RISK FACTORS AND INCIDENCE OF FALLS AMONG FIFTH- AND SIXTH-GRADE CHILDREN IN SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA.

This study aimed to determine the incidence of falls among children in South Korea, and the risk factors associated with these falls in order to develop preventive strategies. We studied 1,044 elementary school students in the fifth and sixth grades from Seoul, South Korea and evaluated the incidence of falls based on four surveys conducted in June, September, and December 2010 and February 2011. The surveys included the number of falls, the types of medical care received, and the potential factors associated with those falls. Risk factors related to the falls were examined using a generalized estimating equation method. Statistical analysis was performed using SAS, version 9.2. The overall incidence of falls was 376 per 1,000 person-years; and a total of 44 children were hospitalized. Having a previous history of fall [odds ratio (OR) = 1.33; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.08-1.64] and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) (OR = 3.63; 95% CI: 2.97-4.44) were risk factors associated with falls. Comparative analyses of the odds of having a single fall versus recurrent falls showed that ADHD (p < 0.001) and overweight/obesity (p = 0.004) were significantly associated with risk of recurrent falls. These results suggest novel safety programs should be developed taking these risk factors into consideration in order to reduce the incidence of falls among children in South Korea.

Trend of mortality rate and injury burden of transport accidents, suicides, and falls.

OBJECTIVES: Recently injury has become a major world-wide health problem. But studies in Korea about injuries were very few. Thus, this study was conducted to analyze the trend of major injuries from 1991 to 2006 and to provide basic data for preventing injuries. METHODS: This study was based on the National Statistical Office data from 1991 to 2006 and calculated to estimate the burden of major injuries by using the standard expected years of life lost (SEYLL) and total lost earnings equation. RESULTS: For transport accidents, mortality, SEYLL and total lost earnings were increased from 1991 to 1996 and decreased from 2000 to 2006. On the other hand, for suicides, these were increased gradually. Since 2003, falls were included in ten leading causes of death. This study showed that injury causes major social and economical losses. CONCLUSIONS: We could reduce injury related premature death through active interest in injury prevention program.

Estimates of induced abortion in South Korea: health facilities survey.

AIM: The aim of this study was to estimate the national rates of induced abortion in South Korea, where no quantitative national studies of abortion exist because the procedure is illegal. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A survey of 25 hospitals and 176 private clinics that provide induced abortions was conducted in 2005. The data were analyzed to estimate the nationwide rate of induced abortion. Indirect estimation methodology was used to calculate the number of annual induced abortions. RESULTS: In 2005, an estimated 342 433 induced abortions were performed in South Korea at a rate of 29.8 per 1000 women aged 15-44years. We observed that the abortion rate was higher in single women (31.6 per 1000 women) than in married women (28.6 per 1000 women). CONCLUSIONS: A significant number of induced abortions occur in both cohorts of married and unmarried women. To prevent serious physical harm to patients, the government should reconsider the practicality of the current statutes that prohibit women from seeking abortions from a qualified provider.

Epidemiology of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome in endemic area of the Republic of Korea, 1995-1998.

We conducted an epidemiologic study to understand temporal and spatial patterns of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) in the Republic of Korea (ROK). We estimated the incidence among civilians in endemic areas through the active surveillance system during the major epidemic periods, from September to December, between 1996 and 1998. We also estimated the prevalence among Korean military personnel from 1995 to 1998. In addition, we assessed seroprevalence, subclinical infection rate, and vaccination rates in both civilians and military personnel. The incidence in civilians ranged from 2.1 to 6.6 per 100, 000 person-months. The annual prevalence in the military personnel was 40-64 per 100, 000 military populations, and remained generally constant throughout the study period with seasonal variation. This is the prospective epidemiologic data set on HFRS in the ROK since the inactivated Hantaan virus vaccine was licensed for use in the late 1990s. These results will be invaluable in establishing a national immunization program against HFRS.

[A study of immune response to hepatitis B vaccine & HBV DNA in isolated anti-HBc positive subjects].

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the response to a hepatitis B vaccination, and investigate the HBV DNA in subjects with isolated anti-HBc. METHODS: 34 subjects with persistent isolated anti-HBc were included in the study. 32 subjects negative for HBsAg, anti-HBs and anti-HBc were included as a control group. They were all vaccinated with Hepaccine at 0, 1 and 2 months, and anti-HBs titers were measured 1 month after the 1st and 3rd vaccinations (1 and 3 months). The HBV-DNA was tested by polymerase chain reaction in subjects with isolated anti-HBc. RESULTS: After the 1st & 3rd vaccinations, the anti-HBs titers > or = 10 mlU/ml were 70.6 & 70.6% in isolated anti-HBc group, and 34.4 & 81.2% in the control group, respectively. There were statistically significant differences after the 1st vaccination, but none after the 3rd, between the two groups. In the isolated anti-HBc and control groups, the primary, amnestic and no responses were 0 vs. 46.9%, 55.9 vs. 6.3% and 29.4 vs. 18.8%, respectively. The HBV DNA was not detected in all subjects with isolated anti-HBc. CONCLUSION: None of the subjects with isolated anti-HBc had a false positive result (primary response); therefore, they should be excluded from vaccination programs in Korea. To differentiate between immunity and occult infections, a single dose of vaccine, with a follow-up anti-HBs test, is preferable for subjects with isolated anti-HBc. An amnestic response indicates late immunity, and no response a suspect occult infection.

Influence of the serotonin transporter promoter gene polymorphism on susceptibility to posttraumatic stress disorder.

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a prevalent anxiety disorder marked by behavioral, physiologic, and hormonal alterations. The etiology of PTSD is unknown, although exposure to a traumatic event constitutes a necessary, but not sufficient, factor. Serotonergic dysfunction has been implicated in PTSD. The present study examined the possible association between the serotonin-transporter-linked polymorphic region (SERTPR) and PTSD. The genotype and allele frequencies of the SERTPR were analyzed in 100 PTSD patients and 197 unrelated healthy controls using a case-control design. The frequency of the s/s genotype was significantly higher in PTSD patients than in normal controls. These findings suggest that the SERTPR s/s genotype is one of the genetic factors for the susceptibility to PTSD. Further investigations are required into the influence of gene polymorphisms on the biological mechanisms of PTSD, its clinical expression, and its response to treatment.

Prevalence of antibodies to the circumsporozite protein of Plasmodium vivax in five different regions of Korea.

Malaria has recently re-emerged in the Republic of Korea (ROK), but only few malaria seroprevalences were reported. We obtained 1014 serum samples from inhabitants of five regions of ROK during the high transmission season between June and August in 2001. The levels of anti-circumsporozoite protein (CSP) antibody were assessed in samples using an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The highest IgG seroreactivity against Plasmodium vivax recombinant CSP antigen was found among male residents of Cheolwon gun (13.5%), then Incheon (4.7%). The IgG seroreactivity from other regions ranged from 0.0% to 2.0%. These epidemiological data of seroprevalence in five regions of Korea showed a similar pattern to the annual incidence of malaria in these respective regions. The prevalence of antibodies increased with age, suggesting that the age and area-related prevalence patterns reflected differences in the inoculation rates between age groups and geographic regions. Seroprevalence and annual incidence were positively correlated in some areas of Korea.