Background: Many studies have established the association between overt hypothyroidism and metabolic syndrome (MS). However, the relationship between subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) and MS varies from study to study. This study aimed to investigate associations between SCH and components of MS and vitamin D status in Korean adults. Methods: Using data from the 6th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2013-2015), chi-squared tests and t-tests were used to explore relationships between thyroid hormones and components of MS and vitamin D status. Multiple regression analysis was undertaken to assess relationships between SCH and components of MS and vitamin D. Results: Systolic blood pressure and fasting glucose were significantly higher in the euthyroid (EUT) group than in the SCH group, and vitamin D status was significantly lower in the SCH group than EUT. However, in multiple regression analysis, SCH presented no significant association with components of MS or vitamin D status even after adjusting for age, sex, drinking, and smoking. Conclusions In Korean adults, there is no significant association between SCH and MS or vitamin D.

BACKGROUND: Many studies have assessed the relationship between each nutrient element and depression independently, but few have assessed the effect of dietary intake on depression, as diagnosed using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). This study investigated the relationship between dietary intake and depression, which was diagnosed using the PHQ-9.METHODS: This study used the second data set (2014) from the sixth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHNES). Our analysis included 5,897 persons who answered the PHQ-9, aged 20 to 60 years. They were categorized into either a male or female group, which were then subdivided into a depression group of patients who were diagnosed using the PHQ-9, and those without depression (control group). The patients' dietary intakes were obtained using the 24-hr recollection method in KNHNES. The relationship between dietary intake and depression was investigated for each group.RESULTS: In males, dietary intake was not associated with depression in both groups, except in relation to carotene. While in females, the depression group had lower fiber and vitamin C dietary intake than the control group (fiber P=0.015, vitamin C P=0.020). The dietary intakes of all other nutrients had no associations between the depression and control groups, in both males and females.CONCLUSION: According to our results, low dietary intake of fiber and vitamin C may be associated with depression in females. These results suggest that a diet regimen that includes fiber and vitamin C may help prevent and reduce depression in females.
Adult ; Ascorbic Acid ; Carotenoids ; Dataset ; Depression ; Diet ; Female ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Methods ; Nutrition Surveys

BACKGROUND: While the correlation between metabolic syndrome (MS) and serum uric acid (sUA) levels has already been identified, the correlation between MS and the sUA/creatinine ratio has not been studied in Korea. Accordingly, the present study examined the correlation between MS and the sUA/creatinine ratio using data from the seventh Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2016). METHODS: The study population consisted of healthy adults aged 19 years or older medical diseases. The five components of MS and the presence of MS were used as independent variables, while the sUA/creatinine ratio was selected as the dependent variable. After adjusting for confounding variables, a complex samples logistic regression test was performed to analyze the correlations between the sUA/creatinine ratio and MS and its components. RESULTS: The following variables showed positive correlation with the sUA/creatinine ratio: systolic blood pressure (BP) (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.051–1.243; P=0.002), diastolic BP 1.144 (95% CI, 1.054–1.241; P=0.001), fasting blood sugar level 1.166 (95% CI, 1.070–1.271; P < 0.001), triglyceride level 1.340 (95% CI, 1.259–1.427; P < 0.001), high density lipoprotein level 1.163 (95% CI, 1.100–1.230; P < 0.001), waist circumference 1.342 (95% CI, 1.239–1.455; P < 0.001), and the presence of MS 1.041 (95% CI, 1.034–1.049; P≤0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The findings of the present study demonstrated a statistically significant correlation between the sUA/creatinine ratio and the presence of MS as well as with each component of MS. The significance of the present study is that it is the first study to investigate Koreans.
Adult ; Blood Glucose ; Blood Pressure ; Confounding Factors (Epidemiology) ; Creatinine ; Fasting ; Humans ; Korea ; Lipoproteins ; Logistic Models ; Nutrition Surveys ; Triglycerides ; Uric Acid ; Waist Circumference

BACKGROUND: While the correlation between metabolic syndrome (MS) and serum uric acid (sUA) levels has already been identified, the correlation between MS and the sUA/creatinine ratio has not been studied in Korea. Accordingly, the present study examined the correlation between MS and the sUA/creatinine ratio using data from the seventh Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2016). METHODS: The study population consisted of healthy adults aged 19 years or older medical diseases. The five components of MS and the presence of MS were used as independent variables, while the sUA/creatinine ratio was selected as the dependent variable. After adjusting for confounding variables, a complex samples logistic regression test was performed to analyze the correlations between the sUA/creatinine ratio and MS and its components. RESULTS: The following variables showed positive correlation with the sUA/creatinine ratio: systolic blood pressure (BP) (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.051–1.243; P=0.002), diastolic BP 1.144 (95% CI, 1.054–1.241; P=0.001), fasting blood sugar level 1.166 (95% CI, 1.070–1.271; P < 0.001), triglyceride level 1.340 (95% CI, 1.259–1.427; P < 0.001), high density lipoprotein level 1.163 (95% CI, 1.100–1.230; P < 0.001), waist circumference 1.342 (95% CI, 1.239–1.455; P < 0.001), and the presence of MS 1.041 (95% CI, 1.034–1.049; P≤0.001). CONCLUSIONS The findings of the present study demonstrated a statistically significant correlation between the sUA/creatinine ratio and the presence of MS as well as with each component of MS. The significance of the present study is that it is the first study to investigate Koreans.

OBJECTIVES: Metabolic syndrome and depression are interconnected disorders. Although many studies have assessed the association between dietary intake and each disorder independently, few studies have examined the association between depression and dietary intake in patients with metabolic syndrome. Our study examined the association between depression and dietary intake in adults with metabolic syndrome. METHODS: We analyzed the second data set (2014) from the sixth KNHNES. Of the patients with metabolic syndrome, the final study population comprised 1,334 patients, aged 20 to 60 years, with metabolic syndrome as defined by KNHNES and depression diagnosed by a physician. We examined the patients??dietary intake obtained using the 24-h recollection method in KNHNES. RESULTS: Depression group had a lower niacin dietary intake than those without depression in both male and female (male P=0.047, female P=0.025). None of the other components had any association between depression group and those without depression group in both male and female. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that a low dietary intake of niacin may be related to the depression in patients with metabolic syndrome. The results indicate that it is worthwhile to evaluate the nutritional status in patients who have been diagnosed with both metabolic syndrome and depression.
Adult* ; Dataset ; Depression* ; Diet ; Female ; Humans ; Korea* ; Male ; Methods ; Niacin ; Nutrition Surveys* ; Nutritional Status

BACKGROUND: Many studies focus on the causes of depression, but few assess the dietary intake. This study investigated the relationship between diet and prevalence of depression. METHODS: This study used the data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2010. A total of 734 persons aged 20-65 years old in whom the presence or absence of depression was confirmed by doctor were analyzed. We analyzed associations between prevalence of depression and diet based on carbohydrate, fiber, calcium, iron, sodium, potassium, vitamin A, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin and vitamin C intakes for male and female groups. RESULTS: There was no association between diet and prevalence of depression in the male group. For the female group, as fiber intake was increased, the prevalence of depression significantly decreased (odds ratio=0.923, 95% confidence interval=0.850-0.986), but there was no association between the other dietary intakes and prevalence of depression. CONCLUSIONS: The fiber intake and prevalence of depression are negatively correlated in women aged 20-65 years. A diet therapy including fiber may decrease the prevalence of depression.
Adult* ; Ascorbic Acid ; Calcium ; Depression* ; Diet Therapy ; Diet* ; Dietary Fiber ; Female ; Humans ; Iron ; Korea* ; Male ; Niacin ; Nutrition Surveys* ; Potassium ; Prevalence* ; Riboflavin ; Sodium ; Thiamine ; Vitamin A

BACKGROUND: We studied the association between the triglyceride to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio and computed tomography-measured visceral fat as well as cardiovascular risk factors among Korean male adults. METHODS: We measured triglycerides, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, body mass, waist circumference, fasting plasma glucose, hemoglobin A1c, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, visceral fat, and subcutaneous fat among 372 Korean men. The visceral fat and subcutaneous fat areas were measured by computed tomography using a single computed tomography slice at the L4-5 lumbar level. We analyzed the association between the triglyceride to high density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio and visceral fat as well as cardiovascular risk factors. RESULTS: A positive correlation was found between the triglyceride to high density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio and variables such as body mass index, waist circumference, fasting plasma glucose, hemoglobin A1c, visceral fat, and the visceral-subcutaneous fat ratio. However, there was no significant correlation between the triglyceride to high density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio and subcutaneous fat or blood pressure. Multiple logistic regression analyses revealed significant associations between a triglyceride to high density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio > or =3 and diabetes, a body mass index > or =25 kg/m2, a waist circumference > or =90 cm, and a visceral fat area > or =100 cm2. The triglyceride to high density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio was not significantly associated with hypertension. CONCLUSION: There were significant associations between the triglyceride to high density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio and body mass, waist circumference, diabetes, and visceral fat among a clinical sample of Korean men. In the clinical setting, the triglyceride to high density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio may be a simple and useful indicator for visceral obesity and cardiovascular disease.
Adult* ; Blood Glucose ; Blood Pressure ; Body Mass Index ; Cardiovascular Diseases* ; Cholesterol ; Cholesterol, HDL* ; Fasting ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Intra-Abdominal Fat* ; Lipoproteins ; Logistic Models ; Male* ; Obesity, Abdominal ; Risk Factors* ; Subcutaneous Fat ; Triglycerides* ; Waist Circumference

PURPOSE: Soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) is a truncated extracellular form of the membrane transferrin receptor produced by proteolysis. Concentrations of serum sTfR are related to iron status and erythropoiesis in the body. We investigated whether serum sTfR levels can aid in diagnosis and treatment of iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in children. METHODS: Ninety-eight patients with IDA were enrolled and were classified according to age at diagnosis. Group 1 comprised 78 children, aged 6-59 months, and group 2 comprised 20 adolescents, aged 12-16 years. RESULTS: In group 1, patients' serum sTfR levels correlated negatively with mean corpuscular volume; hemoglobin (Hb), ferritin, and serum iron levels; and transferrin saturation and positively with total iron binding capacity (TIBC) and red cell distribution width. In group 2, patients' serum sTfR levels did not correlate with ferritin levels and TIBC, but had a significant relationship with other iron indices. Hb and serum sTfR levels had a significant inverse relationship in both groups; however, in group 1, there was no correlation between Hb and serum ferritin levels. In 30 patients of group 1, serum sTfR levels were significantly decreased with an increase in Hb levels after iron supplementation for 1 month. CONCLUSION: Serum sTfR levels significantly correlated with other diagnostic iron parameters of IDA and inversely correlated with an increase in Hb levels following iron supplementation. Therefore, serum sTfR levels can be a useful marker for the diagnosis and treatment of IDA in children.
Adolescent ; Anemia, Iron-Deficiency* ; Child* ; Diagnosis* ; Erythrocyte Indices ; Erythropoiesis ; Ferritins ; Humans ; Iron ; Membranes ; Proteolysis ; Receptors, Transferrin* ; Transferrin

BACKGROUND: Vitamin D is thought to play an important role in adipogenesis and in preventing a variety of diseases. There are few studies that analyze the relationship between vitamin D and the distribution of fat in Korean population. This study analyzed the vitamin D status in adults and evaluated its relationship with obesity also with cardiovascular risk factors in a Korean community. METHODS: Subjects involved patients who visited a health promotion center. Anthropometric measurements as in subcutaneous adipose tissue, visceral adipose tissue, body mass index, waist circumference, and blood pressure were assessed. Blood tests including glucose, hemoglobin A1c, lipid profiles, 25(OH)D were evaluated. We analyzed the correlation between 25(OH)D concentrations with obesity factors and with cardiovascular risk factors. RESULTS: Among the studied patients, 25(OH)D status was sufficient for 2.7%, insufficient for 27.2%, and deficient for 70.1%. 25(OH)D was negatively correlated with visceral adipose tissue, but no association was found between subcutaneous fat, waist circumference and body mass index. Among cardiovascular risk factors, glucose, hemoglobin A1c, total cholesterol, triglyceride, low density lipoprotein-cholesterol were negatively correlated with vitamin D. CONCLUSION: Vitamin D deficiency was found in 70.1% in this community. Vitamin D level showed significant correlation with visceral adipose tissue among abdominal fat tissue, but less significant correlation with cardiovascular risk factor.
Abdominal Fat ; Adipogenesis ; Adiposity ; Adult ; Blood Pressure ; Body Mass Index ; Cholesterol ; Glucose ; Health Promotion ; Hematologic Tests ; Humans ; Intra-Abdominal Fat ; Obesity ; Risk Factors ; Subcutaneous Fat ; Triglycerides ; Vitamin D Deficiency ; Vitamin D ; Waist Circumference

BACKGROUND: There are many studies on lifestyle management of diabetic patients, but few provide sufficient data comparing a diabetic group with an abnormal fasting glucose group and a normal, non-diabetic group. In this study, we compare the lifestyle management of diabetic patients with those of others groups. METHODS: Among patients visiting the health promotion center of a single university hospital, we retrospectively collected medical records and survey responses regarding patient information. RESULTS: No difference was found in smoking status or smoking intake among the three groups. Alcohol consumption was high in the diabetes group, followed by the abnormal fasting glucose group and the normal group. The diabetes group reported a higher frequency of exercise per week than the normal group. With regard to systolic BP, both the diabetes and abnormal fasting glucose groups were higher than the normal group, with a level greater than the therapeutic goal of 130 mmHg. Both the diabetes group and the abnormal fasting glucose group had a higher triglyceride level than the normal group, with a measure greater than the therapeutic goal of 150 mg/d. The diabetes group had a higher highly sensitive C-reactive protein level than other two groups, with a level greater than 1 mg/dL. CONCLUSION: Management of smoking and alcohol consumption is not sufficient in diabetes patients, suggesting the need for tighter control of BP and triglyceride level in such individuals. For these patients, follow-up of highly sensitive C-reactive protein level should also be considered.
Alcohol Drinking ; C-Reactive Protein ; Fasting ; Glucose ; Health Promotion ; Humans ; Life Style* ; Medical Records ; Retrospective Studies ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Triglycerides