Effect of sun exposure versus oral vitamin D supplementation on serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations in young adults: A randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Vitamin D inadequacy is associated with a wide range of diseases. However, optimal strategies to improve vitamin D status, especially in Asian populations, remain unclear. We tested the hypotheses that (1) relevant sun exposure or oral vitamin D supplementation would significantly increase serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) concentrations compared with placebo, (2) sun exposure and supplementary vitamin D would be similar in serum 25OHD increases, and (3) the two interventions may have different effects on cardio-metabolic markers. METHODS: In this 8-week randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial including vitamin D-deficient adults in Seoul (37 °N), Korea, changes in serum 25OHD concentrations were compared between the sun exposure (daily ≥20-30 min around noon, n = 50), oral vitamin D3 (500 IU/d, n = 50), and control (placebo, n = 50) groups. RESULTS: Both sun exposure and oral vitamin D3 effectively increased serum 25OHD concentrations. Compared with placebo, the between-group least-squares mean (LSM) differences in changes were 2.2 ng/mL (95% CI: 0.2, 4.2) in the sun exposure group and 8.5 ng/mL (6.5, 10.5) in the oral vitamin D3 group. Increases in serum 25OHD were greater with oral vitamin D3 than with sun exposure (LSM difference in changes = 6.3 ng/mL, 95% CI: 4.3, 8.3). More participants in the oral vitamin D3 group (54.2%) achieved serum 25OHD concentrations ≥20 ng/mL at week 8 than those in the sun exposure (12.2%) or control (4.3%) groups. Compliance with sun exposure advice was relatively low, and only those with adequate compliance had a significant increase in serum 25OHD. Changes in the cardio-metabolic markers were mostly insignificant in all groups. CONCLUSIONS: Enhanced sun exposure and 500 IU/d of oral vitamin D3 supplementation significantly increased serum 25OHD concentrations. However, our protocol for sun exposure was not as effective as 500 IU/d of oral vitamin D3 supplementation. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT03310242.

The relationship between hormone replacement therapy and periodontal disease in postmenopausal women: a cross-sectional study the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2007 to 2012.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and periodontal disease in postmenopausal women using data from the 4th and 5th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). METHODS: The study included data from 5,482 postmenopausal women aged 45-74 years in the 2007-2012 KNHANES. The use of female HRT for at least one month was reclassified as HRT+/HRT-. The Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Needs (CPITN) was used to assess periodontal status. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to control selection bias, and factors affecting education, family income, and age of menopause were used as covariates in PSM. A chi-square test was used to confirm the bivariate relationship between the variables. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to adjust for confounders (age, education, family income, body mass index, age of menopause, alcohol, smoking, dental clinic visits in the past one year, use of oral care products and frequency of tooth brushing per day). RESULTS: After adjusting for all covariates, HRT was associated with periodontal disease (OR: 0.79; 95% CI: 0.66-0.94). In particular, the relationship between HRT and periodontal disease was more evident in those with menopause under 45 years of age disease (OR: 0.55; 95% CI: 0.35-0.87). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study supported that it is important that hormone therapy be actively considered in the policy towards postmenopausal women. Especially, health programs such as hormone replacement therapy, non-smoking, and use of oral care products are needed for women who undergo premature menopause.

Do police officers and firefighters have a higher risk of disease than other public officers? A 13-year nationwide cohort study in South Korea.

OBJECTIVES: The work of public officers involves repeated and long-term exposure to heavy workloads, high job strain and workplace violence, all of which negatively impact physical and mental health. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the incidences of diseases among different categories of public officers in Korea, in order to further understand the health risks associated with these occupations. DESIGN: A cohort study using the National Health Insurance data. PARTICIPANTS: We collated claims data between 2002 and 2014 for 860 221 public officers. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Age-standardised rates were calculated using the direct standardisation method, and HRs were calculated using the Cox proportional hazard regression models. RESULTS: Overall, we found that police officers and firefighters had a higher incidence of a range of diseases when compared with national and regional government officers (NRG). The most prominent HRs were observed among police officers for angina pectoris (HR: 1.52, 95% CI 1.49 to 1.54), acute myocardial infarction (HR: 1.84, 95% CI 1.77 to 1.92) and cerebrovascular disease (HR: 1.36, 95% CI 1.31 to 1.40). Firefighters were more susceptible to physical ailments and were at a significantly higher risk for traumatic stress disorders (HR: 1.40, 95% CI 1.26 to 1.56) than NRGs. CONCLUSION: Compared withNRGs, police officers had higher HRs for all measured diseases, except for traumatic stress disorders. While firefighters had higher HRs for almost all diseases examined, public education officers had a higher HR for traumatic stress disorders, when compared with NRGs.

Potassium intake and the prevalence of metabolic syndrome: the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2008-2010.

Lower potassium intake is considered to be correlated with diabetes incidence. However, few studies have investigated the effect of potassium intake on metabolic syndrome (MetS). Data was taken from the Korean National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (2008-2010) using weighted adjustment. MetS was defined as per the revised National Cholesterol Education Program criteria. Homeostasis model assessment indices were calculated to diagnosis insulin resistance (IR). A total of 16,637 participants (44 ± 0.25 years) were included. Women ingested lower amounts of potassium (2.71 ± 0.02 g/day) than men (3.45 ± 0.03 g/day). A curvilinear association between potassium intake and MetS prevalence was found among women. Women with less than the Adequate Intake (4.7 g/day) of potassium had an 11% risk reduction for MetS (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 0.89; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.82-0.96; P = 0.004) and a 10% risk reduction for IR (OR, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.82-0.99; P = 0.026) for every 1 g/day potassium increase. Compared with the reference group (3.5-4.5 g/day), potassium intake was inversely associated with an increased risk of MetS (1.5-2.5 g/day; OR, 1.29; 95% CI, 1.02-1.63; P = 0.035; <1.5 g/day; OR, 1.40; 95% CI, 1.06-1.85; P = 0.017) and IR (<1.5 g/day; OR, 1.36; 95% CI, 1.05-1.76; P = 0.021). This relationship was more prominent in postmenopausal women, but not observed among men. Higher potassium intake is significantly associated with a lower MetS prevalence in women, and IR is believed to be connected.

Prognostic implication of thyroglobulin and quantified whole body scan after initial radioiodine therapy on early prediction of ablation and clinical response for the patients with differentiated thyroid cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate predictors for successful ablation and disease-free status after high-dose radioiodine therapy in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer. METHODS: We enrolled 173 consecutive patients with differentiated thyroid cancer between November 2001 and December 2004 retrospectively (female 145, 46 ± 12 years). All patients underwent total thyroidectomy and I-131 ablative therapy (IAT) (3.7-5.4 GBq). The success or failure of ablation was assessed 6-9 months after the IAT with reference to undetectable thyroglobulin (Tg) and negative I-131 whole body scan (WBS). Afterward, the decision for disease-free status was evaluated using Tg and WBS (follow-up period after 1st IAT 7-81 months, median 43 months, criteria of disease-free: less than 10 ng/ml TSH-stimulated Tg or less than 2 ng/ml TSH-unstimulated Tg and/or negative WBS). Clinical and tumoral factors such as sex, age, pathologic type, the size of tumor, quantified cervical uptake in WBS1, pattern in WBS1, ablative therapy dose, AJCC stage, lymph node (LN) stage, Tg just before IAT (Tg1), and ablation status were assessed using logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: There were 93 successful ablations (54 %). Significant predictors for the ablation failure were Tg1 (OR = 8.42; 95 % CI = 2.76-25.69; p < 0.0001), LN metastasis (OR = 3.05; 95 % CI = 1.11-8.37; p = 0.031), and quantified cervical uptake in WBS1 (OR = 4.95; 95 % CI = 1.07-22.88; p = 0.041). One hundred fifty-five patients were determined as disease-free after follow-up. All the eighteen patients with persistent disease were identified as ablation failure after first IAT. Significant predictors for the disease-free status were Tg1 (OR = 0.98; 95 % CI = 0.97-0.99; p = 0.028), tumor size (OR = 0.53; 95 % CI = 0.28-0.96; p = 0.044), and quantified cervical uptake in WBS1 (OR = 0.87; 95 % CI = 0.76-0.98; p = 0.024). CONCLUSIONS: The thyroglobulin and quantified cervical uptake in whole body scan are significant predictors for the successful ablation and disease-free status after follow-up.

Prevalence of treated epilepsy in Korea based on national health insurance data.

The Korean national health security system covers the entire population and all medical facilities. We aimed to estimate epilepsy prevalence, anticonvulsant utilization pattern and the cost. We identified prevalent epilepsy patients by the prescription of anticonvulsants under the diagnostic codes suggesting seizure or epilepsy from 2007 Korean National Health Insurance databases. The information of demography, residential area, the kind of medical security service reflecting economic status, anticonvulsants, and the costs was extracted. The overall prevalence of treated epilepsy patients was 2.41/1,000, and higher for men than women. The age-specific prevalence was the lowest in those in their thirties and forties. Epilepsy was more prevalent among lower-income individuals receiving medical aid. The regional prevalence was the highest in Jeju Island and lowest in Ulsan city. New anticonvulsants were more frequently used than old anticonvulsants in the younger age group. The total annual cost of epilepsy or seizure reached 0.46% of total medical expenditure and 0.27% of total expenditure on health. This is the first nationwide epidemiological report issued on epilepsy in Korea. Epilepsy prevalence in Korea is comparable to those in developed countries. Economic status and geography affect the prevalence of epilepsy.

Does the amount of tagged stool and fluid significantly affect the radiation exposure in low-dose CT colonography performed with an automatic exposure control?

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the amount of tagged stool and fluid significantly affects the radiation exposure in low-dose screening CT colonography performed with an automatic tube-current modulation technique. METHODS: The study included 311 patients. The tagging agent was barium (n = 271) or iodine (n = 40). Correlation was measured between mean volume CT dose index (CTDI (vol)) and the estimated x-ray attenuation of the tagged stool and fluid (ATT). Multiple linear regression analyses were performed to determine the effect of ATT on CTDI (vol ) and the effect of ATT on image noise while adjusting for other variables including abdominal circumference. RESULTS: CTDI (vol) varied from 0.88 to 2.54 mGy. There was no significant correlation between CTDI (vol) and ATT (p = 0.61). ATT did not significantly affect CTDI (vol) (p = 0.93), while abdominal circumference was the only factor significantly affecting CTDI (vol) (p < 0.001). Image noise ranged from 59.5 to 64.1 HU. The p value for the regression model explaining the noise was 0.38. CONCLUSION: The amount of stool and fluid tagging does not significantly affect radiation exposure.

Dietary supplement use by South Korean adults: Data from the national complementary and alternative medicine use survey (NCAMUS) in 2006.

There has been little data on the prevalence of supplement use and the characteristics of the dietary supplement users in the Republic of Korea. This study presents the prevalence and the details of any dietary supplement use and the characteristics of the adults who use dietary supplements in the Republic of Korea. Between May 18 and June 16, 2006, nationwide and population-weighted personal interviews with 6,201 adult aged from 30 to 69 years were conducted and the final sample consisted of 3,000 people with a 49.8% response rate. We examined the prevalence and details of the use of dietary supplements and the characteristics of those who use the dietary supplement among adults. About sixty two percent of adults had taken any dietary supplement during the previous 12-month period in 2006. The most commonly reported dietary supplement was ginseng, followed by multivitamins, glucosamine, probiotics, and vitamin C. Female (versus male), an older age group, a higher family income, those living in metropolitan cities, those with marital experience, those with a higher level of education, and those having medical problems had a greater likelihood of reporting the use of any dietary supplements. The particular relationships differed depending on the type of supplement. The most Korean adults took one more dietary supplement and the dietary supplement users had different demographic and health characteristics compared to those of the nonusers. Research on diet supplements by the medical community is needed in the future.

Impact of extensive drug resistance on treatment outcomes in non-HIV-infected patients with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis.

BACKGROUND: Recently, serious concerns about extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB), which shows resistance to second-line anti-TB drugs in addition to isoniazid and rifampicin, have been raised. The aim of this study was to elucidate the impact of extensive drug resistance on treatment outcomes in non-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB). METHODS: Patients who received the diagnosis of and treatment as having MDR-TB at Seoul National University Hospital (Seoul, Republic of Korea) between January 1996 and December 2005 were included. The definition of XDR-TB was TB caused by bacilli showing resistance to both isoniazid and rifampicin and also showing resistance to any fluoroquinolone and to at least 1 of the following 3 injectable anti-TB drugs: capreomycin, kanamycin, and amikacin. To identify the impact of extensive drug resistance on treatment outcomes, univariate comparison and multiple logistic regression were performed. RESULTS: A total of 211 non-HIV-infected patients with MDR-TB were included in the final analysis. Among them, 43 patients (20.4%) had XDR-TB. Treatment failure was observed in 19 patients (44.2%) with XDR-TB, whereas treatment of 46 patients (27.4%) with non-XDR-TB failed (P=.057). The presence of extensive drug resistance (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 4.46; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.35-14.74) and underlying comorbidity (adjusted OR, 2.62; 95% CI, 1.00-6.87) were independent risk factors for treatment failure. However, a higher level of albumin was inversely associated with treatment failure (adjusted OR, 0.87; 95% CI, 0.77-0.97). CONCLUSION: The presence of extensive drug resistance, the presence of comorbidity, and hypoalbuminemia were independent poor prognostic factors in non-HIV-infected patients with MDR-TB.