• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.162-168
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• 2012

Vitamin D deficiency is a risk factor for metabolic syndromes. We examined whether vitamin D deficiency altered the prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in older Koreans. Cross-sectional analysis of data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey IV 2008-2009 was used to examine the association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels and the prevalence of CVD in a representative population-based sample of 5,559 men and women aged ${\geq}50$ years. CVD was defined as angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, or stroke. The prevalence of CVD (7.0%) in the older Korean population was lower than that in the older US population, although average serum 25(OH)D levels were much lower in the Korean population. Additionally, serum 25(OH)D levels did not differ significantly between the CVD and non-CVD groups. However, subjects in the lowest category (< 25 nmol/l) of serum 25(OH)D level had the greatest prevalence of CVD, about two-fold higher than subjects in the highest category (> 75 nmol/l), after adjusting for age, gender, body mass index, education level, residence location, and region. The prevalence of other risk factors for CVD, including higher waist circumference, fasting glucose, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and triglyceride levels and lower high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels, was also higher among subjects in the lowest category than among those in the highest category. In conclusion, low serum 25(OH)D may be an independent risk factor for CVD in older Koreans.

• Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.495-508
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• 2014

Purpose: This study was conducted in order to evaluate the reliability, validity, sensitivity, and specificity of the Short Form of Bobath Memorial Hospital Fall Risk Assessment Scale (BMFRAS-SF). Methods: A validation study was conducted on 207 elderly patients aged over 65 who were admitted to Bobath Memorial Hospital. Fall risk scores of BMFRAS, composed of eight subscales (age, fall history, physical activity, consciousness level, communication, fall risk factors, underlying disease, and medications) were assessed from the electronic medical record. BMFRAS-SF was derived from eight subscales of the BMFRAS representing the significance between fallers and non-fallers (fall history, physical activity, fall risk factors, underlying disease, and medications). Internal consistency reliability and interrater reliability were assessed by Cronbach's alpha and kappa coefficient. Validity was assessed by Spearman correlation analysis, factor analysis. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive and negative predictive values, and a receiver-operating characteristic curve (ROC) were generated. Results: Fallers had significantly higher risk scores than non-fallers in fall history, physical activity, fall risk factors, underlying disease, and medication scales. The BMFRAS-SF demonstrated acceptable Cronbach's alpha (.706) and kappa coefficients of .95. The BMFRAS-SF subscales showed good convergent validity and construct validity. The BMFRAS-SF presented good sensitivity(86.7%), specificity(67.9%), positive predictive value(42.9%) and good negative predictive value(94.8%) at a cut-off score of 5. Areas under the ROC curves were .860 for the BMFRAS and .861 for the BMFRAS-SF. Conclusion: The BMFRAS-SF was proved to be reliable and valid. It could be used for time-saving assessment and evaluation of the high risks for falls in clinical practice settings.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.235-244
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• 2024

This study is a descriptive exploratory research aimed at identifying factors influencing the health-related quality of life(HRQOL) in middle-aged and senior-aged patients with complex chronic diseases. The study participants were extracted from the Korean Medical Panel annual data. A total of 2,408 patients, with two or more chronic diseases were included. The data were analyzed using STATA 15.0 software through descriptive statistics, t-tests, ANOVA, and multiple linear regression analysis. The research findings indicate that in middle-aged patients, educational level, household income, economic activity, stress, experience of despair, and basic needs satisfaction positively influence health-related quality of life. On the other hand, types of medical insurance, depressive feelings, and suicidal ideation exert a negative impact. In the case of senior-aged patients, positive influences on health-related quality of life were observed for educational level, household income, economic activity, alcohol consumption, stress, experience of despair, and basic needs satisfaction. Conversely, negative influences were noted for marital status, types of medical insurance, depressive feelings, and suicidal ideation. Therefore, in order to enhance the HRQOL for middle-aged and senior-aged patients with complex chronic diseases, tailored policies considering individual and age-specific characteristics should be formulated.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate influences of drinking, smoking, and obesity indices on cardio-cerebrovascular disease risk factors in Korean young men. Methods: The subjects were 234 young men, aged 20 to 39 years. Body mass index (BMI), percent body fat (PBF), body fat mass (kg), and waist hip ratio (WHR) were measured as obesity indices. Systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), fasting blood sugar (FBS), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were measured as cardio-cerebrovascular disease risk factors. The data were analyzed by t-test, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and multiple regression analysis using SAS 9.4. Results: Statistically significant factors were BMI for SEP; age, degree of drinking, body fat mass for DBP; WHR for TC; WHR and age for TG; age, degree of smoking and PBF for HDL-C; WHR, age and degree of smoking for LDL-C. Conclusion: Factors identified in this study need to be considered in cardio-cerebrovascular disease prevention programs for young men.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.143-149
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• 2011

Arthritis is a common disease in aged people, and is clinically divided into rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA). Although common symptoms such as pain are present, the underlying pathological mechanisms are slightly different. Therefore, the objectives of the present study were to compare joint damage induced by RA and OA by analyzing the major morphological and molecular differences, and to propose a suitable therapeutic intervention based on the pathophysiological conditions of bones and joints. For the RA animal model, 8-week-old DBA1/J mice were immunized with bovine type II collagen emulsified in complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA). Normal C57BL/6 mice (over 2 years of age) were used for OA. The clinical arthritis score was calculated using a subjective scoring system, and paw thicknesses were measured using calipers. The serum TNF ${\alpha}$ level was analyzed using an ELISA kit. Micro-CT was used to identify pathological characteristics and morphological changes. In collagen-induced RA mice, there were increased ankle joint volumes and clinical scores (p<0.01). The concentration of TNF ${\alpha}$ was significantly increased from 3 to 7 weeks after immunization. Micro-CT images showed trabecular bone destruction, pannus formation, and subchondral region destruction in RA mice. OA among aged mice showed narrowed joint spaces and breakdown of articular cartilage. This study suggests that a careful therapeutic intervention between RA and OA is required, and it should be based on morphological alteration of bone and joint.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.1355-1360
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• 2015

Background: The number of cancer survivors is increasing globally and recently, higher rates of comorbidities in cancer survivors have been reported. However, no studies have investigated whether cancer survivors have a higher risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Accordingly, our study evaluated the association between cancer survivors and the risk of CKD using the 2010-2012 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Materials and Methods: A total of 11,407 participants aged 40 years and over were categorized into two groups according to cancer experience. Multiple variables were compared and the odds ratios (ORs) for CKD prevalence were calculated using a weighted logistic regression analysis between the two groups. Results: Cancer survivors were older than were those in the non-cancer group, on average, the percentages of glomerular filtration rate(GFR) lower than $60mL/min/1.73m^2$, proteinuria, and CKD were significantly higher in cancer survivors when compared to controls. Weighted logistic regression analyses demonstrated that cancer survivors had a higher risk for CKD after adjusting for multiple variables (OR (95% confidence interval), 2.88 (1.48-5.59)). Conclusions: Our study demonstrated a possible association between CKD and cancer survival in Korean adults. Identifying and correcting risk factors for cancer survivors would positively affect prevention of CKD and result in a better cancer prognosis.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.112-124
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• 2024

This study investigated the factors associated with HINT-8 (Korean health-related quality of life instrument with eight items), including health habits, hand grip strength, chronic disease, chewing function, mental health, and nutrient intake. In this study, the health-related quality of life (HRQoL; HINT-8) was assessed using the data from the 2019 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES VIII) among Koreans aged over 65, with HINT-8 being evaluated based on the general characteristics. Of the participants from KNHANES VIII, 1,455 subjects were analyzed using SPSS statistics complex samples (Windows ver. 27.0). The HINT-8 score was significantly lower in females and in those aged 75 years or older, lowest educational level, lowest income level, and single households. Logistic regression analysis, adjusted for the general characteristics, revealed a significant association between a lower HINT-8 group and various factors: low aerobic physical activity (OR=1.71, 95% CI=1.25~2.35), low hand grip strength (OR=1.34, 95% CI=1.02~1.78), chewing difficulties (OR=2.17, 95% CI=1.62~2.92), poor self-rated health status (OR=6.11, 95% CI=4.42~8.45), stressful mental status (OR=3.57, 95% CI=2.27~5.63) and poor calcium status (OR=1.45, 95% CI=1.11~1.88). On the other hand, this study could not reveal a significant association between a lower HINT-8 group and factors such as smoking, drinking, chronic disease, and nutrient intake status, except for calcium intake. This study suggests that HINT-8 is associated with aerobic physical activity, hand grip strength, chewing function, mental health, and calcium intake, but not with smoking, drinking, chronic disease, and nutrient intake.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.316-329
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• 2023

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the association between dietary quality based on the Korean Healthy Eating Index (KHEI), and the prevalence of chronic conditions among middle-aged individuals (40-60 yrs of age) living alone. MATERIALS/METHODS: The participants were selected (1,517 men and 2,596 women) from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) 2016-2018 and classified into single-person households (SPH) and multi-person households (MPH). Nutrient intake, KHEI, and the prevalence of chronic conditions were compared according to household size. The odds ratios (ORs) of chronic conditions were analyzed according to the tertile levels of KHEI by gender within each household size category. RESULTS: Men in SPH had a significantly lower total KHEI score (P < 0.0001) and a lower prevalence of obesity (OR, 0.576) than those in MPH. For men, the adjusted ORs for obesity, hypertension, and hypertriglyceridemia in the first tertile (T1) of KHEI scores within SPH compared with the third tertile (T3) were 4.625, 3.790, and 4.333, respectively. Moreover, the adjusted OR for hypertriglyceridemia in the T1 group compared to the T3 group within the MPH was 1.556. For women, the adjusted ORs for obesity and hypertriglyceridemia in T1 compared to T3 within the SPH were 3.223 and 7.134, respectively, and 1.573 and 1.373 for obesity and hypertension, respectively, within MPH. CONCLUSIONS: A healthy eating index was associated with a reduced risk of chronic conditions in middle-aged adults. Greater adherence to a healthy eating index could lower the risk of chronic conditions in middle-aged adults living alone.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.251-259
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• 2018

This study aimed to identify the risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) among age groups using the Framingham risk score (FRS). The research design used was a cross sectional descriptive study using the Sixth Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2013-2015. Data from 5211 men, between the ages of 30-74 was analyzed. After adjusting for age, the result of logistic regression analysis showed that obesity (OR=2.51 95% CI=2.05-3.07), physical inactivity (OR=1.71, 95% CI=1.39-2.10), heavy alcohol drinking (OR=1.33, 95% CI=1.09-1.62), and dietary fiber intake (OR=0.99, 95% CI=0.98-0.99) were presented as predictors of CVD. Obesity was considered to be a particularly important predictor of CVD for young and middle-aged men. This result will be used for developing intervention relating to lifestyle modification for young and middle-aged men.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.387-398
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• 1996

The objective of this study was to clarify whether there are any differences between normal and over-weight middle-aged(40∼59yrs)women in their perceived weight, health status, health conception and health behavior choices. The sample consisted of 39 normal weight and 55 over-weight (11％ above on the Body Index Scale) women who live in Juan, Inchon. The Participants were randomly selected in each weight group considering socio-demographic factors. The findings from this study are summarized below. 1) Among the 55 overweight middle-aged women, 16 were above 20％ on the Body Index Scale and 14 were above 30％. Twenty-five(45.5％) of the overweight group and 12(30.8％) of the normal weight group had one disease, and there were 12(21.8％) in the overweight group and 8(20.5％) in the normal weight group where one of the family members had a disease, but these differences were not statistically significant. The average monthly family income for the overweight group was ￦l,880,000 compared to ￦2,140, 000 for the normal weight group, but this difference was also not significant. The age range for the whole group was between 40 and 59(mean＝46.8 for total, 48.6 for overweight and 45.7 for normal weight group). Again no significant difference found. Occupations were housemaker 53(56.4％), private business(13.8％), salarywoman(9.6％), and teacher (2.1％). Thirty housemaker(54.5％) from the overweight group and 23(59％) from the normal group did not constitute a statistically significant different. For the educational status, 34(61.8％) of the overweight women and 33(84.6％)of the normal weight group finished high school or more educational courses, but there was no significant statistical difference. Eleven(20.0％) of the overweight women and 5(12. 8％) of the normal weight group were single, but again no significant statistical difference was found. 2) A test for difference in health characteristics between two weight groups indicated that two groups do not show statistical differences in their perceived health status, health conception or health behavior choice. That is, the overweight group, also perceive their health status as good as the normal group, and regard ‘Health’ as a state that enables them to carry out social roles and functions rather than as the traditional concept of health as no disease or no symptoms. Moreover. the overweight group selected their health behaviors not for the prevention of diseases or maintenance of health but for promotion of health. To determine if no statistical difference might be related to the overweight group's failure of perceive themselves as overweight, the perceived and objective overweight status were compared by the chi-square analysis, and no difference was found（X/sup²＝49.37, df＝1, p＝.000）. However, 7(17.9％) of the normal group perceived themselves as being overweighted and 7(12.7％) of the overweight group thought they were of normal weight. Even though the overweight group employed in this study perceived themselves as being overweight, they regarded themselves as healthy as those in the normal weight group. It was shown that there was no statistical difference between two groups in health conception, and that they chose health behaviors to promote health status. 3) Perceived health conception was shown to be significantly related to health behavior choice （r＝ .28, p＝.006 for whole group : r＝.33, p＝.014 for overweight group : and r＝.12. p＝.463 for normal group） .There was an indication that the more complicated the perceived health conception was, the more the trend of health behavior choice to promote health. This was especially true for the overweight group. But, the perceived health status did not related to health behavior choice statistically（r＝.13, p＝.202）, and it was thought that reasons for selecting health behaviors were not related to their health status. That is, the overweight group perceive themselves as healthy as the normal weight group or thought that overweight itself does not incur any risk on their health. Data from two groups were combined and analyzed with multiple regression methodology, because the relationship pattern of the two groups was similar. The analysis showed that health behavior has a significant relationship with age and the perceived health conception（r/sup²＝.1517, p=.05, F＝8.133）. It means they come to health behavior along with their health conception and their age rather than their weights, perceived weight, health status or other social characteristics. This study was intended to understand how overweight middle-aged women perceive ‘weight’ and ‘health’, and how they meet their health related needs in comparison with normal weight middle-aged women. Other factors related to the health behavior in overweight middle-aged woman need to be determined through further descriptive studies outlined in the following recommendations. a) Reseach with the study area expanded. b) Reseach with grouping more detailed : much more overweight and underweight group c) Reseach on restricted relationship between overweight and age or profession. d) Reseach on what overweight middle-aged women do to reduce their weight and what factors motivate them to do it