OBJECTIVES: We estimated the population prevalence of antibodies to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), including unreported infections, through a Korea Seroprevalence Study of Monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Retention and Transmission (K-SEROSMART) in 258 communities throughout Korea. METHODS: In August 2022, a survey was conducted among 10,000 household members aged 5 years and older, in households selected through two stage probability random sampling. During face-to-face household interviews, participants self-reported their health status, COVID-19 diagnosis and vaccination history, and general characteristics. Subsequently, participants visited a community health center or medical clinic for blood sampling. Blood samples were analyzed for the presence of antibodies to spike proteins (anti-S) and antibodies to nucleocapsid proteins (anti-N) SARS-CoV-2 proteins using an electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. To estimate the population prevalence, the PROC SURVEYMEANS statistical procedure was employed, with weighting to reflect demographic data from July 2022. RESULTS: In total, 9,945 individuals from 5,041 households were surveyed across 258 communities, representing all basic local governments in Korea. The overall population-adjusted prevalence rates of anti-S and anti-N were 97.6% and 57.1%, respectively. Since the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency has reported a cumulative incidence of confirmed cases of 37.8% through July 31, 2022, the proportion of unreported infections among all COVID-19 infection was suggested to be 33.9%. CONCLUSIONS The K-SEROSMART represents the first nationwide, community-based seroepidemiologic survey of COVID-19, confirming that most individuals possess antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 and that a significant number of unreported cases existed. Furthermore, this study lays the foundation for a surveillance system to continuously monitor transmission at the community level and the response to COVID-19.

Objective: Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is widely used as a screening tool of prostate cancer, although there has been a controversy about efficacy. In Korea, rapid growth of obesity prevalence in adult men is a one of the biggest health problems. The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential association between body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC) and PSA. Methods: We calculated BMI and WC of a total of 25,603 males who visited the Soonchunhyang University Cheonan Hospital Health Promotion Center from January 2016 to December 2020. This was categorized as follows: BMI < 23 kg/m2 (normal), 23 kg/m2 ≤ BMI < 25 kg/m2 (overweight), BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2 (obesity) and WC < 90 cm (normal), WC ≥ 90 cm (abdominal obesity). We analyzed the association between BMI, WC and PSA. Results: The mean PSA value was 1.08 ng/mL, 1.03 ng/mL, and 0.97 ng/mL at normal, overweight, and obesity group, respectively. The mean PSA value was 1.04 ng/mL and 0.96 ng/mL at normal and abdominal obesity group. Thus, the mean PSA value decreased with an increase in BMI and WC category (P < 0.001). The correlation coefficient between BMI, WC and PSA was -0.055, -0.044 and they were statistically significant (P < 0.001). Conclusion We observed a significant negative correlation between BMI, WC and PSA value. Therefore, PSA value should be considered in relation to BMI and WC.

Background: The fatality rate of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) varies among countries owing to demographics, patient comorbidities, surge capacity of healthcare systems, and the quality of medical care. We assessed the clinical outcomes of patients with COVID-19 during the first wave of the epidemic in Korea. Methods: Using a modified World Health Organization clinical record form, we obtained clinical data for 3,060 patients with COVID-19 treated at 55 hospitals in Korea. Disease severity scores were defined as: 1) no limitation of daily activities; 2) limitation of daily activities but no need for supplemental oxygen; 3) supplemental oxygen via nasal cannula; 4) supplemental oxygen via facial mask; 5) non-invasive mechanical ventilation; 6) invasive mechanical ventilation; 7) multi-organ failure or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation therapy; and 8) death. Recovery was defined as a severity score of 1 or 2, or discharge and release from isolation. Results: The median age of the patients was 43 years of age; 43.6% were male. The median time from illness onset to admission was 5 days. Of the patients with a disease severity score of 3–4 on admission, 65 (71.5%) of the 91 patients recovered, and 7 (7.7%) died due to illness by day 28. Of the patients with disease severity scores of 5–7, 7 (19.5%) of the 36 patients recovered, and 8 (22.2%) died due to illness by day 28. None of the 1,324 patients who were < 50 years of age died; in contrast, the fatality rate due to illness by day 28 was 0.5% (2/375), 0.9% (2/215), 5.8% (6/104), and 14.0% (7/50) for the patients aged 50–59, 60–69, 70–79, and ≥ 80 years of age, respectively. Conclusion In Korea, almost all patients of < 50 years of age with COVID-19 recovered without supplemental oxygen. In patients of ≥ 50 years of age, the fatality rate increased with age, reaching 14% in patients of ≥ 80 years of age.

PURPOSE: Genetic variations among prostate cancer (PCa) patients who underwent radical prostatectomy (RP) and pelvic lymph node dissection were evaluated to predict lymph node invasion (LNI). Exome arrays were used to develop a clinicogenetic model that combined clinical data related to PCa and individual genetic variations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We genotyped 242,186 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) by using a custom HumanExome BeadChip v1.0 (Illumina Inc.) from the blood DNA of 341 patients with PCa. The genetic data were analyzed to calculate an odds ratio as an estimate of the relative risk of LNI. We compared the accuracies of the multivariate logistic model incorporating clinical factors between the included and excluded selected SNPs. The Cox proportional hazard models with or without genetic factors for predicting biochemical recurrence (BCR) were analyzed. RESULTS: The genetic analysis indicated that five SNPs (rs75444444, rs8055236, rs2301277, rs9300039, and rs6908581) were significant for predicting LNI in patients with PCa. When a multivariate model incorporating clinical factors was devised to predict LNI, the predictive accuracy of the multivariate model was 80.7%. By adding genetic factors in the aforementioned multivariate model, the predictive accuracy increased to 93.2% (p=0.006). These genetic variations were significant factors for predicting BCR after adjustment for other variables and after adding the predictive gain to BCR. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results of the exome array, the selected SNPs were predictors for LNI. The addition of individualized genetic information effectively enhanced the predictive accuracy of LNI and BCR among patients with PCa who underwent RP.
Aged ; Biomarkers, Tumor/*genetics ; Biopsy ; DNA, Neoplasm/genetics ; Exome ; Gene Frequency ; Genome ; Genotype ; Humans ; Lymph Node Excision ; Lymph Nodes/pathology ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; *Models, Genetic ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Prospective Studies ; Prostatectomy ; Prostatic Neoplasms/*genetics/pathology/surgery

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to report on preliminary data regarding the prevalence of major eye diseases in Korea. METHODS: We obtained data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, a nation-wide cross-sectional survey and examinations of the non-institutionalized civilian population in South Korea (n = 14,606), conducted from July 2008 to December 2009. Field survey teams included an ophthalmologist, nurses, and interviewers, traveled with a mobile examination unit and performed interviews and ophthalmologic examinations. RESULTS: The prevalence of visual impairment, myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism in participants over 5 years of age was 0.4 +/- 0.1%, 53.7 +/- 0.6%, 10.7 +/- 0.4%, and 58.0 +/- 0.6%, respectively. The prevalence of strabismus and blepharoptosis in participants over 3 years of age was 1.5 +/- 0.1% and 11.0 +/- 0.8%, respectively. In participants over 40 years of age, the prevalence of cataract, pterygium, early and late age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma was 40.2 +/- 1.3%, 8.9 +/- 0.5%, 5.1 +/- 0.3%, 0.5 +/- 0.1%, 13.4 +/- 1.5%, and 2.1 +/- 0.2%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first nation-wide epidemiologic study conducted in South Korea for assessment of the prevalence of eye diseases by both the Korean Ophthalmologic Society and the Korea Center for Disease Control and Prevention. This study will provide preliminary information for use in further investigation, prevention, and management of eye diseases in Korea.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Eye Diseases/*epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nutrition Surveys/*statistics & numerical data ; Prevalence ; Republic of Korea/epidemiology ; Young Adult

PURPOSE: This study investigated the statistical methods and the results had reported correlation/regression analysis in the studies of Korean Journal of Women Health Nursing (KJWHN). METHODS: We reviewed 45 studies using correlation/regression analysis for the suitability of the statistical methods and the research purposes, the criteria for analysis of figures, tables and charts had published in the KJWHN from vol 13 (1) in 2007 to vol 15 (4) in 2009. RESULTS: Forty three studies were fitted to their statistical methodology and their research purposes. Eleven studies considered the minimum sample size. Fourteen regression studies used multiple regression and 12 studies used forward method for variable entry. Only one study among the 17 regression studies accomplished scatter plots and residuals examination. Sixteen studies in correlation studies and six studies in regression studies showed some errors in either the title, variables, category of figures, tables and charts. In the regression study, all reported R2 and beta values except one. CONCLUSION: It was found that there were still statistical errors or articulation errors in the statistical analysis. All reviewers need to be reviewed more closely for detecting errors not only during reviewing process of the manuscript but also periodic publication for the quality of this academic journal.
Female ; Humans ; Publications ; Regression Analysis* ; Sample Size ; Statistics as Topic ; Women's Health

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aim of this study was to quantitatively measure changes in lipids and lipoproteins during perimenopause and to identify variables related to these changes. METHODS: Among women who had three regular health evaluations over a span of 2-4 years, 34 women remained in the premenopausal state, 34 premenopausal women transitioned to the postmenopausal state, and 36 postmenopausal women were enrolled. The menopausal state was determined not only by a history of amenorrhea but also by levels of female sex hormones. Yearly changes in lipids were calculated using a linear regression of the three measurements. RESULTS: The transition from premenopause to postmenopause was associated with increased total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels by 7.4 +/- 8.0 mg/dL (4.2 +/- 4.9%) and 6.9 +/- 6.5 mg/dL (6.8 +/- 7.0%) over one year, resulting in an elevation of 19.6 +/- 22.6 mg/dL (10.9 +/- 13.0%) and 18.9 +/- 19.5 mg/dL (18.6 +/- 20.3%), respectively, during perimenopause. There were no changes observed in premenopausal and postmenopausal women. Body weight, blood pressure, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, and triglycerides did not change in any of the three groups. In all women, changes in both total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol were associated with changes in follicle stimulating hormone (r = 0.40, p < 0.001 and r = 0.38, p < 0.001, respectively). Changes in triglycerides were associated with changes in body weight (r = 0.28, p = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: During perimenopause, total and LDL cholesterol levels increase and these changes in cholesterol are mainly dependent on changes in female sex hormones.
Adult ; Cholesterol, HDL/blood ; Cholesterol, LDL/blood ; Female ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone/blood ; Humans ; Lipids/*blood ; Lipoproteins/*blood ; Middle Aged ; Postmenopause/*blood ; Premenopause/*blood

PURPOSE: This study was done to evaluate the accuracy and adequacy of research studies reporting statistical testing for mean differences in studies of the Korean Journal of Women Health. METHODS: Among articles published in the journal from 2007 to 2009, 75 studies using t-test, chi2-test, and ANOVA were identified. The studies were evaluated using structured analysis format for adequacy of research title, accuracy of statistical methods and presentation styles, and errors in reported statistical outcomes. RESULTS: In this study, the research titles generally reflected the purpose of research and study designs. Thus the research titles were quite comprehensive. Also, there was compatibility between the research purpose and research design. Most important though, many errors were identified in the tables of results of the statistical analysis in articles published from 2004 to 2006. CONCLUSION: Over six years, 2004 to 2009, accuracy and adequacy of research studies has improved in many aspects. In order to enhance the completeness of the published papers and to be an internationally recognized nursing journal, close attention of the researchers, reviewers and editors is necessary to avoid errors and present adequate and accurate research.
Analysis of Variance ; Female ; Humans ; Research Design ; Women's Health