Pain and cognitive function in Korean older adults aged 60 years or more: A retrospective longitudinal study.

To elucidate the relationship between pain and cognitive decline in adults aged ≥60 years using data from the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging survey. We included 3,287 older adults aged ≥60 years with a Korean Mini-Mental State Examination score ≥24. We assessed the presence of pain and pain interference using self-administered questionnaires.

Association between glycemic status and all-cause mortality among individuals with dementia: a nationwide cohort study.

Background: To examine the association between glycemic status and all-cause mortality risk among individuals with dementia.

Methods: We enrolled 146,832 individuals aged 40 and older with dementia as identified through the Korean National Health Insurance Service health screening test between 2008 and 2016. Mortality status was evaluated at the end of 2019.

The Relationship between Dietary Na/K Ratio and Bone Mineral Density in Korean Middle-Aged Women.

Background: Dietary Na+ or Na+/K+ ratio has been reported to be associated with bone mineral density (BMD). However, this remains unclear, and only a few studies have been reported on the Korean population. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the association between dietary Na+, K+, and Na+/K+ ratios and BMD in middle-aged Korean women.

Association between metabolic syndrome and mortality in patients with COVID-19: A nationwide cohort study.

Objectives: We investigated the association between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and mortality among coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients in Korea.

Methods: We analyzed 3876 individuals aged ≥ 20 years who were confirmed with COVID-19 from January 1 to June 4, 2020 based on the Korea National Health Insurance Service (NHIS)-COVID-19 database and had undergone health examination by NHIS between 2015 and 2017. Multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression analyses were performed.

COVID-19 and related social distancing measures induce significant metabolic complications without prominent weight gain in Korean adults.

Background: This study using multi-center health examination data from Korean adults was conducted to confirm changes in weight, and their related cardiometabolic parameters, before and after strengthening of social distancing regulations.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using health check-up data from 13 university hospitals. The study period was from January 2018 to July 2020.

Fatty Liver Change in Korean Adults in a Systematic Social Distancing System Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Multicenter Analysis.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Korean government implemented policies including the systematic social distancing (SSD) system which started on 28 June 2020. The present study investigated the development and aggravation of fatty liver measured using ultrasonography during the transition period (from pre-SSD to SSD) compared to the fatty liver changes during the pre-SSD period. Changes in fatty liver and liver enzymes were assessed in different groups stratified by alcohol consumption.

Association of Handgrip Strength in Various Disabilities in Korean Adults over 50 Years Old: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Study.

Several studies have shown an association between low hand grip strength (HGS) and functional limitations. This study aims to elucidate the association between HGS and functional limitations. We used the nationwide health examination data and included 13,517 Korean adults that were aged ≥ 50 years.

Effect of Carbohydrate-Restricted Diets and Intermittent Fasting on Obesity, Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, and Hypertension Management: Consensus Statement of the Korean Society for the Study of Obesity, Korean Diabetes Association, and Korean Society of Hypertension.

Carbohydrate-restricted diets and intermittent fasting (IF) have been rapidly gaining interest among the general population and patients with cardiometabolic disease, such as overweight or obesity, diabetes, and hypertension. However, there are limited expert recommendations for these dietary regimens. This study aimed to evaluate the level of scientific evidence on the benefits and harms of carbohydrate-restricted diets and IF to make responsible recommendations.

Effect of Carbohydrate-Restricted Diets and Intermittent Fasting on Obesity, Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, and Hypertension Management: Consensus Statement of the Korean Society for the Study of Obesity, Korean Diabetes Association, and Korean Society of Hypertension.

Carbohydrate-restricted diets and intermittent fasting (IF) have been rapidly gaining interest among the general population and patients with cardiometabolic disease, such as overweight or obesity, diabetes, and hypertension. However, there are limited expert recommendations for these dietary regimens. This study aimed to evaluate the level of scientific evidence on the benefits and harms of carbohydrate-restricted diets and IF to make responsible recommendations.

Effect of carbohydrate-restricted diets and intermittent fasting on obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and hypertension management: consensus statement of the Korean Society for the Study of obesity, Korean Diabetes Association, and Korean Society of Hypertension.

Background: Carbohydrate-restricted diets and intermittent fasting (IF) have been rapidly gaining interest among the general population and patients with cardiometabolic disease, such as overweight or obesity, diabetes, and hypertension. However, there are limited expert recommendations for these dietary regimens. This study aimed to evaluate the level of scientific evidence on the benefits and harms of carbohydrate-restricted diets and IF to make responsible recommendations.

Recent Epidemiology and Risk Factors of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

Because of the global obesity epidemic, the incidence and prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) have increased worldwide, including among Koreans. Recently, the incidence rate of NAFLD in Korea was reported to be 45.1 per 1,000 person-years, and the prevalence as approximately 30% depending on the diagnostic methods used.

Readability of Korean-Language COVID-19 Information from the South Korean National COVID-19 Portal Intended for the General Public: Cross-sectional Infodemiology Study.

Background: The coronavirus pandemic has increased reliance on the internet as a tool for disseminating information; however, information is useful only when it can be understood. Prior research has shown that web-based health information is not always easy to understand. It is not yet known whether the Korean-language COVID-19 information from the internet is easy for the general public to understand.

Role of Anesthesia in Endoscopic Operations.

Utilization of anesthesia service in endoscopic operations can facilitate the procedural conditions and improve patient satisfaction. Comprehensive preprocedural/preanesthetic assessment should be preceded with focus on medical history, disorders that increase risk of aspiration, NPO status, ASA status, and airway evaluations, as these play an important role in perioperative complications. Preanesthetic assessment should serve as a guide to determining the appropriate depth of sedation for the patient, and indications for general anesthesia with endotracheal intubation should be reviewed.

Optimal cutoff values for visceral fat volume to predict metabolic syndrome in a Korean population.

Previous studies have reported the association between visceral fat and metabolic syndrome (MS); however, just few studies have been conducted to evaluate the relationship between actual visceral fat volume (VFV) and MS. This study aimed to obtain 3 dimensional VFV and subcutaneous fat volume (SFV) using abdominal computed tomography (CT) and determine MS-predictive cutoff values.A total of 250 individuals, aged 27 to 80 years, who underwent health screening with abdominal CT between November 2019 and May 2020 were included.

Age-Related Difference in Weight Change and All-Cause Mortality in Middle-Aged and Older Korean Populations: Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging.

Background: Obesity is associated with increased mortality as a significant risk factor for chronic diseases, including cardiovascular diseases and cancer. Several people believe that weight gain is harmful, and weight loss helps maintain health. However, some studies have shown that weight loss, particularly among older adults, is more likely to increase the risk of mortality than weight gain.

Combined Effects of Depression and Chronic Disease on the Risk of Mortality: The Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging (2006-2016).

Background: The prevalence of depression is much higher in people with chronic disease than in the general population. Depression exacerbates existing physical conditions, resulting in a higher-than-expected death rate from the physical condition itself. In our aging society, the prevalence of multimorbid patients is expected to increase; the resulting mental problems, especially depression, should be considered.

The Association between Infection and Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Meta-Analysis.

The association of () infection with functional dyspepsia has been well studied. However, the data on the relationship between infection and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are conflicting. This study aims to elucidate the association between infection and IBS.

The use of extended release bupivacaine with transversus abdominis plane and subcostal anterior quadratus lumborum catheters: A retrospective analysis of a novel technique.

Background And Aims: Liposomal bupivacaine (LB) is a formulation of local anesthetic that may exert analgesia over a prolonged period. Anecdotal use of LB suggests benefit and prolonged analgesia when used to supplement infiltration blocks. Our aim was to test the effect of a bolus of LB delivered through a nerve catheter in two types of interfascial plane blocks (transversus abdominis plane and anterior subcostal quadratus lumborum).

The Influence of Negative Mental Health on the Health Behavior and the Mortality Risk: Analysis of Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging from 2006 to 2014.

Background: Several studies have shown that negative mental health increases risky health behavior and mortality risk. We investigated the relationship between mental health and health behavior, and the causal association between mental health and mortality risk.

Methods: We used data from the 8-year (2006-2014) Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging with a cohort of 10,247 individuals (whom we divided into a younger group aged <65 years and an older group aged ≥65 years).

NLRP3 inflammasomes and NLRP3 inflammasome-derived proinflammatory cytokines in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with ankylosing spondylitis.

Objective: There is some evidence that an enhanced Th17 response is attributable to interleukin-1β (IL-1β) matured by activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome. In this study, we assessed the expression of NLRP3 inflammasome components and their associated proinflammatory cytokines in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS).

Methods: A total of 23 male patients with AS and 29 male controls were recruited and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were collected.