Adequacy of Reprocessing Gastrointestinal Endoscopes in Korea Hospitals

BACKGROUND: This study was conducted in order to survey the current state of cleaning, disinfection, rinsing, drying, and storage of gastrointestinal endoscopes. METHODS: Eighty hospitals were selected through convenient sampling. Self-reported questionnaire was distributed from September 14 to October 10 in 2015. RESULTS: The response rate was 67.5% (54/80). In 88.9% of the hospitals, reprocessing was performed in a cleaning space separated from the laboratory and 88.9% used an enzymatic cleaner. Disinfectants used were ortho-phthalaldehyde in 63.0%, and paracetic acid in 33.3%. Eighty seven percent of the hospitals used test strips in order to test the effective concentration of disinfectant and in 61.1%, drying was done through passing air and over 70% alcohol. Microbial culture for the quality control of gastrointestinal endoscopes was performed in 77.8%. In the comparison of the adequacy of gastrointestinal endoscope reprocessing, it was observed that gastrointestinal endoscopes were reprocessed more adequately in larger and tertiary care hospitals. CONCLUSION: Gastrointestinal endoscopes were reprocessed in similar manners, but there were differences in the detailed process. It is still necessary to segment reprocessing into stages, to prepare standardized guidelines, and to monitor compliance with the guidelines.

The Specific Food Consumption Pattern and Blood Lipid Profiles of Korean Adults

Unlike studies of Europeans and Americans, many epidemiological studies of the Korean population have indicated that their risk for cardiovascular disease does not decrease with a vegetable-rich diet. The different dietary practices of Koreans, who consume salted vegetables instead of fresh vegetables (common in the Western diet), has been suggested as a reason for this observation. Korea is in a period of rapid epidemiologic transition, which includes dietary and disease patterns; therefore, this study investigated differences in the food consumption pattern and blood lipid profiles of Koreans compared to Europeans and Americans. The identification of dietary patterns related to blood lipid abnormalities was carried out using the 2007~2009 Korean National Health and Nutrition Survey data from 14,056 subjects. Dietary patterns were analyzed according to food group and nutrient intake. Blood lipid abnormalities were classified into three groups: hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, and low HDL cholesterolemia (hypo-HDL-cholesterolemia). The prevalence of hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, and hypo-HDL-cholesterolemia was 12.4%, 16.2%, and 27.7% respectively. In our analysis, the low consumption of all food groups was related to hypercholesterolemia. The high consumption of vegetable-containing foods, alcoholic beverages, and the low consumption of milk products were associated with hypertriglyceridemia and hypo-HDL-cholesterolemia. Thus, unlike Europeans and Americans, the low consumption of all food groups is related to hypercholesterolemia and a low consumption of milk products is related to hypertriglyceridemia and hypo-HDL-cholesterolemia. Dietary pattern might play a role in epidemiologic transition of Korean. Also, this study implies necessity of further research using longitudinal data.

Nutrient Intake, Lifestyle Factors and Prevalent Hypertension in Korean Adults: Results from 2007-2008 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey / 대한지역사회영양학회지

Hypertension is a well-known risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Previous studies have shown that changes in diet and lifestyle factors can prevent the development of hypertension, but the combined effects of these modifiable factors on hypertension are not well established. The objective of this study is to investigate associations of diet and lifestyle factors, evaluated both individually and in combination, with prevalent hypertension among Korean adults. We analyzed data obtained from the 2007-2008 Korean National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey, a nationwide cross-sectional study using a stratified, multistage probability sampling design. The associations of 12 nutrient intakes and lifestyle factors with risk of hypertension were explored using restricted cubic spline regression and logistic regression models among 6,351 adults. Total energy and several nutrients and minerals, including, calcium, vitamin A, vitamin C, and sodium, showed non-linear relationships with the risk of prevalent hypertension. In multivariate logistic regression models, dietary score, obesity and alcohol intake were independently associated with the risk of prevalent hypertension, but smoking and physical activity were not. Overall, participants whose dietary habits and lifestyle factors were all in the low-risk group had 68% lower prevalence of hypertension (OR: 0.32, 95 CI: 0.14-0.74) compared to those who were at least one in the high-risk group of any dietary or lifestyle factors. The result suggests that combined optimal lifestyle habits are strongly associated with lower prevalence of hypertension among Korean adults.

Developing Dish-based Food Frequency Questionnaire for the Epidemiology Study of Hypertension Among Korean / 대한지역사회영양학회지

The purpose of the present study was aimed to identify dish items applicable in developing dish?based food frequency questionnaire (DFFQ) for a hypertension study of Koreans. The 24-hour recall data of 4,401 subjects aged 20~65 years from the 2001 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were used for the analysis. Logistic regression model was used to identify the nutrient related with hypertension. Energy, fiber, sodium, calcium, carotene, vitamin B1 and vitamin C were associated with hypertension. Selection the top 30 dish items for these seven nutrients was performed based on their degree of contribution in supplying nutrients in terms of the cumulative percent contribution (cPC), as well as on their degree of explanation for between?person variation, in terms of the cumulative regression coefficient (cMRC). Rice supplied 43% of total energy consumption. Korean cabbage and radish kimchi were two major sources of sodium and it also covered the 27% of between person variation of sodium intake. Soybean paste soup and single item of orange?colored fruits supplied 43% of total vitamin C intake for Koreans and it covered the almost 79% of between person variation among the Korean population. Korean cabbage kimchi was the major source of fiber, calcium, sodium, carotene, and vitamin C for Koreans. In summary, the top 30 selected dish items supplying the 78% to 89% of the 7 nutrients. Those items also covered the 79% to 94% of between person variation of the 7 nutrients consumption. Therefore, the selected 30 dish items in each categories of nutrient could be applicable in developing dish based food frequency questionnaire for hypertension study.

The Effect of Caffeine on 3T3-L1 Adipocyte Differentiation : A Nutrigenomical Approach

Nutrigenomics refers to research that investigates the interaction between nutrition and the human genome. Caffeine in tea and coffee is widely and routinely consumed by people. This study was performed to confirm the effect of caffeine treatment on the gene expression and cytokine profiling in 3T3-L1 adipocyte cells using microarray and protein array methodology. Treatment of caffeine in 3T3-L1 adipocyte cells increased expression of several genes related with obesity including adipocyte C1Q and collagen domain containing (ACDC), Adipsin (ADN), uncoupling protein 3 (UCP3), while glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), which is known as lipid storage enzyme, was decreased by caffeine treatment. Furthermore, cytokines, such as interleukin-3 (IL-3), interleukin-12 (IL-12), interleukin-13 (IL-13), granulocyte colony stimulating factor (GCSF), granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), were decreased in caffeine treated 3T3-L1 adipocyte cells. These results provided interesting information about the genes related with caffeine and cytokine expression profiling in obesity.

Food and Nutrient Consumption Patterns of Korean Adults by Socioeconomic Status / 대한지역사회영양학회지

The relationship between socio-economic status and food and nutrient consumption patterns was studied in 7,370 Koreans aged 20 years and older in the 1995 Korean Health and Nutrition Survey. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of rapid economic growth on food and nutrient consumption for Korean adults in the last 30 years. Monthly household income, and individual's educational level and occupation were chosen as variables of socio-economic status for individuals. A one day 24 hour recall method was used for the dietary survey. One way analysis of varience was adopted to test tole association between socio-economic variables and food and nutrient consumption patterns. Individuals who had a high socio-economic status had significantly higher daily intake of most of the nutrients including calcium, vitamin A, vitamin B2 which reached above the recommended dietary allowances(RDA) and a higher percentage energy consumption from fat. In addition, individual who belonged to a low socio-economic status consumed less animal foods, including meat, egg, milk and consumed low proportion of energy from fat. The results suggest that in spite of rapid economic growth during the last 30 years in Korea, individuals who belonged to low socio-economic status categories are still nutritionally vulnerable. Among the socio-economic variables, income and education except occupation were the influential factors on the food and nutrient consumption of Koreans. Therefore, nutrition policy should focus on influencing the dietary patterns of lower social class individuals to improve the health status of the population as a whole.

Determinants of Nutrition Service Utilization in Health Centers / 대한지역사회영양학회지

The purpose of this study was to identify the determinants of nutrition service utilization in health centers. Utilization of nutrition services for chronic discase were also investigated. Interview survey using questionnaire was conducted to collect the data required for analysis. The study subjects were 300 residents over 40 years of age, and 15 health workers representing health center service personnel in Kypnggi province. A wilcoxon 2-sample test and Kruskal-Wallis test were used to compare the distribution of health centers by health center characteristics and nutrition services. A chi-square test was used to test the association between service utilization and personal variables of the population. A multiple logistic regression analysis was used to measure the relative importance between the variables on service utilization. The results showed that only 10.0% of the study subjects used nutrition services provided by the health centers. Pilot project implementation and location of health centers, as well as educational level of the residents were significant factors influencing the utilization of the nutrition services provided by the health centers. Among the variables, pilot project implementation was the most important factor that influenced the nutrition service utilization in health centers.

The Relationship between Ophthalmic Refractive Errors and Factors of Nutrition and Health / 대한지역사회영양학회지

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relative importance among various biological and environmental factors on refractive errors. Various factors such as diseases, health related behavior such as drinking, smoking and exercise, as well as dietary factors were considered as a possible determinant. Surveys of 492 residents over 20 years of age in Kuri city were conducted during 1998. The survey included a refractive error test adopting a autokerato-refractometer, dietary survey using a 24 hour recall method, disease survey including blood and other diagnosis tests, and a health behavior survey using questionnaires with variables of smoking, drinking, and exercise. A stepwise logistic regression analysis was adopted to analyse the relative importance among independent variables of health behaviors, disease, and dietary factors on ametropias. As a result, in the case of myopia, liver dysfunction appeared to be the most important factors followed by the health related behavior of smoking and exercise as the second most important factors. Nutrient factors such as carotene and protein appeared to be the third most important factors. Similar results had been shown in the case of the hyperopia. In summary, liver dysfunction and the health related behaviors of drinking and smoking appeared to be more influential factors on abnormal eye sight of myopia and hyperopia than dietary factors.

Comparision of Priorities in Health Center Nutrition Service Needs between Provider and Consumer / 대한지역사회영양학회지

The major purpose of this study was to identify the differences in priorities of nutrition service needs between the service provider and consumers (general population). Identification of the personal characteristics which influence the priorities of nutrition service needs among the general population was also examined. An interview survey using a questionnaire was conducted to collect the data required for analysis. The questionnaire included the priorities of various nutrition service needs as well as the personal characteristics of the study subjects. The study subjects were 300 residents over 40 years of age, and 15 health workers representing health center service personnel in Kyounggi province. Wilcoxon Rank Sums test were adopted to analize the differences in priority between the service providers and consumers. The results showed that priority of nutrition service needs for provider were significantly different from that of consumer. Gender, age, family type, and education levels of the population were the significant factors affecting the differences in priorities for nutrition service needs among consumers (general population). Out of the results, it could be suggested that consumers need should be considered in developing nutrition services to promote nutrition services utilization in health centers. The results may also suggest that one of the causes for the low utilization rate of nutrition services in health centers was the provider oriented program development regardless of the needs of consumers.

Comparision of Priorities in Health Center Nutrition Service Needs between Provider and Consumer / 대한지역사회영양학회지

The major purpose of this study was to identify the differences in priorities of nutrition service needs between the service provider and consumers (general population). Identification of the personal characteristics which influence the priorities of nutrition service needs among the general population was also examined. An interview survey using a questionnaire was conducted to collect the data required for analysis. The questionnaire included the priorities of various nutrition service needs as well as the personal characteristics of the study subjects. The study subjects were 300 residents over 40 years of age, and 15 health workers representing health center service personnel in Kyounggi province. Wilcoxon Rank Sums test were adopted to analize the differences in priority between the service providers and consumers. The results showed that priority of nutrition service needs for provider were significantly different from that of consumer. Gender, age, family type, and education levels of the population were the significant factors affecting the differences in priorities for nutrition service needs among consumers (general population). Out of the results, it could be suggested that consumers need should be considered in developing nutrition services to promote nutrition services utilization in health centers. The results may also suggest that one of the causes for the low utilization rate of nutrition services in health centers was the provider oriented program development regardless of the needs of consumers.

Distribution and Prevalence Estimation of Cardiovascular Risk Factors through Community Based Health Examination Survey / 대한지역사회영양학회지

Cardiovascular disease is very prevalent in Korea, and many risk factors, if properly identified are possibly corrected. However, the study results on prevalence and distribution of risk factors may not be reliable while the risk factors of disease are always issued on health promotion projects conducted recently in a community. The subjects of this study were 854 adults who participated in the health and nutrition survey in a community. They were aged between 20 and 69 and sampled representatively. This study intended to estimate the prevalence and the distribution of risk factors of cardiovascular disease such as hypertention, diabetes mellitus, hypercholesterolemia, and obesity. Systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure levels were estimated at 123.9+/-2.2mgHg(men), 117.9+/-1.7mgHg(women), and 80.4+/-1.5mg(men), 74.9+/-1.1mgHg(women), respectively. Glucose level was estimated at 99.1+/-2.3mg/dl in men, and 95.7+/-1.7mg/dl in women. The estimated level of total cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol were 183.4+/-3.8mg/dl(men), 181.7+/-3.1mg/dl(men), and 122.0+/-4.5mg/dl (women), and body mass index was estimated at 24.0+/-0.4kg/m2 in men and 23.9+/-0.4kg/m2 in men and 23.9+/-0.3kg/m2 in women. The prevalence of hypertension was 20.5% for men, and 14.4% for women. The prevalence of diabetes mellitus was estimated to 6.9% for men, and 6.1% for women. The estimated prevalence of hypercholesterolemia was 3.8%(men), 3.9%(women). The rate of obesity was estimated to 28.5%(men), 28.4% (women), respectively. The levels of blood pressure, glucose, and cholesterol were higher in men than in women in almost all the almost ate groups. The prevalence of hypertension for men is about 20%. It was found that the prevalence of diabetes mellitus for males aged between 40 and 59 was rapidly increased. The risk factor with highest prevalence was obesity, and hypertension and diabetes mellitus were the second and third most prevalent.

Validity of Self-administered Semiquantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire by Conditions of One Portion Size / 대한지역사회영양학회지

This study was designed to estimate the improvement of Validity for food frequency questionnaire(FFQ) by offering multiple choice portion size in developing a questionnaire. Validity of the two methods(food frequency questionnaire I=FFQ I & Food frequency questionnaire II=FFQ II) was tested in comparison with reference method of the 7-day weighed record(7DWR). Dietary consumption data of the thred methods(FFQ I, FFQ II & 7DWR) were colleced from 101 female university students for the analysis. Validity was measured in two categories : One was the nutrient intake value from the three methods, the other was the identification of between individual variation within the group. Spearman's rank order correlation test and distributio graphs were used for the analysis. The result showed that individual intake value of the FFQ II was closer to that of the 7DWR than that of the FFQ I.Spearman's rank order correlation between the FFQ II and the 7DWR did not show any improved correlation. The distribution graphs of nutrient intake derived from both the FFQ I and the FFQ II were different from that of the 7DWR. Therefore, it could be sugested that single one protion size food frequency questionnaire is an equally efficient method as a multiple choice food frequency questionnaire to be adopted in epidemiologic studies.