Impact of Comorbid Disease Burden on Clinical Outcomes of Female Acute Myocardial Infarction Patients.

Owing to the paucity of information on the clinical outcomes in female patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in relation to the comorbid disease burden, we explored the differences in their clinical outcomes and identified predictive indicators. A total of 3,419 female AMI patients were stratified into two groups: Group A (those with zero or one comorbid diseases) (n=1,983) and Group B (those with two to five comorbid diseases) (n=1,436). Five comorbid conditions were considered: hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, prior coronary artery disease, and prior cerebrovascular accidents.

The effects of patient personality traits and family cohesion on the treatment delay for patients with first-episode schizophrenia spectrum disorder.

Aim: The duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) is an important prognostic indicator of schizophrenia. We explored the effects of patient personality and family relationships on delayed schizophrenia treatment.

Methods: We prospectively included data from 169 patients diagnosed with first-episode schizophrenia.

Combined role of lymph node ratio and serum thyroglobulin levels in predicting prognosis of papillary thyroid carcinoma.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate a prognostic value of the extent of metastatic lymph node combined with TSH-stimulated serum thyroglobulin (sTg) measured just before radioactive iodine (RAI) therapy in patients with papillary thyroid cancer (PTC).

Methods: The retrospective study included 468 patients with PTC who underwent total thyroidectomy with neck dissection and postoperative RAI therapy. The extent of metastatic lymph node was evaluated with the lymph node ratio (LNR) which was defined as the number of metastatic lymph nodes out of the number of total removed lymph nodes.

Association between Body Mass Index and Prevalence of Asthma in Korean Adults.

We evaluated the association between body mass index (BMI) and the prevalence of asthma. Using data from the 2015 Korean Community Health Survey, 214,971 participants aged between 19 and 106 years were included in this study. Asthma was defined based on the self-report of physician diagnosis.

Effect of dietary patterns on the blood/urine concentration of the selected toxic metals (Cd, Hg, Pb) in Korean children.

This study was aimed to examine the association the blood/urinary concentration of toxic metal (Hg, Pb, and Cd) with children's dietary patterns. This cross-sectional study included 1026 school children aged 8-17 years. Dietary patterns were defined using factor loading scores for 108 foods from a Semi-Quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire.

Clinical characteristics and outcomes in acute myocardial infarction patients with versus without any cardiovascular risk factors.

Background/aims: Although cardiovascular (CV) risk factors are well established, some patients experience acute myocardial infarction (AMI) even without any risk factors.

Methods: We analyzed total 11,390 patients (63.6 ± 12.

Lead, Mercury, and Cadmium Exposure in the Korean General Population.

Background: Lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), and cadmium (Cd) are well-known environmental pollutants. They are unnecessary in the biological processes of humans. This study was performed to estimate the representative background exposure levels to the metals by measuring concentrations in whole blood of the Korean general population.

Low-Level Environmental Cadmium Exposure Induces Kidney Tubule Damage in the General Population of Korean Adults.

Cadmium (Cd) is the most potent nephrotoxic heavy metal and may affect bone; it also has a long biological half-life in the human body. This study was designed to assess the effect of environmental low-level Cd exposure on kidney function and bone in the general population. The subjects of this cross-sectional study were 1907 healthy Korean adults who had not been exposed to Cd occupationally.

Estimation of the Biological Half-Life of Methylmercury Using a Population Toxicokinetic Model.

Methylmercury is well known for causing adverse health effects in the brain and nervous system. Estimating the elimination constant derived from the biological half-life of methylmercury in the blood or hair is an important part of calculating guidelines for methylmercury intake. Thus, this study was conducted to estimate the biological half-life of methylmercury in Korean adults.

Korean research project on the integrated exposure assessment of hazardous substances for food safety.

Objectives: This survey was designed to conduct the first nationwide dietary exposure assessment on hazardous substances including the intakes of functional food and herbal medicine. In this paper, we introduced the survey design and the results of the dietary exposure status and internal exposure levels of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and mercury (Hg).

Methods: We selected 4867 subjects of all ages throughout Korea.

Reference levels of blood mercury and association with metabolic syndrome in Korean adults.

Purpose: Mercury (Hg) is a nonessential and toxic metal that is widely distributed in the environment. This study was performed to estimate the representative blood Hg level, to determine the contributing factors to Hg exposure, and to analyze the association of blood Hg with metabolic syndrome in Korean adults.

Methods: Mercury exposure is assessed by total Hg concentration in blood.