No abstract available.
Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma*

BACKGROUND: The individuals with prehypertension are known to progress to hypertension, one of the risk factors of cardiovascular disease, more readily than the group of normal blood pressure. This study was performed to investigate the differences in the risk factors of cardiovascular disease between normotensive and prehypertensive groups, and to identify the determinants of prehypertension. METHODS: Normotensive (N=3,732) and prehypertensive individuals (N=676) were selected from the people who underwent routine medical checkups at the Health Promotion Center (Seoul, Korea). The age, body mass index (BMI), fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL-cholesterol (C), HDL-C, high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)], and the number of white blood cell were compared between the normotensive and prehypertensive groups. RESULTS: The age, BMI, fasting blood glucose, triglyceride, and total cholesterol were higher in the males and females in the prehypertensive group than in the normotensive group. LDL-C, however, was higher and HDL-C was lower in the females in the prehypertensive group than in the normotensive group. The determinants of prehypertension were found to be age, BMI, and triglyceride. CONCLUSIONS: There were differences in the risk factors of cardiovascular disease between the prehypertensive and normotensive groups.
Adult ; Blood Glucose/analysis ; Blood Pressure ; Body Mass Index ; Cardiovascular Diseases/etiology ; Cholesterol/blood ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension/complications/*diagnosis ; Lipoproteins, HDL/blood ; Lipoproteins, LDL/blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Risk Factors ; Triglycerides/blood

BACKGROUND: Prediabetes is the condition associated with the development of type 2 diabetes and a risk of cardiovascular disease. Abnormal homocysteine levels have been found to be associated with atherosclerosis in diabetes, but not well studied in pre-diabetes. In this study we investigated the relationship between blood homocysteine levels and subclinical atherosclerosis in the individuals with impaired fasting glucose. METHOD: Individuals with impaired fasting glucose with fasting blood glucose concentrations of 100-125 mg/dL (1,537 men and 1,563 women) were selected from 10,848 health examinees who underwent an ultrasonographic examination of carotid artery during health check-up over 20 yr. The subjects were divided into 4 quartile groups depending on homocysteine levels. We investigated the association of each homocysteine quartile with abnormal carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and carotid plaque by using logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Factors associated with abnormal CIMT and carotid plaque were age, homocysteine levels, blood pressure, and fasting blood glucose levels. Logistic regression analysis adjusted for gender and confounding factors showed that the third- and fourth- quartile homocysteine level groups had higher odds ratios ([OR]-95% confidence interval [CI])- for abnormal CIMT (1.656 [1.11-2.47], P=0.013, 1.966 [1.32-2.93], P=0.001, respectively) and for carotid plaque (1.608 [1.01-2.56], P=0.045, 1.913 [1.22-3.00], P=0.005, respectively) than did the first quartile group. CONCLUSION: Blood homocysteine levels showed a statistically significant correlation with subclinical atherosclerosis in individuals with impaired fasting glucose.
Atherosclerosis ; Blood Glucose ; Blood Pressure ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Carotid Arteries ; Carotid Intima-Media Thickness ; Fasting ; Glucose ; Homocysteine ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Odds Ratio ; Prediabetic State

BACKGROUND: Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) level is an indicator of the average blood glucose concentration of the past 2 to 3 months. Studies on the association of HbA1c levels with cardiovascular disease have reported inconsistent findings groups stratified by gender, age, and race. Therefore we conducted this study to determine the relationship between HbA1c levels and metabolic syndrome in a Korean population participating in medical check-up programs. METHODS: The study population comprised 7,301 nondiabetic Korean subjects (3,384 men and 3,917 women) who had enrolled for a medical check-up program. All subjects were divided into 5 groups on the basis of their HbA1c levels. Age, blood pressure, abdominal obesity, fasting glucose levels, lipid profile and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels were compared among the groups. In addition, we also investigated the association of HbA1c levels with cardiovascular risk factors and metabolic syndrome. RESULTS: Age, waist circumference, body mass index, blood pressure, hsCRP levels, lipid profile and fasting glucose levels differed significantly among the 5 HbA1c groups, both in men and women. The possibility of the occurrence of metabolic syndrome increased as HbA1c levels increased, both in men and women. Abdominal obesity was the most common component of metabolic syndrome and more prominently occurred in women. CONCLUSIONS: HbA1c levels were significantly correlated to metabolic syndrome among these Korean subjects and abdominal obesity was the most frequently observed component of metabolic syndrome. Thus, abdominal obesity should be treated when high HbA1c levels are detected, particularly in women, even though the patient is not diabetic.
Blood Glucose ; Blood Pressure ; Body Mass Index ; C-Reactive Protein ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Continental Population Groups ; Fasting ; Female ; Glucose ; Hemoglobins ; Humans ; Male ; Obesity, Abdominal ; Risk Factors ; Waist Circumference

BACKGROUND: Thyroid hormones play an important role in regulating lipid and glucose metabolism. Thus this study was conducted to investigate the relationship between the thyroid hormone (FT4) or thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and the cardiovascular risk factors and metabolic syndrome in the individuals with subclinical thyroid dysfunction. METHODS: The female health examinee with normal range of FT4 were classified into three groups according to the level of TSH; euthyroid group (n=4,410), subclinical hypothyroidism group (n=438) and subclinical hyperthyroidism group (n=66). Age, blood pressure, BMI, fasting glucose, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglyceride, lipoprotein(a), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels of serum specimens were compared among the groups and association of FT4 or TSH with these parameters. RESULTS: Fasting glucose was significantly higher in subclinical hyperthyroidism than in euthyroid and subclinical hypothyroidism groups (P=0.031), and total cholesterol was higher in subclinical hypothyroidism than in subclinical hyperthyroidism (P=0.011). But the other factors showed no difference among the groups. The level of TSH increased as triglyceride increased, while FT4 decreased as BMI or triglyceride increased. The FT4 also lowered when fasting glucose was above 126 mg/dL. TSH was not related with the metabolic syndrome, but the possibility of the syndrome was 1.3 times higher in the lowest quartile of the normal range of FT4 than in its highest quartile. CONCLUSIONS: For the interpretation of FT4, its reference interval needs to be divided into 4 quartiles, which can be used as one of the predicting factors of the metabolic syndrome.
Adult ; Aged ; Blood Glucose/analysis ; Cardiovascular Diseases/*diagnosis ; Cholesterol/blood ; Female ; Humans ; Hyperthyroidism/complications/diagnosis ; Metabolic Syndrome X/diagnosis/etiology ; Middle Aged ; Odds Ratio ; Risk Factors ; Thyroid Gland/*physiology ; Thyroid Hormones/blood ; Thyrotropin/blood

BACKGROUND: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of white-matter lesions are different from those of lacunar infarcts; however, both these conditions are related to cardiovascular risk factors. This study was performed to investigate the differences in the relationships of white-matter lesions and lacunar infarcts with cardiovascular risk factors and differences between the metabolic characteristics of patients with these conditions. METHODS: We included 4,255 patients who showed neurological deficits during health checkups. These individuals were classified into the following 3 groups on the basis of MRI findings: normal, white-matter lesion, and lacunar infarct. The groups were compared for age; weights; prevalence of metabolic syndrome; and levels of blood pressure, blood glucose, lipid, high sensitivity C-reactive protein, and HbA1c. RESULTS: Age, body mass index (BMI); waist circumference; levels of blood pressure, blood glucose, triglycerides and HbA1c; and prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its components were the highest in lacunar infarct group, followed by white matter lesion group, and normal group. Age and diastolic blood pressure level were related to white matter lesions, and age, systolic blood pressure level, and blood glucose level were related to lacunar infarcts. Further, the prevalence of the above-mentioned lesions increased with increase of the number of the components of metabolic syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that lacunar infarct is more advanced lesion than white matter lesion. Among all the cardiovascular risk factors, high blood pressure and impaired fasting blood glucose levels were significantly related to white-matter lesions and lacunar infarct.
Blood Glucose ; Blood Pressure ; Body Mass Index ; C-Reactive Protein ; Fasting ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Stroke, Lacunar ; Triglycerides

BACKGROUND: Osteopenia has been recognized as one of the potential complications of chronic liver disease. However, its correlation with hepatits B virus (HBV) carriage has not been reported. Thus this study was aimed to clarify the relationship between osteopenia and HBV carriage. METHODS: Bone density was measured in 192 HBV carrier women and 200 healthy women in the following sites: the lumbar spine and three sites of the proximal femur (the neck, Ward's triangle, greater trochanter) by dual-photon absorptiometry. Liver function tests (AST, ALT, Albumin, GGT, and ALP) were also performed. RESULTS: The levels of the bone density measured at the four sites were significantly correlated with each other (r=0.34 to 0.99, P<0.01). Compared with the control group, HBV carriers showed a significant decrease in the bone density of the femur (P<0.05); the decrease was particularly marked at the Ward's triangle. A negative correlation was found between bone density and serum total alkaline phosphatase level (r=-0.44, P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Osteopenia was more prevalent in HBV carriers, particularly in those younger than 50 years of age. Serum total alkaline phosphatase level was higher in those with a reduced bone density; thus, the measurement of bone density may be indicated in female HBV carriers.
Absorptiometry, Photon ; Alkaline Phosphatase ; Bone Density ; Bone Diseases, Metabolic* ; Female ; Femur ; Herpesvirus 1, Cercopithecine ; Humans ; Liver Diseases ; Liver Function Tests* ; Neck ; Prevalence* ; Spine

BACKGROUND: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has been reported to be related with metabolic disorder and frequently accompanied by abnormal liver function. This study was performed to investigate the metabolic characteristics of NAFLD and its associated factors. METHODS: We analysed 7,150 subjects diagnosed with NAFLD (n=2,381) or normal liver (n=4,769) and classified them into four groups based on ultrasonography and ALT levels as follows: 1) Control (normal liver and ALT), 2) increased ALT (normal liver with increased ALT), 3) NAFLD I (fatty liver with normal ALT), and 4) NAFLD II (fatty liver with increased ALT). Age, blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), fasting glucose, blood lipids, and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) were compared, and the incidence of metabolic syndrome was also determined in each group. RESULTS: The diastolic blood pressure, BMI, fasting glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride, hsCRP, and the incidence of metabolic syndrome, were the highest in the NAFLD II group, followed by the NAFLD I group, the increased ALT group, and the control group in descending order. Meanwhile, HDL cholesterol (HDL-C) was the lowest in the NAFLD II group. Male sex, age, systolic blood pressure, BMI, fasting glucose, triglyceride, LDL cholesterol (LDL-C), and hsCRP were associated with NAFLD (P<0.001). An increased level of ALT in NAFLD was significantly related with male sex, increased BMI, fasting glucose, triglyceride, and LDL-C, younger age and decreased HDL-C (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: NAFLD was related with metabolic syndrome and the risk factors of cardiovascular disease in Koreans. The correlation was more prominent in NAFLD with increased ALT. Thus, a more intensive management is required for the individuals in the NAFLD with increased ALT.
Adult ; Age Factors ; Aged ; Alanine Transaminase/*blood ; Blood Pressure ; Body Mass Index ; C-Reactive Protein/analysis ; Cardiovascular Diseases/diagnosis ; Fatty Liver/*diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Lipids/blood ; Male ; Metabolic Syndrome X/diagnosis ; Middle Aged ; Risk Factors

BACKGROUND: This study was performed to investigate the difference in high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and metabolic syndrome according to the fasting glucose level, especially between the groups of less than 100 mg/dL and 100-109 mg/dL, which were conventionally categorized into normal levels. METHODS: Those who underwent routine medical checkups aged above 20 (male, 3,221; female, 3,334) at a Health Promotion Center (Seoul, Korea) were divided into normal fasting glucose group I (glucose <100 mg/dL), normal fasting glucose group II (glucose, 100-109 mg/dL), impaired fasting glucose group, and diabetes mellitus group. The hsCRP, obesity index, blood pressure, total cholesterol, triglyceride, high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) and lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] were compared among the groups. The hsCRP and the components of metabolic syndrome were compared. RESULTS: The hsCRP level, age, obesity index, blood pressure, total cholesterol and triglyceride significantly increased along with the increment in fasting glucose level in the 4 groups. The hsCRP had a positive correlation with the fasting glucose level, age, and systolic blood pressure, while it had a negative correlation with HDL-C. The metabolic syndrome was more common in the group with a higher level of glucose. CONCLUSIONS: The group with glucose level of less than 110 mg/dL, conventionally categorized into normal range, needs to be subdivided into a group of 100-109 mg/dL and a group of less than 100 mg/dL. The former group seems to require more efforts to have the glucose level to be maintained under the level of 100 mg/dL.
Blood Pressure ; C-Reactive Protein* ; Cholesterol ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Fasting* ; Female ; Glucose* ; Health Promotion ; Humans ; Lipoprotein(a) ; Obesity ; Reference Values ; Triglycerides

BACKGROUND: Although many studies on vitamin D have been conducted, they have not been consistent regarding the method of measurement, the individuals investigated, and the season of blood sampling. Thus, this study was performed to investigate 25-hydroxy vitamin D [25(OH)D] levels and the prevalence of 25(OH)D deficiency by age, region, and season using the standard method for vitamin D measurement. METHODS: A total of 17,252 health examinees (9,180 men and 8,072 women) who were administered the vitamin D test at 16 health promotion centers in 13 cities in Korea from January to December 2013 were selected for this study. Measurements of 25(OH)D2 and 25(OH)D3 were performed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) using the MSMS Vitamin D Kit. RESULTS: The levels of 25(OH)D were significantly lower among women than men. The median 25(OH)D value was lowest among men and women in their 20s when compared to other age groups. We observed the lowest levels in January and February and the highest levels in August, September, and October. The prevalence of 25(OH)D deficiency (having levels of <10 ng/mL) was significantly higher among women than men. When different age groups were analyzed, the highest rates of 25(OH)D deficiency were found in their 20s, and prevalence decreased with age (up to an age of 60 years). Lastly, the prevalence of 25(OH)D deficiency was highest in Seoul and the Gyeonggi area when compared to other regions. CONCLUSIONS: Level of 25(OH)D and the prevalence of 25(OH)D deficiency differed by sex, age, month (season), and region.
Female ; Gyeonggi-do ; Health Promotion ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Mass Spectrometry ; Prevalence* ; Seasons* ; Seoul ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry ; Vitamin D Deficiency* ; Vitamin D*