Skip Navigation
Skip to contents

Epidemiol Health : Epidemiology and Health

OPEN ACCESS
SEARCH
Search
Advanced Search
mobile menu button

Search

Page Path
HOME > Search
4 "Ah-Young Lim"
Filter
Filter
Article category
Keywords
More +
Publication year
Authors
More +
Funded articles
COVID-19: Original Article
Viral shedding patterns of symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infections by periods of variant predominance and vaccination status in Gyeonggi Province, Korea
Gawon Choi, Ah-Young Lim, Sojin Choi, Kunhee Park, Soon Young Lee, Jong-Hun Kim
Epidemiol Health. 2023;45:e2023008.   Published online December 21, 2022
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4178/epih.e2023008
  • 3,170 View
  • 129 Download
  • 1 Web of Science
AbstractAbstract AbstractSummary PDFSupplementary Material
Abstract
OBJECTIVES
We compared the viral cycle threshold (Ct) values of infected patients to better understand viral kinetics by vaccination status during different periods of variant predominance in Gyeonggi Province, Korea.
METHODS
We obtained case-specific data from the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) surveillance system, Gyeonggi in-depth epidemiological report system, and Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service from January 2020 to January 2022. We defined periods of variant predominance and explored Ct values by analyzing viral sequencing test results. Using a generalized additive model, we performed a nonlinear regression analysis to determine viral kinetics over time.
RESULTS
Cases in the Delta variant’s period of predominance had higher viral shedding patterns than cases in other periods. The temporal change of viral shedding did not vary by vaccination status in the Omicron-predominant period, but viral shedding decreased in patients who had completed their third vaccination in the Delta-predominant period. During the Delta-predominant and Omicron-predominant periods, the time from symptom onset to peak viral shedding based on the E gene was approximately 2.4 days (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.2 to 2.5) and 2.1 days (95% CI, 2.0 to 2.1), respectively.
CONCLUSIONS
In one-time tests conducted to diagnose COVID-19 in a large population, although no adjustment for individual characteristics was conducted, it was confirmed that viral shedding differed by the predominant strain and vaccination history. These results show the value of utilizing hundreds of thousands of test data produced at COVID-19 screening test centers.
Summary
Korean summary
코로나19 선별진료소에서는 확진 검사를 위해 수십만 건에서 수백만 건까지의 일회성 검사를 시행해왔다. 검사를 받은 개인의 특성과 관련된 데이터 제한으로 인해 분석 시 이를 보정할 수는 없지만, 대규모 인구집단에서 얻어진 검사 결과는 SARS-CoV-2 배출 특성을 평가하는 데 활용될 수 있다. 이번 연구에서는 바이러스 변이의 종류와 백신 접종 이력에 따라 증상 발생 후 시간 경과에 따라 바이러스 배출량이 달라지는 것을 확인하였다. 이러한 대규모 선별 검사자료는 향후에도 유용하게 활용 가능하다.
Key Message
The screening center for COVID-19 has conducted hundreds of thousands to millions of one-time confirmation tests for diagnosis. Although individual characteristics cannot be adjusted for due to data limitations, the test results from a large population can still be utilized to evaluate SARS-CoV-2 shedding. We confirmed that viral shedding varied over time after symptom onset, depending on the type of virus variant and vaccination history.
Original Articles
Decreased birth weight after prenatal exposure to wildfires on the eastern coast of Korea in 2000
En-Joo Jung, Ah-Young Lim, Jong-Hun Kim
Epidemiol Health. 2023;45:e2023003.   Published online December 9, 2022
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4178/epih.e2023003
  • 5,093 View
  • 179 Download
  • 2 Web of Science
  • 1 Crossref
AbstractAbstract AbstractSummary PDFSupplementary Material
Abstract
OBJECTIVES
In April 2000, a series of wildfires occurred simultaneously in five adjacent small cities located on the eastern coast of Korea. These wildfires burned approximately 23,794 hectares of forestland over several days. We investigated the effects of prenatal exposure to the by-products generated by wildfire disasters on birth weight.
METHODS
Birth weight data were obtained for 1999-2001 from the birth registration database of the Korean National Statistical Office and matched with the zip code and exposed/unexposed pregnancy week for days of the wildfires. Generalized linear models were then used to assess the associations between birth weight and exposure to wildfires after adjusting for fetal sex, gestational age, parity, maternal age, maternal education, paternal education, and average exposed atmospheric temperature.
RESULTS
Compared with unexposed pregnancies before and after the wildfires, mean birth weight decreased by 41.4 g (95% confidence interval [CI], -72.4 to -10.4) after wildfire exposure during the first trimester, 23.2 g (95% CI, -59.3 to 13.0) for exposure during the second trimester, and 27.0 g (95% CI, -63.8 to 9.8) during the third trimester. In the adjusted model for infants exposed in utero during any trimester, the mean birth weight decreased by 32.5 g (95% CI, -53.2 to -11.7).
CONCLUSIONS
We observed a 1% reduction in birth weight after wildfire exposure. Thus, exposure to by-products generated during a wildfire disaster during pregnancy may slow fetal growth and cause developmental delays.
Summary
Korean summary
산불로 인한 연소 부산물에 대한 태아기 노출이 출생 체중에 미치는 영향을 조사하였다. 산불 발생 전후로 연소 부산물에 노출되지 않았던 신생아와 비교하였을 때, 노출된 신생아의 평균 출생 체중은 32.5g (-53.2~-11.7g) 감소하였다. 임신 중 산불로 인한 연소 부산물에 대한 노출은 태아 성장을 느리게 하거나 발달 지연을 일으킬 수 있다.
Key Message
The study investigated the effects of prenatal exposure to by-products generated by wildfire disasters on birth weight. Compared to newborns who were not prenatally exposed to wildfire byproducts, exposed newborns had a 32.5 g (-53.2 to -11.7 g) reduction in birth weight. Exposure to wildfire by-products during pregnancy can slow fetal growth or cause developmental delays.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by  
  • Natural Disaster Epidemiology and Reproductive Health
    Emily W. Harville, Bianka Northland
    Current Epidemiology Reports.2023; 10(4): 169.     CrossRef
A small window into the status of malaria in North Korea: estimation of imported malaria incidence among visitors from South Korea
Jisun Sung, Hae-Kwan Cheong, Ah-Young Lim, Jong-Hun Kim
Epidemiol Health. 2020;42:e2020068.   Published online November 21, 2020
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4178/epih.e2020068
  • 7,935 View
  • 175 Download
AbstractAbstract AbstractSummary PDF
Abstract
OBJECTIVES
This study aimed to develop hypotheses on trends in malaria incidence in North Korea using malaria incidence among South Korean visitors to North Korea.
METHODS
The number of South Korean tourists who visited Mount Kumgang from 2000 to 2008 and the number of South Korean employees at the Kaesong Industrial Complex from 2005 to 2015 were obtained from the Korean Statistical Information Service. The number of malaria cases among South Koreans who visited North Korea was obtained from a previous report. The incidence of malaria per 100,000 person-years was calculated using these data and compared with the malaria incidence in North Korea derived from published articles.
RESULTS
A high incidence of malaria in 2001 and a sharp decline in the following years were observed in both South and North Korean data. Since then, North Korean data showed a relatively low and stable incidence, but the incidence among South Koreans visiting North Korea increased in 2006. Considering the trends in mass primaquine preventive treatment, floods, and economic growth rate, the incidence of malaria may have increased in North Korea in 2006. Since 2009, the incidence of malaria decreased gradually according to both South and North Korean data.
CONCLUSIONS
The trends of malaria incidence in North Korea could be reflected through its incidence among South Koreans who visited North Korea. For future inter-Korean collaboration aiming to eradicate malaria, we propose that a North Korean malaria monitoring system be established applying this method.
Summary
Korean summary
본 연구는 2000-2008년 금강산을 여행한 대한민국 국민과 2005-2015년 개성공단에서 근무한 대한민국 국민에서의 말라리아 발생률을 추정하여 국제사회에 보고된 북한의 말라리아 발생률과 비교 평가하였다. 향후 남북한의 교류가 활성화 되었을 때 북한을 방문하고 돌아온 국민에서의 말라리아 발생률 자료를 사용하여 북한 현지에서의 말라리아 발생률 현황 추이를 살펴볼 수 있을 것으로 보인다.
Trends of accidental carbon monoxide poisoning in Korea, 1951-2018
Jong-Hun Kim, Ah-Young Lim, Hae-Kwan Cheong
Epidemiol Health. 2020;42:e2020062.   Published online August 31, 2020
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4178/epih.e2020062
  • 11,726 View
  • 212 Download
  • 6 Web of Science
  • 4 Crossref
AbstractAbstract AbstractSummary PDFSupplementary Material
Abstract
OBJECTIVES
Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning from coal briquette combustion has been a major public health problem in Korea. In this study, we estimated the time trends of the consumption of anthracite coal and the number of CO poisoning victims over the past 7 decades, in the context of changes in heating facilities.
METHODS
Using Population and Housing Census data and energy statistics, we estimated the number of houses using briquettes as heating fuel between 1951 and 2018. After estimating the incidence of CO poisoning in housing units by heating facility type, we determined the ratio of the number of household members who experienced CO poisoning to the overall number of household members. Finally, we estimated the distribution of the victims according to poisoning severity, excluding victims of intentional exposure.
RESULTS
We estimated that, overall, over 26 million people experienced CO poisoning between 1951 and 2018 in Korea. The household consumption of anthracite peaked in 1986, but the number of victims of CO poisoning peaked at approximately 1 million people in 1980. From 1951 to 2018, the cumulative number of CO poisoning victims comprised approximately 22,830,000 mild cases, 3,570,000 severe cases, and 65,000 deaths.
CONCLUSIONS
The peak in the number of CO poisoning victims occurred 6 years earlier than the peak in the number of people using briquettes for heating. This gap resulted from improvements in briquette heating systems. This finding provides a quantitative basis for epidemiological studies on the health outcomes of CO poisoning in the Korean population.
Summary
Korean summary
과거에 연탄을 난방 연료로 사용함으로써 발생하였던 일산화탄소 중독 사고는 한국 사회에서 주요한 공중 보건 문제였다. 본 연구에서는 지난 70년간 연탄 소비에 따른 일산화탄소 중독 피해자 규모를 추정하였다. 본 연구에서 산출된 결과들은 일산화탄소 중독으로 인하여 지속적으로 나타날 수 있는 건강 피해에 대한 역학 연구의 정량적 근거를 제공하고 있다.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by  
  • Trends in mortality related to unintentional poisoning in the South Asian region from 1990 to 2019: analysis of data from the Global Burden of Disease Study
    Nadeem Ullah Khan, Uzma Khan, Umerdad Khudadad, Asrar Ali, Ahmed Raheem, Shahan Waheed, Junaid Abdul Razzak
    BMJ Open.2023; 13(2): e062744.     CrossRef
  • Prevalence of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning and Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Korea: Analysis of National Claims Data in 2010–2019
    Eunah Han, Gina Yu, Hye Sun Lee, Goeun Park, Sung Phil Chung
    Journal of Korean Medical Science.2023;[Epub]     CrossRef
  • Acute carbon monoxide poisoning in Shandong, China: an observational study
    Lina Zhang, Di Wu, Mingyue Xu, Yonghui Bian, Youcun Wang, Guangkai Gao, Qing Sun
    Chinese Medical Journal.2022; 135(13): 1539.     CrossRef
  • Development of delayed neurologic sequelae in acute carbon monoxide poisoning cases caused by briquette-based kotatsu
    Makoto Onodera, Yasuhiko Tsukada, Tsuyoshi Suzuki, Kotaro Sorimachi, Kenichi Ebihara, Lubna Sato, Rie Zenda, Satoshi Ueno, Kazuki Sugaya, Ken Iseki
    Medicine.2021; 100(16): e25009.     CrossRef
Epidemiol Health : Epidemiology and Health
© Korean Society of Epidemiology.