Background: Whether depression before diagnosis of dyslipidemia is associated with higher cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk among newly diagnosed dyslipidemia patients is yet unclear. Methods: The study population consisted of 72,235 newly diagnosed dyslipidemia patients during 2003 to 2012 from the National Health Insurance Service–Health Screening Cohort of South Korea. Newly diagnosed dyslipidemia patients were then detected for pre-existing depression within 3 years before dyslipidemia diagnosis. Starting from 2 years after the diagnosis date, patients were followed up for CVD until 2015. Adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for CVD were calculated by Cox proportional hazards regression. Results: Compared to dyslipidemia patients without depression, those with depression had higher risk for CVD (aHR, 1.24; 95% CI, 1.09 to 1.41). Similarly, pre-existing depression was associated with increased risk for stroke (aHR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.06 to 1.53). The risk for CVD among depressed dyslipidemia patients for high (aHR, 1.42; 95% CI, 1.06 to 1.90), medium (aHR, 1.17; 95% CI, 0.91 to 1.52), and low (aHR, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.05 to 1.50) statin compliance patients tended to be increased compared to patients without pre-existing dyslipidemia. The risk-elevating effect of depression on CVD tended to be preserved regardless of subgroups of smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity, and body mass index. Conclusion Dyslipidemia patients with pre-existing depression had increased risk for CVD. Future studies that determine CVD risk after management of depression among dyslipidemia patients are needed.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: We aimed to investigate the association of waist circumference (WC) with body composition among individuals with a normal body mass index (BMI) to distinguish muscle and fat mass, as both affect health differently. SUBJECTS/METHODS: We analyzed dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry data (derived from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Survey, which includes information on fat and lean mass) of 7,493 adults with a normal BMI. Subjects were categorized into four groups of increasing WC. The fourth group was defined as being centrally obese. Each number of subjects are as follows: 1,870, 695, 231, and 39 among men and 3,054, 1,100, 406, and 98 among women. We conducted a sex-stratified linear regression analysis of body composition according to WC group after adjustments for covariates. RESULTS: We observed a positive association of body fat with increasing WC in both men and women (all P for trend: < 0.001). The adjusted mean values for percent body fat with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) according to the four WC groups in ascending order were 17.8 (17.5– 18.3), 21.0 (20.6–21.5), 22.1 (21.5–22.8), and 25.1 (24.2–26.1) in men and 29.7 (29.4–30.0), 32.0 (31.6–32.3), 32.9 (32.4–33.4), and 34.7 (33.2–36.1) in women. However, there was an inverted J-shaped association between muscle mass and WC. The fourth group had a higher percent body fat and lower muscle mass than other groups. The adjusted mean values for appendicular skeletal muscle mass index (kg/m2 ) with 95% CIs according to the four WC groups in ascending order were 7.55 (7.51–7.59), 7.62 (7.56–7.68), 7.65 (7.56–7.74), and 7.22 (7.04–7.41) in men and 5.83 (5.80–5.85), 5.96 (5.92–6.00), 6.03 (5.96–6.10), and 5.88 (5.73–6.03). CONCLUSIONS There was a positive association between body fat and WC among individuals with normal BMI; conversely there was an inverted J-shaped association between lean body mass and WC. Our findings support the WC measurement should be included in obesity evaluations for adults with a normal BMI.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: We aimed to investigate the association of waist circumference (WC) with body composition among individuals with a normal body mass index (BMI) to distinguish muscle and fat mass, as both affect health differently. SUBJECTS/METHODS: We analyzed dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry data (derived from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Survey, which includes information on fat and lean mass) of 7,493 adults with a normal BMI. Subjects were categorized into four groups of increasing WC. The fourth group was defined as being centrally obese. Each number of subjects are as follows: 1,870, 695, 231, and 39 among men and 3,054, 1,100, 406, and 98 among women. We conducted a sex-stratified linear regression analysis of body composition according to WC group after adjustments for covariates. RESULTS: We observed a positive association of body fat with increasing WC in both men and women (all P for trend: < 0.001). The adjusted mean values for percent body fat with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) according to the four WC groups in ascending order were 17.8 (17.5– 18.3), 21.0 (20.6–21.5), 22.1 (21.5–22.8), and 25.1 (24.2–26.1) in men and 29.7 (29.4–30.0), 32.0 (31.6–32.3), 32.9 (32.4–33.4), and 34.7 (33.2–36.1) in women. However, there was an inverted J-shaped association between muscle mass and WC. The fourth group had a higher percent body fat and lower muscle mass than other groups. The adjusted mean values for appendicular skeletal muscle mass index (kg/m2 ) with 95% CIs according to the four WC groups in ascending order were 7.55 (7.51–7.59), 7.62 (7.56–7.68), 7.65 (7.56–7.74), and 7.22 (7.04–7.41) in men and 5.83 (5.80–5.85), 5.96 (5.92–6.00), 6.03 (5.96–6.10), and 5.88 (5.73–6.03). CONCLUSIONS There was a positive association between body fat and WC among individuals with normal BMI; conversely there was an inverted J-shaped association between lean body mass and WC. Our findings support the WC measurement should be included in obesity evaluations for adults with a normal BMI.

BACKGROUND: This study was designed to investigate the influence of family history of hypertension (FH) on hypertension prevalence, management, and healthy behaviors among Korean adults. METHODS: By using data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2014–2016, a cross-sectional study was performed. The study population included 8,280 individuals who underwent health examination and food frequency questionnaire were divided into two groups based on FH. Participants with one or more first-degree FH classified as having a FH. Health behaviors analyzed were low sodium intake, weight management, no smoking, non-risky drinking, and sufficient physical activity. Multiple logistic regression analyses were used to compare outcome variables (hypertension prevalence, awareness, treatment, control, and healthy behaviors). RESULTS: Of a total of 8,280 subjects, 3,626 (43.8%) participants had FH. Presence of a FH significantly associated with the risk of hypertension prevalence (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 2.47; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.01–3.04), awareness (aOR, 1.97; 95% CI, 1.30–2.99), treatment (aOR, 2.61; 95% CI, 1.71–3.98), and control (aOR, 1.77; 95% CI, 1.19–2.64). In contrast, FH was not significantly associated with healthy behaviors. In the subgroup analyses, the normotensives with FH were even slightly less likely to get health check-ups than those without FH (aOR, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.72–0.99). CONCLUSIONS: Although those with FH showed higher prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control rates, health behaviors of those with FH were not higher than those without FH. More attention should be directed to promote the healthy behaviors for management and prevention of hypertension, especially among those with FH.
Adult ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Drinking ; Health Behavior ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Korea ; Logistic Models ; Motor Activity ; Nutrition Surveys ; Odds Ratio ; Prevalence ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Sodium

BACKGROUND: This study was designed to investigate the influence of family history of hypertension (FH) on hypertension prevalence, management, and healthy behaviors among Korean adults. METHODS: By using data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2014–2016, a cross-sectional study was performed. The study population included 8,280 individuals who underwent health examination and food frequency questionnaire were divided into two groups based on FH. Participants with one or more first-degree FH classified as having a FH. Health behaviors analyzed were low sodium intake, weight management, no smoking, non-risky drinking, and sufficient physical activity. Multiple logistic regression analyses were used to compare outcome variables (hypertension prevalence, awareness, treatment, control, and healthy behaviors). RESULTS: Of a total of 8,280 subjects, 3,626 (43.8%) participants had FH. Presence of a FH significantly associated with the risk of hypertension prevalence (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 2.47; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.01–3.04), awareness (aOR, 1.97; 95% CI, 1.30–2.99), treatment (aOR, 2.61; 95% CI, 1.71–3.98), and control (aOR, 1.77; 95% CI, 1.19–2.64). In contrast, FH was not significantly associated with healthy behaviors. In the subgroup analyses, the normotensives with FH were even slightly less likely to get health check-ups than those without FH (aOR, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.72–0.99). CONCLUSIONS Although those with FH showed higher prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control rates, health behaviors of those with FH were not higher than those without FH. More attention should be directed to promote the healthy behaviors for management and prevention of hypertension, especially among those with FH.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of smoking habit change on the risk of cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From the Korean National Health Insurance Service database, we determined the change in smoking habit between the first (2002 and 2003) and second (2004 and 2005) health examination periods. A total of 143,071 men were categorized into baseline heavy (≥ 20 cigarettes per day), moderate (10-19 cigarettes per day), light (< 10 cigarettes per day) smokers, quitters, and never smokers, after which the change in smoking status was determined during the second health examination. The participants were then followed up from 2006 to 2013 for all cancer, smoking related cancer, and lung cancer. RESULTS: Compared to heavy continual smokers, heavy smokers who quit had reduced risk of smoking related cancer (hazard ratio [HR], 0.74; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.56 to 0.97) and tended to have reduced risk of all cancer (HR, 0.87; 95% CI, 0.75 to 1.00). Moderate smokers who reduced the amount of smoking to light levels had decreased risk of all cancer (HR, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.72 to 0.94), smoking related cancer (HR, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.59 to 0.93), and lung cancer (HR, 0.55; 95% CI, 0.38 to 0.79) compared to heavy continual smokers. CONCLUSION: Smoking reduction decreases the risk of all cancer, smoking related cancer, and lung cancer. While smoking cessation should be the treatment of choice for smokers, smoking reduction may serve as an alternative strategy for those who cannot quit.
Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; Male ; National Health Programs ; Smoke* ; Smoking Cessation* ; Smoking* ; Tobacco Products

Background: While hypothyroidism is associated with negative health effects in the general population, older adults with hypothyroidism have better physical function and comparable rates of depression and cognitive impairment relative to their euthyroid counterparts. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between thyroid status and health-related quality of life in Korean older adults. Methods: In this population-based cross-sectional study, 1,060 adults aged over 60 years were classified by thyroid status into four groups based on their thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and free T4 values: overt hypothyroid, subclinical hypothyroid, euthyroid, and subclinical hyperthyroid. The main outcome measure was self-reported health-related quality of life based on the three-level version of the EuroQol-5 dimension (EQ-5D), with utility values of -0.171 and 1.000 corresponding to the worst and best health statuses, respectively. The adjusted means of the EQ-5D three-level version utility values according to thyroid status were determined using a linear regression analysis. Results: In the adjusted analysis, the overt hypothyroid group showed significantly higher EQ-5D three-level version utility values than did the euthyroid group (0.998 vs. 0.908, P=0.000). In the subgroup analyses by sex, the overt hypothyroid group also showed significantly higher EQ-5D three-level version utility values for both men and women than did the euthyroid group (0.998 vs. 0.940, P=0.008; 0.983 vs. 0.882, P=0.001). Conclusion Asymptomatic Korean older adults aged over 60 years with TSH and free T4 values corresponding to overt hypothyroidism have better health-related quality of life than their euthyroid counterparts.

BACKGROUND: The association between change in alcohol intake and metabolic syndrome is unclear. METHODS: This retrospective cohort consisted of 41,368 males and females from the Health Examinees-GEM study. Participants were divided into non-drinkers (0.0 g/day), light drinkers (male: 0.1 to 19.9 g/day; female: 0.1 to 9.9 g/day), moderate drinkers (male: 20.0 to 39.9 g/day; female: 10.0 to 19.9 g/day), and heavy drinkers (male: ≥40.0 g/day; female: ≥20.0 g/day) for each of the initial and follow-up health examinations. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for developing metabolic syndrome according to the change in alcohol consumption between the initial and follow-up health examinations. Adjusted mean values for the change in waist circumference, fasting serum glucose (FSG), blood pressure, triglycerides, and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels were determined according to the change in alcohol consumption by linear regression analysis. RESULTS: Compared to persistent light drinkers, those who increased alcohol intake to heavy levels had elevated risk of metabolic syndrome (aOR, 1.45; 95% CI, 1.09 to 1.92). In contrast, heavy drinkers who became light drinkers had reduced risk of metabolic syndrome (aOR, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.44 to 0.84) compared to persistent heavy drinkers. Increased alcohol consumption was associated with elevated adjusted mean values for waist circumference, FSG, blood pressure, triglycerides, and HDL-C levels (all P<0.05). Reduction in alcohol intake was associated with decreased waist circumference, FSG, blood pressure, triglycerides, and HDL-C levels among initial heavy drinkers (all P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Heavy drinkers who reduce alcohol consumption could benefit from reduced risk of metabolic syndrome.
Alcohol Drinking ; Blood Glucose ; Blood Pressure ; Cholesterol, HDL ; Cohort Studies ; Dyslipidemias ; Fasting ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Linear Models ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Obesity ; Odds Ratio ; Retrospective Studies ; Triglycerides ; Waist Circumference

Background/Aims: Metabolic dysfunction (MD)-associated fatty liver disease is a new positive diagnostic criterion based on hepatic steatosis and MD. However, a comprehensive evaluation on the association of MD and hepatic steatosis with incident cardiovascular disease (CVD) has yet to be performed. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 333,389 participants from the Korean National Health Insurance Service database who received a health examination between 2009 and 2010. Hepatic steatosis was defined using the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey-derived nonalcoholic fatty liver disease scoring system. Cox proportional hazards regression was adopted to determine the adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) for CVD according to the presence of hepatic steatosis and MD, as well as the composite term. Results: This study included 179,437 men and 153,952 women with a median age of 57 years.Hepatic steatosis with MD (aHR, 2.00; 95% CI, 1.89 to 2.13) and without MD (aHR, 1.30; 95% CI, 1.10 to 1.54) significantly increased the risk of CVD compared to no steatosis without MD (reference). However, steatosis revealed no significant difference in the risk of CVD compared to no steatosis among participants with one MD (aHR, 1.09; 95% CI, 0.91 to 1.30). In participants with steatosis, the presence of one and ≥2 MDs had aHR values of 1.25 (95% CI, 0.87 to 1.79) and 1.71 (95% CI, 1.22 to 2.41), respectively, compared to no MD. Conclusions Combined consideration of hepatic steatosis and MD was significantly associated with increased CVD risk and showed better predictive performance for CVD than hepatic steatosis or MD alone.

Background/Aims: Smoking is considered a risk factor for the development of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, the association of a weight change after a change in smoking status and the risk of NAFLD remains undetermined. Methods: This study used the Korean National Health Insurance Service-National Sample Cohort. Based on the first (2009 to 2010) and second (2011 to 2012) health examination periods, 139,180 adults aged at least 40 years were divided into nonsmoking, smoking cessation, smoking relapse, and sustained smoking groups. NAFLD was operationally defined using the fatty liver index. The adjusted odds ratio (aOR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated using multivariable-adjusted logistic regression. Results: Compared to nonsmoking with no body mass index (BMI) change, the risk of NAFLD was significantly increased among subjects with BMI gain and nonsmoking (aOR, 4.07; 95% CI, 3.77 to 4.39), smoking cessation (aOR, 5.52; 95% CI, 4.12 to 7.40), smoking relapse (aOR, 7.51; 95% CI, 4.81 to 11.72), and sustained smoking (aOR, 6.65; 95% CI, 5.33 to 8.29), whereas the risk of NAFLD was reduced among participants with BMI loss in all smoking status groups. In addition, smoking cessation (aOR, 1.76; 95% CI, 1.35 to 2.29) and sustained smoking (aOR, 1.64; 95% CI, 1.39 to 1.94) were associated with higher risk of NAFLD among participants with no BMI change.The liver enzyme levels were higher among participants with smoking cessation and BMI gain. Conclusions Monitoring and management of weight change after a change in smoking status may be a promising approach to reducing NAFLD.