We performed a follow-up study to address whether high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels within the normal range can predict the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in healthy male subjects. Among15347 male workers between 30 and 59 years old who received annual health check-ups in 2002, a NAFLD-free cohort of 4,138 was followed through December 2009. Alcohol consumption was assessed with a questionnaire. At each visit, abdominal ultrasonography was performed to identify fatty liver disease. The COX proportional hazard model was used to evaluate the relationship between hs-CRP and incident NAFLD. During the follow-up period, 28.8% (1191 of 4138) of participants developed NAFLD. The hazard ratios of NAFLD were increased by hs-CRP categories within the normal range in the non-adjusted model and age-adjusted model. After adjusting for age, exercise, smoking, BMI, systolic BP, triglyceride, and fasting glucose, these incidences were only increased between the lowest and the highest hs-CRP categories. The risk for NAFLD increased as the hs-CRP level increased (p< 0.001). As the hs-CRP level increased within the healthy cohort, the risk of developing NAFLD increased. This trend remained true even if the hs-CRP level remained within the normal range. hs-CRP can be used as a predictor of NAFLD, as well as other obesity-associated diseases. Therefore, individuals with higher hs-CRP levels (even within the normal range) may require appropriate follow-up and management to prevent NAFLD development.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between working hours and lifestyle behaviors using data from a large nationally representative panel survey. Methods: We used the Korea Health Panel Study (KHPS) data from 2011 to 2014. Weekly working hours and lifestyle risk factors were assessed by questionnaires. Comparing to the reference group, the weekly working hours were 40 h per week, odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for smoking status, alcohol consumption status, and regular exercise status of other weekly working hours groups (52) were calculated, using generalized estimating equation models considering repeated measures. Results: Our findings clearly showed a relationship between long working hours and unhealthy lifestyles, such as cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, physical inactivity, and insufficient sleep. Additionally, weekly working hours are positively associated with the amount of smoking and drinking, and inversely associated with sleep duration among those who worked 40 h or more per week. Conclusion: Long working hours are associated with unhealthy lifestyles, such as cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, physical inactivity, and insufficient sleep.

Kim HR. J Korean Med Sci. 2009 Jun;24(3):363-367. http://dx.doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2009.24.3.363

Uhm JY, et al. Ann Occup Environ Med. 2018 Dec;30(1):69. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40557-018-0279-z

This study aimed to investigate the degree of health-related productivity loss (HRPL) for common health conditions. A total of 4197 workers participated in a web-based questionnaire survey from January to February 2020. HRPL was measured using the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment questionnaire, and a difference in HRPL was calculated for each common health condition. The burden of productivity loss due to each health condition was calculated by the product of the difference in HRPL scores and the percentage of participants who complained. The health conditions most strongly associated with increased HRPL were infertility treatment (30.6%), osteoporosis (25.9%), cancer (25.3%), gastric ulcer or duodenal ulcer (25.0%) and anaemia (23.9%). The most important health conditions in order of their magnitude of induced burden of productivity loss were fatigue, neck or shoulder pain, insufficient sleep, back pain, headache, common cold and flu, insomnia, anxiety and diarrhoea or constipation. HRPL is more strongly and importantly associated with the aforementioned health conditions. Occupational health managers should prioritise addressing health conditions strongly and importantly associated with HRPL when implementing health promotion programmes.