The Characteristics of Electronic Cigarette User among Korean Smokers: The Sixth Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2013–2015

BACKGROUND: Although the electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) market is growing rapidly, few studies have been conducted on e-cigarettes in South Korea. This study aims to analyze the general characteristics of Korean adult smokers with e-cigarette use.METHODS: This study used data from the 6th National Health and Nutrition Survey (NHANS). Multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to examine subjects' general characteristics and a questionnaire related to smoking cessation, stress perception, and depression. A frequency analysis of reasons for using e-cigarettes was conducted of 318 subjects of the 2015 NHANS who were smokers and used e-cigarettes.RESULTS: The study found that smokers with experience using e-cigarettes were younger and had a higher income level (odds ratio [OR], 1.45; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03–2.05) than smokers without e-cigarette experience. Professional, management, and office worker groups were associated with e-cigarette use (OR, 1.40; 95% CI, 1.10–1.77). Willingness to quit smoking was also higher in subjects with experience using e-cigarettes (OR, 1.35; 95% CI, 1.09–1.68). The most common reason for smoking cessation in both groups was concern about their own and their family's health. About 50% of smokers with experience using e-cigarettes thought e-cigarettes would be more helpful for smoking cessation than regular cigarettes.CONCLUSION: Although the safety and rationale of using e-cigarettes as a smoking cessation aid are unproven, many smokers consider them a method of smoking cessation. It is necessary to provide correct information on e-cigarettes.

Public Perceptions on Cancer Incidence and Survival: A Nation-wide Survey in Korea / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare the public perceptions of the incidence rates and survival rates for common cancers with the actual rates from epidemiologic data. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a survey of Korean adults without history of cancer (n=2,000). The survey consisted of questions about their perceptions regarding lifetime incidence rates and 5-year survival rates for total cancer, as well as those of eight site-specific cancers. To investigate associated factors, we included questions about cancer worry (Lerman's Cancer Worry Scale) or cared for a family member or friend with cancer as a caregiver. RESULTS: Only 19% of Korean adults had an accurate perception of incidence rates compared with the epidemiologic data on total cancer. For specific cancers, most of the respondents overestimated the incidence rates and 10%-30% of men and 6%-18% of women had an accurate perception. A high score in "cancer worry" was associated with higher estimates of incidence rates in total and specific cancers. In cancers with high actual 5-year survival rates (e.g., breast and thyroid), the majority of respondents underestimated survival rates. However, about 50% of respondents overestimated survival rates in cancers with low actual survival rates (e.g., lung and liver). There was no factor consistently associated with perceived survival rates. CONCLUSION: Widespread discrepancies were observed between perceived probability and actual epidemiological data. In order to reduce cancer worry and to increase health literacy, communication and patient education on appropriate risk is needed.

The Prevalence of Obesity, Abdominal Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome among Elderly in General Population / 가정의학회지

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of obesity, abdominal obesity and metabolic syndrome is important for health policies and clinical practice. The aim of study is to estimate the prevalence of obesity, abdominal obesity and metabolic syndrome among older than 65 years in general population and identify the differences by gender. Additionally, we examined the prevalence of the abnormality of metabolic components by sex. METHODS: We analyzed data from the Fourth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES IV) 2007. The subjects of this study include persons over 65 years. We used data about demographics, chronic diseases, medications and blood laboratory results. RESULTS: The prevalence of obesity, abdominal obesity and metabolic syndrome in elderly women was 46.9%, 56.3% and 46.7% (International Diabetes Federation [IDF] criteria) respectively. In elderly men, 23.1%, 26.6% and 21.7% (IDF criteria). The prevalence of metabolic syndrome by modified ATP III was 63.2% in elderly women and 41.7% in elderly men. The prevalence of these was significantly higher in women elderly other in men elderly (P < 0.001). The abnormality of HDL-C among the individual metabolic components was significantly higher in women elderly than in men elderly. The prevalence of HDL-C abnormality in women elderly reached 79.9%. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of obesity, abdominal obesity and metabolic syndrome was higher in Korea than US and Europe, and higher among women elderly than men elderly. Recent increase in prevalence of these might be a public health problem.

The Association Chronic Liver Diseases with Health Related Behaviors in South Korea / 가정의학회지

BACKGROUND: The chronic liver disease is a relatively common health problem in primary care in Korea. But there are few studies of the prevalence and management status of chronic liver disease in Korea. The aim of this study is to estimate the ratio of health relative behavior among the patients of chronic liver disease, and analyse the association of chronic liver disease with health related behaviors such as private insurance, liver cancer screening examination, smoking, drinking, and exercise. METHODS: We analyzed data from the third Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNANES III) 2005. The subjects of this study included the persons over 40 years. We used data about demographics, chronic liver disease, and health behavior data. RESULTS: The prevalence of chronic liver disease was 2.4%. The ratios of private insurance, liver cancer screening examination among the patients of chronic liver disease were 72.6%, 44.2% respectively. The ratios of no smoking, abstinence from drinking, and exercise were 70.0%, 52.6%, and 33.8% respectively. After adjusted with demographic data, the odds ratio of liver cancer screening among the patients of chronic liver disease was 8.4 (P < 0.001), that of abstinence from drinking was 1.2 (P = 0.434). Adjusted odds ratio of private insurance, no smoking and exercise were 1.3 (P = 0.425), 1.2 (P = 0.578), 0.6 (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The primary prevention is less satisfactory than secondary prevention among the patients with chronic liver disease in Korea. In primary care, it is necessary for them not only to check liver cancer screening examination but also encourage no smoking, abstinence from drinking, and exercise.

Pneumococcal Vaccination Rate among Elderly in South Korea

BACKGROUND: Pneumococcal vaccination among elderly is important for prevention of pneumonia and invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD). There are few studies of pneumococcal vaccination among elderly in South Korea. The aim of study is to examine the pneumococcal vaccination rate for people aged over 65 in South Korea and identify the proportion of the high risk group. METHODS: We analyzed data from The Third Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES III) 2005. The subjects of this study include persons over 65 years. We used questionnaires about demographics, chronic diseases and individual health behavioral risk factors, which were needed to indentify the high risk group. RESULTS: There were 1,097 persons of observation. The rate of pneumococcal vaccination among 65 years and over was 0.8%. The proportion of the men and women with one more risk factors was 77.3%, 62.8% respectively. Chronic cardiovascular diseases and diabetes were major risk factors among targets recommended vaccination. In men, the proportion of smoke and chronic alcoholism (33.2%, 12.3%) was higher compare to 7.4%, 0.3% in women (p<0.001, p<0.001). The proportion of chronic cardiovascular diseases (48.0%) in women was higher than (38.7%) in men (p=0.012). CONCLUSION: The rate of pneumococcal vaccination among elderly in South Korea was seriously very low compared to that of influenza vaccination. That might be due to unawareness of the necessity to vaccinate. Clinicians should encourage the vaccination as well take a leading role in government health policy