OBJECTIVES: Although previous studies have investigated the correlation between fruit and vegetable consumption and depression, the results remain inconclusive. The present study aimed to investigate the association between weekly fruit and vegetable consumption and depressive symptoms in elderly Koreans. METHODS: A multiple covariate linear regression analysis was performed using the data of 1,226 elderly individuals ≥ 60 years of age who participated in the Korean Elderly Environmental Panel II study from 2012 to 2014. Depressive symptoms were evaluated using the Korean version of the Short form Geriatric Depression Scale (SGDS-K). Generalized linear mixed-effects models were constructed to analyze the repeated measurements of 305 people who participated in the survey every year. RESULTS: After adjusting for confounders, SGDS-K scores were negatively associated with the frequency of weekly fruit consumption as follows (β [95% confidence interval; CI]: -0.17 [-0.28 to -0.05], -0.17 [-0.27 to -0.07], -0.42 [-0.54 to 0.29], and -0.33 [-0.44 to -0.21]) for less than 1 time/wk, 1-3 times/wk, 4-6 times/wk, and daily, respectively, compared to no consumption. The SGDS-K scores were also negatively associated with the frequency of vegetable consumption (β [95% CI]: -0.86 [-1.18 to -0.55], -0.18 [-0.35 to -0.01], -0.36 [-0.53 to -0.18], and -0.15 [-0.29 to 0.00]) in the above order, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Fruit consumption was inversely associated with depression levels in a dose-dependent manner. Although there was no dose-response relationship between vegetable consumption and the level of depression, it was negatively associated with SGDS-K scores.

OBJECTIVES: Although previous studies have investigated the correlation between fruit and vegetable consumption and depression, the results remain inconclusive. The present study aimed to investigate the association between weekly fruit and vegetable consumption and depressive symptoms in elderly Koreans. METHODS: A multiple covariate linear regression analysis was performed using the data of 1,226 elderly individuals ≥ 60 years of age who participated in the Korean Elderly Environmental Panel II study from 2012 to 2014. Depressive symptoms were evaluated using the Korean version of the Short form Geriatric Depression Scale (SGDS-K). Generalized linear mixed-effects models were constructed to analyze the repeated measurements of 305 people who participated in the survey every year. RESULTS: After adjusting for confounders, SGDS-K scores were negatively associated with the frequency of weekly fruit consumption as follows (β [95% confidence interval; CI]: -0.17 [-0.28 to -0.05], -0.17 [-0.27 to -0.07], -0.42 [-0.54 to 0.29], and -0.33 [-0.44 to -0.21]) for less than 1 time/wk, 1-3 times/wk, 4-6 times/wk, and daily, respectively, compared to no consumption. The SGDS-K scores were also negatively associated with the frequency of vegetable consumption (β [95% CI]: -0.86 [-1.18 to -0.55], -0.18 [-0.35 to -0.01], -0.36 [-0.53 to -0.18], and -0.15 [-0.29 to 0.00]) in the above order, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Fruit consumption was inversely associated with depression levels in a dose-dependent manner. Although there was no dose-response relationship between vegetable consumption and the level of depression, it was negatively associated with SGDS-K scores.

Background: Circadian rhythms have gained importance in the field of psychiatry because of their involvement in overall body functions and their association with mental health. This study investigated the relationship between circadian rhythms, depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and chronotype. Methods: Circadian rhythms, depression and anxiety symptoms, hypomanic symptoms, quality of life, hopelessness, and chronotype were evaluated in 30 healthy adults. Results: Multiple linear regression analysis revealed statistically significant correlations between Biological Rhythms Interview of Assessment in Neuropsychiatry (BRIAN) scores and certain factors. Particularly, Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology (p=0.009), Beck Anxiety Inventory (p=0.03), and Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (p<0.001) were found to be significant predictors of the degree of circadian rhythm disruption, as measured by BRIAN. The results showed that irregularity in circadian rhythms was associated with depression and anxiety symptoms, and no significant correlation was observed between chronotype and irregularity in the circadian rhythms. The findings indicated that misalignment between an individual’s chronotype and societal norms, such as work schedules and meal times, could contribute to circadian rhythm disruption, particularly in individuals with an evening chronotype. In contrast, this disruption was associated with an increased risk of anxiety and depression. Conclusion These findings provide important information to better understand the impact of circadian rhythms on mental health.

Background: Circadian rhythms have gained importance in the field of psychiatry because of their involvement in overall body functions and their association with mental health. This study investigated the relationship between circadian rhythms, depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and chronotype. Methods: Circadian rhythms, depression and anxiety symptoms, hypomanic symptoms, quality of life, hopelessness, and chronotype were evaluated in 30 healthy adults. Results: Multiple linear regression analysis revealed statistically significant correlations between Biological Rhythms Interview of Assessment in Neuropsychiatry (BRIAN) scores and certain factors. Particularly, Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology (p=0.009), Beck Anxiety Inventory (p=0.03), and Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (p<0.001) were found to be significant predictors of the degree of circadian rhythm disruption, as measured by BRIAN. The results showed that irregularity in circadian rhythms was associated with depression and anxiety symptoms, and no significant correlation was observed between chronotype and irregularity in the circadian rhythms. The findings indicated that misalignment between an individual’s chronotype and societal norms, such as work schedules and meal times, could contribute to circadian rhythm disruption, particularly in individuals with an evening chronotype. In contrast, this disruption was associated with an increased risk of anxiety and depression. Conclusion These findings provide important information to better understand the impact of circadian rhythms on mental health.

Background: Circadian rhythms have gained importance in the field of psychiatry because of their involvement in overall body functions and their association with mental health. This study investigated the relationship between circadian rhythms, depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and chronotype. Methods: Circadian rhythms, depression and anxiety symptoms, hypomanic symptoms, quality of life, hopelessness, and chronotype were evaluated in 30 healthy adults. Results: Multiple linear regression analysis revealed statistically significant correlations between Biological Rhythms Interview of Assessment in Neuropsychiatry (BRIAN) scores and certain factors. Particularly, Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology (p=0.009), Beck Anxiety Inventory (p=0.03), and Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (p<0.001) were found to be significant predictors of the degree of circadian rhythm disruption, as measured by BRIAN. The results showed that irregularity in circadian rhythms was associated with depression and anxiety symptoms, and no significant correlation was observed between chronotype and irregularity in the circadian rhythms. The findings indicated that misalignment between an individual’s chronotype and societal norms, such as work schedules and meal times, could contribute to circadian rhythm disruption, particularly in individuals with an evening chronotype. In contrast, this disruption was associated with an increased risk of anxiety and depression. Conclusion These findings provide important information to better understand the impact of circadian rhythms on mental health.

Background: Circadian rhythms have gained importance in the field of psychiatry because of their involvement in overall body functions and their association with mental health. This study investigated the relationship between circadian rhythms, depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and chronotype. Methods: Circadian rhythms, depression and anxiety symptoms, hypomanic symptoms, quality of life, hopelessness, and chronotype were evaluated in 30 healthy adults. Results: Multiple linear regression analysis revealed statistically significant correlations between Biological Rhythms Interview of Assessment in Neuropsychiatry (BRIAN) scores and certain factors. Particularly, Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology (p=0.009), Beck Anxiety Inventory (p=0.03), and Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (p<0.001) were found to be significant predictors of the degree of circadian rhythm disruption, as measured by BRIAN. The results showed that irregularity in circadian rhythms was associated with depression and anxiety symptoms, and no significant correlation was observed between chronotype and irregularity in the circadian rhythms. The findings indicated that misalignment between an individual’s chronotype and societal norms, such as work schedules and meal times, could contribute to circadian rhythm disruption, particularly in individuals with an evening chronotype. In contrast, this disruption was associated with an increased risk of anxiety and depression. Conclusion These findings provide important information to better understand the impact of circadian rhythms on mental health.

Background: Circadian rhythms have gained importance in the field of psychiatry because of their involvement in overall body functions and their association with mental health. This study investigated the relationship between circadian rhythms, depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and chronotype. Methods: Circadian rhythms, depression and anxiety symptoms, hypomanic symptoms, quality of life, hopelessness, and chronotype were evaluated in 30 healthy adults. Results: Multiple linear regression analysis revealed statistically significant correlations between Biological Rhythms Interview of Assessment in Neuropsychiatry (BRIAN) scores and certain factors. Particularly, Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology (p=0.009), Beck Anxiety Inventory (p=0.03), and Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (p<0.001) were found to be significant predictors of the degree of circadian rhythm disruption, as measured by BRIAN. The results showed that irregularity in circadian rhythms was associated with depression and anxiety symptoms, and no significant correlation was observed between chronotype and irregularity in the circadian rhythms. The findings indicated that misalignment between an individual’s chronotype and societal norms, such as work schedules and meal times, could contribute to circadian rhythm disruption, particularly in individuals with an evening chronotype. In contrast, this disruption was associated with an increased risk of anxiety and depression. Conclusion These findings provide important information to better understand the impact of circadian rhythms on mental health.

BACKGROUND: Physical activity is an important factor for preventing osteoporosis. This study aimed to investigate the association of work- and leisure-time physical activities with osteoporosis in postmenopausal women.METHODS: Data were obtained from the Korea National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey 2015–2016. A total of 2,885 postmenopausal women were included in the analysis. The subjects were divided into 3 groups according to the intensity of the work- and leisure-time physical activities. T-test, chi-square test, and multivariable logistic regression analysis were used.RESULTS: No association was found between work-time physical activity and osteoporosis prevalence. However, a dose-response relationship was found in case of leisure-time physical activity. People with leisure-time physical activity of at least >1,000 MET-min/week showed lower prevalence of osteoporosis.CONCLUSION: An appropriate level of leisure-time physical activity should be recommended to prevent and treat osteoporosis.
Female ; Humans ; Korea ; Leisure Activities ; Logistic Models ; Motor Activity ; Nutrition Surveys ; Osteoporosis ; Prevalence

This study aimed to estimate the medical cost of cancer in the first five years of diagnosis and in the final six months before death in people who developed cancer after human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in Korea. The study utilized the Korea National Health Insurance Service-National Health Information Database (NHIS-NHID). Among 16,671 patients diagnosed with HIV infection from 2004 to 2020 in Korea, we identified 757 patients newly diagnosed with cancer after HIV diagnosis. The medical costs for 60 months after diagnosis and the last six months before death were calculated from 2006 to 2020. The mean annual medical cost due to cancer in HIV-infected people with cancer was higher for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)-defining cancers (48,242 USD) than for non-AIDS-defining cancers (24,338 USD), particularly non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (53,007 USD), for the first year of cancer diagnosis. Approximately 25% of the cost for the first year was disbursed during the first month of cancer diagnosis. From the second year, the mean annual medical cost due to cancer was significantly reduced. The total medical cost was higher for non-AIDS-defining cancers, reflecting their higher incidence rates despite lower mean medical costs. The mean monthly total medical cost per HIV-infected person who died after cancer diagnosis increased closer to the time of death. The estimated burden of medical costs in patients with HIV in the present study may be an important index for defining healthcare policies in HIV patients in whom the cancer-related burden is expected to increase.

Objectives: Bisphenol A (BPA) is used in the electrical, mechanical, medical, and food industries. Previous studies have suggested that BPA is an endocrine disruptor. Regulation of BPA has led to increased use of bisphenol F (BPF) and bisphenol S (BPS). However, few studies have investigated the associations of BPF and BPS with thyroid dysfunction in children. Our study investigated the associations of prenatal BPA and early childhood BPA, BPF, and BPS exposure with thyroid function in 6-year-old children. Methods: Prenatal BPA concentrations were measured during the second trimester of pregnancy in an established prospective birth cohort. We measured urinary BPA, BPF, and BPS concentrations and thyroid hormone levels (thyroid-stimulating hormone, total T3, and free T4) in 6-year-old children (n=574). We examined the associations between urinary bisphenol concentrations and percentage change of thyroid hormone concentrations using multivariate linear regression. We also compared thyroid hormone levels by dividing the cohort according to BPA, BPF, and BPS concentrations. Results: The associations between prenatal BPA and total T3 levels were statistically significant in all models, except for girls when using a crude model. The associations between urinary BPA and BPS concentrations and levels of all thyroid hormones were not statistically significant. However, we observed that lower free T4 levels (-1.94%; 95% confidence interval, -3.82 to -0.03) were associated with higher urinary BPF concentrations in girls only. Conclusions Our findings identified significant associations between prenatal BPA exposure and total T3 levels in all children and between BPF exposure and free T4 levels in girls only.