Performance of a Community-based Noncommunicable Disease Control Program in Korea: Patients 65 Years of Age or Older

Background@#In Korea, the Korean Community-based Noncommunicable Disease Prevention and Control Program (KCNPC) was implemented in 2012 for the management of patients with chronic diseases. Nineteen primary care clinics, public health centers, and education and consulting centers (ECCs) participated in the implementation of this program. This study assessed the effectiveness of this chronic disease control model by comparing mortality rate and the incidence of complications between patients participating in the KCNPC program and a control group. @*Methods@#Using data from the National Health Insurance Service and data from hypertension and diabetes patients registered with 19 ECCs between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2012, hypertension and diabetes patients who had been treated at a clinic were selected. The final analysis included 252,900 patients, with the intervention group and control group having 126,450 patients each. Survival for the two groups was analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method. Complications were analyzed using the Cox proportional hazards model. @*Results@#The 5-year survival rate in the intervention group (0.88) was higher than that in the control group (0.86). Cox proportional hazards analysis showed that the intervention group had lower risk for mortality (0.84; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.82–0.86) compared to the control group. Hospitalization due to complications and the proportional risk of hospitalization were also lower in the intervention group. @*Conclusion@#The KCNPC model for prevention and control of chronic disease in Korea was found to be effective for hypertension and diabetes patients. Therefore, the KCNPC will be necessary to strengthen the capabilities of local communities, primary medical institutions, and individuals for prevention and control of chronic disease. Expanding the efficient prevention and control policies of the KCNPC to a nationwide scale may be effective as has been demonstrated through limited implementation in some regions.

Effects of Comorbid Sleep Disorders on Cardiovascular Complications of Hypertension Among Patients With Newly-diagnosed Hypertension: An Analysis of the Korean National Health Insurance Service-National Sample Cohort / 예방의학회지

Objectives@#This study investigated the effects of comorbid sleep disorders (SD) on the incidence of cardiovascular complications among newly-diagnosed hypertension (HTN) patients. @*Methods@#As study population, 124 057 newly-diagnosed essential HTN patients aged 30 or older, without cardiovascular complications at diagnosis with HTN, were selected from the National Health Insurance Service-National Sample Cohort. The incidence of cardiovascular complications was calculated, Cox proportional-hazards regression model was used to analyze the risk of complications, and the population attributable fraction (PAF) for cardiovascular complications of having comorbid SD at HTN diagnosis was calculated. @*Results@#Over 10 years, 32 275 patients (26.0%) developed cardiovascular complications. In HTN patients with comorbid SD at diagnosis of HTN, the incidence of cardiovascular complications (78.3/1000 person-years; 95% confidence interval [CI], 75.8 to 80.9) was higher than in those without comorbid SD (58.6/1000 person-years; 95% CI, 57.9 to 59.3) and the risk of cardiovascular complications was 1.21 times higher (95% CI, 1.17 to 1.25), adjusting for age, gender, income, area of residence, and comorbid diabetes mellitus. The PAF of having comorbid SD at diagnosis of HTN for the incidence of cardiovascular complications was 2.07% (95% CI, 1.69 to 2.44). @*Conclusions@#Newly-diagnosed essential HTN patients aged 30 or older who had comorbid SD at the time of their HTN diagnosis had a higher incidence of cardiovascular complications than those without comorbid SD. Age, gender, income, area of residence, and comorbid diabetes mellitus had a significant effect on the incidence of cardiovascular complications. Approximately 2% of cardiovascular complications were found to occur due to the presence of SD.

Review the Governance of Graduate Medical Education / 보건행정학회지

Education on the physician continues with undergraduate medical education, graduate medical education, and continuous medical education. The countries such as the United States, Japan, the United Kingdom, German, and others are required to undergo training in the clinical field for 2 years after completing the national medical examination, and to become doctors after passing the clinical practice license test. Korea can obtain a medical license and become a clinical doctor at the same time if it passes written and practical tests after completing 6 years of undergraduate medical education or 4 years of graduate school. About 90% of medical school graduates replace clinical practice with 4–5 years of training to acquire professional qualifications, but this is an option for individual doctors rather than an extension of the licensing system under law. The medical professional qualification system is implemented by the Ministry of Health and Welfare on the regulation. In fact, under the supervision of the government, the Korean Hospital Association, the Korean Medical Association, and the Korean Academy of Medical Sciences progress most procedures. After training and becoming a specialist, the only thing that is given to a specialist is the right to mark him or her as a specialist in marking a medical institution and advertising. The government's guidelines for professional training are too restrictive, such as the recruitment method of residents, annual training courses of residents, dispatch rule of the residents, and the quota of residents of training hospitals. Although professional training systems are operated in the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany, most of them are organized and operated by public professional organizations and widely recognize the autonomy of academic institutions and hospitals. Korea should also introduce a compulsory education system after graduating from medical education and organize and initiate by autonomic public professional organization that meets global standards.

Evaluation of Community-based Hypertension Control Programme in South Korea

<p><b>INTRODUCTION</b>This study was conducted to provide an overview of the community-based hypertension and diabetes control programme of 19 cities in Korea and to evaluate its effectiveness in controlling hypertension at the community level.</p><p><b>MATERIALS AND METHODS</b>In this longitudinal observational study, we analysed the data of 117,264 hypertensive patients aged ≥65 years old from the time of their first enrolment in July 2012 to October 2013 (up to their 2-year follow-up).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The hypertension control rate of 72.5% at the time of enrolment increased to 81.3% and 82.4% at 1 and 2 years after enrolment. Treatment continuity, completion of hypertension self-management education, and longer enrolment duration in the programme contributed to improvements in hypertension control rate.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>This programme was characterised by a public health-clinical partnership at the community level. Despite its simplicity, the programme was evaluated as a successful attempt to control hypertension among patients aged >65 years at the community level.</p>

Factors Affecting Smoking Cessation Success of Heavy Smokers Registered in the Intensive Care Smoking Cessation Camp (Data from the National Tobacco Control Center)

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors involved in the success of smoking cessation in heavy smokers enrolled in an intensive care smoking cessation camp program. METHODS: Heavy smokers enrolled in the program were classified into a success (n = 69) or failure (n = 29) group, according to whether they maintained smoking cessation for 6 months after the end of the program. Demographics, smoking behaviors, and smoking cessation-related characteristics were analyzed. RESULTS: Statistically significantly more participants in the success group had a spouse (98.6%; p = 0.008) compared with participants in the failure group (82.8%). However, multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that having a spouse was not an independent factor in smoking cessation (p = 0.349). A significant difference in the frequency of counseling between the success and failure groups was observed (p = 0.001), with 72.5% of those who received counseling on 3–5 occasions for 6 months after the end of program successfully quit smoking, indicating that those who received more counseling had a higher likelihood of smoking cessation success. This was confirmed as an independent factor by multivariate logistic regression (p < 0.005). Furthermore, a graduate school level of education or higher, indicated a statistically greater success rate compared to those that were less well educated (p = 0.043). This was also observed as a significant independent factor using multivariate logistic regression (p = 0.046). CONCLUSION: Education level, marital status, and the number of counseling sessions were significant factors contributing to smoking cessation success.

Relationship between Bone Density, Eating Habit, and Nutritional Intake in College Students

BACKGROUND: The importance of bone health is emphasized throughout the life cycle. Young adults have problems with bone health due to irregular lifestyle and unbalanced diet, but studies related to them are insufficient. The purpose of this study was to measure the bone mineral density (BMD) of college students and to analyze the differences in BMD according to lifestyle. METHODS: BMD was measured by bone ultrasound in 161 male and female college students. The questionnaire was surveyed about lifestyle, eating habits, and nutrient intake status. RESULTS: Osteopenia was 8.8% in male and 10.8% in female. The body fat percentage of female was significantly higher than male. Male college students, smoking, fast food consumption, and overeating rate were significantly higher than female. Nutrient intake was not significantly different between male and female students. But energy and vitamin A and C levels were inadequate, and protein and sodium intake was excessive compared with the recommended nutrient intake for Koreans. BMD was significantly lowest in male who often intake fast food than male who did not intake at all or intake sometimes. Female who often intake fast food had significantly lower BMD than female who did not eat at all. CONCLUSIONS: College students have different BMDs according to lifestyle. There was a difference in BMD according to smoking and fast food consumption.

Association between Sarcopenia, Sarcopenic Obesity, and Chronic Disease in Korean Elderly

BACKGROUND: It is a very important social issue for Korea to have a healthy old age as an aged society. Aging causes a lot of physical changes, especially sarcopenia. Sarcopenia is defined as a persistent decrease in skeletal muscle and muscle strength. Sarcopenic obesity is a phenomenon in which fat is replaced instead of muscle. The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity in Korean elderly and to analyze the relationship with chronic disease. METHODS: Data from the 2008 to 2011 the Korea National Health and Nutrition Survey were used. A total of 3,492 patients were classified into 3 groups (non-sarcopenia, sarcopenia, sarcopenic obesity), and general, anthropometry, health behavior, nutrient intake and chronic disease status were compared by the statistical analysis. RESULTS: The rate of moderate exercise was significantly lower in the sarcopenia and sarcopenic-obesity group than in the non-sarcopenia group (P=0.007). The sarcopenic obesity group had significantly higher energy (P=0.005), protein (P=0.046) and fat (P=0.001) intake than the sarcopenic group. The sarcopenic-obesity group had the highest ratio of diabetes (P=0.023) and dyslipidemia (P=0.004) in the 3 groups. Compared with the non-sarcopenia group, in the sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity groups, the odds ratios (ORs) of diabetes was increased by 1.24 and 2.16 while the ORs of dyslipidemia was increased by 1.12 and 1.50, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Regular exercise and adequate nutrient intake (energy, protein and fat) are essential for the prevention of sarcopenia in Korean elderly, and management of chronic disease in sarcopenic obesity elderly is important.

Relationship between Serum 25-hydroxy-vitamin D Concentration and Risk of Metabolic Syndrome in Patients with Fatty Liver

BACKGROUND: The vitamin D deficiency rate in Koreans is still high and dietary intake is insufficient. The purpose of this study was to provide basic data for the management of metabolic syndrome (MetS) by analyzing the effect of vitamin D levels on the MetS in patients with fatty liver. METHODS: We analyzed the MetS ratio and serum 25-hydroxy-vitamin D (25[OH]D) concentration in 151 adults diagnosed with fatty liver by using obesity index and blood profiles. We collected data on demographic factors, nutrient intake, and lifestyle habits. RESULTS: The mean 25(OH)D concentration of all subjects was 14 ng/mL and the insufficiency and deficiency rates were 40.4% and 29.8%. The proportion of MetS was 38.4% and the mean 25(OH)D level of MetS group was 12.1 ng/mL. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglyceride, and blood glucose were higher in the MetS group than in the normal group, and the waist circumference of the male was significantly higher than that of the normal group. The results showed that the lower the vitamin D concentration, the higher the risk of MetS (odds ratio, 1.47, 95% confidence interval, 0.98–2.81; P=0.043). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that serum 25(OH)D levels may be a risk factor for MetS in patients with fatty liver.

Development of the codes and guidelines of medical ethics in Korea

Medical ethics, autonomy, and self-regulation form the core of medical professionalism. Therefore, codes and guidelines regarding ethics are key documents that demonstrate the identity of physicians as a professional group in a society. In Korea, foreign declarations such as the Hippocratic Oath and the Geneva Declaration have been translated and introduced, while medical ethics guidelines have been introduced from developed countries. In 1961, 1965, and 1979, the Code of Medical Ethics was created and revised, but only in 1997 did Korean doctors develop their own ethics guidelines and codes reflecting their identity in Korean society. In order for these guidelines and codes to be effective living documents, they should be regularly modified to reflect changes in the medical environment and the field of medicine. In response to the urgent need to establish strict norms of medical professionalism in the 21st century due to internal and external problems in Korean society, the Korean Medical Association worked to revise the Ethics Code and Guidelines in 2016. This article reviews the history of how the Korean Code of Ethics and Guidelines has changed and examines the contents of the Code of Ethics and Guidelines as amended in 2016.

Association between Nutrient Intake and Metabolic Syndrome in Patients with Colorectal Cancer

The purpose of this study was to investigate the difference of nutritional status according to metabolic syndrome in colorectal cancer patients. The subjects were divided into 2 groups (metabolic syndrome group and normal group) according to the presence or absence of metabolic syndrome in 143 patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer, and their lifestyle and nutritional status were analyzed. Recall method was used for the dietary survey, and metabolic syndrome was defined as the presence of 3 or more of waist circumference, fasting blood glucose, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol, and blood pressure. This study showed that the metabolic syndrome group had a low age, a high body mass index (BMI), and a high drinking rate. The intake of energy, protein, fat, calcium, and phosphorus was significantly higher in the metabolic syndrome group than in the normal group, and the intake of β-carotene, vitamin C, and folic acid was significantly low. The intake of cholesterol, fatty acid, saturated fatty acid, and polyunsaturated fatty acid was also higher in the metabolic syndrome group. Higher BMI, alcohol consumption, intake of fat, total fatty acid or saturated fatty acid increased the risk of metabolic syndrome, but fiber, vitamin C, or folic acid intake lowered the risk.Weight management and balanced nutritional intake should be emphasized to prevent metabolic syndrome and to improve the condition in patients with colorectal cancer.

Evidence and Evaluation Research for health health care policies / 보건행정학회지

No abstract available.

Comparison in Adherence to Osteoporosis Guidelines according to Bone Health Status in Korean Adult

BACKGROUND: Osteoporosis one of the most serious disease to decrease the quality of life and cause economic loss. Thus, prevention of osteoporosis has become an important health concern. The study examined in adherence to osteoporosis guidelines and compared the levels of adherence to osteoporosis guidelines between bone health status in Korean adult. METHODS: This study used data from a nationally represented sample of Koreans (n=3,419) from 2008 to 2011 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. We were divided into three groups by T-score: normal, osteopenia and osteoporosis. Assessment of adherence level was based on 5 components of osteoporosis guidelines, considering intake of sodium, calcium and protein, smoking and regular exercise. RESULTS: The sex, body mass index, income and educational level did not significantly differ between three groups. Deficient intake of calcium was significantly associated with a threefold greater odds in osteoporosis group (OR 3.6; 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.52-5.22). Excessive protein intake was significantly increased the risk only in osteoporosis group compared to the normal group (OR 1.71; 95% CI 1.15-2.62). Smoking increased the risk in osteoporosis group compared to the normal group (OR 2.88; 95% CI 1.75-4.76), osteoporosis group compared to the osteopenia group (OR 2.69; 95% CI 1.61-4.55). CONCLUSIONS: Nutritional factor (intake of calcium and protein) and lifestyle-related factor (smoking and exercise) must be accompanied the management for bone health. An adherence of guidelines is considered very important for the prevention of osteoporosis.

Relationship between Serum Inflammatory Marker and Bone Mineral Density in Healthy Adults

BACKGROUND: Inflammatory markers have been shown to play an important role in bone remodeling. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship among serum C-reactive protein (CRP), adiponectin, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and bone health in healthy adults. METHODS: We measured serum levels of CRP, adiponectin, TNF-alpha as well as lumbar spine and femoral neck bone mineral density (BMD) in 76 adults. Anthropometric measurements and nutrient intake survey of participants were carried out. The participants were divided into two groups (normal BMD group=40; 52.6%, decreased BMD group=36; 47.4%). RESULTS: The CRP concentration was significantly higher in the decreased BMD group. The adiponectin concentration was lower in the decreased BMD group but the difference was not significant. The TNF-alpha concentration was higher in the decreased BMD group, the difference was not significant. The participants in the decreased BMD group were found to have lower calcium intakes. The sodium intake of the decreased BMD group was significantly higher. The BMD in the decreased BMD group showed inverse correlations with CRP and dietary sodium intake. CONCLUSIONS: Serum CRP and dietary sodium intake is associated with BMD. Further research is needed to confirm the potential role of inflammatory marker to modulate the effects on bone.

Strategy of Research for Developing Model of Community Based Non-Communicable Diseases Control and Prevention / 보건행정학회지

The prevalence of non-communicable disease (NCD) has been continuously increasing due to population ageing, and the change in consumption and lifestyle patterns. Cancers, cerebrovascular diseases, and hypertensive diseases have been the major causes of deaths in the Republic of Korea since 1983. Numerous studies have suggested the need for a sustained comprehensive treatment tailored for individual patients and recommend the development of a systematic program to manage NCD patients to provide such care. It's necessary to develop the Korean model of the community based NCD prevention and control, consisting strategy of community movement, education for the NCD patients, and partnership the primary care clinic with public health organization to meet the needs in community people.

Evaluation of Eating Behavior and Nutritional Status Using the Nutrition Quotient in Obese Children

BACKGROUND: The increasing incidence of pediatric obesity has recently emerged as a social problem, and children's eating behaviors and nutritional statuses directly affect health. Obesity prevention and treatment must involve dietary life management. Despite the importance of specialized, accurate eating behavior and nutritional status evaluations of obese children, available study tools in Korea are lack. METHODS: Obesity index, blood parameters, and nutrient intake were evaluated in 64 obese children (29 boys, 35 girls) at a university hospital childhood and adolescent obesity clinic; eating behaviors and nutritional statuses were evaluated using a recently developed and validated Korean nutrient quotient (NQ) for children. RESULTS: The subjects' mean age was 9.7±1.8 years, and the mean obesity index was 132.8%±17.2%. Moderate or severe obesity (P<0.001) was significantly more frequent among girls. Nutrient intake analyses revealed insufficient intakes of fiber, calcium, potassium, vitamin A, and folic acid relative to recommendation. Protein and carbohydrate intakes were significantly elevated among boys and girls, respectively (P=0.001 and 0.004, respectively). The overall mean nutrition quotient score was 59.6±15.3. Diversity and practice scores were below average, and girls had significantly higher scores only in regularity (P=0.037). Severely obese children had significantly lower moderation (P=0.032), practice (P=0.005), and mean total scores (P=0.019) relative to normal weight children. CONCLUSION: Specialized nutrition evaluation and mediation are essential for child obesity management. The nutrition quotient might allow more efficient evaluation of obese children.

The 9th Global Conference for Health Promotion and Shanghai Declaration / 보건행정학회지

The 9th Global Conference for Health Promotion has been held in Shanghai after 30 years of the first Global Conference for Health Promotion in Ottawa, Canada. In the conference, the delegated members of the countries declared ‘Shanghai Declaration on promoting health in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.’ In the declaration, the delegated members of country had agreed that health is one of the ‘most effective markers’ of any city's successful sustainable development and contributes to make cities inclusive, safe, and resilient for the whole population and ‘health literacy’ empowers individual citizens and enables their engagement in collective health promotion action. And in a parallel session ‘Mayors Forum’, they had consensus for health city and they adopted ‘Shanghai Consensus on Healthy Cities’. They recognized their political responsibility to create the conditions for every resident of every city to lead more healthy, safe, and fulfilling lives and to support the full realization of human potential and capabilities at all ages in the city environment.

Scale-up of using advanced data in health care research / 보건행정학회지

No abstract available.

Comparison of Quality of Life and Nutritional Status in Gastric Cancer Patients Undergoing Gastrectomies

The aim of this study was to compare the quality of life (QoL) depending on the postoperative survival period or nutritional status in gastric cancer patients. Surviving gastric cancer patients (n = 222) after the gastrectomy were included in the study at Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital from April 2010 to August 2012. The Korean versions of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 (QLQ-C30) and a gastric cancer-specific module, the EORTC QLQ-STO22, were used to assess the QoL. The postoperative survival period of the patients fell into two groups; the less-than-1-year group or the more-than-1-year group, and the nutritional status of the patients fell into three groups by a score of patient generated-subjective global assessment (SGA)-A, B, and C. As a result, the rate of malnutrition was 34.5% in the less-than-1-year group and 19.8% in the more-than-1-year group, respectively. Score for the fatigue (p = 0.006), loss of appetite (p = 0.002), reflux (p = 0.027) and body image (p = 0.004) in which the QoL was significantly lower in the less-than-1-year group than in the more-than-1-year group. The score of QoL according to the nutritional status of all subjects, overall health status (p = 0.043), physical functioning (p = 0.016), fatigue (p = 0.006), pain (p = 0.028), loss of appetite (p = 0.017), reflux (p = 0.003), eating restriction (p = 0.002), anxiety (p = 0.010), and body image (p = 0.001) was significantly lower in the SGA-C group than in other SGA groups. These results suggest that the nutritional status of the gastrectomy patients with stomach cancer may impact on their QoL. It is necessary to to develop nutritional intervention to improve QoL in gastric cancer patients with postoperative malnutrition.

Evaluation of Malnutrition Risk after Liver Transplantation Using the Nutritional Screening Tools

Malnutrition is a common problem in patients with end-stage liver disease requiring liver transplantation. The aim of this study was to evaluate nutritional status by using nutritional screening tools [Nutritional Risk Screening (NRS) 2002, Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST) and Subjective Global Assessment (SGA)] in patients before and after liver transplantation. We analyzed medical record, blood test, nutrient intake and malnutrition rate just before transplantation and at discharge, and at 3, 6, 12 months after transplantation respectively. Initially 33 patients enrolled as study subjects and finally 28 patients completed the study. Nutrients intake such as energy, fiber, calcium, potassium, vitamin C, and folate were insufficient at 12 months after transplantation. The rates of malnutrition before transplantation were very high, reported at 81.8% for the NRS 2002, 87.9% for the MUST, and 84.8% for the SGA. By 12 months after operation, malnutrition rates reported at NRS, MUST and SGA had decreased to 6.1%, 10.7%, and 10.7%, respectively. Sensitivity was 87.1% for the NRS 2002, 82.0% for the MUST, and 92.0% for the SGA. Of these screening tools the SGA was the highest sensitive tool that predict the risk of mortality in malnutrition patients who received transplantation. Further studies on nutritional status of patients and proper tools for nutrition intervention are needed to provide adequate nutritional care for patients.

Social Tolerance for the Health Care Cost of the Low Income Population / 보건행정학회지

No abstract available.