Objectives: This study examined factors associated with health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in Korean adults. Methods: Using data from 5,620 participants in the 9th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, obesity was defined as body mass index ≥25 kg/m2 and HRQoL assessed by the health-related quality of life instrument with 8 items (HINT-8). Complex survey weights were applied. Results: General linear and multiple regression analyses showed that among women, obesity was significantly associated with lower HINT-8 scores (B=-0.008, p=0.032), while no association was found in men. Age, household income, education, perceived stress, and smoking were also significantly related to HRQoL in both sexes. Conclusions HRQoL in Korean adults is influenced by obesity, socioeconomic status, and mental health indicators. The adverse effect of obesity observed only in women highlights the need for sex-specific public health strategies and the relevance of culturally adapted tools such as the HINT-8.

Objectives: This study was designed to investigate whether there was a relationship between smoking and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) in a Korean adult group. Methods: This study was based on the data from eighth Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). The subjects were 5,273 adults aged 19 years or older. Smoking group was classified into non-smoker, exsmoker, and current smoker. GAD was defined as above 10 points of GAD-7. The correlation between smoking and GAD was examined using complex sample design after adjusting confounders. Results: For male, smoking did not have a significant effect on GAD, but for female, current smokers were significantly more likely to have GAD than non-smokers (odds ratio=2.33, p=0.012). Conclusions The association between smoking and GAD was found only in female. The result means that a differentiated approach is needed for female and male in the management of smokers and patients with GAD.

Objectives: This study was designed to investigate whether there was a relationship between smoking and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) in a Korean adult group. Methods: This study was based on the data from eighth Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). The subjects were 5,273 adults aged 19 years or older. Smoking group was classified into non-smoker, exsmoker, and current smoker. GAD was defined as above 10 points of GAD-7. The correlation between smoking and GAD was examined using complex sample design after adjusting confounders. Results: For male, smoking did not have a significant effect on GAD, but for female, current smokers were significantly more likely to have GAD than non-smokers (odds ratio=2.33, p=0.012). Conclusions The association between smoking and GAD was found only in female. The result means that a differentiated approach is needed for female and male in the management of smokers and patients with GAD.

Objectives: This study was designed to investigate whether there was a relationship between smoking and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) in a Korean adult group. Methods: This study was based on the data from eighth Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). The subjects were 5,273 adults aged 19 years or older. Smoking group was classified into non-smoker, exsmoker, and current smoker. GAD was defined as above 10 points of GAD-7. The correlation between smoking and GAD was examined using complex sample design after adjusting confounders. Results: For male, smoking did not have a significant effect on GAD, but for female, current smokers were significantly more likely to have GAD than non-smokers (odds ratio=2.33, p=0.012). Conclusions The association between smoking and GAD was found only in female. The result means that a differentiated approach is needed for female and male in the management of smokers and patients with GAD.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between body mass index (BMI) and body shape perception and depression. Methods: This study was based on data from 2016, 2018, and 2020 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). The subjects were 7,302 adult female aged 19 to 65. We performed chi-square test with the RaoScott correction and Logistic regression analyses to examine the association among BMI, body shape perception, and depression. Results: All demographic variables such as age, household income, education, marital status, medical service satisfaction, body shape perception, medical conditions except drinking problem, smoking and physical activity were correlated with depression. The rate of depression decreased from underweight to normal weight and overweight, and increased from obesity to severe obesity (p<0.001). And people who perceived themselves thin or overweight had more depression than normal (p<0.001). Conclusions The results of this study suggest that appropriate body mass index and normal body shape perception have a positive effect on mental health.

Objectives: ：We investigated relationship between sleep time and depression in the aged 65 years or older. Methods: ：This study was based on the data from seventh Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). 3,285 people aged 65 years or older were selected as the subjects of this research. The demographic characteristics, sleep time and Patient Health Questinnaire-9 (PHQ-9) were administered for each subjects. Depression was defined as above 10 points of PHQ-9. Results: ：All the demographic variables such as age, sex, education, household income, marital status, drinking and smoking except Body Mass Index (BMI) were correlated with the depression. When we corrected the variables, inadequate sleep time groups (less than 6 hours or more than 9 hours) tended to be depressed. Conclusions ：The study results showed the significant correlation between sleep time and depression in the aged 65 years or older. Adequate sleep time is important to prevent the depression of the aged.

Objectives: ：Sexual dysfunction is common in both untreated and treated patients with schizophrenia and known as affecting the quality of life and drug compliance. The primary objective of this study is to estimate the prevalence of sexual dysfunction in Korean patients with schizophrenia treated with antipsychotic medications compared with healthy controls. Methods: ：Subjects were 75 patients who were recruited from outpatients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder according to DSM-IV-TR criteria, who had been stabilized on antipsychotic medications for more than three consecutive months. Control group consisted of 76 volunteers without history of any psychiatric disorder were excluded. We assessed for sexual dysfunction by the ASEX. Results: ：The prevalence of sexual dysfunction in the patient group was 57.33%, while that of the control group was 23.37%. Female gender and the use of antidepressants were best predictors of sexual dysfunction in patient group. Sexual difference at sexual drive observed in the control group diminished in the patient group. Conclusion ：The present study demonstrated a higher prevalence of sexual dysfunction in patient group than control. Clinicians should consider the differential sexual dysfunction effects of antipsychotics when prescribing medications.

Objectives: ：Sexual dysfunction is common in both untreated and treated patients with schizophrenia and known as affecting the quality of life and drug compliance. The primary objective of this study is to estimate the prevalence of sexual dysfunction in Korean patients with schizophrenia treated with antipsychotic medications compared with healthy controls. Methods: ：Subjects were 75 patients who were recruited from outpatients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder according to DSM-IV-TR criteria, who had been stabilized on antipsychotic medications for more than three consecutive months. Control group consisted of 76 volunteers without history of any psychiatric disorder were excluded. We assessed for sexual dysfunction by the ASEX. Results: ：The prevalence of sexual dysfunction in the patient group was 57.33%, while that of the control group was 23.37%. Female gender and the use of antidepressants were best predictors of sexual dysfunction in patient group. Sexual difference at sexual drive observed in the control group diminished in the patient group. Conclusion ：The present study demonstrated a higher prevalence of sexual dysfunction in patient group than control. Clinicians should consider the differential sexual dysfunction effects of antipsychotics when prescribing medications.

Background: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between exercise and depression based on responses to 2016 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) and the Patient Health Questionairre-9 (PHQ-9). Specifically, this study examined which physical activities have the greatest effects in combating depression. Methods: This study was based on data from 2016 KNHANES and responses to the PHQ-9 questionnaire on physical activity. We selected 2,245 people of age >19 years, who completed the surveys. Physical activity variables included number of days of walking, duration of walking, days of strength training, and aerobic physical activity. These variables subdivided into aerobic and muscle strengthening activities and their effects on depression were examined. Results: All the variables, except duration of walking, were negatively correlated with the PHQ-9 scale scores. However, of the physical activity variables included in the hierarchical regression analysis, only the number of days of walking over 1 week had a statistically significant negative effect on the PHQ-9 scores. Conclusion For adults, aerobic activity (walking) had a greater effect on reducing depression than muscle strengthening activity. The frequency and consistency of walking had a greater impact than the duration of walks. These results suggest that regular walking is a better form of physical activity than strength training for its effect on mood and it assists in overcoming depression.

OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to investigate the efficacy and tolerability of blonanserin in schizophrenic patients who were previously treated with other antipsychotics but, due to insufficient response, were switched to blonanserin. METHODS: A total of 52 patients with schizophrenia who were unresponsive to treatment with antipsychotic monotherapy or combination therapy were recruited into this 12-week, open-label, prospective, multicenter study. Patients were switched to blonanserin from their existing antipsychotics over a maximum 2-week tapering-off period. Efficacy was primarily evaluated using the 18-item Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS). Assessments were performed at baseline, and at weeks 1, 2, 4, 8, and 12. RESULTS: Switching to blonanserin resulted in a significant decrease in the mean total score on the BPRS from baseline (56.8 ± 9.4) to week 12 (42.1 ± 13.8, p < 0.001). The most common adverse events were extrapyramidal symptoms (n = 12, 23.1%), insomnia (n = 10, 19.2%), and emotional arousal (n = 6, 11.5%). Overweight or obese patients (body mass index ≥ 23 kg/m2, n = 33) who switched to blonanserin exhibited significant weight loss from 75.2 ± 9.3 kg at baseline to 73.5 ± 9.2 kg at week 12 (p = 0.006). The total cholesterol (baseline, 236.1 ± 47.6 mg/dl; endpoint [week 12], 209.9 ± 28.0 mg/dl; p = 0.005) and prolactin levels (baseline, 80.0 ± 85.2 ng/ml; endpoint [week 12], 63.2 ± 88.9 ng/ml; p = 0.003) were also significantly improved in patients with hypercholesterolemia or hyperprolactinemia. CONCLUSION: The results of the present study suggest that switching to blonanserin may be an effective strategy for schizophrenic patients unresponsive to other antipsychotic treatments.
Antipsychotic Agents ; Arousal ; Body Weight ; Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale ; Cholesterol ; Humans ; Hypercholesterolemia ; Hyperprolactinemia ; Overweight ; Prolactin ; Prospective Studies ; Schizophrenia ; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders ; Treatment Outcome ; Weight Loss