Association between asthma and cardiovascular disease.

BACKGROUND: Epidemiological studies on the association between asthma and cardiovascular disease have reported conflicting results. This cross-sectional study evaluated the association between asthma and ischaemic heart disease (IHD)/stroke in Korean adults. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data from the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study-Health Examinees were used. Among 173 209 participants, 3162 asthmatic and 159 408 control participants were selected. Histories of asthma, IHD and stroke were obtained. Participants were categorized according to their current status of asthma management: 'well-controlled', 'being treated', and 'not being treated'. Crude and adjusted (age, gender, body mass index, income, smoking, alcohol consumption, hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidaemia and nutritional intake) odds ratios (ORs) for IHD and stroke in asthmatic patients were analysed using a multiple logistic regression model. RESULTS: Participants with asthma reported a significantly higher prevalence of IHD (6.0% vs 3.0%) and stroke (2.3% vs 1.4%) than those without asthma (P < .001). Asthmatic participants had a higher OR (1.46, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.251-1.71, P < .001) for IHD than those without asthma. The association between asthma and IHD was significant only in patients aged ≥53 years (men: adjusted OR = 1.31, 95% CI = 1.01-1.70, P = .046; women: adjusted OR = 1.64, 95% CI = 1.32-2.03, P < .001) according to age and sex and in the 'not being treated' asthma group (adjusted OR = 1.47, 95% CI = 1.14-1.91, P = .003) according to the asthma management status. Stroke was not significantly associated with asthma (adjusted OR = 1.17, 95% CI = 0.92-1.48, P = .203) in the adjusted model and all subgroup analyses. CONCLUSION: Asthma was associated with IHD, mainly in older patients and untreated asthma patients, but not with stroke.

Hepatitis virus B and C infections are associated with an increased risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma: A nested case-control study using a national sample cohort.

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) are suspected of being associated with non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL); however, persuasive data are lacking. Hence, a nested large-population case-control study was performed to investigate such associations in Koreans. METHODS: Data were collected from 929 patients with NHL and 3716 healthy subjects, who were matched 1:4 for age, sex, income, and region of residence, from the Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service-National Sample Cohort. The diagnoses of NHL and HBV/HCV infection were based on the International Classification of Diseases (version 10) codes. Conditional logistic regression models were used to assess odds ratios (ORs) for NHL with respect to HBV or HCV with adjustment for the Charlson comorbidity index. RESULTS: HBV and HCV rates were higher in the NHL group (3.3% and 1.3%, respectively) than in the control group (0.9% and 0.3%, respectively; P < .001 for each). The adjusted OR of hepatitis infection in patients with NHL were 3.25 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.99-5.31) for HBV and 3.36 (95% CI = 1.51-7.46) for HCV (P < .001 for each). Subgroups categorized by age (<55 vs ≥55 years) or sex showed significantly higher adjusted ORs of HBV for NHL. Moreover, patients with NHL ≥ 55 years of age or those who were female showed significantly higher adjusted ORs of HCV; those <55 years or who were male also tended to have higher ORs of HCV. CONCLUSION: Infection with either HBV or HCV is associated with NHL in Koreans.

Bidirectional association between GERD and asthma in children: two longitudinal follow-up studies using a national sample cohort.

BACKGROUND: The causal relationship between asthma and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is unknown in children. METHODS: The Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service-National Sample Cohort 2002-2013 was used. The population age <15 years was selected. In study I, 86,096 asthmatic children were 1:1 matched with 86,096 control I participants. In study II, 532 GERD children were 1:2 matched with 1064 control II participants. The stratified Cox proportional hazard ratios for GERD in patients with asthma (study I) and asthma in patients with GERD (study II) were analyzed. RESULTS: In total, 0.7% (583/86,096) of the asthma group and 0.5% (430/86,096) of the control I group had GERD (P < 0.001). The asthma group demonstrated a 1.36 times higher HR for GERD than the control I group (95% CI = 1.20-1.54, P < 0.001). Subgroup analyses according to age and sex showed consistent results. In total, 15.0% (80/532) of the GERD group and 10.0% (106/1,064) of the control II group had asthma (P < 0.001). The GERD group showed a 1.62-fold higher HR for asthma than the control II group (95% CI = 1.21-2.18, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: GERD and asthma demonstrated a bidirectional relationship in children.

Nephrolithiasis predicts ischemic stroke: A longitudinal follow-up study using a national sample cohort.

This study sought to evaluate associations between nephrolithiasis and hemorrhagic and ischemic stroke using a national sample cohort from Korea. Data from 2002 to 2013 were collected for individuals ≥ 20 years of age in the Korean National Health Insurance Service (NHIS)-National Sample Cohort. We extracted nephrolithiasis patients (n = 22,636) and 1:4 matched controls (n = 90,544) and analyzed the occurrence of stroke. Matching was performed based on age, sex, income, region of residence, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and dyslipidemia history. Crude and adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) were calculated using Cox proportional hazard models, and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were determined. We performed subgroup analyses according to age, sex, and follow-up period. The adjusted HR of ischemic stroke was 1.13 (95% CI = 1.06-1.21) in the nephrolithiasis group (P < 0.001). The relationship between nephrolithiasis and ischemic stroke remained present for the young women and middle-aged men as well as during a follow-up period of ≤ 1 year. The HR for hemorrhagic stroke did not reach statistical significance. The risk of ischemic stroke was higher in the nephrolithiasis patients.

Increased risk of larynx cancer in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease from a national sample cohort.

OBJECTIVES: The present study evaluated the associations between gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and head and neck cancer using a national sample cohort of the Korean population. DESIGN: We designed two studies using data collected from patients aged ≥40 years in the Korean National Health Insurance Service-National Sample Cohort from 2002 to 2013. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Study I included participants with GERD matched 1:2 with controls and analysed the incidences of lip and oral cavity, oropharynx, hypopharynx and larynx cancers. Study II included participants with larynx cancer matched 1:4 with controls and analysed the previous histories of GERD. Head and neck cancer was identified using medical claim codes for surgical, radiation and chemotherapeutic treatments and death records from the National Statistical Office. Crude and adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) were analysed using the Cox proportional hazard model. Crude and adjusted odds ratios (ORs) were analysed using unconditional logistic regression analyses. Subgroup analyses were performed on groups stratified by age and sex. RESULTS: The adjusted HR for larynx cancer was 2.32 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.53-3.52, P < 0.001) in the GERD group. However, the HRs for lip and oral cavity cancer, oropharynx cancer and hypopharynx cancer were not statistically significant (study I). The adjusted OR for GERD was 2.03 (95% CI = 1.40-2.96, P < 0.001) in the larynx cancer group; consistent results were obtained in subgroup analyses. CONCLUSION: Gastroesophageal reflux disease increases the risk of larynx cancer.

Leisure sedentary time is differentially associated with hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and hyperlipidemia depending on occupation.

BACKGROUND: Sedentary behavior is considered an independent cause of cardio-metabolic diseases, regardless of physical activity level and obesity. Few studies have reported the association between leisure sedentary time and cardio-vascular diseases in terms of occupation. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional study using data from the Korean Community Health Survey (KCHS) for 240,086 participants assessed in 2011 and 2013. Occupation was categorized into four groups: farmer or fisherman, laborer, and soldier (Group I); service worker, salesperson, technician, mechanic, production worker, and engineer (Group II); manager, expert, specialist, and clerk (Group III); and unemployed (Group IV). Leisure sedentary time was divided into five groups: 0 h, 1 h, 2 h, 3 h, and 4+ h. The association between leisure sedentary time on weekdays and hypertension/diabetes mellitus/hyperlipidemia for different occupations was analyzed using simple and multiple logistic regression analyses with complex sampling. RESULTS: In Groups I, II and III, no length of sedentary time was associated with hypertension, and only 3 h or 4+ h of sedentary time was associated with diabetes mellitus and hyperlipidemia. Group IV showed a significant association with hypertension and diabetes mellitus for the 2 h, 3 h, and 4+ h sedentary times. CONCLUSIONS: The unemployed are more susceptible than other occupation groups to cardio-metabolic diseases when leisure time is sedentary.

Untreated head and neck cancer in Korea: a national cohort study.

Few studies have analyzed the survival of patients with untreated head and neck cancer. The objective of this study is to assess the survival rates of untreated head and neck cancer patients and to determine why the patients were not treated. Using data from a national patient sample cohort (1,025,340 cases) from the Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, 605 patients with diagnoses of head and neck cancer (lip and oral cavity, oropharynx, hypopharynx, and laryngeal cancer) between 2003 and 2013 were evaluated. Cox proportional hazards modeling and multiple logistic regression analysis were performed. Of the considered cases of head and neck cancer, 32.2% were untreated. The median survival rate of untreated groups was 9 months. The untreated group showed poorer survival than the treatment groups. Old age [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.37, 95% confidence internal (CI) 1.25-1.49, P < 0.001] and low income (AOR = 0.94, 95% CI 0.89-1.00, P = 0.028) were related to not receiving treatment. Many head and neck cancers go untreated. Clinicians should focus on untreated patients and seek to understand the reasons for their lack of treatment.

Association between asthma and dysphonia: A population-based study.

OBJECTIVE: We investigated whether asthma predisposes patients to organic laryngeal lesions or increases dysphonia in those without organic laryngeal lesions. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional study with data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey; 19,330 subjects from 2008 through 2011 were included. The associations of asthma with organic laryngeal lesions and dysphonia were analyzed using a simple/multiple logistic regression analysis with complex sampling while adjusting for confounding factors (age, sex, smoking status, stress level, and body mass index) that could contribute to dysphonia. RESULTS: Compared with non-asthma participants, the asthma patients tended to be older and female and to have higher stress levels. These factors were associated with dysphonia (Age, AOR = 1.20, 95% CI = 1.14 = 1.23, P < 0.001; female, AOR = 1.70, 95% CI = 1.33-2.17, P < 0.001; higher stress, AOR = 1.44, 95% CI = 1.23-1.69, P < 0.001). Asthma itself was also associated with dysphonia. Compared with non-asthma participants, asthma patients who had not taken asthma medication recently showed a higher AOR (1.62; 95% CI = 1.0-2.42) for dysphonia, and asthma patients who had taken asthma medication recently showed the highest adjusted odds ratio for dysphonia (AOR = 1.97; 95% confidence interval, CI = 1.28-3.02, P = 0.001). On multiple logistic regression analysis, vocal nodules, laryngeal polyps, and laryngitis were not associated with asthma (all P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Asthma patients are predisposed to subjective dysphonia due to demographic and clinical characteristics (older age, female, and higher stress level) as well as to asthma itself. However, asthma was not associated with organic laryngeal lesions in this study.

Analysis of Predisposing Factors for Hearing Loss in Adults.

We aimed to estimate the effects of various risk factors on hearing level in Korean adults, using data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. We examined data from 13,369 participants collected between 2009 and 2011. Average hearing thresholds at low (0.5, 1, and 2 kHz) and high frequencies (3, 4, and 6 kHz), were investigated in accordance with various known risk factors via multiple regression analysis featuring complex sampling. We additionally evaluated data from 4,810 participants who completed a questionnaire concerned with different types of noise exposure. Low body mass index, absence of hyperlipidemia, history of diabetes mellitus, low incomes, low educational status, and smoking were associated with elevated low frequency hearing thresholds. In addition, male sex, low body mass index, absence of hyperlipidemia, low income, low educational status, smoking, and heavy alcohol consumption were associated with elevated high frequency hearing thresholds. Participants with a history of earphone use in noisy circumstances demonstrated hearing thresholds which were 1.024 dB (95% CI: 0.176 to 1.871; P = 0.018) higher, at low-frequencies, compared to participants without a history of earphone use. Our study suggests that low BMI, absence of hyperlipidemia, low household income, and low educational status are related with hearing loss in Korean adults. Male sex, smoking, and heavy alcohol use are related with high frequency hearing loss. A history of earphone use in noisy circumstances is also related with hearing loss.

Transbuccal sonographic evaluation of the local extent of tumors of the tongue with pathological correlation.

PURPOSE: The object of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of preoperative transbuccal ultrasound (US) for the evaluation of tongue tumors. Thus, we evaluated the correlation between preoperative US measurements and postoperative pathologic measurements of tongue tumor size. METHODS: From January 2003 to March 2011, 29 patients with tongue tumors were evaluated. All patients underwent preoperative transbuccal US at 1 day before surgery. Preoperative US was compared with pathology findings, including specimen size. The maximum anterior-posterior (AP) diameter of the long axis of the tumor, the maximum width (WD), and the maximum thickness (TH) of the tumor were measured with US along with a pathologic evaluation of the specimens. RESULTS: The mean AP was 22 ± 1 mm; WD was 13 ± 6 mm, and TH was 10 ± 5 mm using US. The pathologic mean AP was 21 ± 12 mm; WD was 12 ± 6 mm, and TH was 9 ± 4 mm. The Spearman's correlation coefficients of the AP, WD, and TH were 0.905 (p < 0.001), 0.918 (p < 0.001), and 0.971 (p < 0.001), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Transbuccal US is a useful tool for predicting tongue tumor extent.

Analysis of various risk factors predisposing subjects to allergic rhinitis.

BACKGROUND: In Korea, the prevalence of allergic rhinitis (AR) is increasing, as in other industrialized countries. However, no large population-based study defining risk factors for AR has yet been conducted. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and risk factors of AR in large population-based study. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed using data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. We evaluated data from 31,217 subjects who were interviewed between 2008 and 2011. RESULTS: The prevalence of AR decreased with age (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 0.985; 95% CI = 0.984-0.987). Higher-level stress (AOR for severe stress = 1.470; 95% CI = 1.209-1.788); asthma (AOR = 1.868; 95% CI = 1.582-2.205); atopic dermatitis (AOR = 1.552; 95% CI = 1.309-1.841); pulmonary tuberculosis (AOR = 1.320; 95% CI = 1.119-1.555); depression (AOR = 1.250; 95% CI = 1.117-1.400); and thyroid disease (AOR = 1.328; 95% CI = 1.104-1.597) increased the risk of AR. Participants whose parents had a history of AR also had higher AORs (father, AOR = 1.566; 95% CI = 1.130-2.172; mother, AOR = 1.546; 95% CI = 1.190-2.008). Marriage (AOR = 0.846; 95% CI = 0.741-0.966) decreased the risk of AR. Farmers, fishers, laborers, and soldiers were at lower risk of AR. Although high BMI, a high educational level, living in a large household, specific types of daily living, and a history of diabetes mellitus have been reported as risk factors for AR; none of these factors attained statistical significance in the present study. CONCLUSION: Our study revealed that age, stress level, marriage, occupation, asthma, atopic dermatitis, pulmonary tuberculosis, depression, thyroid disease, and parental AR history, all affected the prevalence of AR. We believe that defining the influence of various factors on AR will help to prevent development of the condition in the future.

A case of vocal cord gnathostomiasis diagnosed with sectional morphologies in a histopathological specimen from a Chinese woman living in Korea.

This study aimed to describe a rare case of gnathostomiasis in the vocal cord. A 54-year-old Chinese woman living in Korea visited with a chief complaint of voice change at the outpatient department of otorhinolaryngology in Hallym Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University on August 2, 2021. She had eaten raw conger a few weeks before the voice change developed, but her medical history and physical examinations demonstrated neither gastrointestinal symptoms nor other health problems. A round and red cystic lesion, recognized in the anterior part of the right vocal cord, was removed using forceps and scissors through laryngeal microsurgery. The histopathological specimen of the cyst revealed 3 cross-sections of a nematode larva in the lumen of the cyst wall composed of inflammatory cells and fibrotic tissues. They differ in diameter, from 190 µm to 235 µm. They showed characteristic cuticular layers with tegumental spines, somatic muscle layers, and gastrointestinal tracts such as the esophagus and intestine. Notably, intestinal sections consisted of 27-28 lining cells containing 0-4 nuclei per cell. We tentatively identified the nematode larva recovered from the vocal cord cystic lesion as the third-stage larva of Gnathostoma, probably G. nipponicum or G. hispidum, based on the sectional morphologies.

Associations Between Chronic Rhinosinusitis and Cancers: A Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVE: Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is one of the most common chronic inflammatory diseases. The effect of chronic inflammation caused by CRS on the occurrence of various cancers has not been thoroughly evaluated. This study aimed to investigate the increased incidences of 10 types of cancers among CRS patients with/without nasal polyps (NP) using a national population-based database from the Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service. STUDY DESIGN: A case-control cohort study. METHODS: We compared the prevalence of various comorbidities between CRS and control participants from a national cohort dataset of the Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service. METHODS: CRS participants (n = 6,919) and non-CRS (n = 27,676) participants were selected from among the 514,866 participants from 2002 to 2015. A stratified Cox proportional hazards model was utilized to assess the hazard ratio (HR) of CRS for 10 types of cancers. RESULTS: A stratified Cox proportional hazard model demonstrated that the adjusted HR for hematologic malignancy was significantly higher in the CRS patients than in the controls regardless of the presence of NP (2.90 for total CRS; 2.15 for CRS with NP; 4.48 for CRS without NP). The HR for thyroid cancer was significantly higher in the CRS patients without NP but not in those with NP (1.50 for total CRS; 1.78 for CRS without NP). CONCLUSION: This study showed that CRS participants had a significantly higher prevalence of hematologic malignancy and thyroid cancer. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4 Laryngoscope, 133:1044-1051, 2023.

Causes of Mortality in Korean Patients with Neurodegenerative Dementia.

The prevalence of neurodegenerative dementia is increasing owing to the rapid growth of the older population. We investigated risks and causes of mortality in Korean patients with neurodegenerative dementia using data from the Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service-National Sample Cohort with the aim to improve their care. From a pool of 1,125,691 patients, 11,215 patients aged ≥60 years who were diagnosed with dementia between 2002 and 2013 were examined along with 44,860 matched controls. A Cox proportional hazard model was used to calculate crude and adjusted hazard ratios (HRs). During the follow-up period, 34.5% and 18.8% of individuals in the neurodegenerative dementia and control groups, respectively, died (P < 0.001). The adjusted HR for mortality in the neurodegenerative dementia group was 2.11 (2.41 and 1.96 in men and women, respectively). Moreover, the adjusted HRs in patients with neurodegenerative dementia were 3.25, 2.77, and 1.84 for those diagnosed at ages 60-69, 70-79, and ≥80 years, respectively. The highest odds ratio for mortality was noted among patients with neurologic disease (15.93) followed by those with mental disease (4.89). These data show that the risk of mortality increased regardless of age and sex in Korean patients with neurodegenerative dementia.

Association between chronic rhinosinusitis and pneumonia: a longitudinal follow-up study using a national health screening cohort.

This study was aimed to compare the risk of pneumonia between patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and those without CRS (control) in a Korean population. The population aged 40 years or over was included from the Korean National Health Insurance Service-Health Screening Cohort. Participants with CRS (n = 6393) and controls (n = 25,572) were selected by 1:4 matching for age, sex, income, region of residence, and history of pneumonia for the previous 1 year. The index date (ID) of the controls was set as the treatment date of their matched CRS participants. The incidence of pneumonia after the ID was measured from 2003 to 2015. Simple and multiple linear regressions were performed to calculate estimated values (EVs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for 1-y post-ID pneumonia, 2-y post-ID pneumonia, and 3-y post-ID pneumonia in CRS participants compared to controls. Statistical significance was noted in the 3-y post-ID period (EV = 0.017, 95% CI = 0.002-0.031, P = 0.030). In the subgroup analyses according to age and sex, statistical significance was seen in the younger age group (< 60 years old) in the 3-y post-ID period and in the female group in the 1-y and 3-y post-ID periods. This study revealed an increased risk for pneumonia following a diagnosis of CRS.

Association between Gout and Dyslipidemia: A Nested Case-Control Study Using a National Health Screening Cohort.

The association between lipid levels and uric acid disorders remains controversial. We evaluated the association between dyslipidemia and gout in a large cohort from the Korean National Health Insurance Service-Health Screening Cohort. Among the 514,866 participants aged ≥40 years, 16,679 gout participants were selected and matched with 66,716 control participants for income, region of residence, sex, and age. We used the ICD-10 codes to define dyslipidemia (E78) and gout (M10) and diagnosis was confirmed when each was reported ≥2 times. The odds ratios (ORs) of dyslipidemia history were calculated using conditional logistic regression in crude, partial, and fully adjusted models. The days of statin use, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, fasting glucose level, total cholesterol, obesity, Charlson comorbidity index, alcohol consumption, and smoking were used as covariates. Patients with gout had a significantly higher dyslipidemia history than those without gout (33.1% vs. 24.0%, p < 0.001). The association was significant after adjustment (OR in partial adjusted model = 1.50, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.44−1.57; OR in fully adjusted model = 1.43, 95% CI = 1.37−1.49). These findings were consistent with the subgroup analysis. Our findings suggest that dyslipidemia history is more likely in patients with gout aged ≥40 years than in healthy controls among Korean population.

Association between Thyroid Cancer and Weight Change: A Longitudinal Follow-Up Study.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate body mass index (BMI) and systolic blood pressure (SBP)/diastolic blood pressure (DBP) between Korean adults who underwent thyroidectomy and comparison groups. METHODS: Data were included from the Korean National Health Insurance Service-Health Screening Cohort (2002-2015). BMI and SBP/DBP were measured before thyroidectomy, 1 and 2 years after thyroidectomy (n = 1995 in study I, n = 2162 in study II), comparing 1:4 matched participants (n = 7980 in study I, n = 8648 in study II). The paired t-test and linear mixed model were used to identify the differences between groups. RESULTS: DBP in both thyroid cancer II and comparison II group were significantly lower after thyroidectomy than before thyroidectomy. However, the interaction effect of thyroidectomy in study I and study II did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSION: BMI, SBP and DBP were not significantly different between the thyroidectomy group and the matched comparison group.

Increased Risk of Temporomandibular Joint Disorder in Osteoporosis Patients: A Longitudinal Study.

Background: The objective of this study was to investigate the risk of temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) in patients with osteoporosis. Methods: Data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service-Health Screening Cohort from 2002 to 2015 were collected. Participants ≥ 40 years old were enrolled, and the history of osteoporosis was evaluated. The 62,328 osteoporosis patients were matched for age, sex, income, and region of residence with 62,328 control participants. The occurrence of TMD was assessed in both the osteoporosis and control groups during the follow-up period. Stratified Cox proportional hazard analyses for TMD were conducted for the osteoporosis and control groups. The hazard ratios (HRs) of osteoporosis for TMD were further analyzed by age and sex subgroups. Results: A total of 1.2% (725/61,320) of the osteoporosis patients and 0.6% (339/61,320) of the control participants had TMD (P<0.001). Osteoporosis was associated with an elevated HR of TMD (adjusted HR=1.96, 95% CI=1.72-2.23, P<0.001). Among the age and sex subgroups, the < 60-year-old mal\e group demonstrated an adjusted HR of osteoporosis for TMD as high as 4.47 (95% CI=1.17-17.12, P=0.029). Other age and sex subgroups also showed a higher HR for TMD associated with osteoporosis (adjusted HR=2.30, 95% CI=1.90-2.78, P<0.001 for the ≥ 60-year-old female group). Conclusion: Osteoporosis was related to a higher risk of TMD in the adult population. A prominent association of osteoporosis with TMD was noted in middle-aged men and older women.

Is the Number of Missing Teeth Associated With Mortality? A Longitudinal Study Using a National Health Screening Cohort.

This study aimed to estimate the risk of mortality related to the number of missing teeth in a South Korean population. The ≥ 40-year-old population of the Korean National Health Insurance Service-Health Screening Cohort 2002-2003 was analyzed. Participants were selected from a total of 220,189 participants and included in groups of 0 teeth lost, 1-2 teeth lost, and ≥ 3 teeth lost. Among the total population, 17,211 participants were included in no missing teeth, 1-2 missing teeth, and ≥ 3 missing teeth and were randomly matched 1:1:1 for age and sex. Mortality from specific causes and all-cause mortality were compared among the groups. The hazard ratio (HR) of the number of missing teeth for all-cause mortality or each cause of mortality was analyzed using Cox proportional hazard models. According to the cause of death, the HRs for metabolic disease, digestive disease, and trauma were greater in the group with ≥ 3 missing teeth than in the no missing teeth group. The group with ≥ 3 missing teeth indicated a 1.19-fold higher HR for all-cause mortality than the no missing teeth group [95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) = 1.12-1.27, P < 0.001]. The group with 1- 2 missing teeth did not show a higher HR for all-cause mortality. In the group with 1-2 missing teeth, the HRs for mortality from mental disease and digestive disease were higher than those in the no missing teeth group. The group with 1-2 missing teeth did not show a higher HR for all-cause mortality. The number of missing teeth was linked with a higher risk of mortality. For specific causes of mortality, mortality from metabolic disease, digestive disease, and trauma was higher in the participants with the number of missing teeth.

Association Between Meniere Disease and Migraine.

Importance: A connection between Meniere disease (MD) and migraine has been proposed, but the temporal association remains unknown. Objective: To examine the bidirectional association of MD with migraine. Design, Setting, and Participants: This case-control study included participants 40 years or older from the Korean National Health Insurance Service Health Screening Cohort from 2002 to 2015. Main Outcomes and Measures: A total of 6919 patients with MD were matched with 27 676 control participants without MD for age, sex, income, region of residence, and index date. The incidence of migraine was analyzed in the MD and matched groups using a stratified Cox proportional hazard regression model. In addition, 35 889 patients with migraine were matched with 71 778 control participants without migraine. The incidence of MD was analyzed using a stratified Cox proportional hazard regression model. Results: Of 142 262 total participants, 94 611 (66.5%) were women. Migraine occurred in 695 of 6919 patients with MD (10.0%) and 970 of 27 676 matched control participants (3.5%). The MD group demonstrated a 2.22-fold higher risk of migraine than the matched control group (95% CI, 1.99-2.49). Meniere disease was present in 1098 of 35 889 patients with migraine (3.1%) and 781 of 71 778 matched control participants (1.1%). The migraine group had a 1.95-fold higher risk of MD than the matched control group (95% CI, 1.77-2.15). Conclusions and Relevance: The results of this case-control study suggest that patients with MD had a greater risk of migraine occurrence. Furthermore, patients with migraine had a higher risk of MD. Based on the bidirectional association, therapeutics for migraine could potentially be applied to MD and vice versa.