23, 95% CI: 0.38-16.09), who do not live alone (mean difference: 4.84, 95% CI: 0.35-9.33), and workers that do not exercise regularly (mean difference: 4.96, 95% CI: 0.12-9.80).

Conclusions: Working from home is associated with an increased HRPL in the Korean working population, especially among those with chronic diseases, those who do not live alone, and those who do not exercise regularly.

Background: Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are non-aromatic organic compounds, whose hydrogen atoms in the carbon chain substituted by fluorine atoms. PFASs exhibit developmental toxicity, carcinogenicity, hepatotoxicity, reproductive toxicity, immunotoxicity, and hormone toxicity. PFASs are used in the production of disposable food packages, aircraft and automobile devices, cooking utensils, outdoor gear, furniture and carpets, aqueous film forming foam (AFFF), cables and wires, electronics, and semiconductors. This study aimed to determine the association between crustacean consumption and serum PFASs.

Methods: Adult participants (2,993) aged ≥ 19 years were extracted from the 4th cycle data of the Korean National Environmental Health Survey (KoNEHS). Based on the 50th percentile concentrations of serum PFASs, participants were divided into the low-concentration group (LC) and the high-concentration group (HC). General characteristics, dietary factors, coated product usage, and personal care product usage, an independent t-test and χ² test were analyzed. The odds ratio (OR) of serum PFAS concentration against crustacean consumption was estimated via logistic regression analysis adjusting for general characteristics, dietary factors, coated product usage, and personal care product usage.

Results: The OR for the HC of serum PFASs was higher in individuals with ≥once a week crustacean consumption than in those with < once a week crustacean consumption. Estimated ORs were perfluorohexanesulfonic acid 2.15 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.53-3.02), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) 1.23 (95% CI: 1.07-1.41), and perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDeA) 1.42 (95% CI: 1.17-1.74) in males, and perfluorooctanoic acid 1.48 (95% CI: 1.19-1.84), perfluorooctanesulfonic acid 1.39 (95% CI: 1.27-1.52), PFNA 1.70 (95% CI: 1.29-2.26) and PFDeA 1.43 (95% CI: 1.32-1.54) in females.

Conclusions: This study revealed the association between the crustacean consumption and concentrations of serum PFASs in general Korean population.

Background: Occupational neck disability is a prevalent issue, especially among line workers, who are often exposed to elevated levels of cervical ergonomic stress. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of neck posture and insulating stick use on neck disability in a specific occupational group in Korea.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 483 line workers in Gwangju and Jeonnam, Korea. Data were collected using the Neck Disability Index, Cervical Degenerative Index, and a structured questionnaire focusing on demographic and occupational factors. Logistic regression analysis was applied to determine the adjusted odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for neck posture and factors related to neck disability.

Results: Neck disability prevalence was 17.2% among the participants. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that factors related to neck disability included age over 60 years (adjusted OR: 3.08; 95% CI: 1.63-5.83), depression (adjusted OR: 8.33; 95% CI: 3.85-18.00), a history of cervical trauma (adjusted OR: 2.13; 95% CI: 1.04-4.40), and radiological degenerative changes in the cervical spine (adjusted OR: 2.33; 95% CI: 1.26-4.33). In particular, the adjusted OR of neck disability among live-line workers was 2.10 (95% CI: 1.12-3.92) when compared with support workers (model 1). Other analysis models showed that use of insulating sticks for more than 10 hours per week (adjusted OR: 2.46; 95% CI: 1.32-4.61) and higher neck extension (adjusted OR: 2.98; 95% CI: 1.14-3.46) were significant work-related risk factors (model 2,3).

Conclusions: Neck posture, age, depression, cervical trauma history, degenerative changes in the cervical spine, and use of insulating sticks are significant risk factors for neck disability among line workers in Korea. These findings highlight the need to improve the working environment and reduce the burden of cervical ergonomic stress among line workers.

Background: Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are widely used in industry and daily life due to their useful properties. They have a long half-life, accumulate in the body, and there is evidence that they are associated with biomarkers of lipid metabolism and liver damage. This may suggest non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) caused by PFAS. However, since there has been no study analyzing the relationship between PFAS and NAFLD in the entire population in Korea. We sought to confirm the relationship between serum PFAS concentration and NAFLD prevalence in Korean adults using the Korean National Environmental Health Survey (KoNEHS) cycle 4.

Methods: The study was conducted on 2,529 subjects in 2018-2019 among KoNEHS participants. For the diagnosis of NAFLD, the hepatic steatosis index (HSI) was used, and the geometric mean and concentration distribution of serum PFAS were presented. Logistic regression was performed to confirm the increase in the risk of NAFLD due to changes in PFAS concentration, and the odds ratio and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated.

Results: In both adjusted and unadjusted models, an increased odds ratio was observed with increasing serum concentrations of total PFAS and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) in the non-obese group. In the adjusted model, the odds ratios for serum total PFAS and PFOS were 6.401 (95% CI: 1.883-21.758) and 7.018 (95% CI: 2.688-18.319).

Conclusions: In this study, a higher risk of NAFLD based on HSI was associated with serum total PFAS, PFOS in non-obese group. Further research based on radiological or histological evidence for NAFLD diagnosis and long-term prospective studies are necessary. Accordingly, it is necessary to find ways to reduce exposure to PFAS in industry and daily life.

Background: Long working hours are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, yet the underlying mechanism(s) remain unclear. The study examines how occupational factors like working hours, shift work, and employment status correlate with dietary choices and sodium intake, impacting hypertension risk.

Methods: This study used data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey conducted between 2013 and 2020. The dataset included 8,471 respondents, all of whom were wage workers aged 20 or older and reported working at least 36 hours per week. Individuals who have been previously diagnosed with or are currently diagnosed with hypertension, diabetes, or dyslipidemia were excluded. The average daily sodium intake was assessed via a 24-hour dietary recall method. Average weekly working hours were categorized into 3 groups: 36-40 hours, 41-52 hours, and over 52 hours. Multiple logistic regression models were used.

Results: Study findings revealed that 83.7% of participants exceeded the recommended daily sodium intake of 2 g set by the World Health Organization. After adjusting for confounding factors, a positive correlation was observed between average working hours and daily sodium intake. Among males, statistical significance was found in the group with average weekly working hours of 41-52 hours (prevalence ratio [PR]: 1.17; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.05-1.30) and the group exceeding 52 hours (PR: 1.22; 95% CI: 1.09-1.38) when comparing the fourth quartile of daily sodium intake to the combined quartiles of Q1, Q2, and Q3. Among females, no significance was noted.

Conclusions: Long working hours were associated with increased sodium intake, primarily among male workers. This connection is likely attributed to having less time for home-cooked meals, resulting in higher fast food consumption and dining out. A workplace intervention promoting healthy eating and reducing stress is essential to lower sodium consumption and mitigate hypertension risk.

Background: Studies on the association between job satisfaction and depression have often been reported. However, no study has examined how job satisfaction impacts depression while considering satisfaction with other aspects of life. In this study, we evaluated the effect of job satisfaction on depression after adjusting for satisfaction with other domains of life.

Methods: We used data from the 16th wave of the Korean Welfare Panel Study. A total of 3568 current employees without depression who completed a survey were included. Depression was measured using the abbreviated version of the CES-D scale. Various types of satisfaction, including job satisfaction, were measured using single-item questions and a 5-point Likert scale. The association between job satisfaction and depression after considering satisfaction with other life domains was analyzed using a multiple logistic regression model.

Results: Crude models showed a significant association between job satisfaction and depression in males (odds ratio [OR]: 7.90; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.11-15.23) and females (OR: 7.12; 95% CI: 4.40-11.50). When adjusted for sociodemographic factors, health-related factors, and work-related factors, the association remained significant in males (OR: 6.20; 95% CI: 3.10-12.41) and females (OR: 6.28; 95% confidence interval (CI): 3.79-10.40). However, when satisfaction with other life domains was included, the association remained significant only in females (OR: 3.55; 95% CI: 1.93-6.50).

Conclusions: This study shows an association between job satisfaction and depression in Korean employees. However, when satisfaction with other life domains was considered, this association remained significant only in women. Regular screening of job satisfaction should be considered as a means of preventing and managing depression among female employees.

Background: Research on job training and job satisfaction has been conducted from various perspectives. Job training is thought to be associated with job satisfaction, which is known as an important factor for depression among workers. We hypothesized that job training duration could influence depression through potential mediators (job satisfaction, motivation to work, and work engagement).

Methods: This study encompassed participants from the sixth Korean Working Conditions Survey (KWCS), conducted between 2020 and 2021. To show the relationships between demographic or occupational characteristics and risk of depression, a χ² test was conducted. The association between job training duration, potential mediators, and risk of depression was analyzed by constructing multiple logistic regression models. The mediating effects of potential mediators on job training duration and risk of depression was evaluated with flexible mediation analysis with weighting-based methods.

Results: The final study population consisted of 25,294 participants. Longer job training duration significantly decreased risk of depression after adjusting for confounders. In the group that received the longest job training duration (≥ 10 days), compared with the group without job training, the odds ratio (OR) for high risk of depression was 0.46 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.39-0.54). Each three potential mediators showed statistically significant indirect effects and direct effect. Although indirect effects were not strong compared to direct effect, motivation to work had the strongest mediating effect in this study, with an OR of 0.94 (95% CI, 0.92-0.95).

Conclusions: Job training duration was found to have a statistically significant negative association on the risk of depression, and three mediators partially mediating this effect. Although the mechanism was unknown, our findings suggest that job training has a positive influence on workers' mental health. Furthermore, by suggesting the possibility of other pathways existing between job training and depression, we provide directions for future research.

Background: As few studies have explored the association between non-regular or precarious employment in parents and adverse birth outcomes, this study aimed to investigate this association using national data in Japan.

Methods: This study utilized the census data from 2020 and birth data from the vital statistics in 2021 and 2022 in the analysis. Adverse birth outcomes, including preterm birth, term low birth weight (TLBW), and small-for-gestational-age, were examined. Data linkage was conducted between birth data and census data to link parental employment statuses and educational attainments with birth data. Rates of adverse birth outcomes were calculated for each parental employment status. Additionally, regression analysis was used to determine adjusted risk ratios (RRs) of parental employment statuses for each birth outcome.

Results: After data linkage, 334,110 birth records were included in the statistical analysis. Rates for non-regular workers were consistently higher than those for regular workers across all adverse birth outcomes for maternal employment status. Results of regression analyses indicated that the risks of preterm birth for non-regular workers were statistically significantly higher than those for regular workers, both in mothers and fathers with a RR (95% confidence intervals [CIs]) of 1.053 (1.004-1.104) and 1.142 (1.032-1.264), respectively. Furthermore, the risk of TLBW birth for non-regular workers was statistically significantly higher than that for regular workers in fathers (RR [95% CI]: 1.092 [1.043-1.143]).

Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate that non-regular workers have a higher risk of some adverse birth outcomes compared to regular workers.

Background: Human nutrient intake is closely related to the conditions of their workplace.

Methods: This study used data from the Korean National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (KNHANES) conducted between 2016 and 2020. The study population comprised individuals aged 19 to 65 years who were engaged in paid work, excluding soldiers (total = 12,201, male = 5,872, female = 6,329). The primary outcome of interest was the Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII) score, which was calculated using dietary intake data. Generalized linear models were used for statistical analyses.

Results: Pink-collar workers had higher DII scores, indicating a potentially higher inflammatory diet than white-collar workers (mean: 2.18 vs. 1.89, p < 0.001). Green and blue-collar workers displayed lower levels of dietary inflammation (green: 1.64 vs. 1.89, p = 0.019, blue: 1.79 vs. 1.89, p = 0.022). After adjusting for sex, age, income, education, and energy intake, the sole trend that persisted was the comparison between white-collar and pink-collar workers.

Conclusions: DII scores and dietary patterns differed among occupational groups and genders.