ABSTRACT
A reduced estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) is a predictor for mortality in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). This study aimed to compare mortality according to the GFR and eGFR calculation methods during long-term clinical follow-ups. Using the Korean Acute Myocardial Infarction Registry-National Institutes of Health Data, 13,021 patients with AMI were included in this study. Patients were divided into the surviving (n=11,503, 88.3%) and deceased (n=1,518, 11.7%) groups.Clinical characteristics, cardiovascular risk factors, and 3-year mortality-related factors were analyzed. eGFR was calculated using the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) and Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) equations. The surviving group was younger than the deceased group (62.6±12.4 vs. 73.6±10.5 years, p＜0.001), whereas the deceased group had higher hypertension and diabetes prevalences than the surviving group. A high Killip class was more frequently observed in the deceased group. eGFR was significantly lower in the deceased group (82.2±24.1 vs. 55.2±28.6 ml/min/1.73 m 2 , p＜0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed that low eGFR was an independent risk factor for mortality during the 3-year follow-up. The CKD-EPI equation was more useful for predicting mortality than the MDRD equation (0.766; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.753-0.779 vs. 0.738; 95% CI, 0.724-0.753; p=0.001). Decreased renal function was a significant predictor of mortality after 3 years in patients with AMI. The CKD-EPI equation was more useful for predicting mortality than the MDRD equation.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES@#The prevalence of diabetes has continued to increase globally.Changes in eating habits, lack of exercise, increased stress, and aging are major contributors.Glycemic control is the key strategy of diabetes management. The purpose of this study was to analyze the utilization of nutrition labels and related factors among patients with diabetes.MATERIALS/METHODS: Data from the 7th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were used. General, health-related, diabetes-related characteristics from 1,587 adults with diabetes history were included. Nutrition label utilization was assessed with awareness and use of nutrition labels and effects on food choice. For statistical analyses, chi-square test and multiple logistic regression analysis were performed. @*RESULTS@#The prevalence of awareness, use, and effects of nutrition labels on food choice among diabetic patients were 48.8%, 11.4%, and 9.6%, respectively. High monthly income, walking frequency, family history of diabetes, younger age at diagnosis, and shorter duration of diabetes were associated with higher nutrition label awareness. Nutrition label use and effect on food choice were higher in women, those with high monthly income, those diagnosed at younger than 45 yrs, those with diabetes for less than 10 yrs, those with meal therapy, or patients who had undergone a fundus examination. @*CONCLUSIONS@#Nutrition label utilization status was low in Korean patients with diabetes.Strategies are needed to promote nutrition label use as a diet management tool for patients with diabetes.
ABSTRACT
Objectives@#This study aimed to evaluate the potential interaction between kidney function and the non-linear association between serum calcium levels and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality. @*Methods@#This study included 8927 participants enrolled in the Dong-gu Study. Albumin-corrected calcium levels were used and categorized into 6 percentile categories: 97.5th. Restricted cubic spline analysis was used to examine the non-linear association between calcium levels and CVD mortality. Cox proportional hazard regression was used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) for CVD mortality according to serum calcium categories. All survival analyses were stratified by the estimated glomerular filtration rate. @*Results@#Over a follow-up period of 11.9±2.8 years, 1757 participants died, of whom 219 died from CVD. A U-shaped association between serum calcium and CVD mortality was found, and the association was more evident in the low kidney function group. Compared to the 25.0-50.0th percentile group for serum calcium levels, both low and high serum calcium tended to be associated with CVD mortality (97.5th: HR, 2.56; 95% CI, 0.76 to 8.66) in the low kidney function group. In the normal kidney function group, a similar association was found between serum calcium levels and CVD mortality (97.5th: HR, 1.65; 95% CI, 0.70 to 3.93). @*Conclusions@#We found a non-linear association between serum calcium levels and CVD mortality, suggesting that calcium dyshomeostasis may contribute to CVD mortality, and kidney function may modify the association.
ABSTRACT
Background and Objectives@#The association between bilirubin and atrial fibrillation (AF) has been evaluated previously in observational studies but with contradictory results. This study evaluated the causal association between serum bilirubin level and AF using Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis. @*Methods@#This cross-sectional study includes 8,977 participants from the Dong-gu Study.In the observational analysis, multivariate logistic regression was performed to evaluate the association between bilirubin and prevalent AF. To evaluate the causal association between bilirubin and AF, MR analysis was conducted by using the UGT1A1 rs11891311 and rs4148323 polymorphisms as instrumental variables. @*Results@#Elevated serum bilirubin levels were associated with an increased risk for AF in observational analysis (total bilirubin: odds ratio [OR], 1.31; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.15–1.48 per 1 standard deviation [SD]; direct bilirubin: OR, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.18–1.46 per 1 SD), whereas the genetically predicted serum bilirubin levels in MR analysis did not show this association (total bilirubin: OR, 1.02; 95% CI, 0.67–1.53 per 1 SD; direct bilirubin: OR, 1.03; 95% CI, 0.61–1.73 per 1 SD). @*Conclusions@#Genetically predicted bilirubin levels were not associated with prevalent AF.Thus, the observational association between serum bilirubin levels and AF may be noncausal and affected by reverse causality or unmeasured confounding.
ABSTRACT
Objectives@#The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has continued since its first detection in the Republic of Korea on January 20, 2020. This study describes the early countermeasures used to minimize the risk of COVID-19 outbreaks during cohort quarantine and compares the epidemiological characteristics of 2 outbreaks in long-term care facilities (LTCFs) in Gwangju Metropolitan City in summer 2020. @*Methods@#An epidemiological investigation was conducted via direct visits. We investigated epidemiological characteristics, including incidence, morbidity, and mortality rates, for all residents and staff members. Demographic characteristics were analyzed using a statistical program. Additionally, the method of managing infection in LTCFs is described. @*Results@#Residents and caregivers had high incidence rates in LTCF-A and LTCF-B, respectively. LTCF-B had a longer quarantine period than LTCF-A. The attack rate was 20.02% in LTCF-A and 27.9% in LTCF- B. The mortality rate was 2.3% (1/43) in LTCF-B, the only facility in which a COVID-19 death occurred. @*Conclusion@#Extensive management requires contact minimization, which involves testing all contacts to mitigate further transmission in the early stages of LTCF outbreaks. The findings of this study can help inform and prepare public health authorities for COVID-19 outbreaks, particularly for early control in vulnerable facilities.
ABSTRACT
COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy will likely increase in the unvaccinated general population because of several vaccine safety issues that arose during priority vaccination.To investigate the potential rate of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in the unvaccinated population and evaluate factors that affect the attitude towards vaccine acceptance, a cross-sectional survey was performed. A telephone survey was conducted in 1,357 people older than 18 years; 99 were excluded from the analysis because they had already been vaccinated (n=58) or hesitated (n=41) after an official call. The COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy rate was 21.9% and was highest among those aged under 30 years (33.4%) and lowest among those aged 65 years and over (8.7%). Age, occupation, and perceived confidence in vaccine safety and efficacy were associated with vaccine hesitancy. These findings suggest that public health authorities should strengthen the spread of correct information, especially in the younger population, to increase vaccination rates.
ABSTRACT
Background and Objectives@#Previous observational studies presented a positive association between alcohol and atrial fibrillation (AF). However, previous studies using genetic polymorphisms on the causal relationship between alcohol consumption and AF have reported conflicting results. This study aimed to evaluate the causality between alcohol consumption and AF using the aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) rs671 polymorphism, which is the genetic variant with the most potent effect on drinking behavior. @*Methods@#A total of 8,964 participants from the Dong-gu Study were included in the present study. The causal association between alcohol consumption and AF was evaluated through a Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis using the ALDH2 rs671 polymorphism as an instrumental variable. @*Results@#No significant relationship between alcohol consumption and AF was found in the observational analysis. However, the genetic analysis using the ALDH2 polymorphism showed a significant association in men. In the MR analysis, genetically predicted daily alcohol consumption was positively related to AF. @*Conclusions@#MR analysis revealed a significant association between the amount of alcohol consumption and AF, which suggests that the association may be causal.
ABSTRACT
Background@#Several studies have reported conflicting results regarding the relationship between alcohol consumption and cortisol levels. However, the causality between alcohol consumption and cortisol levels has not been evaluated. @*Methods@#This study examined 8,922 participants from the Dong-gu Study. The aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) rs671 polymorphism was used as an instrumental variable for alcohol consumption. The association between the genetically predicted alcohol consumption and cortisol level was evaluated with Mendelian randomization (MR) using two-stage least squares regression. @*Results@#Alcohol consumption was positively associated with the serum cortisol level in both sexes in the observational analysis. In the MR analysis, the genetically predicted alcohol consumption was positively related to the cortisol level in men, with cortisol levels increasing by 0.18 µg/dL per drink per day. However, there was no relationship in women in the MR analysis. @*Conclusion@#The predicted alcohol consumption according to the ALDH2 rs671 polymorphism was positively related to the cortisol levels, suggesting a causal relationship between alcohol consumption and cortisol levels.
ABSTRACT
Background@#Several studies have reported conflicting results regarding the relationship between alcohol consumption and cortisol levels. However, the causality between alcohol consumption and cortisol levels has not been evaluated. @*Methods@#This study examined 8,922 participants from the Dong-gu Study. The aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) rs671 polymorphism was used as an instrumental variable for alcohol consumption. The association between the genetically predicted alcohol consumption and cortisol level was evaluated with Mendelian randomization (MR) using two-stage least squares regression. @*Results@#Alcohol consumption was positively associated with the serum cortisol level in both sexes in the observational analysis. In the MR analysis, the genetically predicted alcohol consumption was positively related to the cortisol level in men, with cortisol levels increasing by 0.18 µg/dL per drink per day. However, there was no relationship in women in the MR analysis. @*Conclusion@#The predicted alcohol consumption according to the ALDH2 rs671 polymorphism was positively related to the cortisol levels, suggesting a causal relationship between alcohol consumption and cortisol levels.
ABSTRACT
Objectives@#This study examined the current status of depression and related factors among children using community child center. @*Methods@#A cross-sectional study selected children in grades 4-6 who used the Gwangju and Jeollanamdo community child center (n=224) using a convenience sampling method. General characteristics, family characteristics, children's emotional characteristics, children's school life environment and depression status were assessed using a self-reported questionnaire. @*Results@#The average score of depression among children using community child center was 15.31±7.70 out of a total of 27. Fifty-eight (25.9%) children had depression above 22 points. Variables related to children's depression were shown as grade, subjective economic level awareness, after-school activities excluding local children's centers, presence of family members after school, and family structure. @*Conclusions@#The depression prevalence of children using community child center was higher. Policy support such as children's psychological support programs would be needed to reduce children's depression, and community child centers are expected to be effective in reducing children's depression if continuous child psychological support services are developed for children's mental health.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Elevated blood pressure is a major preventable cause of cardiovascular diseases. Alcohol consumption is a well-known risk factor of elevated blood pressure. The aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) polymorphism is common in Eastern Asians, and inactive ALDH2 genotypes are associated with both avoiding alcohol consumption and aldehyde accumulation. Therefore, this study assessed the associations between alcohol consumption and hypertension and blood pressure according to the ALDH2 genotypes.METHODS: This study consists of 8,526 participants in the Dong-gu Study. Multivariate logistic regression was used to calculate the odds ratio (OR) according to alcohol consumption after stratifying by gender and ALDH2 genotypes. Multivariate linear regression was performed to estimate the systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) according to the amount of alcohol consumed.RESULTS: In men, alcohol consumption was positively associated with both SBP and DBP in active ALDH2 carriers, but not in inactive ALDH2 carriers. In active ALDH2 carriers, compared to non-drinkers, the OR of hypertension was 1.16 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.91–1.49) for < 1 drink/day, and 1.44 (95% CI, 1.15–1.80) for ≥ 1 drink/day in men. With each 1 drink/day increase, SBP and DBP increased by 3 and 1 mmHg in men, respectively. There was no significant association between ALDH2 genotypes and hypertension and blood pressure in women.CONCLUSION: ALDH2 genotype modified the association between alcohol consumption and blood pressure in men. There was a positive relationship between alcohol consumption and blood pressure in active ALDH2 carriers, but no significant relationship in inactive ALDH2 carriers.
Subject(s)
Female , Humans , Male , Acetaldehyde , Alcohol Drinking , Aldehyde Dehydrogenase , Asian People , Blood Pressure , Cardiovascular Diseases , Cohort Studies , Genotype , Hypertension , Linear Models , Logistic Models , Odds Ratio , Oxidoreductases , Risk FactorsABSTRACT
Background@#Meniscal tears are among the major risk factors for knee osteoarthritis progression. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between meniscal tears and work-related factors in the farming occupation. @*Methods@#The participants included 486 farmers (238 men and 248 women), aged 40–69 years, who were among the 550 farmers registered in the Korea Farmer's Knee Cohort (KFKC). Data such as those on gender, age, body mass index (BMI), mechanical axis, cumulative heavy-lifting working time (CLWT), cumulative squatting working time (CSWT), and previous knee injury history were collected from the questionnaire, along with whole leg radiographic findings. Two radiologists assessed the magnetic resonance images of both knees to confirm the presence of meniscal tears. The factors related to meniscal tears were analyzed by multiple logistic regression. @*Results@#A total of 54.5% of the farmers (48.7% of men and 60.1% of women) had meniscal tears. These tears were associated with gender, age, and BMI. We also identified an association between meniscal tears and CSWT, an especially important factor in farming [10,000–19,999 working hours, odds ratio = 2.16, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.14-4.07, ≥20,000 working hours, odds ratio = 2.35, 1.45-3.80]. However, mechanical axis, knee injury history, and CLWT were not significantly related to meniscal tears. @*Conclusion@#This study's findings show that squatting for long periods, as an occupational factor, is related to meniscal tears.
ABSTRACT
Objective@#The purpose of this study was to determine whether the simplified assessment of Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE), which is conducted during the clinical clerkship of emergency medicine, is related to the graduation ranking and other grades at medical school, and also to successfully passing the Korean Medical Licensing Examination (KMLE). Through this, we wanted to find out whether it can be used as a basic resource to provide effective student management and additional learning opportunities to enable them to pass the KMLE. @*Methods@#The study included graduates who took the KMLE for the last three years. These students were classified into three groups based on their OSCE simplified assessment score (OSCE-4). The results of each group were compared with the results of the emergency medicine grades, Clinical Performance Examination (CPX) scores, OSCE scores, written test scores, and their success in passing the KMLE using analysis of variance and the chi-square test. The relationship between OSCE-4 scores and graduation ranking and CPX, OSCE ranking was determined using Spearman’s ranking correlation analysis. @*Results@#Among the 358 students in the three groups, the upper group included 119 students (33.2%), the middle group had 148 (41.4%), and the lower group had 91 (25.4%). The correlation between the three groups’ CPX scores, OSCE scores, written test scores, and graduation ranking showed statistical relevance. There was no statistical relevance to their success in passing the KMLE, but there was a correlation between trends in OCSE scores and passing the clinical skills assessment of KMLE. @*Conclusion@#OSCE-4 showed a correlation with important scores, and it can be used as an indicator for the management of students preparing for the national examinations.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND@#Elevated blood pressure is a major preventable cause of cardiovascular diseases. Alcohol consumption is a well-known risk factor of elevated blood pressure. The aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) polymorphism is common in Eastern Asians, and inactive ALDH2 genotypes are associated with both avoiding alcohol consumption and aldehyde accumulation. Therefore, this study assessed the associations between alcohol consumption and hypertension and blood pressure according to the ALDH2 genotypes.@*METHODS@#This study consists of 8,526 participants in the Dong-gu Study. Multivariate logistic regression was used to calculate the odds ratio (OR) according to alcohol consumption after stratifying by gender and ALDH2 genotypes. Multivariate linear regression was performed to estimate the systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) according to the amount of alcohol consumed.@*RESULTS@#In men, alcohol consumption was positively associated with both SBP and DBP in active ALDH2 carriers, but not in inactive ALDH2 carriers. In active ALDH2 carriers, compared to non-drinkers, the OR of hypertension was 1.16 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.91–1.49) for < 1 drink/day, and 1.44 (95% CI, 1.15–1.80) for ≥ 1 drink/day in men. With each 1 drink/day increase, SBP and DBP increased by 3 and 1 mmHg in men, respectively. There was no significant association between ALDH2 genotypes and hypertension and blood pressure in women.@*CONCLUSION@#ALDH2 genotype modified the association between alcohol consumption and blood pressure in men. There was a positive relationship between alcohol consumption and blood pressure in active ALDH2 carriers, but no significant relationship in inactive ALDH2 carriers.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES@#This study aimed to identify the effect of mental health on frequency of falls (single and recurrent falls) among elderly adults. @*METHODS@#Data were drawn from the 2015 Korean Community Health Survey. A chi-square test was conducted to compare differences in fall frequency according to health-related behaviors, chronic diseases, and mental health. Subsequently, multinomial logistic regression analysis was used to identify the effects of mental health on single and recurrent falls based on variables found to be significant in the chi-square test. @*RESULTS@#Recurrent falls were found to be more risky than single falls. Depression was significantly related to single falls (odds ratio [OR], 1.27; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.12 to 1.44). Depression (OR, 1.56; 95% CI, 1.38 to 1.76), sleep disorder (5 hours or less: OR, 1.12; 95% CI, 1.02 to 1.23; more than 9 hours: OR, 1.24; 95% CI, 1.07 to 1.44, respectively), and subjective stress (OR, 2.30; 95% CI, 1.90 to 2.78) were significantly related to recurrent falls. @*CONCLUSIONS@#The study’s findings suggest that specialized fall prevention programs are needed to address different types of falls in elderly adults. To prevent recurrent falls, systematic treatment strategies and rehabilitation training must improve physical function and mental health.
ABSTRACT
Background@#Female farmers have a high prevalence of knee osteoarthritis (KOA) in South Korea. Femoral bowing has been reported to be related to KOA by increasing load on the mechanical axis. This study aimed to investigate factors related to femoral bowing in Korean female farmers. @*Methods@#We analyzed the legs of 264 female farmers registered with the Korea farmers' knee cohort of Jeonnam Center for Farmers' Safety and Health. A structured questionnaire was used to determine sociodemographic variables, agricultural career, cumulative squatting working time (CSWT), and cumulative heavy lifting working time. Femoral bone density was measured and Kellgren-Lawrence (KL) grades were obtained from the knee radiographs.Mechanical axis angle (MAA), femoral bowing angle (FBA), anatomical lateral distal femoral angle (aLDFA), anatomical medial proximal tibial angle (aMPTA), and condylar-plateau angle (CPA) were measured. We examined the relationship between the FBA and related factors by using multiple linear regression. @*Results@#The proportion of individuals with radiographic KOA (≥ KL grade 2) in this study was 37.9%. As KL grades increased, MAA, FBA, and CPA increased, whereas aLDFA and aMPTA decreased. FBA increased with age. Multiple linear regression analyses using FBA as a dependent variable showed relationship with higher age, lower height, higher BMI, lower bone mineral density, longer CSWT, and longer agricultural careers. @*Conclusions@#The results of this study suggest that external factors related to agricultural work in female farmers was associated with femoral bowing, in addition to internal factors such as age, bone density, height, and obesity.
ABSTRACT
Background@#Meniscal tears are among the major risk factors for knee osteoarthritis progression. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between meniscal tears and work-related factors in the farming occupation. @*Methods@#The participants included 486 farmers (238 men and 248 women), aged 40–69 years, who were among the 550 farmers registered in the Korea Farmer's Knee Cohort (KFKC). Data such as those on gender, age, body mass index (BMI), mechanical axis, cumulative heavy-lifting working time (CLWT), cumulative squatting working time (CSWT), and previous knee injury history were collected from the questionnaire, along with whole leg radiographic findings. Two radiologists assessed the magnetic resonance images of both knees to confirm the presence of meniscal tears. The factors related to meniscal tears were analyzed by multiple logistic regression. @*Results@#A total of 54.5% of the farmers (48.7% of men and 60.1% of women) had meniscal tears. These tears were associated with gender, age, and BMI. We also identified an association between meniscal tears and CSWT, an especially important factor in farming [10,000–19,999 working hours, odds ratio = 2.16, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.14-4.07, ≥20,000 working hours, odds ratio = 2.35, 1.45-3.80]. However, mechanical axis, knee injury history, and CLWT were not significantly related to meniscal tears. @*Conclusion@#This study's findings show that squatting for long periods, as an occupational factor, is related to meniscal tears.
ABSTRACT
Objective@#The purpose of this study was to determine whether the simplified assessment of Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE), which is conducted during the clinical clerkship of emergency medicine, is related to the graduation ranking and other grades at medical school, and also to successfully passing the Korean Medical Licensing Examination (KMLE). Through this, we wanted to find out whether it can be used as a basic resource to provide effective student management and additional learning opportunities to enable them to pass the KMLE. @*Methods@#The study included graduates who took the KMLE for the last three years. These students were classified into three groups based on their OSCE simplified assessment score (OSCE-4). The results of each group were compared with the results of the emergency medicine grades, Clinical Performance Examination (CPX) scores, OSCE scores, written test scores, and their success in passing the KMLE using analysis of variance and the chi-square test. The relationship between OSCE-4 scores and graduation ranking and CPX, OSCE ranking was determined using Spearman’s ranking correlation analysis. @*Results@#Among the 358 students in the three groups, the upper group included 119 students (33.2%), the middle group had 148 (41.4%), and the lower group had 91 (25.4%). The correlation between the three groups’ CPX scores, OSCE scores, written test scores, and graduation ranking showed statistical relevance. There was no statistical relevance to their success in passing the KMLE, but there was a correlation between trends in OCSE scores and passing the clinical skills assessment of KMLE. @*Conclusion@#OSCE-4 showed a correlation with important scores, and it can be used as an indicator for the management of students preparing for the national examinations.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND@#Elevated blood pressure is a major preventable cause of cardiovascular diseases. Alcohol consumption is a well-known risk factor of elevated blood pressure. The aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) polymorphism is common in Eastern Asians, and inactive ALDH2 genotypes are associated with both avoiding alcohol consumption and aldehyde accumulation. Therefore, this study assessed the associations between alcohol consumption and hypertension and blood pressure according to the ALDH2 genotypes.@*METHODS@#This study consists of 8,526 participants in the Dong-gu Study. Multivariate logistic regression was used to calculate the odds ratio (OR) according to alcohol consumption after stratifying by gender and ALDH2 genotypes. Multivariate linear regression was performed to estimate the systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) according to the amount of alcohol consumed.@*RESULTS@#In men, alcohol consumption was positively associated with both SBP and DBP in active ALDH2 carriers, but not in inactive ALDH2 carriers. In active ALDH2 carriers, compared to non-drinkers, the OR of hypertension was 1.16 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.91–1.49) for < 1 drink/day, and 1.44 (95% CI, 1.15–1.80) for ≥ 1 drink/day in men. With each 1 drink/day increase, SBP and DBP increased by 3 and 1 mmHg in men, respectively. There was no significant association between ALDH2 genotypes and hypertension and blood pressure in women.@*CONCLUSION@#ALDH2 genotype modified the association between alcohol consumption and blood pressure in men. There was a positive relationship between alcohol consumption and blood pressure in active ALDH2 carriers, but no significant relationship in inactive ALDH2 carriers.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES@#This study aimed to identify the effect of mental health on frequency of falls (single and recurrent falls) among elderly adults. @*METHODS@#Data were drawn from the 2015 Korean Community Health Survey. A chi-square test was conducted to compare differences in fall frequency according to health-related behaviors, chronic diseases, and mental health. Subsequently, multinomial logistic regression analysis was used to identify the effects of mental health on single and recurrent falls based on variables found to be significant in the chi-square test. @*RESULTS@#Recurrent falls were found to be more risky than single falls. Depression was significantly related to single falls (odds ratio [OR], 1.27; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.12 to 1.44). Depression (OR, 1.56; 95% CI, 1.38 to 1.76), sleep disorder (5 hours or less: OR, 1.12; 95% CI, 1.02 to 1.23; more than 9 hours: OR, 1.24; 95% CI, 1.07 to 1.44, respectively), and subjective stress (OR, 2.30; 95% CI, 1.90 to 2.78) were significantly related to recurrent falls. @*CONCLUSIONS@#The study’s findings suggest that specialized fall prevention programs are needed to address different types of falls in elderly adults. To prevent recurrent falls, systematic treatment strategies and rehabilitation training must improve physical function and mental health.