Epidemiology and Health

Most-read articles are from the articles published in 2023 during the last three month.

Systematic Review

The effectiveness of protein supplementation combined with resistance exercise programs among community-dwelling older adults with sarcopenia: a systematic review and meta-analysis: Phatcharaphon Whaikid, Noppawan Piaseu; Epidemiol Health. 2024;46:e2024030. Published online February 14, 2024; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4178/epih.e2024030

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Abstract

OBJECTIVES
The combination of protein supplementation and resistance exercise shows promise for improving and maintaining muscle mass, strength, and performance in older adults with sarcopenia. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the effects of this combination on muscle mass, muscle strength, and physical performance in community-dwelling older adults with sarcopenia.

METHODS

We conducted a comprehensive search of 4 electronic databases: PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and the MEDLINE Library. The search covered literature from January 2013 to January 2023 and followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Two independent reviewers assessed the methodological quality of each study using the standard critical appraisal tool from the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI). Meta-analysis was performed with the JBI Sumari program.

RESULTS

The review included 7 randomized controlled trials and 1 quasi-experimental study, encompassing a total of 854 participants aged 60 years and above. The study durations ranged from 10 weeks to 24 weeks. An analysis of standardized mean differences (SMDs) showed that protein supplementation combined with resistance exercise significantly increased muscle mass (SMD, 0.95; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.13 to 1.78; p<0.05) and muscle strength (SMD, 0.32; 95% CI, 0.08 to 0.56; p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Although the limited number of randomized controlled trials restricts the robustness of our conclusions, the evidence suggests that protein supplementation combined with resistance exercise is effective in enhancing muscle mass and strength in community-dwelling older adults with sarcopenia.

Summary

Key Message
Sarcopenia is a significant health concern. Given the contextual variations and the diverse factors that contribute to the prevalence of sarcopenia, delivering precision interventions to older adults diagnosed with sarcopenia who still reside in the community poses unique challenges. Therefore, precision interventions are vital for proper and feasible treatment planning, especially for early management actions, to reduce the impact of sarcopenia and its associated adverse effects in older adults. Our systematic review and meta-analysis showed that protein supplementation combined with resistance exercise is effective in enhancing muscle mass and strength in community-dwelling older adults with sarcopenia.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Protein supplementation alone or combined with exercise for sarcopenia and physical frailty: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Yoshihiro Yoshimura, Ayaka Matsumoto, Tatsuro Inoue, Masatsugu Okamura, Masafumi Kuzuya
Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics.2025; 131: 105783. CrossRef
The diagnosis and treatment of sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity
Basel Habboub, Robert Speer, Markus Gosch, Katrin Singler
Deutsches Ärzteblatt international.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
The Impact of Protein in Post-Menopausal Women on Muscle Mass and Strength: A Narrative Review
Katherine Elizabeth Black, Penelope Matkin-Hussey
Physiologia.2024; 4(3): 266. CrossRef

Special Articles

Cancer risk based on alcohol consumption levels: a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis: Seunghee Jun, Hyunjin Park, Ui-Jeong Kim, Eun Jeong Choi, Hye Ah Lee, Bomi Park, Soon Young Lee, Sun Ha Jee, Hyesook Park; Epidemiol Health. 2023;45:e2023092. Published online October 16, 2023; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4178/epih.e2023092

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Abstract Summary PDF Supplementary Material

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
Alcohol consumption is a well-established risk factor for cancer. Despite extensive research into the relationship between alcohol consumption and cancer risk, the effect of light alcohol consumption on cancer risk remains a topic of debate. To contribute to this discourse, we conducted a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis.

METHODS

Our systematic review aimed to investigate the associations between different levels of alcohol consumption and the risk of several cancer types. We focused on analyzing prospective associations using data from 139 cohort studies. Among them, 106 studies were included in the meta-analysis after a quantitative synthesis.

RESULTS

Our analysis did not find a significant association between light alcohol consumption and all-cause cancer risk (relative risk, 1.02; 95% confidence interval, 0.99 to 1.04), but we observed a dose-response relationship. Light alcohol consumption was significantly associated with higher risks of esophageal, colorectal, and breast cancers. Light to moderate drinking was associated with elevated risks of esophageal, colorectal, laryngeal, and breast cancers. Heavy drinking was also found to contribute to the risk of stomach, liver, pancreas, and prostate cancers, thereby increasing the risk of almost all types of cancer. Additionally, females generally had lower cancer risks compared to males.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings highlight that cancer risks extend beyond heavy alcohol consumption to include light alcohol consumption as well. These findings suggest that there is no safe level of alcohol consumption associated with cancer risk. Our results underscore the importance of public health interventions addressing alcohol consumption to mitigate cancer risks.

Summary

Korean summary
본 연구는 코호트 연구를 기반으로 하여 음주의 수준에 따른 암 위험 연관성에 대해 체계적 문헌고찰(139편)과 메타분석(106편)을 수행하였다. 연구 결과, 음주와 암 위험 사이에 용량-반응 관계가 나타났으며, 소량의 음주는 암 유형에 따라 차이가 있었으나, 식도암, 대장암, 전립선암(남성), 유방암(여성)에서 암 위험과의 연관성이 있음을 발견했다. 따라서, 암 위험 측면에서 음주에 안전한 수준이 없음을 시사하며, 음주와 관련된 잠재적 피해를 완화하기 위해서는 음주 지침 강화와 같은 공중보건개입이 필요하다.

Key Message
The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between different levels of alcohol consumption and the risk of various cancer types through a systematic review and meta-analysis, providing insights into the ongoing debate about alcohol consumption and cancer causality. The findings support a dose-response relationship between alcohol consumption levels and cancer risk and the light alcohol consumption was associated with risks of esophageal, colorectal, prostate (male), and breast (female) cancer. These results emphasize the absence of a safe threshold for alcohol consumption in terms of cancer risk.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Unraveling the bidirectional link between cancer and dementia and the impact of cancer therapies on dementia risk: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Liwei Ma, Edwin C. K. Tan, Benjamin Goudey, Liang Jin, Yijun Pan
Alzheimer's & Dementia.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
Associations of lifestyle factors with oral cancer risk: An umbrella review
Haobo Xu, Zhonglan Gao, Hairong Liu, Liya An, Ting Yang, Bojun Zhang, Guobin LIU, Dali Sun
Journal of Stomatology, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.2025; : 102234. CrossRef
Estudio bibliométrico de las publicaciones sobre cirugía pancreática realizadas por cirujanos españoles
Juan Jesús Rubio-García, Celia Villodre Tudela, Cándido Alcázar López, Silvia Carbonell Morote, Mariano Franco Campello, Paola Melgar Requena, Adrián Paredes Segura, José Manuel Ramia Ángel
Cirugía Española.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
Personalized Lifestyle Interventions for Prevention and Treatment of Obesity-Related Cancers: A Call to Action
Mohamad Motevalli, Fatima Cody Stanford
Cancers.2025; 17(8): 1255. CrossRef
Bibliometric study of publications on pancreatic surgery carried out by spanish surgeons
Juan Jesús Rubio-García, Celia Villodre Tudela, Cándido Alcázar López, Silvia Carbonell Morote, Mariano Franco Campello, Paola Melgar Requena, Adrián Paredes Segura, José Manuel Ramia Ángel
Cirugía Española (English Edition).2025;[Epub] CrossRef
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Chengdong Yu, Jiawei Xu, Siyi Xu, Lei Tang, Qinyuan Han, Xiaoqiang Zeng, Yanxiao Huang, Tenghua Yu, Zhengkui Sun
Frontiers in Immunology.2024;[Epub] CrossRef
The Impact of Tobacco Smoking and Alcohol Consumption on the Development of Gastric Cancers
Waku Hatta, Tomoyuki Koike, Naoki Asano, Yutaka Hatayama, Yohei Ogata, Masahiro Saito, Xiaoyi Jin, Kaname Uno, Akira Imatani, Atsushi Masamune
International Journal of Molecular Sciences.2024; 25(14): 7854. CrossRef
Genetic Heterogeneity Across Dimensions of Alcohol Use Behaviors
Jeanne E. Savage, Peter B. Barr, Tanya Phung, Younga H. Lee, Yingzhe Zhang, Vivia V. McCutcheon, Tian Ge, Jordan W. Smoller, Lea K. Davis, Jacquelyn Meyers, Bernice Porjesz, Danielle Posthuma, Travis T. Mallard, Sandra Sanchez-Roige
American Journal of Psychiatry.2024; 181(11): 1006. CrossRef
To Drink or Not to Drink? Investigating Alcohol’s Impact on Prostate Cancer Risk
Aris Kaltsas, Michael Chrisofos, Evangelos N. Symeonidis, Athanasios Zachariou, Marios Stavropoulos, Zisis Kratiras, Ilias Giannakodimos, Asterios Symeonidis, Fotios Dimitriadis, Nikolaos Sofikitis
Cancers.2024; 16(20): 3453. CrossRef
Factors associated with acquiring exercise habits through health guidance for metabolic syndrome among middle-aged Japanese workers: A machine learning approach
Jiawei Wan, Kyohsuke Wakaba, Takeshi Onoue, Kazuyo Tsushita, Yoshio Nakata
Preventive Medicine Reports.2024; 48: 102915. CrossRef
Development of an algorithm for identifying paraneoplastic ischemic stroke in association with lung, pancreatic, and colorectal cancer
Rebecca Kassubek, Marc-Andre G. R. Winter, Jens Dreyhaupt, Mona Laible, Jan Kassubek, Albert C. Ludolph, Jan Lewerenz
Therapeutic Advances in Neurological Disorders.2024;[Epub] CrossRef
Alimentación y cáncer
Carlos A. González Svatetz
FMC - Formación Médica Continuada en Atención Primaria.2024; 31(8): 403. CrossRef
Alcohol consumption and its association with cancer, cardiovascular, liver and brain diseases: a systematic review of Mendelian randomization studies
Naouras Bouajila, Cloé Domenighetti, Henri-Jean Aubin, Mickael Naassila
Frontiers in Epidemiology.2024;[Epub] CrossRef
Prévention et dépistage des cancers dans les rhumatismes inflammatoires chroniques
Elodie Mamou, Laetitia Morardet, Djaha Mogni, Bruno Fautrel, Laure Gossec
Revue du Rhumatisme.2024;[Epub] CrossRef
Global, regional, and national trends in gastric cancer burden: 1990-2021 and projections to 2040
Tao Zhang, Yiqun Zhang, Xiaofei Leng
Frontiers in Oncology.2024;[Epub] CrossRef
Alcohol Consumption and Breast and Ovarian Cancer Development: Molecular Pathways and Mechanisms
Francesca Fanfarillo, Brunella Caronti, Marco Lucarelli, Silvia Francati, Luigi Tarani, Mauro Ceccanti, Maria Grazia Piccioni, Loredana Verdone, Micaela Caserta, Sabrina Venditti, Giampiero Ferraguti, Marco Fiore
Current Issues in Molecular Biology.2024; 46(12): 14438. CrossRef

The Korea National Disability Registration System: Miso Kim, Wonyoung Jung, So Young Kim, Jong Hyock Park, Dong Wook Shin; Epidemiol Health. 2023;45:e2023053. Published online May 11, 2023; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4178/epih.e2023053

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Abstract Summary PDF Supplementary Material

Abstract

The Korea National Disability Registration System (KNDRS) was established in 1989 to provide social welfare benefits based on predefined criteria for disability registration and an objective medical assessment using a disability grading system. Disability registration requires (1) a medical examination by a qualified specialist physician and (2) a medical advisory meeting to review the degree of disability. Medical institutions and specialists for the diagnosis of disabilities are legally stipulated, and medical records for a specified period are required to support the diagnosis. The number of disability types has gradually expanded, and 15 disability types have been legally defined. As of 2021, 2.645 million people were registered as disabled, accounting for approximately 5.1% of the total population. Among the 15 disability types, disabilities of the extremities account for the largest proportion (45.1%). Previous studies have investigated the epidemiology of disabilities using data from the KNDRS, combined predominantly with data from the National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD). Korea has a mandatory public health insurance system that covers the entire Korean population, and the National Health Insurance Services manages all eligibility information, including disability types and severity ratings. In short, the KNDRS-NHIRD is a significant data resource for research on the epidemiology of disabilities.

Summary

Korean summary
한국에서는 장애의 유형과 장애 유형별 장애정도를 장애인 복지법에서 규정하고 있다. 우리는 한국의 장애등록제도의 역사와 장애등록절차 그리고 장애유형별 통계 현황에 대해서 다루고자 한다.

Key Message
In Korea, the types and severity levels of disabilities are legally defined by the Korea National Disability Registration System (KNDRS). We address the history of the KNDRS, disability registration procedures, and current statistics.

Citations

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H.-Y. Lee, K.E. Yeob, S.Y. Kim, Y.Y. Kim, J.H. Park
Journal of Affective Disorders.2025; 369: 135. CrossRef
Association between Age-Related Macular Degeneration with Visual Disability and Risk of Dementia: A Nationwide Cohort Study
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Journal of the American Medical Directors Association.2025; 26(2): 105392. CrossRef
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In Young Cho, Hye Yeon Koo, Yoo Jin Um, Yong-Moon Mark Park, Kyung Mee Kim, Chung Eun Lee, Kyungdo Han
Disability and Health Journal.2025; 18(2): 101754. CrossRef
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Original Articles

Association of blood pressure measurements in sitting, supine, and standing positions with the 10-year risk of mortality in Korean adults: Inkyung Baik, Nan Hee Kim, Seong Hwan Kim, Chol Shin; Epidemiol Health. 2023;45:e2023055. Published online June 8, 2023; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4178/epih.e2023055

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257 Download
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Abstract Summary PDF Supplementary Material

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
This prospective cohort study investigated the association between blood pressure (BP) as measured in different body postures and all-cause and cardiovascular (CV) mortality risk.

METHODS

This population-based investigation included 8,901 Korean adults in 2001 and 2002. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were measured sequentially in the sitting, supine, and standing positions and classified into 4 categories: (1) normal, SBP <120 mmHg and DBP <80 mmHg; (2) high normal/prehypertension, SBP 120-129 mmHg and DBP <80 mmHg/SBP 130-139 mmHg or DBP 80-89 mmHg; (3) grade 1 hypertension (HTN), with SBP 140-159 mmHg or DBP 90-99 mmHg; and (4) grade 2 HTN, SBP ≥160 mmHg or DBP ≥100 mmHg. The date and cause of individual deaths were confirmed in the death record data compiled until 2013. Data were analyzed using Cox proportional hazard regression.

RESULTS

Significant associations were found between the BP categories and all-cause mortality, but only when BPs were measured in the supine position. The multivariate hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals, [CIs]) were 1.36 (95% CI, 1.06 to 1.75) and 1.59 (95% CI, 1.06 to 2.39) for grade 1 HTN and grade 2 HTN, respectively, compared with the normal category. The associations between the BP categories and CV mortality were significant regardless of body posture among participants ≥65 years, whereas they were significant for supine BP measurements only in those <65 years.

CONCLUSIONS

BP measured in the supine position predicted all-cause mortality and CV mortality better than BP measured in other postures.

Summary

Korean summary
본 역학 연구는 한국 성인 8,901명을 연구대상자로 하여 기초조사에서 세가지 자세, 즉 앉은 자세, 누운 자세, 일어선 자세에서 혈압을 측정하고, 이후 10년 동안의 사망 여부를 추적조사하여, 측정 자세에 따른 혈압과 사망 위험과의 관련성을 분석하였다. 그 결과, 누운 자세에서 측정된 고혈압(기준: 수축기 혈압이 140 mmHg 이상 혹은 이완기 혈압이 90 mmHg 이상)인 사람은 정상 혈압(기준: 수축기 혈압이 120 mmHg 미만이고 이완기 혈압이 80 mmHg 미만)인 사람에 비해 36%(1단계 고혈압) 혹은 59%(2단계 고혈압) 가량 총 사망 위험이 유의적으로 증가하는 것으로 나타났다. 이에 비해, 앉은 자세 및 일어선 자세에서 측정, 정의된 고혈압은 총 사망 위험을 증가시켰지만 유의적인 결과를 나타내지 못했다. 추후 연구에서 재확인이 필요하지만, 본 연구 결과가 시사하는 바는 앉은 자세나 일어선 자세보다 누운 자세에서 측정하는 혈압이 총 사망 위험을 더 잘 예측하므로, 고혈압 진단 외의 추가적인 활용 가능성이 있는 것으로 평가된다.

Key Message
The current epidemiological study revealed that blood pressure measured in a supine position could predict all-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality better than blood pressure measured in a sitting or standing position. As a result, blood pressure measurements in a supine position may be useful in assessing mortality risk.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Supine Blood Pressure and Risk of Cardiovascular Disease and Mortality
Duc M. Giao, Hannah Col, Fredrick Larbi Kwapong, Ruth-Alma Turkson-Ocran, Long H. Ngo, Jennifer L. Cluett, Lynne Wagenknecht, B. Gwen Windham, Elizabeth Selvin, Pamela L. Lutsey, Stephen P. Juraschek
JAMA Cardiology.2025; 10(3): 265. CrossRef
Central vs. Brachial Blood Pressure and Pulse Pressure Amplification for Mortality Risk Prediction in Patients Undergoing Coronary Angiography
Clara Daschner, Marcus E Kleber, Niklas Ayasse, Ksenija Stach, Gökhan Yücel, Faeq Husain-Syed, Alexander Niessner, Bernd Krüger, Winfried März, Bernhard K Krämer, Babak Yazdani
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Associations of the magnesium depletion score and magnesium intake with diabetes among US adults: an analysis of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2011-2018: Zhong Tian, Shifang Qu, Yana Chen, Jiaxin Fang, Xingxu Song, Kai He, Kexin Jiang, Xiaoyue Sun, Jianyang Shi, Yuchun Tao, Lina Jin; Epidemiol Health. 2024;46:e2024020. Published online January 10, 2024; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4178/epih.e2024020

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Abstract Summary PDF Supplementary Material

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
The magnesium depletion score (MDS) is considered more reliable than traditional approaches for predicting magnesium deficiency in humans. We explored the associations of MDS and dietary magnesium intake with diabetes.

METHODS

We obtained data from 18,853 participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2011-2018. Using multivariate regression and stratified analysis, we investigated the relationships of both MDS and magnesium intake with diabetes. To compute prevalence ratios (PRs), we employed modified Poisson or log-binomial regression. We characterized the non-linear association between magnesium intake and diabetes using restricted cubic spline analysis.

RESULTS

Participants with MDS ≥2 exhibited a PR of 1.26 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.19 to 1.34) for diabetes. Per-standard deviation (SD) increase in dietary magnesium intake was associated with a lower prevalence of diabetes (PR, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.87 to 0.96). Subgroup analyses revealed a positive association between MDS ≥2 and diabetes across all levels of dietary magnesium intake, including the lowest (PR, 1.35; 95% CI, 1.18 to 1.55), middle (PR, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.12 to 1.35), and highest tertiles (PR, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.13 to 1.37; pinteraction<0.001). Per-SD increase in magnesium intake was associated with lower diabetes prevalence in participants with MDS <2 (PR, 0.92; 95% CI, 0.87 to 0.98) and those with MDS ≥2 (PR, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.84 to 0.98; pinteraction=0.030).

CONCLUSIONS

MDS is associated with diabetes, particularly among individuals with low magnesium intake. Adequate dietary magnesium intake may reduce diabetes risk, especially in those with high MDS.

Summary

Key Message
The relationship between magnesium intake and risk is currently understudied in the field of diabetes prevention. The study found that magnesium deficiency is associated with diabetes risk, especially in people with low magnesium intake. Dietary magnesium supplementation may reduce risk and provide a new strategy for diabetes prevention. This study fills this knowledge gap and is important for scientific understanding of diabetes pathogenesis and epidemiological prevention and control.

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Magnesium Depletion Score and Mortality in Individuals with Metabolic Dysfunction Associated Steatotic Liver Disease over a Median Follow-Up of 26 Years
Lei Fan, Xiangzhu Zhu, Xinyuan Zhang, Shakirat Salvador, Xuehong Zhang, Martha J. Shrubsole, Manhal J. Izzy, Qi Dai
Nutrients.2025; 17(2): 244. CrossRef
Higher magnesium depletion score increases the risk of all‑cause and cardiovascular mortality in US adults with diabetes
Hao Zhang, Liping Kuang, Qiang Wan, Amirmohammad Khalaji
PLOS ONE.2025; 20(1): e0314298. CrossRef
Magnesium Matters: A Comprehensive Review of Its Vital Role in Health and Diseases
Ghizal Fatima, Andrej Dzupina, Hekmat B Alhmadi, Aminat Magomedova, Zainab Siddiqui, Ammar Mehdi, Najah Hadi
Cureus.2024;[Epub] CrossRef
Magnesium depletion score and depression: a positive correlation among US adults
Wei Zhao, Hai Jin
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Magnesium depletion score and gout: insights from NHANES data
Xu Cao, Haixia Feng, Huijie Wang
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Association between magnesium depletion score and the prevalence of kidney stones in the low primary income ratio: a cross-sectional study of NHANES 2007–2018
Jiahao Wang, Yunfei Xiao, Yaqing Yang, Shan Yin, Jianwei Cui, Ke Huang, Jia Wang, Yunjin Bai
International Journal of Surgery.2024; 110(12): 7636. CrossRef

Changes in mental health service utilization before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: a nationwide database analysis in Korea: Kyoung Hoon Kim, Sang Min Lee, Minha Hong, Kyu-Man Han, Jong-Woo Paik; Epidemiol Health. 2023;45:e2023022. Published online February 14, 2023; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4178/epih.e2023022

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315 Download
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Abstract Summary PDF Supplementary Material

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
The present study examined the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on mental health service utilization through a comparative analysis of nationwide data regarding inpatient care users, outpatient visits, emergency department (ED) visits, and admissions via the ED before and during the pandemic.

METHODS

Data from approximately 350,000 Koreans diagnosed with mental illness were analyzed in terms of hospitalization, outpatient visits, and ED visits between January 2018 and June 2021. An interrupted time series analysis was conducted to determine the significance of changes in mental health service utilization indicators.

RESULTS

The number of hospital admissions per patient decreased by 1.2% at the start of the pandemic and 0.7% afterward. The length of hospital stay increased by 1.8% at the outbreak of the pandemic, and then decreased by 20.2%. Although the number of outpatients increased, the number of outpatient visits per patient decreased; the number of outpatient visits for schizophrenia (3.4%) and bipolar disorder (3.5%) significantly decreased immediately post-outbreak. The number of ED visits per patient decreased both immediately post-outbreak and afterward, and ED visits for schizophrenia (19.2%), bipolar disorder (22.3%), and depression (17.4%) decreased significantly immediately post-outbreak. Admissions via the ED did not show a significant change immediately post-outbreak.

CONCLUSIONS

Mental health service utilization increased during the pandemic, but medical service use decreased overall, with a particularly significant decrease in ED utilization. As the pandemic worsened, the decline in outpatient visits became more pronounced among those with severe mental illness.

Summary

Korean summary
이 연구는 COVID-19 전후 정신질환 의료서비스 이용 변화를 분석하였다. 팬데믹 기간 중에 정신질환 의료서비스는 전반적으로 감소하였고, 특히 중증 정신질환의 외래 방문이 감소하였다. 따라서, 정신질환자의 진료 연속성을 보장하기 위한 조치가 요구된다.

Key Message
This study examined the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health service utilization. The mental health service utilization decreased overall after the outbreak of COVID-19, especially outpatient visits for severe mental illness significantly decreased. Therefore, countermeasures are needed to maintain the continuity of care.

Citations

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A population-based cohort to investigate the impact of COVID-19 on socioeconomic inequalities in mental health care in Italy (CoMeH): study protocol
Alessio Petrelli, Massimiliano Aragona, Roberta Ciampichini, Anteo Di Napoli, Valeria Fano, Sara Leone, Martina Pacifici, Claudio Rosini, Caterina Silvestri, Alberto Zucchi, Martina Ventura
Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
Factors Associated with Leaving Ambulatory Psychiatric Treatment in a Large, Academic Health System During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Nathaniel A. Sowa, Xiaoming Zeng
Psychiatric Quarterly.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
Adult Mental Health Presentations to Emergency Departments in Victoria, Australia between January 2018 and October 2020: Changes Associated with COVID-19 Pandemic Public Health Restrictions
Jackson Newberry-Dupé, Wanyu Chu, Simon Craig, Rohan Borschmann, Gerard O’Reilly, Paul Yates, Glenn Melvin, Kylie King, Harriet Hiscock
Psychiatric Quarterly.2024; 95(1): 33. CrossRef
Incidence of Panic Disorder Diagnoses After Celebrity Disclosures of Panic Disorder in South Korea
Ga Eun Kim, Min-Woo Jo, Young Eun Kim, Seok-Jun Yoon, Yong-Wook Shin
JAMA Network Open.2024; 7(7): e2420934. CrossRef
Stigma Experience and Mental Health of Vulnerable Groups: Focusing on the COVID-19 Period
Sung Moon Choi, Jong-Woo Paik, Myung Jae Paik, Jin Hee Hyun, Sung Eun You, Ah Rah Lee, Sang Min Lee
Journal of Korean Neuropsychiatric Association.2024; 63(4): 225. CrossRef
Changes in psychiatric disorder incidence patterns during the COVID-19 pandemic in Korea: a study using the nationwide universal health insurance data
Changwoo Han, Juho Choi, Hoyeon Jang, Hwa-Young Lee, Tarik Benmarhnia, Juhwan Oh
BMC Psychiatry.2024;[Epub] CrossRef
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on access to mental health services and socioeconomic inequalities in Italy
Alessio Petrelli, Martina Ventura, Roberta Ciampichini, Anteo Di Napoli, Valeria Fano, Christian Napoli, Martina Pacifici, Claudio Rosini, Caterina Silvestri, Fabio Voller, Alberto Zucchi, Massimiliano Aragona
Frontiers in Psychiatry.2024;[Epub] CrossRef
Trends in telemedicine utilization for mental illness during the COVID-19 pandemic: an analysis of a nationwide database in Korea
Kyoung Hoon Kim, Sang Min Lee, Minha Hong, Kyu-Man Han, Jong-Woo Paik
BMC Psychiatry.2023;[Epub] CrossRef
Admissions to psychiatric inpatient services and use of coercive measures in 2020 in a Swiss psychiatric department: An interrupted time-series analysis
Alexandre Wullschleger, Leonel Gonçalves, Maya Royston, Othman Sentissi, Julia Ambrosetti, Stefan Kaiser, Stéphanie Baggio, Jahida Gulshan
PLOS ONE.2023; 18(7): e0289310. CrossRef

Homelessness and mortality: gender, age, and housing status inequity in Korea: Gum-Ryeong Park, Dawoon Jeong, Seung Won Lee, Hojoon Sohn, Young Ae Kang, Hongjo Choi; Epidemiol Health. 2024;46:e2024076. Published online September 12, 2024; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4178/epih.e2024076

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Abstract Summary PDF Supplementary Material: Abstract
OBJECTIVES
We compared mortality rates among various housing statuses within the homeless population and investigated factors contributing to their deaths, including housing status, gender, and age.
METHODS
Using a comprehensive multi-year dataset (n=15,445) curated by the National Tuberculosis Screening and Case Management Programs, matched with the 2019-2021 Vital Statistics Death Database and National Health Insurance claims data, we calculated age-standardized mortality rates and conducted survival analysis to estimate differences in mortality rates based on housing status.
RESULTS
The mortality rate among the homeless population was twice as high as that of the general population, at 1,159.6 per 100,000 compared to 645.8 per 100,000, respectively. Cancer and cardiovascular diseases were the primary causes of death. Furthermore, individuals residing in shelter facilities faced a significantly higher risk of death than those who were rough sleeping, with an adjusted hazard ratio of 1.70 (95% confidence interval, 1.37 to 2.11). This increased risk was especially pronounced in older adults and women.
CONCLUSIONS
The study highlights the urgent need for targeted interventions, as the homeless population faces significantly higher mortality rates. Older adults and women in shelter facilities are at the highest risk.; Summary

Korean summary
전체 인구의 사망률은 큰 폭으로 줄어들면서 홈리스와 전체 인구 간의 사망 불평등이 1.3배에서 1.8배로 증가했다. 특히 쪽방주민이나 거리 홈리스보다 시설 거주 홈리스의 사망 위험이 더 높았으며, 동일 조건하에서 거리 홈리스 대비 약 1.7배 높은 사망 위험을 보였다. 본 연구는 홈리스의 탈시설화를 촉진하는 정책 전환의 필요성을 시사한다.

Key Message
The mortality rate of the general population has significantly declined, leading to an increase in mortality inequality between the homeless and the general population from 1.3 to 1.8 times. In particular, the mortality risk for homeless individuals in facilities was higher than that of those living in jjokbang or on the streets. This study highlights the need for a policy shift to promote deinstitutionalization for the homeless population.

Associations between digital media use and lack of physical exercise among middle-school adolescents in Korea: Gyeongmin Kim, Hyunsuk Jeong, Hyeon Woo Yim; Epidemiol Health. 2023;45:e2023012. Published online January 10, 2023; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4178/epih.e2023012

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262 Download
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Abstract Summary PDF Supplementary Material

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
The reported effects of digital media overuse on physical activity among adolescents are inconsistent. This study examined the association between hours of digital media use and lack of moderate-intensity physical exercise (mPE) according to the type of digital media.

METHODS

This study included 1,837 middle school students from the iCURE (Internet user Cohort for Unbiased Recognition of gaming disorder in Early Adolescence) study conducted in Korea. Hours spent using digital media were measured by self-reported daily usage time for Internet games, messengers, social media, and watching game streaming on weekdays. Lack of mPE was defined as performing a minimum of 30 minutes at a time less than twice weekly. Multivariable logistic regression analysis stratified by sex was performed.

RESULTS

Among male students, the group with the highest hours of using either Internet games or watching game streaming was more likely to lack mPE than each non-user group. In contrast, among male students, the group using either messengers or social media had a higher rate of mPE compared to each non-user group. Female students showed no association between hours spent using Internet games, messengers, social media, or watching game streaming and a lack of mPE.

CONCLUSIONS

Among male middle school students in Korea, the excessive use of Internet games or watching game streaming was associated with a lack of mPE. Thus, guidelines should be established regarding adolescent use of internet games and watching game streaming.

Summary

Korean summary
한국에서 남, 여 중학생을 대상으로 4개 인터넷 매체(인터넷 게임, 메신저, 소셜미디어, 게임 스트리밍 시청) 과다사용과 신체 운동 부재와의 연관성을 알아보기 위한 단면조사 연구를 시행하였다. 남자 중학생에서 인터넷 게임 사용 또는 게임 스트리밍 시청 시간이 가장 높은 사분위 그룹은 비이용 그룹보다 중간 강도의 신체운동 부재율이 유의하게 높았다.

Key Message
A cross-sectional study was conducted to find out the relationship between excessive use of four Internet media (internet games, messengers, social media, and game streaming) and lack of physical exercise targeting male and female middle school students in Korea. Among male middle school students, the upper quartile group with the highest Internet game use or game streaming viewing time had a significantly higher moderate-intensity physical exercise absence rate than the non-use group.

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Social Media Addiction and Cognitive Behavioral Physical Activity Among Adolescent Girls: A Cross‐Sectional Study
Ebru Sönmez Sari, Handan Terzi, Didem Şahin
Public Health Nursing.2025; 42(1): 61. CrossRef
Delineating temporal dynamics for the linkage between anxiety symptoms and problematic media use among Chinese adolescents
Hongjian Cao, Shaofan Wang, Nan Zhou, Ming-Chen Zhang
Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology.2025; 97: 101761. CrossRef
‘We wanted to spend more time with each other than with our phones’. Relationship between digital disconnection and physical activity of family members
Katarzyna Kopecka-Piech
Cogent Arts & Humanities.2024;[Epub] CrossRef
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Trends in the effects of socioeconomic position on physical activity levels and sedentary behavior among Korean adolescents
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Epidemiology and Health.2023; 45: e2023085. CrossRef

Systematic Review

Tea consumption and risk of all-cause, cardiovascular disease, and cancer mortality: a meta-analysis of thirty-eight prospective cohort data sets: Youngyo Kim, Youjin Je; Epidemiol Health. 2024;46:e2024056. Published online June 21, 2024; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4178/epih.e2024056

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Abstract Summary PDF Supplementary Material

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
Tea consumption has been considered beneficial to human health because tea contains phytochemicals such as polyphenols and theaflavins. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis on the association between tea consumption and mortality from all causes, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and cancer to provide a quantitative assessment of current evidence.

METHODS

The PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases were searched through April 2024 to identify eligible studies. Random effects models were used to combine study-specific effect estimates (ESs).

RESULTS

A total of 38 prospective cohort data sets (from 27 papers) with 1,956,549 participants were included in this meta-analysis. The pooled ESs of the highest versus lowest categories of tea consumption were 0.90 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.86 to 0.95) for all-cause mortality, 0.86 (95% CI, 0.79 to 0.94) for CVD mortality, and 0.90 (95% CI, 0.78 to 1.03) for cancer mortality. In the dose-response analysis, a non-linear association was observed. The greatest risk reductions were observed for the consumption of 2.0 cup/day for all-cause mortality (ES, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.88 to 0.94) and 1.5 cup/day for cancer mortality (ES, 0.92; 95% CI, 0.89 to 0.96), whereas additional consumption did not show a further reduction in the risk of death. A plateau was observed for CVD mortality at moderate consumption levels (1.5-3.0 cup/day), but a sustained reduction in mortality risk was observed at higher intake levels.

CONCLUSIONS

Moderate tea consumption (e.g., 1.5-2.0 cup/day) was associated with lower all-cause, CVD, and cancer mortality compared to no tea consumption. Further well-designed prospective studies are needed for a definitive conclusion.

Summary

Korean summary
차는 전세계적으로 널리 소비되는 음료로 그 공중보건학적 영향력이 크다. 차의 섭취와 만성질환의 관련성은 아직 일관성 있게 결론이 나지 않았는데 최근에 이 주제에 대하여 대규모의 코호트 연구 결과들이 발표된 바 있었다. 38개의 코호트 데이터에 근거한 본 메타분석의 결과는 하루 한 잔 반에서 두 잔의 차를 마시는 것이 총사망위험과 심혈관계질환이나 암으로 인한 사망 위험을 낮추는 것과 관계가 있음을 나타내고 있다.

Key Message
Tea is a commonly consumed beverage worldwide and has a significant public health impact. The association between tea consumption and risk of mortality from chronic disease remains inconsistent, and extensive cohort studies have been published recently. In this meta-analysis, including thirty-eight cohort studies, people who drank one and a half to two cups of tea daily had a lower risk of mortality from all causes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer than those who drank less tea.

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Mingchuan Yang, Xiangchun Zhang, Chung S. Yang
Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.2025; 73(7): 3816. CrossRef
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E. A. Nikitina, S. V. Orlova, T. T. Batysheva, N. V. Balashova, M. V. Alekseeva, A. N. Vodolazkaya, E. V. Prokopenko, Kh. A. Magomedova
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COVID-19: Special Article

Changes in health behaviors and obesity of Korean adolescents before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: a special report using the Korea Youth Risk Behavior Survey: Chang-Mo Oh, Yangha Kim, Jieun Yang, Sunhye Choi, Kyungwon Oh; Epidemiol Health. 2023;45:e2023018. Published online February 14, 2023; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4178/epih.e2023018

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Abstract Summary PDF Supplementary Material

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
This study aimed to investigate changes in health behaviors, including cigarette smoking, alcohol drinking, physical activity, dietary behaviors, and obesity, before and during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic using the Korea Youth Risk Behavior Survey (KYRBS) database.

METHODS

KYRBS data from 2015 to 2021 were used in this study. Differences in health behaviors between before (pre-pandemic period: 2018-2019) and during (pandemic period: 2020-2021) the pandemic were examined. Differences were compared using linear regression and the chi-square test considering the complex survey design after adjusting for grade level.

RESULTS

The prevalence of current cigarette smoking and current alcohol drinking significantly decreased in both male and female students during the pandemic compared to the pre-pandemic period. However, the prevalence of obesity significantly increased in both male and female students during the same period. When examining physical activity and dietary behaviors closely related to obesity, fast food consumption increased and fruit consumption decreased during the pandemic in both male and female students, whereas no significant changes in physical activity were observed in either male or female students.

CONCLUSIONS

The deterioration of adolescent dietary behaviors and an increase in the prevalence of obesity can increase the future disease burden, and concerted efforts at the individual and national levels are needed to reduce obesity and promote healthy dietary behaviors.

Summary

Korean summary
이 연구는 한국 청소년건강행태조사자료(KYRBS)를 사용하여 코로나19 유행 전후의 우리나라 청소년들의 흡연, 음주, 신체활동, 식습관, 비만 등의 건강행태의 변화에 대하여 살펴보고자 하였다. 이 연구에서는 2015년부터 2021년까지의 청소년건강행태조사자료를 사용하여, 코로나19 유행 이전 (2018-2019년)과 코로나 유행 이후 (2020-2021년) 기간의 건강행태의 변화에 대하여 조사하였다. 학년레벨을 보정한 후, 복합표본설계를 고려하여 로지스틱 회귀분석과 카이제곱검정을 이용하여 코로나19 유행 이전 (2018-2019년)과 비교하여, 코로나 유행 이후 (2020-2021년) 기간의 건강행태의 변화가 있었는지에 대하여 확인하였다. 그 결과, 코로나19 유행 이전 (2018-2019년)과 비교하여, 코로나19 유행 기간(2020-2021년) 동안에 현재흡연율과 현재음주율이 유의하게 감소하였다. 그러나 동일한 기간 동안에 남학생과 여학생 모두에서 비만율이 유의하게 증가하였는데, 비만율과 관련된 신체활동 및 식습관에 대하여 살펴보았을 때, 신체활동에서는 유의한 변화가 없었던 반면, 남학생과 여학생 모두에서 패스트푸드 섭취는 증가하고 과일섭취가 감소한 것으로 나타났다. 따라서 코로나19 유행기간 동안 흡연율 및 음주율 등의 청소년 건강에 유익한 변화도 있었으나, 비만율도 같이 증가한 것을 확인할 수 있었다. 청소년기의 식습관의 악화 및 비만율의 증가는 미래 우리나라의 질병부담을 증가시킬 수 있기 때문에, 청소년의 비만율을 낮추고 건강한 식습관을 증진시키기 위한 개인 및 사회 차원의 노력이 필요하다.

Key Message
-The current cigarette smoking and current alcohol drinking rates significantly decreased among Korean adolescents during the pandemic period compared to the pre-pandemic period. -On the other hand, the obesity rate increased significantly especially among Korean male adolescents, which is accompanied by changes in dietary habits such as an increase in fast food intake and a decrease in fruit intake.

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A Comparison of Changes in Health Behavior, Obesity, and Mental Health of Korean Adolescents Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Online Cross-Sectional Study
Mi-Sun Lee, Hooyeon Lee
Psychiatry Investigation.2023; 20(11): 1086. CrossRef

Original Article

Prevalence of cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome in Korea: Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2011-2021: Sung-Bin Hong, Ji-Eun Kim, Seung Seok Han, Joseph J. Shearer, Jungnam Joo, Ji-Yeob Choi, Véronique L. Roger; Epidemiol Health. 2025;47:e2025005. Published online February 14, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4178/epih.e2025005

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Abstract Summary PDF: Abstract
OBJECTIVES
The American Heart Association (AHA) recently defined cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome to better characterize the associations among cardiovascular, kidney, and metabolic diseases. Although about 9 in 10 United States adults have at least 1 risk factor for CKM syndrome, its prevalence in other populations is less understood. To fill this gap, we examined the prevalence of CKM syndrome in Korea and its association with demographic and socioeconomic status (SES).
METHODS
Using data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 2011 and 2021, we calculated the prevalence of CKM syndrome across the following stages: stage 0 (no risk factors), stage 1 (excess or dysfunctional adiposity), stage 2 (other metabolic risk factors or chronic kidney disease), and stages 3-4 (subclinical/clinical cardiovascular diseases) among adults aged ≥20 years. Weighted analyses were used to estimate prevalence and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for each CKM syndrome stage, stratified by age, gender, and SES factors.
RESULTS
Among 54,994 Korean adults, the prevalence of CKM syndrome was as follows: stage 0 (25.2%; 95% CI, 24.7 to 25.8), stage 1 (19.3%; 95% CI, 18.9 to 19.7), stage 2 (51.6%; 95% CI, 51.1 to 52.2), and stages 3-4 (3.9%; 95% CI, 3.7 to 4.0). The prevalence of stages 2 and 3-4 was higher in men than in women. In addition, stages 3-4 were more prevalent among rural residents and those with lower education or income.
CONCLUSIONS
About 3 out of 4 Koreans are at risk for CKM syndrome. These findings highlight that CKM syndrome is a global health problem and that interventions are urgently needed to prevent further progression.; Summary

Korean summary
최근, 심장-신장-대사 증후군을 하나로 묶어 관리하는 것의 필요성이 대두되고 있다. 본 연구 결과 20세 이상의 한국 성인들의 74.8%가 심장-신장-대사 증후군의 위험군에 속해 있었다. 또한 그 정도가 증가하는 추세로 나타나 적절한 관리가 필요해 보인다.

Key Message
Recently, the need for an integrated approach to managing cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome has been emphasized. This study found that 74.8% of Korean adults aged 20 and older had a risk for CKM syndrome. Moreover, the prevalence is increasing, highlighting the necessity of proper management.

COVID-19: Health Statistics

Changes in food and nutrient intakes in Korean adults before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: data from the 2011-2020 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey: Kyungwon Oh, Suyeon Park, Sihyun Park, Sungha Yun, Hongseok Choi, Eun Kyeong Jeong; Epidemiol Health. 2023;45:e2023015. Published online February 1, 2023; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4178/epih.e2023015

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Abstract Summary PDF Supplementary Material

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
This study was to examine the changes in dietary habits and food and nutrient intakes between before (2019) and during (2020) the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES).

METHODS

A total of 54,995 participants aged ≥19 years who participated in the 2011-2020 KNHANES were included. The 10-year trend (2011-2020) and differences between 2019 and 2020 for dietary habits and food and nutrient intakes were estimated using SAS.

RESULTS

In the past 10 years (2011-2020), the dietary habits (increase in skipping meals and eating out), food intake (increase in meats and decrease in fruits and vegetables), and nutrient intake (increase in fat and decrease in sodium) in adults have changed. When comparing between 2019 and 2020, there were 4.6%p decrease in the eating out more than once a day. On the other hand, there were no significant differences in the intakes of food, energy and most of nutrients between 2019 and 2020, except for the proportion of energy intake from fat (1.0%p increase) and carbohydrate (1.0%p decrease).

CONCLUSIONS

Although a change in dietary habits from before to during the COVID-19 pandemic was observed, food and nutrient intakes have not deteriorated markedly and appear similar to the trends in the past 10 years. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, it is necessary to monitor the effects of changes in dietary habits on health as well as food and nutrient intakes.

Summary

Korean summary
코로나19 유행 전, 후 비교 시, 외식 감소, 가정식 섭취 증가 등 식생활은 변화가 있었으나 주요 식품 및 영양소 섭취는 큰 변화없이 최근 10년간의 추이가 지속되고 있었다.

Key Message
Although a change in dietary habits from before to during the COVID-19 pandemic was observed, food and nutrient intakes have not deteriorated markedly and appear similar to the trends in the past 10 years in Korean adults.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Comparative study on the health and dietary habits of Korean male and female adults before and after the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic: utilizing data from the 8th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2019–2021)
Chaemin Kim, Eunjung Kim
Korean Journal of Community Nutrition.2024; 29(1): 65. CrossRef
Assessing dietary bisphenol A exposure among Koreans: comprehensive database construction and analysis using the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
Yoonjoo Lee, Jiyun Baek, Youngjoo Kwon
Food Additives & Contaminants: Part A.2024; 41(8): 1018. CrossRef
Association of dietary habits with general and abdominal obesity in Korean children and adolescents: cluster analysis of nationwide population survey data
Ye-Jin Yun, Yu-Jin Kwon, Yaeji Lee, Seok-Jae Heo, Ji-Won Lee
Frontiers in Endocrinology.2024;[Epub] CrossRef
Analysis of the characteristics of dietary information acquisition and perceptions on the Dietary Reference Intakes for Koreans among Korean adults
Soo-Hyun Kim, Hyojee Joung
Journal of Nutrition and Health.2024; 57(6): 653. CrossRef

Original Article

Trends in socioeconomic inequalities in obesity among Korean adolescents: the Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey (KYRBS) 2006 to 2020: Eunji Kim, Ga Bin Lee, Dong Keon Yon, Hyeon Chang Kim; Epidemiol Health. 2023;45:e2023033. Published online March 7, 2023; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4178/epih.e2023033

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Abstract Summary PDF Supplementary Material

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
This study investigated recent trends in the prevalence of obesity among Korean adolescents and explored socioeconomic disparities in obesity.

METHODS

This study used annual self-reported data on height, weight, and socioeconomic information from the Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey from 2006 to 2020. With a 95.8% response rate, the sample consisted of 818,210 adolescents. Obesity prevalence was calculated according to 4 socioeconomic indicators (household income, father’s educational attainment, mother’s educational attainment, and urbanicity). Socioeconomic inequality was quantified using the relative index of inequality (RII).

RESULTS

The overall prevalence of obesity increased, doubling from 5.9% in 2006 to 11.7% in 2020. Boys and high school students showed a higher prevalence. The RIIs in household income and parental educational attainments significantly increased with time, indicating a growing inequality in obesity. Socioeconomic disadvantages had a greater influence on obesity among girls. The most recent RII values for boys were 1.25 for income, 1.79 for the father’s education, and 1.45 for the mother’s education, whereas the corresponding values for girls were 2.49, 3.17, and 2.62, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings highlight growing inequalities in adolescent obesity according to household income and parental educational attainments, especially for girls and middle schoolers.

Summary

Korean summary
2006년부터 2020년까지 청소년 비만의 유병은 증가 추세에 있을 뿐 아니라, 가정의 경제상태, 부모의 학력수준에 따른 비만의 위험 격차도 점점 심해지는 추세를 보였다. 특히, 남학생과 고등학생의 비만 유병률이 높게 나타났으나, 사회경제적 지표에 따른 비만의 불평등 격차는 여학생과 중학생에서 높게 나타났다.

Key Message
Not only the prevalence but also socioeconomic inequality in adolescent obesity increased between 2006 and 2020. The potential impact of socioeconomic disparity on obesity was greater in girls and middle school students than their counterparts.

Citations

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The Association Between Obesity Measures and Metabolic Syndrome Risk in Korean Adolescents Aged 10–18 Years
Munku Song, Seamon Kang, Hyunsik Kang
Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare.2024; Volume 17: 1769. CrossRef
Perceived Familial Financial Insecurity and Obesity Among Korean Adolescents During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Fumie Kaneko, Eunji Kim, Hokyou Lee, Kokoro Shirai, Ryo Kawasaki, Hyeon Chang Kim
Journal of Epidemiology.2024; 34(12): 587. CrossRef
Obesity-related behaviors and health-related quality of life in socioeconomically vulnerable children: A cross-sectional study
Jiyoung Park, Gill ten Hoor, Jeonghyun Cho, Seohyun Won, Soorack Ryu, Siew Tiang Lau
Journal of Pediatric Nursing.2024; 78: e270. CrossRef
A Comparison of Changes in Health Behavior, Obesity, and Mental Health of Korean Adolescents Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Online Cross-Sectional Study
Mi-Sun Lee, Hooyeon Lee
Psychiatry Investigation.2023; 20(11): 1086. CrossRef

Systematic Review

Effectiveness of community-based interventions for older adults living alone: a systematic review and meta-analysis: Inhye Kim, Hyunseo An, Sohyeon Yun, Hae Yean Park; Epidemiol Health. 2024;46:e2024013. Published online January 3, 2024; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4178/epih.e2024013

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Abstract Summary PDF Supplementary Material

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
This study examined the effectiveness of community-based interventions designed for older adults living alone through a systematic review and meta-analysis.

METHODS

The study incorporated 4 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and 5 non-RCTs to evaluate various interventions. The methodological quality of these studies was assessed using the Downs and Black checklist, while Q-statistic and I-square tests were performed to examine statistical heterogeneity. Additionally, visual inspection of funnel plots and the trim-and-fill method were employed to investigate potential publication bias. Of the 2,729 identified studies, 9 met the criteria for inclusion in this review. Independent variables were categorized into 5 groups (physical activity, nutrition, social relationships, social participation, and combined intervention) to examine their effects. Dependent variables were similarly classified into 5 subgroups to identify the specific effects of the interventions.

RESULTS

Interventions focusing on nutrition and combined approaches were the most effective, yielding effect sizes of 0.96 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.66 to 1.25) and 0.43 (95% CI, 0.26 to 0.60), respectively. The interventions had the greatest impacts on the health behavior and mental health of the participants, with effect sizes of 0.98 (95% CI, 0.73 to 1.22) for health behavior and 0.67 (95% CI, 0.19 to 1.16) for mental health.

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests a direction for the development of community-based interventions tailored to the needs of older adults living alone. Additionally, it provides evidence to inform policy decisions concerning this demographic.

Summary

Korean summary
본 연구는 독거 노인들 대상으로 한 지역사회 기반 중재의 효과에 대하여 탐색하고 그 효과 크기를 확인하기 위하여 체계적고찰 및 메타분석을 실시하였다. 영양 및 복합 중재가 특히 효과적이었으며, 이는 건강 행동과 정신건강에 있어 중요한 긍정적 효과를 나타내어 추후 개별적 맞춤 중재의 잠재적 효과성을 나타낸다. 이러한 발견은 독거노인 집단의 웰빙 향상을 위한 프로그램과 정책 입안에 근거로 활용될 수 있다.

Key Message
This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the impact of community-based interventions for older adults living alone, incorporating 9 studies to assess effectiveness in areas like nutrition and combined strategies. Results indicated significant benefits, particularly in health behavior and mental health, demonstrating the potential of tailored interventions. These findings support the development of targeted programs and policy decisions aimed at improving the well-being of this demographic.

Citations

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Effectiveness of a resilience-building nursing intervention on psychological well-being in Arab community-dwelling older adults
Walaa Badawy Mohamed Badawy, Amal Hashem Mohamed, Mostafa Shaban
Geriatric Nursing.2024; 60: 338. CrossRef

Original Article

The association between migraine and Parkinson’s disease: a nationwide cohort study in Korea: Woo-Seok Ha, Jaeho Kim, Hee Won Hwang, Sue Hyun Lee, Ji In Kim, Jin Yong Hong, Sang Hyun Park, Kyung Do Han, Min Seok Baek; Epidemiol Health. 2024;46:e2024010. Published online December 18, 2023; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4178/epih.e2024010

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Abstract Summary PDF Supplementary Material

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
Clinical studies have suggested an association between migraine and the occurrence of Parkinson’s disease (PD). However, it is unknown whether migraine affects PD risk. We aimed to investigate the incidence of PD in patients with migraine and to determine the risk factors affecting the association between migraine and PD incidence.

METHODS

Using the Korean National Health Insurance System database (2002-2019), we enrolled all Koreans aged ≥40 years who participated in the national health screening program in 2009. International Classification of Diseases (10th revision) diagnostic codes and Rare Incurable Diseases System diagnostic codes were used to define patients with migraine (within 12 months of enrollment) and newly diagnosed PD.

RESULTS

We included 214,193 patients with migraine and 5,879,711 individuals without migraine. During 9.1 years of follow-up (55,435,626 person-years), 1,973 (0.92%) and 30,664 (0.52%) individuals with and without migraine, respectively, were newly diagnosed with PD. Following covariate adjustment, patients with migraine showed a 1.35-fold higher PD risk than individuals without migraine. The incidence of PD was not significantly different between patients with migraine with aura and those without aura. In males with migraine, underlying dyslipidemia increased the risk of PD (p=0.012). In contrast, among females with migraine, younger age (<65 years) increased the risk of PD (p=0.038).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with migraine were more likely to develop PD than individuals without migraine. Preventive management of underlying comorbidities and chronic migraine may affect the incidence of PD in these patients. Future prospective randomized clinical trials are warranted to clarify this association.

Summary

Korean summary
편두통 환자들은 편두통이 없는 이들보다 장기적으로 파킨슨병이 발병할 위험이 더 높습니다. 더불어, 이 관계는 편두통의 아형(전조 vs. 무전조)보다는 편두통의 빈도(삽화성 vs. 만성)와 더 밀접한 연관성을 갖는 것으로 보입니다.

Key Message
Patients with migraine are more likely to develop Parkinson’s disease than individuals without migraine. Furthermore, this association appears to be more strongly linked to the frequency of migraines (episodic vs. chronic) rather than the subtype of migraine (with aura vs. without aura).

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Telecoaching and Migraine: Digital Approach to Physical Activity in Migraine Management. A Scoping Review
Ignazio Leale, Vincenzo Di Stefano, Angelo Torrente, Paolo Alonge, Roberto Monastero, Michele Roccella, Filippo Brighina, Valerio Giustino, Giuseppe Battaglia
Journal of Clinical Medicine.2025; 14(3): 861. CrossRef
Association Between β‐Adrenoreceptor Agonists and Antagonists and Parkinson's Disease: Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
Agnieszka Szmigiel, Miguel Monteiro da Rocha, Kate Browne, Daniel Morales, David Benee Olsen, Charlotte Warren‐Gash, Ian Douglas, Krishnan Bhaskaran, Helena Carreira
Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
Migraine with and without aura—two distinct entities? A narrative review
Olga Grodzka, Ketevan Dzagoevi, Tayla Rees, Goncalo Cabral, Piotr Chądzyński, Stefano Di Antonio, Patryk Sochań, Antoinette MaassenVanDenBrink, Christian Lampl
The Journal of Headache and Pain.2025;[Epub] CrossRef

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