Association between cumulative pack-year smoking exposure and sarcopenia: a KoGES cohort study.

Background: Sarcopenia is the age-related involuntary loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength. Many factors, such as ageing and behaviour, may affect the risk of sarcopenia. However, no study had confirmed the association between cumulative exposure to smoking and the risk of developing sarcopenia.

The Effect of Eating Speed on Sarcopenia, Obesity, and Sarcopenic Obesity in Older Adults: A 16-Year Cohort Study Using the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study (KoGES) Data.

Sarcopenia and obesity are age-related conditions associated with dietary habits. However, the relationship between eating speed and sarcopenia, particularly in older adults >65 years of age remains unclear. To investigate the effect of eating speed on the occurrence of sarcopenia, obesity, and sarcopenic obesity, we examined eating speed, socioeconomic factors, and disease history of 6202 patients at baseline and their changes over a 16-year follow-up period.

Correlation between Hearing Impairment and the Triglyceride Glucose Index in Middle-Aged Female Based on a Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

: This study aimed to investigate the association between insulin resistance, as measured by the triglyceride-glucose index (TyG index), and hearing impairment in middle-aged women in Korea. : This cross-sectional survey utilized data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) IV (2007-2009), specifically from the period after July 21, 2009, when hearing test results became available, and from the KNHANES V (2010-2012). This study was conducted on 5416 women aged 40 to 69 who had completed both the health examination survey and audiometric tests, excluding those with missing data on menopausal status and the use of hormone replacement therapy.

Association between E-Cigarette Smoking and Insulin Resistance Using the Triglyceride-Glucose Index in Korean Adults: Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Background: Insulin resistance contributes to the development of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Smoking leads to an increase in triglyceride levels, which, in turn, increases insulin resistance. Although the number of e-cigarette users has increased in recent years, few studies have investigated the association between ecigarette use and insulin resistance.

Association between Uric Acid Levels and the Consumption of Sugar-Sweetened Carbonated Beverages in the Korean Population: The 2016 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Elevated uric acid levels are linked with obesity and diabetes. Existing research mainly examines the relationship between sugar-sweetened carbonated beverage (SSB) consumption and uric acid levels. This study explored the association between the quantity and frequency of SSB consumption and elevated uric acid levels in Korean adults.

Association between breakfast consumption frequency and chronic inflammation in Korean adult males: Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2016-2018.

Background: Skipping breakfast is associated with an increased risk of chronic inflammatory diseases. This study aimed to examine the association between breakfast-eating habits and inflammation, using high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) as a marker.

Methods: A total of 4,000 Korean adult males with no history of myocardial infarction, angina, stroke, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, or current smoking were included.

Association between pulse pressure and low muscle mass in Korean adults: A nationwide cross-sectional study.

Sarcopenia is characterized by a loss of muscle mass and strength and is associated with a high risk of cardiovascular events and increased mortality. Pulse pressure (PP) serves as a marker for changes in heart structure and function, as well as arterial stiffness. A high PP also increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality.

The association between reproductive period and handgrip strength in postmenopausal women: a nationwide cross-sectional study.

Objective: Menarche and menopause are associated with muscle loss and strength in women. Handgrip strength (HGS) is a reliable measurement method of muscle strength. However, it is unclear whether the entire reproductive period, which encompasses both menarche and menopause, is associated with HGS in postmenopausal women.

Effect of Combination Therapy with Ezetimibe and Statins versus Statin Monotherapy on Carotid Intima-Media Thickness: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

: Lipid-lowering agents such as ezetimibe are recommended in uncontrolled hyperlipidemia for primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) is a surrogate marker of atherosclerosis and a predictor of cardiovascular and cerebral events. The effects of ezetimibe on CIMT have been inconsistently reported.

Utilization of End-of-Life Care Rooms by Patients Who Died in a Single Hospice Unit at a National University Hospital in South Korea.

Purpose: For the dignity of patients nearing the end of their lives, it is essential to provide end-of-life (EoL) care in a separate, dedicated space. This study investigated the utilization of specialized rooms for dying patients within a hospice unit.

Methods: This retrospective study examined patients who died in a single hospice unit between January 1, 2017, and December 31, 2021.

Weight loss maintenance after bariatric surgery.

Metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) is an effective treatment for patients with morbid obesity and its comorbidities. However, many patients experience weight regain (WR) after achieving their nadir weight. Establishing the definition of WR is challenging as postoperative WR has various definitions.

Association between weekend catch-up sleep and hyperuricemia with insufficient sleep in postmenopausal Korean women: a nationwide cross-sectional study.

Objective: Hyperuricemia is associated with metabolic and cardiovascular diseases and mortality. Efforts to lower the risk of hyperuricemia in various ways are needed as the prevalence of these diseases increases in postmenopausal women. Studies have shown that one of these methods is associated with adequate sleep duration, which is related to a low risk of hyperuricemia.

Atherosclerotic Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection.

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection is a nontraumatic, noniatrogenic intimal tearing of the coronary artery in patients without atherosclerotic coronary disease. We present 3 unique cases of patients with spontaneous coronary artery dissection and atherosclerotic coronary artery disease. ().

Association between Sleep Duration and Presbycusis in Korean Adults: Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Background: Sleep duration is associated with hearing loss, especially presbycusis, which is the most common type of hearing loss; however, there is limited evidence regarding this association among the Korean population. We aimed to determine the relationship between sleep duration and high-frequency hearing loss in Korean adults aged ≥40 years.

Methods: We examined 5,547 Korean adults aged ≥40 years who completed audiometric tests and questionnaires regarding sleep duration during the 2010-2012 cycle of the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Efficacy and safety of fermented vinegar on fatigue improvement in adults with unexplained fatigue: A randomized controlled trial.

Background: The accumulation of fatigue leads to reduced physical, emotional, psychological, and social functions.

Objectives: Fermented vinegar (PV) improves fatigue in animals; however, studies in humans have not been conducted. We aimed to examine the effects and safety of consuming fermented PV for 8 weeks on fatigue indices in adults with unexplained fatigue while considering the placebo effect.

Biomarkers in metabolic syndrome.

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a global health challenge characterized as a group of risk factors for developing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Although visceral adipose tissue, adipocyte dysfunction, chronic low-grade inflammation, and insulin resistance are fundamental to MetS, the exact biochemical mechanisms underlying this disease state remain unclear. Numerous biomarkers, however, have been proposed to improve our understanding of its complex pathophysiology and facilitate diagnosis.

Association between Serum Folic Acid Levels and Asthma in the Korean Population: A Study Based on the 2016-2018 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Background: Folic acid is involved in inflammatory reactions; however, the association between folic acid and allergic diseases, particularly asthma, remains unclear. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the association between serum folic acid levels and asthma in Koreans.

Methods: This study analyzed the serum folic acid levels of 6,615 individuals included in the 2016-2018 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.