Prevalence of allergic and respiratory conditions among residents living near large construction sites in Sejong city: an exploratory study with mixed method approach / 農村醫學 地域保健

OBJECTIVES: To clarify the association between dust from large construction sites and allergic and respiratory conditions among residents in Sejong city. METHODS: We included 379 individuals older than 50 years from three areas of Sejong city; two areas near construction sites and one area for a comparison. Prevalence of self-reported allergic and respiratory conditions was compared across the three areas using logistic regression to adjust for covariates including age, gender, smoking, and educational attainment. A total of 16 individuals were interviewed to take details of the residents' experiences of construction work. RESULTS: Those living in the nearby areas around construction sites were generally found to have the increased prevalence for all allergic and respiratory conditions. Odds Ratio(OR)s for cough and sneezing among the six symptoms and allergic rhinitis among the three diagnosed diseases reached statistical significance but only OR for cough remained significant after adjustment: adjusted OR for cough was 2.63 (95% CI, 1.07-6.46). Two relevant themes emerged from semi-structured interview were; 1) most residents from the affected area reported a considerable level of exposure to construction dust, 2) about half of them noted that construction dust influences allergic- and respiratory health. CONCLUSIONS: General pattern provides suggestive evidence that living close to construction sites may be positively associated with elevated risks of allergic and respiratory conditions. Efforts should be made to establish preventive measures and a comprehensive in-depth health impact assessment on this issue.

Association between Dyslipidemia and the Prevalence of Colon Polyps Based on a Health Evaluation of Subjects at a Hospital / 가정의학회지

BACKGROUND: Colonic neoplasm is associated with western diet intake and physical inactivity. These life styles are also risk factors for dyslipidemia and metabolic syndrome. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between dyslipidemia and the prevalence of colon polyps including colon adenoma as a precancerous lesion of colonic neoplasms. METHODS: We selected subjects undergoing a colonoscopy for health screening at the Health Promotion Center of Eulji General Hospital from January 2006 to June 2010. Subjects with histories of cancers, dyslipidemia treatment, and other intestinal diseases like Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis were excluded. The total numbers of subjects included in the study was 605. Chi-square test and t-test and were used for the analysis. Additionally we used multivariate logistic regression to adjust for sex, age, smoking, drinking, and other risk factors. RESULTS: The prevalence of colon polyps was 48.70% and 28.05% in males and females, respectively. When adjusting for variables that included age, body mass index, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, smoking, drinking, and exercise, dyslipidemia was not significantly associated with the prevalence of colon polyps. However upon analyzing adenomatous colon polyps in men, dyslipidemias due to triglycerides and high density lipoproteins were significant factors (odds ratio [OR], 2.13; confidence interval [CI], 1.14 to 3.98; OR, 2.24; CI, 1.15 to 4.34, respectively). CONCLUSION: Dyslipidemia was not a significant factor in the prevalence of colon polyps. However it had a significant association with the prevalence of adenomatous colon polyps in men.

The Relationship between Metabolic Syndrome and Pulmonary Function / 가정의학회지

BACKGROUND: Impaired lung function is associated with mortality rate from cardiovascular and all other death causes. There were previous studies on the relationship between lung function impairment and metabolic syndrome, but they are insufficient. This study was conducted on Koreans to analyze each component of metabolic syndrome as well as its variability between sexes. METHODS: 1,370 subjects underwent a health examination at the Eulji General Hospital Health Center. We examined the association between lung function measurement (forced expiratory volume for 1 second [FEV1], forced vital capacity [FVC], FEV1/FVC) and metabolic syndrome using Student t-test, Pearson partial correlation coefficient, and analysis of covariance for statistical analysis, and we adopted metabolic syndrome defined by American Heart Association/National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute in Asia. RESULTS: Men with metabolic syndrome tended to experience lung function impairment. In terms of association to each metabolic syndrome component, metabolic syndrome components in men were associated with pulmonary function impairment and the more metabolic syndrome diagnostic criteria factors the patients had, the more severe their pulmonary function tended to decline. In women, waist circumference, triglyceride and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol were associated with pulmonary function change. CONCLUSION: In men, all metabolic syndrome components were associated with pulmonary function impairment, and the more metabolic syndrome components men had, the more severe their pulmonary functions decline. In women, components of metabolic syndrome were not associated with pulmonary function impairment.

The Effects of an Education Program on the Knowledge of Medication and Prevention of Depression in the Elderly with Chronic Disease at a Local Community

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of an education program on the knowledge of medication and prevention of depression in the elderly at a local community. METHODS: This study utilized the nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design. Thirty consecutive people were included in this study for the experimental group, and another 30 people were allocated to the control group. The program was performed once a week for 3 weeks. Data were collected from March 15 to April 30, 2010 and statistical analyses were performed by chi2-test and independent t-test using the SPSS/WIN 12.0 program. RESULTS: There were statistically significant differences in the knowledge of medication, depression and medication compliance between the experimental and control groups. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that an education program for the knowledge of medication and prevention of depression in the elderly with chronic disease could improve their knowledge of medication and their medication compliance, and decrease their depression. These results suggest that education of knowledge with social psychology can be an effective and practical method of management to the elderly with chronic disease at local communities.

The Effects of an Education Program on the Knowledge of Medication and Prevention of Depression in the Elderly with Chronic Disease at a Local Community

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of an education program on the knowledge of medication and prevention of depression in the elderly at a local community. METHODS: This study utilized the nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design. Thirty consecutive people were included in this study for the experimental group, and another 30 people were allocated to the control group. The program was performed once a week for 3 weeks. Data were collected from March 15 to April 30, 2010 and statistical analyses were performed by chi2-test and independent t-test using the SPSS/WIN 12.0 program. RESULTS: There were statistically significant differences in the knowledge of medication, depression and medication compliance between the experimental and control groups. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that an education program for the knowledge of medication and prevention of depression in the elderly with chronic disease could improve their knowledge of medication and their medication compliance, and decrease their depression. These results suggest that education of knowledge with social psychology can be an effective and practical method of management to the elderly with chronic disease at local communities.