Association of early-onset diabetes, prediabetes and early glycaemic recovery with the risk of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: The increasing incidence of diabetes among young adults is a disease burden; however, the effects of early-onset diabetes, prediabetes and glycaemic recovery on CVD or mortality remain unclear. We aimed to investigate the association of these factors with 10 year all-cause mortality, CVD mortality and CVD incidence in Korean young adults. METHODS: This large and longitudinal cohort study included data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service-National Health Information Database; 2,502,375 young adults aged 20-39 years without diabetes mellitus and CVD at baseline were included. Glycaemic status was measured twice, first in 2002-2003 and second in 2004-2005. Changes in fasting glucose levels were evaluated according to fasting glucose status: normal fasting glucose (NFG; <5.5 mmol/l), impaired fasting glucose (IFG; 5.5-6.9 mmol/l), and diabetic fasting glucose (DFG; ≥7.0 mmol/l). Primary outcomes were all-cause and CVD mortality risk. The secondary outcome was incidence of CVD, including acute myocardial infarction and stroke. All outcomes arose from the 10 year follow-up period 1 Jan 2006 to 31 December 2015. RESULTS: Individuals with NFG at baseline, who were subsequently newly diagnosed with diabetes and prediabetes (IFG), had increased all-cause mortality (HR [95% CI] 1.60 [1.44, 1.78] and 1.13 [1.09, 1.18], respectively) and CVD incidence (1.13 [1.05, 1.23] and 1.04 [1.01, 1.07], respectively). In those with DFG at baseline, early recovery to NFG and IFG was associated with decreased all-cause mortality (0.57 [0.46, 0.70] and 0.65 [0.53, 0.81], respectively) and CVD incidence (0.70 [0.60, 0.81] and 0.78 [0.66, 0.91], respectively). Among patients with IFG at baseline, early recovery to NFG was associated with decreased CVD mortality (0.74 [0.59, 0.93]). CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: Early-onset diabetes or prediabetes increased CVD risks and all-cause mortality after the 10 year follow-up. Furthermore, recovery of hyperglycaemia could reduce the subsequent 10 year risk for CVD incidence and all-cause mortality. Graphical abstract.

Impact of Continuous Care on Health Outcomes and Cost for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Analysis Using National Health Insurance Cohort Database.

BACKGROUND: The objective of the study was to determine the impact of continuous care on health outcomes and cost of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in Korea. METHODS: A nationwide retrospective, observational case-control study was conducted. Continuity of treatment was measured using Continuity of Care (COC) score. Information of all patients newly diagnosed with T2DM in 2004 was retrieved from the National Health Insurance database for the period of 2002 to 2013. The study examined 2,373 patients after applying exclusion criteria, such as for patients who died from conditions not related to T2DM. Statistical analyses were performed using frequency distribution, simple analysis (t-test and chi-squared test), and multi-method analysis (simple linear regression, logistic regression, and survival analysis). RESULTS: The overall COC score was 0.8±0.24. The average incidence of diabetic complications was 0.39 per patient with a higher COC score, whereas it was 0.49 per patient with a lower COC score. In both survival and logistic analyses, patients who had high COC score were significantly less likely to have diabetic complications (hazard ratio, 0.69; 95% confidence interval, 0.54 to 0.88). The average medical cost was approximately 3,496 United States dollar (USD) per patient for patients with a higher COC score, whereas it was 3,973 USD per patient for patients with a lower COC score during the 2006 to 2013 period, with a difference of around 477 USD, which is statistically significant after adjusting for other factors (ß=-0.152). CONCLUSION: Continuity of care for diabetes significantly reduced health complications and medical costs from patients with T2DM.

Cancer risk among young men with weight gain after smoking cessation: A population-based cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Smoking cessation may help the current smokers to reduce cancer risk. However, weight gain following smoking cessation may attenuate the protective association of cessation with cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Our study included 1,278,794 men who were aged 20-39 years and underwent two consecutive health examinations by the National Health Insurance Service, without previous diagnosis of cancer. Participants were categorized into continual smokers, quitters with different degree of body weight change, and never smokers based on the biennial national health screening program (2002-2003 and 2004-2005) and were followed from January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2015. Cox proportional hazard models and restricted cubic spline model was used to evaluate the association of post-cessation weight change and cancer risk after adjustment for potential confounders. RESULTS: During the 10 years of follow-up, the analyses included 1,278,794 men with 21,494 cancer incidences. Compared to continual smokers, quitters without weight gain of 2.0 kg had significantly lower risk of obesity-related cancer (hazard ratio [HR], 0.88; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.79-0.97), smoking-related cancer (HR, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.83 to 0.98), and gastrointestinal cancer (HR, 89; 95% CI, 0.80 to 0.98). Weight gain among quitters attenuated the risk reduction of cancer compared to continual smoking. Among quitters, weight gain up to 5.0 kg with smoking cessation showed protective association with cancer risk among quitters without weight gain. CONCLUSION: Excessive weight gain with smoking cessation among quitters was not associated with reduced risk of several cancer types. This association should be taken into account when recommending smoking cessation to prevent cancer.

Correction: Association of change in total cholesterol level with mortality: A population-based study.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0196030.].

Association of Blood Pressure Classification in Korean Young Adults According to the 2017 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Guidelines With Subsequent Cardiovascular Disease Events.

Importance: Among young adults, the association of the 2017 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) High Blood Pressure Clinical Practice Guidelines with risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) later in life is uncertain. Objective: To determine the association of blood pressure categories before age 40 years with risk of CVD later in life. Design, Setting, and Participants: This population-based cohort study from the Korean National Health Insurance Service consisted of 2 488 101 adults aged 20 through 39 years with blood pressure measurements taken twice from 2002 through 2005. Starting from January 1, 2006, participants were followed up until the date of CVD diagnosis, death, or December 31, 2015. Exposures: Participants were categorized by blood pressure readings: normal (systolic, <120 mm Hg; diastolic, <80 mm Hg), elevated (sytolic, 120-129 mm Hg; diastolic, <80 mm Hg), stage 1 hypertension (systolic, 130-139 mm Hg; diastolic, 80-89 mm Hg), and stage 2 hypertension (systolic, ≥140 mm Hg; diastolic, ≥90 mm Hg). Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was CVD defined as 2 or more days of hospitalization due to CVD or death due to CVD. The secondary outcomes were coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke. Results: The study population consisted of 2 488 101 participants (median age, 31 years [interquartile range, 27-36 years], 789 870 women [31.7%]). A total of 44 813 CVD events were observed during a median follow-up duration of 10 years. Men with baseline stage 1 hypertension compared with those with normal blood pressure had higher risk of CVD (incidence, 215 vs 164 per 100 000 person-years; difference, 51 per 100 000 person-years [95% CI, 48-55]; adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 1.25 [95% CI, 1.21-1.28]), CHD (incidence, 134 vs 103 per 100 000 person-years; difference, 31 per 100 000 person-years [95% CI, 28-33]; adjusted HR, 1.23 [95% CI, 1.19-1.27]), and stroke (incidence, 90 vs 67 per 100 000 person-years; difference, 23 per 100 000 person-years [95% CI, 21-26]; adjusted HR, 1.30 [95% CI, 1.25-1.36]). Women with baseline stage 1 hypertension compared with those with normal blood pressure had increased risk of CVD (incidence, 131 vs 91 per 100 000 person-years; difference, 40 per 100 000 person-years [95% CI, 35-45]; adjusted HR, 1.27 [95% CI, 1.21-1.34]), CHD (incidence, 56 vs 42 per 100 000 person-years; difference, 14 per 100 000 person-years [95% CI, 11-18]; adjusted HR, 1.16 [95% CI, 1.08-1.25]), and stroke (incidence, 79 vs 51 per 100 000 person-years; difference, 28 per 100 000 person-years [95% CI, 24-32]; adjusted HR [1.37, 95% CI, 1.29-1.46]). Results for state 2 hypertension were consistent. Conclusions and Relevance: Among Korean young adults, stage 1 and stage 2 hypertension, compared with normal blood pressure, were associated with increased risk of subsequent cardiovascular disease events. Young adults with hypertension, defined by the 2017 ACC/AHA criteria, may be at increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

Association Between Changes in Hemoglobin Concentration and Cardiovascular Risks and All-Cause Mortality Among Young Women.

Background Anemia is considered to increase the risk of mortality in high-risk populations, but its effect has not been examined among young populations. This study aimed to determine the effect of hemoglobin (Hb) concentration and its changes on the risk of acute myocardial infarction ( AMI ), stroke, cerebrovascular disease and all-cause mortality among young women. Methods and Results We analyzed data from the Korean National Health Information Database on 808 143 women aged 20 to 39 years without any cardiocerebrovascular disease. A 1-time Hb concentration and changes in Hb over a 2-year period were calculated as exposures. Participants were followed for a median of 10 years to determine the risk of AMI , stroke, cerebrovascular disease, and all-cause mortality. There were U- or J-shaped associations between Hb concentration or change in Hb and AMI , stroke, cerebrovascular disease, and all-cause mortality. Increasing the Hb concentration from normal to high increased the risk for AMI (hazard ratio [95% confidence interval]: 1.49 [1.08-2.04]). With regard to the risk for stroke, increasing the Hb concentration from a normal to a high range increased the risk (hazard ratio [95% confidence interval]: 1.10 [1.02-1.35]), and decreasing the Hb concentration from a high to a normal range decreased this risk (hazard ratio [95% confidence interval]: 0.80 [0.60-0.97]). Improving anemia to the normal Hb range decreased all-cause mortality (hazard ratio [95% confidence interval]: 0.81 [0.69-0.94]); however, overcorrection of Hb concentration (Hb≥14.0 g/dL) was not significant. Conclusions These findings suggest that regular Hb analysis may assist in identifying young women who are at risk of AMI , stroke, cerebrovascular disease, and all-cause mortality.

Effect of Change in Total Cholesterol Levels on Cardiovascular Disease Among Young Adults.

BACKGROUND: Although high serum cholesterol in young adults is known to be a predictor for cardiovascular events, there is not enough evidence for the association of cholesterol level change with cardiovascular disease (CVD). This study aimed to evaluate whether the change in cholesterol is associated with incidence of CVD among young adults. METHODS AND RESULTS: We examined 2 682 045 young adults (aged 20-39 years) who had undergone 2 consecutive national health check-ups provided by Korean National Health Insurance Service between 2002 and 2005. Cholesterol levels were classified into low (<180 mg/dL), middle (180-240 mg/dL) and high (≥240 mg/dL). CVD events were defined as ≥2 days hospitalization attributable to CVD for 10 years follow-up. Increased cholesterol levels were significantly associated with elevated ischemic heart disease risk (adjusted hazard ration [aHR]=1.21; 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.03-1.42 in low-high group and aHR=1.21; 95% CI=1.15-1.27 in middle-high group) and cerebrovascular disease (CEVD) risk (aHR=1.24; 95% CI=1.05-1.47 in low-high group and aHR=1.09; 95% CI=1.02-1.16 in middle-high group). Decreased cholesterol levels were associated with reduced ischemic heart disease risk (aHR=0.91; 95% CI=0.88-0.95 in middle-low group, aHR=0.65; 95% CI=0.56-0.75 in high-low group and aHR=0.68; 95% CI=0.65-0.73 in high-middle group). Furthermore, lower cerebrovascular disease risk (aHR=0.76; 95% CI=0.62-0.92) was observed in the high-low group compared with patients with sustained high cholesterol. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of our study indicate that increased cholesterol levels were associated with high CVD risk in young adults. Furthermore, young adults with decreased cholesterol levels had reduced risk for CVD.

Association of Obesity or Weight Change With Coronary Heart Disease Among Young Adults in South Korea.

Importance: Previous studies have shown a U- or J-shaped association of body mass index (BMI) or change in BMI with coronary heart disease (CHD) among middle-aged and elderly adults. However, whether a similar association exists among young adults is unclear. Objective: To determine whether an association exists between BMI or BMI change with CHD among young adults. Design, Setting, and Participants: This population-based longitudinal study used data obtained by the Korean National Health Insurance Service from 2002 to 2015. The study population comprised 2 611 450 men and women aged between 20 and 39 years who underwent 2 health examinations, the first between 2002 and 2003 and the second between 2004 and 2005. Exposures: World Health Organization Western Pacific Region guideline BMI categories of underweight, normal weight, overweight, obese grade 1, and obese grade 2 derived during the first health examination and change in BMI calculated during the second health examination. Main Outcomes and Measures: Body mass index (calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared). Absolute risks (ARs), adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs), and 95% CIs for acute myocardial infarction or CHD during follow-up from 2006 to 2015. Results: Data from 1 802 408 men with a mean (SD) age of 35.1 (4.8) years and 809 042 women with a mean (SD) age of 32.5 (6.3) years were included. The mean (SD) BMI was 23.2 (3.2) for the total population, 24.0 (3.0) for men, and 21.4 (2.9) for women. Compared with normal weight men, overweight (AR, 1.38%; aHR, 1.18 [95% CI, 1.14-1.22]), obese grade 1 (AR, 1.86%; aHR, 1.45 [95% CI, 1.41-1.50]), and obese grade 2 (AR, 2.69%; aHR, 1.97 [95% CI, 1.86-2.08]) men had an increased risk of CHD (P < .001 for trend). Similarly, compared with normal weight women, overweight (AR, 0.77%; aHR, 1.34 [95% CI, 1.24-1.46]), obese grade 1 (AR, 0.95%; aHR, 1.52 [95% CI, 1.39-1.66]), and obese grade 2 (AR, 1.01%; aHR, 1.64 [95% CI, 1.34-2.01]) women had an increased risk of CHD (P < .001 for trend). Compared with participants who maintained their weight at normal levels, those who became obese had elevated CHD risk among men (0.35% increase in AR; aHR, 1.35 [95% CI, 1.17-1.55]) and women (0.13% increase in AR; aHR, 1.31 [95% CI, 0.95-1.82]). Weight loss to normal levels among obese participants was associated with reduced CHD risk for men (0.58% decrease in AR; aHR, 0.77 [95% CI, 0.64-0.94]) and women (0.57% decrease in AR; aHR, 0.66 [95% CI, 0.45-0.98]). Conclusions and Relevance: Obesity and weight gain were associated with elevated risk of CHD among young adults in this study. Studies that prospectively determine the association between weight change and CHD risk are needed to validate these findings.

Association of change in total cholesterol level with mortality: A population-based study.

BACKGROUND: Hypercholesterolemia is a well-established risk factor for coronary heart disease, but the association between cholesterol level change and mortality is not fully understood. We aimed to investigate the association of 2 year (2002-2003 to 2004-2005) change in cholesterol with all-cause and cause-specific mortality in a population-based cohort study. METHODS AND FINDINGS: The study population consisted of 269,391 participants aged more than 40 years who were free of myocardial infarction, stroke and cancer using the Korean National Health Insurance Service-National Health Screening Cohort. Cholesterol levels were classified into 1st, 2nd and 3rd tertiles during each of the first and second health examinations, respectively. The participants were followed-up for all-cause and cause-specific mortality from 1 January 2006 to 31 December 2013. Compared to participants who stayed within the 2nd tertile group for cholesterol during both the first and second examinations, participants who became or maintained cholesterol levels to the 1st tertile during the second examination had increased risk of all-cause mortality [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) with 95% confidence interval (95% CI) = 1.28 (1.18-1.38) in 1st/1st, 1.16 (1.07-1.26) in 2nd/1st and 1.47 (1.32-1.64) in 3rd/1st tertile levels, respectively]. In addition, increased or persistent high cholesterol levels to the 3rd tertile was associated with elevated risk for all-cause mortality [aHR (95% CI) = 1.10 (1.01-1.20) in 1st/2nd, 1.16(1.03-1.31) in 1st/3rd and 1.15(1.05-1.25) in 3rd/3rd tertile levels]. CONCLUSIONS: Changes in cholesterol levels in either direction to low cholesterol or persistently low cholesterol levels were associated with higher risk of mortality. Particularly, spontaneous decline in cholesterol levels may be a marker for worsening health conditions.

The effect of change in fasting glucose on the risk of myocardial infarction, stroke, and all-cause mortality: a nationwide cohort study.

BACKGROUND: The effect of change in blood glucose levels on the risk of cardiovascular disease among individuals without diabetes is currently unclear. We aimed to examine the association of change in fasting serum glucose with incident cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality among representative large population. METHODS: We analyzed the data from retrospective cohort of Korean National Health Insurance Service. In total, 260,487 Korean adults aged over 40 years, without diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease at baseline measured change in fasting serum glucose according to the criteria of impaired and diabetic fasting glucose status: normal fasting glucose (NFG, fasting glucose: < 100 mg/dL), impaired fasting glucose (IFG, fasting glucose: 100.0-125.9 mg/dL), and diabetic fasting glucose (DFG, fasting glucose: ≥ 126.0 mg/dL). Compared to the persistently unchanged group (i.e. NFG to NFG or IFG to IFG), Cox proportional hazards regression analyses were performed in the changed group to obtain the hazards ratio (HR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) for the subsequent median 8-year myocardial infarction, stroke, and all-cause mortality. RESULTS: Compared to individuals with persistent NFG (i.e., NFG to NFG), individuals who shifted from NFG to DFG had an increased risk of stroke (HR [95% CI]: 1.19 [1.02-1.38]) and individuals who shifted from NFG to IFG or DFG had increased risks of all-cause mortality (HR [95% CI]: 1.08 [1.02-1.14] for NFG to IFG and 1.56 [1.39-1.75] for NFG to DFG). Compared to individuals with persistent IFG, individuals who shifted from IFG to DFG had an increased risk of MI and all-cause mortality (HR [95% CI]: 1.65 [1.20-2.27] and 1.16 [1.02-1.33], respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Increasing fasting glucose in non-diabetic population is associated with risks of the MI, stroke, and all-cause mortality, which is more rapid, more severe.

Association of Hemoglobin Concentration and Its Change With Cardiovascular and All-Cause Mortality.

BACKGROUND: Anemia is thought to increase mortality risks, but the effects of high hemoglobin concentration on survival are unclear. The effect of change in hemoglobin concentrations on survival in the general population is also unknown. This study aimed to examine the effect of hemoglobin concentrations and their changes on cardiovascular and all-cause mortality risks. METHODS AND RESULTS: We retrospectively analyzed a cohort from the NHIS-HEALS (National Health Insurance Service-National Health Screening Cohort) database, including 170 078 men and 122 116 women without cardiovascular diseases, aged >40 years at baseline, with hemoglobin concentrations available for both first and second health examinations. We assessed 2 independent variables: "One-time" hemoglobin concentrations and changes in hemoglobin from first to second examination. Participants were followed up for a median of 8 years to determine mortality related to myocardial infarction, stroke, all cardiovascular diseases, and all causes. Hemoglobin concentrations showed a U- or J-shaped association with cardiovascular and all-cause mortality after adjusting for cardiovascular risk factors. When anemic men achieved normal hemoglobin concentrations, the all-cause mortality risk decreased, with an adjusted hazard ratio of 0.67 (95% confidence interval, 0.59-0.77), in comparison with those whose anemia persisted. Both increases and decreases of hemoglobin concentration outside the normal range elevated all-cause mortality risk (adjusted hazard ratio: 1.39 [95% confidence interval, 1.28-1.49] and 1.10 [95% confidence interval, 1.01-1.20], respectively), compared with persistent normal hemoglobin concentrations. The trend was similar in women but was less significant. CONCLUSIONS: Low or high hemoglobin concentrations were associated with elevated cardiovascular and all-cause mortality. Reaching and maintaining hemoglobin concentrations within the normal range correlated with decreased all-cause mortality.

Regional variations in frequency of glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) monitoring in Korea: A multilevel analysis of nationwide data.

PURPOSE: Suboptimal frequency of glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) monitoring is associated with poor diabetes control. We aimed to analyze compliance to HbA1c testing guidelines and explore associated individual and area-level determinants, focusing on regional variation. METHODS: This cross-sectional study between the period of 2012-2013 was conducted by using the Korean National Health Insurance Research Database, and included 45,634 patients diagnosed with diabetes mellitus, who were prescribed any anti-diabetic medications, including insulin. We calculated the proportion of each HbA1c testing frequency (≥1, ≥2, or ≥4 times per year) stratified by 17 administrative regions. Multilevel and multivariate logistic analyses were performed with regional (proportion of farmer population) and individual characteristics (age, sex, income level, duration of diabetes, and most visited medical institution). RESULTS: Overall, 67.3% of the patients received≥1 HbA1c test per year; 37.8% and 6.1% received ≥2 and ≥4 tests per year, respectively. Those managed in secondary-level hospitals or clinics and those living in rural areas were less likely to receive HbA1c testing. Even after adjusting for individual and regional level characteristics, significant area level variation was observed (variance participant coefficients were 7.91%, 9.58%, and 14.43% for testing frequencies of ≥1, ≥2, and ≥4 times a year, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of HbA1c monitoring is suboptimal in Korea, especially in rural areas. Moreover, significant regional variation was observed, implying a contextual effect. This suggests the need for developing policy actions to improve HbA1c monitoring. In particular, access to HbA1c testing in rural primary care clinics must be improved.

Mean corpuscular volume levels and all-cause and liver cancer mortality.

BACKGROUND: An elevated mean corpuscular volume (MCV) is associated with aging, nutrition, alcohol abuse and more, and it is known as a survival predictor in chronically ill patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between MCV levels and mortality from all-causes, cancer and site-specific cancer in a non-anemic healthy population. METHODS: A total of 36,260 participants aged 40 years or older who underwent routine check-ups at Seoul National University Hospital Health Promotion Center between 1995 and 2008 were followed-up for mortality until December 31, 2008, retrospectively. RESULTS: During an average follow-up of 8.0 years, 1107 deaths including 547 cancer deaths were observed. The adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) of the subjects with the highest quartile of MCV ≥95.8 fL in men and MCV ≥94.2 fL in women for all-cause and cancer mortality were 1.44 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.15-1.80] and 1.51 (95% CI, 1.10-2.07) for men and 1.55 (95% CI, 1.08-2.22) and 1.25 (95% CI, 0.74-2.11) for women, respectively, compared with those in the reference group (90.5 fL≤MC <93.0 fL in men and 89.2 fL≤MCV<91.6 fL in women). Elevated MCV level was related to an increased risk of liver cancer mortality in men (aHR, 3.55; 95% CI, 1.75-7.21). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that the elevated MCV level in non-anemic cancer-free individuals was associated with increased all-cause mortality in both men and women, and with cancer mortality, in particular liver cancer mortality in men. Future prospective studies are required to consolidate our findings.

Angelica keiskei Koidzumi extracts improve some markers of liver function in habitual alcohol drinkers: a randomized double-blind clinical trial.

Alcohol induces oxidative stress and inflammatory response, which can lead to hepatitis and cirrhosis. Previous studies reported that the extracts of Angelica keiskei Koidzumi (AKE) have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, suggesting that AKE could improve abnormalities associated with alcoholic liver disease. In this study, the effectiveness of AKE supplementation was assessed in 82 habitual alcohol drinkers (male: more than 14 units per week, female: more than 7 units per week) with abnormal liver biochemistry in a placebo-controlled, randomized double-blind trial over 12 weeks. Among the subjects, 65% (n=43) were heavy drinkers consuming more than 35 units per week. Among heavy drinkers, gamma-glutamyl transferase levels of 19 subjects per AKE-treated group were significantly decreased (21.16±37.63, P=.016) with significant differences observed compared to the 24 subjects per placebo group (P=.046). However, no significant differences were observed in aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase levels between the AKE- and placebo-treated groups. These results suggest that AKE supplementation might improve liver function in heavy drinkers.

The Prevalence of Chronic Diseases among Migrants in Korea According to Their Length of Stay and Residential Status.

BACKGROUND: Migrant health is becoming public health issues, as the migrant populations are increasing and their length of stay is prolonged. This study aims to analyze the differences in prevalence of chronic diseases among migrants according to length of stay and residential status. METHODS: An initial population pool were 3,024 who were assessed with health screening programs by Migrant Health Association. 2,459 migrants were selected for final analysis. Via Stata 10 we conducted univariate logistic regression analysis to examine the effects of their length of stay and residential status on the prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and obesity. In the final analysis, the result of each sex was adjusted for age, nationality, length of stay, and residential status via multiple logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Longer length of stay tends to increase the prevalence of hypertension in male; 4-6 year stay-duration group demonstrated statistically significant excess compared to 1 year or less stay-duration group (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 1.39; confidence interval [CI], 1.01 to 1.92). After adjustment, male migrants stayed more than 7 year showed considerably higher dyslipidemia than male migrants stayed less than 1 year (adjusted OR, 1.95; CI, 1.05 to 3.64). Compared to the group with 1 year or less stay-duration, the prevalence of obesity in male was significantly higher among 4-6 year (adjusted OR, 1.65; CI, 1.17 to 2.32) and 7 year or more stay-duration group (adjusted OR, 1.65; CI, 1.11 to 2.45). CONCLUSION: Longer length of stay correlated to higher prevalence of hypertension, dyslipidemia, and obesity among some population of migrants. So more researches and new developing policies are needed for this problem.