• The Korean journal of internal medicine
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.272-282
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• 2024

Background/Aims: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) raises the risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. An awareness of MetS is vital for early detection and proactive management, which can mitigate the risks associated with MetS. Therefore, our study aimed to investigate the level of awareness of MetS among the Korean population. Methods: We conducted a nationwide survey between January and February 2023 among a representative sample of the Korean population using an online survey. Information regarding the awareness of MetS and its risk, the importance of lifestyle modification, and health behavior were collected. The question about the awareness of MetS was "How much do you think you know about MetS?" and there were five answers: 1) I know very well, 2) I know well, 3) I know a little, 4) I do not know, and 5) I have no idea. The high-awareness group was defined as those who answered that they knew very well or well. Results: Among 1,000 participants (mean age, 45.7 ± 13.2 yr), 29% were unaware of MetS, and only 20.8% had high awareness. The high-awareness group was significantly more knowledgeable about lifestyle modifications and demonstrated better health behaviors. After adjustment for possible confounding factors, younger age, low household income, and absence of comorbidity were independently associated with a lack of awareness regarding MetS. Conclusions: The high-awareness group showed greater knowledge of the importance of lifestyle modifications and better health behaviors regarding MetS. The findings highlight the need for improved public education and awareness programs regarding MetS.

• Journal of Web Engineering
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.265-283
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• 2022

Bauhinia scandens L. (Family: Fabaceae) is commonly used to treat cholera, diarrhea, asthma, and diabetes disorder in integrative medicine. This study aimed to screen the presence of phytochemicals (preliminary and UPLC-QTOF-M.S. analysis) and to examine the pharmacological activities of Bauhinia scandens L. stems (MEBS) stem extracts. Besides, in silico study was also implemented to elucidate the binding affinity and drug capability of the selected phytochemicals. In vivo anti diarrheal activity was investigated in mice models. In vitro, antibacterial and antifungal properties of MEBS against several pathogenic strains were evaluated using the disc diffusion method. In addition, in silico study has been employed using Discovery studio 2020, UCFS Chimera, PyRx autodock vina, and online tools. In the anti-diarrheal investigation, MEBS showed a significant dose-dependent inhibition rate in all three methods. The antibacterial and antifungal screening showed a remarkable zone of inhibition, of the diameter 14-26 mm and 12-28 mm, by MEBS. The present study revealed that MEBS has remarkable anti-diarrheal potential and is highly effective in wide-spectrum bacterial and fungal strains. Moreover, the in silico study validated the results of biological screenings. To conclude, MEBS is presumed to be a good source in treating diarrhea, bacterial and fungal infections.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.348-357
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• 2024

Objectives: The total population of Korea began to decline in 2019; in particular, the population in rural areas has been rapidly decreasing and is aging. Therefore, the government has designated depopulation areas and is seeking ways to support them. To assess whether health disparities exist between areas with population decline and those without, this study used community health survey data to observe temporal changes in health behaviors between the two types of areas. Methods: The analysis used Community Health Survey data from 2010 to 2019, and regional classification was divided by depopulation areas designated by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety. Trends in health behavior and chronic disease prevalence between depopulation and non-depopulation areas were analyzed. All analyses were conducted using complex sample analysis procedures in SAS 9.4 software. Results: The smoking rate steadily decreased in both depopulation and non-depopulation areas, whereas the high-risk drinking rate increased slightly. The walking practice rate did not improve in depopulation areas compared to non-depopulation areas. Furthermore, nutritional labeling usage rate was consistently lower in depopulation areas than in non-depopulation areas, with the gap being the largest. The prevalence of obesity, diabetes, and hypertension showed that the gap between depopulation and non-depopulation areas is continuously increasing. Conclusions: Health behaviors in depopulation areas have not improved, and the prevalence of chronic diseases is increasing rapidly. Therefore, the demand for health care services that support healthy lifestyle practices and chronic disease management in these areas is expected to increase.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.250-258
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• 2024

Purpose: This study investigated the associations between intermediate hyperglycemia (IH) and increased body mass index (BMI), abdominal obesity (AO), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and leptin levels in Korean adults. Methods: The participants were 248 adults (≥ 19 years) who understood the purpose of the study, had no cognitive impairment, and were able to communicate. Physical examinations, BMI, AO measurements, and blood tests were performed. Data were analyzed using the t-test, chi-square test, Pearson correlation coefficients, and multiple logistic regression analyses. The risk factors for IH were predicted after adjusting for BMI, waist circumference (WC), age, hs-CRP and leptin levels, education, and economic status. Results: WC, hs-CRP and leptin levels, and age were higher in the IH group than in the non-IH group. According to the multiple logistic regression analysis, the factors affecting IH prevalence were WC, hs-CRP, leptin, and age. AO (male, WC ≥ 90 cm; female, WC ≥ 85 cm) exhibited an adjusted odds ratio of 5.45 for IH. IH was 2.43 times higher in those with hs-CRP > 3 mg than in those with hs-CRP < 1 mg. As leptin levels increased, the odds ratio for IH increased by 3.05 times. IH was 8.07, 8.79, 18.42, and 35.33 times more common for those in their 30s, 40s, 50s, and ≥ 60 years of age, respectively, than those 19-29 years old. Conclusion: This study provides evidence that interventions for AO should be included in IH management programs. Identifying the predictive factors for IH may contribute to the early detection of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

• The Korean journal of internal medicine
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.612-624
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• 2024

Background/Aims: The predictive value of the estimated pulse wave velocity (ePWV) for the development of metabolic syndrome has not yet been extensively explored. This study aimed to fill this gap by evaluating ePWV as a potential predictor of metabolic syndrome development in middle-aged Korean adults. Methods: Using prospective data obtained from the Ansan-Ansung cohort database, participants without metabolic syndrome at baseline were studied. ePWV was calculated using specific equations based on age and blood pressure. The primary outcome was the incidence of metabolic syndrome during a median follow-up period of 187 months. Results: Among the 6,186 participants, 2,726 (44.1%) developed metabolic syndrome during the follow-up period. ePWV values were categorized into tertiles to assess their predictive value for the development of metabolic syndrome. An ePWV cut-off of 7.407 m/s was identified as a predictor of metabolic syndrome development, with a sensitivity of 0.743 and a specificity of 0.464. Participants exceeding this cut-off, especially those in the third tertile (8.77-14.63 m/s), had a notably higher risk of developing metabolic syndrome. Specifically, the third tertile exhibited a 52.8% cumulative incidence compared with 30.8% in the first tertile. After adjustments, those in the third tertile faced a 1.530-fold increased risk of metabolic syndrome (95% confidence interval, 1.330-1.761). Conclusions: ePWV is a significant predictor of the development of metabolic syndrome. This finding underscores the potential of ePWV as a cardiometabolic risk assessment tool and can thus provide useful information for primary prevention strategies.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.219-225
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• 2012

This study is analyzed the implementation of medical aid for patients over 65 years of age who are among the discharged from hospitals with the capacity of over 100 beds. I have analyzed it with the data from an in-depth study of injury surveillance of discharged patients from hospitals done in a national project in 2004. After analyzing the results of the data from the beginning of this national project to the data collected in 2008, I could get the results that the rate of discharged patients over 65 years of age increased every year. Among them, the rate of discharged women was higher than that of the men, and the rate of deaths while at the hospital for patients over 65 years of age was higher than that of patients less than 65 years of age. The rate of operations done on patients over 65 was lower than that of patients under 65 years of age. The results of a diagnosis of popular symptoms showed that the rate of the diagnosis of cerebral infraction and structure of the heart at the circulatory organ was higher. In addition, the rate of the diagnosis of lung cancer, pneumonia, and chronic obstructive lung disease was higher, as well as the rates of gastric cancer, diabetes, liver cancer, and colorectal cancer. The results showed that the operation of the nerve system or cardiovascular system were higher. Therefore, according to this result, we should prioritize and allocate resources to the elderly people when setting up a management policy. And also, we should promote healthcare for elderly people after considering the characteristics of the implementation of medical aid in preparation of a super-aged society.

• The Korean Society of Law and Medicine
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.235-262
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• 2019

While traditionally threatening human infectious diseases are decreasing, chronic diseases such as cancer and diabetes, including cardiovascular diseases, are spreading rapidly. Reflecting the characteristics of chronic diseases that are difficult to treat, the management of risk factors and the preparation of health promotion policies corresponding to them have emerged as important concerns around the world. Providing so-called multi-sector approach such as health promotion and disease prevention policy and solution for community response, The value of primary care is once again highlighted in the changed medical environment. As the existing medical delivery system has become difficult to cope with the people's desire for rapid aging, disease paradigm change, and quality of life improvement, European Union countries have made various efforts to improve the quality of their primary medical system, which provides continuous, com- prehensive and coordinated management. This paper examines the current status and problems of the healthcare delivery system in Korea, draws implications from the European Union examples related to the strengthening of primary care, and discusses the plans for establishing a patient-centered future medical delivery system.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.11 no.6
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• pp.401-410
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• 2020

The purpose of this study was to investigate predictors and mediating effects of physical activity and nourishment regulation on well-being among young and middle aged patients on DM medication and to compare between those with non-pharmacological treatment and those without. Data were obtained from 2017 community health survey including 1,480 DM patients with oral medication in the age between 20 and 49. Using SPSS 25.0 and AMOS 25.0, path analysis was performed to explore the association between personal factors (socio-economic status, health habit, eating habit and compliance of health examination) and well-being, along with mediating effects of physical activity. Results demonstrated the different mediating role of physical activity. In medication only group, there was no direct effect of physical activity and no indirect effect of personal factors. Direct effect of physical activity and indirect effects of predictors were found in those with non-pharmacological treatment group. When developing strategies to enhance well-being of young and middle aged diabetic patients, proper reflection of their age specific traits and disease management capability are essential.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.96-116
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• 2006

To assess the economic value of pharmaceutical therapy with Kremezin, we investigated the maximum amount of willingness-to-pay (WTP) of patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) for a hypothetical effect of Kremezin in delaying the initiation of dialysis treatments. A face-to-face survey was carried out in a sample of 141 CRF patients from 2 dialysis centers, composed of 82 hemodialysis patients, 38 peritoneal dialysis patients, and 21 non-dialysis CRF patients. Using a bidding game method with a starting point of 320,000 Won, which is the average monthly out-of-pocket payment for dialysis treatment, we asked the study subjects how much they would pay per month to receive Kremezin therapy. The mean out-of-pocket monthly WTP for Kremezin was 310,000, 430,000, and 520,000 Won (p<0.05, repeated one-way ANOVA)) when Kremezin delays the initiation of dialysis treatments by 1, 2, and 4 years. Significant correlation between the respondent's WTP and income $(r=0.266{\sim}0.368,\;p<0.05)$ confirmed the construct validity of the WTP instrument. Regression results showed that patients with a higher education, with diabetes as a major causes of CRF, and undergoing hemodialysis treatments tended to express higher WTP for Kremezin. The economic value of WTP from the perspective of patients varied from 310,000 to 520,000 Won depending on the effect size of Kremezin. The mean WTP was higher than 32,000 Won, only when the hypothetical effect of Kremezin in delaying the initiation of dialysis is for 2 years. This implies that Kremezin might be the preferred choice of therapy by CRF patients if it delays the initiation of dialysis treatment for at least 2 years.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.17-24
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• 2001

Background : Community-acquired pneumonia(CAP) remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Recently, the evolution of drug-resistant microorganisms has become a serious problem in CAP management. Specific antimicrobial therapy is the cornerstone of CAP management. However, obtaining an accurate etiologic diagnosis clinically is not easy and empirical antimicrobial treatment is usually administered prior to the correct microbiologic diagnosis. In this study, the clinical usefulness of empirical CAP treatment was investigated. Methods : A total 35 cases were studied prospectively over a 16-month period in Mokpo Catholic Hospital from Dec. 1995 to Mar. 1997. The microbiologic diagnosis was made by sputum, blood culture, a specific serum antibody test and an immunologic study. Results : The causative organisms were isolated in 10 (30%) out of 33 cases: 8 cases and 1 case on the sputum culture and blood culture respectively, and 1 case by an indirect hemagglutinin test. 12 cases had underlying diseases: pulmonary tuberculosis 4, alcoholism 4, diabetes mellitus 3, and liver cirrhosis 1. Antimicrobial treatment was given empirically and all cases recovered. Conclusion : A definite microbiologic diagnosis before commencing the appropriate treatment in CAP is not straightforward. Empirical therapy according to a clinical assessment is important and helpful. However, every effort to make the correct etiologic diagnosis should be taken.