The Relationship between Electronic Cigarette Use with or without Cigarette Smoking and Alcohol Use among Adolescents: Finding from the 11th Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey / 가정의학회지

BACKGROUND: Electronic cigarette (EC) consumption (‘vaping’) is rapidly increasing, not only in adults but also in adolescents. Little is known about the association between vaping and problem behaviors such as drinking. METHODS: We used data from the 11th Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey, which was conducted in 2015 and included 68,043 participants who were Korean middle and high school students. The survey assessed EC, cigarette, and alcohol use. Multiple regression analysis was used to examine risk of current drinking and problem drinking across the following categories of users: never user (never used either product), former user (use of EC or cigarettes in the past, but not currently), vaping only, smoking only, and dual user (current use of both products). RESULTS: EC only users were 1.2% in males, and 0.3% in females. Dual user of both conventional cigarettes and ECs were 5.1% in males, and 1.2% in females. Drinking frequency, drinking quantity per once, and problem drinking were higher among vapers than non-vapers and former-vapers, moreover, were higher among daily vapers than intermittent vapers. Compared to never users, EC only users were higher on risk of current drink and problem drink. The dual users were highest on risk of current drink. CONCLUSION: Vaping is independently associated with alcohol use problems in Korean students, even those not currently smoking. Moreover, dual use of cigarettes and ECs is strongly associated with alcohol use problems. Therefore, vaping students should be concerned about their hidden alcohol use problems.

Cut-Off Values for Visceral Fat Area Identifying Korean Adults at Risk for Metabolic Syndrome / 가정의학회지

BACKGROUND: Cut-off values for visceral fat area (VFA) measured by computed tomography (CT) for identifying individuals at risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS) have not been clearly established in Korean adults, particularly for large populations. We aimed to identify optimal VFA and waist circumference (WC) cut-off values and compare the ability of VFA and WC to predict the presence of ≥2 metabolic risk factors. METHODS: We included 36,783 subjects aged 19–79 years undergoing abdominal fat CT during regular health checkups between January 2007 and February 2015 in Seoul. The risk factors for MetS except WC were based on the International Diabetes Federation criteria. Receiver operating characteristic curve analyses were used to determine the appropriate VFA and WC cut-off values for MetS. RESULTS: VFA was a more significant predictor of metabolic risk factors than WC and body mass index (BMI). The optimal cut-off values for VFA and WC were 134.6 cm2 and 88 cm for men and 91.1 cm2 and 81 cm for women, respectively. We estimated age-specific cut-off values for VFA, WC, and BMI. VFA cut-off values increased with age, particularly among women. CONCLUSION: This large population study proposed the cut-off values for VFA and WC for identifying subjects at risk of MetS among Korean adults. For more accurate diagnosis, different age-specific cut-off values for VFA and WC may be considered.

Physical Activity Level of Korean Adults with Chronic Diseases: The Korean National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey, 2010-2012 / 가정의학회지

BACKGROUND: Proper physical activities are known to be helpful in the prevention and management of chronic diseases. However, the physical activity level of patients with chronic diseases is low. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the physical activity compliance of patients with hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia in Korea. METHODS: This study analyzed the 2010-2012 Fifth Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data. We included 13,873 individuals in the analysis. The level of physical activity compliance was measured by performing multivariate logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: In the univariate analysis, the subjects with hypertension or diabetes tended to comply with the physical activity guidelines less faithfully than their healthy counterparts. The proportion of subjects with hypertension who were insufficiently physically active was 65.4% among the men and 75.8% among the women. For diabetes, the proportions were 66.7% and 76.8%, respectively. No significant difference was found between the subjects with dyslipidemia and their healthy counterparts. In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, no significant difference in physical activity compliance was observed between the subjects with hypertension, diabetes, or dyslipidemia and their healthy counterparts for both sexes. CONCLUSION: The patients with hypertension or diabetes tended to have lower physical activity prevlaence than their healthy counterparts. However, for dyslipidemia, no significant difference was found between the two groups. Given the significance of physical activities in the management of chronic diseases, the physical activities of these patients need to be improved.

Association of Health Risk Behaviors with Mental Health among Elderly Koreans

BACKGROUND: Korea is currently experiencing a rapid aging of its population. With regards to healthy aging, a mental health status is an important factor in the elderly. The purpose of our study was to investigate the prevalence of mental health problems (depression symptoms, anxiety symptoms, poor quality of life) and to examine the relationships between health behaviors and mental health status. METHODS: The data were collected from the Korean Longitudinal Study on Aging, which was designed to compile information on several aspects of aging for use, as a basic statistical data in interdisciplinary research. A total of 5,548 elderly aged 60 years or older were included in this descriptive cross-sectional study. The results were examined with multiple logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The prevalence of depression, anxiety experience, and poor quality of life was 40.8%, 29.9%, and 54.6%, respectively. Current smoking was significantly associated with the risk of anxiety symptoms and poor quality of life (adjusted prevalence odds ratio [POR], 1.24; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.02 to 1.52 and adjusted POR, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.12 to 1.60, respectively). Also, not exercising regularly was significantly associated with all of the mental health problems (depression and anxiety symptoms, and poor quality of life), which were measured in this study (adjusted POR, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.14 to 1.51 and adjusted POR, 1.39; 95% CI, 1.19 to 1.62 and adjusted POR, 1.45; 95% CI, 1.27 to 1.65, respectively). CONCLUSION: Elderly Koreans with health risk behaviors are likely to be vulnerable to mental health concerns. This finding underscores the continued needs to design and implement mental health policies at the community or the country level, especially in elderly Koreans with health risk behaviors.

The Relation of Thyroid Function to Components of the Metabolic Syndrome in Korean Men and Women

This study was to assess the relation of thyroid dysfunction to metabolic syndrome (MetS) at an earlier stage in Korean population. Metabolic parameters such as body composition, blood pressure (BP), fasting glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride (TG), HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C), LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and free thyroxine 4 (fT4) were measured. During a mean follow-up of 3 yr, 5,998 Koreans ages over 18 yr were assessed. There were 694 cases of MetS at follow-up. The mean age of the subjects was 45.6 +/- 9.5 yr. Mean level of TSH was 2.02 +/- 1.50 mIU/L, mean level of fT4 was 1.23 +/- 0.20 rhoM/L. At baseline, TSH levels and fT4 levels were associated to waist circumference, BP, glucose and lipids in the subjects. Increase in systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure (DBP), total cholesterol and TG were significantly associated with changes in TSH levels after adjustment. Changes in DBP, TG, HDL-C and fasting glucose were significantly associated with changes in fT4 levels after adjustment. Increase in TSH levels even after further controlling for baseline TSH level predicted the MetS over the study period. In conclusion, there is a relationship between thyroid function and cardiovascular risk factors, such as BP, total cholesterol, TG, HDL-C and fasting glucose. Also, higher levels of TSH may predict the MetS in Korean.

Physical Activity and Exercise for Men with Late Onset Hypogonadism / 대한남성과학회지

Late onset hypogonadism (LOH, also referred to as age-associated testosterone deficiency syndrome, TDS) is a clinical and biochemical syndrome associated with advancing age and characterized by symptoms and a deficiency in serum testosterone levels. It may result in a significantly reduced quality of life and adversely affect the function of multiple organ systems. Although the treatment of LOH is primarily based on hormone replacement, other treatment modalities (medical or non-medical treatment) can also be considered for various accompanying symptoms. The efficacy of exercise in the treatment of LOH has already been evaluated in several studies, and many of them show beneficial effects for some specific symptoms and diseases. This study was designed to evaluate the relationship between exercise and plasma testosterone levels, and the potential beneficial effects of exercise for each specific symptom of LOH, and finally to consider the appropriate exercise treatment for LOH.

Changes in Blood Pressure, Blood Glucose, and Lipid Profile Caused by Changes of Weight, Percent Body Fat, and Waist Circumference in Adult Men with Normal Weight and Waist Circumference / 가정의학회지

BACKGROUND: Metabolic indexes (blood pressure, blood glucose, and lipid) differ depending on lower or upper normal value of obesity indexes (weight, percent-body-fat, and waist circumference) despite normal value. Therefore, we examined metabolic indexes changes across obesity indexes changes. METHODS: We analyzed 344 adult men who received routine-checkups with normal weight and waist circumference before and after follow-up. We used multiple-linear-regression to examine associations between changes of obesity indexes and metabolic indexes before and after follow-up. We examined differences of metabolic indexes by t-test and odds ratios of normal or abnormal metabolic indexes by multiple-logistic-regression in groups where obesity indexes were increased and decreased. RESULTS: The mean follow-up was 1.38 +/- 0.32 years and there were associations between weight change rate and changes in systolic-blood-pressure (SBP), diastolic-blood-pressure (DBP), triglyceride (TG), and high-density-lipoprotein (HDL) (P = 0.001, 0.03, 0.001, 0.01), associations between percent-body-fat change and changes in SBP, DBP, fasting-blood-glucose (FBG) and TG (P = 0.02, 0.002, or = 100 of 2.98 (95% confidential interval [CI], 1.18 to 7.51) with a significance on only FBG of initially normal metabolic components and conversely percent-body-fat decrease group had odds ratio of FBG < 100 of 3.22 (95% CI, 1.21 to 8.60) with a significance on only FBG of initially abnormal metabolic components. CONCLUSION: Increased obesity indexes even within normal range, could change metabolic indexes.

Manganese Concentration in Blood and Urine of Manganese Exposed Welding Workers / 대한산업의학회지

Blood and urine samples were taken from 447 welders exposed to manganese containing welding fumes and 127 office workers not exposed to welding fumes as a control. The air samples were analyzed by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer (Varian 30A, Australia), and blood and urine samples were analyzed by flameless atomic absorption spectrophotometer(Z-8100, Hibachi, Japan). Data were evaluated in accordance with type of industry, smoking habits, and work duration. The results obtained were as follows: 1. The limit of detection(LOD) levels of manganese in blood and urine were 0.11 microgram/100ml of and 0.14 microgram/l, respectively. Our results of manganese concentration were shown within +/-2 standard deviation which was the upper and lower warning limit (UWL or LWL) on quality control chart. 2. The airborne concentrations of manganese in welding workplaces were 0.067 mg/m3 showing differences by type of industry ; 0.017 mg/m3 in automobile assembly and manufacturing industries, 0.084 mg/m3 in steel heavy industries and 0.180 mg/m3 in shipyards. 3. The blood manganese concentrations showed differences by type of industry showing the highest values of 1.70 microgram/100m1 in shipyards, 1.24 microgram/100m1 in automobile assembly and manufacturing industries and 1.11 microgram/100ml in steel heavy industries. Urinary manganese concentration corrected by urinary creatinine concentrations was 0.34 microgram/g creatinine in automobile assembly and manufacturing industries, 0.43 microgram/g creatinine in steel heavy industries and 0.48 microgram/g creatinine in shipyards. There were no difference urinary manganese concentrations by type of industry. 4. The overall blood manganese concentration was 1.26 microgram/100ml, and urinary manganese concentration was 0.35 microgram/g creatinine in welders. In contrast to these values, blood and urinary manganese concentrations were lower in control group showing 0.73 microgram/100m1, and 0.28 microgram/g creatinine, respectively. 5. Smoking habits did not seem to affect on blood and urinary manganese concentrations both in welders and office workers. 6. Blood manganese concentrations were significantly higher in welder who had worked longer than 10 years than in welder who had worked less than 10 years. 7. The blood manganese concentrations were significantly correlated to airborne manganese concentrations(r=0.318, n=64), work duration(r=0.425, n=538), and cumulative exposure indices(CEI) (r=0.354, n=64).

Concentrations of lead, iron and zinc in blood of coal workers' pneumoconiosis patients / 예방의학회지

Lead, iron, and zinc concentrations in whole blood were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry, using a simple one-step dilution procedure, which were measured in 3 groups, 98 officers unexposed to dust or to metal, 58 coal miners without pneumoconiosis, and 113 coal workers' pneumoconiosis (CWP) patients. The results were as follows; 1. The precisions (C. V.%) of lead, iron, and zinc in blood were 12.65+/-6.95%, 1.47+/-1.25% and 6.35+/-3.34%, respectively. 2. Lead and zinc in blood showed the log-normal distribution unlike iron in blood which showed normal distribution. 3. Lead, iron, and zinc concentrations in blood of 3 groups were follows. There was significant difference of concentration far zinc in blood by groups statistically. 4. The difference of lead, iron, and zinc concentrations in blood was not significant (p>0.05) by profusion on chest radiographs.

Quantitative Analysis of Quartz, Mica, and Feldspar in Respirable Coalmine Dust in Taebaek Area by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrophotometry / 예방의학회지

A Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometric method was described for the determination of quartz, mica(sericite) and feldspar(potassium feldspar) in respirable dust in Taebaek area. The results were as follows; 1) The concentration of minerals were determined from the intensity of absorption peak of quartz at 799 cm-1, sericite at 539 cm-1, and potassium feldspar at 648 cm-1 respectively. 2) The precision(C. V. %) for the quartz determination was 7.70+/-2.68 % from 10 to 200 microgram of quartz. 3) The precision for the sericite determination was 16.34+/-6.82 % from 30 to 500 microgram of serictite. 4) The precision for the potassium feldspar determination was 5.28+/-1.74 % from 30 to 500 microgram of potassium feldspar. 5) The concentration of respirable dust in Taebaek area was 4.90+/-3.29 mg/m3(0.4-93.7%), percent quartz was 1.80+/-4.14% (0.01-20.56%), percent sericite was 11.37+/-6.43% (0.00-29.69%), percent potassium feldspar was 8.15 % (n=7, 3.41-19.70%). 6) The difference of respirable coal dust, quartz, and sericite concentration in drilling, coal cutting, hauling and separating was significant respectively (p<0.05).

Relationship between the Measurement Values of the Digitial Dust Indicator and Personal Dust Sampler / 예방의학회지

The digital dust indicator (Sibata P-5), one of the direct-reading instruments was evaluated for the respirable dust in the underground coal mine environments. As a reference, respirable dust was determined using three cyclones and/or impactors. All the tests were performed on aerosol in twenty underground coal mines. The coefficients of mass-relative concentration were 0.067+/-0.054 (Mean+/-Standard deviation) (range: 0.006-0.172). The relationship between relative concentration and temperature was not significant statistically. Also, the relationship of relative concentration and relative humidity was not significant. Mass concentration and relative concentration were 5.31+/-5.22 mg/m3 and 162+/-163 CPM (Mean+/-Standard deviation) respectively. The range of mass concentration was 1.22-22.69 mg/m3; relative concentration 16-628 CPM. The relationship of mass concentration and relative concentration was not significant in these ranges.

Quartz Concentration and Respirable Dust of Coal Mines in Taeback and Kangneung Areas / 예방의학회지

In order to investigate working conditions of underground coal mines, this work was undertaken to evaluate the respirable dust and the concentration of quartz in Taeback and Kangneung areas. The concentration of quartz was determined by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrophotometry. The results were as follows; 1) The concentration of respirable dust of drilling and coal face in Taeback and Kangneung areas were as followed. 2) Distribution of respirable dust was well fitted to the long-normal distribution and geometric mean value was log(-1) 0.37+/-log(-1) 0.47 (2.34+/-2.95) mg/m3. 3) The difference of respirable dust concentrations in Taeback and Kangneung areas was not significant statistically (p>0.05). 4) The concentration of quartz of drilling and coal face in Taeback and Kangneung areas were as followed. 5) Distribution of quartz concentrations was well fitted to the log-normal distribution and geometric mean value was log(-1) 0.33+/-log(-1) 0.45 (2.14+/-2.82)%. 6) The difference of quartz concentrations in Taeback and Kangneung areas was not significant (p>0.05), but significant at drilling sites and coal faces (p<0.05).

Measurement conditions for cadmium in urine by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry / 예방의학회지

The optimum conditions for measuring cadmium content of less than 0.2ppm by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry were investigated. The cadmium in urine was extracted by APDC-MIBK for the analysis by atomic absorption spectrophotometry after ashing them by a wet method. 1. Optimum conditions by APDC-MIBK and DDTC-MIBK extractions. The acidic aqueous solution was prepared with appropriate amount of 0.1N nitric acid, 5ml of 25% (W/V) sodium potasstum tartarate, 10ml of saturated ammonium sulfate, and 2ml of 2% APDC(or 1 ml of 5% DDTC) chelating agent. The total volume of solution was adjusted to 55ml and pH to 2~10 (or 7~10). The aqueous solution was extracted with 10ml MIBK. Concentration of Triton X-100 did not effect the absorbance for APDC-MIBK extraction of cadmium, but absorbance decreased as the concentration increased for DDTC-MIBK extraction. The sensitivity and detection limits for the cadmium determination from APDC-MIBK extraction were 0.0038ppm and 0.0102, 0.0022ppm and 0.0116 for DDTC-MIBK, and 0.0132ppm and 0.0034 for 0.1N nitric acid. APDC-MIBK and DDTC-MIBK extractions were 3 times higher than 0.1N nitric acid for the sensitivity. 2. Excretion of cadmium in 24-hour urine by APDC-MIBK extraction. Determination of cadmium in urine by atomic absorption spectrophotometry of A.A. (Cd=2 mA) mode and B.C. (Cd=4 mA) mode and B.C. (Cd=4mA, D2=20mA) mode showed some difference (p0.05, 93.48+/-11.78%, 94.83+/-22.00%). Excretion of cadmium in 24-hour urine collection from normal person and variance analysis within measurement variation was not significant (p>0.05), but between inter-individual was significant (0.05). Determination of cadmium content by two different methods of flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry and dithizone colorimetry showed that the results from the two methods can be described by a regression line with a good correlation (y=1.0153x-0.2927, x=Cd by D.C., y=Cd by A.A.S., r=0.8651*, p<0.01).