The Screening of Middle-aged and Geriatric Diseases for 2,021 Residents over 39 Years of Age in Hwasun County, Korea / 대한내과학회지

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Middle-aged and geriatric diseases are becoming prevalent in developing countries and some industrialized nations. The present study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of middle-aged and geriatric diseases in Hwasun County, a rural area of Korea, and to examine the correlation between them and various clinical parameters. METHODS: Population-based cross-sectional study by random cluster sampling of registered residents over 39 years of age was performed. Out of the 3,138 subjects scheduled for the survey, 2,021 residents (male 812, female 1,209) underwent the actual examinations (response rate64.4%). We examined their weight, height, blood pressure, diet pattern, past and family history, alcohol-drinking and smoking history, and various laboratory parameters. RESULTS: The mean body mass index (BMI) was 22.8+/-3.8. In BMI criteria, the crude prevalence of obesity was found to be 24.6% (grade I obesity; 22.9%, grade II obesity; 1.7%). We found the increasing hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hypercholesterolemia as BMI increased. Overall crude prevalence was 21.4% for hypertension defined as BP (blood pressure) > or =140/90 mmHg or subject on medication, and 16.1% for BP > or =160/100 mmHg or subject on medication. The crude prevalence of diabetes mellitus, hypercholesterolemia, alcoholic liver disease, ischemic heart disease diagnosed by electrocardiography were 6.2%, 6.0%, 4.4%, and 2.3%, respectively. These prevalence were found to be relatively lower than those of reported elsewhere in the world. CONCLUSION: These data indicate that middle-aged and geriatric diseases in the rural area of korea are becoming prevalent, although they are less prevalent than in the urban area or advanced countries. We hope that the present study contributes to understand the prevalence of middle-aged and geriatric diseases in the rural area of Korea, and to prevent and control them adequately.