The Effects of Mind Subtraction Meditation on Depression, Social Anxiety, Aggression, and Salivary Cortisol Levels of Elementary School Children in South Korea.

This study analyzed the effects of a school-based mind subtraction meditation program on depression, social anxiety, aggression, and salivary cortisol levels of 42 elementary school children in South Korea. The research design was a nonequivalent group comparison with pretest and post-test. The experimental group was given 8weeks of the meditation program. The results showed social anxiety, aggression, and salivary cortisol levels were significantly lowered in the experimental group. This demonstrated that the school-based mind subtraction meditation program could be effective in improving psychosocial and behavioral aspects of mental health in elementary school children.

A randomized controlled trial of comparison on time and rate of cecal and termianl Ileal intubation according to adult-colonoscope length: intermediate versus long.

For a complete colonoscopic examination, a high intubation rate and a short intubation time have been demanded to colonoscopists, if possible. The aim of the present study was to compare these examination parameters, intubation time and rate, according to the length of colonoscope. A total of 507 healthy Korean subjects were randomly assigned into two groups: intermediate length adult-colonoscope (n=254) and long length adult-colonoscope (n=253). There were significant differences in cecal intubation time and in terminal ileal intubation rate according to the length of the colonoscope. Time-to-cecal intubation was shorter for the intermediate-scope group than for the long-scope group (234.2 ± 115.0 sec vs 280.7 ± 135.0 sec, P < 0.001). However, the success rate of terminal ileal intubation was higher in the long-scope group than in the intermediate-scope group (95.3% vs 84.3%, P < 0.001). There were no significant differences in other colonoscopic parameters between the two groups. The intermediate length adult-colonoscope decreased the time to reach the cecum, whereas the long-scope showed a success rate of terminal ileal intubation. These findings suggest that it is reasonable to prepare and use these two types of colonoscope appropriate to the needs of the patient and examination, instead of employing only one type of colonoscope.

Derivation and implementation of the boundary integral formula for the convective acoustic wave equation in time domain.

Kirchhoff's formula for the convective wave equation is derived using the generalized function theory. The generalized convective wave equation for a stationary surface is obtained, and the integral formulation, the convective Kirchhoff's formula, is derived. The formula has a similar form to the classical Kirchhoff's formula, but an additional term appears due to a moving medium effect. For convenience, the additional term is manipulated to a final form as the classical Kirchhoff's formula. The frequency domain boundary integral can be obtained from the current time domain boundary integral form. The derived formula is verified by comparison with the analytic solution of source in the uniform flow. The formula is also utilized as a boundary integral equation. Time domain boundary element method (BEM) analysis using the boundary integral equation is conducted, and the results show good agreement with the analytical solution. The formula derived here can be useful for sound radiation and scattering by arbitrary bodies in a moving medium in the time domain.

Ectopic sebaceous glands in the oesophagus: a case report and review of literature.

INTRODUCTION: Most ectopic sebaceous glands have been reported in the tissues of ectodermal origin. However, there are relatively a few reports of ectopic sebaceous glands in the oesophagus, an organ of endodermal origin. CASE PRESENTATION: We report the case of an asymptomatic 54-year-old man with ectopic oesophageal sebaceous glands. These lesions were incidentally observed in the distal oesophagus during screening endoscopy of gastric neoplasm and confirmed by histologic analysis. CONCLUSION: Surveillance or resection with regard to ectopic sebaceous glands in the oesophagus is generally not required since there is no known malignant potential. However, anti-reflux treatment may be sometimes needed, if such symptoms are present in patients. Also, these lesions should be differentiated from other pathologic lesions of oesophagus that need to be treated. Thus, greater attention of endoscopists is required for detection and differential diagnosis of these lesions. The narrow-band imaging mode and/or endoscopic biopsy may be helpful.

Total testosterone may not decline with ageing in Korean men aged 40 years or older.

OBJECTIVE: It is generally believed that gonadal function in men declines with ageing. However, observations on ageing-related decrease in total testosterone (TT) are not consistent. The aim of this study is to examine the ageing-related changes of testosterone and to investigate the influence of the ageing-related factors on TT. DESIGN: Changes of TT with ageing were observed in longitudinal design in a single health promotion centre. SUBJECTS: A total of 220 Korean men aged ≥40 years were included between 2002 and 2011. TT assay was repeated for all subjects, with an interval of ≥3 years. MEASUREMENTS: Information of medical history and lifestyle habits was collected. Anthropometry and blood pressure were measured. TT, glucose, creatinine, highly sensitive C-reactive protein, liver enzymes and lipid profiles were tested. RESULTS: Mean TT level did not decline significantly with ageing during median 4·3 years follow-up (18·1 vs 17·8 nm, P = 0·439). Longitudinal change of TT was approximately + 0·8% per year. TT was negatively correlated with body mass index (BMI), waist circumference and glucose. With mixed effects model, diabetes (P = 0·038) and BMI (P = 0·007) affected TT level, but age and follow-up interval did not. CONCLUSIONS: TT did not change significantly in 220 Korean men for a median 4·3 years follow-up. TT was not influenced by the age and follow-up interval. BMI and diabetes mellitus affected TT decline.

Erosive esophagitis may be related to small intestinal bacterial overgrowth.

OBJECTIVES: Erosive esophagitis (EE) may be related to small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) because gastro-esophageal reflux disease has been a comorbid condition of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), which has been associated with SIBO. We conducted a pilot study to investigate whether EE was associated with SIBO. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty-eight patients with EE according to the Los Angeles classification criteria and 29 sex- and age-matched subjects without EE were enrolled. All subjects underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy and a lactulose hydrogen breath test. A peak of H2 values >20 ppm above the basal value after 10 g of lactulose ingestion was considered abnormal and suggestive of SIBO. RESULTS: Abnormal lactulose hydrogen breath test results were found in 67% of EE patients, as compared with 37% in the control group; the difference was statistically significant (p = 0.024). Among the subjects without IBS, subjects with EE and controls had 65% and 31% abnormal lactulose hydrogen breath test results, respectively; the difference was also statistically significant (p = 0.032). CONCLUSIONS: Subjects with EE had a higher prevalence of SIBO, as assessed by the lactulose hydrogen breath test, with respect to a control group. These findings may suggest that EE is associated with SIBO.

Different response of body weight change according to ketonuria after fasting in the healthy obese.

The relationship between obesity and ketonuria is not well-established. We conducted a retrospective observational study to evaluate whether their body weight reduction response differed by the presence of ketonuria after fasting in the healthy obese. We used the data of 42 subjects, who had medical records of initial urinalysis at routine health check-up and follow-up urinalysis in the out-patient clinic, one week later. All subjects in the initial urinalysis showed no ketonuria. However, according to the follow-up urinalysis after three subsequent meals fasts, the patients were divided into a non-ketonuria group and ketonuria group. We compared the data of conventional low-calorie diet programs for 3 months for both groups. Significantly greater reduction of body weight (-8.6 ± 3.6 kg vs -1.1 ± 2.2 kg, P < 0.001), body mass index (-3.16 ± 1.25 kg/m(2) vs -0.43 ± 0.86 kg/m(2), P < 0.001) and waist circumference (-6.92 ± 1.22 vs -2.32 ± 1.01, P < 0.001) was observed in the ketonuria group compared to the non-ketonuria group. Fat mass and lean body mass were also more reduced in the ketonuria group. In addition, serum free fatty acid concentration after intervention in the ketonuria group showed significant more increment than in the non-ketonuria group. The presence of ketonuria after fasting may be a predicting factor of further body weight reduction.

Serum gamma-glutamyltransferase concentration correlates with Framingham risk score in Koreans.

Gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) is a novel coronary artery disease (CAD) risk factor, but its use as an independent factor for CAD risk prediction remains unclear in Asian population. This study examined the association between serum GGT concentration and Framingham risk score (FRS) in the Korean population. This cross-sectional study was performed on 30,710 Koreans. Besides FRS, body mass index, fasting blood glucose, liver enzymes, lipid profile, uric acid and high sensitive C-reactive protein data were used. The study subjects were grouped into quartiles according to the levels of GGT. Analyses relating GGT to FRS ≥ 20% utilized multiple confounders adjusted logistic regression. Positive correlations were established between log-transformed GGT concentration and FRS (r = 0.38; P < 0.001). Increasing the quartile of serum GGT concentration was significantly associated with linear increasing trends in FRS (P-trend < 0.001). Compared to the lowest baseline GGT category, age-gender adjusted odd ratios for FRS ≥ 20% were significantly increased from the lowest to highest GGT quartiles; these results remained significantly after adjustments for multiple confounders. Increased GGT concentration is associated with the increase in FRS. Serum GGT may be helpful to predict the future risk of CAD.

Carcinoembryonic antigen level can be overestimated in metabolic syndrome.

Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels can be affected by many factors and metabolic syndrome is also a candidate. This study examined the relationship between CEA levels and metabolic syndrome using the data of 32,897 healthy Koreans. Fecal occult blood tests were also performed. Subjects with colorectal carcinoma were excluded. Subjects were classified by their smoking status, metabolic syndrome and its components. Prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its all components showed a significant increase according to the quartile of serum CEA concentration (P < 0.001). Increased numbers of metabolic syndrome components showed a positive association with CEA levels (P-trend < 0.001). The odds ratios for the highest CEA quartile vs the lowest serum CEA quartile significantly increased in the presence of metabolic syndrome and its components. After adjusting for age, gender and smoking status, metabolic syndrome, low high density lipoprotein cholesterol and elevated blood pressure had higher odds ratios (OR) of the highest CEA quartile compared with the lowest serum CEA quartile (OR = 1.125, 95% CI = 1.030 to 1.222, P = 0.009; OR = 1.296, 95% CI = 1.195 to 1.405, P < 0.001; OR = 1.334, 95% CI = 1.229 to 1.448, P < 0.001, respectively). These results indicate that metabolic syndrome is associated with CEA value, which may lead to a misunderstanding of the CEA levels.

Vitamin K supplement along with vitamin D and calcium reduced serum concentration of undercarboxylated osteocalcin while increasing bone mineral density in Korean postmenopausal women over sixty-years-old.

There are inconsistent findings on the effects of vitamin K on bone mineral density (BMD) and undercarboxylated osteocalcin (UcOC). The present intervention study evaluated the effect in subjects over 60-yr-old. The vitamin K group (vitamin K + vitamin D + calcium supplement; 15 mg of vitamin K2 [menatetrenone] three times daily, 400 IU of vitamin D once a day, and 315 mg of calcium twice daily) and the control group (vitamin D + calcium supplement) were randomly assigned. During the six months of treatment, seventy eight women participated (38 in the vitamin K group and 40 in the control group) and 45 women completed the study. The baseline characteristics of study participants did not differ between the vitamin K and the control groups. In a per protocol analysis after 6 months, L3 bone mineral density has increased statistically significantly in the vitamin K group compared to the control group (0.01 ± 0.03 g/cm(2) vs -0.008 ± 0.04 g/cm(2), P = 0.049). UcOC concentration was also significantly decreased in the vitamin K group (-1.6 ± 1.6 ng/dL vs -0.4 ± 1.1 ng/dL, P = 0.008). In conclusion, addition of vitamin K to vitamin D and calcium supplements in the postmenopausal Korean women increase the L3 BMD and reduce the UcOC concentration.

Women with fibromyalgia have lower levels of calcium, magnesium, iron and manganese in hair mineral analysis.

Little is known about hair mineral status in fibromyalgia patients. This study evaluated the characteristics of hair minerals in female patients with fibromyalgia compared with a healthy reference group. Forty-four female patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia according to the American College of Rheumatology criteria were enrolled as the case group. Age and body mass index-matched data were obtained from 122 control subjects enrolled during visit for a regular health check-up. Hair minerals were analyzed and compared between the two groups. The mean age was 43.7 yr. General characteristics were not different between the two groups. Fibromyalgia patients showed a significantly lower level of calcium (775 µg/g vs 1,093 µg/g), magnesium (52 µg/g vs 72 µg/g), iron (5.9 µg/g vs 7.1 µg/g), copper (28.3 µg/g vs 40.2 µg/g) and manganese (140 ng/g vs 190 ng/g). Calcium, magnesium, iron, and manganese were loaded in the same factor using factor analysis; the mean of this factor was significantly lower in fibromyalgia group in multivariate analysis with adjustment for potential confounders. In conclusion, the concentrations of calcium, magnesium, iron, and manganese in the hair of female patients with fibromyalgia are lower than of controls, even after adjustment of potential confounders.

Ketonuria after fasting may be related to the metabolic superiority.

Obese individuals are less able to oxidize fat than non-obese individuals. Caloric reduction or fasting can detect ketonuria. We investigated the differences of metabolic parameters in the presence of ketonuria after a minimum 8 hr fast in a cross-sectional analysis of 16,523 Koreans (6,512 women and 10,011 men). The relationship between the presence of ketonuria of all subjects and prevalence of obesity, central obesity, metabolic syndrome, and obesity-related metabolic parameters were assessed. The ketonuria group had lower prevalence of obesity, central obesity, and metabolic syndrome than the non-ketonuria group. In addition, all metabolic parameters (including body weight, waist circumference, blood glucose, high-density lipoprotein, triglyceride, blood pressure, and insulin) were favorable in the ketonuria group than in the non-ketonuria group, even after adjustment for age, tobacco use, and alcohol consumption. The odds ratios of having obesity (odds ratio [OR]=1.427 in women, OR=1.582 in men, P<0.05), central obesity (OR=1.675 in women, OR=1.889 in men, P<0.05), and metabolic syndrome (OR=3.505 in women, OR=1.356 in men, P<0.05) were increased in the non-ketonuria group compared to the ketonuria group. The presence of ketonuria after at least an 8 hr fast may be indicative of metabolic superiority.

Correlation of undercarboxylated osteocalcin (ucOC) concentration and bone density with age in healthy Korean women.

Uncarboxylated osteocalcin (ucOC) is important in evaluating vitamin K status and it is inversely associated with bone mineral density (BMD). We studied the correlationship between ucOC and BMD in healthy Korean women. This study recruited 337 healthy women between ages 20-70 were recruited. Serum ucOC, calcium, alkaline phosphatase, body mass index (BMI), and BMD were measured and compared. Mean BMI was lowest (20.3+/-1.9 kg/m(2)) in the 20 yr old group and highest (24.8+/-2.6 kg/m(2)) in the 60 yr old group. Women age 20-70 yr old had ucOC inversely related to BMD independent of other factors that may influence BMD. Serum ucOC concentration and BMD of lumbar spine showed a significant inverse relationship. Serum mean alkaline phosphatase was lowest (122+/-30 IU/L) in the age 30 group and highest (190.3+/-55.8 IU/L) in the age 60 group. Serum ucOC was inversely associated with BMI, and positively associated with alkaline phosphatase. Uncarboxylated osteocalcin (ucOC) was inversely associated with spinal BMD in healthy Korean women. Serum mean ucOC was highest in the age 20 group, followed by age 50 group, which may indicate vitamin K insufficiency could be related to high bone turnover in these groups. These results suggest that vitamin K supplement may be considered to help both bone growth and bone loss during these periods.

Reference Intervals for Plasma Amyloid ß in Korean Adults Without Cognitive Impairment.

Amyloid ß (Aß) peptides are important components of plaques in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Recent studies suggest that a low plasma ratio of Aß42 to Aß40 may precede the development of the sporadic form of AD. The aim of this study was to establish reference intervals for plasma Aß in Korean adults. A total of 370 apparently healthy individuals (181 males and 189 females aged 40-69 yr) without cognitive impairment were enrolled. Plasma concentrations of Aß40 and Aß42 were measured by using a human amyloid ß assay kit (Immuno-Biological Laboratories, Japan). Reference intervals were established according to the "CLSI guidelines for defining, establishing, and verifying reference intervals in the clinical laboratory". There was no need to partition the data with respect to gender or age group. The 95th percentile reference intervals for Aß40 and Aß42 were 127-331 pg/mL and 2.31-19.84 pg/mL, respectively. The reference interval for the Aß42/Aß40 ratio was 0.011-0.092. Plasma Aß concentrations obtained in this study could be used as reference intervals for clinical purposes.

Technical skills and training of upper gastrointestinal endoscopy for new beginners.

The incidence of gastric cancer remains high in South Korea. Upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy, i.e., esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), has a higher diagnostic specificity and sensitivity than the upper GI series. Additionally, EGD has the ability to biopsy, through taking a tissue of the pathologic lesion. Successful training of EGD procedural skills require a few important things to be learned and remembered, including the posture of an examinee (e.g., left lateral decubitus and supine) and examiner (e.g., one-man standing method vs one-man sitting method), basic skills (e.g., tip deflection, push forward and pull back, and air suction and infusion), advanced skills (e.g., paradoxical movement, J-turn, and U-turn), and intubation techniques along the upper GI tract (e.g., oral cavity, pharynx, larynx including vocal cord, upper and middle and lower esophagus, gastroesophageal junction, gastric fundus, body, and antrum, duodenal bulb, and descending part of duodenum). In the current review, despite several limitations, we explained the intubation method of EGD for beginners. We hope this will be helpful to beginners who wish to learn the procedure.

Strategies against human papillomavirus infection and cervical cancer.

Papillomaviruses infect a wide variety of animals, including humans. The human papillomavirus (HPV), in particular, is one of the most common causes of sexually transmitted disease. More than 200 types of HPV have been identified by DNA sequence data, and 85 HPV genotypes have been well characterized to date. HPV can infect the basal epithelial cells of the skin or inner tissue linings, and are, accordingly, categorized as either cutaneous or mucosal type. HPV is associated with a panoply of clinical conditions, ranging from innocuous lesions to cervical cancer. In the early 1980s, studies first reported a link between cervical cancer and genital HPV infection. Genital HPV infections are now recognized to be a major risk factor in at least 95% of cervical cancers. 30 different HPV genotypes have been identified as causative of sexually transmitted diseases, most of which induce lesions in the cervix, vagina, vulva, penis, and anus, as the result of sexual contact. There is also direct evidence demonstrating that at least four of these genotypes are prerequisite factors in cervical cancer. The main aim of this review was to evaluate the current literature regarding the pathovirology, diagnostics, vaccines, therapy, risk groups, and further therapeutic directions for HPV infections. In addition, we reviewed the current status of HPV infections in South Korean women, as evidenced by our data.

Comparison on colonoscopic parameters according to length of adult-colonoscope.

BACKGROUND: High success rate of intubation and short intubation time have been needed to endoscopists for a complete and comfortable colonoscopy, if possible. The purpose of present study was to compare procedure efficiencies according to adult-colonoscope length. METHODS: This was a prospective, randomized, single-blinded controlled trial. A total of 239 healthy Korean subjects were randomly assigned to two groups: one group receiving intermediate-length adult-colonoscope (n = 119), and the other group receiving long-length adult-colonoscope (n = 120). Cecal intubation time and rate, and terminal ileal intubation time and rate as well as other procedure-related outcomes (adenoma detection rate, withdrawal time, and total procedure time) were evaluated. RESULTS: There were significant differences in cecal intubation time and terminal ileal intubation rate according to colonoscope length. The time of cecal intubation was shorter in the intermediate-scope group than that in the long-scope group ((222.13 ± 101.67) s vs. (253.85 ± 109.40) s, P = 0.014). However, the rate of terminal ileal intubation was higher in the long-scope group than that in the intermediate-scope group (94.2% vs. 83.2%, P = 0.007). In addition, terminal ileal intubation time was also shorter in the long-scope group than that in the intermediate-scope group ((35.21 ± 38.89) s vs. (44.09 ± 33.87) s, P < 0.001). There were no significant differences in other procedure-related outcomes between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: The intermediate-length adult-colonoscope had an advantage over the long-length adult-colonoscope regarding cecal intubation time, whereas the long-scope had an advantage over the intermediate-scope regarding the rate and time of terminal ileal intubation. These results suggest that it is rational to prepare and use these two types of colonoscope properly, instead of employing only one type of colonoscope.

Colonoscopy procedural skills and training for new beginners.

The incidence of colorectal cancer has been increasing in the developed world including South Korea and China. Colonoscopy allows for greater diagnostic specificity and sensitivity compared with other types of examinations, such as the stool occult blood test, barium enema, and computed tomography colonography. Therefore, in recent years, the demand for colonoscopies has grown rapidly. New beginners including primary care physicians may help meet the increasing demand by performing colonoscopies. However, it is a challenge to learn the procedure due to the long learning-curve and the high rate of complications, such as perforation and bleeding, as compared to gastroscopy. Thus, considerable training and experience are required for optimal performance of colonoscopies. In order to perform a complete colonoscopic examination, there were a few important things to learn and remember, such as the position of examinee (e.g., left and right decubitus, supine, and prone) and examiner (two-man method vs one-man standing method vs one-man sitting method), basic skills (e.g., tip deflection , push forward and pull back, torque, air suction and insufflation), advanced skills (e.g., jiggling and shaking, right and left turn shortening, hooking, and slide-by technique), assisting skills (e.g., position change of examinee, abdominal compression, breathing-holding, and liquid-infusion technique), and intubation techniques along the lower gastrointestinal tract. In this article, we attempt to describe the methods of insertion and advancement of the colonoscope to the new beginners including primary care physician. We believe that this article may be helpful to the new beginners who wish to learn the procedure.

Higher Serum Heavy Metal May Be Related with Higher Serum gamma-Glutamyltransferase Concentration in Koreans: Analysis of the Fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES V-1, 2, 2010, 2011).

BACKGROUND: Abnormal serum gamma-glutamyltransferase (γ-GT) may be an early and sensitive marker for oxidative stress. This study was performed to evaluate the association between serum heavy metals and γ-GT concentration. METHODS: This study is a cross-sectional analysis based on data from Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (V-1, 2, 2010, 2011) regarding serum heavy metal concentrations (lead, mercury, and cadmium) as well as serum γ-GT. Serum heavy metals were categorized into tertiles, and serum γ-GT concentration was compared using an analysis of covariance test after relevant variable adjustments. In addition, we evaluated the odds ratio (OR) of having the highest tertile of serum γ-GT in each heavy metal tertile using logistic regression. RESULTS: The mean serum lead, mercury, and cadmium concentrations were 2.67, 5.08, and 1.02 µg/dL in men and 1.95, 3.60, and 1.21 µg/dL in women, respectively. Partial correlation showed a significant positive relation between each heavy metal and serum γ-GT concentration. Comparing serum γ-GT concentration by the tertile of each heavy metal, serum γ-GT concentration showed a significant increase as the tertiles of serum mercury and cadmium in men and that of serum mercury in women increased, but not with lead. The OR of having the highest tertile of serum γ-GT was significant for cadmium in men (OR, 4.02; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.54 to 6.35) and mercury in women (OR, 2.00; 95% CI, 1.29 to 3.10) in the top tertile of each heavy metal. CONCLUSION: Higher serum heavy metal concentration may be related with higher serum γ-GT concentration. In particular, serum cadmium in men and mercury in women showed significant correlation with serum γ-GT concentration.

The Relationship between Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D, Parathyroid Hormone and the Glomerular Filtration Rate in Korean Adults: The Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 2009 and 2011.

BACKGROUND: The glomerular filtration rate (GFR) decreases with age, while parathyroid hormone (PTH) increases. There are a few reports only on the relationship between GFR and PTH under the category of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) concentration. METHODS: Using the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) data, a cross-sectional study was conducted on the association between serum 25(OH)D concentration, GFR and PTH in Korean adults aged 50 years or older. Serum PTH concentration was compared to the tertiles of GFR after adjustment for relevant variables. In addition, the serum PTH concentration was compared with the GFR under the category of serum 25(OH) D concentration (<20, 20-30, >30 ng/mL). RESULTS: The mean estimated GFR (eGFR) was 74.8 mL/min in men and 73.1 mL/min in women. The mean PTH and 25(OH) D was 66.8 pg/mL, 20.5 ng/mL in men and 69.0 pg/mL, 18.2 ng/mL in women. The serum PTH concentration showed a significant negative correlation with the serum 25(OH) D and eGFR in both genders. The serum PTH concentration significantly increased at the lower tertile of eGFR in male adults In addition, a decrease of serum PTH concentration was marked in the vitamin D sufficient male adults (>30 ng/mL). CONCLUSION: This present study demonstrated that serum PTH concentration showed negative correlation with eGFR, however, serum PTH increase may be minimized by maintaining proper serum 25(OH)D concentrations under similar eGFR status in Korean adults aged 50 and above.