The Effect of Long-lasting Permethrin Impregnated Socks on Tick Bite in Korea

Background@#The risk of tick-borne diseases is decreased by increasing awareness and knowledge through prevention education. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of long-lasting permethrin impregnated (LLPI) socks for tick bites. @*Methods@#A randomized open label study was conducted to determine the effectiveness of LLPI socks for prevention of tick bites among 367 adults living in a rural area. Participants completed questionnaires at the start of follow-up (July 2014) and at the end of follow-up (December 2014), and tick bites were reported. @*Results@#A total of 332 subjects completed the follow-up survey. The tick bite rate of the two groups was not significantly different (3.6% vs. 3.1%). But the tick bite rate of lower extremities of subjects wearing LLPI socks was significantly lower compared to that of subjects wearing general socks. @*Conclusion@#The tick bite rate was not different between the two groups, but the tick bite rate of lower extremities of LLPI was significantly lower than general groups. Further study is needed to investigate the effect of LLPI clothes with larger populations.

The Effect of Long-lasting Permethrin Impregnated Socks on Tick Bite in Korea

Background@#The risk of tick-borne diseases is decreased by increasing awareness and knowledge through prevention education. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of long-lasting permethrin impregnated (LLPI) socks for tick bites. @*Methods@#A randomized open label study was conducted to determine the effectiveness of LLPI socks for prevention of tick bites among 367 adults living in a rural area. Participants completed questionnaires at the start of follow-up (July 2014) and at the end of follow-up (December 2014), and tick bites were reported. @*Results@#A total of 332 subjects completed the follow-up survey. The tick bite rate of the two groups was not significantly different (3.6% vs. 3.1%). But the tick bite rate of lower extremities of subjects wearing LLPI socks was significantly lower compared to that of subjects wearing general socks. @*Conclusion@#The tick bite rate was not different between the two groups, but the tick bite rate of lower extremities of LLPI was significantly lower than general groups. Further study is needed to investigate the effect of LLPI clothes with larger populations.

The Associations between Social Relations, Activities of Daily Living, Cognitive Functions and Depressive Symptoms among the Korean Elderly: 2014 Korean National Survey on Older Adults

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the association between social relations, activities of daily living, cognitive functions and depressive symptoms among the Korean elderly. METHODS: Study subjects were 10,260 elderly participated in 2014 Korean National Survey on Older Adults. General characteristics, social relations, activities of daily living, cognitive functions and depressive symptoms were collected by face-to-face interview. Descriptive analyses, chi-square tests and multiple logistic regression analysis were performed using SAS 9.4 statistical program. RESULTS: Total 33.0% of elderly had depressive symptoms. The odds ratios (OR) for depressive symptoms were significantly higher in elderly without housemate [OR=1.30, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.11-1.53], without contact of living children (OR=1.76, 95% CI=1.03-2.99), lower social activity (OR=2.00, 95% CI=1.71-2.35) and without contact of friends (OR=1.47, 95% CI=1.30-1.67). And impaired activity of daily living (ADL) (ADL : OR=1.61, 95% CI=1.18-2.20, instrumental activities of daily living : OR=1.68, 95% CI=1.36-2.06) and cognitive impairment (OR=1.21, 95% CI=1.07-1.38) were also associated the risk of depressive symptoms. CONCLUSION: Social support for elderly who lack social relationships and services to improve the daily life of elderly with impaired activities are helpful to decrease depressive symptoms. And it is necessary to investigate and manage the depressive symptoms of elderly with impaired cognitive function.

Associations between Smoking, Drinking and Depression among Korean Adults: The 5th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of depression has been steadily increasing. This study aim to identify associations between smoking, drinking and depression in Korean adults. METHODS: The study subjects were 17,871 adults aged 19 or over who participated in the 5th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2010-2012). We performed multiple logistic regression to identify whether smoking and drinking were independently significant variables to depression after adjusting for the confounding variables. RESULTS: The proportion of having any depressive episodes was a total of 13.4% with 9.1% of male and 16.6% of female, respectively. Among all of smoking behaviors, higher cigarette consumption was only associated with depression in men. However, for women ever-smoking (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]=1.63, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.38-1.92), ex-smoking (aOR=1.38, 95% CI=1.10-1.54), current smoking (aOR=1.89, 95% CI=1.53-2.94) and younger initiation of smoking (aOR=2.34, 95% CI=1.73-3.16) had significantly higher odds for depression. Moreover, and higher cigarette consumption (20 or more per day) showed significantly higher odds ratios for depression both in men (aOR=1.21, 95% CI=1.01-1.54) and women (aOR=2.41, 95% CI=1.32-4.41). For alcoholic drinking behaviors, frequent binge drinking (1 per week: aOR=1.46, 95% CI=1.16-1.85, most everyday: aOR=1.79, 95% CI=1.14-2.80) was an independent risk factor for depressive symptoms in female. CONCLUSIONS: Smoking and drinking behaviors were independently associated with depression especially in female. Smoking and drinking management may benefit depression control as well as health promotion.

Quality of life in patients with diabetes mellitus compared with non-diabetic subjects in Korea: The 5th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey / 農村醫學 地域保健

OBJECTIVE: This study was to evaluate the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among patients with diabetes in Korea and to compare them with the HRQoL of individuals without diabetes history. METHODS: The study subjects were 17,655 adults aged over 19 who participated in the 5th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2010-2012). The EuroQoL-5Dimension was used to evaluate HRQoL. Chi-square test, t-test, ANOVA and multiple regression analysis were performed to test the difference of HRQoL in diabetic subjects and controls. RESULTS: The mobility dimension was the highest reported problem: 36.4% for diabetic subjects. The proportion of any reported problem was significantly high among diabetic subjects compared with two controls in terms of mobility [reference group: diabetic subjects, chronic controls: adjusted odds ratio (aOR)=0.77, 95% confidence interval (95% CI)=0.66-0.91, healthy controls: aOR=0.61, 95% CI=0.50-0.75], self-care [reference group: diabetic subjects, chronic controls: aOR=0.68, 95% CI=0.55-0.83, healthy controls: OR=0.69, 95% CI=0.51-0.94]. and usual activities [reference group: diabetic subjects, chronic controls: aOR=0.85, 95% CI=0.72-0.99, healthy controls: OR=0.79, 95% CI=0.62-0.98]. Also, EQ-5D index were significantly low in subjects with diabetes compared to two controls. CONCLUSIONS: Subjects with diabetes had a significantly lower HRQoL compared with two controls. To improve the quality of life of diabetics, it is necessary to study various variables related to the quality of life, and develop and manage various health programs or welfare policies reflecting socio-demographic characteristics and health related features that affect the quality of life.

Retinal Thickness After Cataract Surgery Measured by Optical Coherence Tomography

PURPOSE: To report the early postoperative macular change in uncomplicated phacoemulsification cataract surgery. METHODS: A retrospective study of 36 consecutive eyes of 36 patients, who underwent phacoemulsification cataract surgery and OCT, preoperatively and postoperatively was made. In 16 eyes from group 1, nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy without macular edema was present before the cataract surgery. In the other 20 eyes (group 2), no systemic or ocular pathology was present . RESULTS: The mean +/- standard deviation (SD) follow up after cataract surgery was 4 +/- 1 weeks in each group. In group 1, the mean +/- SD retinal thickness increased from 201 +/- 14 micro meter preoperatively to 243 +/- 22 micro meter 3 hrs after cataract surgery (P=0.38). In group 2, the mean +/- SD retinal thickness increased from 212 +/- 10 micro meter preoperatively to 246 +/- 24 micro meter 3 hrs after cataract surgery (P=0.55). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that uncomplicated phacoemulsification cataract surgery has no immediate influence on retinal thickness.