Association between weekend catch-up sleep and the risk of depression among Korean middle-aged adults.

Determining whether weekend catch-up sleep (CUS) is related to high risk of depression in the general middle-aged population in Korea. This study is a cross-sectional study analyzing data from 2016 to 2017 collected in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey VII-1, 2; less than 35 years, and more than 65 years were excluded. Interviews on sociodemographic characteristics, mood and sleep-related profiles, and comorbid medical conditions were conducted. Participants were divided into three groups according to weekday sleeping time (< 6 h, 6 to ≤ 8 h, and ≥ 8 h). Weekend CUS was identified when nocturnal sleep extension occurred over the weekend. The risk of depression was evaluated using the PHQ-9. The PHQ-9 score differed among the three groups. The prevalence of moderate to severe depressive symptom and PHQ-9 score ≥ 10 was the highest in the group sleep over 8 h and the next highest in the group sleep less than 6 h. In the group sleep less than 6 h, PHQ-9 score ≥ 10 was significantly higher in the without CUS group than the with CUS group. The risk of depression in middle-aged individuals was associated with both short and long sleep duration, and the severity and prevalence of depression were lower in the group with CUS when a shortened sleep pattern was observed. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s41105-022-00415-3.

Pathogenic NOTCH3 Variants Are Frequent Among the Korean General Population.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the frequency of pathogenic NOTCH3 variants among Koreans. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, we queried for pathogenic NOTCH3 variants in 2 Korean public genome databases: the Korean Reference Genome Database (KRGDB) and the Korean Genome Project (Korea1K). In addition, we screened the 3 most common pathogenic NOTCH3 variants (p.Arg75Pro, p.Arg544Cys, and p.Arg578Cys) for 1,000 individuals on Jeju Island, where the largest number of patients with cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL) have been reported in Korea. RESULTS: The pathogenic NOTCH3 variant (p.Arg544Cys) was found in 0.12% of sequences in the KRGDB, and 3 pathogenic variants (p.Arg75Pro, p.Arg182Cys, and p.Arg544Cys) were present in 0.44% of the Korea1K database. Of the 1,000 individuals on Jeju Island, we found 2 cysteine-altering NOTCH3 variants (p.Arg544Cys variant in 9 and p.Arg578Cys in 1 individual) in 1.00% of the participants (95% confidence interval: 0.48%-1.83%). The presence of cysteine-altering NOTCH3 variants was significantly associated with a history of stroke (p < 0.001). DISCUSSION: Pathogenic NOTCH3 variants are frequently found in the general Korean population. Such a high prevalence of pathogenic variants could threaten the brain health of tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of older adults in Korea.

Correlation between neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio and overactive bladder in South Korean women: a community-based, cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: Many women with overactive bladder (OAB) do not seek medical care despite urinary symptoms. As the diagnosis and treatment of OAB are often late, there is a need to identify undiagnosed OAB patients and start effective treatment. Furthermore, an objective and appropriate screening biomarker for OAB is needed. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between serum neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and OAB in South Korean women. DESIGN: Cross-sectional, retrospective study. SETTING: Jeju National University Hospital. PARTICIPANTS: This study included a total of 4394 women (mean age=48.6 years) who underwent self-referred health screenings. INTERVENTIONS: Blood tests were conducted and the NLR was calculated by dividing the number of neutrophils by the number of lymphocytes. OUTCOME MEASURES: The severity of OAB was evaluated using the OAB Symptom Score (OABSS). RESULTS: Approximately 9.8% of participants (n=432) were diagnosed with OAB. The association pattern between the NLR and urinary tract symptoms was variable; however, NLR was associated with OAB, by the OABSS and OAB severity (p<0.001). The NLR had a significant relationship with OAB after age, body mass index, homoeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, stress status, and medication for hypertension (OR 1.19, 95% CI 1.06 to 1.32) were adjusted. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated NLR is associated with OAB; hence, NLR may be a cost-effective and readily available biomarker of OAB in women.

Sedentary Lifestyle: Overview of Updated Evidence of Potential Health Risks.

One-third of the global population aged 15 years and older engages in insufficient physical activities, which affects health. However, the health risks posed by sedentary behaviors are not well known. The mean daily duration of sedentary behavior is 8.3 hours among the Korean population and 7.7 hours among the American adult population. Sedentary lifestyles are spreading worldwide because of a lack of available spaces for exercise, increased occupational sedentary behaviors such as office work, and the increased penetration of television and video devices. Consequently, the associated health problems are on the rise. A sedentary lifestyle affects the human body through various mechanisms. Sedentary behaviors reduce lipoprotein lipase activity, muscle glucose, protein transporter activities, impair lipid metabolism, and diminish carbohydrate metabolism. Furthermore, it decreases cardiac output and systemic blood flow while activating the sympathetic nervous system, ultimately reducing insulin sensitivity and vascular function. It also alters the insulin-like growth factor axis and the circulation levels of sex hormones, which elevates the incidence of hormone-related cancers. Increased sedentary time impairs the gravitostat, the body's weight homeostat, and weight gain, adiposity, and elevated chronic inflammation caused by sedentary behavior are risk factors for cancer. Sedentary behaviors have wide-ranging adverse impacts on the human body including increased all-cause mortality, cardiovascular disease mortality, cancer risk, and risks of metabolic disorders such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and dyslipidemia; musculoskeletal disorders such as arthralgia and osteoporosis; depression; and, cognitive impairment. Therefore, reducing sedentary behaviors and increasing physical activity are both important to promote public health.

Relationship between visual acuity and muscle mass in the Korean older population: a cross-sectional study using Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to assess the effects of visual acuity on muscle mass, which is an important indicator of health in older populations. DESIGN: Pooled-sample cross-sectional study. SETTING: Nationally representative population survey data. PARTICIPANTS: The present study analysed men aged 65 years or older who participated in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES, 2008-2011). PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Muscle mass was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scan, and low muscle mass was defined as appendicular skeletal mass divided by height squared (kg/m2) <6.43 kg/m2 (lowest quintile of the older population in KNHANES, 2008-2011). Visual acuity was evaluated based on best-corrected visual acuity of the better eye. RESULTS: Of the 1733 participants, 89.9% had good visual acuity. After adjusting for age, the height-adjusted appendicular skeletal muscle mass values were 7.16 and 7.00 kg/m2 in the good and poor vision groups, respectively (p=0.042). According to our criterion for low muscle mass, the prevalence of low muscle mass was 16.4% and 34.7% in the good and poor vision groups, respectively. After adjusting for age, smoking status, alcohol consumption status, frequency of physical activity, educational level, the status of basic livelihood recipient and history of stroke, the poor visual acuity group had higher odds of low muscle mass than the good visual acuity group (OR=1.60; 95% CI 1.02 to 2.50; p=0.040). CONCLUSIONS: Older men with decreased visual acuity have low muscle mass. Poor vision might be an indicator of low muscle mass.

Association between Colorectal Adenoma and Hand Grip Strength in the Elderly.

BACKGROUND: Obesity is known as an important risk factor for colorectal adenoma. However, for the elderly with changes in body composition, reduced muscle, and increased fat, the body mass index (BMI), one of the most commonly used indicators of obesity, is limited in predicting a link to colorectal cancer. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between colorectal adenoma and grip strength that can predict muscle reduction in the elderly. METHODS: This study included 262 participants aged ≥65 years who underwent medical examination between June 2015 and August 2018. The control group comprised participants with normal findings or hyperplasia and other benign lesions, except adenoma on colonoscopy, whereas the adenoma group consisted of participants with more than one adenoma. Grip strength was alternately measured twice for each hand using a hydraulic dynamometer. RESULTS: The grip strength was statistically lower in the adenoma group than in the control group among women (P=0.042). For both sexes, grip strength was significantly lower in participants with ≥5 adenomas than in those with <5 adenomas (P=0.021, P=0.007). Similarly, men with large adenomas (≥7 mm) exhibited significantly lower grip strength than did those with small adenomas (<7 mm) (P=0.004). Even after correction for age, BMI, smoking status, alcohol consumption, exercise, insulin resistance, hypertension, and diabetes, the negative correlation between grip strength and number of adenomas among men and women remained (P=0.034, P=0.019). CONCLUSIONS: A significant relationship between hand grip strength and number of colorectal adenomas was noted.

Low Muscle Mass and Depressed Mood in Korean Adolescents: a Cross-Sectional Analysis of the Fourth and Fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys.

BACKGROUND: Muscle mass and muscle function are related to depressed mood in studies of adults. Like adults, Korean students are highly likely to suffer from decreased muscle mass due to social conditions. In this study, we evaluated the muscle mass status of Korean adolescents and assess the effect of muscle on depressive mood. METHODS: A total of 1,233 adolescent boys and girls participants from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were enrolled in our study. Participants underwent dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry for assessment of appendicular muscle mass and completed questionnaires regarding depressed mood, stress, suicidal ideations, and attempts. RESULTS: There was no difference in depressive mood according to muscle mass among boys (P = 0.634); girls with decreased muscle mass had a greater tendency for depressed mood compared to girls with optimal muscle mass (P = 0.023). After adjusting for age, waist circumference-to-height ratio, smoking status, alcohol consumption, frequency of physical activity, self-reported obesity, weight-loss efforts, and monthly household income, girls with low muscle mass (LMM) were 2.60 times more at risk of developing depression than girls with normal muscle mass (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.05-6.49; P = 0.040). This trend was similar for girls with LMM with obesity (95% CI, 1.00-11.97; P = 0.049). CONCLUSION: Adolescent girls who have insufficient muscle mass are more likely to report depressed mood than girls who have ideal muscle mass. Interventions for maintaining proper muscle mass are required.

Effect of Secondhand Smoking, Determined by Urinary Cotinine Level on Bone Health.

BACKGROUND: We evaluated the relationship between secondhand smoke (SHS) inhalation, as verified by urinary cotinine levels, and bone health. METHODS: We analyzed the nationwide, population-based, cross-sectional health survey. We included 1936 men aged 50 years or older who checked bone mineral density (BMD) from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2008-2010). Current smokers assessed by urinary cotinine levels higher than 500 ng/mL were excluded (n = 616). Exposure to SHS was determined using a 50 ng/mL urinary cotinine threshold. RESULTS: The estimated prevalence of SHS exposure in our cohort was 13.9%. After adjusting for age and body mass index (BMI), T-scores at total femur (P < 0.001), femoral neck (P < 0.001), and lumbar spine (P = 0.004) were lower in SHS exposure versus nonexposure groups. Impaired bone health (osteopenia or osteoporosis) at femoral neck or lumbar spine was evident in 61.7% and 48.6% of SHS exposure and nonexposure cases, respectively (P = 0.004). Moreover, after adjusting for age, BMI, and health habits, the odds ratio for impaired bone health in the SHS exposure group was 1.89 (95% confidence interval: 1.31-2.74). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that SHS exposure, determined by urinary cotinine levels, is negatively associated with BMD and is a leading cause of impaired bone health in Korean men.

Visceral-to-subcutaneous fat ratio as a predictor of the multiple metabolic risk factors for subjects with normal waist circumference in Korea.

PURPOSE: Visceral obesity has been recognized as a predictor of metabolic risk factors. However, few studies have evaluated the metabolic risks in subjects with normal waist circumference (WC). We aimed to examine if the visceral-to-subcutaneous fat ratio (VSR) has diagnostic value to identify multiple metabolic risk factors in subjects with normal WC, compared with visceral fat area (VFA) and subcutaneous fat area (SFA). METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study in which we have compared mean VFA, SFA, and VSR according to each metabolic risk factor. We performed a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis for VFA, SFA, and VSR to assess their accuracy in picking out two or more non-adipose factors for metabolic syndrome. RESULTS: For each metabolic risk factor, mean VSRs were significantly different between groups (risk-absent group vs risk-present group) in men and women, except for men with low high-density lipoprotein. However, mean VFAs and SFAs showed no significant differences between groups. VSR showed superior diagnostic values in predicting at least two non-adipose metabolic risk factors in men and similar diagnostic value in women. Areas under ROC curves for VSR and VFA were 0.705 and 0.649 in men (P=0.028) and 0.798 and 0.785 in women (P=0.321). CONCLUSION: For men with a normal WC, VSR appeared to effectively predict the presence of multiple metabolic risk factors. Thus, VSR may serve as an indicator for identifying men who have a normal WC and multiple metabolic risk factors.

Association of Coffee Consumption with Sarcopenia in Korean Elderly Men: Analysis Using the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2008-2011.

BACKGROUND: Sarcopenia is an age-related loss of muscle mass and strength. Coffee has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that have been shown to be inversely related to the mechanism of sarcopenia. While there have been some studies on the effect of coffee on sarcopenia in animals, studies on the topic in humans are rare. Therefore, we investigated this relationship in elderly Korean men. METHODS: The cross-sectional data were derived from the 2008-2011 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. After applying the exclusion criteria, the study sample consisted of 1,781 men who were at least 60 years of age. Study participants were identified as having sarcopenia if their appendicular skeletal muscle mass divided by height squared was less than two standard deviations below the gender-specific mean of this value for young adults. Daily coffee consumption amounts were categorized as <1 cup, 1 cup, 2 cups, and ≥3 cups. RESULTS: Compared to the group of individuals who drank less than one cup of coffee a day, people who consumed at least 3 cups (adjusted odds ratio, 0.43; 95% confidence interval, 0.20 to 0.94) showed significantly decreased sarcopenia; however, the decrease was not significant when the daily coffee consumption was 1 or 2 cups. In multivariate logistic regression models, significant associations were observed between sarcopenia and coffee consumption (P for trend=0.039). CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that consuming at least 3 cups of coffee per day was associated with a lower prevalence of sarcopenia in elderly Korean elderly men.

Evaluation of the Predictive Index for Osteoporosis as a Clinical Tool to Identify the Risk of Osteoporosis in Korean Men by Using the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Data.

BACKGROUND: We previously proposed the Predictive Index for Osteoporosis as a new index to identify men who require bone mineral density measurement. However, the previous study had limitations such as a single-center design and small sample size. Here, we evaluated the usefulness of the Predictive Index for Osteoporosis using the nationally representative data of the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. METHODS: Participants underwent bone mineral density measurements via dual energy X-ray absorptiometry, and the Predictive Index for Osteoporosis and Osteoporosis Self-Assessment Tool for Asians were assessed. Receiver operating characteristic analysis was used to obtain optimal cut-off points for the Predictive Index for Osteoporosis and Osteoporosis Self-Assessment Tool for Asians, and the predictability of osteoporosis for the 2 indices was compared. RESULTS: Both indices were useful clinical tools for identifying osteoporosis risk in Korean men. The optimal cut-off value for the Predictive Index for Osteoporosis was 1.07 (sensitivity, 67.6%; specificity, 72.7%; area under the curve, 0.743). When using a cut-off point of 0.5 for the Osteoporosis Self-Assessment Tool for Asians, the sensitivity and specificity were 71.9% and 64.0%, respectively, and the area under the curve was 0.737. CONCLUSION: The Predictive Index for Osteoporosis was as useful as the Osteoporosis Self-Assessment Tool for Asians as a screening index to identify candidates for dual energy X-ray absorptiometry among men aged 50-69 years.

Association between Homocysteine and Bone Mineral Density according to Age and Sex in Healthy Adults.

BACKGROUND: There are several studies about the relationship between serum homocysteine levels and bone mineral density (BMD), but the results are varied, and the studies are limited in Korea. In our study, the relationship between serum homocysteine levels and BMD by part according to age and sex is investigated. METHODS: From March 2012 to July 2015, the 3,337 healthy adults who took a medical examination were recruited. Subjects filled in the self-recording type questionnaire and physical examination, blood test, BMD of lumbar spine and femur were measured. After sorting by aging (≤49 year old, 50-59 year old, ≥60 year old) and sex, the results were adjusted with age and body mass index (BMI) and the relationship between serum homocysteine levels and BMD by lumbar spine and femur was analyzed by multiple regression analysis. RESULTS: As results of analysis, with the adjustment with age and BMI, all age groups of men had no significant relationship between log-converted serum homocysteine levels and BMD. In women aged under 50, there were significantly negative relationships at lumbar spine (ß=-0.028, P=0.038), femur neck (ß=-0.062, P=0.001), and total hip (ß=-0.076, P<0.001), but there was no significant relationship in other age groups (50-59 year old and ≥60 year old). CONCLUSIONS: As the serum homocysteine levels increased in women aged under 50, BMD of the lumbar spine and femur decreased, and correlations between homocysteine and BMD were different by sex and age.

Implication of Sarcopenia and Sarcopenic Obesity on Lung Function in Healthy Elderly: Using Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Previous studies have demonstrated a positive association between obesity and decreased lung function. However, the effect of muscle and fat has not been fully assessed, especially in a healthy elderly population. In this study, we evaluated the impact of low muscle mass (LMM) and LMM with obesity on pulmonary impairment in healthy elderly subjects. Our study used data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2008 to 2011. Men and women aged 65 yr or older were included. Muscle mass was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. LMM was defined as two standard deviations below the sex-specific mean for young healthy adults. Obesity was defined as body mass index ≥ 25 kg/m(2). The prevalence of LMM in individuals aged over 65 was 11.9%. LMM and pulmonary function (forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume in 1 second) were independently associated after adjusting for age, sex, body mass index, smoking status, alcohol consumption, and frequency of exercise. LMM with obesity was also related to a decrease in pulmonary function. This study revealed that LMM is an independent risk factor of decreased pulmonary function in healthy Korean men and women over 65 yr of age.

Spontaneous echo-contrast in the internal jugular veins of patients with ischemic stroke.

PURPOSE: Spontaneous echo-contrast (SEC) appears on B-mode images as moving curls of smoke in the lumen of veins. The aims of this study were to investigate the prevalence and characteristics of internal jugular vein SEC among patients with stroke, in comparison with control subjects. METHODS: We enrolled 97 Korean patients with acute ischemic stroke and 50 controls. Both internal jugular veins were examined for the presence and severity of SEC and measurement of flow velocity. Venous samples were obtained for laboratory evaluation of hematologic factors. RESULTS: In 294 internal jugular veins, the prevalence of SEC was 81% in stroke patients and 68% in controls (odds ratio, 2.0; 95% confidence interval, 1.1-3.6; p = 0.013). Stroke patients were more likely to have SEC on the left (p = 0.025) than on the right (p = 0.184) internal jugular vein. Overall, the association between stroke and SEC remained significant after adjustment for other variables (odds ratio, 4.3; 95% confidence interval, 1.7-10.8; p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Internal jugular vein SEC was found more frequently in stroke patients than in controls. However, local as well as systemic factors must be considered in the interpretation of this finding.

Association of CYP11B2 polymorphisms with metabolic syndrome patients.

Aldosterone synthase is a key enzyme in aldosterone production. Polymorphisms of the aldosterone synthase gene, CYP11B2, have been suggested to be involved in the pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus (DM), hypertension and cardiovascular diseases. In the light of these findings, we hypothesized that CYP11B2 genetic polymorphisms play a role in metabolic syndrome (MetS). Therefore, we investigated the associations of three CYP11B2 polymorphisms [-344T>C, K173R and intron 2 conversion (IC)] with Korean MetS patients. In total, 640 subjects comprising 320 cases and 320 control individuals) were included in the present study. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) techniques were used to assess CYP11B2 polymorphisms. The CYP11B2 -344T>C, K173R and IC polymorphisms did not exhibit a significant difference in the genotype and allele frequencies between the MetS and control groups. However, the -344T>C polymorphism in males and haplotypes comprising the three polymorphisms were associated with susceptibility to MetS. Thus, the pattern of haplotype associations was gender-specific. Based on these results, the -344T>C polymorphism in males and haplotypes of the CYP11B2 gene potentially affect MetS susceptibility. These findings remain to be confirmed in various ethnic populations with a larger sample size.

A New Predictive Index for Osteoporosis in Men under 70 Years of Age: An Index to Identify Male Candidates for Osteoporosis Screening by Bone Mineral Density.

Background. Bone mineral density (BMD) screening guidelines for osteoporosis in men seem to have remained unclear. We aimed to set up a predictive index for the osteoporosis(PIO) in men under 70 years of age and present the optimal cutoff value of it, so that clinicians might use it to identify male candidates who benefit from taking the BMD screening. Methods. Adult men under 70 years old who met certain criteria were included. With the determined significant predictors for osteoporosis, we created a new index that presumably best predicts the osteoporosis and compared the predictability of it to other variables. Lastly, the optimal cutoff value of the PIO was calculated. Results. A total of 359 men were included. Age, weight, and current smoking status turned out to be significant predictors for osteoporosis. The PIO was as follows: [age(years) + 10 (for current smoker)]/weight(kg). Compared to other variables, the PIO showed the greatest predictive performance with the optimal cutoff point being 0.87 at which sensitivity and specificity were 71.9% and 70.0%, respectively. Conclusion. A new predictive index appeared to predict the presence of osteoporosis fairly well and thus can be used with its cutoff point to identify men under 70 years of age who need BMD screening.

Serum vitamin d status and its relationship to metabolic parameters in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

The potential relationship between vitamin D (VitD) status and metabolic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) warrants further study. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between the serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] level and various parameters in patients with T2DM. We analyzed retrospectively data from 276 Korean patients with T2DM whose serum 25(OH)D level was measured in our hospital. Nondiabetic healthy subjects who visited the hospital for health screening were selected as the control group (Non-DM, n=160). Compared with control subjects, patients with T2DM had a lower serum 25(OH)D level (15.4±0.5 vs. 12.9±0.4 ng/ml, p<0.01). Eleven percent of T2DM patients were VitD "insufficient" (20-29 ng/ml) and 87% of the patients were VitD "deficient" (<20 ng/ml). The serum 25(OH)D level was significantly related to serum fibrinogen, triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), ferritin, the urine albumin creatinine ratio, and hemoglobin A(1C) (HbA1C). In a multivariate logistic regression analysis, high levels of HbA1C, TG, and LDL-C were independently associated with VitD deficiency in T2DM patients. The results of the present study show that the majority of Koreans with T2DM are VitD deficient, and the serum 25(OH)D level in patients with T2DM is related to lipid and glucose parameters. Further studies are required of the relationship of VitD with fibrinogen and other related parameters.

Effect of human placental extract on menopausal symptoms, fatigue, and risk factors for cardiovascular disease in middle-aged Korean women.

OBJECTIVE: In Korea, human placental extract (HPE) has recently been used to treat various diseases (chronic liver diseases, menopause syndrome, chronic fatigue, skin pigment diseases, etc.), but evidence-based studies are not yet sufficient. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of HPE on menopausal symptoms, fatigue, and risk factors for cardiovascular disease in middle-aged Korean women in a randomized controlled trial. DESIGN: Korean women, aged 40 to 64 years, with menopausal symptoms and fatigue were recruited as participants. The women were randomly assigned to a placebo group or an HPE group. The HPE group received subcutaneous injections of HPE in the abdomen for 8 weeks, whereas the placebo group received normal saline. Then, the Menopause Rating Scale, and Fatigue Severity Scale, and Visual Analog Scale were administered, and risk factors for cardiovascular disease were assessed. RESULTS: The Menopause Rating Scale total baseline score was not different between the two groups; however, the score of the HPE group decreased significantly at 8 weeks compared with that of the placebo group (P = 0.033). Fatigue Severity Scale and Visual Analog Scale scores of the placebo group did not change, whereas the scores of the HPE group decreased significantly during the study period (Fatigue Severity Scale, P = 0.002; Visual Analog Scale, P = 0.001). The baseline 17beta-estradiol level was not significantly different between the two groups, but the 17beta-estradiol level of the HPE group was significantly increased at 8 weeks compared with that of the placebo group (P = 0.031). No changes in risk factors for cardiovascular disease were observed in either group. CONCLUSIONS: Menopausal symptoms and fatigue in middle-aged Korean women improved after 8 weeks of HPE treatment, whereas risk factors for cardiovascular disease did not change during the study period.

Different waist circumferences, different metabolic risks in Koreans.

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the difference in metabolic parameters by waist circumference (WC) and body mass index (BMI) in a population of Korean men and women. METHOD: We collected data on 69,535 Korean men and women and performed a cross-sectional analysis of the data. Study subjects were grouped by BMI and WC. We measured metabolic parameters for each group and compared the differences in the metabolic abnormalities. Subjects were grouped as follows: normal group (NG; normal WC and normal BMI); centrally obese group (COG; high WC and normal BMI); generally obese group (GOG; normal WC and high BMI); and combined obese group (COM; high WC and high BMI). RESULTS: Subjects in the COM group showed more metabolic parameter abnormalities in comparison to the other groups. In men, triglyceride (TG) and fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels were higher in the COG than in the GOG. Correspondingly, total cholesterol (TC), TG, and FBG levels were higher in the female COG than in the female GOG. In addition, the mean numbers of abnormal metabolic parameters in the COG were higher than in the GOG for both men and women. More men and women developed metabolic syndrome in the COG (39.1% in men, 33.0% in women) than in the GOG (9.7% in men, 7.8% in women). CONCLUSION: Among Koreans, the COG had more metabolic abnormalities and metabolic syndrome than the GOG.