Background: Body composition disorders such as sarcopenia, obesity, and osteoporosis are common; however, the body composition of patients with dizziness and vestibular dysfunction (VD) has not been thoroughly assessed. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 9,682 participants aged over 40. Based on the results of a dizziness questionnaire and modified Romberg test, they were classified into three groups: dizziness associated with VD, dizziness without VD, and controls. A body composition analysis focused on muscles, bones, and fats. Results: Multivariate regression analysis revealed that sarcopenia was associated with a higher risk of dizziness with VD when compared to dizziness without VD (odds ratio [OR], 1.65; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.09–2.49; P = 0.017) and the control group (OR, 1.92;95% CI, 1.28–2.88; P = 0.002). The proportions of bone mineral and fat were comparable among the groups. Conclusion Sarcopenia was found to be significantly associated with dizziness in the group with VD but not in those without it. While this study does not establish a causal relationship, maintaining muscle mass through proper diet and physical activity may be beneficial for individuals with VD. Such efforts could help manage overall health, potentially reducing risks associated with sarcopenia and improving balance. Further longitudinal studies are necessary to explore the potential causal pathways between VD and sarcopenia.

Objective: This study seeks to evaluate the association between the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and the severity of depression and anxiety in the Korean community during the period dominated by the Omicron variant. Methods: We used data from the 2022 Daejeon Mental Health Survey, involving data of 985 participants aged 19–69 years. The data collected included SARS-CoV-2 infection experience, days post-infection, and depression and anxiety symptoms evaluated using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire-7, respectively. Additionally, physical health, social activity status, and sociodemographic characteristics such as gender, age, marital status, educational level, and household income were collected. The association between SARS-CoV-2 infection and depression and anxiety were examined. Further analyses explored association between days post- infection and the severity of depression and anxiety. Results: There was no significant correlation between SARS-CoV-2 infection and depression and anxiety in the overall population. Notably, participants under 50 years of age exhibited a transient worsening of depression and anxiety, followed by a decrease in symptoms within 40 days. Participants aged 51 years and older showed no significant change in depression and anxiety. Conclusion This study discerned transient effects of Omicron variant infection on depression and anxiety, particularly in younger individuals. A prospective study encompassing a larger sample size is imperative to investigate the influence of SARS-CoV-2 infection on depression and anxiety.

BACKGROUND: Korea is considered an iodine sufficient country, and several studies have been conducted regarding iodine status in healthy Korean adults, pregnant women, and preschool children. However, data on iodine status in Korean school-age children are lacking. Therefore, the iodine nutrition status of Korean school-age children was investigated by measuring urine iodine concentration (UIC). METHODS: This cross-sectional study conducted between April and September 2016 comprised 373 school-age children. UIC was determined using a modified microplate method employing ammonium persulfate digestion followed by Sandell-Kolthoff reaction. RESULTS: The median UIC was 458.2 µg/L. Excessive iodine intake (>300 µg/L) was found in 286 children (76.7%), with extremely high values exceeding 1,000 µg/L in 19.6% of subjects. Insufficient iodine intake (<100 µg/L) was observed in eight children (2.1%). UIC values were not significantly different between sexes. CONCLUSION: Korean school-age children showed excessive iodine intake. Therefore, education regarding adequate iodine intake in school-age children is needed.
Adult ; Ammonium Compounds ; Child* ; Child, Preschool ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Digestion ; Education ; Female ; Humans ; Iodine* ; Korea* ; Methods ; Nutritional Status ; Pregnant Women