Suicide Related Indicators and Trends in Korea in 2019 / 보건행정학회지

This study aimed to update suicide-related indicators including suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, and the number of suicidal deaths.Based on up-to-date information, we observed the trends of suicide-related indicators. In this study, five data sources were used to observe the trends of suicide-related indicators: Statistics Korea (1983–2019), Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination (KNHANES, ‘07–13, ‘15–19), Korean Community Health Survey (KCHS, ‘08–09, ‘13, ‘17), Korean Wealth Panel Study (KOWEPS, ‘12–19), and Korea Health Panel Survey (KHP, ‘10–13, ‘16-17). The suicide rate, which peaked in 2011, declined until 2017 and then started to rise again from 2018, recording a suicide rate of 26.9 per 100,000 people in 2019. The rate of suicidal ideation estimated based on the recently available data was 4.62% (KNHANES, ‘19), 3.51% (KHP, ‘16), 2.87% (KHP, ‘17), and 1.70% (KOWEPS, ‘19). That of suicide attempt as recent year was 0.43% (KNHANES, ‘19), 0.07% (KOWEPS, ‘19). Annual percentage change of death by intentional self-harm was -2.11% (Statistics Korea), and that of suicidal ideation was -14.7% (KNHANES), -2.5% (KCHS), -10.6% (KOWEPS), and -11.3% (KHP). Annual percentage change of suicide attempt was -5.0% (KNHANES), -4.4% (KCHS), and -11.3% (KOWEPS). The lower the income level, the higher the probability of experiencing suicide ideation and suicide attempts. Considering the recent increase in suicide rate in contrast to the continuing decline in suicidal ideation and suicide attempts, continuous data observation and appropriate policies regarding suicide prevention are needed.

Suicide Related Indicators and Trends in Korea in 2018 / 보건행정학회지

Suicide has been a long-standing problem for global public health, along with almost 800,000 deaths from suicide worldwide in 2016, accounting for 1.4% of all deaths. South Korea was ranked first in suicide mortality in 2018 among countries in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. This study aimed to suggest up-to-date information about suicide-related indicators such as the rate of suicidal ideation, suicide attempt, and suicide death, and its trends by applying sampling weight to make it nationally representative. In this study, we used the data sources: Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination (KNHANES, ‘07–13, ‘15–18), Korean Community Health Survey (KCHS, ‘08–09, ‘13, ‘17), Korean Wealth Panel Study (KOWEPS, ‘12–18), Korea Health Panel Survey (KHP, ‘10–13), and Statistics Korea (1983–2017). The rate of suicidal ideation as recent year was 4.73% (KNHANES, ‘17), 6.96% (KCHS, ‘17), 2.29% (KOWEPS, ‘18), and 5.39% (KHP, ‘13). That of suicide attempt as recent year was 0.51% (KNHANES, ‘18), 0.32% (KCHS, ‘17), and 0.15% (KOWEPS, ‘18). Annual percentage change (APC) of suicidal ideation was -15.4% (KNHANES, ‘07–13, ‘15, ‘17), -2.5% (KCHS, ‘08–09, ‘13, ‘17), -10.8% (KOWEPS, ‘12–18), and -10.9% (KHP, ‘10–13). APC of suicide attempt was -4.4% (KNHANES, ‘07–13, ‘15-18), -4.4% (KCHS, ‘08–09, ‘13, ‘17), and -13.6% (KOWEPS, ‘12–18). APC of death by intentional self-harm was -1.25% (Statistics Korea, ‘07–18). All suicide-related indicators were found to be decreasing in the overall from 2009. Individuals with lower income level were more likely to experience suicidal ideation and suicide attempts. Even though suicide rate had been continuously decreasing from its highest point in 2011 (suicide rate: 31.7 per 100,000 population) to 2017 (suicide rate: 24.3 per 100,000 population), it increased again in 2018 (suicide rate: 26.6 per 100,000 population). This information would be grounded on policy implementation for suicide prevention, thus continuous data observation is necessary.

Sex-Biased Molecular Signature for Overall Survival of Liver Cancer Patients

Sex/gender disparity has been shown in the incidence and prognosis of many types of diseases, probably due to differences in genes, physiological conditions such as hormones, and lifestyle between the sexes. The mortality and survival rates of many cancers, especially liver cancer, differ between men and women. Due to the pronounced sex/gender disparity, considering sex/ gender may be necessary for the diagnosis and treatment of liver cancer. By analyzing research articles through a PubMed literature search, the present review identified 12 genes which showed practical relevance to cancer and sex disparities. Among the 12 sex-specific genes, 7 genes (BAP1, CTNNB1, FOXA1, GSTO1, GSTP1, IL6, and SRPK1) showed sex-biased function in liver cancer. Here we summarized previous findings of cancer molecular signature including our own analysis, and showed that sexbiased molecular signature CTNNB1High , IL6High , RHOAHigh and GLIPR1Low may serve as a female-specific index for prediction and evaluation of OS in liver cancer patients. This review suggests a potential implication of sex-biased molecular signature in liver cancer, providing a useful information on diagnosis and prediction of disease progression based on gender.

Suicide Related Indicators and Trends in Korea in 2017 / 보건행정학회지

Suicide is a major public health issue that causes over 800,000 deaths each year globally. Korea ranks high in suicide rates, in which around 24.3 per 100,000 individuals are reported to have died by intentional self-harm in 2017 according to Statistics Korea. The aim of this study was to examine the current status and trend of suicide ideation and attempt using data from the following five sources: Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination (KNHANES, ‘07–13, ‘15–17), Korean Community Health Survey (KCHS, ‘08–09, ’13, ’17), Korean Wealth Panel Study (KOWEPS, ‘12–17), Korea Health Panel Survey (KHP, ‘10–13), and Statistics Korea (1983–2017). Suicide ideation and attempts were also further examined based on equalized household income levels. Data published by Statistics Korea were used to show the updated suicide rate and number of deaths by intentional self-harm. The rate of suicide ideation at the recent year was 4.73% (KNHANES, ‘17), 6.96% (KCHS, ‘17), 1.63% (KOWEPS, ‘17), and 5.39% (KHP, ‘13). That of suicide attempts as recent year was 0.71% (KNHANES, ‘17), 0.32% (KCHS, ‘17), and 0.09% (KOWEPS, ‘17). Annual percentage change of suicidal ideation was −15.4% (KNHANES, ‘07–17), −2.5% (KCHS, ‘08–17), −8.6% (KOWEPS, ‘12–17), and −10.9% (KHP, ‘10–13). Annual percentage change of suicide attempts was −4.0% (KNHANES, ‘07–17), −4.4% (KCHS, ‘08–17), and −14.9% (KOWEPS, ‘12–17). Individuals with lower income levels were more likely to experience suicide ideation and attempts. Considering that Korea still shows a high suicide rate despite the continuously decreasing trend of suicide ideation and attempt, continuous observation and appropriate policy implementation regarding suicide related problems are necessary.

Suicide Related Indicators and Trends in Korea in 2016 / 보건행정학회지

Suicide has been a public health issue in many countries, and Korea has ranked highest suicide rate among Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries over a decade. To address these issues, we updated the recent trends in suicidal ideation and suicide attempts among Korean adults followed by previous data observation. We used data from five sources: Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination (KNHANES, '07–12, '13, '15–16), Korean Community Health Survey (KCHS, '08–09, '13), Korean Wealth Panel Study (KOWEPS, '12–16), Korea Health Panel Survey (KHP, '10–13), and cause of death data from Statistics Korea ('07–16). We used weighted frequencies and trend tests. The rate of suicidal ideation as recent year was 5.10% (KNHANES, '15), 8.95% (KCHS, '13), 2.08% (KOWEPS, '16), and 5.39% (KHP, '13). That of suicide attempts as recent year was 0.59% (KNHANES, '16), 0.41% (KCHS, '13), and 0.08% (KOWEPS, '16). Annual percentage change of suicidal ideation was −2.80% (KNHANES, '07–12), 5.78% (KNHANES, '13–15), 0.62% (KCHS, '08–13), −8.50% (KOWEPS, '12–16), and −10.94% (KHP, '10–13). Annual percentage change of suicide attempts was −3.84% (KNHANES, '07–12), 2.26% (KNHANES, '13–16), −2.53% (KCHS, '08–13), and −20.22% (KOWEPS, '12–16). Annual percentage change of death by intentional self-harm was −0.49% (Statistics Korea, '07–16). Individuals who had lower income level were more likely to experience suicidal ideation and suicide attempts. According to these results, the rate of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts showed the decreasing tendency. However, the suicide rate of Korea has remained higher than that of OECD countries. Thus, continuous data observation and effective policies on suicide are needed.

The Association between Social Contacts and Depressive Symptoms among Elderly Koreans

OBJECTIVE: South Korea has an increasing aging population; thus, the management of depressive symptoms in elderly individuals is important. In this population, fewer social contacts might be a risk factor for depressive symptoms. We examined associations between the frequency of social contacts and depressive symptoms among elderly Koreans and factors associated with these symptoms. METHODS: Data from 62,845 individuals over 65 years of age enrolled in the 2015 Community Health Survey were used in this study. Logistic regression was performed to test the association between depressive symptoms and social contacts. RESULTS: Individuals who had contact with neighbors less than once a week were more likely to experience depressive symptoms [odds ratio (OR): 1.22, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.10–1.35] compared to those who had contact more than once a week. Individuals who had frequent contact with neighbors and friends, neighbors and relatives, or all three groups were significantly less likely to experience depressive symptoms. CONCLUSION: The frequency of social contact with neighbors was the most powerful factor associated with elderly adults’ depressive symptoms among other social relationships. Additional senior welfare centers may facilitate the ability of elderly individuals in meeting neighbors, thereby reducing the risk of depressive symptoms.

Dietary intake of fats and fatty acids in the Korean population: Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2013

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to estimate average total fat and fatty acid intakes as well as identify major food sources using data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) VI-1 (2013). SUBJECTS/METHODS: Total fat and fatty acid intakes were estimated using 24-hour dietary recall data on 7,048 participants aged > or = 3 years from the KNHANES VI-1 (2013). Data included total fat, saturated fatty acid (SFA), monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA), polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA), n-3 fatty acid (n-3 FA), and n-6 fatty acid (n-6 FA) levels. Population means and standard errors of the mean were weighted in order to produce national estimates and separated based on sex, age, income, as well as residential region. Major food sources of fat, SFA, MUFA, PUFA, n-3 FA, and n-6 FA were identified based on mean consumption amounts of fat and fatty acids in each food. RESULTS: The mean intake of total fat was 48.0 g while mean intakes of SFA, MUFA, PUFA, n-3 FA, and n-6 FA were 14.4 g, 15.3 g, 11.6 g, 1.6 g, and 10.1 g, respectively. Intakes of MUFA and SFA were each higher than that of PUFA in all age groups. Pork was the major source of total fat, SFA, and MUFA, and soybean oil was the major source of PUFA. Milk and pork were major sources of SFA in subjects aged 3-11 years and > or = 12 years, respectively. Perilla seed oil and soybean oil were main sources of n-3 FA in subjects aged > or = 50 years and aged < 50 years, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Estimation of mean fatty acid intakes of this study using nationally represented samples of the Korean population could be useful for developing and evaluating national nutritional policies.