BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to estimate socioeconomic costs caused by alcohol drinking in Korea as of 2004 in an effort to raise the awareness of the gravity of problems associated with alcohol drinking and the necessity of active intervention by family physicians. METHODS: The costs were classified as direct costs, indirect costs and other costs. The direct costs consisted of direct medical costs and direct non-medical costs. The indirect costs were computed by the reduction and loss of productivity and the loss of workforce. Other costs consisted of property loss, administration costs and costs of alcohol beverage. RESULTS: The annual costs, which seemed to be attributable to alcohol drinking, were estimated to be 200,990 hundred million won (2.9% of GDP). In the case of the former, the amount included 38.83% for reduction of productivity, 26.92% for loss of the workforce, 22.24% for alcoholic beverage, 5.34% for direct medical costs, 2.29% for loss of productivity, 1.87% for direct non- medical costs, 1.54% for administration costs and 0.97% for loss of property. CONCLUSION: Our study confirms that compared with the cases of Japan (1.9% of GNP), Canada (1.09% of GDP), France (1.42% of GDP) and Scotland (1.19% of GDP), alcohol drinking incurs substantial socioeconomic costs to Koreans. An active intervention by family physicians is suggested.
Alcohol Drinking ; Alcoholic Beverages ; Canada ; Efficiency ; France ; Gravitation ; Humans ; Japan ; Korea ; Physicians, Family ; Scotland

BACKGROUND: According to previous epidemiologic studies, the metabolic syndrome, dietary and lifestyle factors were associated with colon polyps. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to assess the relationship between the risk of the colorectal adenoma incidence and the individual components of the metabolic syndrome with lifestyle factors such as drinking, cigarette smoking and physical activity. METHODS: Sigmoidoscopic examination for colon cancer screening was performed from January 2002 to December 2003 at the Health Promotion Center of Ulsan University Hospital in Ulsan, Korea. A total of 1,565 subjects underwent satisfactory sigmoidoscopy. The subjects with a history of colon cancer or polyps or inflammatory bowel disease were excluded from the study. Alcohol consumption, cigarette smoking and other confounding factors were included as covariates in the models. RESULTS: After adjusting for age, physical activity,smoking and alcohol intake, the subjects of metabolic syndrome (> or =3 vs. 0 components) combined with cigarette smoking had a positive association with colorectal adenoma incidence (OR 3.63, 95% CI 1.49~8.89). Physical activity was negatively associated the risk of the colorectal adenoma incidence (OR 0.60 95% CI 0.44~0.81). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that clustering of components of the metabolic syndrome combined with cigarette smoking significantly increased the colorectal adenoma risk, but physical activity reduced the risk of colorectal adenoma incidence in Korean adult males after multivariate adjustment.
Adenoma ; Adult ; Alcohol Drinking ; Colon ; Colonic Neoplasms ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Drinking ; Epidemiologic Studies ; Health Promotion ; Humans ; Incidence ; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases ; Korea ; Life Style ; Male ; Mass Screening ; Motor Activity ; Polyps ; Sigmoidoscopy ; Smoking

BACKGROUND: Insulin resistance is one of the underlying causes for atherosclerosis. The monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) plays a crucial role in initiating atherogenesis by recruiting monocytes/macrophages to vessel wall. In this study, we investigated the relationship between homeostasis model assessment-estimated insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and circulating level of MCP-1 in healthy adults. METHODS: By reviewing the medical records of 171 healthy adults, we determined the circulating level of MCP-1, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL- cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, fasting glucose, fasting insulin level and HOMA-IR. We studied the relationship between the variables by Pearson correlation coefficients and multiple linear regression analysis. RESULTS: MCP-1 correlated positively with HOMA-IR (r=0.28; P<0.01). Age, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, triglycerides, LDL-cholesterol, fasting glucose and insulin level also showed stastically significant correlation. Age, gender, HOMA-IR were the variables which affected MCP-1 by multiple regression analysis adjusting for body mass index, systolic blood pressure, triglycerides, and LDL-cholesterol. CONCLUSION: In our study, circulating levels of MCP-1 were associated with insulin resistance. These findings support the potential role of MCP-1 as a biomarker for subclinical atherosclerosis.
Adult ; Atherosclerosis ; Blood Pressure ; Body Mass Index ; Chemokine CCL2 ; Cholesterol ; Fasting ; Glucose ; Glycosaminoglycans ; Homeostasis ; Humans ; Insulin ; Insulin Resistance ; Linear Models ; Medical Records ; Monocytes ; Triglycerides

BACKGROUND: TV viewing and computer use are sedentary behaviors and recent surveys report that they are associated with obesity in children. Association of these activities with obesity or obesity related lifestyles was investigated in this study. METHODS: Using the database of questionnaires and physical check-ups among 4th to 6th grade elementary school students in Incheon, the association of television viewing and internet using time with obesity and obesity related factors (dietary habits, and physical activities) were investigated. A total of 2,750 students (1,100 normal weighted/1,650 overweight or obese) were included. RESULTS: In the multiple analyses of computer using time among the boys and girls in weekdays and weekends respectively, according to their obesity degree, except for overweight and obese boys in weekends (P<0.001), there were no significant differences examined. Multiple logistic regression revealed that children who watched TV more than 2 hours per day ate faster (OR 1.27), had breakfast more irregularly (OR 1.41) and ate vegetables more rarely (OR 1.53). The children who used computer more than 1 hour per day in weekdays were faster eaters (OR 1.38) and hardly ate fruits (OR 1.26) or vegetables (OR 1.60). In weekends, the children who spent time more than 90 minutes in the computer were faster to eat (OR 1.46), more snack eating (OR 1.22), less vegetable consuming (OR 1.59) and more obese (OR 1.46, 95%CI 1.24~1.73) compared to the others. CONCLUSION: TV viewing and computer use were associated with several obesity related lifestyles in children.
Breakfast ; Child ; Eating ; Fruit ; Humans ; Internet ; Life Style ; Logistic Models ; Obesity ; Overweight ; Risk Factors ; Snacks ; Television ; Vegetables ; Surveys and Questionnaires

BACKGROUND: Recently, an elevated serum homocysteine level has been reported to be associated with increased fracture risk and reduced bone mineral density (BMD). So far, little research has been done to evaluate such association in Korean population. Therefore, we investigated the association between serum homocysteine levels and BMD in Korean adults. METHODS: The subjects consisted of 2,750 adults who visited a health promotion center at a university hospital from January 2005 to March 2006. Self-administered questionnaires provided information about lifestyle and medical history. Fasting plasma samples were collected and BMD of the lumbar spine and femoral neck were obtained by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. To adjust for menopausal state, the female subjects were divided into three groups according to age (< or =45 yrs, 46~55 yrs, 55 yrs <). Multiple linear regression analysis was used to evaluate the association between serum homocysteine levels and BMD in each gender and age group. RESULTS: The results adjusted for alcohol and smoking history showed significant association between serum homocysteine levels and BMD in women (Lumbar spine: beta=-0.006, P=0.015, Femoral neck: beta=-0.065, P=0.012) but not in men (Lumbar spine: beta=0.001, P=0.240, Femoral neck: beta=0.001, P=0.242). With analyses by three age groups, plasma homocysteine level was associated with both lumbar and femoral BMD in age 46~55 women (Lumbar spine: beta=-0.014, P=0.024, Femoral neck: beta= -0.007, P=0.019). CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that increased serum homocysteine level is an independent risk factor for low BMD among women, especially perimenopausal women. Further studies about the sexual differences and the mechanisms linking serum homocysteine level to BMD are needed.
Absorptiometry, Photon ; Adult ; Bone Density ; Fasting ; Female ; Femur Neck ; Health Promotion ; Homocysteine ; Humans ; Life Style ; Linear Models ; Male ; Osteoporosis ; Plasma ; Risk Factors ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Spine ; Surveys and Questionnaires

No abstract available.
Plagiarism

The prevalence of osteoporosis was increased. Bisphosphonates are effective medications for osteoporosis because these are increasing bone mineral density and lowering the risk of fractures. Recently, bisphosphonate associated osteonecrosis of the jaws has been well documented. Most reports relate to complications resulting from intravenous bisphosphonate therapy. Oral bisphosphonates have a good safety profile in the treatment of osteoprosis. A few cases were reported about oral bisphosphonates associated osteonecrosis, and we could not find Korean case in literatures. The aim of this repot is to present a Korean women case of osteonecrosis of the jaw associated with oral bisphosphonate treatment for osteoprosis.
Bisphosphonate-Associated Osteonecrosis of the Jaw ; Bone Density ; Diphosphonates ; Female ; Humans ; Jaw ; Osteonecrosis ; Osteoporosis ; Polymethacrylic Acids ; Prevalence

BACKGROUND: There is an increasing interest in physical activity as a preventive and/or therapeutic option of non alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The aim of this study was to examine the association between physical activity and ultrasound-diagnosed NAFLD. METHODS: From April to June 2007, 198 clients who had consumed alcohol less than 140 gram per week among 598 clients who visited a general hospital for medical check-up were enrolled in this study. Clinical, biochemical variables and physical activity were compared. Physical activity was measured by self-reported questionnaire using IPAQ-short form in Korean version. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent association. RESULTS: The prevalence of NAFLD was significantly lower in the physical active group (more than 1500 MET- minutes per week) compared to the inactive group (9.6% vs 19.2%, P<0.05). This association was not attenuated when adjusted for age, BMI, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, fasting glucose, and HOMA2-IR (Odds Ratio 0.23 [95% CI 0.07~0.77, P<0.05]). CONCLUSION: Compared to the physically inactive group, the risk of NAFLD was lower in the physically active group. Our data suggests that regular and moderate physical exercise can prevent the development of fatty liver disease.
Cholesterol, HDL ; Exercise ; Fasting ; Fatty Liver ; Fatty Liver, Alcoholic ; Glucose ; Hospitals, General ; Logistic Models ; Motor Activity ; Obesity ; Prevalence ; Triglycerides ; Surveys and Questionnaires

BACKGROUND: This study was carried out to determine the usefulness of regional body fat measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) by examining the relationship between regional body fat and metabolic risk factors. METHODS: A total of 98 women aged 18~65 years with central obesity (waist circumference > or =80 cm) took the evaluation for metabolic risk factors (blood pressure, fasting glucose, insulin, high sensitive c-reactive protein (hs-CRP), lipid profile, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR)) and the anthropometric measurement, and regional body fat measurement using DEXA. The relationship of regional body fat with the metabolic risk factors, the metabolic syndrome (MS) defined by the International Diabetes Federation and insulin resistance (IR, defined by HOMA-IR> or =2.48) were assessed. The analyses were conducted using regression and logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: After adjustment for age and total body fat (%), legs fat (%) was significantly and negatively associated with LDL-C, triglyceride, HOMA-IR, and hs-CRP, while positively with HDL-C. The 1% increase of legs fat was associated with the MS by odds ratio of 0.82 (95% C.I 0.71~0.96) and with the IR by odds ratio of 0.80 (95% C.I. 0.67~0.95). Trunk fat (%) was significantly and positively associated with LDL-C, triglycerides, and HOMA-IR. The 1% increase of trunk fat was associated with the MS by odds ratio of 1.32 (95% C.I. 1.03~1.71) and with the IR by odds ratio of 1.33 (95% C.I. 1.01~1.77). The ratio of android fat to gynoid fat was significantly and positively associated with LDL-C, triglycerides, glucose, and HOMA- IR, while negatively with HDL-C. The 0.1 increase of the ratio was associated with the MS by odds ratio of 1.66 (95% C.I. 1.07~2.60). CONCLUSION: The trunk fat, and legs fat, the ratio of android fat to gynoid fat assessed by DEXA seemed to be useful indicators to predict the metabolic risk factors in women with central obesity.
Absorptiometry, Photon ; Adipose Tissue ; Aged ; C-Reactive Protein ; Fasting ; Female ; Glucose ; Homeostasis ; Humans ; Insulin ; Insulin Resistance ; Leg ; Logistic Models ; Obesity, Abdominal ; Odds Ratio ; Risk Factors ; Triglycerides

BACKGROUND: Elevated plasma homocysteine is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases caused by atherosclerosis. Previous studies have shown that plasma homocysteine is associated with components of the metabolic syndrome such as hypertension, insulin resistance, and dyslipidemia. In this study, we investigated the association between the plasma homocysteine levels and the metabolic syndrome on Korean adults. METHODS: The study group with the metabolic syndrome and the control group without the metabolic syndrome were selected from the examinees of equivalent age and gender in the Health Promotion Center. Among the subjects, 107 adults with the metabolic syndrome and 123 adults without the metabolic syndrome were categorized into the study and the control groups, respectively. Medical history, medication, and life style were recorded through a questionnaire and physical examination was performed on all subjects. We measured fasting glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein, hs-CRP, homocysteine levels and others by blood sampling. The metabolic syndrome was defined by the criteria for clinical diagnosis of the metabolic syndrome by AHA/NHLBI. RESULTS: The mean ages in the study group and the control group were 54.6+/-9.3 and 54.6+/-8.7 years, respectively, and the numbers of males 29 (27.1%) and 39 (31.7%), respectively. The plasma homocysteine was observed to be positively correlated with age, waist circumference, diastolic blood pressure, apolipoprotein A-1, fasting glucose, fasting insulin, HOMA-IR, and hs-CRP. Among the components of the metabolic syndrome, hypertension showed a strong correlation with the levels of the plasma homocysteine (10.62+/-3.92 micronmol/L vs. 9.09+/- 2.63 micronmol/L, P=0.001), whereas hyperglycemia, abdominal obesity, and dyslipidemia did not correlate with the levels of plasma homocysteine. Adjusted homocysteine levels to age, gender, alcohol drinking history, and smoking history was still higher in the study group compared to those in the control group (10.320+/-0.290 micronmol/L vs. 10.320+/-0.290 micronmol/L, P=0.017). CONCLUSION: The results indicate that the metabolic syndrome leads to a higher level of homocysteine in adults after adjustment to age, gender, alcohol drinking history, and smoking history.
Adult ; Alcohol Drinking ; Apolipoprotein A-I ; Atherosclerosis ; Blood Pressure ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Cholesterol ; Dyslipidemias ; Fasting ; Glucose ; Health Promotion ; Homocysteine ; Humans ; Hyperglycemia ; Hypertension ; Insulin ; Insulin Resistance ; Life Style ; Lipoproteins ; Male ; Obesity, Abdominal ; Physical Examination ; Plasma ; Risk Factors ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Triglycerides ; Waist Circumference ; Surveys and Questionnaires