• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.63 no.7
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• pp.278-283
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• 2020

Background: Major questions remain regarding the agestratified trends of allergic diseases and asthma in Korea. Purpose: To identify the estimated recent prevalence and 10-year trends in asthma, allergic rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis among the Korean population from 2008 to 2017. Methods: This nationwide cross-sectional survey (Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey) over 10 years (2008-2017) examined representative samples of the Korean population (n=85,006) including 2,131 infants, 4,352 preschool children, 12,919 school-age children, 44,200 adults, and 21,404 elderly adults. Results: In the 2016 to 2017 population, the estimated prevalence of asthma was 0.9% in infants, 2.3% in preschool children, 4.1% in school-age children, 2.3% in adults, and 4.1% in the elderly. The estimated prevalence of allergic rhinitis was 9.0%, 20.2%, 27.6%, 17.1%, and 6.9%, respectively. The estimated prevalence of atopic dermatitis was 5.9%, 11.3%, 14.6%, 3.9%, and 1.6%, respectively. Ten-year trends revealed a significant decrease in asthma prevalence in infants, preschool children, and the elderly. and in atopic dermatitis prevalence in infants and preschool children (P<0.05 for all trends). Furthermore, 10-year trends demonstrated a significant increase in allergic rhinitis prevalence in school-age children, adults, and the elderly, and in atopic dermatitis prevalence in school-age children and the elderly (P<0.05 for all trends). Conclusion: These results improve our understanding of the age-stratified epidemiology of allergic diseases in Korea and suggest the need for the development of tailored and precise strategies to prevent allergic diseases in different age groups.

• The Journal of Korean Society for School & Community Health Education
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.15-27
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• 2018

Objectives: This study aims to investigate the estimated proportion for influenza vaccination and to identify factors associated with influenza vaccination in Korean adults aged 50 and older with asthma. Methods: Data from 2010-2015 Community Health Survey(n=23,662) was used. A chi-square test was performed to investigate the estimated proportion for influenza vaccination, and a multiple logistic regression analysis was used to identify the factors associated with self-reported influenza vaccination. Results: In men, 42.3-49.5% of asthma patients 50-64 years of age, and 78.5-90.2% of elderly (over 65 years of age) asthma patients received influenza vaccination. In women, 49.7-61.9% of asthma patients 50-64 years of age, and 82.7-89.7% of elderly asthma patients received influenza vaccination(p<0.0001). Low education level, non-smoking, non-drinking, hypertension, diabetes and use of public center were related to high influenza vaccination in 50-64 years old men with asthma. Low education level, non-smoking, bad health status, hypertension, diabetes and use of public center were related to high influenza vaccination in 50-64 years old women with asthma. Non-smoking and use of public center were related to high influenza vaccination in over 65 years old men with asthma. White-collar jobs, smoking, absence of hypertension and use of public center were related to low influenza vaccination in over 65 years old women with asthma. Conclusions: Influenza vaccination remains relatively low in asthma patients 50-64 years of age. It is necessary to recommend vaccination to asthma patients, provide them with information, and devise other strategies to improve vaccination.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.82 no.1
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• pp.71-80
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• 2019

Background: Efficacy and safety of tiotropium bromide, a muscarinic receptor antagonist, in treatment of asthma have been reported. However, its effect on airway remodeling in chronic asthma of the elderly has not been clearly verified. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of tiotropium and expression of muscarinic receptors as its related mechanism in an aged mouse model of chronic asthma with airway remodeling. Methods: BALB/c female mice age 6 weeks, 9 and 15 months were sensitized and challenged with ovalbumin (OVA) for three months. Tiotropium bromide was administered during the challenge period. Airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) and pulmonary inflammation were measured. Parameters of airway remodeling, and expression levels of $M_2$ and $M_3$ receptors were examined. Results: Total cell with eosinophils, increased in the OVA groups by age, was decreased significantly after treatment with tiotropium bromide, particularly in the age group of 15 months. AHR and levels of interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, and IL-13 were decreased, after tiotropium administration. In old aged group of 9- and 15-months-treated groups, hydroxyproline contents and levels of ${\alpha}$-smooth muscle actin were attenuated. Tiotropium enhanced the expression of $M_2$ but decreased expression of $M_3$ in all aged groups of OVA. Conclusion: Tiotropium bromide had anti-inflammatory and anti-remodeling effects in an aged mouse model of chronic asthma. Its effects seemed to be partly mediated by modulating expression $M_3$ and $M_2$ muscarinic receptors. Tiotropium may be a beneficial treatment option for the elderly with airway remodeling of chronic asthma.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.79 no.3
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• pp.111-120
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• 2016

Asthma is a prevalent and serious health problem in Korea. Recently, the Korean Asthma Guideline has been updated by The Korean Academy of Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases (KATRD) in an effort to improve the clinical management of asthma. This guideline focuses on adult patients with asthma and aims to deliver up to date scientific evidence and recommendations to general physicians for the management of asthma. For this purpose, this guideline was updated following systematic review and meta-analysis of recent studies and adapting some points of international guidelines (Global Initiative for Asthma [GINA] report 2014, National Asthma Education and Prevention Program [NAEPP] 2007, British Thoracic Society [BTS/SIGN] asthma guideline 2012, and Canadian asthma guideline 2012). Updated issues include recommendations derived using the population, intervention, comparison, and outcomes (PICO) model, which produced 20 clinical questions on the management of asthma. It also covers a new definition of asthma, the importance of confirming various airflow limitations with spirometry, the epidemiology and the diagnostic flow of asthma in Korea, the importance and evidence for inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) and ICS/formoterol as a single maintenance and acute therapy in the stepwise management of asthma, assessment of severity of asthma and management of exacerbation, and an action plan to cope with exacerbation. This guideline includes clinical assessments, and treatment of asthma-chronic obstructive pulmonary disease overlap syndrome, management of asthma in specific conditions including severe asthma, elderly asthma, cough variant asthma, exercise-induced bronchial contraction, etc. The revised Korean Asthma Guideline is expected to be a useful resource in the management of asthma.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.124-130
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• 2008

This study investigated the age dependencies in ambient air pollution-associated asthma hospitalization from 2003 to 2005 in Seoul. For all ages and the age groups of 0-14, 15-64, and 65+years, the Generalized Additive Model (GAM) was used to estimate the relative risks of daily asthma hospitalization associated with changes in particulate matter and ozone. The time-trends, seasonal variances, day effects, temperature, humidity, and pressure at sea level were controlled in the models. Significant associations were observed between asthma hospitalization and the levels of $PM_{10}$ and $O_3$. The relative risks (RRs) of asthma hospitalization for every 10 unit increases in $PM_{10}({\mu}g/m^3)$ and $O_3$(ppb) were 1.008 (95% CI 1.005-1.012), and 1.012 (95% CI 1.003-1.020), respectively. Evaluated over $10\;{\mu}g/m^3$ increase in $PM_{10}$, we found the relative risks of asthma hospitalization to be 1.009 (95% CI 1.004-1.014) in 0-14 age group, and 1.015 (95% CI 1.008-1.022) in 65+ age group. Considering 10 ppb increase in $O_3$, those were 1.014 (95% CI 1.003-1.024) in 0-14 age group, and 1.025 (95% CI 1.009-1.041) in 65+ age group. It was concluded that current levels of ambient air pollution in Seoul make a significant contribution to the variation in daily asthma hospitalization. Further reduction in air pollution is necessary to protect the health of the community, especially that of the higher risky groups including children and elderly population.

• Journal of the Korean Data and Information Science Society
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.679-688
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• 2013

This study figured out the influential factors of region-based characteristic factors in our country upon asthmatic occurrence. Research subjects were 2,266,451 people who were confirmed the diagnosis of asthma (J45~J46) among patients in national health insurance for the year in 2010. The influence in each of factors upon the asthmatic occurrence was analyzed through hierarchical regression after comparing difference in asthmatic occurrence by basic local government. As a result of hierarchical regression, the whole asthmatic occurrence had significant difference in infants ratio, $SO_2$,Temperature, basin and dam area. The asthmatic occurrence had significant difference in subjective awareness of health level, $SO_2$, basin and dam area. A case of asthmatic occurrence had significant difference in infants ratio, temperature, $NO_2$ and coastal area. Diverse characteristic factors by region were indicated to have influence upon the asthmatic occurrence by causing or weakening asthma through mutually complex action. Accordingly, a region-based customized environmental health measure will need to be arranged that infants and elderly people, who are vulnerable classes, can be protected and prevented from harmful environment of asthma.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.1243-1250
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• 2005

This study was performed to investigate the effect of oral administration of deer horn against the asthma. Deer horn improves body metabolism and strengthens overall health, especially in elderly persons and young children. Additionally, it stimulates sexual function in females and can stimulate wound healing. Asthma was induced to Balblc mouse by i.p. injection and aerosol immunization with ovalbumin. It was observed the change of the eosinophil number in the BALF. Concentrations of IL-4, IL-5 in BALF and splenocyte were assessed by ELISA, IgG and IgE from serum were calculated by same method. The number of eosinophil in BALF was not significantly changed in deer horn group compared with control group. Concentration of IL-4 in BALF was significantly decreased in deer horn group compared with control group. Levels of IL-5 from BALF and splenocyte were significantly decreased in deer horn group compared with control group, respectively. Concentrations of IgE and IgG in serum were significantly decreased in deer horn group compared with control group, separately. We found that the effect of deer horn extract in asthma was implicated in reductions of IL-4, IL-5 released from Th2 cell, and decreases of IgG, IgE from plasma cell. These findings suggest that deer horn extract can produce anti-asthmatic effect, which may play a role in allergen-induced asthma therapy.

• Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Research
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• v.10 no.6
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• pp.675-685
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• 2018

Purpose: This study aims to determine the efficacy and safety of house dust mite (HDM)-sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) in elderly patients with AR. Methods: A total of 45 patients aged ${\geq}60years$ with HDM-induced AR who had ${\geq}3$ A/H ratio on skin prick test and/or ${\geq}0.35IU/L$ to both Dermatophagoides farinae and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus by ImmunoCAP were enrolled in 4 university hospitals. To evaluate additional effects of HDM-SLIT, they were randomized to the SLIT-treated group (n = 30) or control group (n = 15). Rhinoconjunctivitis total symptom score (RTSS), rhinoscopy score, Korean rhinoconjunctivitis quality of life questionnaire, rhinitis control assessment test, asthma control test scores, and adverse reactions, were assessed at the first visit (V1) and after 1 year of treatment (V5); for immunological evaluation, serum levels of HDM-specific immunoglobulin A/IgE/IgG1/IgG4 antibodies and basophil response to HDMs were compared between V1 and V5 in both groups. Results: There were no significant differences in demographics, RTSS, skin reactivity to HDMs, or serum total/specific IgE levels to HDMs (P > 0.05, respectively) between the 2 groups. Nasal symptom score and RTSS decreased significantly at year 1 in the 2 groups (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in percent decrease in nasal symptom score and RTSS at year 1 between the 2 groups (P > 0.05); however, rhinoscopic nasal symptom score decreased significantly in the SLIT-treated group (P < 0.05). Immunological studies showed that serum specific IgA levels (not specific IgE/IgG) and CD203c expression on basophils decreased significantly at V5 in the SLIT-treated group (P = 0.011 and P = 0.001, respectively), not in the control group. The control group required more medications compared to the treatment group, but there were no differences in adverse reactions. Conclusions: It is suggested that HDM-SLIT for 1 year could induce symptom improvement and may induce immunomodulation in elderly rhinitis patients.

• 한국노년학
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.1311-1327
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• 2010

This study was conducted to identify the relationship between depression and subjective/objective health status, and to examine predicting factors on depression in the elderly in Korea. This study was a secondary analysis using the data of Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey(VI-1) 2007. A total of 939 data from the subjects ≥60 years who completed health-related survey were used for analysis. Data were analyzed using SAS (version 9.1) PC program. Depression was identified in the 20.3% of the older subjects. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that women (OR=2.04), senior high school graduation (OR=0.27) and lowermiddle household income (OR=2.83) were significant associating factors(p<0.05). After adjustment for socio-demographic factors, hypertension (OR=1.93) and asthma (OR=3.32) as objective health status, and stress (OR=7.27), limited activity in daily living due to fracture or joint injury (OR=6.59) and poor self-rate health (OR=1.64) as subjective health status were found as factors predicting depression in the elderly(p<0.05). According to the type of health status, the subjects who had chronic disease or perceived poor physical health were 5.94 times more likely to have disposition to depression than the subjects who had no chronic disease or perceived good physical health (p=0.001). These findings suggest that preventive education and intervention focus on preventing and managing chronic diseases such as hypertension, asthma, fracture and joint injury should be needed to decrease depression in the elderly.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Building Construction Conference
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• 2019.11a
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• pp.29-30
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• 2019

The indoor air quality of modern people who work indoors more than 80 percent a day has also become a very important factor in their lives. But most indoor air quality is highly polluted due to energy conservation and lack of ventilation. This can lead to pneumonia, asthma and even lung cancer, which can be fatal to children, the elderly and the elderly. Indoor pollutants are caused by boards, wallpaper, paint, etc. used in interior By producing indoor finishing materials using active alumina gel, which is used as dehumidifier, indoor pollutants will be reduced and the possibility of developing respiratory diseases and lung cancer will be reduced.