Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science

Original articles

Public Health, Environmental, and Occupational Health
Radiologic evaluation of subclinical cardiovascular structural changes in school cafeteria workers: a chest computed tomography study with age-matched controls: Jung Hee Hong, Jin Young Kim, Kiook Baek; J Yeungnam Med Sci. 2025;42:76. Published online November 16, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.12701/jyms.2025.42.76

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Abstract PDF: Background
Chronic exposure to cooking oil fumes (COFs) is associated with adverse health outcomes. Although previous studies have focused on respiratory effects, the impact on cardiovascular structures remains unclear. This study aimed to assess the subclinical cardiovascular changes in school cafeteria workers with long-term COF exposure.
Methods
We conducted a retrospective analysis of the low-dose chest computed tomography (CT) scans of 88 school cafeteria workers and an age- and sex-matched control group of 88 individuals. The cardiothoracic ratio; ascending aortic diameter; and presence of coronary artery, aortic valve, and ascending aortic calcifications were evaluated and compared between the groups.
Results
The cafeteria worker group demonstrated a significantly greater ascending aortic diameter (31.69±3.28 mm vs. 30.64±3.21 mm, p=0.032) and cardiothoracic ratio (0.47±0.04 vs. 0.45±0.04, p=0.026) compared to controls. No significant differences were observed in the prevalence of coronary artery, aortic valve, or ascending aortic calcification between the two groups.
Conclusion
Our findings suggest that long-term occupational exposure to COFs contributes to subtle cardiovascular alterations detectable on chest CT, even in the absence of overt calcification. These results highlight the need for occupational health surveillance and longitudinal studies to evaluate the clinical implications of these changes.

Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Association between total body muscle percentage and prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in Korean adults findings from an 18-year follow-up: a prospective cohort study: Byoung Chan Ahn, Chul Yong Park, Jung Hee Hong, Ki Ook Baek; J Yeungnam Med Sci. 2023;40(Suppl):S47-S55. Published online August 29, 2023; DOI: https://doi.org/10.12701/jyms.2023.00605

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Abstract PDF Supplementary Material: Background
This study aimed to elucidate the association between total lean muscle mass and the incidence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in the adult Korean population.
Methods
Utilizing data derived from the 18-year prospective cohort of the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study, NAFLD was diagnosed via the hepatic steatosis index with an established cutoff value of 36. Lean muscle mass was assessed via bioelectrical impedance analysis and subsequently divided into tertiles. A generalized mixed model with a logit link was employed for repeated measures data analysis, accounting for potential confounders.
Results
Analysis encompassed 7,794 participants yielding 49,177 measurements. The findings revealed a markedly increased incidence of NAFLD in the lower tertiles of muscle mass, specifically, tertile 1 (odds ratio [OR], 20.65; 95% confidence interval [CI], 9.66–44.11) and tertile 2 (OR, 4.57; 95% CI, 2.11–9.91), in comparison to tertile 3. Age-dependent decreases in the OR were observed within the tertile 1 group, with ORs of 10.12 at age of 40 years and 4.96 at age of 80 years. Moreover, each 1%-point increment in total muscle mass corresponded with an estimated OR of 0.87 (95% CI, 0.82–0.93) for NAFLD resolution.
Conclusions
The study demonstrates a significant association between total muscle mass and NAFLD prevalence among Korean adults. Given the potential endocrine role of muscle mass in NAFLD pathogenesis, interventions aimed at enhancing muscle mass might serve as an effective public health strategy for mitigating NAFLD prevalence.

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