Background/aims We evaluated the prevalence and characteristics of thyroid nodules detected by thyroid ultrasound (US) at health checkups and the associated clinical parameters. Methods A total of 72,319 subjects who underwent thyroid US at three health checkup centers in Korea from January 2004 to December 2010 were included in this study. The correlations between the presence of thyroid nodules and other clinical parameters were analyzed. Results The prevalence of thyroid nodules and cysts was 34.2% (n = 24,757). Thyroid nodules were more prevalent in women and older age groups. Among the subjects with thyroid nodules with size information (n = 24,686), 18,833 (76.3%) had nodules measuring ≤ 1.0 cm. Women and older age groups showed higher proportion of larger nodules. Percentage of women, age, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, body fat composition, blood pressure, and the level of fasting glucose, total cholesterol, and low density lipoprotein cholesterol were higher in the subjects with thyroid nodules compared to those without nodules. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome and overt/subclinical thyrotoxic state was higher in the subjects with thyroid nodules. In the multivariable logistic regression analysis, women, age, BMI, metabolic syndrome, and thyrotoxicosis were independently associated with the presence of thyroid nodules. Conclusions The high prevalence of thyroid nodules in people who underwent thyroid US at a health checkup suggests that increased detection of thyroid nodules resulted in an increased prevalence in the general population. However, metabolic disturbances may also have contributed to the increase in thyroid nodule prevalence in Korea.

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Prevalence of thyroid nodules and their associated clinical parameters: a large-scale, multicenter-based health checkup study.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Breast milk is the best available food for optimum growth and development of infants and the breastfeeding rate is increasing in Korea. The purpose of this study is to measure the concentrations of macronutrients and to evaluate their changes according to lactation period in breast milk from lactating Korean women. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Milk samples were obtained from 2,632 healthy lactating women (mean age; 32.0 ± 3.3 years), where the lactating period was up to a period of 8 months, who also volunteered to participate in the Human Milk Macronutrient Analysis Research. Lactose, protein, fat and water content in the breast milk samples were analyzed with infrared spectrometry using MilkoScan FT-2. RESULTS: The mean macronutrient composition per 100 mL of mature breast milk was 7.1 g for lactose, 1.4 g for protein and 3.0 g for fat, and energy content was 61.1 kcal. The protein concentration was significantly lower in milk samples at 1-2 weeks (2.0 g/dL) to 2-3 months (1.4 g/dL) than those at 0-1 week (2.2 g/dL), but it was similar among samples from 3-4 months to 7-8 months (1.3 g/dL). Mean lipid levels varied among different lactational period groups (2.7-3.2 g/dL), but presented no significant difference. Lactose concentration in the milk samples did not differ with lactation period. Maternal body mass index was positively related to protein and lipid breast milk contents, but was negatively related to lactose content. General linear models examining the associations between maternal variables and milk macronutrient content revealed that lactation period had a major impact on protein and lipid, but not on lactose content in breast milk. CONCLUSIONS: These results warrant future studies to explore factors that may be associated with changes in macronutrient content in human milk.

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Macronutrient composition of human milk from Korean mothers of full term infants born at 37-42 gestational weeks

User preference for an IoT healthcare application for lifestyle disease management

A few epidemiological data are available assessing the associations of intakes of sodium (Na) and potassium (K) with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). We aimed to examine the associations of dietary intake of Na and K with the prevalence of ultrasound-diagnosed NAFLD. We performed a cross-sectional study of 100 177 participants (46 596 men and 53 581 women) who underwent a health screening examination and completed a FFQ at the Kangbuk Samsung Hospital Total Healthcare Centers, South Korea, between 2011 and 2013. NAFLD was defined by ultrasonographic detection of fatty liver in the absence of excessive alcohol intake or other known causes of liver disease. The proportion of NAFLD was 35·6 % for men and 9·8 % for women. Increasing prevalence of NAFLD was observed with increasing Na intake. The multivariable-adjusted prevalence ratios (PR) of NAFLD comparing the highest with the lowest quintile of energy-adjusted Na intake were 1·25 (95 % CI 1·18, 1·32; P trend<0·001) in men and 1·32 (95 % CI 1·18, 1·47; P trend <0·001) in women. However, when we additionally adjusted for body fat percentage, the association became attenuated; the corresponding PR of NAFLD were 1·15 (95 % CI 1·09, 1·21) in men and 1·06 (95 % CI 0·95, 1·17) in women. No inverse association was observed for energy-adjusted K intake. Our findings suggest that higher Na intake is associated with a greater prevalence of NAFLD in young and middle-aged asymptomatic adults, which might be partly mediated by adiposity.

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Dietary sodium and potassium intake in relation to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Joint National Committee guidelines attempt to vary treatment recommendations for patients based on considerations of their comorbidities. The aim of the present study is to estimate the age-standardized prevalence of common comorbidities among Korean hypertension patients. SUBJECTS AND METHODS We analyzed the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2007 to 2013. Among the 58423 participants, 30092 adults, aged ≥30 yrs who completed a health examination and interview survey, were selected. The survey procedures were used to estimate weighted prevalence and odds ratios for 8 comorbidities, including obesity, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, and thyroid disease. RESULTS Most chronic conditions were more prevalent in adults with hypertension than in those without hypertension. Common comorbidities were obesity (60.1%), dyslipidemia (57.6%), and impaired fasting glucose (45.1%). Hypertensive patients with two or more comorbid diseases were 42.2% and those with three or more diseases were 17.7%. The age- and sex-specific prevalence of three or more comorbid diseases among male hypertension patients was significantly higher than those patients in the 30-59 (p<0.05) age group. CONCLUSION Comorbidity is highly prevalent in Korean patients with hypertension.

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Prevalence of Comorbidity among People with Hypertension: The Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2007-2013

The Effects of Mental Health on the Health - related Quality of Life among the People with Disabilities - Using the Korea Health Statistics 2013: Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey(KNHANES VI - 1) -

The Factors on Acceptable attitudes of health science college students toward People with Disabilities

Task-Oriented Approach Program on Self-Efficacy Scale and Activities of Daily Living, Geriatric Quality Of Life in Dementia Patients

Objective : The purpose of this study was to examine the factors affecting of depression among persons with disability. Methods : The study examines the factors affecting of depression using age between 18 years old and 65 years old who participated in the korea Welfare Panel data(n=486). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Chi-Square test and stepwise multiple regression with the SPSS 20.0 program. Results : There were significant differences in ADL and IADL scores between normal group and a depression group. The proportion of disabled with adequate ADL and IADL status were greater for persons with disability in the normal group than for those in the depression group. Factors significantly influencing depression were age, degree of disability level, Age of disability Occurrence, and ADL. Conclusion : These results indicate a need to focus on ADL related factors to intervention in depression. Also, depression prevention programs are necessary for persons with disability.

Factors Related to Depression and Activities of Daily Living in Persons with Disability: Using the Korean Welfare Panel Data

Objectives: This study purposed to analyzed of safety awareness, quarantine, and difficulties in daily life activities experienced by people with disabilities in the COVID-19 situation by type of disability. It is an empirical analysis study to derive what the country needs to improve in the COVID-19 pandemic by type of disability. Methods: The 2020 Survey on the Status of Persons with Disabilities a large-scale sample data at the national level was used. 4,590 external physical disabilities, 1,191 internal organ disabilities, and 879 mental disabilities were studied. Using the SPSS 26.0 program, frequency analysis and chi-square test were used to analyze. Results: First, there was a statistically significant difference in safety awareness from disasters and accidents by disability type. It was recognized that external physical functional disabilities and mental disabilities were relatively dangerous compared to internal organ disabilities. Second, people with mental disabilities had relatively greater difficulties in obtaining information and purchasing and using quarantine equipment than other types of disabilities. Third, due to COVID-19, it was found that people with disabilities have great difficulties in daily activities such as going out, medical use, and emotional difficulties. Fourth, during the COVID-19 period, the people with disabilities had the largest support for quarantine products. Fifth, the demand for facilities and equipment in preparation for disasters considering the characteristics of disabilities was the highest as a national improvement to resolve the difficulties of people with disabilities. Conclusion: People with disabilities are suffering from difficulties in their daily lives activity such as going out, medical use, and emotional difficulties during the COVID-19 period, and more support for mental health-related health education programs is required. 

Comparative Analysis of Difficulties in Daily Life Activities of Adult People with disabilities during the COVID-19 Period : Based on National Empirical Survey Data

YeSoon Kim

Papers

The Effects of Mental Health on the Health - related Quality of Life among the People with Disabilities - Using the Korea Health Statistics 2013: Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey(KNHANES VI - 1) -

The Factors on Acceptable attitudes of health science college students toward People with Disabilities

Task-Oriented Approach Program on Self-Efficacy Scale and Activities of Daily Living, Geriatric Quality Of Life in Dementia Patients

Factors Related to Depression and Activities of Daily Living in Persons with Disability: Using the Korean Welfare Panel Data

Comparative Analysis of Difficulties in Daily Life Activities of Adult People with disabilities during the COVID-19 Period : Based on National Empirical Survey Data