ObjectiveTo measure the prevalence of dry eye syndrome (DES) among clean room (relative humidity ≤1%) workers from 2011 to 2013.MethodsThree annual DES examinations were performed completely in 352 clean room workers aged 20–40 years who were working at a secondary battery factory. Each examination comprised the tear-film break-up test (TFBUT), Schirmer’s test I, slit-lamp microscopic examination, and McMonnies questionnaire. DES grades were measured using the Delphi approach. The annual examination results were analyzed using a general linear model and post-hoc analysis with repeated-ANOVA (Tukey). Multiple logistic regression was performed using the examination results from 2013 (dependent variable) to analyze the effect of years spent working in the clean room (independent variable).ResultsThe prevalence of DES among these workers was 14.8% in 2011, 27.1% in 2012, and 32.8% in 2013. The TFBUT and McMonnies questionnaire showed that DES grades worsened over time. Multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that the odds ratio for having dry eyes was 1.130 (95% CI 1.012–1.262) according to the findings of the McMonnies questionnaire.ConclusionsThis 3-year trend suggests that the increased prevalence of DES was associated with longer working hours. To decrease the prevalence of DES, employees should be assigned reasonable working hours with shift assignments that include appropriate break times. Workers should also wear protective eyewear, subdivide their working process to minimize exposure, and utilize preservative-free eye drops.

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of abnormal vaginal flora (AVF) and predictive factors for intrauterine infection in pregnant Korean women with preterm labor. Materials and Methods: The authors reviewed the medical records of 106 pregnant Korean women with preterm labor admitted to Eulji Medical Center between January 2006 and August 2011. The results of vaginal discharge tests and maternal serum C-reactive protein (CRP) level at admission, placental biopsy, and perinatal outcomes were searched. The prevalence of abnormal vaginal flora was calculated. The perinatal outcomes and predictive factors for intrauterine infections were analyzed based on placental pathology and early-onset neonatal sepsis. Results: The prevalence of abnormal vaginal flora was 75.4%. Ureaplasma urealyticum (UU), intermediate flora, Candidiasis, bacterial vaginosis, and aerobic bacterial colonization were detected in 40.6%, 38.7%, 17%, 14.2%, and 11.3% of the women, respectively. The frequency of early-onset neonatal sepsis was significantly different between women with aerobic bacterial colonization and those with normal flora (p = 0.008). An elevated maternal serum CRP level was an independent intrauterine infection predictor (odds ratio, 1.918; 95% confidence interval, 1.102−3.338; p = 0.048). Conclusion: Aerobic bacterial colonization may predict early-onset neonatal sepsis. An elevated maternal serum CRP level was an independent intrauterine infection predictor based on placental infections and early-onset neonatal sepsis.