PURPOSE: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a major public health problem related to increased risks of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. We investigated whether recommended levels of leisure time physical activity (LTPA) decrease the risk of MetS in a community-based prospective cohort study (Ansung and Ansan cohort).MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 3910 adults (1890 men, 2020 women) without MetS examined in 2001–2002 (baseline) were included in this study and followed up from 2013 to 2014. We measured LTPA energy expenditure using the standard metabolic equivalent value [metabolic equivalent of task (MET)-h/wk]. Individuals were categorized into five groups (physically inactive, 0.1 to <7.5, 7.5 to <15.0, 15.0 to <22.5, 22.5 to <40.0, and ≥40.0 MET-h/wk).RESULTS: The mean follow-up period was 11.8 years. Among the cohort, 482 men (25.5%) and 541 women (26.8%) were diagnosed with newly developed MetS. Multivariate logistic analysis revealed a 4.4% lower MetS risk among those performing two to three times the recommended minimum of 7.5 MET-h/wk [multivariate relative risk (RR), 0.956; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.654–1.398] and a 21.9% lower risk among those performing three to four times the physical activity minimum (multivariate RR, 0.781; 95% CI, 0.574–1.063). This association was only significant in females performing three to four times the minimum (crude RR, 0.655; 95% CI, 0.432–0.994).CONCLUSION: We noted that physical activity at more than 2 times the recommended minimum prevents MetS. Healthcare professionals should encourage inactive adults to be physically active during their leisure time to take advantage of its health benefits.
Adult ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Cohort Studies ; Delivery of Health Care ; Energy Metabolism ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gyeonggi-do ; Humans ; Insurance Benefits ; Korea ; Leisure Activities ; Male ; Metabolic Equivalent ; Motor Activity ; Prospective Studies ; Public Health

A 49-year-old man visited the emergency room of Korea University Ansan Hospital with hematochezia starting the day before the visit. Recently, he was on anti-platelet medication due to hypertension. The patient had no definite symptoms other than hematochezia. Digital rectal exam was positive and laboratory tests showed severe anemia. Sigmoidoscopy was initiated and almost no fecal material was observed in the intestinal tract, allowing insertion into the cecum. Active bleeding from the appendiceal opening was noted. On abdominal CT, contrast enhancement was observed at the tip of the appendix. Under suspicion of acute appendicitis, we consulted with a surgeon. The patient underwent appendectomy with partial cecal resection. Pathologic examination revealed a diagnosis of appendix bleeding due to acute suppurative appendicitis. The patient had no further bleeding after surgery and was discharged in a stable state. Careful observation by the endoscopist is necessary for accurate diagnosis of lower gastrointestinal hemorrhage. Appendiceal hemorrhage is very rarely reported, but it has various pathophysiologies. CT scan is useful when appendiceal hemorrhage is confirmed by endoscopic findings. Surgical treatment was needed in almost all cases reported worldwide. If bleeding from the appendix is confirmed, surgical treatment should be considered for both therapeutic and diagnostic purposes.
Anemia ; Appendectomy ; Appendicitis* ; Appendix ; Cecum ; Colonoscopy ; Diagnosis ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage* ; Gyeonggi-do ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Korea ; Middle Aged ; Sigmoidoscopy ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

BACKGROUND: The incidence of cutaneous malignant tumors and premalignant lesions has recently increased worldwide. However, studies investigating the incidence and clinical manifestations of cutaneous malignant tumors and premalignant lesions in Korea are rare, especially in southeastern Gyeonggi-do Province. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the recent trends in the incidence of cutaneous malignant tumors and premalignant lesions in southeastern Gyeonggi-do Province. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 451 cases of cutaneous malignant tumors and 455 cases of premalignant lesions from 2006 to 2016. RESULTS: The average annual incidence rates of cutaneous malignant tumors and premalignant lesions among the total number of outpatients was 0.84% and 0.85%, respectively, and both these rates increased significantly over time. Basal cell carcinoma was most commonly diagnosed cutaneous malignant tumor (50.8%), followed by squamous cell carcinoma (24.6%), malignant melanoma (8.2%), and metastatic carcinoma (5.1%). The most common premalignant lesion was actinic keratosis (60.0%). The mean age of the patients with cutaneous malignant tumors and premalignant lesions was 68.8 years and 70.8 years, respectively. The ratio of male to female patients was 1 : 1.19 for cutaneous malignant tumors and 1 : 2.01 for premalignant lesions. The face was the most common site for both cutaneous malignant tumors and premalignant lesions (at 71.9% and 75.8%, respectively). CONCLUSION: This retrospective study provided data about the incidence and clinical patterns of cutaneous malignant tumors and premalignant lesions among patients in southeastern Gyeonggi-do Province.
Carcinoma, Basal Cell ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Female ; Gyeonggi-do* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Keratosis, Actinic ; Korea ; Male ; Melanoma ; Outpatients ; Retrospective Studies ; Statistics as Topic*

BACKGROUND: The SD Bioline Strep A Ultra (SD, Yongin, Korea) is a recently developed rapid antigen detection test (RADT) for diagnosing bacterial pharyngitis caused by Group A Streptococcus, We evaluated the performance of SD Bioline Strep A Ultra, using the number of colony forming units and color intensity. METHODS: Three throat swabs each were taken from 343 children with pharyngitis who visited pediatric clinics. We evaluated the performance of SD Bioline Strep A Ultra and compared its positive rate with the number of colony forming units, using the Fisher exact test. RESULTS: The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value (95% confidence interval) were 97.4% (94.0–99.1%), 90.8% (85.0–94.9%), 93.0% (88.5–96.1%), and 96.5% (92.0–98.9%), respectively. Positive rate significantly differed by number of colony forming units (P=0.021). ROC plot for color intensity showed 0.938 of AUC (area under curve). CONCLUSIONS: SD Bioline Strep A Ultra showed excellent performance, and its positive rate differed by the number of colony counts. This RADT could be used as a sensitive and semi-quantitative method detecting bacterial pharyngitis.
Area Under Curve ; Child ; Gyeonggi-do ; Humans ; Methods ; Pharyngitis ; Pharynx ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Stem Cells* ; Streptococcus

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of hospital ethical climate and nursing professionalism on patient safety management activity by nurses.METHODS: A cross-sectional correlation study design was used. Participants included 142 nurses from two tertiary hospitals in Seoul and Gyunggi-do, South Korea. Data were collected in April and May 2019 using self-report questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficients and multiple liner regression analysis with SPSS/WIN 21.0.RESULTS: The patient safety management activity correlated positively with hospital ethical climate (r=.32, p < .001) and nursing professionalism (r=.40, p < .001). The patient safety management activity was the factor that most influenced nursing professionalism and position, explaining 21% of the variance (F=12.06, p < .001).CONCLUSION: It is necessary to provide education on professionalism. It is necessary to continuously provide job education and training to nurture competence and quality in professional nurses.
Climate ; Education ; Gyeonggi-do ; Humans ; Korea ; Mental Competency ; Nursing ; Patient Safety ; Professionalism ; Seoul ; Statistics as Topic ; Tertiary Care Centers

PURPOSE: This study aimed to examine the effect of spouses participating in health coaching on stage of the change, health behaviors, and physiological indicators among male office workers with cardiocerebrovascular disease (CVD) risk factors and compare the findings with trainers who provided health coaching only to workers.METHODS: A quasi-experimental pretest-posttest design was used. Convenience sampling was used to recruit participants from a manufacturing research and development company in the city of Gyeonggi province. The health coaching program for the experimental group (n=26) included individual counseling sessions according to workers' stage of change, and provision of customized health information materials on CVD prevention to workers and their spouses for 12 weeks through mobile phone and email.RESULTS: After 12 weeks of intervention, the total score for health behavior, and scores on the sub-areas of exercise and health checkups significantly improved in the experimental group, but there were no significant differences in the scores of stage of the change and physical indicators. The results of a paired t-test showed a significant decrease in the body mass index, abdominal circumference, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, total cholesterol and triglyceride values, and a significant increase in the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol value in the experimental group after the intervention.CONCLUSION: To improve the health of male workers with CVD risk factors in the workplace, sharing health information with their spouses has proven to be more effective than health coaching for only workers. Therefore, it is important to develop strategies to encourage spousal participation when planning workplace health education for changing health-related behaviors.
Blood Pressure ; Body Mass Index ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Cell Phones ; Cholesterol ; Counseling ; Electronic Mail ; Gyeonggi-do ; Health Behavior ; Health Education ; Humans ; Lipoproteins ; Male ; Risk Factors ; Spouses ; Triglycerides

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to examine the mediating effect of meaning in life on the relationship between social connectedness and depression among middle-aged women.METHODS: A descriptive correlational design was employed. One hundred and forty-two middle-aged women who visited welfare centers or churches in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province participated in the study. The data were collected from May to June, 2019 and analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlation coefficients, and multiple linear regression analyses based on Baron and Kenny criteria.RESULTS: Social connectedness was significantly positively correlated with meaning in life (r=.52, p < .001) and negatively with depression (r=−.53, p < .001). Meaning in life was also significantly negatively correlated with depression (r=−.50, p < .001). Furthermore, meaning in life had a significant mediating effect on the relationship between social connectedness and depression (β=−.31, p < .001).CONCLUSION: Our study findings suggest that meaning in life plays an important role in maintaining mental health and well-being for middle-aged women. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a nursing intervention program that can enhance the meaning in life to promote mental health and well-being.
Depression ; Female ; Gyeonggi-do ; Humans ; Linear Models ; Mental Health ; Negotiating ; Nursing ; Seoul

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to identify awareness and competency for Multi-Drug Resistant Organisms (MDRO) infection control in nursing students with experience of clinical practice.METHODS: This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted from March 2019 to May 2019 by including 231 nursing students in four nursing schools located in Seoul, Gyeonggi-do and Chungcheongnam-do. The data were collected using self-report questionnaires.RESULTS: The awareness and the competency for Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) infection control were lower than that of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The agreement between the awareness and the competency of MDRO infection control in participants was low with regard to isolation, contact precautions, and disinfection for MRSA. Also, it was low with respect to disinfection, isolation, contact precautions, and carrier identification for CRE. The awareness and the competency of MDRO infection control exhibited significant positive correlation.CONCLUSION: The infection control competency is required to prevent MDRO infection. In order to enhance the infection control competency, it is important to raise awareness about MDRO infection control by providing education based on the guidelines and the principles of infection control.
Chungcheongnam-do ; Disinfection ; Education ; Enterobacteriaceae ; Gyeonggi-do ; Humans ; Infection Control ; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus ; Nursing ; Schools, Nursing ; Seoul ; Students, Nursing

PURPOSE: The aim of this research was to identify the mediating effect of sleep quality on the relationship between job stress and stress response of shift-working nurses.METHODS: The participants in this study were 150 nurses who had more than 6 months of shift-working experience. A survey was conducted from May to June 2017 in a hospital in Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. The data were collected through self-report questionnaires. The collected data were analyzed using SAS 9.4 program. The analysis was based on Baron and Kenny's model to examine the mediating effects of sleep quality on the relationship between job stress and stress response of shift-working nurses.RESULTS: In the first and second steps, job stress was identified as a significant predictor of sleep quality (β=.29, p=.001) and stress response (β=.24, p=.004). In the third step, sleep (β=.55, p < .001) was observed as a significant predictor of stress response, and the direct relationship between job stress and stress response was not significant (β=.07, p=.291). Sleep quality was found to exhibit complete mediating effect on the relationship between job stress and stress response.CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that strategies for managing the stress of shift-working nurses should include effective ways to ensure sleep quality.
Gyeonggi-do ; Korea ; Negotiating

PURPOSE: This study examined the work-related musculoskeletal pain and quality of life of hospital workers.METHODS: Self-reported questionnaires were sent to 350 hospital workers at Seoul and Gyeonggi-do, of which 341 were returned. The questionnaire had four items that covered the demographic information, areas of musculoskeletal problems, pain rating scale, and quality of life. The analysis was completed using descriptive statistic, and the differences between pain and demographic variables were identified using a chi-square test. The differences between the type of occupation and quality of life were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance and a Kruskal-Wallis test.RESULTS: The 12-month prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal pain was 86.1% of physical therapists, 86.5% of occupational therapists, 77.1% of dental hygienists, and 75.8% of nurses. A significant difference in the general and work related variables was observed between the subject with a physical burden and type of occupation. The most affected pain sites of the physical therapist included low back, hand and wrist, shoulder, and neck. The occupational therapists included the hand and wrist, shoulder, neck, but the nurses and dental hygienists reported the shoulder, back, hand and wrist. A significant difference in the quality of life was noted between the subjects in physical therapists and dental hygienists and the subjects in the nurses and occupational therapists (p=0.00).CONCLUSION: These findings show that hospital workers appear to be high risk for work-related musculoskeletal pain, and the quality of life of physical therapists and nurses was higher than that of dental hygienists and occupational therapists.
Dental Hygienists ; Gyeonggi-do ; Hand ; Humans ; Musculoskeletal Pain ; Neck ; Occupations ; Physical Therapists ; Prevalence ; Quality of Life ; Seoul ; Shoulder ; Wrist