PURPOSE: Childhood asthma has a considerable social impact and economic burden, especially in severe asthma. This study aimed to identify the proportion of childhood asthma severity and to evaluate associated factors for greater asthma severity. METHODS: This study was performed on 667 children aged 5–15 years with asthma from the nationwide 19 hospitals in the Korean childhood Asthma Study (KAS). Asthma was classified as mild intermittent, mild persistent, and moderate/severe persistent groups according to the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program recommendations. Multinomial logistic regression models were used to identify the associated factors for greater asthma severity. RESULTS: Mild persistent asthma was most prevalent (39.0%), followed by mild intermittent (37.6%), moderate persistent (22.8%), and severe persistent asthma (0.6%). Onset later than 6 years of age (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.69 for mild persistent asthma; aOR, 1.92 for moderate/severe persistent asthma) tended to increase asthma severity. Exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (aOR, 1.53 for mild persistent asthma; aOR, 1.85 for moderate/severe persistent asthma), and current dog ownership with sensitization to dog dander (aOR, 5.86 for mild persistent asthma; aOR, 6.90 for moderate/severe persistent asthma) showed increasing trends with greater asthma severity. Lower maternal education levels (aOR, 2.32) and no usage of an air purifier in exposure to high levels of outdoor air pollution (aOR, 1.76) were associated with moderate/severe persistent asthma. CONCLUSIONS: Modification of identified environmental factors associated with greater asthma severity might help better control childhood asthma, thereby reducing the disease burden due to childhood asthma.
Air Filters ; Air Pollution ; Animals ; Asthma ; Child ; Dander ; Dogs ; Education ; Environmental Exposure ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Odds Ratio ; Ownership ; Risk Factors ; Smoke ; Social Change ; Tobacco

PURPOSE: Data are lacking on the association between the allergic rhinitis (AR) phenotype and sensitization to specific allergens or bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) in children. We here investigated risk factors and comorbidities, including sensitization to specific allergens and BHR, for the AR phenotype by AR and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) classification in a general population-based birth cohort study. METHODS: We enrolled 606 children aged 7 years from the Panel Study of Korean Children. The AR phenotype was assigned in accordance with the ARIA classification in children. Skin prick tests and Provocholine provocation test were performed. Risk factors and comorbidities for AR phenotypes were then analyzed. RESULTS: The prevalence of mild and moderate to severe AR in our study cohort was 37.2% and 8.8%, respectively. Recent use of analgesics or antipyretics and current cat ownership were associated with the risk of mild persistent AR. Sensitizations to Dermatophagoides Pteronyssinus (Der p), Japanese hop and cat were associated with moderate to severe persistent AR. Children with moderate to severe AR had a higher risk of current asthma and BHR compared to mild AR cases (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 5.26; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.77–15.62). Moderate to severe AR with allergic sensitization was associated with the highest risk of BHR (aOR, 11.77; 95% CI, 3.40–40.74). CONCLUSIONS: Moderate to severe-persistent AR is more closely related to respiratory comorbidities and sensitizations than mild AR. Stratifying the AR phenotype by ARIA classification may assist in disease management.
Allergens ; Analgesics ; Animals ; Antipyretics ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Asthma ; Bronchial Hyperreactivity ; Cats ; Child ; Classification ; Cohort Studies ; Comorbidity ; Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus ; Disease Management ; Humans ; Methacholine Chloride ; Odds Ratio ; Ownership ; Parturition ; Phenotype ; Prevalence ; Rhinitis, Allergic ; Risk Factors ; Skin

odds ratios (ORs) of participation in DSME decreased in a fully adjusted model. Respondents living in rural areas had lower ORs for attending DSME compared to those living in urban areas [OR, 0.85; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.80–0.91]. Service/sales workers and mechanical/manual workers had lower ORs for attending DSME (OR, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.71–0.99; and OR, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.69–0.94, respectively) compared to professional/managerial workers. However, in the subgroup of participants receiving education at PHIs, the likelihood of participation in DSME increased as age increased, and respondents living in rural areas had higher ORs compared to those living in urban areas (OR, 1.73; 95% CI, 1.51–1.98).CONCLUSION: Customized DSME programs targeting socioeconomically vulnerable groups, including residential region and reimbursement of DSME by public insurance, are needed to resolve the inequalities in participation in DSME.]]>
Adult ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Education ; Family Characteristics ; Health Surveys ; Humans ; Insurance ; Korea ; Logistic Models ; Odds Ratio ; Public Health ; Self Care ; Social Class ; Socioeconomic Factors ; Surveys and Questionnaires

ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), platinum-free interval, and survival time were recorded. NLR, PLR, and cancer antigen 125 (CA125) levels were calculated for an optimal cutoff point using receiver operating characteristic curves. The clinicopathological variables were compared using univariate and multivariate analyses to identify independent predictive factors for platinum resistance and poor survival outcomes.RESULTS: The optimal cutoff points for NLR, PLR, and CA125 were 3.38, 210, and 365 IU/L, respectively. Univariate analysis indicated that NLR >3.38, PLR >210, CA125 >365, advanced stage, suboptimal disease, serous type, and ascites were significant predictive factors for platinum resistance. However, only NLR >3.38 and advanced stage were independent predictive factors with an adjusted odds ratio of 1.880 and 3.333, respectively. Regarding factors associated with poor survival outcomes, only PLR >210 and advanced stage were independent factors, with a hazard ratio of 1.578 and 3.994, respectively.CONCLUSION: High NLR and advanced stage were potential independent predictive factors for platinum resistance, whereas high PLR and advanced stage were potential independent predictive factors for poor survival outcomes.]]>
Ascites ; Blood Platelets ; Drug Therapy ; Fallopian Tubes ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphocytes ; Medical Records ; Multivariate Analysis ; Neutrophils ; Odds Ratio ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; Platinum ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; ROC Curve

odds ratios (ORs) for large for gestational age (LGA) and macrosomia were analyzed.RESULTS: Of the 2,678 patients, the frequency of GDM diagnosed by C-C and IADPSG criteria was 2.6% and 7.5%. ORs (95% confidence intervals [CIs]) for LGA and macrosomia in the group with GDM by IADPSG criteria and non-treated were 2.81 (95% CI, 1.47–5.38) and 2.84 (95% CI, 1.08–7.47). The risk of LGA and macrosomia did not increase in the group with GDM by IADPSG criteria and treated.CONCLUSION: The risk of LGA and macrosomia for mild GDM diagnosed solely by IADPSG criteria depends on whether they are treated or not. Treatment of GDM based on IADPSG criteria reduces the risk of excessive fetal growth.Trial RegistrationClinical Research Information Service Identifier: KCT0000776]]>
Blood Glucose ; Diabetes, Gestational ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Fetal Development ; Gestational Age ; Glucose ; Glucose Tolerance Test ; Humans ; Information Services ; Odds Ratio ; Pregnancy ; Pregnant Women

odds ratio for multiparity, amniotic fluid index (AFI) >14 cm, and HOB >7.8 cm were 10.80 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.57–74.94), 5.26 (95% CI, 1.06–26.19), and 10.50 (95% CI, 1.03–107.12), respectively. Areas under the curve (AUCs) for AFI, HOB, and parity were 0.66 (95% CI, 0.54–0.78), 0.74 (95% CI, 0.64–0.85), and 0.69 (95% CI, 0.62–0.76), respectively. HOB had the largest AUC, but there were no significant differences among the AUCs of other factors. The cut-off value of HOB was 6 cm.CONCLUSION: This study showed that the AUC of HOB was greater than that of parity and AFI, although it was not statistically significant. As HOB is a noninvasive and comprehensive marker to predict successful ECV, consideration of HOB would be helpful before conducting ECV. Further studies are needed.]]>
Amniotic Fluid ; Area Under Curve ; Breech Presentation ; Buttocks ; Female ; Humans ; Odds Ratio ; Parity ; Pregnancy ; Pregnant Women ; Prospective Studies ; Pubic Symphysis ; Ultrasonography ; Version, Fetal

odds ratio for having history of asthma without wheezing and with wheezing in the increased FeNO group were 2.96 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.40–6.29) and 4.24 (95% CI, 1.37–13.08), respectively. Only 21 out of 74 patients (28.4%) with increased FeNO prescribed ICS-containing inhaler and 18 of 86 patients (20.9%) with normal FeNO were given ICS-containing inhaler. Previous exacerbation, asthma, and wheezing were the major factors to maintain ICS at normal FeNO level and not to initiate ICS at increased FeNO level.CONCLUSION: Increased FeNO was associated with the history of asthma irrespective of wheezing. However, FeNO seemed to play a subsidiary role in the use of ICS-containing inhalers in real-world clinics, which was determined with prior exacerbation and clinical features suggesting Th2 inflammation.]]>
Adrenal Cortex Hormones ; Asthma ; Eosinophils ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Nebulizers and Vaporizers ; Nitric Oxide ; Odds Ratio ; Prescriptions ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; Respiratory Sounds

odds ratio (OR)s and 95% confidence interval (CI)s were calculated using multivariate logistic regression.RESULTS: The prevalence of prehypertension and hypertension combined was 41.36% in this population. High fried food intake was associated with high prevalence of prehypertension and hypertension combined. The odds of having prehypertension and hypertension was higher in the 3rd tertile of fried food intake among fried food consumers compared to non-fried food consumers (OR = 2.46, 95% CI = 1.24, 4.87; P for trend = 0.004). Separate analysis for types of frying showed that deep and shallow fried food intake was associated with prevalence of prehypertension and hypertension combined for comparing the 3rd tertile vs. non-fried food consumers (OR = 2.93; 95% CI = 1.57-5.47; P for trend = < 0.001).CONCLUSIONS: This study showed the evidence that high fried food intake was significantly associated with high prevalence of prehypertension and hypertension combined among Filipino women married to Korean men.]]>
Blood Pressure ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Diet ; Eating ; Emigrants and Immigrants ; Epidemiologic Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Odds Ratio ; Prehypertension ; Prevalence

odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were 0.82 (0.73–0.91) and 0.77 (0.64–0.92), respectively. Similarly, the association results for allergic rhinitis showed that the highest level of green areas was significantly associated with a decreased risk of allergic rhinitis in full-adjustment model quartiles. Physician's diagnosis and current treatment of OR (95% CI) were 0.94 (0.89–0.99) and 0.91 (0.82–1.00), respectively.CONCLUSIONS: We observed inverse associations of green areas with atopic dermatitis and allergic rhinitis in Korean adults.]]>
Adult ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Dermatitis, Atopic ; Diagnosis ; Epidemiologic Studies ; Health Surveys ; Humans ; Immune System ; Information Services ; Korea ; Odds Ratio ; Parks, Recreational ; Rhinitis, Allergic

Arginine Vasopressin ; Arginine ; Bias (Epidemiology) ; Consensus ; Hospital Mortality ; Humans ; Hypotension ; Incidence ; Intensive Care Units ; Length of Stay ; Mortality ; Norepinephrine ; Odds Ratio ; Population Characteristics ; Sepsis ; Shock, Septic ; Treatment Outcome ; Vasoconstrictor Agents