Health expenditure trajectory and gastric cancer incidence in the National Health Insurance Senior Cohort: a nested case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Gastric cancer is the fourth most common cancer and highly prevalent in South Korea. As one of the predictors of gastric cancer, we focused on health utilization patterns and expenditures, as the surrogate variables of health conditions. This nested case-control study aimed to identify the association between health expenditure trajectory and incidence of gastric cancer. METHODS: Data from the National Health Insurance Service Senior Cohort of South Korea were used. Individuals diagnosed with gastric cancer (N = 14,873) were matched to a non-diagnosed group (N = 44,619) in a 1:3 ratio using a nested case-control design. A latent class trajectory analysis was performed to identify the patterns of health expenditure among the matched participants. Furthermore, conditional logistic regression analysis was conducted to examine the relationship between healthcare expenditure trajectories and gastric cancer incidence. RESULTS: Seven distinct health expenditure trajectories for five years were identified; consistently lowest (13.8%), rapidly increasing (5.9%), gradually increasing (13.8%), consistently second-highest (21.4%), middle-low (18.8%), gradually decreasing (13.1%), and consistently highest (13.2%). Compared to the middle-low group, individuals in the rapidly increasing [odds ratio (OR) = 2.11, 95% confidence interval (CI); 1.94-2.30], consistently lowest (OR = 1.40, 95% CI; 1.30-1.51), and gradually increasing (OR = 1.26, 95% CI; 1.17-1.35) groups exhibited a higher risk of developing gastric cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that health expenditure trajectories are predictors of gastric cancer. Potential risk groups can be identified by monitoring health expenditures.

Mid-Term Strategic Plan for the Public Health and Medical Care Cooperation in the Korean Peninsula.

As extensive as the concept of and the resources required for 'Health for Korean Unification' are, and due to the limited access to information on the state of health and medical care in North Korea, discussion on 'Health for Korean Unification' has tended to be intermittent and lacked concrete action plans. In this article, we specifically distinguished areas of cooperation and selected five executable agenda that meet the goals of international development cooperation: 1) Health security; 2) Easing the burden of major diseases; 3) Resilient healthcare system; 4) R&D cooperation; 5) Sustainable cooperation system. Then we provided corresponding strategic priorities and operative directions, in consideration of future military and political sanctions against North Korea. The strategies we outline are sustainable, preemptive for problems that might affect lives of South and North Korean citizens, and satisfy the unmet needs of the North Korean health system. Throughout the process, we utilized a special platform, the 'Korean Peninsula Healthcare Cooperation Platform,' designed to enable continual communication across sectors engaged in public health and medical care. By doing so, we take the first step to actually carry out the 'Health for Korean Unification,' which tended to have remained on the discussion agenda.

Association between smokeless tobacco use and cigarette smoking amount by age.

BACKGROUND: The use of smokeless tobacco has increased worldwide among young people. This study aimed to investigate the association between smokeless tobacco use and cigarette smoking amount in adult smoker groups stratified by age. METHOD: 2013-2015 National Health Interview Survey was used. A total of 19,635 subjects were included in our analysis. Propensity score matching was used to adjust for selection and any other bias. Generalized estimating equation was used to analyze the association between smokeless tobacco use and cigarette smoking amount by age. RESULTS: All 580 smokeless tobacco users were matched to 2,900 non-smokeless tobacco users. Among those who were aged under 30, smokeless tobacco use was positively associated with the number of cigarettes used per day. Smokeless tobacco users who were aged under 30 and tried quitting smoking used more cigarettes than those who did non-smokeless tobacco users. CONCLUSIONS: The present study revealed that among those who were aged under 30, smokeless tobacco use was positively associated with the number of cigarettes used per day. This study could contribute to understand the behaviors and tendencies of smoking in young adulthood and to establish effective smoking cessation methods for their age.

Financial burden of catastrophic health expenditure on households with chronic diseases: financial ratio analysis.

BACKGROUND: The financial status of households is vulnerable to chronic diseases which entail high medical expenses and income loss. Financial strain can be assessed by four indicators: a household surplus indicator, the liquid asset/debt ratio, a solvency indicator, and a liquidity indicator. We investigated the association between catastrophic health expenditure (CHE) and financial ratio indicators in households with chronic diseases in South Korea. METHODS: This study applied thresholds to the financial ratios to determine the financial strain. We conducted multiple logistic regression analyses to determine whether CHE is associated with financial strain. Furthermore, we analyzed the relationship between CHE and basic financial indicators, absolute finance size, using multiple linear regression. RESULTS: When CHE occurred, all financial ratio indicators deteriorated. However, this was not due to decreases in the absolute size of wealth and income, but rather the relative balance between finances. In particular, the loss of liquid assets was a major factor in the deterioration. In addition, all types of labor-related income deteriorated; only private transfer income increased. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed that CHE in households with chronic diseases negatively impacts household finances. It was found that financial coping strategies are only resource consuming.

How public and private health insurance coverage mitigates catastrophic health expenditures in Republic of Korea.

BACKGROUND: The private health insurance (PHI) market in Republic of Korea has instituted indemnity insurance plans that provide partial reimbursements for some medical services or costs that are not covered by the National Health Insurance (NHI). To date, no study has estimated the extent to which PHI coverage lowers the economic burden of households' access to health care. The current study aims to evaluate the design of Korea's PHI system in terms of coverage using a catastrophic health expenditure (CHE) indicator and compare it with NHI. METHODS: This study determined the difference between the number of households that were subscribed to PHI and those that received reimbursements from PHI. Additionally, it compared the effects of reduced CHE by NHI benefits with PHI reimbursements. Furthermore, it compared PHI reimbursements based on income class. Finally, it analyzed the contribution of NHI and PHI to CHE reduction through a two-part model with hierarchical regression. RESULTS: The results indicated that of the 5644 households examined, 3769 subscribed to PHI, but only 246 households received reimbursements. Notably, NHI reduced CHE incidence by 15.17%, whereas PHI only reduced CHE by 1.22%. The NHI scheme indicated reduced inequality as it provided more benefits to the low-income class for their used medical services, whereas PHI paid more reimbursements to the high-income class. Accordingly, NHI coverage has protected households from CHE and improved equality to some extent; however, PHI coverage has had a relatively low effect on relieving CHE and has increased inequality. CONCLUSIONS: The indemnity health insurance plans of PHI companies in Korea only cover partial medical costs or services, and so, most patients do not receive reimbursements. Thus, Korea's PHI system needs to improve to provide benefits to patients more generously and alleviate their financial burden.

Prostate-Specific Antigen Within the Reference Range, Subclinical Coronary Atherosclerosis, and Cardiovascular Mortality.

RATIONALE: Although PSA (prostate-specific antigen)-a tumor marker for prostate cancer-has been reported to be associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors, studies on the association of PSA with subclinical and clinical CVD remain limited. OBJECTIVE: We examined the association of total serum PSA within the reference range with coronary artery calcium (CAC) score and CVD mortality. METHODS AND RESULTS: A cross-sectional study was performed in 88 203 Korean men who underwent a health checkup exam including cardiac tomography estimation of CAC score. Logistic regression model was used to calculate odds ratios with 95% CIs for prevalent CAC. PSA levels were inversely associated with the presence of CAC. After adjusting for potential confounders, multivariable-adjusted odds ratio (95% CIs) for prevalent CAC comparing PSA quartiles 2, 3, and 4 to the first quartile were 0.96 (0.90-1.01), 0.88 (0.83-0.93), and 0.85 (0.80-0.90), respectively ( P for trend, <0.001). A cohort study was performed in 243 435 Korean men with a mean age of 39.3 years, PSA values of <4.0 ng/mL, and without known CVD or prostate disease who were followed up with for ≤14 years for CVD mortality (median, 7.3 years). CVD deaths were ascertained through linkage to national death records. Hazard ratios and 95% CIs for CVD mortality were estimated using Cox proportional hazards regression analyses. During 1 829 070.1 person-years of follow-up, 336 CVD deaths were identified. After adjustment for potential confounders, multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios (95% CIs) for CVD mortality comparing PSA quartiles 2, 3, and 4 to the lowest quartile were 0.90 (0.66-1.22), 0.79 (0.58-1.08), and 0.69 (0.51-0.93), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Serum total PSA levels within the reference range showed an inverse association with subclinical atherosclerosis and CVD mortality in young and middle-aged Korean men, indicating a possible role of PSA as a predictive marker for subclinical and clinical CVD.

Factors Associated with Health Check-up and Cancer Screening Participation among Family Caregivers of Patients with Dementia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: Providing care for patients with dementia can negatively influence the physical health and health behaviours of family caregivers. A better understanding of the factors associated with health check-up and cancer screening participation is vital for developing effective interventions. Thus, this study aimed to identify factors associated with health check-up and cancer screening participation among family caregivers of patients with dementia. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study that analysed the data of 2,414 family caregivers of patients with dementia collected by the Korea Community Health Survey in 2017. A binomial logistic regression analysis was performed to identify demographic, socioeconomic, and health status factors associated with health check-up and cancer screening participation among family caregivers of patients with dementia. RESULTS: Health check-up and cancer screening rates among family caregivers of patients with dementia were 68.7% and 61.4%, respectively, which were significantly lower than the rates for individuals who were not caregivers of patients with dementia. Those with lower education levels had lower odds ratios (OR) for both health check-up (OR: 0.60) and cancer screening (OR: 0.59) participation. In addition, symptoms of depression were associated with lower participation (health check-up OR: 0.67; cancer screening OR: 0.65). CONCLUSIONS: More targeted disease prevention and management strategies must be developed for family caregivers of patients with dementia, particularly those with depressive symptoms and lower education levels.

Sociodemographic factors that affect the real treatment rate among patients diagnosed with benign prostatic hyperplasia.

BACKGROUND: Real treatment rate among patients diagnosed with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH/LUTS) and also its association with sociodemographic factor (SDF) have not been extensively investigated. METHODS: Data were obtained from the 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014, and 2016 waves of the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging (KLoSA). Among 10,254 individuals at the first baseline survey in 2006, a total of 4383 participants were ultimately included for final analysis. For statistical analysis, chi-square tests and generalized estimating equation regression models were conducted. RESULTS: The prevalence rate of BPH/LUTS was 6.1% (266/4383) and real treatment rate was 58.3 percent (155/266). After adjusting for all confounders, odds ratio (OR) for the treatment of prostate disease in patients ages 55-64 and 65 years or more was 1.884 times higher (95% CI 1.096-3.237; p = .022) and 2.989 times higher (95% CI 1.755-5.091; p < .0001) than patients ages under 55, respectively. The OR for treatment of prostate disease in those residing in urban areas was 0.756 times lower (95% CI 0.573-0.998; p = .048) than those residing in metropolitan areas. The OR for treatment of prostate disease in those with bad self-rated health was 1.886 times higher (95% CI 1.461-2.436; p < .0001), compared to those with good self-rated health. CONCLUSION: The real treatment rate among patients diagnosed with BPH/LUTS was 58.3%, a larger treatment rate than earlier reports. However, there are still a large proportion of patients who do not seek treatment; and age, residential area, and self-rated health were all found to be associated with real treatment rate.

Impacts of Smoking Ban Policies on Restaurants in Seoul, South Korea: Analysis of Objective Sales Information.

BACKGROUND: From July 2013 to January 2015, the smoking ban instituted in restaurants in South Korea gradually expanded to cover all restaurants and bars, moving by size of restaurant (≤99 m2, 100-149 m2, ≥150 m2). This study measured the impacts of the smoking ban for restaurants. METHODS: This study examined credit, check, or debit card sales data for every September and October from 2012 to 2015 in 711 census tracts in Seoul, South Korea. We accounted for total restaurant sales in each census tract. Our model controlled for the sales amounts for each census tract, type of restaurant, monthly business survey index, number of restaurants, daily average temperature, daily precipitation, and day of the week, and a dummy for census tract. RESULTS: These were some positive associations with increase in total sales. However, the significance of the coefficients was not consistent over this period. Overall, our results showed no significant negative effects of smoking ban policy on restaurants. CONCLUSIONS: Smoking ban policies produced benefits in terms of health outcomes, without causing significant negative impacts on sales. IMPLICATIONS: Although the owners of restaurants anticipated negative impacts on sales from smoking ban policies, the results of this study suggest that restaurants experienced no negative economic impacts on sales from policies with health benefits, which suggest that it would be reasonable to promote and keep on the smoking ban. Also, it is important to apply smoking ban policy to all targets without exclusion.

Relationship between body image and weight status in east Asian countries: comparison between South Korea and Taiwan.

BACKGROUND: There are many studies examining the relationship between body image and weight status that compare Western and Asian countries. One limitation of these past studies was assuming that all Asian countries are a homogeneous group. To fill the gap in the literature, this study examined the relationship between body image and weight status between participants from two Asian countries. METHODS: This study utilized data from the 2010 module of the East Asian Social Survey from South Korea (n = 1576) and Taiwan (n = 2199), which contained questions related to body image. Body image was originally measured using a five-point Likert-type question, which was collapsed into three categories for the analysis. Weight status was derived from body mass index scores, which were calculated using self-reported weight and height. A set of multinomial logistic regression analyses were used to investigate the relationship between body image and weight status, stratified by country. RESULTS: A significant relationship between body image and weight status after controlling for relevant covariates was reaffirmed in this study in the South Korean and Taiwanese. Results indicated that the relationship between body image and weight status of the Taiwanese sample was similar to the relationship in the South Korean sample. However, the results from a further analysis showed that the strength of the relationship across the two Asian countries appeared to be different. CONCLUSIONS: The weight over-perception was more evident in South Korea than in Taiwan. Females were more vulnerable to societal pressures for thinness and the misperception of the ideal body than males. Interventions to improve distorted body image perception were needed in both countries.

Factors Associated with Post-traumatic Stress Symptoms in Students Who Survived 20 Months after the Sewol Ferry Disaster in Korea.

BACKGROUND: The Sewol ferry disaster caused national shock and grief in Korea. The present study examined the prevalence and associated factors of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms among the surviving students 20 months after that disaster. METHODS: This study was conducted using a cross-sectional design and a sample of 57 students (29 boys and 28 girls) who survived the Sewol ferry disaster. Data were collected using a questionnaire, including instruments that assessed psychological status. A generalized linear model using a log link and Poisson distribution was performed to identify factors associated with PTSD symptoms. RESULTS: The results showed that 26.3% of participants were classified in the clinical group by the Child Report of Post-traumatic Symptoms score. Based on a generalized linear model, Poisson distribution, and log link analyses, PTSD symptoms were positively correlated with the number of exposed traumatic events, peers and social support, peri-traumatic dissociation and post-traumatic negative beliefs, and emotional difficulties. On the other hand, PTSD symptoms were negatively correlated with psychological well-being, family cohesion, post-traumatic social support, receiving care at a psychiatry clinic, and female gender. CONCLUSION: This study uncovered risk and protective factors of PTSD in disaster-exposed adolescents. The implications of these findings are considered in relation to determining assessment and interventional strategies aimed at helping survivors following similar traumatic experiences.

The investigation of the educational needs on the job competence for physical therapist assistant in the students of Quang Tri medical college in Vietnam.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the educational needs on the job competence for physical therapist assistant in the students of Quang Tri medical college in Vietnam. [Participants and Methods] Participants consisted of 17 individuals in the educational program for physical therapist assistant in Quang Tri medical college. The importance recognition ranking and current levels were measured by self-assessment for job competence of physical therapist assistant using a questionnaire. The educational needs were calculated by importance recognition ranking and current level by a self-assessment of job competence. [Results] The importance recognition ranking of job competence appeared to show a 'system checkup' as the top ranked category. The rank of current levels of competencies was determined by self-assessment of job competence and results showed that 'cooperation, communication, and documentation' was the highest category of the current levels. The highest rank of the educational needs was 'counseling and education'. [Conclusion] The educational needs rank of job competence appeared to be 'counseling and education' foremost. Counseling and education with the patient is a fundamental component of effective healthcare. Therefore, it should be considered a priority for the educational curriculum of physical therapist assistant.

The relationship between age of onset and risk factors including family history and life style in Korean population with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

[Purpose] The purpose of the present study was to assess the relationship between age of onset and risk factors including family history and life style in Korean population with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D). [Subjects and Methods] Subjects with T2D patients who received outpatient care for blood sugar control were randomly sampled at 13 general hospitals and 969 subjects were included. Cox proportional hazard models were used to confirm associations between age of onset and risk factors including family history and life style in Korean population with T2D. [Results] Parent history of T2D was significantly associated with age of onset. Compared to none of family members with T2D, those whose both father and mother had a history showed the highest the risk of early-onset (HR=2.36; 95% CI=1.45-3.85). Mother and father's history of T2D (HR=1.73; 95% CI=1.46-2.05; HR=1.83; 95% CI=1.40-2.37) were associated with the risk of early-onset. Moreover, exercise (HR=1.23, CI=1.08-1.40) smoking status (HR=1.62, CI=1.32-1.99), and drinking (HR=1.32, CI=1.13-1.54) were associated with a higher risk for the early-onset. [Conclusion] Family history as well as life style including exercise, smoking, and drinking are the risk factors for early-onset factor in Korean population with T2D.

Effects of Mental Health Support on the Grief of Bereaved People Caused by Sewol Ferry Accident.

Few studies have assessed the overall effects of multi-centered, complicated mental health support on the grief process. This study investigated the broader influence of mental health support provided practically to the bereaved family on the severity of complicated grief. Ninety-three bereaved family members of the Sewol ferry accident were recruited. Severity of complicated grief, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depressive disorder was assessed through self-reporting questionnaire, inventory of complicated grief (ICG), PTSD Check List-5 (PCL-5) and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). We also included demographic, socioeconomic, health-related variables, and Functional Social Support Questionnaire (FSSQ), which affect the ICG score. Participants were divided into 4 groups based on the experience of psychotherapy or psychiatry clinic service before the accident and mental health support after the disaster. In univariate analysis, these 4 groups showed a significant difference in the mean ICG score (P = 0.020). Participants who received mental health support only after the Sewol ferry accident (group 2) showed a lower mean ICG score than those who received neither psychotherapy or psychiatry clinic service before the disaster nor mental health support after the accident (group 4). There was no significant correlation between the ICG score and other variables except for subjective health status measured 1 month after the disaster (P = 0.005). There was no significant difference in PCL-5 (P = 0.140) and PHQ-9 scores (P = 0.603) among groups, respectively. In conclusion, mental health support significantly reduced the severity of grief only in those participants who had not received any psychotherapy or psychiatry clinic service before the accident.

Development of education program for physical therapy assistant in Quang Tri province of Vietnam.

[Purpose] The purpose of the present study was to develop an education program for physical therapy assistants in order to provide high quality physical therapy for the province of Quang Tri in Vietnam. [Subjects and Methods] Subjects consisted of 9 professors in Quang Tri medical college and 1 physical therapist in Quang Tri General hospital. The survey research to lecturer for education of physical therapy assistant in Quang Tri medical college was conducted as pre-analysis of demand for the physical therapy assistant curriculum development. The priority rank of expectation and consciousness were measured in curriculum subjects. [Results] Results of educational expectation of the curriculum total educational expectation were presented as minimum 4 to maximum 5. In the result of educational expectation according to background variable, the differences of educational expectation on scores according to the educational experience were significant. Among the consciousness priority of each curriculum subject, the priority rank of basic kinesiology and physical therapy for international medicine & surgery were 9, the highest first rank frequency. [Conclusion] The curriculum for physical therapy assistant was developed to 5 main subjects including a total of 420 hours (120 hours of theory and 300 hours of practice).

Relationship of health, sociodemographic, and economic factors and life satisfaction in young-old and old-old elderly: a cross-sectional analysis of data from the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging.

[Purpose] The purpose of the present study was to investigate the relationship of health, sociodemographic, and economic factors and life satisfaction in young-old and old-old elderly groups. [Subjects and Methods] In the 2012 data from the Korean Longitudinal Study of Ageing, 4,134 of the final survey subjects aged 65 or older were analyzed. Multivaribale linear regression was performed to examine the degrees of explanatory power as factors (health, sociodemographic, and economic) in young-old (65 to 79 years) and old-old (80 years or older). [Results] Common variables that affected life satisfaction in both young-old and old-old subjects were health-related factors (depression, moderate to severe cognition, activities of daily living score), sociodemographic factors (level of education, familial communication, social activities), and economic factors (household assets, type of medical insurance). In the old-old group, age was an important associated factor. Mild cognitive impairment did not significantly affect life satisfaction in the old-old group, and only low-intensity social activities had an influence in the old-old group. [Conclusion] Difference in life satisfaction between the young-old and old-old elderly could be explained by gaps in the acceptance of the aging in health. Therefore, a personalized health consultation by life cycle could minimize these differences.

Body mass index and depressive symptoms in middle aged and older adults.

BACKGROUND: The relationship between weight problems and depression has been the focus of many studies; however, results from these studies vary. The purpose of this study is to describe the association between depression and BMI using data from a national sample of middle aged and older Koreans and to examine whether gender moderates the relationship between depression and weight. METHODS: We used data from the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging (KLoSA). Of the 7,920 respondents that participated in KLoSA in 2010, 7,672 adults aged between 50 and 102 years were included in the final analysis. The relationship between depression and obesity status was examined in both the full sample and in sub-samples stratified by gender. The observed U-shaped association between obesity status and CES-D score was tested by regressing CES-D score on linear and quadratic terms of BMI scores. RESULTS: The distribution of CES-D scores by respondents' obesity status (i.e., underweight, normal weight, overweight, obese and severely obese) showed a U-shaped association. Specifically, the highest CES-D scores were found in underweight individuals; this was followed by the severely obese and obese groups in the full sample and in gender-specific subsamples. The lowest CES-D scores were found in the overweight group when considering the entire population and males alone and in the normal weight group for females. This U-shaped association between CES-D and obesity status was confirmed by a model in which CES-D scores were regressed on BMI scores and other covariates. CONCLUSIONS: This study found a U-shaped association between BMI and levels of depressive symptoms among adults in Korea overall and also within each gender. Specifically, the highest level of depressive symptoms was found among the underweight, followed by the severely obese and then the obese. Slightly different patterns between male and female adults were found regarding the weight status associated with the fewest depressive symptoms.

Factors associated with the frequency of physician visits among North Korean defectors residing in South Korea: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Since the mid-1990s, a growing number of North Korean defectors have been arriving in South Korea, many of whom have various somatic and mental disorders. The health status of defectors is an important predictor of their successful resettlement. Therefore, this study examined the frequency of physician visits among North Korean defectors residing in South Korea, as well as the factors associated with this frequency. METHODS: The data used in this study were collected through survey questionnaires and interviews conducted from April 6 to May 20, 2009, and involving 500 North Korean defectors who entered South Korea in 2007. This study used three domains of independent variables: 'health-related factors,' 'special characteristics of North Korean defectors,' and 'demographic and socio-economic factors'. Nested multivariable linear regression analysis was conducted in order to determine the factors related to the frequency of physician visits between January 1 and December 31, 2008. RESULTS: The average number of physician visits made by the participants during 2008 was 15.3; 14.5% of participants did not have physician visits. The number of physician visits was largely associated with health-related variables including disability, chronic disease and self-rated health status. The frequency of physician visits was higher among those with a disability, chronic disease, lower self-rated health score, a greater number of traumatic experiences during their escape, lower annual family income, and among females. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirmed that the number of defectors' physician visits was related with objective and subjective health status, traumatic experiences during their migration, economic, and demographic variables. The results serve useful understanding of medical utilization characteristics among North Korean defectors in South Korea.

Exercise is associated with metabolism regulation and complications in Korean patients with type 2 diabetes.

[Purpose] The aim of the present study was to investigate the current evidence for the effect of exercise on glycemic control, the lipid profile, body composition, vascular health, and complications in Korean patients with type 2 diabetes. [Subjects and Methods] The subjects were 1,263 patients receiving outpatient care at 13 general hospitals located in Seoul and Gyeonggido who were subjected to examinations in the areas of blood glucose management, complications management, and diabetes education between March 19 and May 29, 2013. The relations between exercise and various regulatory factors including patient's general and clinical characteristics, metabolic regulation, achievement of goals for metabolic regulation, and complication incidence in patients with type 2 diabetes were investigated. [Results] Exercise management was associated with a decrease in systolic blood pressure, fasting glucose, postprandial glucose, hemoglobin A1c, total cholesterol, triglyceride, and low-density lipoprotein Regarding achievement of goals for metabolic regulation, significant odds ratios were observed for the effect of exercise treatment on blood pressure, fasting glucose, postprandial glucose, hemoglobin A1c, triglyceride, HDL in men, and BMI in patients with type 2 diabetes. Moreover, exercise management was associated with decreased occurrence of cerebrovasculopathy. [Conclusion] In conclusion, exercise induced metabolic regulation of glycemic control, the lipid profile, and body composition, as well as vascular health and complications, in Korean patients with type 2 diabetes.