Association of intraabdominal fat with the risk of incident chronic kidney disease according to body mass index among Korean adults.

Background: The association between abdominal visceral adipose tissue and the risk of incident chronic kidney disease according to body mass index in the Asian population, remains unclear. We evaluated the impact of abdominal adiposity stratified by body mass index on the risk of incident chronic kidney disease.

Methods: A cohort study included 11,050 adult participants who underwent health check-ups and re-evaluated the follow-up medical examination at a single university-affiliated healthcare center.

Does Thyroidectomy Impact Quality of Life: Retrospective Case-Control Study of Post-Thyroidectomy Patients and Matched Individuals from the General Population.

The study assesses quality of life (QoL) in patients who underwent thyroidectomy compared to the general population. QoL data from post-thyroidectomy patients and individuals with no subjective health concerns, who had attended a routine health screening visit, were evaluated. QoL was assessed using the modified version of Korean Short Form 12 questionnaire (SF-12).

Adolescent overweight and obesity and the risk of papillary thyroid cancer in adulthood: a large-scale case-control study.

This study aimed to investigate the association between adolescent overweight and obesity and PTC risk in adulthood. We conducted a case-control study in the Republic of Korea with 1,549 PTC patients and 15,490 controls individually matched for age and sex. We estimated body mass index (BMI) at age 18 years from self-reported weight at this age.

Effects of combination drugs on antihypertensive medication adherence in a real-world setting: a Korean Nationwide Study.

Objectives: We tried to clarify, by using representative national data in a real-world setting, whether single-pill combinations (SPCs) of antihypertensives actually improve medication adherence.

Design: A nationwide population-based study.

Setting: We used a 2.

Etanolic Extract Controls Blood Cholesterol: A Double-blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Parallel Trial.

We evaluated the effects of (CW) ethanolic extract on blood cholesterol levels in adults with high low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels. In a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel trial, 84 subjects were recruited. Participants were randomly divided into two groups with a low-dose (300 mg/d) or high-dose (600 mg/d) of CW.

The Association between Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Thyroid Cancer.

Aim: The incidence of thyroid cancer is increasing worldwide. The prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is also increasing. Therefore, we aimed to analyze the effect of T2DM on thyroid cancer.

The Relationship between Metabolically Obese Non-Obese Weight and Stroke: The Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Objective: Both metabolic syndrome (MetS) and obesity increase the risk of stroke. However, few studies have compared the risks of stroke associated with metabolically obese non-obese weight (MONW) and metabolically healthy obesity (MHO). This study aimed to compare the prevalence of stroke in MONW and MHO individuals.

Weight Change and Associated Factors in Long-Term Breast Cancer Survivors.

Purpose: Weight gain often occurs after breast cancer diagnosis and significantly impacts the general health of cancer survivors. While the number of breast cancer survivors is increasing, few studies have reported data on weight change beyond 5 years post-diagnosis. We investigated weight change and associated factors in long-term survivors of breast cancer.

Acute High-Dose and Chronic Lifetime Exposure to Alcohol Consumption and Differentiated Thyroid Cancer: T-CALOS Korea.

Background: This study evaluated the effects of acute high-dose and chronic lifetime exposure to alcohol and exposure patterns on the development of differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC).

Methods: The Thyroid Cancer Longitudinal Study (T-CALOS) included 2,258 DTC patients (449 men and 1,809 women) and 22,580 healthy participants (4,490 men and 18,090 women) who were individually matched by age, gender, and enrollment year. In-person interviews were conducted with a structured questionnaire to obtain epidemiologic data.

Annual Average Changes in Adult Obesity as a Risk Factor for Papillary Thyroid Cancer: A Large-Scale Case-Control Study.

We evaluated the association between weight change in middle-aged adults and papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) based on a large-scale case-control study. Our study included data from 1551 PTC patients (19.3% men and 80.

Relationship between Metabolic Syndrome and Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and metabolic syndrome (Mets) are considered to be diseases with common traits that can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease incidence; studies in other countries examined the relationship between these diseases. However, existing studies did not show consistent results. In the present study, the relationship between RA and Mets in Koreans was examined using the data of the 4th and 5th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES).

Physical Activity Level of Korean Adults with Chronic Diseases: The Korean National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey, 2010-2012.

Background: Proper physical activities are known to be helpful in the prevention and management of chronic diseases. However, the physical activity level of patients with chronic diseases is low. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the physical activity compliance of patients with hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia in Korea.

The Effectiveness of Mobile Phone-Based Care for Weight Control in Metabolic Syndrome Patients: Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Overweight and obesity, due to a Westernized diet and lack of exercise, are serious global problems that negatively affect not only personal health, but national economies as well. To solve these problems, preventative-based approaches should be taken rather than medical treatments after the occurrence of disease. The improvement of individual life habits, through continuous care, is thus a paramount, long-term treatment goal.

Subclinical Hypothyroidism is not a Risk Factor for Female Sexual Dysfunction in Korean Middle-Aged Women.

Background: Previous studies have suggested that subclinical hypothyroidism is associated with the risk of anxiety or depression and can affect quality of life. However, there is a paucity of information regarding the relationship between subclinical hypothyroidism and female sexual dysfunction.

Methods: The study population consisted of sexually active middle-aged women (≥40 years old) who visited the center for health promotion and optimal aging at Seoul National University Hospital for a health check-up between 2010 and 2011.

Protocol of a thyroid cancer longitudinal study (T-CALOS): a prospective, clinical and epidemiological study in Korea.

Introduction: Thyroid cancer incidence in Korea is the highest in the world and has recently increased steeply. However, factors contributing to this sudden increase have not been fully elucidated, and few studies have explored the postoperative prognosis. The Thyroid Cancer Longitudinal Study (T-CALOS) was initiated with three aims: (1) to identify factors predicting quality of life, recurrence, and incidence of other diseases after thyroid cancer treatments; (2) to investigate environmental exposure to radiation, toxicants and molecular factors in relation to tumour aggressiveness; and (3) to evaluate gene-environment interactions that increase thyroid cancer in comparison with healthy participants from a pool of nationwide population-based healthy examinees.

Alcohol is longitudinally associated with lower urinary tract symptoms partially via high-density lipoprotein.

Background: Previous studies on the association of alcohol consumption with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) have been inconsistent, and none took into account the dynamic nature of LUTS, fluctuating over time. The purpose of the study was to determine the longitudinal association of alcohol consumption with LUTS.

Methods: We used generalized estimating equations to analyze the longitudinal association of alcohol consumption with LUTS in a longitudinal study of 9,712 healthy men 30 years or older who visited our institution multiple times for routine comprehensive health evaluations, with an average follow-up period of 27.

Protective effects of vitamin E on chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the neuroprotective effects of vitamin E for preventing chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN).

Methods: A comprehensive search from 1973 through July 2011 identified randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that reported the preventive effects of vitamin E on CIPN. The relative risk (RR) of CIPN with vitamin E supplementation, compared with placebo, was assessed with the Bayesian random effect model and expressed as RR with a 95 % credible-interval (CrI).

Shared decision-making on the use of hormone therapy: a nationwide survey in the Republic of Korea.

Objective: This study aims to assess the current status of shared decision-making on instituting postmenopausal hormone therapy (HT).

Methods: Two cross-sectional nationwide surveys of postmenopausal women and primary care physicians in the Republic of Korea were conducted in 2012 via face-to-face interviews. A total of 685 women (aged 50-69 y) who with natural menopause and 250 primary care physicians were included.

The influence of lower-extremity function in elderly individuals' quality of life (QOL): an analysis of the correlation between SPPB and EQ-5D.

Background: If an association between a decline in physical performance and subjective QOL is confirmed, the SPPB could be used as a predictor for declining QOL in older people.

Objective: This study aimed to elucidate the association between the short physical performance battery (SPPB) and QOL (EQ-5D) to determine the utility of the SPPB as a predictor of declining QOL.

Methods: The SPPB and the EQ-5D test were performed with a random sample of participants nested in the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging (KLoSA) panel.

Metabolic effects of aloe vera gel complex in obese prediabetes and early non-treated diabetic patients: randomized controlled trial.

Objective: The metabolic effects of an aloe vera gel complex (Aloe QDM complex) on people with prediabetes or early diabetes mellitus (DM) are unknown. The goal of this study was to determine the effects of Aloe QDM complex on body weight, body fat mass (BFM), fasting blood glucose (FBG), fasting serum insulin, and Homeostasis Model of Assessment - Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) in obese individuals with prediabetes or early DM who were not on diabetes medications.

Methods: Participants (n = 136) were randomly assigned to an intervention or a control group and evaluated at baseline and at 4 and 8 wk.

High-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels and cancer mortality.

Background: High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) is an important inflammatory marker, and inflammation is known to be involved in the initiation and progression of cancer. We investigated the association between serum hs-CRP levels and all-cause mortality, cancer mortality, and site-specific cancer mortality in apparently cancer-free Koreans.

Methods: A total of 33,567 participants who underwent routine check-ups at a single tertiary hospital health-screening center between May 1995 and December 2006, and whose serum hs-CRP level data were available, were included in the study.

Associations of smoking and smoking cessation with CT-measured visceral obesity in 4656 Korean men.

Objectives: Although obesity is shown to be less common among current smokers than never smokers, the association between visceral obesity and smoking remains uncertain.

Methods: For this cross-sectional analysis, we recruited 4656 Korean men of 19 to 79 years who received a regular checkup at a health examination center between 2008 and 2010. Computed tomography was performed to measure the area of visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue (VAT and SAT).

A low level of serum total testosterone is independently associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Background: The association between low serum testosterone levels, visceral adipose tissue (VAT), and metabolic syndrome is now well known. However, the relationship between hepatic steatosis and serum testosterone levels has not been extensively studied. Our aim was to investigate the association of serum total testosterone levels with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), adjusting for the influence of VAT and insulin resistance.

Effect of central obesity on prostate specific antigen measured by computerized tomography: related markers and prostate volume.

Purpose: We assessed the effects of central adiposity represented by visceral adipose tissue on prostate volume, prostate specific antigen, and prostate specific antigen mass and mass ratio.

Materials And Methods: This cross-sectional study included 6,389 Asian men 30 to 79 years old. Prostate volume was estimated by transrectal ultrasound.

Alcohol consumption shows a J-shaped association with lower urinary tract symptoms in the general screening population.

Purpose: Controversial and contradictory data on the association between alcohol consumption and lower urinary tract symptoms are currently available in the literature. In this study we determined the association between alcohol consumption and lower urinary tract symptoms, including voiding and storage symptoms, in a large general screening population.

Materials And Methods: This cross-sectional study included 30,196 men 30 years old or older participating in a comprehensive health evaluation at the Seoul National University Hospital Healthcare System Gangnam Center.