Dietary supplement use by South Korean adults: Data from the national complementary and alternative medicine use survey (NCAMUS) in 2006

There has been little data on the prevalence of supplement use and the characteristics of the dietary supplement users in the Republic of Korea. This study presents the prevalence and the details of any dietary supplement use and the characteristics of the adults who use dietary supplements in the Republic of Korea. Between May 18 and June 16, 2006, nationwide and population-weighted personal interviews with 6,201 adult aged from 30 to 69 years were conducted and the final sample consisted of 3,000 people with a 49.8% response rate. We examined the prevalence and details of the use of dietary supplements and the characteristics of those who use the dietary supplement among adults. About sixty two percent of adults had taken any dietary supplement during the previous 12-month period in 2006. The most commonly reported dietary supplement was ginseng, followed by multivitamins, glucosamine, probiotics, and vitamin C. Female (versus male), an older age group, a higher family income, those living in metropolitan cities, those with marital experience, those with a higher level of education, and those having medical problems had a greater likelihood of reporting the use of any dietary supplements. The particular relationships differed depending on the type of supplement. The most Korean adults took one more dietary supplement and the dietary supplement users had different demographic and health characteristics compared to those of the nonusers. Research on diet supplements by the medical community is needed in the future.

Effect of Critical Pathway of Lumbar Posterolateral Fusion in Spinal Stenosis / 대한정형외과학회잡지

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to identify the effects of the critical pathway (CP) on the quality of medical care, and to determine means of reducing costs for lumbar posterolateral fusion in patient with lumbar spinal stenosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The subjects were 25 control patients with lumbar posterolateral fusion, and 25 experimental patients with application of CP. We compared the patients' functional status using the Oswestry disability index, patients'satisfaction by quality patient care scale, the length of hospitalization and the medical charges between the two groups. RESULTS: Differences between the Oswestry disability index of the experimental and control groups were not significant. No differences were found between two groups regarding general care, but the experimental group was more satisfied with specific care related to spinal fusion. The mean length of stay of the experimental group was shorter than that of the control group, and the charge of medication and treatment of the experimental group was lower than that of the control group. CONCLUSION: Critical pathway improves the quality of care and reduces medical charges.

Bone Acquisition Related Health Behavior Factors and Nutritional Uptake in High School Girl Student

BACKGROUND: The adolescent years are a window of opportunity to influence lifelong bone health. Bone acquisition is accelerated within the genetic potential by lifestyle choices. But some adolescent girls do not care about healthy lifestyle and nutrient uptake. Therefore, we investigated the nutrition and health behavior relating to bone acquisition. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was administered to high school girl students from 4 general and 4 commercial high schools in Uijongbu, Incheon, Suwon, and Yongin. The data was gathered from 378 girls by self-reported questionnaire, which included age, height, weight, health behavior relating to bone acquisition and food-frequency. Nutrient uptake was assessed by DIET PLUS 3.0 program. RESULTS: Girls with bone acquisition inhibiting health habits were reported. Among subjects, 12.2% had regular alcohol intake, 21% smoked daily, 77.7% did not exercise regularly, 58% had light-activity, 42.2% experienced weight reduction trial, 30% had low body weight and 72.8% had less than 2 meals a day. In nutrient uptake, 33.1% of subjects took less calcium uptake and 4% less protein uptake than recommended daily allowance. Comparing general and commercial high schools, commercial students had more bone acquisition inhibiting health habits. CONCLUSION: There were many high school girl students with bone acquisition inhibiting health and eating habits. Family physicians need to promote and educate good health habits with a balanced meal associated with bone acquisition in girls, especially commercial high school students.