Associations among High Risk for Sleep-disordered Breathing, Related Risk Factors, and Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Symptoms in Elementary School Children

Objective@#Habitual snoring is a common problem in children. We evaluated the association between a high risk for sleep-disordered breathing and attention deficit/hyperactivity symptoms. @*Methods@#Parents of 13,560 children aged 6 to 12 years responded to questionnaires including items on habitual snoring and the Korean attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder rating scale. The snoring score comprised the number of “yes” responses to habitual-snoring items, and a high risk for sleep-disordered breathing was defined as a snoring score ≥ 2. @*Results@#The odds ratio (OR) of a high risk for sleep-disordered breathing was significantly higher in boys (OR = 1.47; p ＜ 0.001), overweight children (OR = 2.20; p ＜ 0.001), and children with current secondhand-smoking exposure (OR = 1.38; p ＜ 0.001). The Korean attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder rating scale score increased significantly with the snoring score (0 vs. 1, B = 1.56, p ＜ 0.001; 0 vs. 2, B = 2.44, p＜ 0.001; 0 vs. 3, B = 2.48, p＜ 0.001; 0 vs. 4, B = 3.95; p ＜ 0.001). @*Conclusion@#Our study confirms several risk factors of sleep-disordered breathing, namely male sex, overweight, and exposure to tobacco smoking, and found a positive association between habitual snoring and attention deficit/hyperactivity symptoms.

Associations between Exposure to Bisphenol A and Behavioral and Cognitive Function in Children with Attention-deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: A Case-control Study

Objective@#Bisphenol A (BPA) is a widely produced synthetic chemical used to manufacture polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. We aimed to investigate the association between exposure to BPA and behavioral and cognitive function in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and healthy controls. @*Methods@#The study included 444 children aged from 6 to 10 years. The ADHD and control groups included 195 and 249 children, respectively. BPA levels were assessed via urinalysis, while behavior was assessed using the Korean version of the ADHD Rating Scale (K-ARS) and the Behavior Assessment System for Children (BASC-2). Cognitive function was assessed using the Continuous Performance Test (i.e., ADHD Diagnostic System [ADS]). Participants were categorized into tertile groups based on urinary BPA concentration. @*Results@#Scores on the K-ARS and the hyperactivity, aggression, anxiety, and depression subscales of the BASC-2 were significantly different among tertile groups for urinary BPA levels. Scores on visual omission error, commission error, response time variability, and auditory commission error of the ADS were significantly different among three BPA groups. Subgroup analysis revealed that these differences of behavior and cognition among three BPA groups were observed in only boys and normal controls. @*Conclusion@#Exposure to BPA was associated with unfavorable behavioral and cognitive outcomes. Our study extends the findings of previous studies regarding the association between BPA exposure and behavior/cognitive function by including children with ADHD. Further studies are required to determine the mechanisms underlying sex- and group-based differences in these associations.

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Symptom Characteristics in Korean Elementary School Children: Comparison with US Population

OBJECTIVE: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder in elementary school children. The present study investigated the characteristics of ADHD in Korean elementary school children using the Korean version of the ADHD Rating Scale (K-ARS). The data was compared with those obtained from a comparable American population. METHODS: Participants included 29,914 elementary school children, aged 6–12 years, from a medium-sized city. The parents completed the home version of the K-ARS. The total and subscale-specific normative data and sex- and age-related mean score differences were analyzed. These data were compared with those obtained from the American population using independent t-tests. RESULTS: Mean total and subscale K-ARS scores were significantly higher among boys (vs. girls) and younger children aged equal to or less than 8 years old (vs. older children). Mean scores on the hyperactivity-impulsivity subscale were lower than those of American children, but similar to another Korean sample. CONCLUSION: Our data characterized ADHD symptoms in Korean children. However, further studies are needed to identify the cultural differences underlying ratings of ADHD symptom severity.

Risk Factors Associated with Loneliness in the Elderly Living Alone / 정신신체의학

OBJECTIVES@#Loneliness is associated with negative mental and physical health. However, little is known about the risk factors of loneliness in the Korean elderly living alone. The aim of this study was to examine sociodemographic and social network related risks for loneliness among the elderly living alone.@*METHODS@#This is a cross-sectional study that enrolled 1,091 subjects who are the community-residing elderly living alone. Sociodemographic status, medical condition, cognition, mood disorder and levels of loneliness were collected using a self-administered questionnaire and a specific semi-structured interview conducted by a trained nurse. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze data regarding sociodemographic variable and loneliness. Univariate and Multivariate regression analyses were applied to examine factors associated with loneliness.@*RESULTS@#The mean score of loneliness was 3.8 (SD=1.7). No family contact (standardized β=0.115, p<0.001), no religious attendance (standardized β=0.057, p=0.028), no gathering with friends (standardized β=0.088, p=0.001) and high score of Short for of Geriatric Depression Scale (standardized β=0.502, p<0.001) were significantly associated with high loneliness in the elderly living alone.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Family function, social network and depressive mood could be significant risk factors for high loneliness in the elderly living alone. Public health promotion efforts to reduce loneliness should focus on improving family function, social network and decreasing depression.

The Symptom Trajectory of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Korean School-Age Children

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate symptom trajectory of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in Korean school-age children. METHODS: Four hundred fifty six elementary school children were enrolled when they were in 1st grade and assessed once per year until 4th grade. Symptom severity was assessed by parents using the Korean version of the ADHD rating scale (K-ARS). High-risk was defined as a K-ARS score >18; 377, 325, and 284 children participated in the subsequent assessments. Symptom trajectory was analyzed using a mixed-model approach consistent with the longitudinal nature of the present study including missing data. RESULTS: K-ARS scores demonstrated significant main effects of time (F=35.33; p < 0.001), sex (F=20.77; p < 0.001), and first-year high-risk group (F=240.90; p<0.001). It also demonstrated a significant time×first-year high-risk group interaction effect (F=38.14; p < 0.001), but not a time×sex interaction effect. CONCLUSION: K-ARS scores demonstrated a tendency to decline with aging. Individuals in the high-risk group demonstrated earlier declining tendency than those in the non-high risk group. Although total K-ARS scores differed significantly between the sexes at all assessments, the declining pattern between both sexes did not differ significantly. Further studies including larger sample sizes, diagnostic interviews, and complete data sets are needed to confirm findings of the present study.

Factors Associated with the Use of Over-the-Counter Medications in the Elderly Living Alone / 정신신체의학

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to describe the use of over-the-counter (OTC) drugs and to identify predictors for their use in the elderly living alone. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study that enrolled 1,099 subjects. Data regarding socio-demographic status, medical condition, cognition, mood disorder and use of OTC drugs were collected using self-administered questionnaire and from a specific semi-structured interview by a trained nurse. Data regarding use of OTC drugs were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Logistic regression analysis was applied to examine factors associated with the use of OTC drugs. RESULTS: The use of OTC drugs were reported by 35.4% of the subjects. Analgesics (13.6%) was the most frequent drugs. Depression (OR=1.10, 95% CI=1.10–1.87) and comorbidities measured by cumulative illness rating scale (CIRS) (OR=1.08, 95% CI=1.03–1.12) were significantly associated with the use of OTC drugs in the elderly living alone. CONCLUSIONS: Depression and severity of underlying medical conditions could be a predictor of the use of OTC drugs in the elderly living alone. The clinicians should be vigilant regarding the potential use of nonprescription medications in the elderly.

Prevalence of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and its Comorbidity among Korean Children in a Community Population

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorders (ADHD) in children according to socio-demographic factors and the distribution of ADHD subtypes in a community in Korea. A screening survey using the Korean version of ADHD Rating Scale (K-ARS) was conducted between 2007 and 2008, and clinical interviews by a pediatric psychiatrist were performed for selected children between 2009 and 2010. A total of 49,573 elementary school students, between ages of 7 and 12, constituted the target population, among which 38,365 students (77.2%) and respective parents gave consent to participate. Of the participants, 200 screened children were clinically examined to confirm the diagnosis of ADHD. We estimated the prevalence of ADHD and its comorbidity in the population, after adjusting for nonresponse and nonparticipation. The prevalence of ADHD was 11.7% in boys and 5.2% in girls, with an overall prevalence of 8.5%. The combined type of inattentive and hyperactive was the most frequent at 4.7% of the whole population. Children were more likely to have ADHD if their parents were separated and had less education. Most commonly combined comorbidity was autism spectrum disorder (ASD) (10.1%). The prevalence of ADHD in the school-aged population is an essential information for improving the quality of public health mental services for evaluation and treatment of ADHD.

Influence of Depression on the Prediction Accuracy of Mini-Mental State Examination as Screening Test for Early Detection of Dementia

OBJECTIVE: Depression and cognitive impairment are closely associated in old age. In this study, we investigate the influence of depression on the prediction accuracy of Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) as screening test for early detection of dementia. METHODS: Three hundred and twenty one dementia patients and five hundred and thirty five normal control subjects were enrolled in this study. We administered both the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Inventory and the Korean version of the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Packet clinical and neuropsychological battery. We diagnosed depressive disorders according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition diagnostic criteria, and evaluated the severity of depressive symptoms using the revised Korean version of the Geriatric Depression Scale. Subjects were divided into two groups : 1) depressed group, 2) non-depressed group. We compared sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, receiver operating characteristic curve, and areas of under the curve (AUC) of MMSE between two groups. RESULTS: AUC of total group was 0.803 [95% confidence interval (CI)=0.774-0.833]. AUC of non-depressed group was the higher (0.855 ; 95% CI=0.823-0.887) than that of depressed group (0.767 ; 95% CI=0.710-0.824, p<0.009). CONCLUSION: In non-depressed group, diagnostic accuracy and positive predictive value were higher than those of depressed group. Depression should be considered for effective and efficient national dementia screening and registry program.

Smart-Phone Addiction, Depression/Anxiety, and Self-Esteem with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Korean Children

OBJECTIVES: The current study investigated the risk of smartphone addiction among children and adolescents with or without attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), risk of depression, anxiety, and self-esteem using the Smartphone Addiction Scale Proneness, Kovac's Children's Depression Inventory, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, commonly used in clinical medicine. METHODS: Ninety five students with ADHD who visited psychiatry outpatient clinics completed the questionnaire. At the same time, 592 middle and high school students living in a similar area regardless of ADHD diagnosis, completed the questionnaire as control subjects. RESULTS: Overall, 40.0% of 95 ADHD and 12.8% of 592 control subjects were classified as the smartphone addiction proneness group, 26.3% of the ADHD subjects and 8.3% of the control group were classified as the depression group, and 32.6% of the ADHD subjects and 16.2% of the control group were classified as the anxiety group. Significant differences were observed between the two groups. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that ADHD subjects are more prone to smartphone addiction, becoming depressed or anxious than those in the control group. From this study, we could suggest that students with ADHD are more easily affected by smartphone addiction than normal control subjects. In addition, we might understand how some psychiatric problems like depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem are related to ADHD and smartphone addiction.

Risk Factors for Subjective Memory Impairment in Cognitively Normal Elderly

OBJECTIVES: We examined the risk factors for subjective memory impairment in cognitively normal elderly. METHODS: One hundred fifty five cognitively normal elderly individuals with subjective memory impairment and 126 normal control subjects without subjective memory impairment were selected. All participants underwent clinical evaluation for dementia and clinical psychiatric disorder conformed to the Korean version of the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Packet and Korean version of Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview, respectively. Korean version of Geriatric Depression Scale-Revised was administered to evaluate depression. Subjective memory impairment was defined as 1) subjective memory complaint by the participant and/or the informants and 2) evidence of memory impairment. RESULTS: Depression [odds ratio (OR)=1.07, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.03-1.10] and female (OR=2.27, 95% CI=1.17-4.39) significantly increased the risk of subjective memory impairment in cognitively normal elderly. CONCLUSION: Depression can be a risk factor of subjective memory impairment in cognitively normal elderly. The clinicians should be vigilant regarding the presence of depression when assessing the subjects with subjective memory complaint.

Use of Various Treatment Modalities for Autism Spectrum Disorder and Mental Retardation

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate the use of various treatment modalities including pharmacotherapy, education-behavior therapy, and complementary alternative treatment for children with mental retardation (MR) or autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in Korea. METHODS: The sample consisted of 50 parents who have children with MR (N=28) or ASD (N=22), 38 boys, 12 girls ; mean age 14.06 (4.14) years old. A questionnaire was composed of the experienced modality, duration, cost, satisfaction etc. RESULTS: According to the results, 56.0%, 100.0%, and 36.0% of children with MR or ASD have experienced pharmacological treatment, educational-behavioral therapy and complementary alternative medicine (CAM), respectively. Children who experienced education-behavioral therapy and CAM experienced 3.52 kinds of education-behavioral therapy and 2.78 kinds of CAM, respectively. Monthly cost of pharmacological treatment was lowest among three modality categories. Regarding treatment satisfaction by parental report, the lowest score was recorded fir CAM. CONCLUSION: Parents who have a child with MR or ASD are trying many treatment modalities and feeling the burden of their treatment.

No Association between the Response to Methylphenidate and DRD4 Gene Polymorphism in Korean Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A Case Control Study

OBJECTIVE: Recently the relationship between alleles frequency distribution, drug response and the attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), has been actively researched. We investigated the association between the genetic type, alleles and drug response for the dopamine receptor D4 (DRD4) gene in ADHD patients in Korea. METHODS: One hundred fourteen patients diagnosed with ADHD according to the the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders version IV (DSM-IV) diagnostic criteria were selected for the study. The clinical features of patients were confirmed by Korean version of Conners' parent rating scale, Attention deficit Diagnostic System, Korean version of Spielberger state-trait anxiety scale. Blood samples were taken from the 198 subjects. DNA was extracted from blood lymphocytes, PCR was performed for DRD4 Polymorphism. Alleles, genotype frequencies, the Clinical Global Impression (CGI) improvement score were compared using the chi-square test. Korean ADHD Rating Scale (K-ARS) and CGI severity scores were compared using the t-test. RESULTS: In comparing the ADHD with 4/4 repeats group and without the ADHD with 4/4 repeats group, no significant difference was seen between the DRD4 genetic type, alleles distribution, and CGI drug response. CONCLUSION: As a result, it is viewed that there is no relationship between ADHD and DRD4, but final decision is indefinite. Follow up studies with larger patient or pure subgroups are expected.

Epidemiological Characteristics of Mobile Phone Ownership and Use in Korean Children and Adolescents

OBJECTIVES: As public concern on possible harmful effects of mobile phone in children has been raised, information of epidemiological characteristics of mobile phone use in children and adolescents will be essential for public health policy. METHODS: Using three databases (n=21,693) collected from 2008 to 2011, we examined characteristics of mobile phone ownership and use, and socioeconomic positions (SEP) in Korean children and adolescents. RESULTS: The ownership rate and the amount of mobile phone use were higher in females than males, in higher school grades than lower grades, and at 2011 than 2008. The average age of first mobile phone ownership was shown to decrease from 12.5 years in currently high school students to 8.4 years in currently elementary school students at 2011. More than 90% of children in the 5th grade owned a mobile phone. More children owned a mobile phone in lower SEP communities than in higher SEP. Children with parents educated less than those with parents educated more were more likely to own and use mobile phone. CONCLUSIONS: Considering the epidemiological characteristics of mobile phone use, precautionary measures to prevent unnecessary exposure to mobile phones are needed in children and adolescents.

The Prevalence and Epidemiological Characteristics of Childhood Depressive Disorder in South Korea : Self Reported Study

OBJECTIVES: Childhood depressive disorder one of the most prevalent chronic health conditions affecting school aged children. The objective of this study was to examine the prevalence and epidemiological characteristics of childhood depressive disorder in Korea. METHODS: In this study, a survey was conducted of elementary school children in the Cheonan area from September 2009 to August 2010. A total of 12,084 children were included in the analyses. The primary measure of depression was the 27-item Kovacs' Children's Depression Inventory (CDI), the Korean Dupaul attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder Rating Scales (K-ARS), Autism Spectrum Screening Questionnaire (ASSQ) and Restless Legs Syndrome Questionnaire (RLSQ) were also administered. RESULTS: The prevalence rate of childhood depressive disorder was 3.07%. The mean age was 9.21+/-1.81 years for the control group (5,969 male, 6,054 female) and 9.91+/-1.83 years for the depression group (CDI score> or =22 ; 159 male, 210 female). Age, height, weight, and economic status were similar for the two groups. However, there were statistically significant differences in the distribution of sex. The distribution of school grade also differed between the two groups. Scores for CDI, K-ARS, and ASSQ in the depressive group were higher than those of the control group. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first large-scale population-based study to report on the prevalence of childhood depressive disorder in South Korea. Increased rates of childhood depressive disorder, as reported by primary caretakers, might reflect the increasing negative impact of environmental risk factors on neurobehavioral health. Longitudinal study of the prevalence of childhood depressive disorder should be considered for further evaluation.

A Validation Study of the Korean Version of SPAN

PURPOSE: The SPAN, which is acronym standing for its four components: Startle, Physiological arousal, Anger, and Numbness, is a short post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) screening scale. This study sought to develop and validate a Korean version of the SPAN (SPAN-K). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety-three PTSD patients (PTSD group), 73 patients with non-psychotic psychiatric disorders (psychiatric control group), and 88 healthy participants (normal control group) were recruited for this study. Participants completed a variety of psychiatric assessments including the SPAN-K, the Davidson Trauma Scale (DTS), the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS), and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). RESULTS: Cronbach's alpha and test-retest reliability values for the SPAN-K were both 0.80. Mean SPAN-K scores were 10.06 for the PTSD group, 4.94 for the psychiatric control group, and 1.42 for the normal control group. With respect to concurrent validity, correlation coefficients were 0.87 for SPAN-K vs. CAPS total scores (p<0.001) and 0.86 for SPAN-K vs. DTS scores (p<0.001). Additionally, correlation coefficients were 0.31 and 0.42 for SPAN-K vs. STAI-S and STAI-T, respectively. Receiver operating characteristic analysis of SPAN-K showed good diagnostic accuracy with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.87. The SPAN-K showed the highest efficiency at a cutoff score of 7, with a sensitivity of 0.83, a specificity of 0.81, positive predictive value (PPV) of 0.88, and negative predictive value (NPV) of 0.73. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the SPAN-K had good psychometric properties and may be a useful instrument for rapid screening of PTSD patients.

MMPI Characteristics of Parents of Children with ADHD

OBJECTIVES: The current study investigated the personality characteristics of parents of children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) using the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI), which is commonly used in clinical medicine. METHODS: Participants were 117 parents of children with ADHD (96 boys and 21 girls) and 77 parents of comparison children (50 boys and 27 girls), who completed the Korean version of the MMPI. RESULTS: The MMPI scores of the fathers of ADHD children were significantly higher on the Psychopathic Deviate (Pd), Masculinity-Femininity (Mf), Paranoia (Pa), and Psychasthenia (Pt) scales than the comparison group's were. In addition, the mothers of ADHD children had higher MMPI scores on the traits of Hypochondriasis (Hs), Psychopathic Deviate (Pd), and Schizophrenia (Sc) than the comparisong roup had, but were not significantly higher. CONCLUSION: The fathers of ADHD children might be antisocial, irresolute, passive, paranoid, and anxious. In addition, mothers of ADHD children might have hypochondriacal, antisocial, and/or psychological confusional traits, but these were not be significantly high. These results suggest that the psychopathology of parents of ADHD children might correlate with their children's ADHD.

Transferrin In Korean Children With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between iron, ferritin, transferrin, total iron binding capacity (TIBC), hemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume (MCV) mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) in children with ADHD. METHODS: MethodsaaThe sample consisted of 48 ADHD children and sex and age matched control children (a couple of 28 boys, 22 girls; age 6-8 years; mean+/-SD, 6.98+/-0.39). We diagnosed ADHD according to DSM-IV. ADHD symptoms were evaluated subjectively with Conners' Parent Rating Scales, Dupaul Parent ADHD Rating Scales. Subjects with ADHD and control were evaluated the hematology test including the iron, transferrin, MCV etc. Paired t test were used to evaluate the relation of a lot of hematology findings between ADHD and control group. RESULTS: The serum iron, ferritin, transferrin, TIBC, hemoglobin, MCV, MCH, and MCHC of ADHD group were respectively 80.92+/-33.33 ug/dL, 35.81+/-16.59 ng/mL, 248.42+/-44.15 mg/dL, 351.69+/-102.13 ug/dL, 12.78+/-0.71 g/dL, 82.94+/-2.58 fL, 27.18+/-1.12 uug, 32.79+/-1.12%. Otherwise the serum iron, ferritin, transferrin, TIBC, hemoglobin, MCV, MCH, and MCHC of control group were respectively 82.04+/-28.14 ug/dL, 37.05+/-18.28 ng/mL, 266.27+/-25.40 mg/dL, 352.77+/-89.54 ug/dL, 12.77+/-0.70 g/dL, 81.81+/-2.96 fL, 26.69+/-0.99 uug, 32.66+/-0.96%. A significant difference were found in the transferrin(t=2.63, p=0.011), MCV (t=2.19, p=0.034), and MCH (t=2.18, p=0.034). CONCLUSION: These results suggested that lower transferrin levels might be related with ADHD symptoms.

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Disorders / 대한정신약물학회지

Repeated transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a noninvasive treatment method recently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of major depressive disorder in adults. Few clinical experiences with TMS or rTMS have been reported in children and adolescents. The clinical application of rTMS in children and adolescents should rest on data showing clinical efficacy and age-related safety. Despite these cautions, rTMS offers the advantage of noninvasive treatment and represents an alternative to classical drug treatment. We reviewed the effect of TMS and rTMS in child and adolescent psychiatric disorders.

Study on the Health Status of the Residents near Military Airbases in Pyeongtaek City / 예방의학회지

OBJECTIVES: We conducted an epidemiologic survey to evaluate the effect of the aircraft noise exposure on the health of the residents near the military airbases in Pyeongtaek City. METHODS: The evaluation of environmental noise level, questionnaire survey, and health examination were performed for 917 residents. The study population consisted of four groups: subjects who lived in the village close to the fighter airbase (high exposure), subjects who lived along the course of fighters (intermediate exposure), and subjects near a helicopter airbase, and the control group. RESULTS: The prevalence of the aircraft noise related accident and irritable bowel syndrome in the exposure groups were higher than that of the control group. The risks of noise induced hearing loss, hypertension and diabetes mellitus were higher in the exposed groups than in the control group. The prevalence of anxiety disorder and primary insomnia were higher in the exposed groups than in the control group. Prevalence odd ratios of the risk for primary insomnia after adjusting age, sex, agricultural noise, and occupation were 4.03 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.56-10.47] for the subject near the helicopter airbase, 1.23 (95% CI 0.40-3.76) for those intermediately exposed to fighter noise, and 4.99 (95% CI 2.14-11.64) for those highly exposed to fighter noise. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study suggest that the aircraft noise may have adverse effects on hearing function, cardiovascular health and mental health. Therefore, it seems to be needed to take proper measures including the control of the aircraft noise and the management of the exposed people's health.

Expose to Chronic Aircraft Noise and Emotion, Behavior Characteristics in Korean Children / 항공우주의학회지

BACKGROUND: This study was focused on the influence of chronic aircraft noise exposure on children's emotional and behavioral characteristics in Korean children. METHODS: We enrolled 586 4th~6th grade children of seven primary schools near airbases in Korea. The Korean version of Child Behavior Checklist, Korean Personality Inventory for Children, Kovac's Children's Depression Inventory, and Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory involving 2 schools in a helicopter noise-impacted urban area and 3 schools in a fighter plane noise-impacted urban area were compared with those of children from 2 matched control schools in low-aircraft noise-impacted urban areas in Korea. RESULTS: Family discomfort and autistic symptoms of Korean personality inventory for children were significantly higher among children in schools in a helicopter and a fighter plane noise environment compared to the low noised schools. Also, Spielberger Trait Anxiety Inventory was significantly higher among children in schools in a helicopter and a fighter plane noise environment compared to the low noise schools. CONCLUSION: Children in a chronic aircraft noise environment schools was shown to be associated with a higher rate of autistic behavior and family discomfort. Also there was a possibility for chronic aircraft noise exposure to be associated with family environment function other than depression and anxiety.