The Prevalence of Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome in the Korean Military Compared with the General Population

BACKGROUND: Obesity and related metabolic disorders are growing health challenges worldwide and individuals at military service are not exceptions. The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of obesity and metabolic syndrome (MS) in the Korean military and to compare with the general population. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study of 4,803 young military participants who underwent a corporal health-screening program between October 2013 and October 2014. The National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III criteria was used to identify MS. We also sampled 1,108 men aged 19–29 years from the Korea National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey from 2010 to 2013 to compare with their military counterparts. RESULTS: The mean age of military participants was 20.8 ± 1.1 years, and 20.6% (n = 988) were obese. The prevalence of MS was 0.8% in military participants, while 7.9% in general population. The risk factors of MS were less prominent among military participants relative to civilians, with the exception of high blood pressure, of which prevalence was higher among military participants (21.5% vs. 18.2%, respectively). In multiple logistic analysis, high physical activity conferred lower odds of MS and obesity in military participants (odds ratios, 0.19 and 0.81, respectively). Age older than 25 years increased risk of most components of MS among civilians. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of obesity and MS is lower in military participants compared with civilians of similar age. Monitoring of high blood pressure and proper stress management are warranted in those at military service.

The Psychological Response of Diabetes Patients / 임상당뇨병

Diabetes is a chronic disease that requires continuous and mindful self-care. However, most diabetic patients suffer from severe stress from the disease itself, as well as the required treatments. Diabetic patients are prone to psychosocial problems, including psychological adaptation to accepting the fact that they are diabetic, the burden to change behavior and living habits to manage the disease, and the anxiety and fear of complications. Therefore, a diabetes educator needs to understand the psychological responses that occur when a patient is diagnosed with the disease, in order to understand the needs of diabetic patients.

Hemodynamic Effect of Prazosin in Congestive Heart Failure

The hemodynamic effects of Prazosin were evaluated in 31 cases with congestive heart failure (mitral stenosis; 15 cases, mitral insufficiency; 7 cases, hypertensive heart disease;4 cases, congestive cardiomyopathy; 5 cases) by means of echocardiographic method. Before and 90 min. after the administration of prazosin(3mg p.o.), M-mode echocardiograms of left ventricle were recorded, from which end-diastolic and end-systolic dimensions of left ventricle and left ventricular ejection time were measured. Hemodynamic parameters of left ventricular performance, i.e., mean veloity of circumferential fiber shortening, fractional fiber shortening, ejection fraction, stroke volume, and cardiac output were calculated from the measurements. Left ventricular end-diastolic and end-systolic dimensions were decreased significantly after prazosin administration and left ventricular performance was significantly increased after prazosin administration, whereas stroke volume was not. Total systemic peripheral resistance and mean arterial pressure showed no significant changes. All cases, except one of the patients showed marked symptomatic relief after prazosin administration evaluated by NYHA functional classification. There was no considerable untoward effect in the patients of congestive heart failure to whom the prazosin was administered.