• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.149-159
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• 2015

Purpose: This study aimed to identify falls and related risks of hospitalized patients in order to provide an baseline data to develop effective nursing intervention programs for fall prevention. Methods: The data on 120 patients who experienced falls from 2010 to 2013 during their hospitalization were collected from the patient' electronic medical records of an university hospital. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics using SPSS/WIN 20.0. Results: Over 60% of the patients who experienced falls during their hospitalization was 65 years or older, and most of them had hypertension. Majority of the subjects needed help to perform daily activities (64%) and complained of general weakness (49.2%). Prior to the falls, the patients were taking average 2.52 medications to treat hypertension. The Fall accident was mostly frequently occurred in their hospital room (59.2%), or in bed (44.2%). The patients aged 70 years and older were significantly less alert than younger group, and taking more cardiovascular medications. Most fall risk factors were not significantly different for age, gender, and department category. Conclusion: The study findings suggest the need to emphasize the nurses to be more actively aware of fall risk factors and to provide aggressive interventions for preventing falls in hospitalized patients.

• The Korean Journal of Food & Health Convergence
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.7-20
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• 2019

The use of caffeine as a psychoactive stimulant in tea has been observed to have serious negative effects in humans' systems such as respiratory, nervous, cardiovascular, renal and skeletal systems. This study was carried out to assess the levels of caffeine in 10 different tea brands available in local market in Dutse, Jigawa State, Nigeria. Quantitative analysis of caffeine was performed by a simple and fast UV-Vis spectrophotometric methods using different solvents for extraction. The caffeine content in all the tea samples analyzed in this study were below the maximum allowable limits set by the USFDA. Tea have been associated with adverse health effects and the claims made by manufacturers about the benefits of tea do not highlight risks associated with excessive consumption of a combination of the ingredients contained in tea. Long term effects of tea consumption of children and young people have not been adequately studied. Therefore, it is recommended that further research be carried out on the adverse effects of energy drinks on children. Research is also needed to be done on the effects of the combination of ingredients on health and excessive consumption of those ingredients to children and adolescents. People need to be educated and given proper awareness on the health risks associated with caffeine containing beverages.

• The Korean Journal of Food & Health Convergence
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• v.8 no.6
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• pp.1-10
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• 2022

Hypercholesterolaemia is one of the risk factors of coronary health in humans; hence this research was to investigate the effect of Parkia biglobosa seeds fermented with Lactobacillus plantarum on the cardiac risk factors of diet-induced hypercholesterolaemic Wistar rats. Hypercholesterolaemia in rats were experimentally induced and the hypercholesterolaemic Wistar rats were treated with iru samples. The total cholesterol, triglyceride, high density lipoprotein (HDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL), liver biomarkers and cardiac risks factors were determined after inducement and treatment with iru. Fourteen (14)-days after inducement, the rats in the group induced had the highest weight of 112.40 g while the control group had 94.30 g. The total cholesterol (TC) in the induced group was 100.80 mg/dl while the control had 51.40 mg/dl, triglyceride (TG) in the induced group was 111.75 mg/dl while the control group had 68.45 mg/dl. After 28 days of treatment, the group treated with fermented samples showed a reduction in the TC (100.80 to 56.99 mg/dl), Triglyceride (111.75 to 32.53 mg/dl), LDL (49.48 to 6.65 mg/dl), cardiac risk ratio (3.36 to 1.28), atherogenic coefficient (3.13-0.29) and atherogenic index (0.57 to 0.11). The result from this study reveals that fermented Parkia biglobosa sample reduced the cardiac risk of rats significantly.

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.179-192
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• 2023

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common sleep-breathing disorder associated with significant comorbidities and perioperative complications. This narrative review is aimed at comprehensively overviewing preoperative risk evaluation and perioperative management strategies for patients with OSA. OSA is characterized by recurrent episodes of upper airway obstruction during sleep leading to hypoxemia and arousal. Anatomical features, such as upper airway narrowing and obesity, contribute to the development of OSA. OSA can be diagnosed based on polysomnography findings, and positive airway pressure therapy is the mainstay of treatment. However, alternative therapies, such as oral appliances or upper airway surgery, can be considered for patients with intolerance. Patients with OSA face perioperative challenges due to difficult airway management, comorbidities, and effects of sedatives and analgesics. Anatomical changes, reduced upper airway muscle tone, and obesity increase the risks of airway obstruction, and difficulties in intubation and mask ventilation. OSA-related comorbidities, such as cardiovascular and respiratory disorders, further increase perioperative risks. Sedatives and opioids can exacerbate respiratory depression and compromise airway patency. Therefore, careful consideration of alternative pain management options is necessary. Although the association between OSA and postoperative mortality remains controversial, concerns exist regarding adverse outcomes in patients with OSA. Understanding the pathophysiology of OSA, implementing appropriate preoperative evaluations, and tailoring perioperative management strategies are vital to ensure patient safety and optimize surgical outcomes.

• Journal of the Korea Safety Management & Science
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.79-86
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• 2024

Scientific exploration of how occupational health risks relate with occupational illnesses are essential for mitigating health-related issues in industries. This study analyzed the risk scores obtained by occupational health risk assessments at 3,172 manufacturing companies and examined their effects on occupational illness. Statistical analyses revealed that companies with an occupational health manager (scored 89.1 out of 100) had significantly higher activity scores of health management compared to those without (78.2). However, companies with a history of occupational illness (79.1) or those classified as high-risk industries (85.2) had significantly lower activity scores than their counterparts (81.7, 87.3). In addition, regression analyses using factor analysis showed that latent risk factors such as cardiovascular disease/job stress, health management, and musculoskeletal problem significantly influenced the risk of occupational illness. The activity factors such as health management, work environment management, and regulatory complaisance significant impacted the reduction of occupational illness. The findings of this study can be used to improve the occupational health risk assessment method and utilized in effectively managing occupational risks in industries.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.55 no.6
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• pp.435-441
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• 2022

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of the treatment modality on post-procedural acute kidney injury (AKI) and other clinical outcomes in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease who underwent surgical or transcatheter aortic valve replacement (AVR). Methods: A total of 147 patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (stage 3 to 5) who underwent isolated surgical AVR (SAVR group; n=70) or transcatheter AVR (TAVR group; n=77) were retrospectively studied. Postprocedural AKI was defined according to the RIFLE definition (an acronym corresponding to the risk of renal dysfunction, injury to the kidney, failure of kidney function, loss of kidney function, and end-stage kidney disease). Factors associated with postoperative complications and mortality were analyzed using multivariable logistic regression models and Cox proportional hazard models. Results: Postprocedural AKI occurred in 17 (24.3%) and 6 (7.8%) patients in the SAVR and TAVR groups, respectively (p=0.006). Multivariable analyses demonstrated that the SAVR group had higher risks of AKI (odds ratio [OR], 5.63; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.85-17.73; p=0.002) and atrial fibrillation (OR, 16.65; 95% CI, 4.44-62.50; p<0.001), whereas the TAVR group had a higher risk of permanent pacemaker insertion (OR, 5.67; 95% CI, 1.21-26.55; p=0.028). The Cox proportional hazard models showed that the occurrence of AKI, contrary to the treatment modality, was associated with overall survival. Conclusion: In patients with chronic kidney disease, the risk of postprocedural AKI might be higher after SAVR than after TAVR.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.139-146
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• 2012

Obese postmenopausal women increase their risk of developing breast cancer (BC), in particular if they display an android-type pattern of adiposity, which is also associated to increased risks of diabetes mellitus, hypertension and cardiovascular disease. In order to explore the associations among anthropometry (body mass index, body composition, somatotype), some specific items of medical history (diabetes, hypertension, dislypidemias, hyperuricemia) and the risk of BC in Uruguayan women, a case-control study was carried out between 2004-2009 at our Oncology Unit. 912 women of ages between 23-69 years (367 new BC cases and 545 non hospitalized, age-matched controls with a normal mammography) were interviewed. Twenty body measurements were taken in order to calculate body composition and somatotype. Patients were queried on socio-demographics, reproductive history, family history of cancer, a brief food frequency questionnaire and on personal history of diabetes, dislypidemias, hyperuricemia, hypertension and gallbladder stones. Uni- and multivariate analyses were done, generating odds ratios (ORs) as an expression of relative risks. A personal history of diabetes was positively associated to BC risk (OR=1.64, 95% CI 1.00-2.69), being higher among postmenopausal women (OR=1.92, 95% CI 1.04-3.52). The risks of BC for diabetes in postmenopausal women with overweight combined with dislypidemia (OR=9.33, 95% CI 2.10-41.5) and high fat/muscle ratio (OR=7.81, 95% CI 2.01-30.3) were significantly high. As a conclusion, a personal history of diabetes and overweight was strongly associated to BC. The studied sample had a subset of high-risk of BC featured by postmenopausal overweight and diabetic women, who also had a personal history of hypertension and/or dyslipidemia. The present results could contribute to define new high risk groups and individuals for primary as well as for secondary prevention, since this pattern linked to the metabolic syndrome is usually not considered for BC prevention.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.9
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• pp.4733-4738
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• 2012

Background: Tobacco use is a leading cause of preventable morbidity and mortality from non-communicable diseases. The objectives of the study were to determine the percentage of annual income used to purchase tobacco-related products and treat tobacco-related illnesses, and assess the characteristics of smokers and their awareness of the health-related risks of smoking. Method: Stratified and snowball sampling methods were used to obtain information (via a 17-item, close-ended questionnaire) from 85 adult respondents (49 males and 36 females). The instrument comprised of demographic characteristics, smoking behavioural/lifestyle, health, and micro socio-economics. Results: There were no significant differences between individuals who were affected by chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) (14.1%) and cardiovascular disease (18.8%). It was found that respondents spend 30-39% of their annual income on tobacco-related products. Forty percent (40.0%) and 41.7% of respondents with lung cancer and COPD respectively spend more than 50% of their annual income to treat these diseases. The majority (80%) of those who continues to consume tobacco-related products were uncertain as to why they were doing it. Not all the smokers were aware of the dangers of tobacco consumption despite their level of education. Conclusion: The majority of the respondents who had tobacco-related illnesses such as lung cancer and COPD spend a significant amount of their income on their health care. Not all the smokers were aware of the dangers of tobacco consumption despite their level of education. This suggests the need for increase public awareness where both smokers and non smokers are being fully or adequately informed about the dangers or health risks of tobacco consumption.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.28-33
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• 2011

Limited information from human studies indicates that dietary quercetin supplementation influences blood lipid profiles, glycemic response, and inflammatory status, collectively termed cardiometabolic risks. We tested the hypothesis that quercetin-rich supplementation, derived from onion peel extract, improves cardiometabolic risk components in healthy male smokers in a randomized, double blinded, placebo-controlled parallel design. Randomly assigned subjects were instructed to take either the placebo (n=43) or 100 mg quercetin capsules each day (n=49) for 10 weeks. Anthropometric parameters and blood pressure were measured, and blood lipids, glucose, interleukin-6, and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1) were determined at baseline and after 10 weeks of quercetin supplementation. Quercetin-rich supplementation significantly reduced serum concentrations of total cholesterol (P<0.05) and LDL-cholesterol (P<0.01), whereas these effects were not shown in the placebo group. Furthermore, significant increases were observed in serum concentrations of HDL-cholesterol both in the placebo (P<0.005) and quercetin-rich supplementation group (P<0.001); however, changes in HDL-cholesterol were significantly greater in subjects receiving quercetin-rich supplementation than the placebo. Both systolic (P<0.05) and diastolic blood pressure (P<0.01) decreased significantly in the quercetin-rich supplementation group. Glucose concentrations decreased significantly after 10 weeks of quercetin-rich supplementation (P<0.05). In contrast, no effects of quercetin-rich supplementation were observed for the inflammatory markers-IL-6 and sVCAM-1. Daily quercetin-rich supplementation from onion peel extract improved blood lipid profiles, glucose, and blood pressure, suggesting a beneficial role for quercetin as a preventive measure against cardiovascular risk.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.70-82
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• 2011

Objectives: Ischemic heart disease (IHD) is a major cause of death in Korea and known to result from several occupational factors. This study attempted to estimate the current magnitude of IHD mortality due to occupational factors in Korea. Methods: After selecting occupational risk factors by literature investigation, we calculated attributable fractions (AFs) from relative risks and exposure data for each factor. Relative risks were estimated using meta-analysis based on published research. Exposure data were collected from the 2006 Survey of Korean Working Conditions. Finally, we estimated 2006 occupation-related IHD mortality. Results: For the factors considered, we estimated the following relative risks: noise 1.06, environmental tobacco smoke 1.19 (men) and 1.22 (women), shift work 1.12, and low job control 1.15 (men) and 1.08 (women). Combined AFs of those factors in the IHD were estimated at 9.29% (0.3-18.51%) in men and 5.78% (-7.05-19.15%) in women. Based on these fractions, Korea's 2006 death toll from occupational IHD between the age of 15 and 69 was calculated at 353 in men (total 3,804) and 72 in women (total 1,246). Conclusion: We estimated occupational IHD mortality of Korea with updated data and more relevant evidence. Despite the efforts to obtain reliable estimates, there were many assumptions and limitations that must be overcome. Future research based on more precise design and reliable evidence is required for more accurate estimates.