Self-rated health as a predictor of mortality according to cognitive impairment: findings from the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging (2006-2016) / 한국역학회지

OBJECTIVES@#Self-rated health is an instrumental variable to assess the overall health status of a population. However, it remains questionable whether it is still useful for cognitively impaired individuals. Therefore, this study aims to analyze whether self-rated health by the cognitively impaired predicts mortality reliably. @*METHODS@#This study used 7,881 community-dwelling individuals, aged 45 and above, from the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging (2006-2016). It used the Cox proportional hazard models for analysis. Cognitive status was classified based on the Korean Mini Mental State Examination score and a stratified analysis was used to determine whether the predictability of self-rated health varies according to cognitive status. @*RESULTS@#For cognitively intact individuals, the adjusted hazard ratios (aHR) of mortality were 2.00 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.18 to 3.41, model 4) for those with ‘bad’ self-rated health and 2.40 (95% CI, 1.35 to 4.25, model 4) for those with ‘very bad’ self-rated heath, respectively, compared with those with ‘very good’ health. The results remain statistically significant even after adjusting for socio-demographic factors, health status, and health-related behaviors. For cognitively impaired individuals, the aHR of mortality was statistically significant for those with ‘very bad’ self-rated health, compared with those with ‘very good’ health, when socio-demographic factors were accounted for (aHR, 3.03; 95% CI, 1.11 to 8.28, model 2). @*CONCLUSIONS@#Self-rated health by cognitively impaired individuals remains useful in predicting mortality. It appears to be a valid and reliable health indicator for the rising population with cognitive impairment, especially caused by aging population.

Effect of Sarcopenia and Body Shape on Cardiovascular Disease According to Obesity Phenotypes

BackgroundThis study aimed to assess the effects of sarcopenia and A Body Shape Index (ABSI) on cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk according to obesity phenotypes.MethodsWe used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999 to 2012. A total of 25,270 adults were included and classified into the following groups: metabolically healthy normal weight (MHNW), metabolically healthy overweight/obese (MHO), metabolically unhealthy normal weight (MUNW), and metabolically unhealthy overweight/obese (MUO). Sarcopenia was defined as the appendicular skeletal mass index ResultsThe MHNW participants with sarcopenia had higher risk for CVD than those without sarcopenia (OR, 2.69; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.56 to 4.64). In the analysis with MHNW participants without sarcopenia as a reference, the participants with sarcopenia showed a higher OR for CVD than those without sarcopenia in both MHO (OR in participants without sarcopenia, 3.31; 95% CI, 1.94 to 5.64) (OR in participants with sarcopenia, 8.59; 95% CI, 2.63 to 28.04) and MUO participants (OR in participants without sarcopenia, 5.11; 95% CI, 3.21 to 8.15) (OR in participants with sarcopenia, 8.12; 95% CI, 4.04 to 16.32). Participants within the second and third tertiles of ABSI had higher ORs for CVDs than the counterpart of obesity phenotypes within the first tertile.ConclusionThese results suggest that clinical approaches that consider muscle and body shape are required.

Self-rated health as a predictor of mortality according to cognitive impairment: findings from the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging (2006-2016) / 한국역학회지

OBJECTIVES@#Self-rated health is an instrumental variable to assess the overall health status of a population. However, it remains questionable whether it is still useful for cognitively impaired individuals. Therefore, this study aims to analyze whether self-rated health by the cognitively impaired predicts mortality reliably. @*METHODS@#This study used 7,881 community-dwelling individuals, aged 45 and above, from the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging (2006-2016). It used the Cox proportional hazard models for analysis. Cognitive status was classified based on the Korean Mini Mental State Examination score and a stratified analysis was used to determine whether the predictability of self-rated health varies according to cognitive status. @*RESULTS@#For cognitively intact individuals, the adjusted hazard ratios (aHR) of mortality were 2.00 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.18 to 3.41, model 4) for those with ‘bad’ self-rated health and 2.40 (95% CI, 1.35 to 4.25, model 4) for those with ‘very bad’ self-rated heath, respectively, compared with those with ‘very good’ health. The results remain statistically significant even after adjusting for socio-demographic factors, health status, and health-related behaviors. For cognitively impaired individuals, the aHR of mortality was statistically significant for those with ‘very bad’ self-rated health, compared with those with ‘very good’ health, when socio-demographic factors were accounted for (aHR, 3.03; 95% CI, 1.11 to 8.28, model 2). @*CONCLUSIONS@#Self-rated health by cognitively impaired individuals remains useful in predicting mortality. It appears to be a valid and reliable health indicator for the rising population with cognitive impairment, especially caused by aging population.

Effect of Sarcopenia and Body Shape on Cardiovascular Disease According to Obesity Phenotypes

BackgroundThis study aimed to assess the effects of sarcopenia and A Body Shape Index (ABSI) on cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk according to obesity phenotypes.MethodsWe used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999 to 2012. A total of 25,270 adults were included and classified into the following groups: metabolically healthy normal weight (MHNW), metabolically healthy overweight/obese (MHO), metabolically unhealthy normal weight (MUNW), and metabolically unhealthy overweight/obese (MUO). Sarcopenia was defined as the appendicular skeletal mass index ResultsThe MHNW participants with sarcopenia had higher risk for CVD than those without sarcopenia (OR, 2.69; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.56 to 4.64). In the analysis with MHNW participants without sarcopenia as a reference, the participants with sarcopenia showed a higher OR for CVD than those without sarcopenia in both MHO (OR in participants without sarcopenia, 3.31; 95% CI, 1.94 to 5.64) (OR in participants with sarcopenia, 8.59; 95% CI, 2.63 to 28.04) and MUO participants (OR in participants without sarcopenia, 5.11; 95% CI, 3.21 to 8.15) (OR in participants with sarcopenia, 8.12; 95% CI, 4.04 to 16.32). Participants within the second and third tertiles of ABSI had higher ORs for CVDs than the counterpart of obesity phenotypes within the first tertile.ConclusionThese results suggest that clinical approaches that consider muscle and body shape are required.

Effect of Sarcopenia and Body Shape on Cardiovascular Disease According to Obesity Phenotypes

Background@#This study aimed to assess the effects of sarcopenia and A Body Shape Index (ABSI) on cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk according to obesity phenotypes. @*Methods@#We used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999 to 2012. A total of 25,270 adults were included and classified into the following groups: metabolically healthy normal weight (MHNW), metabolically healthy overweight/obese (MHO), metabolically unhealthy normal weight (MUNW), and metabolically unhealthy overweight/obese (MUO). Sarcopenia was defined as the appendicular skeletal mass index <7 kg/m2 in men and <5.5 kg/m2 in women. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the odds ratio (OR) of sarcopenia and ABSI for CVD events according to the obesity phenotype. @*Results@#The MHNW participants with sarcopenia had higher risk for CVD than those without sarcopenia (OR, 2.69; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.56 to 4.64). In the analysis with MHNW participants without sarcopenia as a reference, the participants with sarcopenia showed a higher OR for CVD than those without sarcopenia in both MHO (OR in participants without sarcopenia, 3.31; 95% CI, 1.94 to 5.64) (OR in participants with sarcopenia, 8.59; 95% CI, 2.63 to 28.04) and MUO participants (OR in participants without sarcopenia, 5.11; 95% CI, 3.21 to 8.15) (OR in participants with sarcopenia, 8.12; 95% CI, 4.04 to 16.32). Participants within the second and third tertiles of ABSI had higher ORs for CVDs than the counterpart of obesity phenotypes within the first tertile. @*Conclusion@#These results suggest that clinical approaches that consider muscle and body shape are required.

The Association between Z-Score of Log-Transformed A Body Shape Index and Cardiovascular Disease in Korea

BACKGROUND: In order to overcome the limitations of body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC), the z-score of the log-transformed A Body Shape Index (LBSIZ) has recently been introduced. In this study, we analyzed the relationship between the LBSIZ and cardiovascular disease (CVD) in a Korean representative sample. METHODS: Data were collected from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination VI to V. The association between CVD and obesity indices was analyzed using a receiver operating characteristic curve. The cut-off value for the LBSIZ was estimated using the Youden index, and the odds ratio (OR) for CVD was determined via multivariate logistic regression analysis. ORs according to the LBSIZ value were analyzed using restricted cubic spline regression plots. RESULTS: A total of 31,227 Korean healthy adults were analyzed. Area under the curve (AUC) of LBSIZ against CVD was 0.686 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.671 to 0.702), which was significantly higher than the AUC of BMI (0.583; 95% CI, 0.567 to 0.599) or WC (0.646; 95% CI, 0.631 to 0.661) (P<0.001). Similar results were observed for stroke and coronary artery diseases. The cut-off value for the LBSIZ was 0.35 (sensitivity, 64.5%; specificity, 64%; OR, 1.29, 95% CI, 1.12 to 1.49). Under restricted cubic spline regression, LBSIZ demonstrated that OR started to increase past the median value. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study suggest that the LBSIZ might be more strongly associated with CVD risks compared to BMI or WC. These outcomes would be helpful for CVD risk assessment in clinical settings, especially the cut-off value of the LBSIZ suggested in this study.

Impact of Regional Cardiocerebrovascular Centers on Myocardial Infarction Patients in Korea: A Fixed-effects Model / 예방의학회지

OBJECTIVES: The Regional Cardiocerebrovascular Center (RCCVC) Project designated local teaching hospitals as RCCVCs, in order to improve patient outcomes of acute cardiocerebrovascular emergencies by founding a regional system that can adequately transfer and manage patients within 3 hours. We investigated the effects of RCCVC establishment on treatment volume and 30-day mortality. METHODS: We constructed a panel dataset by extracting all acute myocardial infarction cases that occurred from 2007 to 2016 from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service claims data, a national and representative source. We then used a panel fixed-effect model to estimate the impacts of RCCVC establishment on patient outcomes. RESULTS: We found that the number of cases of acute myocardial infarction that were treated increased chronologically, but when the time effect and other related covariates were controlled for, RCCVCs only significantly increased the number of treatment cases of female in large catchment areas. There was no statistically significant impact on 30-day mortality. CONCLUSIONS: The establishment of RCCVCs increased the number of treatment cases of female, without increasing the mortality rate. Therefore, the RCCVCs might have prevented potential untreated deaths by increasing the preparedness and capacity of hospitals to treat acute myocardial infarction patients.

Impact of Regional Cardiocerebrovascular Centers on Myocardial Infarction Patients in Korea: A Fixed-effects Model / 예방의학회지

OBJECTIVES@#The Regional Cardiocerebrovascular Center (RCCVC) Project designated local teaching hospitals as RCCVCs, in order to improve patient outcomes of acute cardiocerebrovascular emergencies by founding a regional system that can adequately transfer and manage patients within 3 hours. We investigated the effects of RCCVC establishment on treatment volume and 30-day mortality.@*METHODS@#We constructed a panel dataset by extracting all acute myocardial infarction cases that occurred from 2007 to 2016 from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service claims data, a national and representative source. We then used a panel fixed-effect model to estimate the impacts of RCCVC establishment on patient outcomes.@*RESULTS@#We found that the number of cases of acute myocardial infarction that were treated increased chronologically, but when the time effect and other related covariates were controlled for, RCCVCs only significantly increased the number of treatment cases of female in large catchment areas. There was no statistically significant impact on 30-day mortality.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The establishment of RCCVCs increased the number of treatment cases of female, without increasing the mortality rate. Therefore, the RCCVCs might have prevented potential untreated deaths by increasing the preparedness and capacity of hospitals to treat acute myocardial infarction patients.

Current status of hepatitis C virus infection and countermeasures in South Korea / 한국역학회지

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major cause of liver cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, and liver-related mortality. The new antiviral drugs against HCV, direct acting antivirals, result in >90% cure rate. This review aimed to summarize the current prevalence, clinical characteristics, outcomes, and treatment response associated with HCV infection, and countermeasures for optimal HCV control in South Korea. Based on a literature review, the current anti-HCV prevalence in the Korean population is 0.6 to 0.8%, with increasing prevalence according to age. The major HCV genotypes in Korean patients were genotype 1b and genotype 2. Successful antiviral treatment leads to significantly reduced liver related complications and mortality. However, only about one third of the individuals with HCV infection seem to be managed under the current national health insurance system, suggesting a remarkable rate of underdiagnoses and subsequent loss of opportunity to cure. A recent study in South Korea showed that targeted population screening for HCV infection is cost-effective. To prevent recently developed clusters of HCV infection in some clinics, mandatory surveillance rather than sentinel surveillance for HCV infection is required and governmental countermeasures to prevent reuse of syringes or other medical devises, and public education should be maintained. Moreover, one-time screening for a targeted population should be considered and a cost-effectiveness study supporting an optimal screening strategy is warranted.

Current status of hepatitis C virus infection and countermeasures in South Korea / 한국역학회지

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major cause of liver cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, and liver-related mortality. The new antiviral drugs against HCV, direct acting antivirals, result in >90% cure rate. This review aimed to summarize the current prevalence, clinical characteristics, outcomes, and treatment response associated with HCV infection, and countermeasures for optimal HCV control in South Korea. Based on a literature review, the current anti-HCV prevalence in the Korean population is 0.6 to 0.8%, with increasing prevalence according to age. The major HCV genotypes in Korean patients were genotype 1b and genotype 2. Successful antiviral treatment leads to significantly reduced liver related complications and mortality. However, only about one third of the individuals with HCV infection seem to be managed under the current national health insurance system, suggesting a remarkable rate of underdiagnoses and subsequent loss of opportunity to cure. A recent study in South Korea showed that targeted population screening for HCV infection is cost-effective. To prevent recently developed clusters of HCV infection in some clinics, mandatory surveillance rather than sentinel surveillance for HCV infection is required and governmental countermeasures to prevent reuse of syringes or other medical devises, and public education should be maintained. Moreover, one-time screening for a targeted population should be considered and a cost-effectiveness study supporting an optimal screening strategy is warranted.

The cost of liver disease in Korea: methodology, data, and evidence

BACKGROUND/AIMS: This study introduces methods for estimating the cost of liver disease and presents useful and reliable sources of data. The available evidence on the costs associated with liver disease is also discussed. METHODS: Costing methodology can be used to identify, measure, and value relevant resources incurred during the care of patients with liver diseases. It adjusts for discounting, skewed distribution, and missing or censored cost data. The human capital approach for productivity cost assumes that deceased patients would have lived to a normal expected life expectancy, and have earned a salary in line with the current age profile of wages, in order to measure potential earnings lost due to premature death or job loss. EVIDENCE: The number of deaths due to liver cancer (C22) increased from 6,384 in 1983 to 11,405 in 2013, while deaths due to other liver diseases (K70-K76) increased from 12,563 in 1983 to 13,458 in 1995, and then declined to 6,665 in 2013. According to the Global Burden of Disease study conducted by the World Health Organization, liver cancer caused 325,815 disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), and cirrhosis of the liver caused 206,917 DALYs in 2012. The total cost of liver disease was estimated at 1,941 billion Korean won in 2001 and 5,689 billion Korean won in 2008. Much of this cost is attributable to productivity cost, and especially that of economically active men. CONCLUSIONS: The economic burden of liver disease is immense because of the associated high mortality and morbidity, especially among the economically active population. This indicates the need to prioritize the development of appropriate health interventions.

The effect of high-dose vitamin D supplementation on insulin resistance and arterial stiffness in patients with type 2 diabetes

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Recent epidemiological studies revealed a striking inverse relationship between vitamin D levels, glucose intolerance/insulin resistance (IR), and cardiovascular disease. However, few interventional studies have evaluated the effect of vitamin D supplementation on cardiovascular risk, such as IR and arterial stiffness, in diabetes. We investigated the role of vitamin D supplementation on cardiovascular risk in type 2 diabetes patients, including metabolic parameters, IR, and arterial stiffness. METHODS: We enrolled patients who were taking antidiabetic medications or managed their diabetes using lifestyle changes. We excluded patients who were taking vitamin D or calcium supplements. We randomized participants into the vitamin D group (cholecalciferol 2,000 IU/day + calcium 200 mg/day, n = 40) or the placebo group (calcium 200 mg/day, n = 41). We compared their IR (homeostasis model of assessment [HOMA]-IR) and arterial stiffness (brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity and radial augmentation index) before and after 24 weeks of intervention. RESULTS: The baseline characteristics of the two groups were similar. A total of 62 participants (placebo, 30; vitamin D, 32) completed the study protocol. At the end of the study period, the 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels were significantly higher in the vitamin D group than in the placebo group (35.4 +/- 8.5 ng/mL vs. 18.4 +/- 7.3 ng/mL, p < 0.001). There was no difference in HOMA-IR or changes in arterial stiffness (placebo, 21, vitamin D, 24) between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that high-dose vitamin D supplementation might be effective in terms of elevating 25(OH)D levels. However, we identified no beneficial effects on cardiovascular risk in type 2 diabetes, including IR and arterial stiffness.