Factors Influencing Self-Rated Oral Health in Elderly People Residing in the Community: Results from the Korea Community Health Survey, 2016

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to examine the factors influencing perceived oral health in elderly individuals residing in the community.MethodsThis study used raw data from the Korea community health survey, 2016. Of the 64,223 participants that were elderly (aged ≥ 65 years), 61,280 (95.4%) were included for analysis. Self-rated oral health was the dependent variable and 6 independent variables including age, gender, type of area of residence (metropolitan or provincial), educational level, income, and living status with spouse were assessed. Oral function was studied based on mastication, pronunciation, and use of dentures, and oral health behavior included brushing teeth after breakfast, after lunch, after dinner, and before sleep). The EQ-5D questionnaire measured health-related quality of life (mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort and anxiety/depression).ResultsAmong the general characteristics, age, gender, educational level, income, and living status with spouse were the factors that affected self-rated oral health. Mastication, pronunciation, use of dentures, and brushing after lunch, dinner, and before sleep were the factors that influenced self-rated oral function. All domains of the EQ-5D (pain/discomfort, mobility, self-care, usual activities, and anxiety/depression) were factors that affected self-rated oral health.ConclusionThe results of the current investigation suggest that the development of management and education strategies for oral health promotion in the elderly, should focus on improving oral function and oral health behavior, taking into account the socio-economic and demographic characteristics that have been shown to be associated with poor self-rated oral function.

Effect of a Multicomponent Intervention Program on Community-Dwelling People With Intellectual Disabilities

Objective@#To investigate the effectiveness of a novel and complex intervention in community-dwelling people with intellectual disabilities. @*Methods@#Forty-three participants completed the experiment. The subjects were randomly assigned the experimental (n=33) or control (n=10) groups. The multicomponent intervention program comprised exercise and nutrition management and behavior modification. The intervention was performed for 60 minutes once weekly for 10 weeks. The assessment included anthropometric data, body composition and blood pressure analysis, and blood tests. In addition, pulmonary function, physical function, and health-related quality of life were measured before and after the intervention. @*Results@#No adverse events occurred during the intervention. After the intervention, the experimental group showed a significantly higher increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level than did the control group (effect size=0.152, p=0.019). @*Conclusion@#This innovative intervention was effective in improving cardiovascular health. Even greater effects could be achieved through improvements in implementation strategies to increase compliance.

Factors Affecting Activity Limitation in the Elderly: Data Processed from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2016

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to compare the sociodemographic characteristics, depression, and the health-related quality of life outcome, among the Korean elderly population, with and without activity limitation. METHODS: The data used was drawn from the raw data of the seventh Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (N = 8,150). There were 1,632 records for individuals aged 65 or older extracted from the seventh Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey database, 199 of those had missing responses (n = 1,433). Differences within the sociodemographic characteristic, the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, and the EuroQol-5 Dimension were analyzed using logistic regression analysis according to the presence or absence of activity limitation. RESULTS: The prevalence of activity limitation among the elderly individuals surveyed was 19.9%. In the unadjusted regression analysis, the odds ratios of all independent variables (age, gender, education level, type of region, family income, the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, all 5 domains of the EuroQol-5 Dimension) between the elderly individuals with and without activity limitation, were significant. Although, in the adjusted logistic regression analysis, it was observed that the only factors that were significantly associated with activity limitation were the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, EuroQol-5 Dimension, type of region, and family income. CONCLUSION: These findings demonstrated that activity limitation in elderly individuals is associated with the sociodemographic characteristics of family income and type of region of residence, as well as depression and the health-related quality of life outcome.

An Investigation into Chronic Conditions and Diseases in Minors to Determine the Socioeconomic Status, Medical Use and Expenditure According to Data from the Korea Health Panel, 2015

OBJECTIVES: This study compared the socioeconomic status, medical use and expenditures for infants (1–5 years), juveniles (6–12 years), and adolescents (13–19 years) with a chronic condition or disease to determine factors affecting health spending.METHODS: Data from 3,677 minors (< 20 years old, without disabilities) were extracted from the Korea Health Panel (2015) database.RESULTS: Minors with chronic conditions or diseases were older (juveniles, and adolescents; p < 0.001), and included a higher proportion of Medicaid recipients (p = 0.004), a higher use of hospital outpatient care (p < 0.001), and higher medical expenditure (p < 0.001) compared to minors without chronic conditions or diseases. Boys were more likely to have a chronic condition or disease than girls (p = 0.036). Adolescents and juveniles were more likely than infants to have a chronic condition or disease (p = 0.001). Medicaid recipients were more likely to have a chronic condition or disease than those who were not Medicaid recipients (p = 0.008). Minors who had been hospital outpatients were more likely to have a chronic condition or disease, compared with minors who had not been an outpatient (p = 0.001). Having a chronic condition or disease, was a factor increasing medical expenditure (p = 0.001). Medical expenditure was higher in infants than in juveniles and adolescents (p = 0.001). Infants had higher rates of medical use when compared with juveniles and adolescents (p = 0.001).CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that systematic health care management for minors with chronic conditions or diseases, is needed.

The Effects of Task-Oriented Circuit Training Using Rehabilitation Tools on the Upper-Extremity Functions and Daily Activities of Patients with Acute Stroke: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of task-oriented circuit training (TOCT) using the rehabilitation tools for upper extremity function upon the daily life of patients with acute stroke. METHODS: Eighteen patients with acute stroke were randomly allocated into either the experimental group or the control group. The experimental group performed the TOCT program using rehabilitation tools, whilst the control group had neuro-developmental treatment. Both groups received 30 minutes of treatment per session, 5~6 times per week, for 4 weeks. The assessments conducted were the Fugl-Meyer assessment, motor activity log and stroke impact scale to compare the upper extremity function and activities of daily living. RESULTS: The results showed a significant improvement in the TOCT group compared with the neuro-developmental treatment group in the amount of motor activity use and high stroke impact score, indicating recovery (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The TOCT program using rehabilitation tools could have a positive impact on acute stroke patients use of their upper extremity.