Sarcopenia is defined the loss of muscle mass and strength with aging. Although the etiology and the pathogenesis, the diagnosis of sarcopenia are obscure, the sequel of sarcopenia, i.e. morbidity and mortality, metabolic complications, are a major public health problem. Particularly, aged people in Korea are increasing rapidly more than expected; therefore the interest of sarcopenia is also increasing rapidly. This article provides an overview of the pathogenesis, and diagnosis, epidemiology, clinical results.
Aged ; Aging ; Body Composition ; Humans ; Korea ; Muscle Weakness ; Muscles ; Public Health ; Sarcopenia

Metformin has been used clinically more than 60 years in type 2 diabetes as the first-line drug for treatment. Metformin has been prescribed in more than 80% of Korean patients with diabetes. Despite long-term use and wide prescription of metformin in patients with type 2 diabetes, many questions remain. Recent advances have revealed a new mechanism of action and new benefits of metformin. In this article, we review recent advances regarding metformin treatment.

OBJECTIVES: There are lack of study for the association between osteoporosis and reduced quality of life in Korean. In this study, the association between osteoporosis and reduced quality of life were analyzed. METHODS: We used the data from the fourth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHNES), and 891 women were enrolled who were over the age of 50. Bone mineral density was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. The quality of life were measured EuroQol-5 Dimension (EQ-5D). RESULTS: The quality of life of osteoporosis patients, were reduced in all dimensions of EQ-5D, except EuroQol;anxiety and depression. However, EuroQol; anxiety depression side (P=0.05) and VAS (P=0.039) of EQ-5D had significant difference among osteoporosis, osteopenia, and normal group even after adjusted with age, weight, waist circumference, and blood levels of vitamin D. In addition, bone density and EQ-5D utility values had positive association even after adjusted with age and weight, waist circumference, blood levels of vitamin D (R2=0.137, B=0.148, P=0.011). CONCLUSIONS: The elderly women with osteoporosis were significantly associated with decreased quality of life. Thus, the quality of life should be considered in treating of osteoporosis patients.
Absorptiometry, Photon ; Aged ; Anxiety ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Bone Density ; Bone Diseases, Metabolic ; Depression ; Female ; Humans ; Korea ; Nutrition Surveys ; Osteoporosis ; Quality of Life ; Vitamin D ; Waist Circumference

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to clarify the relationship between fat, muscle, and bone in elderly men and women. METHODS: We analyzed 1373 men and 1803 women who were older than 65 years from the 2008-2010 Korea National Health and Nutritional Examination Surveys. Body composition and femur neck bone mineral density (BMD) were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Sarcopenia was defined as an appendicular skeletal muscle index (SMI) below one standard deviation (SD). Obesity was classified by fat mass index (FMI). Osteoporosis was defined as a BMD of 2.5 SD below that of femur neck BMD. RESULTS: SMI and FMI were positively correlated with femur neck BMD. In multiple regression analysis, SMI (β = 0.302 in men, β = 0.154 in women; p < 0.001 each) and FMI (β = 0.079 in men, β = 0.179 in women; p = 0.003 and p < 0.001 respectively) had a positive relationship with femur neck BMD. Men with sarcopenia were 3.89 times more likely to develop osteoporosis. Women with sarcopenia were 1.87 times more likely to develop osteoporosis. Sarcopenia was more clinically significant in the development of osteoporosis in men with a fat deficit and women with excess fat CONCLUSIONS: Muscle mass and fat mass were identified as determinants of femur neck BMD in men and women. Among them, muscle mass of men and fat mass of women are the most important determinants of femur neck osteoporosis.
Absorptiometry, Photon ; Aged* ; Body Composition ; Bone Density* ; Female ; Femur Neck* ; Femur* ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Muscle, Skeletal ; Obesity* ; Osteoporosis ; Sarcopenia*

Pediatric patients (younger than 19 years) account for approximately 25% of all emergency patients. Pediatric patients have large proportions of toddlers (aged 1–5 years), low severity, illness (rather than injury), and after-hours visits. Considering these features, the authors, affiliated with the policy research team in the Korean Society of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, suggest the establishment of the pediatric certified emergency center (PCEC) to stratify Korean pediatric emergency medical system according to the Korean Acuity and Triage Scale (KTAS). The PCEC is a facility dedicated to the emergency care for a large population of KTAS 3–4 patients (i.e., mildly ill). In addition, the PCEC may perform early stabilization and transfer to the pediatric emergency centers for pediatric patients having KTAS 1–2 illnesses and injuries. To facilitate the application of emergency centers for the PCEC, the designation criteria should be flexible in terms of manpower, facility, and equipment. Financial support from the government is essential for sustainable PCEC.
After-Hours Care ; Child ; Emergencies* ; Emergency Medical Services* ; Emergency Medicine ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Financial Support ; Humans ; Triage

OBJECTIVES: Osteoporotic hip fractures are associated with high mortality in the older population. Few population studies have reported the long-term trends of incidence and mortality rate of hip fracture among the older in Korea. This study assessed the incidence and mortality rate within 1 year after hip fracture from 2006 to 2015 in South Korea. METHODS: The National Health Information Database was used to identify adults aged 60 years and older with a diagnosis of hip fracture and died within 1 year from hip fracture. Regression analyses were performed to estimate the change of the incidence of hip fracture and the related mortality rate. RESULTS: The events causing hip fracture increased 1.85 times (1.91 times in women and 1.71 times in men), and the incidence of hip fracture increased 1.23 times (1.30 times in women and 1.11 times in men) from 2006 to 2015. The mortality rate after hip fracture decreased by 10% in women; however, it increased by 13% in men. These trends were more prominent in the older population. CONCLUSIONS: Although the mortality rate after hip fracture in women decreased, other parameters associated with hip fracture have worsened during the last decade. Nationwide programs were urgently needed to reduce the future socioeconomic burdens of hip fractures.
Adult ; Cohort Studies ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Hip Fractures ; Hip ; Humans ; Incidence ; Korea ; Male ; Mortality ; Osteoporosis

The authors regret that the standardized incidence rate for age (70–79) in Table 1 published in this paper was incorrect.

Acromegaly is a rare endocrine disorder caused by excessive growth hormone secretion. Its low prevalence poses challenges in studying its long-term prognosis and systemic effects. To address this research gap, we conducted five studies using nationwide cohort data from the Korean National Health Insurance Database (NHID). This review consolidates the findings of these studies, which examined various long-term effects of acromegaly. The results demonstrated significant associations between acromegaly and increased mortality, a higher prevalence of mortality, cardiovascular outcomes, neurodegenerative diseases, depression, end-stage kidney disease, respiratory complications, specifically bronchiectasis, spine & hip fracture, and malignancy. These findings highlight the critical need for early diagnosis, comprehensive care, and long-term monitoring, and underscore the importance of a multidisciplinary approach in managing acromegaly.

Acromegaly is a rare endocrine disorder caused by excessive growth hormone secretion. Its low prevalence poses challenges in studying its long-term prognosis and systemic effects. To address this research gap, we conducted five studies using nationwide cohort data from the Korean National Health Insurance Database (NHID). This review consolidates the findings of these studies, which examined various long-term effects of acromegaly. The results demonstrated significant associations between acromegaly and increased mortality, a higher prevalence of mortality, cardiovascular outcomes, neurodegenerative diseases, depression, end-stage kidney disease, respiratory complications, specifically bronchiectasis, spine & hip fracture, and malignancy. These findings highlight the critical need for early diagnosis, comprehensive care, and long-term monitoring, and underscore the importance of a multidisciplinary approach in managing acromegaly.

Acromegaly is a rare endocrine disorder caused by excessive growth hormone secretion. Its low prevalence poses challenges in studying its long-term prognosis and systemic effects. To address this research gap, we conducted five studies using nationwide cohort data from the Korean National Health Insurance Database (NHID). This review consolidates the findings of these studies, which examined various long-term effects of acromegaly. The results demonstrated significant associations between acromegaly and increased mortality, a higher prevalence of mortality, cardiovascular outcomes, neurodegenerative diseases, depression, end-stage kidney disease, respiratory complications, specifically bronchiectasis, spine & hip fracture, and malignancy. These findings highlight the critical need for early diagnosis, comprehensive care, and long-term monitoring, and underscore the importance of a multidisciplinary approach in managing acromegaly.