• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.129-135
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• 2016

Purpose: This study was conducted to compare demographic and characteristic differences in self-poisoned patients by age groups using a comprehensive trauma database. Methods: This study included 1,823 patients who were admitted to the emergency room following self-poisoning. Three age groups were defined: young patients (less than 19 years), adult patients (19 to 64 years) and elderly patients (65 years and old). From January 2011 to December 2015, data were obtained from in a single emergency medical center. We investigated the materials of poisoning, ingestion time, GCS, systolic blood pressure, heart rate, and outcomes of patients. Results: A total of 1,823 self-poisoned patients visited the hospital during 5 years. Among these, 130 (7.1%) were categorized as young, 1,460 (80.1%) were adults and 233 (12.8%) were elderly. The most common drug of self-poisoning substances was antipyretics (50.0%) for those in the young group, sedative drugs (45.0%) for adults, and pesticides (41.2%) for the elderly. Mortality was 2.7% in the adult group and 14.6% in the elderly group. After adjusting for all factors related to mortality, the odds ratio (OR) of mortality was 2.63 in the elderly group (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.44-4.81). Conclusion: There were definite differences in the characteristics of three groups. The younger patients used drugs that could be easily obtained while older patients used more lethal drugs.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.429-440
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• 2019

Several studies have attempted to identify factors associated with longevity and maintenance of health in centenarians. In this study, we analyzed and compared the gut microbiota of centenarians in longevity villages with the elderly and adults in the same region and urbanized towns. Fecal samples were collected from centenarians, elderly, and young adults in longevity villages, and the gut microbiota sequences of elderly and young adults in urbanized towns of Korea were obtained from public databases. The relative abundance of Firmicutes was found to be considerably higher in subjects from longevity villages than those from urbanized towns, whereas Bacteroidetes was lower. Age-related rearrangement of gut microbiota was observed in centenarians, such as reduced proportions of Faecalibacterium and Prevotella, and increased proportion of Escherichia, along with higher abundances of Akkermansia, Clostridium, Collinsella, and uncultured Christensenellaceae. Gut microbiota of centenarians in rehabilitation hospitals were also different to those residing at home. These differences could be due to differences in diet patterns and living environments. In addition, phosphatidylinositol signaling system, glycosphingolipid biosynthesis, and various types of N-glycan biosynthesis were predicted to be higher in the gut microbiota of centenarians (corrected p < 0.05). These three metabolic pathways of gut microbiota can be associated with the immune status and healthy gut environment of centenarians. Although further studies are necessary to validate the function of microbiota between groups, this study provides valuable information on centenarians' gut microbiota.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.132-142
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• 2004

Nutritional factors affecting bone mineral density (BMD) in the different age groups of Korean men were investigated to obtain baseline data for maintaining bone health. Information on diet and anthropometry was collected in 80 elementary school children, 83 high school students, 87 adults aged 25 to 35 years and 98 elderly people over 60 years of age. Data for food and nutrient intake were obtained by 24-hour recall method. BMDs of lumbar spine (L$_2$- L$_4$) and femoral neck were measured by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry. The relationship between BMD and nutritional factors were analyzed. In the femoral neck, 5.7% of adults was classified as osteopenia and 47.9% and 37.8% of the elderly were classified as osteopenia and osteoporosis. It was shown that plant protein, Ca, p, Fe, thiamin, riboflavin and vitamin C intakes were related with BMD in all age groups. As for the mean adequacy ratio (MAR) of nutrients, the lowest quartile group of BMD showed significantly lower MAR among children. The RDA percent of nutrients was a strong influential factor on BMD. Subjects who consumed below 75% of Korean RDA in energy, vitamin A, thiamin, and vitamin C showed lower BMD. Stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed that MAR in children, vegetable Ca in adolescents, and vitamin C in adults and elderly people were the highest influential factor on BMD. Therefore, the above results demonstrated that not only calcium but also other nutrients such as protein, iron, vitamin A, riboflavin, and vitamin C were necessary in order to keep the healthy bone status. In addition, although there were various dietary factors that influenced bone density, MAR was identified as the major factor that affected bone density. Thus, a balanced diet that includes all nutrients is necessary for a healthy bone density. (Korean J Nutrition 37(2) : 132-142, 2004)

• Journal of Convergence for Information Technology
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• v.10 no.10
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• pp.253-258
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• 2020

This study analyzed, the characteristics of ambulatory care sensitive conditions(ACSCs) in patients visiting emergency departments(EDs) and compared characteristics according to two age groups (adults aged 19-64 years and, elderly people aged ≥65 years). By accessing data from the National Emergency Department Information System(NEDIS) from January 1 to December 31, 2018, we examined the proportions of different ED types and ACSCs, length of stay(LOS) in the ED, LOS hospital, and hospital admission rates. Regarding the types of EDs, we found that the proportion of local emergency medical centers was high(P<0.001). Regarding the rates of different ACSCs, 31.7% of adults were treated for gastroenteritis, a high proportion of the elderly people(48.2%) were diagnosed with and treated for pneumonia(P<0.001). The LOS in the ED was longer in elderly people for all diseases categories, except for congestive heart failure and diabetes(P<0.001). The LOS in the hospital was also significantly longer in elderly people for all ACSCs(P<0.05), and the admission rate was significantly higher in elderly people for all diseases, except for diabetes(P<0.01). Thus, analyzing the ED visits made by patients with ACSCs will need to strengthen the health-care policy to induce treatment centered on outpatient.

• Journal of Home Health Care Nursing
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.29-36
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• 2008

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to develop and evaluate an exercise program for elderly community-dwelling adults. The program was intended to improve joint flexibility and self-efficacy and to reduce blood pressure. Methods: A quasi-experimental, nonequivalent control group pre-post test design was used to evaluate the program. Twenty-six subjects were enrolled in the experimental group, and twenty-seven subjects were enrolled in the control group. The program was carried out between March 6 and May 4, 2006. The experimental group subjects participated in the exercise program once a week for eight weeks and received a phone call weekly to encourage self-exercise at home. Results: After program participation, the experimental group subjects showed significantly higher flexibility in the right shoulder joint and higher self-efficacy than subjects in the control group. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures were also significantly lower in the experimental group subjects. However, there were no significant differences in knee joint flexibility between the two groups after the intervention. Conclusion: The eight-week exercise program was effective in decreasing blood pressure and improving joint flexibility and self-efficacy in older adults. This study suggests that this exercise program could be utilized as an effective independent nursing intervention modality in elderly persons.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.55 no.4
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• pp.398-406
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• 2022

Objectives: While the risk of depression is expected to substantially increase among older adults receiving community care, leisure life satisfaction can be regarded as a key component in enhancing the mental health of those receiving community care. However, it is not yet known whether community care utilization increases the risk of depression, or what role is played by leisure life satisfaction in these settings. This study investigated the relationship between community care utilization and depression, as well as the main effect and the moderating role of leisure life satisfaction on the link between community care utilization and depression among older adults. Methods: This study, using the 2019 Korean Welfare Panel Survey, conducted multiple regression analysis on data from 4494 elderly people aged 65 years or older. Results: After controlling for potential covariates, older community care recipients were more likely to report symptoms of depression than those who did not receive community care. Meanwhile, leisure life satisfaction was negatively associated with depression in older adults. The test for interaction between community care utilization and leisure life satisfaction revealed that leisure life satisfaction significantly attenuated the link between depression and community care utilization. Conclusions: The findings of this study imply that leisure life satisfaction could play a meaningful role in improving the mental health of older adults receiving community care. Welfare policies affecting older adults should consider leisure life satisfaction as an important resource for reducing depression in community care settings.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.60-70
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• 2015

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the correlates of body mass index (BMI), perceived health status (PHS), and the needs of functional games for the elderly in Korea. Methods: This is a descriptive study with convenience sampling. The data were collected from 363 older adults in S city who completed questionnaires asking about their BMI, PHS, needs for functional games, and general characteristics. Using the SPSS 20.0 program, data were analyzed. Results: The mean age was 65.4(${\pm}4.75$), ranging between 60-83 years old. Among the 363 subjects, 75.2% who were male, 55.9% chose "functional games are necessary," and 25.3% selected "functional games are absolutely necessary" for the elderly. There were statistically significant correlations between current PHS and comparing health to others (r=.827, p<.001), depression (r=-.330, p<.001), age (r=-.113, p=.032), respectively. In addition, there was a statistically significant correlation between comparing health to others and depression (r=-.292, p<.001). Conclusion: The study findings show that older adults have distinct needs and interests for functional games. Thus, we need to develop senior functional games to help make older adults more active with greater enjoyment to gain more health benefits. Interdisciplinary team approaches would work well for developing functional games in Korean considering the preferences of older people are similar.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.771-780
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• 2004

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore how older adults kept their health good at a doctorless farm village. Method: Data was collected through in-depth interviews with 32 participants who were over 65 years old and analyzed in terms of Strauss and Corbin's (1990) grounded theory methodology. Result: The Core Category of health care of older adults was identified as 'enduring physical changes by themselves'. The process of this could be divided into 4 stages: the stage of bearing, the stage of managing daily living activities, the stage of passively collecting information and the stage of minimally utilizing health care services. Older adults accepted the aging process positively but health sources limitation passively, so they managed daily living activities and used natural food for health. In addition, they collected information related to health care and used health care services minimally. Conclusion: We found that participants managed their health passively because of negative attitudes toward active health behaviors of older adults by themselves and the difficulty of access to health care services. Therefore, various community health services for older adults need to be developed to empower older adults in the community.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.45-58
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• 2014

Objective: The purpose of this study was to analysis the determinants and trend of suicidal ideation the elderly in Korea. Methods: This study participants were selected the elderly over the age of 55 from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey in 2001(n=1,122), 2005(n=2,098), and 2010(n=2,402). Statistical analysis methods used in this study were $x^2$-test, logistic regression analysis and other basic statistics such frequency, percentage using SPSS version 21.0. Results: In 2001, the influencing factors of suicidal ideation was spouses, subjective health status and stress recognition. In 2005, the influencing factors of suicidal ideation were spouses, subjective health status, chronic disease amount, activity limitation, depression experience and stress recognition. In 2010, the influencing factors of suicidal ideation were elderly, education level, subjective health status, activity limitation, depression experience and stress recognition. Conclusions: The health education considering the characteristics of each elderly group should be developed and applied to prevent adults' suicidal ideation because the factors influencing suicidal ideation were revealed differently between the elderly group.

• Journal of Korean Society of Rural Planning
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.107-120
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• 2007

The purpose of study was planning to a rural community space plan for revitalization of aging in rural society and activity of rural older adults. The rural community type was divided 5 categories by local topography characteristics and road system. According to 5 categories, the rural community space plan was consisted of space plan such as consideration for a rural topography characteristics and activity plan by space which analyzed a relations with rural resource and activity of rural older adults. Results from the rural community planning showed that to improve quality of life and to increase in economic productive activity for rural older adults, moreover to lead a retired oppidan migrate from city to country and to make full use of oppidan's intellectual capacity resource.