BACKGROUND: This research has been performed to recognize their current attention on the purpose further improvement and management of health understanding co - relation between working and stress through the survey of smoking and alcohol drinking as an object of salary men and women. METHODS: The questionnaire toward the their general situation and interest of health status (smoking alcohol drinking, stress, joy and sadness) was distributed and surveyed as an object of full members of hospital which is located at Suwon in 1999. The form of the Questionnaire was comfortable answer, multiple choice which was composed of 125 question. The object of survey was all members of hospital (about 1940 person). However, finally 483 person was recommended among collected 492 pieces out of distributed 600 pieces. RESULTS: The age range of objects was 21-64 years old. Average age was 31 years old, male was 175 persons (36.2%) and female was 308 persons (63.8%). Smoking rate per sex was that female was 2 Person (0.7%) among 299 persons and male was 118 person (68.2%) among 173 persons. Thirties of age group was the most majorities as 78 person among 120 smokers. The reason for smoking is that habit was 79 persons (52.0%) next to relief of stress was 51 persons (33.6%). There was significant differences (p<0.05) whether present health due to smoking affects future health Alcohol drinking rate is 75.937f (30 poisons). There is no sexual differences. (M: 76.3%, F: 75.7%) Dining together a primary reason of alcohol drinking is 222 persons (65.1%), next to stress is 92 persons (27.0%). 146 persons considered that alcohol drinking is helpful for life. However 63 persons (19.67f) was concerned that alcohol drinking affected health and 197 persons (61.6%) agreed that alcohol drinking affected health not now for the future. It is proved that there is significant differences whether present status of health affects future one of those.356 patients (78.5%) answered that they are stressed at present showed especially significant high rate to female (p<0.01). 287 Patients (64.37) considered that there is an abnormal symptoms due to stress. There is significant relation between stress and health (r =0.46, p<0.01). 279 persons answered that company is an object of stress whether 48 persons is family as that. 322 persons (74.4%) considered that stress of working (family) affects family (working) showed that there is significant differences (p<0.01).353 persons (83.57) answered that stress is worst to health among stress , smoking, alcohol drinking. However, it is not significant differences statistical that there is relation between stress, smoking, alcohol drinking by sex and age. CONCLUSION: Stress was no relation to smoking and alcohol drinking. It might be considered that stress is worst to health than smoking and alcohol drinking. It affects health abnormally.
Adult ; Alcohol Drinking* ; Female ; Gyeonggi-do ; Humans ; Male ; Salaries and Fringe Benefits ; Smoke* ; Smoking* ; Surveys and Questionnaires

BACKGROUND: Possible risk factors relating to the development of insulin resistance was analyzed and the clinical availability of metabolic syndrome on insulin resistance was examined to evaluate the relationship between the metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance. METHODS: A total of 993 clients were selected according to the criteria of clinical identification by NCEP-ATP III. The metabolic syndrome group was 502 subjects and the control group was 491 subjects. Sociodemographic data and lifestyle factors were surveyed by questionnaire. Height, weight, blood pressure, fasting blood cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL cholesterol, glucose, and insulin levels were measured. W/BH ratio, AI, and HOMA-IR were calculated and analyzed in relation to cardiovascular risk factors. RESULTS: In the metabolic syndrome group, men were significantly greater than women (P<0.05). The mean age and BMI in the metabolic syndrome group were significantly higher than controls (P<0.05). The cut-off point for cardiovascular risk factor using the ROC curve with W/BH ratio was 0.529, AI 4.34, HOMA-IR 1.94, and Insulin 6.35 uIU. The area under the ROC curve for variables was significantly greater than the reference value (P=0.000). Therefore, W/BH ratio was a strong predictor of incident metabolic syndrome. The study subjects were grouped according to insulin resistance and then the relationship of cardiovascular risk factors was evaluated. Odds ratios of hypertension, hypertriglyceridemia, and low HDL-cholesterolemia were significantly increased in the metabolic syndrome group (P<0.05), while the individuals with insulin resistance had a much higher incident diabetes than those without it, regardless of whether NCEP criteria for metabolic syndrome was met. The risk of insulin resistance in relation to metabolic risk factors tended to increase after adjustment of life style factors. CONCLUSION: The diagnostic criteria for the metabolic syndrome was useful in finding out early stage of insulin resistance as an indirect measurement tool. Incident diabetes related to insulin resistance regardless of the presence of metabolic syndrome. Therefore, clinical treatment and life style modification in metabolic syndrome patients may decrease the development of cardiovascular disease and contribute to health promotion. Further study is needed to follow-up on metabolic syndrome patients.
Blood Pressure ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Cholesterol ; Cholesterol, HDL ; Fasting ; Female ; Glucose ; Health Promotion ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Hypertriglyceridemia ; Insulin ; Insulin Resistance ; Life Style ; Male ; Odds Ratio ; Reference Values ; Risk Factors* ; ROC Curve ; Triglycerides ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the primary cause of death in Korea. Hyperhomocysteinemia confers an independent risk for CVD comparable to the risk of smoking and hyperlipidemia. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of cardiovascular risk factors and body composition change on homocysteine (Hcy) levels in Korean men and women. The association between body composition and Hcy levels was investigated in a 2-yr prospective cohort study of 2,590 Koreans (mean age 45.5+/-9.6 yr). There were 293 cases of hyperhomocysteinemia (>14 microM/L) at follow-up. Increases in total body fat proportion and decreases in lean body mass (LBM) were significantly associated with increases in Hcy concentration after controlling for confounding factors. Further adjustments for behavioral factors showed that decreases in LBM were associated with Hcy increase. Decrease in LBM also predicted hyperhomocysteinemia at follow-up, after controlling for confounding factors. There was no significant association between change in body mass index (BMI) and Hcy concentrations over time. Hcy changes over time were related to change in LBM and body fat content, whereas BMI or weight change did not predict change in Hcy levels. Changes in ratio of LBM to total fat mass may contribute to hyperhomocysteinemia.
Adipose Tissue ; Body Composition/*physiology ; Body Mass Index ; Cardiovascular Diseases/metabolism ; Female ; Homocysteine/*blood ; Humans ; Hyperhomocysteinemia/*metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Republic of Korea

BACKGROUND: As prostate cancer in men is increasing in Korea, the need for early detection by mass screening has become an important issue. Screening tests for early detection of prostate cancer are digital rectal examination, transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS) and prostate specific antigen (PSA) test. PSA test has been mainly used for prostate cancer screening in health promotion centers. However, PSA has a high sensitivity but low specificity. Therefore, PSA concentration can be increased not only in prostate cancer, but also in several benign prostate diseases such as benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH), prostatitis, and prostate ischemia. Also, PSA concentration can increase in the elderly. Therefore, we investigated the results of follow-up PSA tests, in the cases of increased PSA concentration on screening. METHODS: In 538 cases, the PSA concentration were increased over 2.5 ng/ml among total 17,302 males checked up on screening test at Ajou University Hospital from January 1999 to December 2001. Two hundred and four cases followed up with TRUS or prostate biopsy were chosen. We investigated 89 cases who performed follow- up PSA test. On the basis of the results of biopsy or TRUS, the subjects were classified into non-disease group, benign prostate disease group and prostate cancer group (possible or confirmed prostate cancer group). RESULTS: The mean age of non-disease group was 35.5 5.9 years, which was significantly lower than that of benign prostate disease group and prostate cancer group (P<0.05). Compared to the mean age of prostate cancer group (60.6 10.4 years) and non-prostate cancer group (53.1 12.3 years), prostate cancer group was significantly older than non prostate cancer group (P=0.005). When the lower limit of age was set to 40 years (mean-2SD), confirmed prostate cancer group was significantly older than other groups (p<0.001). The PSA concentration of confirmed prostate cancer group (11.33 7.58 ng/ml) was significantly higher than that of non-prostate disease group (4.35 2.22 ng/ml) and possible prostate cancer group (4.44 2.29 ng/ml) (P<0.05). The follow-up PSA level of confirmed prostate cancer group (10.13 6.13 ng/ml) was significantly higher than that of non-prostate disease group (2.55 0.97 ng/ml), BPH group (4.33 3.80 ng/ml), prostatitis group (3.61 2.17 ng/ml), prostate cyst group (3.00 1.86 ng/ml) and possible prostate cancer group (3.81 2.82 ng/ml) (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: It is recommended that screening test for prostate cancer be performed after the age of 40. While follow-up PSA test is needed when the PSA is increased up to less than 10 ng/ml, prostate biopsy may be desired in the PSA value of 10.0 ng/ml or greater.
Aged ; Biopsy ; Digital Rectal Examination ; Follow-Up Studies ; Health Promotion ; Humans ; Hyperplasia ; Ischemia ; Korea ; Male ; Mass Screening ; Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 1 ; Prostate* ; Prostate-Specific Antigen* ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; Prostatitis ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Ultrasonography

Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome is a systemic disease with a clinical spectrum ranging from subcorneal pustules, patterned exfoliation to extensive erosion and peeling of skin by the exfoliative toxin of group II Staphylococcus aureus. This disease occurs mainly in infancy and children below five years and it isn't easy to differentiate from other vesicular diseases clinically, but skin biopsy shows an epidermal split at the granular layer. The form and severity of staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome will vary according to defense system and toxic factors. Treatment is effective antibiotics, and the mortality rate increases to 5% in children. In our four cases, symptoms were erythema and fever, followed by formation of large bullae and denuded skin. On laboratory findings, leukocytosis was noted in three cases, and S. aureus was confirmed by culture of eye discharge in all cases. Our cases improved with antibiotic therapy. We experienced four cases of staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome which were presented with vesicle and exfoliative skin lesion and treated successfully.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Biopsy ; Child ; Erythema ; Fever ; Humans ; Leukocytosis ; Mortality ; Skin ; Staphylococcal Scalded Skin Syndrome* ; Staphylococcus aureus

BACKGROUND: Elevated plasma total homocysteine causes the risk of cardiovascular diseases. By reducing plasma total homocysteine may prevent cardiovascular diseases. Many studies showed that vitamin B12 and folic acid decrease homocysteine level when taken with calcium fortified drinking water. Our aim of this study was to demonstrate the association between plasma homocysteine concentrations and daily calcium intake. METHODS: Among 636 adults aged 40-69 years who visited a health promotion center of a university hospital from May 2006 to April 2007, the study subjects were 567 who completed self-reported questionnaire. Self-reported calcium intake amount and their baseline health questionnaire were obtained. We measured height and weight by physical examination. Through blood test, total cholesterol, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, plasma creatinine and homocysteine level were evaluated. RESULTS: The mean daily calcium intake of entire subjects was 770.1 +/- 266.3 mg. The mean plasma homocysteine concentration was 10.6 +/- 4.3 micromol/L. The multiple regression analysis showed significant correlations between plasma homocysteine level and body mass index, plasma creatinine level and calcium intake. Plasma homocysteine level was inversely associated with dietary calcium intake. CONCLUSION: We found the calcium was inversely associated and homocysteine level an independent risk factor of cardiovascular diseases. However, further studies should be established to confirm if greater calcium intake may lower plasma homocysteine level.
Adult ; Aged ; Body Mass Index ; Calcium ; Calcium, Dietary ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Cholesterol ; Creatinine ; Drinking Water ; Folic Acid ; Health Promotion ; Hematologic Tests ; Homocysteine ; Humans ; Lipoproteins ; Physical Examination ; Plasma ; Risk Factors ; Vitamin B 12

BACKGROUND: Obesity causes several changes in the body and is associated with both inflammation and oxidative stress. However, the relationship between abdominal obesity, diacron-reactive oxygen metabolites (d-ROMs), and biological antioxidant potential (BAP) levels in Korean adults has not yet been proved. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between d-ROMs, BAP levels, and abdominal obesity in the Korean adult population using clinical data. METHODS: A total of 2,367 individuals, aged 18–86 years, were identified from health check-up examination records at a university hospital, between January 2015 and August 2016. Clinical and biochemical parameters, including waist circumference, lipid profile, alcohol drinking status, and smoking status, were investigated. Oxidative stress levels, viz., d-ROM concentration and antioxidant capacity, viz., BAP, were measured. RESULTS: Subjects with abdominal obesity presented significantly higher levels of d-ROMs compared to those with a normal waist circumference (P<0.001). After adjusting for age, sex, alcohol drinking status; smoking status; and triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein levels were found to have a significant positive correlation with abdominal obesity (P<0.001). BAP did not significantly correlate with abdominal obesity. CONCLUSION: We observed a positive association between abdominal obesity and d-ROM concentration. This result indicates that abdominal obesity can increase oxidative stress and may affect the pathways involved in obesity, such as the inflammatory pathway. Such correlation analyses were helpful in revealing the causes, as well as methods to reduce, oxidative stress.
Adult ; Alcohol Drinking ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Lipoproteins ; Obesity ; Obesity, Abdominal ; Oxidative Stress ; Oxygen ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Triglycerides ; Waist Circumference

Obesity and the metabolic syndrome are closely related and have become increasingly prevalent in Korea. The cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors comprising the metabolic syndrome have previously been associated with increased hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPAA) activity, but the associations have not been extensively examined in non-Caucasian populations. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationships between cortisol, adiposity and the metabolic syndrome in a Korean population. A total of 1,881 adults participated in the study between January 2001 and February 2008. Sociodemographic data were assessed by questionnaires. Body composition, clinic blood pressures as well as metabolic variables including glucose, insulin, and lipid profile were assessed and analyzed in relation to cortisol levels. Mean age of the participants was 58.7 +/- 10.8 yr. Higher levels of cortisol was associated with elevated blood pressure, fasting glucose and total cholesterol in men, and between cortisol and systolic blood pressure, fasting glucose and total cholesterol in women. There was an increased risk for the metabolic syndrome associated with higher cortisol levels in both men (P < 0.001) and women (P = 0.040) adjusting for age and body mass index. Higher cortisol levels are associated with several CVD risk factors and the metabolic syndrome, independent of overall of adiposity level, in Korean men and women.
Adult ; Age Factors ; Aged ; Blood Glucose/analysis ; Blood Pressure ; Body Mass Index ; Cardiovascular Diseases/etiology ; Cholesterol/blood ; Female ; Humans ; Hydrocortisone/*blood ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Metabolic Syndrome X/blood/*etiology ; Middle Aged ; Obesity/blood ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Republic of Korea ; Risk Factors

This study was to assess the relation of thyroid dysfunction to metabolic syndrome (MetS) at an earlier stage in Korean population. Metabolic parameters such as body composition, blood pressure (BP), fasting glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride (TG), HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C), LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and free thyroxine 4 (fT4) were measured. During a mean follow-up of 3 yr, 5,998 Koreans ages over 18 yr were assessed. There were 694 cases of MetS at follow-up. The mean age of the subjects was 45.6 +/- 9.5 yr. Mean level of TSH was 2.02 +/- 1.50 mIU/L, mean level of fT4 was 1.23 +/- 0.20 rhoM/L. At baseline, TSH levels and fT4 levels were associated to waist circumference, BP, glucose and lipids in the subjects. Increase in systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure (DBP), total cholesterol and TG were significantly associated with changes in TSH levels after adjustment. Changes in DBP, TG, HDL-C and fasting glucose were significantly associated with changes in fT4 levels after adjustment. Increase in TSH levels even after further controlling for baseline TSH level predicted the MetS over the study period. In conclusion, there is a relationship between thyroid function and cardiovascular risk factors, such as BP, total cholesterol, TG, HDL-C and fasting glucose. Also, higher levels of TSH may predict the MetS in Korean.
Adult ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Blood Glucose/analysis ; Blood Pressure ; Cholesterol, HDL/blood ; Cholesterol, LDL/blood ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Metabolic Syndrome X/*physiopathology ; Middle Aged ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Republic of Korea ; Risk Factors ; Thyroid Gland/*physiopathology ; Thyrotropin/blood ; Thyroxine/blood ; Triglycerides/blood ; Waist Circumference

BACKGROUND: Obesity and metabolic syndrome are closely correlated where previous studies showed that adipocytes release many inflammatory substances. HsCRP is an indicator of an independent risk factor in coronary heart disease. The aim of this study was to investigate the difference of hsCRP in different types of obese patients. METHODS: We analyzed the data of 7,183 middle-aged Korean adults between the ages of 40 and 60 (men 4,147 and women 3,036) by using a cross-sectional approach. We divided study subjects into 4 different groups; Normal Group (NG; normal waist and normal body mass index), Centrally Obese Group (OB1; Non-obese group with central obestiy), Obese Group without central obesity (OB2) and Obese Group with central obesity (OB3). We compared the difference of anthropometry, metabolic parameters, and hsCRP. RESULTS: Waist circumference (r=0.230, P<.001) and body mass index (r=0.222, P<.001) positively corresponded with high levels of hsCRP. Higher values of hsCRP were found in the OB3 compared to the NG. However, there was no difference between the OB1 and the OB2. The subjects who had central obesity or the metabolic syndrome showed high hsCRP values. The hsCRP values were the highest in subjects who had central obesity with the metabolic syndrome. But, the value of hsCRP was not significantly different in central obesity subjects with or without the metabolic syndrome. CONCLUSION: The highest value of hsCRP was significantly shown in the obese group with central obesity. However, there were no differences found in the hsCRP levels between the non-obese group with central obesity and the obese group without central obesity.
Adipocytes ; Adult ; Anthropometry ; Body Mass Index ; Coronary Disease ; Female ; Humans ; Obesity ; Obesity, Abdominal ; Risk Factors ; Waist Circumference