The associations of health behaviors and working hours with high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels in Korean wage workers: a cross-sectional study

Objectives@#We investigated differences in high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels by age group according to working hours, socioeconomic level, health behavior and status, and occupational class, and aimed to identify factors affecting hs-CRP levels in various age groups using data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination from 2016 to 2018. @*Methods@#The study included a total of 4,786 male wage workers across the nation, aged between 19 and 65. Data from 4,674 workers were analyzed using multiple logistic regression analysis. @*Results@#Obesity, metabolic syndrome, and weekly working hours were associated with hs-CRP, a biomarker of inflammation. Participants with a body mass index (BMI) ≥25.0 kg/m2 showed significantly higher hs-CRP levels than those with a BMI 23.0 to 25.0 kg/m2 . Workers with highrisk drinking and metabolic syndrome showed significantly higher hs-CRP levels in the 50 to 65 years group. Obesity, walking 0 to 149 min/wk, and working ≥61 hours a week were associated with significantly higher hs-CRP levels in the 35 to 49 years group. The factors that significantly affected hs-CRP levels were different among age groups. @*Conclusion@#Plans to adjust working hours should be considered health behaviors, such as drinking and physical activity, and health conditions, such as metabolic syndrome and obesity, according to workers’ age.

Effects of Head Lift Exercise on Oropharyngeal Swallowing Function and Dropout Rate According to Reclining Angle in Patients with Dysphagia after Stroke: A Randomized Trial / 대한연하장애학회지

Objective@#Although the effects of head lift exercise (HLE) in the reclining position have been reported, there is insufficient clinical evidence of the effects. This study compared the effects of HLE in the 0° supine position and 45° reclining position on the swallowing function and the compliance of patients with dysphagia after stroke after both exercises. @*Methods@#This was a randomized, assessor-blinded clinical trial. Thirty-five patients with stroke and dysphagia were assigned randomly to HLE in the 0° supine group (n=18) or HLE in the 45° reclining group (n=17). Patients in both groups performed HLE five days a week for four weeks and received the same conventional dysphagia therapy. The videofluoroscopic dy sphagia scale (VDS) was used to evaluate the swallowing function. The dropout rate and subjective feedback related to compliance with the two exercises were monitored. @*Results@#No significant differences in the baseline characteristics were observed between the two groups. Patients in both groups showed significant improvement in the oral and pharyngeal phases of VDS (P＜0.05). After the intervention, no significant differences were observed between the groups (P＞0.05). Dropout rates of 22% and 6% owing to neck discomfort or fatigue were observed in the HLE in 0° supine group and the HLE in 45° reclining group, respectively. @*Conclusion@#HLE in the 45° reclining position has a similar effect on the swallowing function in patients with dysphagia after stroke to that of HLE in the 0° supine position and is associated with better exercise compliance.

Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) Use and Its Determining Factors among Patients with Rheumatic Disorder in Korea

BACKGROUND: There is a wide spread increase in the use of CAM by patients with rheumatic disease. This study was performed to identify the prevalence of CAM use and determining factors affecting CAM use by patients with rheumatic disease. METHODS: From October 23 to November 31 in 2003, face-to-face structured interviews were conducted in a rheumatology hospital in Seoul. A total of 182 patients with rheumatic disease, who visited the hospital, participated. RESULTS: CAM was used by 59.3% (95% CI=52.1~66.2%) of the patients with rheumatic disease. The most common use of CAM was traditional Chinese medicine such as acupuncture and herbs. Demographic variables were not predictive for the use of CAM. As the duration of disease was longer, probability on CAM use was lower (odd ratio: 0.922, 95% CI=0.855~0.994). CAM use on disabled people who registered were 4.623 (95% CI=1.105~19.348) times higher than non-disabled. CONCLUSION: CAM use is common in patients with rheumatic disease. The duration of disease and physical disability were the influencing factors for using CAM. These findings support a need for outcome studies on the effectiveness of CAM in rheumatic disease, as well as the improvement of providing patients with information on CAM usage.

Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) Use and Its Determining Factors among Patients with Rheumatic Disorder in Korea

BACKGROUND: There is a wide spread increase in the use of CAM by patients with rheumatic disease. This study was performed to identify the prevalence of CAM use and determining factors affecting CAM use by patients with rheumatic disease. METHODS: From October 23 to November 31 in 2003, face-to-face structured interviews were conducted in a rheumatology hospital in Seoul. A total of 182 patients with rheumatic disease, who visited the hospital, participated. RESULTS: CAM was used by 59.3% (95% CI=52.1~66.2%) of the patients with rheumatic disease. The most common use of CAM was traditional Chinese medicine such as acupuncture and herbs. Demographic variables were not predictive for the use of CAM. As the duration of disease was longer, probability on CAM use was lower (odd ratio: 0.922, 95% CI=0.855~0.994). CAM use on disabled people who registered were 4.623 (95% CI=1.105~19.348) times higher than non-disabled. CONCLUSION: CAM use is common in patients with rheumatic disease. The duration of disease and physical disability were the influencing factors for using CAM. These findings support a need for outcome studies on the effectiveness of CAM in rheumatic disease, as well as the improvement of providing patients with information on CAM usage.