This study was to evaluate the effect of additional brief counseling by a primary care physician on lifestyle modification of examinees after a periodic health examination. 1,000 participants of the 2007 Korean national health screening program were asked to note any variation in their health behavior after participating in the screening program. The degree of comprehensive motivation for lifestyle modification was assessed in terms of stages of health behavior change. We calculated odds ratio of positive change (enhanced stage of change) with multiple logistic regression analysis and age-adjusted proportion of positive changers. Of 989 respondents, 486 and 503 received the basic and additional programs, respectively. Additional group were more likely to be positive changer than basic group (adjusted OR 1.78; 95% CI 1.19-2.65), and this was more prominent in older age group (adjusted OR 2.38, 95% CI 1.23-4.58). The age-adjusted proportions of positive changers were 22.7% (95% CI, 17.9-28.3) and 36.2% (95% CI, 30.4-42.4) in the basic and additional groups, respectively (P < 0.001). The additional consultation led to improvements in the stage of health behavior change after the health examination. Thus, such a consultation should be considered when designing a health-screening program.
Adult ; Aged ; *Counseling ; Demography ; Female ; *Health Behavior ; Health Promotion ; Humans ; Male ; Odds Ratio

We found two errors, title and author affiliation in our published article.

BACKGROUND: Constipation is one of the most common digestive complaints. Although, there are increased interest on the socioeconomic effect of constipation and studies associated with quality of life on constipation, there is no study about the influence of constipation onto quality of life (QOL) in Korea. We studied the impact of functional constipation on QOL. METHODS: Between March to June 2008, person to person survey with 844 elderly aged over 60 years was performed at two senior care centers, a public health center, and secondary hospital in Seoul metrocity and Chung-ju city. The diagnosis of functional constipation was based on the Rome III criteria and QOL was measured by the Medical Outcomes Study (MOS) 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36). RESULTS: The average age was 73.6 years and the prevalence rate of constipation was 20.3%. The average SF-36 score was 63.5 in total population, 57.9 in constipation group, and 64.9 in normal group. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the constipation lowers QOL in adults aged over 60 years old. Further study will be necessary to explore if QOL changes according to the severity of constipation and its treatment and to assess QOL using a disease-specific measurement tool that can be used for Korean environment.
Adult ; Aged ; Constipation ; Health Surveys ; Humans ; Korea ; Prevalence ; Public Health ; Quality of Life ; Rome

BACKGROUND: Constipation is one of the most common digestive complaints. Although, there are increased interest on the socioeconomic effect of constipation and studies associated with quality of life on constipation, there is no study about the influence of constipation onto quality of life (QOL) in Korea. We studied the impact of functional constipation on QOL. METHODS: Between March to June 2008, person to person survey with 844 elderly aged over 60 years was performed at two senior care centers, a public health center, and secondary hospital in Seoul metrocity and Chung-ju city. The diagnosis of functional constipation was based on the Rome III criteria and QOL was measured by the Medical Outcomes Study (MOS) 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36). RESULTS: The average age was 73.6 years and the prevalence rate of constipation was 20.3%. The average SF-36 score was 63.5 in total population, 57.9 in constipation group, and 64.9 in normal group. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the constipation lowers QOL in adults aged over 60 years old. Further study will be necessary to explore if QOL changes according to the severity of constipation and its treatment and to assess QOL using a disease-specific measurement tool that can be used for Korean environment.
Adult ; Aged ; Constipation ; Health Surveys ; Humans ; Korea ; Prevalence ; Public Health ; Quality of Life ; Rome

BACKGROUND: The metabolic syndrome (MS) is a cluster of risk factors of cardiovascular disease. The association between components of the MS and bone mineral density has been researched, but no prior studies have directly evaluated the association with the metabolic syndrome and bone mineral density in Korea. METHODS: We evaluated postmenopausal women who had visited a university hospital from November 2006 to October 2007. Data on their lifestyle, current medical diseases and medications were collected from medical records. Height, body weight, waist circumference and serum lipid profiles were measured. RESULTS: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 21.8% in this study. In adjusted analysis including age and other factors, only waist circumference had a close correlation with bone mineral density of femur and lumbar vertebral body (P < 0.05). The bone mineral density of femur and lumbar vertebral body had no correlation with the presence of metabolic syndrome. When stratified by body mass index, corrected bone mineral density revealed no significant correlation with the presence of metabolic syndrome. CONCLUSION: The bone mineral density of postmenopausal women with metabolic syndrome has highly influenced by obesity, especially by abdominal obesity.
Body Height ; Body Mass Index ; Bone Density ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Female ; Femur ; Humans ; Life Style ; Medical Records ; Obesity ; Obesity, Abdominal ; Osteoporosis ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Waist Circumference

BACKGROUND: The metabolic syndrome (MS) is a cluster of risk factors of cardiovascular disease. The association between components of the MS and bone mineral density has been researched, but no prior studies have directly evaluated the association with the metabolic syndrome and bone mineral density in Korea. METHODS: We evaluated postmenopausal women who had visited a university hospital from November 2006 to October 2007. Data on their lifestyle, current medical diseases and medications were collected from medical records. Height, body weight, waist circumference and serum lipid profiles were measured. RESULTS: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 21.8% in this study. In adjusted analysis including age and other factors, only waist circumference had a close correlation with bone mineral density of femur and lumbar vertebral body (P < 0.05). The bone mineral density of femur and lumbar vertebral body had no correlation with the presence of metabolic syndrome. When stratified by body mass index, corrected bone mineral density revealed no significant correlation with the presence of metabolic syndrome. CONCLUSION: The bone mineral density of postmenopausal women with metabolic syndrome has highly influenced by obesity, especially by abdominal obesity.
Body Height ; Body Mass Index ; Bone Density ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Female ; Femur ; Humans ; Life Style ; Medical Records ; Obesity ; Obesity, Abdominal ; Osteoporosis ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Waist Circumference

BACKGROUND: Whole body vibration exercise is currently being researched for potential therapeutic and exercise performance benefits. Little is known about the physiological effects of whole body vibration on humans. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of whole body vibration on body weight and body compositions. METHODS: One hundred and twelve healthy college students were separated into two groups; one was the whole body vibration exercise group, the other the control group. The exercise program was more than 10 minutes of whole body vibration exercise and the frequency was more than 3 times per week during three months. Body weight and body composition were checked at the beginning and the end point of this study. RESULTS: A total of 91 students finished this study (56 males, 35 females). No significant difference was found in body weight, body mass index, muscle mass, fat mass, body fat ratio, visceral fat area between the study and the control groups. In females, slight increase as found in body weight (exercise vs. control; 1.1 +/- 1.1 kg vs. 0.3 +/- 1.9 kg, P = 0.03), body mass index (0.5 +/- 0.4 kg/m2, 0.0 +/- 0.5 kg/m2, P = 0.002), fat mass (0.8 +/- 0.9 kg, -0.3 +/- 1.4 kg, P = 0.008), and fat ratio (1.0 +/- 1.5%, -0.6 +/- 2.4%, P = 0.03) in the study group compared with the control group, clinically significant or not. The increase mainly occurred in normal body mass index group in the female study group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that whole body vibration exercise has no significant effect on reducing body weight and fat mass, visceral fat area and on increasing muscle mass.
Adipose Tissue ; Body Composition ; Body Mass Index ; Body Weight ; Female ; Humans ; Intra-Abdominal Fat ; Male ; Muscles ; Vibration ; Young Adult

BACKGROUND: Overactive bladder syndrome (OAB) is a common disorder in primary care that affects negatively on the quality of life of outpatients. However, little information is available on related factors and the quality of life in adults with overactive bladder. The purpose of this study was to find related factors of overactive bladder and to measure the quality of life in adults with overactive bladder. METHODS: Among the people who visited a hospital in Seoul and Chung-ju for a health examination or primary care between October 1 and December 31, 2008, we selected 327 participants over 20 years old. We measured their Overactive Bladder Questionnaire (OAB-q), took medical history and reviewed their demographic data. The relationship between OAB, other independent variables and health related quality of life (HRQL) were analyzed. RESULTS: Of 327 respondents, the prevalence of OAB in adults was 38 (11.6%). The factors related to OAB were age (P = 0.007), history of prescription for congestive heart failure (P = 0.023), benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) (P = 0.002), and depression (P = 0.008). OAB was significantly associated with BPH medication (P = 0.042; OR = 8.757) and depression medication (P = 0.005; OR = 9.977) in multivariable logistic regression analysis. In each T-test analysis, OAB decreased in HRQL. CONCLUSION: OAB is a common disorder in adults, history of BPH medication and depression medication is more common in OAB. The symptoms that were suggestive of OAB were affected negatively on the quality of life in adults. Effective health care polices and prompt management of OAB should be implemented.
Adult ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Delivery of Health Care ; Depression ; Heart Failure ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Outpatients ; Prescriptions ; Prevalence ; Primary Health Care ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; Quality of Life ; Urinary Bladder, Overactive

BACKGROUND: More than half of the causes of male osteoporosis is due to secondary osteoporosis. Therefore, it is important to detect and modify its related factors. The aim of this study was to find related lifestyle factors and biochemical markers with low bone mineral density (BMD) in Korean men. METHODS: A cross-sectional analysis was performed in men aged 40-69 years who visited a hospital for health checkup from January to March 2007. BMD was measured at proximal femur and lumbar spine by dual energy x-ray absorptionmetry. Lifestyle factors were estimated by a self-administered questionnaire and fasting glucose, uric acid, gamma glutamyltransferase, alkaline phosphatase, creatinine, free testosterone, 25-OH vitamin D, urine deoxypyridinoline, osteocalcin were measured. Multivariate logistic regression was used to find the association to the lowest tertile of BMD. RESULTS: A total of 152 subjects were included. After multivariate analysis adjusted with age, BMI, smoking, alcohol and exercise, different factors were correlated with low bone density in each site of femoral neck and lumbar spine. Factors correlated at both sites were BMI and exercise; lower BMI and doing no exercise increased risks of low bone density. Increasing age and alcohol intake > or = 14 drinks/week were associated with lower BMD at femoral neck. The factors associated with lower lumbar spine BMD only were lower level of uric acid and higher level of urine deoxypyridinoline. CONCLUSION: Different factors were associated with low bone density at femoral neck and lumbar spine in men. BMI and exercise were related in both sites; age, alcohol intake, uric acid and deoxypyridinoline were related on either site.
Adult ; Aged ; Alcohol Drinking ; Alkaline Phosphatase ; Amino Acids ; Biomarkers ; Bone Density ; Creatinine ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Fasting ; Femur ; Femur Neck ; gamma-Glutamyltransferase ; Glucose ; Health Behavior ; Humans ; Life Style ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Multivariate Analysis ; Osteocalcin ; Osteoporosis ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Spine ; Testosterone ; Uric Acid ; Vitamin D ; Surveys and Questionnaires

BACKGROUND: This study was done to determine whether the Osteoporosis Self-assessment Tool (OST) can predict central bone mineral density in Korean men above 50 years, as defined by dual energy X-ray absorptionmetry (DXA). METHODS: We applied the OST index to Korean men aged over 50 in Health Promotion Center of Konkuk University Hospital from September 2005 to September 2008. The calculated OST risk index was based on weight and age, truncated to an integer. RESULTS: The study population was 276 men. The mean age, height and weight of the men were 59.7 +/- 6.69 years, 167.6 +/- 6.14 cm and 67.5 +/- 8.93 kg respectively. By DXA, 4.7% of the men had a T score of -2.5 or less, and 46.4% had a T score of -2 or less at the spine, total hip, or femoral neck. The OST index ranged from -4 to 7. Using a cutoff score of 0, we predicted osteoporosis with a sensitivity of 85% and a specificity of 62%. The receiver operating characteristic curve showed an area under the curve of 0.77. When the subjects were analyzed by age and smoking status, the predictive value of the OST was maintained. CONCLUSION: The OST is a simple and useful method to predict osteoporosis in Korean men.
Aged ; Bone Density ; Femur Neck ; Health Promotion ; Hip ; Humans ; Male ; Mass Screening ; Osteoporosis ; ROC Curve ; Self-Assessment ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Spine