Relationship between Perceived Health Status andPatient Satisfaction in Outpatient Settings - Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2015 / 의료커뮤니케이션

BACKGROUND: It is important to investigate patient satisfaction to improve the quality of healthcare. Among the many factors that affect patient satisfaction, perceived health status has been considered as one of the major factors. Therefore, we investigated patient satisfaction through patient experience in outpatient settings according to perceived health status.METHODS: This cross-sectional study using questionnaires of patient experience and perceived health status from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2015 included 4267 people aged over 19 years who met the inclusion criteria. Perceived health status was classified into three: good, fair, and poor. Questions about patient experience consisted of four items: doctor spending enough time with patients, doctor providing easy-to-understand explanation, doctor giving opportunity to ask questions or raise concerns, and doctor involving patient in decisions about care or treatment. Patient experience was classified into two: satisfied and non-satisfied. A multivariate regression model was used to analyze the data.RESULTS: In the good perceived health status group, level of satisfaction was 79.2%, 88.5%, 83.3% and 87.2%, respectively for the four items targeting patient experience. In the poor group, level of satisfaction was 76%, 84.9%, 79.5%, and 83.1%, respectively for the four items. In multivariate logistic regression analyses, the odds ratios of good perceived health status group were 1.775 (1.347–2.338), 1.946 (1.356–2.793), 1.652 (1.218–2.240), and 1.665 (1.193–2.323) compared with the poor group.CONCLUSION: Perceived health status is associated with patient satisfaction. In particular, the better the perceived health status, the better the patient satisfaction through patient experience.

Nutrients Intake and Health Status by Fruits and Vegetables Intake in Adolescents Based on the 2013∼2015 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

This study was conducted to compare the nutrient intake, physical characteristics, and health status according to daily fruits and vegetables intake of adolescents using the Korean national health and nutrition examination survey for the sixth period (2013∼2015). Subjects were 1,096 adolescents aged 13∼18 years. The average daily intake of fruits and vegetables was 518.49±4.94 g. The two groups (insufficient, sufficient) were divided by fruits and vegetables intake (<500 g/day, ≥500 g/day) and the ratio of the insufficient group was 75.9% while that of the adequate group was 24.1%. The mean of intake of energy, calcium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, iron, thiamin, niacin, vitamin C and dietary fiber differed significantly between the insufficient and sufficient groups (P<0.01, P<0.001). However, there was no significant difference in physical characteristics between groups. The self-perceived health status was better in the sufficient group (P<0.05), while the insufficient group was aware of more stress in their daily life (P<0.05). The serum triglyceride was significantly higher in the sufficient group (P<0.05), while the total cholesterol was lower (P<0.05). As the characteristics of fruits and vegetables are different, it will be necessary to determine standards for consumption of each type. It is also necessary to consider whether a fruits and vegetables intake of 500 g would be a reasonable standard for adolescents. Nevertheless, the results of this study indicate efforts to increase fruits and vegetables intake by young people are necessary.

Sports injuries and the changes in physical activity, perceived health state and exercise self-efficacy according to the sports injuries of the elderly who participate in physical activities

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to describe sports injuries among elderly people and to compare physical activity, perceived health status and exercise self-efficacy between elderly people who had experienced a sports injury and elderly people who hadn't. METHODS: The sample of this study were 100 elderly in Korea, 51 of whom had had a sports injury. The study used questionnaires to gather data. There were 8 demographic factors, 4 factors related to physical activity, perceived health status and exercise self-efficacy of the subjects. Data were analyzed by frequencies, chi-square test, and t-test. RESULTS: Among the sports injured elders, one occurrence of a sport injury was 86.3%. There were more outdoor than indoor sports injuries of elders (66.7%), and sports injuries of elders occurred more in the winter (82.7%). The major cause of the sports injuries was loss of balance. Ankles were frequently damaged from these injuries. The most significant change after the sports injury was reduction of physical activity (60.8%). There were significant differences between sports injured elderly and non-injured elderly for age (χ2=2.58, p=.011) and the amount of physical activity (t=1.96, p=.050), but there was no significant difference in perceived health status and exercise self-efficacy. CONCLUSION: To prevent sports injuries in the elderly means to maintain a medium level of physical activity and to improve their balance.

Influence on Health Promotion Behavior among Government-funded Research Institute's Employee according to Perceptive Health Status and Social Support / 한국직업건강간호학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship among perceived health status and social support to identify the influencing factors of health promotion behavior in government-funded research institute's employee. METHODS: The participants were 222 employees in three government-funded research institute. Questionnaires were used to measure the levels of the perceived health status, social support and health promotion behavior. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation, multiple regression, and the IBM SPSS/WIN 19.0 program. RESULTS: The predicting factors for health promotion behavior were age, smoking, perceived health status and social support. The variables explained the health promotion behavior by 34.3%. CONCLUSION: A survey of the various influencing factors of health promotion behavior will be required and social support system for government-funded research institute's employee is needed.

The relationships between dietary behavior and health related factors according to shift work in nurses / 한국영양학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the stress, dietary habits, dietary behaviors, and health-related behavior of nurses. METHOD: The subjects of this study were 161 nurses studying at a cyber university. The general characteristics, stress, dietary habits, dietary behaviors, and health-related behavior of the subjects were surveyed using a self-administered questionnaire in October, 2010. The subjects were divided into two groups according to the working pattern: shift workers (n = 110) and non-shift workers (n = 51). RESULTS: In the general characteristics, there were significant differences in marriage, monthly income, employment type, and job satisfaction between the two groups. Total stress score did not differ significantly between the two groups. In dietary habits, significant differences in meal regularity, skipping meals, skipping reasons, having regular mealtimes, frequency of snack and the snack time between shift workers and non-shift workers (p<0.05). Total score of dietary behaviors in shift workers was significantly lower than that in non-shift workers (p<0.05). Score of shift workers in taking three meals per day regularly was significantly lower than that of non-shift workers. In health-related behavior, a significant difference in sleeping time was observed between shift workers and non-shift workers. Dietary behavior showed negative correlation with shift work (r = 0.176) and positive correlation with health consciousness (r = 0.210) and perceived health status (r = 0.198) in subjects after adjustment for age, marriage, monthly income, and employment type (p < 0.05). Multiple regression analysis revealed that shift work, health consciousness, and perceived health status affected dietary behavior in subjects. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that shift working nurses had poor dietary habits and dietary behaviors, and these dietary behaviors are affected by their shift work, health consciousness, and perceive health status.

Psychological Well-being, Perceived Health Status, and Health Promoting Behavior of Clinical Nurses / 간호행정학회지

PURPOSE: This study was designed to assess the degree of psychological well-being, perceived health status, and health promoting behavior of clinical nurses, and to identify correlations between variables. METHODS: Participants were 194 nurses working at S hospital, Seoul and data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, ANOVA, Duncan's test, Pearson correlation coefficient, and multiple regressions. RESULTS: Mean scores were 3.45 (5 point scale) for psychological well-being, 2.82(4 point scale) for perceived health status, and 2.30(4 point scale) for health promoting behavior. Psychological well-being correlated positively with perceived health status (r=.34, p<.001). Perceived health status showed a positive correlation with health promoting behavior (r=.30, p<.001). There was a positive correlation between psychological well-being and health promoting behavior (r=.52, p<.001). Personal growth(t=2.85, p=.005), purpose in life (t=2.30, p=.023) among subscales of psychological well-being, and perceived health status (t=2.13, p=.034) had a significant influence on health promoting behavior. These combinations explained 32.1% of health promoting behavior (F=12.58, p<.001). CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest strategies to improve health promoting behavior by enhancing psychological well-being of nurses. Furthermore, a study to identify the effects of developed and applied psychological well-being promotion program should be conducted.

Factors Influencing Perceived Health Status and Life Satisfaction in Rural Residents / 農村醫學 地域保健

OBJECTIVES: This study was performed to compare rural residents' perceived health status and life satisfaction according to their general and health related characteristics and to identify factors related to perceived health status and life satisfaction in this population. METHODS: Subjects were 1,091 adults aged 20 years or older living in Geochang Gun, South Korea. A survey was conducted from June 28 to August 25, 2009. We used the health self rating scale by Lawton et al. (1982) and the overall life satisfaction scale by Wrosch et al. (2000). The collected data were analyzed using SPSS WIN 18.0. RESULT: Sex, age, education, spouse, medical diagnosis, currently taking medication, main health maintenance behavior, alcohol consumption, frequency of alcohol consumption, exercise, family harmony, and friend relationships were significantly related to perceived health status. Age, education, spouse, main health maintenance behavior, smoking, exercise, family harmony, and friend relationships were significantly related to life satisfaction. Further, 29.3% of the variance in perceived health status could be explained by medical diagnosis, exercise, family harmony, education, currently taking medication, and friend relationships, while 11.1% of the variance in life satisfaction could be explained by family harmony, perceived health status, main health maintenance behavior, and friend relationships. CONCLUSION: Health management programs must be designed so as to incorporate the general and health related characteristics of rural residents if they aim to improve the perceived health status and life satisfaction in that population.

Effects of Rhythmic Exercise Program on the Perceived Health Status, Depression, Life Satisfaction and Physical Strength in Elderly / 재활간호학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of rhythmic exercise program on perceived health status, depression, life satisfaction and physical strength in elderly. METHOD: A convenience sample of 20 elderly, participated in the study from a community health center located in an urban city, South Korea. SPSS/WIN 17.0 was used for descriptive analysis, paired t-test and Pearson correlation. RESULTS: After 8 weeks exercise program, perceived health status (t=0.48, p<.001), depression (t=-0.93, p=.001), life satisfaction (t=1.01, p=.002 and physical strength (t=1.70, 0.70, 0.72, all p<.001) in elderly were significantly improved. Three were significant correlations between depression and perceived health status (r=-.63, p=.004) and life satisfaction (r=-.70, p=.001). CONCLUSION: Further are warranted to validate the effects of a rhythmic exercise program for the elderly in a larger sample.

Association between Self-Perceived Health Status and Health Related Behavior in Routine Health Examinees / 가정의학회지

BACKGROUND: Self-perceived health is a good indicator of health status. It is generally accepted that self-perceived health status has important role on one's health behavior and public health education. Smoking, drinking, and obesity are well known risk factors for one's health. But its effects on self-perceived health status are not known so well in Korea. This study was planned to evaluate the effect of health behavior such as smoking, drinking, and obesity on self-perceived health status. METHODS: We enrolled a total of 6,040 Koreans, visited to one general hospital health promotion center from June, 2004 through June, 2007. Data was collected by questionnaire, including basic demographic variables, family history of cancers or cerobrovascular accidents, psycho-emotional factors such as stress, depression, anxiety, insomnia, and health behaviors including smoking, drinking, and exercise. Risk factors for metabolic syndrome were also obtained including waist circumference, blood pressure, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), fasting blood sugar, and body mass index (BMI). RESULTS: Older age, higher alcohol consumption, higher BMI, and regular exercise were associated with higher selfperceived health status. Higher education status, higher score of stress, symptoms such as depression, anxiety, and insomnia, drug medication, operation history, and abnormal HDL status were associated with lower self-perceived health status. Smoking and metabolic syndrome had no relation with self-perceived health status. CONCLUSION: Drinking and higher BMI were associated with higher self-perceived health status, indicating discrepancies between self-perceived health status and medical advice. More strict education might be required for those risk factors.

A Study on Leisure Activities, Leisure Life Satisfaction, Perceived Health Status and Depression in the Elderly / 재활간호학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate leisure activities, leisure life satisfaction, perceived health status and depression in the elderly and to examine the relationships among those variables. METHOD: The subjects were 204 elderly visiting a senior welfare service center in G city. Data were collected from September 14 to 18 in 2009. All subjects agreed to participate and filled out the survey questionnaire after signing the consent form. RESULTS: 1) The mean score of leisure activities was 2.81; the mean score of leisure life satisfaction was 4.14; the mean score of perceived health status was 8.92; the mean score of depression was 5.13 and 42.2% of the subjects belonged to the depression group. 2) The level of leisure activities was significantly different according to education level, religion, spouse and pocket money. The level of leisure life satisfaction was significantly different according to religion and pocket money. The level of perceived health status was significantly different according to sex, education level and pocket money. The level of depression was significantly different according to spouse and pocket money. 3) Leisure activities showed positive correlation with leisure life satisfaction and perceived health status, but showed negative correlation with depression. CONCLUSION: These findings showed the need for the health promotion program that increases leisure activities and leisure life satisfaction without economic burden.

Quality of Life, Perceived Health Status, Pain, and Difficulty of Activity of Daily Living of Degenerative Arthritis Patient in Island Residents / 農村醫學 地域保健

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to identify and relationships among quality of life, perceived health status, pain and difficulty of daily activity with degenerative arthritis living in island residents. METHODS: The participants were 601 degenerative arthritis patients. Data were collected using structured questionnaires from June 23th to Oct. 08th, 2008 and analyzed using the SPSS 12.0 program. and it included descriptive statistics, t-test, chi-square-test, Pearson correlation coefficient. RESULTS: The mean quality of life score was 115.87, perceived health status was 4.40, pain was 6.31 and difficulty of daily activity was 77.62. On the demographic variables, age, living arrangement, level of economics showed significant difference for the quality of life and sex and age showed significant difference for the perceived health status, pain, difficulty of daily activity. On the disease-related variables, duration of disease, use of analgesic drug showed significant difference for the dependent variables. There was a significant positive correlation among the quality of life, perceived health status, significant negative correlation pain and difficulty of daily activity. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggested that nursing intervention program including pain reduction, enhancing the perceived health status, ADL abilities and quality of life were necessary for the osteoarthritis patients in island residents

Difference in Self-Efficacy according to Perceived Health Status in Male Smokers / 재활간호학회지

PURPOSE: The study were to identify difference in self-efficacy according to perceived health status in male smokers. METHODS: The subjects were 138 male smoker in Seoul and Incheon. The data was collected using structured questionnaires from ninth of July to 16th of August in 2007. The data was analyzed by descriptive statistics and ANOVA with SPSS 14.0. RESULT: Participants showed that a high level of total self-efficacy score 3.40+/- .43, general self-efficacy score 3.39+/- .46, social self-efficacy score 3.44+/- .55. There were significant difference total self-efficacy and general self-efficacy in accordance with perceived health status. But there were no significant difference social self-efficacy in accordance with perceived health status. With the result of this study, the subjects smoked 14.48+/-11.04 years and 90.4% of the subjects were highly perceived that the health status of oneself above of moderate state and self-efficacy score. CONCLUSION: Therefore raising a perception about smoking dangerous, the prohibition of smoking program development which emphasizes the noxiousness of smoking for must precede, recognizes the necessity of prohibition of smoking and prohibition of smoking decision in one smoker comes to seem with the fact that own effect increase program for a prohibition of smoking maintenance.

Factors Related to Quality of Life among Rural Elderly / 성인간호학회지

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to explore the degree of depression, perceived health status, chronic disease and quality of life(QOL) among rural elderly and to determine the factors related to their QOL. METHOD: The design of this study was a correlational study. The subjects were 423 elderly consisted of 157(37.1%) men and 266(62.9%) women dwelling in a rural area of N City. Data were collected from May to December, 2003 using a structured questionnaire. A stepwise multiple regression analysis was performed to identify the factors related to the QOL. RESULT: It was found that the mean score of QOL was in total with 2.15 out of 5.00 and women elderly's score was significantly lower than men(t=2.20, p=.028). Perceived health status showed statistically significant positive relationship with QOL(r=.608, p<.05), while depression(r=-.751, p<.01) and chronic illness(r=-.336, p<.01) showed statistically significant negative relationship. Depression was found to have the highest correlation with QOL among the subjects. Depression score explained QOL at the most, accounting for 36.8% of the variability, followed by perceived health(8.2%) and the number of chronic illness(.7%). Other factors related to the QOL were economic status and absence of spouse. CONCLUSION: In order to increase the QOL of rural elderly, it is necessary to decrease the depression, to increase their perceived health status and to decrease the number of chronic illness. We suggest the implementation of a program not only to promote physical health status and self-care ability but to take care of mental health for the rural elderly.

The Relationship of Individual Characteristics, Perceived Health Status, Body Image, and Health Promoting Behavior in Hospital Nurses / 성인간호학회지

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study were to: (1) describe the individual characteristics, perceived health status, body image, and health promoting behaviors of staff nurses working in a metropolitan hospital and (2) determine the relationship of perceived health status, body image, and health promoting behaviors. METHODS: Data were collected from 311 staff nurses working at one of university affiliated hospitals using a self-administered questionnaire for perceived health status(SF 36 V2), body image(BAQ), and health promoting behaviors (HPLP-II) and using the report of year 2002 employee physical check-up results for health related characteristics. RESULTS: Most of nurses were within the normal range of BMI, total cholesterol, and liver enzymes but 42.2% had systolic BP above 120mmHg and 37.3% hemoglobin below 12g/dL. Although 96.4% of BMI score indicated 'underweight' or 'normal', 'feeling fat' showed the highest. Among health promoting behaviors the most frequently reported one was spiritual growth and the least one was engagement in physical activity. In the correlational analysis, health promoting behaviors had the positive relationships with perceived health status, vitality, mental health, attractiveness, strength and fitness (p=.000 - .004). CONCLUSION: These findings provide information that is relevant in designing interventions to enhance health promoting behaviors among nurses working in a hospital.

A Comparative Study on Spiritual Well-being and Perceived Health Status between Korean and Korean-American / 성인간호학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to compare spiritual well-being and perceived health status between Korean and Korean-American and to provide basic data that might develop comprehensive health care program including spiritual dimension. METHOD: The subject of the study were 411 adults chosen from religious organization located in Gyeongsang Province, Korea and Chicago, U.S.A.. The instruments used in the study were Spiritual Well-being Scale by Paloutizian and Ellison and Health Self Rating Scale by North Illinois University. Analysis of data was done by using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation coefficient, ANCOVA, ANOVA and Duncan test with SPSS program. RESULT: 1) The mean score of spiritual well-being of Korean was 3.17 and Korean-American was 2.63, there was significant difference between two groups. 2) Perceived health status of Korean was 2.37 and perceived health status of Korean-American was 2.54, there was significant difference between two groups. CONCLUSION: According to this study, it is important to take into considerations spiritual aspects and cultural and environmental elements in developing the comprehensive health care program.

Physical and Psychological-Emotional Status according to Type of Personality in Female College Student who Smoke / 기본간호학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to test the physical and psychological- emotional status according to type of personality of female college student smokers and to provide baseline data for smoking cessation education programs for women. METHOD: The data were collected from May to June, 2002. The subjects were 119 female students who smoked. The data were analyzed using SPSS/PC. RESULTS: The results are as follows 1. There were 91 (76.5%) A type and 28 (23.5%) B Type personality types, indicating that female student smokers were more frequently type A rather than type B. 2.Perceived health status by personality type indicated that those with type B (27.71+/-4.67) perceived higher health status than those with type A (26.53+/-4.60) but the result was not statistically significant (p=0.237). 3.Perceived stress by personality type indicated that those with type B (83.71+/-13.13) perceived more stress than those with type A (70.52+/-12.35). 4.Differences between depression by personality type indicated that those with type B (47.21+/-8.53) perceived more stress than those with type A (45.42+/-7.32) but this was not statistically significant (p=.277). 5.There were significant negative correlations between perceived health status and stress (r=-0.300, P<0.004), depression and perceived health status (r=-0.456, P<0.000). There was significant positive correlation between stress and depression (r=0.700, P<0.000). 6.There was no significant difference between perceived health status, stress, or depression according to general characteristics. CONCLUSION: According to the results, researchers should continually identify women's smoking behavior included various physical and psychological variables related to women's health. In addition, programs for improving physical and psychological health should be designed and operated to decrease the perception of stress and to increase the perception of health motivation for women smokers.

An Effect of Health Promotion Program on Health Behavior, Perceived health Status and Life Satisfaction in the Elderly / 성인간호학회지

PURPOSE: This study is designed to develop a health promotion program for improvement of health status by means of a change of life-style and health behavior in the elderly. The purpose of this study is to provide a basis for nursing intervention strategies to promote health behaviors. METHOD: The health promotion program consisted of health education, group discussion, emotional support, health and telephone counsel. As a quasi-experimental design, the none-quivalent control group pretest-posttest design was utilized for this study. The subjects of this study consisted of 50 people, over 60 years of age attending 2 senior colleges in S city. They were divided into two groups: 24 in the experimental group and 26 in the control group. Data was collected from July 2, 2001 to August 21, 2001. For the analysis, SPSS PC 10.0 Window version was adopted and descriptive analysis, x2-test, t-test, paired t-test, MANOVA were used for data analysis. RESULT: The health behavior and life satisfaction of the elderly improved significantly (F=18.305, p=.000 ; F=17.478, p=.000). But there is no significant difference in the perceived health status(F=3.807, p=.057). CONCLUSION: The health promotion program is confirmed as proper to promote the health in the elderly. In addition, assessment and support will be simultaneously done to manage the health of the elderly. Finally this study supports intervention for the elderly and provides a basis for further investigations.

Analysis of Smoking Temptation, Nicotine Dependency, Perceived Health Status corresponding to Stage of Change in Smoking Cessation in Middle Aged Men / 기본간호학회지

This study was done to investigate the relation of smoking temptation, stage of change in smoking cessation, nicotine dependency and perceived health status in middle aged men. Convenience samples of 176 subjects who were either smoked or used to smoke, aged between 30 to 64, living in Seoul and Kyungi province area in Korea were selected for the study. The data was collected from December 1, 1999 to June 30, 2000. The research instrument were Stage of Change of Smoking Cessation Measure (DiClemente et al., 1991), Smoking Temptation Measure (Velicer, DiClemente, Rossi, Prochaska, 1990), Perceived Health Status Measure (McDowell & Newell, 1996), and Nicotine Dependency Scale (FTQ: Fagerstrom, 1978). The data were analyzed using the SAS Program. The result of the study are as follows: 1. The analysis of variance and multiple comparison showed that according to the stage of change, there were significant mean differences in the three sub-factors of smoking temptation; 'positive affect situation (F=12.64, p=.0001)', 'negative affect situation (F=16.01, p=.0001)', 'habitual craving situation (F=14.43, p=.0001)' and nicotine dependency (F=4.12, p=.0033) The mean score for smoking temptation for the subjects who were in the precontemplation stage outweighed the mean score for smoking temptation for subjects who were in the maintenance stage. 2. Through discriminant analysis, it was found that negative affect situation was the most influential variable of the smoking temptation sub-factors which can be used to discriminate stage of change. 3. The analysis of Pearson correlation coefficients showed that there was a significant positive relation between nicotine dependency and negative affect situation of smoking cessation((r=0.2182, p=0.0045) and a significant negative relation between nicotine dependency and perceived health status(r=-0.2115, p=0.0059).

Effects of the Ground Exercise for Arthritis Program(GEAP) on Pain, Fatigue, Self-esteem, Perceived Health Status and Self-efficacy in Patients with Chronic Arthritis / 기본간호학회지

PURPOSE: To examine the effects of the GEAP on pain, fatigue, self-esteem, perceived health status and self-efficacy in patients with chronic arthritis. METHODS: One group pre- & post-test design was used. Outcome domains included pain, number of painful joints, fatigue, self-esteem, perceived health status and self-efficacy. Thirty-four patients were recruited over four times from a rheumatic clinic affiliated to a university medical center in Seoul, Korea. The GEAP is an exercise program modified by the investigators from PACE program which developed by Arthritis Foundation. The program duration is about 60 minutes, three times a week for 6 weeks. Participants were predominantly women (68%); on average 57.3 years old; and diagnossed with RA (58.8), osteoarthritis (29.4) or other (11.8). RESULTS: After completing the GEAP, subjects showed significant improvement in pain (p=0.02), number of painful joints (p=0.04), fatigue (p=0.0001), and perceived health status (p=0.006). There were no improvements in self-esteem and self-efficacy score for adults with chronic rheumatic diseases. CONCLUSION: This study showed that the GEAP is an effective exercise intervention for improving outcomes for patients with chronic arthritis. More sample and research are needed to 1) accurately evaluate on self-esteem and self-efficacy; 2) understand and improve adherence. And also a longer follow up period is recommended to evaluate long-term effects of the PACE program.

Serum Osmolality and Its Association with Health-Related Factors and Biochemical Parameters in the Elderly / 대한지역사회영양학회지

This study was designed to determine serum osmolality and to investigate the association among serum osmolality, health-related factors and biochemical indices. Two hundred thirty seven elderly(86 male, 151 female : mean age 73.8) residing in the chungbuk area participated. Sociodemographic data and self-perceived health status were obtained by interview, and biochemical parameters were measured. The mean serum osmolaity was 301.2+/-10.1 mOsm/ kg(range 240.8~328.9 mOsm/ kg) and serum osmolality of the females(302.4 mOsm/ kg) was significantly(p<0.05) higher than that of the males(299.0 mOsm/ kg). Only 11.0% of the elderly were within the accepted normal range(280~295 mOsm/ kg) and the majority of the subjects were in a hyperosmolar state(60.8% : 296~307 mOsm/ kg). It was observed that serum osmolality was reduced with increasing age but not statistically significant. There was no significant difference in serum osmolality according to marital status. Serum osmolality was significantly lower(p<0.05) in the elderly with higher self-perceived health scores than the elderly with lower self-perceived health scores, however no significant difference was observed between the presence or absence of disease. Serum osmolality tended to be higher(p=0.06) in the elderly with difficulty in mobility than the elderly who have no problem in mobility. Serum osmolality tended to be higher(p=0.06) among drug users compared to that of non-users. There was a significant association between serum osmolality and serum albumin in females but not in males. Significant associations were shown between serum osmolality and serum transferrin in both sexes. However, there was no significant correlation between serum osmolality and hemoglobin or hematocrit except with hematocrit in females only. The results of this study indicated that the elderly were dehydrated and hydration state seems to influence health status and, the elderly should be encouraged to drink an adequate amount of fluids. Also, the hydration state is required to be assessed and considered for the interpretation of biochemical parameters.