The Difference in the Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome According to Meeting Guidelines for Aerobic Physical Activity and Muscle-Strengthening Exercise: A Cross-Sectional Study Performed Using the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2014-2019.

Physical activity and muscle strengthening are essential for preventing and managing metabolic syndrome. This study was conducted to investigate the relationship between the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and meeting the guidelines for aerobic physical activity (APA), muscle strengthening exercise (MSE), and combined exercise. We used data from 22,467 Koreans aged 40 years or older, who participated in in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) 2014-2019. We used the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ) to measure physical activity and surveyed frequency of MSE through a questionnaire. Metabolic syndrome was defined according to the American heart association and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Compared with none exercise group, odds ratios of APA, MSE, and combined exercise group (CEG) on metabolic syndrome prevalence were 0.85 (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.74-0.98), 0.81 (95% CI, 0.67-0.99), and 0.65 (95% CI, 0.54-0.78) among men, respectively. Among women, ORs of APA, MSE, and CEG were 0.83 (95% CI, 0.73-0.93), 0.73 (95% CI, 0.58-0.91), and 0.74 (95% CI, 0.58-0.93), respectively. This study showed that meeting guidelines for APA and MSE was associated with lower prevalence of metabolic syndrome. Furthermore, subjects who met both APA and MSE had the lowest metabolic syndrome prevalence.

Different Associations of Socioeconomic Status on Protein Intake in the Korean Elderly Population: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Socioeconomic status affects food choices. This study examined the relationships between socioeconomic status (SES) and animal and plant protein intake in the Korean elderly population whose protein intake is insufficient. We used cross-sectional data from 3512 Koreans aged 60 years or older, who had participated in the Nutrition Survey of the 2013-14 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). One day 24-h recall data was used to estimate the daily total, animal, and plant protein intake. Household income and educational attainment were assessed by trained interviewers. After making adjustment, household income was positively associated with animal protein intake with a statistical significance in females (p = 0.030) and with a marginal significance in males (p = 0.069). However, plant protein intake did not show any significant association. In both sexes, educational attainment was positively associated with animal protein intake (p = 0.007 for males, p = 0.001 for females). Association of educational attainment with plant protein intake was negative in males (p = 0.037) and non-significant in females. (p = 0.945). High SES was associated with higher total protein intake and animal protein intake in the Korean elderly. Health policies and nutrition education are needed to improve protein intake of the vulnerable Korean elderly with low SES.

Intramedullary sarcoidosis presenting with delayed spinal cord swelling after cervical laminoplasty for compressive cervical myelopathy.

Sarcoidosis is a systemic disease of unknown etiology that may affect any organ in the body. The nervous system is involved in 5-16% of cases of sarcoidosis. Here, we report a case of intramedullary sarcoidosis presenting with delayed spinal cord swelling after laminoplasty for the treatment of compressive cervical myelopathy. A 56-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital complaining of upper extremity pain and gait disturbance. The patient had undergone laminoplasty for compressive cervical myelopathy 3 months previously. Follow-up magnetic resonance imaging revealed a large solitary intramedullary lesion with associated extensive cord swelling, signal changes, and heterogeneous enhancement of spinal cord from C2 to C7. Spinal cord biopsy revealed non-necrotizing granulomas with signs of chronic inflammation. The final diagnosis of sarcoidosis was based upon laboratory data, imaging findings, histological findings, and the exclusion of other diagnoses. Awareness of such presentations and a high degree of suspicion of sarcoidosis may help arrive at the correct diagnosis.