BACKGROUND: This study researched the relationship between shift work and one of its relevant health problems, functional gastrointestinal disorders. The study targeted nurses working at a university hospital, and compared the differences in gastrointestinal disorders of shift workers and non-shift workers and identified causes that significantly influence these symptoms. METHODS: In August 2013, a self-report survey was conducted on nurses working at a university hospital. Among those sent out, 1,201 responded and 851 were used for the final analysis. RESULTS: It was shown that the frequency of gastrointestinal disorders in shift workers was 1.881 times higher than that of non-shift workers. Factors that influenced gastrointestinal disorders included age, marital status, work duration, type of employment, job satisfaction, and perceived health status. Gastrointestinal disorders were seen more often with older age, being married, longer duration of employment, non-regular worker, low job satisfaction, bad perceived health status, and shift works. CONCLUSIONS: To prevent gastrointestinal disorders in nurses who work shifts, a health checkup system should be in place for clinical nurses who are of older age and have longer employment records. To decrease the causes of gastrointestinal disorders, campaigns suggesting regular diet and quitting alcohol use should be held consistently. Also, a category related to gastrointestinal disorders should be added to the employee health checkup for nurses with long work experience.
Diet ; Employment ; Gastrointestinal Diseases ; Job Satisfaction ; Marital Status ; Occupational Health

BACKGROUND: Although the suicide rate in Korea is the highest in the world, only limited studies have been done on suicide and its associated factors. In this regard, we studied a conceptual model and the relationships and interactions of activity of daily living (ADL), social support, depression, and suicidal ideation among elderly women in Korea. METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive study, subjects included 194 community-dwelling elderly women. Their ADL, multi-dimensional scale of perceived social support (MSPSS), depression, and suicidal ideation (SI) were examined. The t-test, ANOVA test, Pearson's correlation coefficient, multiple regression analysis, and structural equation modeling were utilized in data analysis. RESULTS: There were significant correlations between SI and economic status, social support, and depression. Depression was correlated with not only SI but also ADL (r=0.195, P=0.006) and social support (r=-0.337, P<0.001). Absolute fit indices demonstrated that the research model had a good model fit. There were significant factor loading values from depression to SI (standardized estimate=0.157, P=0.023) and from social support to SI (standardized estimate=-0.308, P<0.001). There were two indirect effects from social support to SI and from ADL to SI. The mediating factor of these two indirect effects was depression. CONCLUSIONS: Suicidal ideation in the elderly needs to be prevented; and more attention should be given to this end. Social support programs encouraging family participation are greatly effective in prevention of senior citizens' suicidal ideation.
Activities of Daily Living ; Aged* ; Depression ; Female ; Humans ; Korea ; Negotiating ; Statistics as Topic ; Suicidal Ideation* ; Suicide

BACKGROUND: This is a study of the prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which shows high mortality worldwide, and the effects of smoking on COPD by using data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey V. METHODS: FEV1/FEV6<0.73 was used as a diagnostic criterion of COPD. Frequency analysis for prevalence, descriptive statistics for general characteristics and ventilation rate according to age-specifications, and complex sample logistic regression analysis for the effect of smoking on COPD prevalence were used. IBM SPSS Statistics 21 Standard, Complex Samples for Medical Science(Windows) was used for data analysis(alpha=0.05). RESULTS: Prevalence of COPD was 11.6+/-0.5% of Koreans in their forties or over, and 17.5+/-0.8% in males, and 6.2+/-0.5% in females. There was significant increase of COPD prevalence with age increment. Before adjusting for age and smoking index(SI), the COPD possibilities of past and current-smokers compared with non-smoking males were (odds ratio [OR] 2.112 [95% confidence interval [CI] 1.551-2.875]) and (OR 1.834 [95% CI 1.319-2.551]) respectively. After adjustments with age and SI, the COPD possibility of current-smoking was 2.099 (1.382-3.188) times higher and for past-smoking was 1.463 (1.012-2.115) times higher than non-smoking. The P-value of each group was significant. The regression coefficients (B) of current-smoking and past-smoking were 0.741 and 0.380 respectively. The prevalence of COPD increased 1.102 (1.090-1.115) times for every 1 year of age increase, and 1.012 (1.007-1.018) times for every 1 SI increase (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: After adjusting for age and SI, the prevalence of COPD in smokers was higher than non-smokers. And current-smoking had a higher OR and higher B than past-smoking.
Female ; Humans ; Korea ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Mortality ; Nutrition Surveys* ; Prevalence* ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive* ; Smoke* ; Smoking* ; Ventilation

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation between yoga and autonomic nervous system in women with metabolic syndrome. METHODS: A randomized controlled study was performed in participants recruited from a public center for managing chronic diseases located in Gyeong-gi Province. The 39 women participants diagnosed with metabolic syndrome were randomly assigned to the 12-week yoga exercise group (n=22) or the wait-listed control group (n=17). Biochemical laboratory tests and heart rate variability were measured before and after the 12-week program. RESULTS: In post-menopausal women, the low frequency power of frequency domain significantly decreased in the yoga exercise group compared to the control group (P=0.07). On the time domain of heart rate variability and metabolic syndrome components, there were no significant differences between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Sympathetic activity was decreased in post-menopausal women with metabolic syndrome who practiced yoga. Our results suggest that yoga might be beneficial in improving the autonomic nervous system in post-menopausal women with metabolic syndrome.
Autonomic Nervous System ; Chronic Disease ; Female ; Heart Rate* ; Humans ; Yoga*

BACKGROUND: The incidence of colorectal polyps have been reported to be increasing in those aged 30-40 years who consume fast food, have low physical activity, and use alcohol and cigarettes. We analyzed the characteristics and risk factors of colorectal polyps in asymptomatic adults in Jeju Island. METHODS: Data on 1700 individuals who underwent a screening colonoscopy from 1 July, 2010 to 30 June, 2012 were analyzed based on age, gender, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, blood tests, and behavioral habits including alcohol use, smoking, and exercise. RESULTS: The prevalence of colorectal polyps, including adenomatous and hyperplastic, is 43.1% and is higher in males (P<0.001). The prevalence according to age group shows increasing by age (P for trend<0.001). The most common histologic type of polyp is adenomatous in the <50 years and >50 years age groups, 27.3% and 45.3% respectively. And the percentage of adenomatous polyps has shown an increasing trend along with increasing number and size of polyps (P for trend<0.001). BMI, waist circumference (WC), fasting blood sugar, and triglyceride were higher in males with polyps than males in the control group. BMI and WC were higher and HDL-cholesterol was lower in females with polyps. The incidence of colorectal polyps was higher in male and female smokers (P<0.001 and P=0.035 respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed that older age, male gender, obesity, and smoking are risk factors for colorectal polyps. The prevalence of colorectal adenomatous polyps is 27.3% in <50 yrs, 33.4% in the 40s. For early detection and treatment, we recommend a screening colonoscopy for those with risk factors.
Adenomatous Polyps ; Adult ; Blood Glucose ; Blood Pressure ; Body Mass Index ; Colonoscopy ; Fast Foods ; Fasting ; Female ; Hematologic Tests ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Mass Screening ; Motor Activity ; Obesity ; Polyps* ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors* ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Tobacco Products ; Triglycerides ; Waist Circumference

BACKGROUND: Nutrition label reading is helpful in attaining a healthy diet. Nutrition label use and its related factors have been studied in many Korean articles, but their research samples were the general population and not chronic disease patients. This study aimed to explore the use of nutrition labels and its relation to dietary intake among chronic disease patients in Korea. METHODS: A total of 3160 respondents aged> or =20 years from the 2008-2009 Fourth Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES-IV) participated in the study. Their chronic medical conditions included hypertension, hyperlipidemia, coronary artery disease, diabetes and/or stroke and they were interviewed regarding their use of nutrition labels. Nutrition intake was also estimated by 24-hour dietary recalls. RESULTS: Overall, 10.4% of the chronic disease patients reported to using nutrition labels. The nutrients they looked at first were total calories, fat and cholesterol. Factors related to reading nutrition labels were relatively higher education, high body mass index and lower frequency of alcohol intake in males and relatively younger age and higher education in females. Nutrition label users consumed lower total calories, protein and fat in the male CAD group, lower total calories and carbohydrate in both diabetes and total groups and lower total calories and fiber in the female stroke group. CONCLUSIONS: Our study found that, in Korea, a significantly lower rate of patients with chronic disease read nutrition labels. Strategies need to be developed to improve clinical application of nutrition labels in this population.
Body Mass Index ; Cholesterol ; Chronic Disease* ; Coronary Artery Disease ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Diet ; Education ; Female ; Food Labeling ; Humans ; Hyperlipidemias ; Hypertension ; Korea ; Male ; Nutrition Surveys* ; Stroke

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the complexity of the relationships between socioeconomic status, health behaviors, stress and risks of metabolic syndrome. By applying structural equational modelling, modified generalized conceptual model had described the associations and interactions among them. METHODS: 24,210 participants (8,242 men, 15,968 women) registered with the Korean Health Examinee Cohort (KOEX) between 2004 to 2008. This study collected data on the socioeconomic status, health behaviors, and stress through individual interviews. Socioeconomic status (education, house income, occupation), health behaviors (diet, physical activity, smoking, alcohol consumption) and stress level were defined as exogenous factors. Endogenous variables were risks of metabolic syndrome based on modified National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel-lll (NCEP ATP-lll, 2006). RESULTS: According to model fitness test, these proposed model were acceptable in men, comparative fit index=0.877, incremental fit Index=0.877, Tucker-Lewis index=0.757, root-mean-squared error associated=0.055. These were compatible also in women as comparative fit index=0.924, incremental fit index=0.924, Tucker-Lewis index=0.851, root-mean-squared error associated=0.050. There were sex difference related to risks of metabolic syndrome: in men socioeconomic status (β=-0.08), health behaviors (β=-0.25) and stress (β=-0.25) were relevant, but in women only socioeconomic status (β=-0.25) was relevant (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: A conceptual model properly explains how Socioeconomic status may influence on health behaviors, stress, and risks of metabolic syndrome. Health behaviors in men and socioeconomic status in women had the strongest associations with risks of metabolic syndrome. In addition, socioeconomic status was strongly associated with health behaviors, stress and age.
Adult ; Cholesterol ; Cohort Studies ; Education ; Female ; Health Behavior ; Humans ; Male ; Motor Activity ; Sex Characteristics ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Social Class*

BACKGROUND: Alcohol is personal and social problem around the world. Though binge drinking is associated with the elevation of arbohydrate deficient trasnferrin and r-glutamyl transpeptidase, studies of the relationship between heavy drinking and other biological markers are rare. The purpose of this study is to investigate the association between heavy drinking and CBC figures through flushing and non flushing using both NIAAA and Korean guidelines. METHODS: The subjects were 581 Korean adult males: who had undergone a comprehensive medical evaluation at Chungnam National University Hospital between June and December of 2013. 98 of total were non-drinkers, 225 of them flushers, and the rest 258 of them were non-flushers. One standard drink is defined as any drink that contains 14 grams of alcohol. Criteria for immoderate drinking was applied to greater than 14 glasses/week and more than 8 glasses on any day for a non-flush group with reference to the United States' guideline (National Institute in Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, NIAAA) and South Korean guideline, and it was also applied to greater than seven glasses/week, and more than four glasses on any day for a flushing group. It was to investigate whether immoderate drinking would be predictable according to increased mean corpuscular volume (MCV), decreased hemoglobin (Hb), and decreased platelet (PLT). Our investigation was to find the correlation with the increased MCV, decreased Hb, and decreased PLT as a means of predictions for immoderate drinking. The study was to examine the CBC's predictability of immoderate drinking through a combination of increased MCV, decreased Hb, or decreased PLT. If one of these three items were abnormal: group A, if two of the three items were abnormal: group B. RESULTS: Predictability of group A was 23.1% in flushing drinkers and 21.7% in non-flushing drinkers for US NIAAA immoderate drinking, whereas 30.8% in flushing drinkers and 30.4% in non-flushing drinkers considering Korean guideline immoderate drinking. Predictability of B group was 100% in flushing and non-flushing drinkers for both NIAAA guidelines and Korean guidelines. CONCLUSIONS: It is desirable for physicians to use any combination of the three CBC indicators (increased MCV, decreased Hb, or decreased PLT) for predicting immoderate drinking.
Adult ; Alcoholism ; Binge Drinking ; Biomarkers ; Blood Cell Count* ; Blood Platelets ; Chungcheongnam-do ; Drinking* ; Erythrocyte Indices ; Eyeglasses ; Flushing* ; Glass ; Humans ; Male ; National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (U.S.) ; Social Problems

BACKGROUND: Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have increased likelihood of hypertension, which may lead to increased mortality rates. This study investigated the incidence of hypertension in patients with COPD according to the levels of their physical activities. METHODS: This study used data from the fifth Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, conducted from 2010 to 2012, including 1,243 people aged 40 years or older with COPD who were cross-classified according to their levels of physical activity. The relevance of morbidity associated with high blood pressure was also evaluated through cross and logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: Among patients with COPD who performed moderate-intensity physical activities, the group without hypertension had 4.3% higher compared to the group with hypertension (P=0.012). Adjusted analysis for patient age, sex, body mass index, smoking, drinking habit, income, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, and energy intake performed to determine the relationship between physical activity level and hypertension revealed that patients with moderate-intensity physical activity had 53.6% lower (95% confidence interval: 0.288-0.997) incidence of hypertension. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the current study suggest that patients with COPD who perform moderate-intensity physical activity have a lower incidence of hypertension.
Body Mass Index ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Drinking ; Energy Intake ; Humans ; Hyperlipidemias ; Hypertension* ; Incidence ; Logistic Models ; Mortality ; Motor Activity* ; Nutrition Surveys ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive* ; Smoke ; Smoking

BACKGROUND: Weight overestimation of Korean Americans may be associated with dietary habits and preferences for foods and tastes. METHODS: The subjects were 100 Korean Americans in New York City and LA and 100 Koreans in Seoul, who were 20-29 years old. Self-reported questionnaire consisted of age, height, weight, length of residence in US, preferences for 10 foods and 5 tastes, dietary habits and perception of self body image. Korean Americans were further divided into 3 groups according to length of residence in US. RESULTS: More Korean American women underestimated (27.3% vs. 5.8%), and less overestimated their body weights, than Korean women (31.8% vs. 53.8%, P=0.008). Korean Americans who overestimated their own body weights had significantly higher preference for salty taste and significantly lower dietary habit score regarding regular meals. CONCLUSIONS: Overestimation of self body size, rather than longer residence in US may be associated with the undesirable dietary habit and taste preference of Korean Americans, highlighting the importance of correct body image.
Asian Americans ; Body Image ; Body Size ; Body Weight ; Female ; Food Habits ; Food Preferences ; Humans ; New York City ; Surveys and Questionnaires