• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.52 no.3
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• pp.277-284
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• 2019

Purpose: Sodium intake is known to be a critical dietary factor in several diseases including cataract. Earlier studies have reported that excess intake of sodium may elevate the risk of cataract. However, little is known about this in Koreans. Thus, the purpose of this study was to examine whether dietary intake of sodium and potassium might modify the risk of cataract. Methods: A total of 1,319 males (219 cases) and 1,966 females (369 cases) from Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2012 were analyzed. Energy adjusted dietary intakes of sodium and potassium and their ratios were evaluated to ascertain their associations with the risk of cataract. Dietary intake levels were stratified into quartiles and their risk modifying effects were estimated with logistic regression models with or without subjects' socio-economic characteristics and life styles for each sex. Results: Findings suggested that various descriptive factors were associated with the risk of cataract either in males or females. Males' intake levels of sodium and potassium and their ratios did not differ between phenotypes. Higher intakes or higher ratio was not associated with the risk of cataract. In contrast, female controls had higher intakes of sodium and potassium. Higher intake of potassium reduced the risk of cataract in females. However, such association was not retained when subjects' socioeconomic status and life styles were factored into the analysis. Conclusion: Dietary sodium and potassium intakes minimally affected the risk of cataract in Korean males and females. More studies are needed to ascertain the true pathological effect of sodium intake on cataract aetiology.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.23-30
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• 2024

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to identify the incidence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and risk factors for diseases in adults over 40 years of age in Korea, and to provide basic data for the prevention of COPD incidence through management. METHODS: Based on the 2019 data of the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES), 1,788 adults over the age of 40 who participated in pulmonary function test and health survey were selected as subjects. COPD incidence risk factors were analyzed using complex sample multiple logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: As a result of the analysis, the incidence of COPD in Korea was 11.5%, and the risk of developing COPD was higher in men, age, and current smokers. Compared to women, men had an increased risk of developing COPD by 2.369 times (95% CI 1.289-4.355). In age, the risk of COPD incidence increased by 3.702-fold (95% CI 1.923-7.124) in their 50s, 11.238-fold (95% CI 6.009-21.017) in their 60s, and 28.320-fold (95% CI 14.328-55.977) in their 70s compared to those in their 40s. In the smoking state, 2.302 times (95% CI 1.373-3.860) of past smokers and 4.542 times (95% CI 2.694-7.658) of current smokers were found to have a higher risk of developing COPD than non-smokers. CONCLUSION: To reduce the incidence of COPD, interventions are required to prevent disease development through lifestyle and smoking cessation education in subjects with COPD risk factors.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.8
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• pp.3805-3807
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• 2016

Literature on the relationship between recurrent urinary tract infections and urinary bladder carcinoma risk has been inconsistent. Therefore, we carried out this systematic review of observational studies to ascertain if there is any association between chronic urinary tract infection and urinary bladder carcinoma. A total of 10 databases were searched using Boolean: CINAHL, PUBMED, Google Scholar, Medline, Science Direct, SCIRUS, Cochrane, UK PubMed central, NHS evidence and WHO-website. The search yielded an initial hit of 3,518 articles and after screening and critical appraisal, seven studies were included for this review. Four articles reported an association between chronic urinary tract infections and bladder cancer while three concluded a weak or no association at least in one gender. Main findings in this review were that most of the studies reported an association between chronic urinary tract infections and bladder cancer risk. However, inferences about the causal association between chronic urinary tract infections and bladder cancer risk should be drawn cautiously considering the methodological limitations of case-control studies included in this review. Therefore, more empirical evidence is needed to determine the causal nature of relationships between chronic urinary tract infections and bladder cancer risk.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2010

Objectives: Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is highly associated with cervical cancer. So, the modification of the risk factors of HPV infection is essential for prevention of cervical cancer. This study was performed to evaluate the risk factors of HPV infection. Methods: HPV test of 12,337 study population conducted using Hybrid-Capture II assay(HC-II) and self-administered questionnaires were collected. The study population was people who visited hospital-based medical screening center from January to December 2007 and all were female employees or employees' partner. Results: In logistic regression analysis, smoking and alcohol drinking were significant factors, with odds ratios of 1.328 (95% CI 1.010~1.746) and 1.644 (95% CI 1.309~2.066), respectively. Nutritional supplements was also significant factor, which odds ratio was 1.161 (95% CI 1.004~1.343). Oral contraceptives was positive association with HPV infection (odds ratio 2.108; 95% CI 1.217~3.652), whereas condom was negative association (odds ratio 0.851; 95% CI 0.740~0.979). Conclusion: HPV Prevalence of 12,377 study population was 11.4%. Smoking, alcohol drinking, nutritional supplements and oral contraceptives were possible risk factors of HPV infection, and condom had possible preventive effect on HPV infection. Further prospective and comprehensive studies about HPV risk factors are required.

• Journal of East-West Nursing Research
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.51-60
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• 2021

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify factors associated with high risk drinking in adults. Methods: Multi-variate logistic regression was used to analyze the data of 15,949 adults age 19 years or older from the sixth (2013-2015) Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Results: Factors associated with high risk drinking included education level, employment and smoking status among the age group of 19-39. In the 40-59 year age group, the associated factors were gender, employment, smoking, obesity, and depressive mood. In the over 60 year age group, related factors included gender, employment, smoking, abdominal obesity, and subjective health status. Conclusion: The result of this study suggests that early risk factor screening may be helpful to avoid the progression to high-risk drinking. An individualized approach for each age group can be used as a preventive measure.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.309-314
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• 2013

This study aimed to identify the effect of chronic mind-body function decline on health-related activities of daily living. Data collection was surveyed using interview and questionnaires by 148 subjects in a general hospital located in Seoul from June 8 to July 13, 2011. The results were as follows: First, based on exercise habit, patient group who do exercise regularly showed in male(26.7%) and female(22.7%), respectively. The risk ratio of it was 0.25 times. On the other hand, control group who do exercise regularly showed in male(42.2%) and female(31.8%), respectively. The risk ratio of it was 0.61 times. Secondly, the risk ratio of social factor in male was 45.18 times(p=.04) while the risk ratio of physical factor in female was 237.1 times(p=.001). In conclusion, to prevent declining of chronic mind-body function, it is necessary to solve stress through sound life rhythm maintenance, immunity enhancing food intake and continuous exercise.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.56 no.5
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• pp.475-480
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• 2023

Objectives: This study examined differences in health care spending and characteristics among older adults in Korea by high-cost status (persistently, transiently, and never high-cost). Methods: We identified 1 364 119 older adults using data from the Korean National Insurance Claims Database for 2017-2019. Outcomes included average annual total health care spending and high-cost status for 2017-2019. Linear regression was used to estimate differences in the outcomes while adjusting for individual-level characteristics. Results: Persistently and transiently high-cost older adults had higher health care spending than never high-cost older adults, but the difference in health care spending was greater among persistently high-cost older adults than among transiently high-cost older adults (US$20 437 vs. 5486). Despite demographic and socioeconomic differences between transiently high-cost and never high-cost older adults, the presence of comorbid conditions remained the most significant factor. However, there were no or small differences in the prevalence of comorbid conditions between persistently high-cost and transiently high-cost older adults. Rather, notable differences were observed in socioeconomic status, including disability and receipt of Medical Aid. Conclusions: Medical risk factors contribute to high health care spending to some extent, but social risk factors may be a source of persistent high-cost status among older adults in Korea.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.421-430
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• 2017

Purpose: This study investigates the social network, self-care agency, and quality of life of high-risk beneficiaries in case management of Medicaid and the correlations between these variables. It also identifies influencing factors on their quality of life. Methods: The subjects included 187 individuals chosen from the high-risk beneficiaries in case management of Medicaid in D Metropolitan City. Data was collected through direct interviews based on a structured questionnaire on home visits. Results: The perceived health status was the most influential factor in their quality of life, followed by self-care agency, mutual support network, and natural support network in order. These factors explained 40.6% of their quality of life. Conclusion: These findings raise a need to develop a nursing intervention program to increase the self-care agency of the high-risk beneficiaries in case management of Medicaid.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.55 no.5
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• pp.569-573
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• 2017

The present study was performed to reveal the current status and risk factors of Strongyloides stercoralis infections in the villages of Kenethao district, Xayaburi Province, Lao PDR. Fecal specimens were collected and examined for S. stercoralis using Koga-agar plate culture technique. Among 516 individuals, the prevalence of S. stercoralis and hookworm infection was 44.2% and 17.1%, respectively. Co-infection was detected in 13.2% of the cases. The prevalence did not significantly differ between males and females (P=0.193). However, the prevalence of S. stercoralis infection increased significantly with age (P=0.041). Of the risk factors examined, both performing farming activities (P=0.001) and walking barefoot when going outside of the house (P=0.003) showed significant correlations with S. stercoralis infections. Our results suggest that S. stercoralis is highly endemic in this area. The National Helminth Control Program of Lao PDR should take actions to control S. stercoralis infection. In addition, provision of health education about the benefits of wearing shoes would be important for reducing infection in the study area. Moreover, the application of high-sensitivity diagnostic approaches is needed to obtain the true impact of S. stercoralis infections in all rural communities in order to provide surveillance activities in Lao PDR.

• Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.450-465
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• 2013

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify cognitive impairment and risk factors among elderly persons aged 60 or more in Korea using raw data from the 2008 Elderly Survey: Basic Analysis Report of Actual Living Condition of the Elderly and Welfare Need Survey in Korea. Methods: This study was conducted using raw data obtained from 13,335 subjects representing elderly persons aged 60 or more in Korea. Data were analyzed using SPSS 19.0 software. Results: The rate of cognitive impairment was found to be 22.0%. Logistic regression analysis became more prevalent with increased aged. In addition elderly subjects with the following factors showed increased cognitive impairment: mails; underweight; slept well for 3 to 4 days per week at most; lack of high intensity physical activity; Eub/Myoun area; did not live alone; did not graduate from high school; un-employed; lack of active social participation, and not computer/Internet savvy. Conclusion: This study identified cognitive impairment and risk factors among elderly persons aged 60 or more in Korea using samples representing elderly persons aged 60 or more throughout the country.