Association Between Body Mass Index, Body Shape Perception and Depression in Korean Female Population: The Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey / 생물치료정신의학

Objectives@#The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between body mass index (BMI) and body shape perception and depression. @*Methods@#This study was based on data from 2016, 2018, and 2020 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). The subjects were 7,302 adult female aged 19 to 65. We performed chi-square test with the RaoScott correction and Logistic regression analyses to examine the association among BMI, body shape perception, and depression. @*Results@#All demographic variables such as age, household income, education, marital status, medical service satisfaction, body shape perception, medical conditions except drinking problem, smoking and physical activity were correlated with depression. The rate of depression decreased from underweight to normal weight and overweight, and increased from obesity to severe obesity (p<0.001). And people who perceived themselves thin or overweight had more depression than normal (p<0.001). @*Conclusions@#The results of this study suggest that appropriate body mass index and normal body shape perception have a positive effect on mental health.

Expert Consensus on Measures to Promote Physical and Psychological Health among COVID-19-Related Healthcare Workers in Korea using Delphi Technique

Background@#The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused health problems and distress among healthcare workers (HCWs), so supportive measures to promote their health and relieve distress are needed. @*Materials and Methods@#We conducted two rounds of Delphi surveys with 20 COVID-19-related frontline healthcare professionals and public officials. The surveys evaluated means of supporting HCWs’ health by improving health care systems and working environments in terms of effectiveness and urgency. The validity of the measures was assessed by calculating the content validity ratio. @*Results@#The top-priority measures to support HCWs were “secure isolation units capable of treating severe cases” in the facility infrastructure category, “secure nursing staff dedicated for patients in the intensive care units” in the personnel infrastructure category, “improve communication between central office and frontline field” in the cooperation system category, “support personal protective equipment and infection control supplies” in the aid supplies category, and “realization of hazard pay” in the physical/mental health and compensation category. @*Conclusion@#There was consensus among the experts on the validity and priorities of policies in the facility, personnel, cooperation, supplies, and compensation categories regarding measures to promote COVID-19 related HCWs’ health.

The Effects of Inhumane Treatment in North Korean Detention Facilities on the Posttraumatic-Stress Disorder Symptoms of North Korean Refugees

Objective@#The study investigated the effects of severe human rights abuses in North Korean on Posttraumatic-stress disorder (PTSD) in North Korean Refugees (NKRs). @*Methods@#The study included 300 NKRs (245 females and 55 males) who completed self-report questionnaires that assessed PTSD, experiences of imprisonment, and exposure to inhumane treatment, by authorities in North Korea. A moderation analysis was conducted using a hierarchical multiple regression model to determine whether a moderation effect existed. In the next step, a post-hoc probing procedure of the moderation effect was performed using multiple regression models that included conditional moderator variables. @*Results@#The influence of the frequency of being imprisoned on PTSD varied as a function of recurrent exposure to inhumane treatment or punishment by authorities. Experiences of imprisonment were associated with PTSD only among those who were exposed to recurrent violence, such as beating or torture, by North Korean authorities. @*Conclusion@#The present findings highlight the significant effects of human rights violations, such as the inhumane treatment of prisoners in North Korea, on the PTSD of NKRs.

The Effects of Inhumane Treatment in North Korean Detention Facilities on the Posttraumatic-Stress Disorder Symptoms of North Korean Refugees

Objective@#The study investigated the effects of severe human rights abuses in North Korean on Posttraumatic-stress disorder (PTSD) in North Korean Refugees (NKRs). @*Methods@#The study included 300 NKRs (245 females and 55 males) who completed self-report questionnaires that assessed PTSD, experiences of imprisonment, and exposure to inhumane treatment, by authorities in North Korea. A moderation analysis was conducted using a hierarchical multiple regression model to determine whether a moderation effect existed. In the next step, a post-hoc probing procedure of the moderation effect was performed using multiple regression models that included conditional moderator variables. @*Results@#The influence of the frequency of being imprisoned on PTSD varied as a function of recurrent exposure to inhumane treatment or punishment by authorities. Experiences of imprisonment were associated with PTSD only among those who were exposed to recurrent violence, such as beating or torture, by North Korean authorities. @*Conclusion@#The present findings highlight the significant effects of human rights violations, such as the inhumane treatment of prisoners in North Korea, on the PTSD of NKRs.

Association between Sleep Duration and Injury from Falling among Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Korean Community Health Survey Data

PURPOSE: While sleeping problems increase with advancing age, there are inherent differences in sleep between males and females. Previous studies have shown inconsistent results of the relationship between sleep duration and risk of injury from falling. While controlling various sociodemographic and health-related factors, national representative data were used in order to analyze the association between sleep duration and injury from falling among older adults. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The data were obtained from the Korean Community Health Survey of 2011. A total of 55654 individuals aged 65 years and older participated in the study. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify the factors associated with injury from falling. RESULTS: After adjusting for covariates, such as age, sex, marital status, whether or not an individual is a recipient of benefits from the National Basic Livelihood Act, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, stress level, and self-rated health status, those who slept five hours or less per day [odds ratio (OR)=1.26; 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.18–1.34; p<0.001] or eight hours or more per day (OR=1.11; 95% CI=1.04–1.17; p=0.001) presented significantly higher ORs for injury from falling. A similar result was found when we conducted stratification by sex. CONCLUSION: The current study supports that there is a relationship between short sleep duration and injury from falling and also identified a marginal risk of long sleep in older adults. Therefore, sleep management in older adults with inadequate sleep duration may be necessary.

Effect of Amniotic Membrane to Reduce Postlaminectomy Epidural Adhesion on a Rat Model

OBJECTIVE: Epidural fibrosis and adhesion are the main reasons for post-laminectomy sustained pain and functional disability. In this study, the authors investigate the effect of irradiated freeze-dried human amniotic membrane on reducing epidural adhesion after laminectomy on a rat model. METHODS: A total of 20 rats were divided into two groups. The group A did not receive human amniotic membrane implantation after laminectomy and group B underwent human amniotic membrane implantation after laminectomy. Gross and microscopic findings were evaluated and compared at postoperative 1, 3 and 8 weeks. RESULTS: The amount of scar tissue and tenacity were reduced grossly in group of rats with human amniotic membrane implantation (group B). On a microscopic evaluation, there were less inflammatory cell infiltration and fibroblast proliferation in group B. CONCLUSION: This experimental study shows that implantation of irradiated freeze-dried human amniotic membrane reduce epidural fibrosis and adhesion after spinal laminectomy in a rat model.