J Korean Med Sci.  2010 Dec;25(Suppl):S36-S40. 10.3346/jkms.2010.25.S.S36.

Occupational Hepatic Disorders in Korea

• Kim HR
• Kim TW

• KMID: 1714065
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2010.25.S.S36

Abstract

Occupational hepatic disorders are classified into toxic hepatitis, viral hepatitis, and chemical-induced malignancy in Korea. Toxic hepatitis cases were reported in workers who were exposed to dimethylformamide, dimethylacetamide, or trichloroethylene. Pre-placement medical examination and regular follow-up are necessary to prevent the development of toxic hepatitis. Viral hepatitis was chiefly reported among health care workers such as doctors, nurses and clinical pathology technicians who could easily be exposed to blood. Preventive measures for these groups therefore include vaccination and serum monitoring programs. Hepatic angiosarcoma caused by vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) exposure is a very well known occupational disease and it has not been officially reported in Korea yet. Some cases of hepatocellular carcinoma were legally approved for compensation as an occupational disease largely by overwork and stress, but not supported by enough scientific evidence. Effort to find the evidence of its causal relationship is needed.

Keyword

Dimethylformamide; Trichloroethylene; Drug-Induced Liver Injury; Viral Hepatitis; Health Care Workers

MeSH Terms

Adult
Drug-Induced Liver Injury/epidemiology
Female
Health Personnel
Hepatitis, Viral, Human/epidemiology/prevention & control
Humans
Liver Diseases/*epidemiology/prevention & control
Liver Neoplasms/chemically induced/epidemiology
Male
Middle Aged
Occupational Diseases/*chemically induced/*epidemiology/prevention & control
Occupational Exposure/adverse effects
Republic of Korea/epidemiology
Young Adult

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Prevalence of major diseases found in the the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey conducted in 2007 (number per million).

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  Fig. 2 Trend of HBs Ag positive prevalence in Korea.

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