The Association of Chronic Periodontitis as a Potential Risk Factor with Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Nested Case-Control Study Using a Korean National Health Screening Cohort.

Growing research has proposed that rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and chronic periodontitis (CP) share similar pathophysiological mechanisms involving inflammation and tissue destruction. However, the potential correlation of CP as a contributing factor for the occurrence of RA warrants validation in the Korean population, where both diseases are prevalent, especially considering the increasingly aging demographic in Korea. This study examined 5139 RA cases and 509,727 matched controls from a Korean national cohort dataset (2002-2019) by carefully employing propensity score matching to ensure comparability between groups. Baseline characteristics were compared using standardized differences, and logistic regression was employed to estimate the impact of CP history on RA likelihood while controlling for covariates. We fully examined medical records documenting CP occurrences within the two-year period leading up to the index date, conducting comprehensive subgroup analyses. While a 1-year history of CP did not show a significant association with likelihood of RA, a 2-year history of CP increased RA likelihood by 12%, particularly among older adults, females, rural residents, and those with certain comorbidities such as hypercholesterolemia. Interestingly, this association persisted even among individuals with non-smoking habits, normal weight, and infrequent alcohol consumption. These findings suggest that chronic CP exposure for at least 2 years may independently elevate RA risk in Korean adults. The association in certain subgroups appears to suggest a predisposition toward genetic susceptibilities over lifestyle and environmental factors. Predicting RA in CP patients may be challenging, emphasizing the importance of regular RA screening, especially in high-risk subgroups.

Associations between Chronic Kidney Disease and Migraine Incidence: Findings from a Korean Longitudinal Big Data Study.

While headaches frequently occur in individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD), there are few statistical evaluations of their connection to migraines in population-based studies. In this nationwide longitudinal follow-up study of Korean health examination data (2002-2019), a total of 15,443 participants with CKD and 61,772 matched controls were enrolled. We applied overlap-weighted Cox proportional hazard regression models to assess hazard ratios, examining the correlation between CKD and the development of migraines. After accounting for various factors, we observed a modest reduction of approximately 11% in the likelihood of migraine occurrence among CKD patients (95% confidence intervals = 0.81-0.97) during the 16-year monitoring period. Subgroup analysis revealed a significant association among specific demographic and health conditions, including individuals aged 70 or older, females, overweight individuals, nonsmokers, and those without hypertension or diabetes. Our research may indicate a potential relationship between CKD and the onset of migraines in Korean adults, suggesting a slight reduction in the probability of the occurrence of migraines among those with CKD. These findings emphasize the need for attentive follow-up and preventive management in individuals without the identified protective factors, particularly in male CKD patients under the age of 70 with hypertension.

Investigating the Connection between Chronic Periodontitis and Parkinson's Disease: Findings from a Korean National Cohort Study.

Recent research suggests a potential relevance between chronic periodontitis (CP) and Parkinson's disease (PD), raising concerns about comorbid PD among elderly CP patients. However, the epidemiologic basis for this association remains unclear. Employing a nested case-control design, this study explored the association between CP and subsequent PD occurrences in Korean adults, leveraging a validated national population-based dataset covering the period from 2002 to 2019. It included 8794 PD patients and 35,176 matched control individuals, established through propensity score matching for age, sex, residential area, and income. Baseline characteristics were compared using standardized differences, and logistic regression was employed to assess the impact of CP histories on PD likelihood while controlling for covariates. We performed a thorough examination of CP events within both 1-year and 2-year intervals preceding the index date, incorporating subgroup analyses. Our analysis revealed no statistically significant association between CP history and PD development overall. However, subgroup analysis revealed a slightly increased likelihood of PD development among CP individuals with a high disease burden (Charlson Comorbidity Index score ≥ 2). In conclusion, although our study did not find a significant overall association between CP history and PD development, the elevated likelihood of PD in subgroups with high disease burden may suggest that comorbidities influence PD probability among certain CP patients. Considering comorbid conditions in PD screening for some individuals with CP may be also important.

Association between Gout and Gastric Cancer: A Nested Case-Control Study Using a National Health Sample Cohort.

Given the global significance of gout and gastric cancer (GC) as major health problems with interrelated impacts, we examined the development of GC in Korean patients with gout. We conducted a nested case-control study using data from 10,174 GC patients and 40,696 control patients from the Korean National Health Insurance Service-National Sample Cohort database. Propensity score matching (1:4) with propensity score overlap-weighted adjustment was used to reduce selection bias and estimate the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the association between gout and GC. An adjusted OR for GC was not significantly higher in patients with gout than in control patients (1.02; 95% CI, 0.93-1.12; p = 0.652). Additionally, no association between gout and GC was observed in subgroup analyses such as sex, age, level of income, region of residence, or Charlson Comorbidity Index score. In conclusion, these results suggest that gout is not a significant independent risk factor for GC among the Korean population. Additional investigation is required to establish a causal association between gout and GC, and to generalize these results to general populations.

PARVB and HSD17B13 variants are associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in children.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate the comprehensive genetic effects of exploratory variants of LYPLAL1, GCKR, HSD17B13, TRIB1, APOC3, MBOAT7, and PARVB on pediatric nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in addition to the previously reported variants of TM6SF2, PNPLA3, and SAMM50 in Korean children. METHODS: A prospective case-control study was conducted involving 309 patients diagnosed using ultrasound and 339 controls. Anthropometric measurements, liver function tests, and metabolic marker analysis were conducted, and fibrosis scores were calculated. Transient elastography was performed in 69 some patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. TaqMan allelic discrimination assays were used for genotyping. The genetic risk scores were calculated using significant variants, namely, HSD17B13, PARVB, PNPLA3, SAMM50, and TM6SF2, to evaluate the additive effect. RESULTS: Risk allele carriers of the PARVB variant showed significantly higher levels of aminotransferases, gamma-glutamyl transferase, alkaline phosphatase, pediatric nonalcoholic fatty liver disease fibrosis score, and aspartate aminotransferase/platelet ratio index. Individuals with a homozygous variant of HSD17B13 showed significantly lower levels of aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyl transferase, liver stiffness measurement, and aspartate aminotransferase/platelet ratio index than those with other genotypes. These parameters did not significantly differ among other variants of LYPLAL1, GCKR, TRIB1, APOC3, and MBOAT7. The genetic risk scores was identified as an independent risk factor for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and had a positive association with severity. CONCLUSION: HSD17B13 has protective effects on the severity of pediatric nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Variants of HSD17B13, PARVB, PNPLA3, SAMM50, and TM6SF2 had an additive effect on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Unlocking the Protective Potential of Upper Respiratory Infection Treatment Histories against Alzheimer's Disease: A Korean Adult Population Study.

With increasing interest in the inflammation-pathogen infection hypothesis and its potential links to Alzheimer's disease (AD) development, there is growing consideration of using upper respiratory infection (URI) treatments as interventions for AD. This nested case-control study explored the potential association between prior URI histories and AD development in a Korean adult population using the national health screening cohort data (2002-2019). The study included 26,920 AD patients and 107,680 matched control individuals, focusing on those seeking respiratory treatment. Logistic regression analyses assessed the impact of URI histories and treatment on AD risk while adjusting for covariates. Our results revealed that over a 1-year period, individuals with URI histories (≥1, ≥2, or ≥3 instances) exhibited decreasing probabilities of developing AD, with risk reductions of 19%, 15%, and 12%, respectively. Expanding our investigation to a 2-year period consistently showed a 17% reduction in AD risk. This effect remained robust across diverse demographic groups and after adjusting for covariates, encompassing comorbidities, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, blood glucose levels, and lifestyle factors. Subgroup analyses further substantiated this association. In conclusion, our findings cautiously suggest a potential protective role of prior URI treatment histories in mitigating the risk of AD development.

Potential Molecular Markers Related to Lymph Node Metastasis and Stalk Resection Margins in Pedunculated T1 Colorectal Cancers Using Digital Spatial Profiling: A Pilot Study with a Small Case Series.

There is a debate regarding the prediction of lymph node metastasis (LNM) in pedunculated T1 colorectal cancer (CRC). In this study with four cases of pedunculated T1 CRCs, we aimed to investigate gene expression variations based on the distance from the Haggitt line (HL) and identify potential molecular risk factors for LNM. By leveraging the Cancer Transcriptome Atlas and digital spatial profiling technology, we meticulously analyzed discrete regions, including the head, HL, proximal stalk region (300-1000 µm from HL), and distal stalk region (1500-2000 µm from HL) to identify spatially sequential molecular changes. Our findings showed significant overall gene expression variations among the head, proximal stalk, and distal stalk regions of pedunculated T1 CRCs compared to the control adenoma. Compared to LNM-negative T1 CRCs, LNM-positive T1 CRC showed that the expression of genes involved in immune-related pathways such as B2M, HLA-B, and HLA-E were significantly downregulated in the distal stalk region compared to the proximal stalk region. In summary, our results may tentatively suggest considering endoscopic resection of the stalk with a minimum 2000 µm margin from the HL, taking into account the gene expression alterations related to immune-related pathways. However, we acknowledge the limitations of this pilot study, notably the small case series, which may restrict the depth of interpretation. Further validation is imperative to substantiate these findings.

Lespedeza maximowiczii flower absolute promotes skin epithelization, barrier properties, and moisturization-related beneficial responses in human keratinocytes.

Lespedeza maximowiczii (LM), a member of the legume family, has tyrosinase inhibitory and estrogenic activities. However, its effects on skin-related biological activities remain unclear. Therefore, the present study aimed to explore the effects of LM flower absolute (LMFAb) on skin-related biological events, especially skin re-epithelization, barrier and moisturizing-related keratinocyte (HaCaT cell) responses. In this study, LMFAb was isolated from LM flowers via solvent extraction and its chemical composition analysis was performed using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine incorporation, Boyden chamber, sprout outgrowth, enzyme-linked immunosorbent, and Western blot assay were used to analyze the biological effects of LMFAb on HaCaT cells (a human epidermal keratinocyte cell line). Twelve components were identified in LMFAb. LMFAb promoted cell proliferation, migration, and sprout outgrowth in HaCaT cells. The absolute enhanced the activations of MAPKs (ERK1/2, JNK, and p38), PI3K and AKT proteins in HaCaT cells and elevated collagen type I and IV levels in HaCaT cell conditioned medium. In addition, LMFAb induced an increase in the expression levels of epidermal barrier proteins (filaggrin and involucrin) in HaCaT cells. Furthermore, LMFAb increased hyaluronan (HA) production and expression of HA synthases (HAS-1, HAS-2, and HAS-3) but decreased HYBID (HA binding protein involved in HA depolymerization) level in HaCaT cells. These findings demonstrate that LMFAb might promote skin re-epithelization, barrier and moisturizing-related beneficial responses in keratinocytes. This study suggests that LMFAb should be considered a potential starting material for the development of cosmetic or pharmaceutical agents that restore the functions of damaged skin.

Gout and Colorectal Cancer Likelihood: Insights from a Nested Case-Control Study of the Korean Population Utilizing the Korean National Health Insurance Service-National Sample Cohort.

Considering the global importance of both gout and colorectal cancer (CRC) as significant health issues with mutual relevance, we aimed to examine the risk of colorectal cancer in Korean patients with gout. In this nested case-control study, we used data from 9920 CRC patients and 39,680 controls the Korean National Health Insurance Service-National Sample Cohort database. Propensity score overlap-weighted multivariate logistic regression analyses, adjusted for confounders, were used to assess the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of the association between gout and CRC. Adjusted OR for CRC were similar between patients with gout and the control group (0.95; 95% CI, 0.86-1.04; p = 0.282). However, after adjustment, subgroup analysis revealed an 18% reduction in the probability of CRC among patients younger than 65 years with gout (95% CI, 0.70-0.95; p = 0.009). Conversely, absence of an association between gout and subsequent CRC persisted regardless of sex, income, residence, and Charlson Comorbidity Index score, even among individuals aged 65 years or older. These results imply that gout may not be a significant independent risk factor for CRC among the general population. However, in patients younger than 65 years with gout, a slightly reduced likelihood of CRC was observed. Further research is necessary to establish a causal relationship between gout and CRC and to generalize these findings to other populations.

Proton Pump Inhibitors and Likelihood of Colorectal Cancer in the Korean Population: Insights from a Nested Case-Control Study Using National Health Insurance Data.

The potential connection between proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and colorectal cancer (CRC) risk remains unclear, with specific ethnic genetic backgrounds playing a role in PPI-induced adverse effects. In this nested case-control study, we investigated the risk of CRC in relation to preceding PPI use and the duration of use using data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service-National Sample Cohort database, including 9374 incident CRC patients and 37,496 controls. To assess the impact of preceding PPI exposure (past vs. current) and use duration (days: <30, 30-90, and ≥90) on incident CRC, we conducted propensity score overlap-weighted multivariate logistic regression analyses, adjusted for confounding factors. Our findings revealed that past and current PPI users had an increased likelihood of developing CRC. Regardless of duration, individuals who used PPIs also had higher odds of developing CRC. Subgroup analyses revealed that CRC occurrence increased independent of history or duration of prior PPI use, consistent across various factors such as age, sex, income level, and residential area. These findings suggest that PPI use, regardless of past or present use and duration of use, may be related to an increased risk of developing CRC in the Korean population.

The Relationship between Depression and COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake and Intention among Korean Adults: The 2021 Community Health Survey.

Individuals with depressive symptoms are vulnerable to COVID-19 infection and mortality; therefore, their vaccination status must be investigated to reduce these rates. This study investigated the association between depressive symptoms and COVID-19 vaccine uptake and intention and identified the reasons for vaccine avoidance. Data were collected from the 2021 Korea Community Health Survey and analyzed using logistic regression. A statistically significant association was found between the presence of depressive symptoms and no COVID-19 vaccine uptake. Among individuals who reported experiencing depression, 4.6% were unvaccinated and 7.7% reported no intention to get vaccinated. Among the unvaccinated, the adjusted odds ratio (aOR) for depression was 1.53 (95% confidence interval: 1.45-1.61) compared to the vaccinated. Similarly, a significant association was observed between depressive symptoms and no intention to get vaccinated. In the group with no vaccine intention, the aOR for depression was 2.06 (95% CI: 1.86-2.27) compared to the group with vaccine intention. Furthermore, "health-related reasons" and "concerns about side effects or past experience of side effects" accounted for 89% of the reasons for vaccine avoidance among individuals with depression. Therefore, it is important to provide tailored information and develop programs to increase awareness and promote COVID-19 vaccine uptake among these individuals.

Risk for Esophageal Cancer Based on Lifestyle Factors-Smoking, Alcohol Consumption, and Body Mass Index: Insight from a South Korean Population Study in a Low-Incidence Area.

Esophageal cancer constitutes a global public health challenge. However, South Korean population-specific information on the association of lifestyle (smoking, alcohol consumption, and obesity status) with esophageal cancer risk is sparse. This nested case-control study analyzed the Korean national health screening cohort data (2002-2019) of 1114 patients with esophageal cancer and 4456 controls (1:4 propensity-score matched for sex, age, income, and residential region). Conditional and unconditional logistic regression analyses, after adjustment for multiple covariates, determined the effects of lifestyle factors on esophageal cancer risk. Smoking and alcohol consumption increased the esophageal cancer risk (adjusted odds ratio [95% confidence interval]: 1.37 [1.15-1.63] and 1.89 [1.60-2.23], respectively). Overweight (body mass index [BMI] ≥ 23 to <25 kg/m2), obese I (BMI ≥ 25 to <30 kg/m2), or obese II (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2) categories had reduced odds of esophageal cancer (0.76 [0.62-0.92], 0.59 [0.48-0.72], and 0.47 [0.26-0.85], respectively). In the subgroup analyses, the association of incident esophageal cancer with smoking and alcohol consumption persisted, particularly in men or those aged ≥55 years, whereas higher BMI scores remained consistently associated with a reduced esophageal cancer likelihood across all age groups, in both sexes, and alcohol users or current smokers. Underweight current smokers exhibited a higher propensity for esophageal cancer. In conclusion, smoking and alcohol drinking may potentially increase the risk, whereas weight maintenance, with BMI ≥ 23 kg/m2, may potentially decrease the risk, for esophageal cancer in the South Korean population. Lifestyle modification in the specific subgroups may be a potential strategy for preventing esophageal cancer.

Dysregulated microRNA Expression Relevant to TERT Promoter Mutations in Tonsil Cancer-A Pilot Study.

Tonsillar squamous cell carcinomas (TSCCs) exhibit high rates of human papillomavirus (HPV) positivity. The expression profiles of microRNA (miRNA), which are small RNA molecules that play pivotal roles in biological processes, in TSCC in relation to the HPV status and cancer-related genetic mutations are not well investigated. Herein, we expanded our previous research, which was focused on established clinicopathological and genetic mutational data, to profile miRNA expression in TSCC, aiming to identify clinically relevant targets for early diagnosis and therapeutic intervention. The miRNA profiles were analyzed using the nCounter Nanostring miRNA Expression assay in 22 surgically resected TSCC tissues and their contralateral normal tonsil tissues. The TERT promoter (TERTp) gene was the only relevant candidate gene associated with differentially expressed miRNAs in TSCC. Hierarchical clustering analysis revealed high expression levels of hsa-miR-1285-5p, hsa-miR-1203, hsa-miR-663a, hsa-miR-1303, hsa-miR-33a-5p, and hsa-miR-3615 coupled with low expression levels of hsa-miR-3182, hsa-miR-219a-2-3p, and hsa-miR-767-3p, which were associated with HPV-positive TSCC (p = 0.009). Functional enrichment analysis revealed that these dysregulated miRNAs tended to be involved in protein binding (molecular function) and cellular components (biological processes). Therefore, hsa-miR-1285-5p and hsa-miR-663a may be associated with HPV-positive TERTp-mutated tumors and may serve as potential treatment targets and biomarkers for early detection.

An elevated likelihood of stroke, ischemic heart disease, or heart failure in individuals with gout: a longitudinal follow-up study utilizing the National Health Information database in Korea.

Objective: Accumulating evidence from other countries indicates potential associations between gout and cardiovascular diseases; however, the associations of gout with cardiovascular diseases, particularly stroke, ischemic heart disease, and heart failure, remain ambiguous in the Korean population. We hypothesized that individuals with gout are at a higher likelihood of stroke, ischemic heart disease, or heart failure. This study expands upon previous research by ensuring a comparable baseline between patient and control groups and analyzing 16 years of data derived from an extensive healthcare database. Methods: We selected 22,480 patients with gout and 22,480 control individuals from the Korean National Health Insurance Service-Health Screening Cohort database (2002-2019), and matched them at a 1:1 ratio according to sex, age, income, and residence. A Cox proportional hazard model with weighted overlap was employed to examine the relationship between gout and the risk of stroke, ischemic heart disease, or heart failure after adjustment for several covariates. Results: The incidences of stroke, ischemic heart disease, or heart failure in participants with gout were slightly higher than those in controls (stroke: 9.84 vs. 8.41 per 1000 person-years; ischemic heart disease: 9.77 vs. 7.15 per 1000 person-years; heart failure: 2.47 vs. 1.46 per 1000 person-years). After adjustment, the gout group had an 11% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.04-1.19), 28% (95% CI = 1.19-1.37), or 64% (95% CI = 1.41-1.91) higher likelihood of experiencing stroke, ischemic heart disease, or heart failure, respectively, than the control group. Conclusion: The present findings suggest that individuals with gout in the Korean population, particularly those aged ≥ 60 years, were more likely to have stroke, ischemic heart disease, or heart failure.

Alzheimer's Disease and Different Types of Cancer Likelihood: Unveiling Disparities and Potential Protective Effects in a Korean Cohort Study.

The link between Alzheimer's disease and cancer risk is a concern in public health. However, research has yielded limited and sometimes contrasting results, suggesting the need for more validation. We analyzed a large cohort to examine the long-term association between Alzheimer's disease (AD) and the risk of developing cancer. In total, 24,664 AD patients and 98,656 control participants were selected from the National Health Insurance Cohort database of Korea, spanning from 2002 to 2019. Propensity score matching and overlap-weighted adjustment techniques were used to balance the standardized differences between the AD and control groups. The Cox proportional hazards model was applied to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for various cancers, considering relevant covariates. Results indicated that patients with AD had a significantly lower likelihood of overall malignancy (HR 0.63; 95% CI, 0.59-0.68) and each of the 10 site-specific cancers compared to the control group. Among these, pancreatic cancer (HR, 0.50) exhibited the strongest inverse association, followed by hepatic (HR, 0.60), gastric (HR, 0.63), kidney (HR, 0.63), lung (HR, 0.64), thyroid (HR, 0.65), colorectal (HR, 0.67), gallbladder and biliary duct (HR, 0.73), hematologic malignancy (HR, 0.73), and bladder cancers (HR, 0.76). This protective effect against certain organ-specific cancers persisted over the 16-year follow-up period, except for in kidney cancer and hematologic malignancies. The protective effect against specific cancer types (gastric, colorectal, lung, hepatic, and pancreatic) was more prominent in individuals aged 60 years and older, regardless of their sex. However, there were some variations in the specific types of cancer observed between males and females. In summary, Korean patients with AD had a lower risk of cancer, especially in individuals 60 years and older, during the 16-year follow-up period.

Chronic Periodontitis and the Potential Likelihood of Gastric Cancer: A Nested Case-Control Study in the Korean Population Utilizing a National Health Sample Cohort.

There is limited information regarding the potential association between chronic periodontitis (CP) and gastric cancer, especially in the Korean population. This study aimed to explore this relationship. This nested case-control study analyzed data from 10,174 patients with gastric cancer and 40,696 controls from the Korean National Health Insurance Service-National Sample Cohort using propensity score matching. Standardized differences were used to compare baseline characteristics between study groups. Logistic regression analyses adjusted for confounders were conducted to assess the association between history of CP and gastric cancer occurrence. CP histories and comprehensive subgroup analyses in the 1- and 2-year periods preceding the index date were evaluated. Individuals with a history of CP within the 1-year and 2-year periods showed an increased likelihood of developing gastric cancer. Subgroup analyses consistently supported these findings in male participants aged <65 years and individuals with various income levels or living in residential areas. However, no significant associations were observed among participants aged ≥65 years. In conclusion, CP may be a potential risk factor for gastric cancer development in the Korean population. Regular screening for gastric cancer may be necessary for high-risk individuals, specifically men aged <65 years with a history of CP.

Exploring the Link between Chronic Kidney Disease and Parkinson's Disease: Insights from a Longitudinal Study Using a National Health Screening Cohort.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) and Parkinson's disease (PD) are common illnesses found in the geriatric population. A potential link between CKD and PD emergence has been hypothesized; however, existing conclusions are disputed. In this longitudinal research, we analyzed data acquired from the Korean National Health Insurance Service-Health Screening Cohort. The dataset comprised the health information of 16,559 individuals clinically diagnosed with CKD and 66,236 control subjects of comparable ages, all aged ≥40 years. These subjects participated in health examinations from 2002 to 2019. To assess the correlation between CKD and PD, we employed overlap-weighted Cox proportional hazard regression models. The unadjusted, crude hazard ratio for PD was greater in the CKD group than in the control group (crude hazard ration (HR) 1.20; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.04-1.39; p = 0.011). However, the Cox proportional hazard regression analysis, incorporating propensity score overlap weighting, revealed no significant discrepancy after considering confounding variables such as demographic factors, socio-economic status, lifestyle, and concurrent health conditions (adjusted HR (aHR), 1.09; 95% CI = 0.97-1.22; p = 0.147). Subgroup analyses showed a higher probability of PD development among certain CKD individuals, including those who resided in rural areas (aHR, 1.19; 95% CI = 1.03-1.37; p = 0.022), maintained a normal weight (aHR, 1.29; 95% CI = 1.08-1.56; p = 0.006), or had fasting blood glucose levels ≥100 mg/dL (aHR, 1.18; 95% CI = 1.00-1.39; p = 0.046). Therefore, these clinical or environmental factors may influence the incidence of PD in CKD patients. In conclusion, our results suggest that the general CKD population may not exhibit a greater propensity for PD than their non-CKD counterparts. However, this might be contingent upon specific lifestyle and comorbid conditions. Thus, certain lifestyle alterations could be crucial in mitigating the potential manifestation of PD in patients diagnosed with CKD.

Exploring the Link between Chronic Kidney Disease and Alzheimer's Disease: A Longitudinal Follow-Up Study Using the Korean National Health Screening Cohort.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) are common chronic diseases in the elderly population. Although a relationship between CKD and the occurrence of AD has been proposed, previous research results have been disputed, and further investigation is necessary to confirm this relationship. In this longitudinal follow-up study, we examined data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service-Health Screening Cohort, consisting of 15,756 individuals with CKD and 63,024 matched controls aged ≥40 years who received health check-ups between 2002 and 2019. Overlap-weighted Cox proportional hazard regression models were exploited to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) for the association between CKD and AD. During the monitoring period, individuals with CKD had a greater incidence of AD than those without CKD (15.80 versus 12.40 per 1000 person years). After accounting for various factors, CKD was significantly associated with a 1.14-fold increased likelihood of developing AD, with a 95% confidence interval ranging from 1.08 to 1.20. In subgroup analysis, this relationship persisted irrespective of age (≥70 or <70), sex, income, smoking status, alcohol consumption, place of residence, or fasting blood glucose level. Additionally, the association between CKD and AD was still evident among patients who were overweight or obese, those with normal blood pressure or cholesterol levels, and those without any other health conditions or with a CCI score of ≥2. These results suggest that CKD could increase the probability of developing AD in the Korean adult population irrespective of demographic or lifestyle conditions. This may make it challenging to predict AD in patients with CKD, emphasizing the importance of frequent AD screening and management.

Possible Incidental Parkinson's Disease following Asthma: A Nested Case-Control Study in Korea.

A connection between asthma and the occurrence of Parkinson's disease (PD) has been suggested, but the findings have been contentious and require verification. In this nested case-control study using data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service-Health Screening Cohort (2002-2019), which comprised 9029 participants with PD and 36,116 matched controls, we explored the relationship between asthma and incident PD. An overlap-weighted logistic regression model was used to measure the probability of asthma and PD. After adjusting for various covariates, we found that asthma was related to a 1.11-fold greater probability of PD (95% confidence interval: 1.06-1.16). A subgroup analysis showed that this effect was independent of age, sex, residential area, or alcohol consumption, and that it was still noticeable even among patients with a high income; those with a normal weight or obesity; those who were non-smokers or current smokers; and those with no history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, hypertension, hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, or anemia. Thus, these findings may indicate that asthma may slightly augment the likelihood of PD in the Korean adult population regardless of demographic or lifestyle factors, making it difficult to predict PD in asthma patients.

Comparison of the Concordance of Allergic Diseases between Monozygotic and Dizygotic Twins: A Cross-Sectional Study Using KoGES HTS Data.

Several epidemiological studies have demonstrated that genetic and environmental factors contribute to the development of allergic diseases. However, there is limited information on these factors in the Korean population. This study investigated the importance of genetic and environmental factors in allergic diseases, such as allergic rhinitis, asthma, allergic conjunctivitis, or atopic dermatitis, by comparing the disease incidence in Korean adult monozygotic and dizygotic twins. This cross-sectional study utilized data from 1296 twin pairs, including 1052 monozygotic and 244 dizygotic twins, aged over 20 years, from the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study (2005-2014). The study utilized binomial and multinomial logistic regression models to compute odds ratios of disease concordance. The concordance rate (92%) of the presence or absence of atopic dermatitis in monozygotic twins was slightly higher than that in dizygotic twins (90.2%), which only had a borderline significance (p = 0.090). The concordance rates of other allergic diseases within monozygotic twins were lower compared to dizygotic twins (asthma, 94.3% vs. 95.1%; allergic rhinitis, 77.5% vs. 78.7%; allergic conjunctivitis, 90.6% vs. 91.8%), of which the differences were not statistically significant. Monozygotic twins had a higher proportion of cases in which both siblings had allergic diseases than dizygotic twins (asthma, 1.1% vs. 0.0%; allergic rhinitis, 6.7% vs. 3.3%; atopic dermatitis, 2.9% vs. 0.0%; allergic conjunctivitis, 1.5% vs. 0.0%), of which the differences were also not statistically significant. In conclusion, our results appear to indicate the relative importance of environmental factors over genetic factor in the development of allergic diseases in Korean adult monozygotic twins.