• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.984-996
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• 2023

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Prior studies, mostly conducted in Western countries, have suggested that the low cost of energy-dense foods is associated with an increased risk of obesity. This study aimed to investigate the association between food costs and obesity risk among Koreans who may have different food cost and dietary patterns than those of Western populations. SUBJECTS/METHODS: We used baseline data from a cohort of 45,193 men and 83,172 women aged 40-79 years (in 2006-2013). Dietary intake information was collected using a validated food frequency questionnaire. Prudent and Western dietary patterns extracted via principal component analysis. Food cost was calculated based on Korean government data and market prices. Logistic regression analyses were performed to investigate the association of daily total, prudent, and Western food cost per calorie with obesity. RESULTS: Men in the highest total food cost quintile had 15% higher odds of obesity, after adjusting for demographic characteristics and lifestyle factors (adjusted odds ratio, 1.15; 95% confidence interval, 1.08-1.22; P-trend < 0.001); however, this association was not clear in women (P-trend = 0.765). While both men and women showed positive associations between prudent food cost and obesity (P-trends < 0.001), the association between Western food cost and obesity was only significant in men (P-trend < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In countries in which consumption of Western foods is associated with higher food costs, higher food costs are associated with an increased risk of obesity; however, this association differs between men and women.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.12
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• pp.5125-5135
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• 2015

Background: Total fat intake may be associated with increased risk of breast cancer, and fish oil has been suggested as a protection factor to breast cancer. But the effect of vegetable oils is inconclusive. We aimed to investigate the association with high vegetable oils consumption and breast cancer risk, and evaluated their dose-response relationship. Design: We systematically searched the MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane databases, and CNKI updated to December 2014, and identified all observational studies providing quantitative estimates between breast cancer risk and different vegetable oils consumption. Fixed or random effect models were used to estimate summary odds ratios for the highest vs. lowest intake, and dose-response relationship was assessed by restricted cubic spline model and generalized least-squares trend (GLST) model. Results: Five prospective cohort studies and 11 retrospective case-control studies, involving 11,161 breast cancer events from more than 150,000 females, met the inclusion criteria. Compared with the lowest vegetable oils consumption, higher intake didn't increased the risk of breast cancer with pooled OR of 0.88 (95% CIs:0.77-1.01), and the result from dose-response analyses didn't show a significant positive or negative trend on the breast cancer risk for each 10g vegetable oil/day increment (OR=0.98, 95% CIs: 0.95-1.01). In the subgroup analyses, the oils might impact on females with different strata of BMI. Higher olive oil intake showed a protective effect against breast cancer with OR of 0.74 (95% CIs: 0.60-0.92), which was not significant among the three cohort studies. Conclusions: This meta-analyses suggested that higher intake of vegetable oils is not associated with the higher risk of breast cancer. Olive oil might be a protective factor for the cancer occurrence among case-control studies and from the whole. Recall bias and imbalance in study location and vegetable oils subtypes shouldn't be ignored. More prospective cohort studies are required to confirm the interaction of the impact of vegetable oils on different population and various cancer characteristic, and further investigate the relationship between different subtype oils and breast cancer.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.277-290
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• 2012

Objectives: Diesel engine exhaust (DE) accounts for a significant percentage of air pollutants that are associated with various health outcomes including mortality, asthma, chronic bronchitis, respiratory tract infection, etc. In June, 2012, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) released the assessment results that classified DE as "carcinogenic to humans" (Group 1). This review is therefore focused on the lung cancer risks of DE. Methods: Literatures were searched using PubMed with key words of "diesel exhaust", "lung cancer", and other related terms for the period between 1990 and 2012. A total of 295 articles were searched and sixteen epidemiologic studies were identified as potentially relevant. Results: Sixteen epidemiologic studies about the lung cancer risks of workers exposed to DE in various occupations were summarized in two tables, 1) retrospective cohort studies and 2) case-control studies. Increased lung cancer risk, although not always smoking adjusted, was observed in 6 out of 8 retrospective cohort studies and 4 of 8 case-control studies. Conclusions: Diesel fuel is widely used in Korea. Exposure to DE is confirmed to be a human carcinogen by IARC. Noncancer health risks of DE also need careful attention as DE is a major source of fine-particle pollution. Along with the efforts for reducing the DE emission through improvements of diesel engines and fuel, and the use of alternative fuels, comprehensive health risk assessment of DE should be conducted to minimize the adverse health effects.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.3117-3121
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• 2013

Objective: Previous epidemiologic studies demonstrated that obesity might associated with the risk of bladder cancer. However, many of the actual association findings remained conflicting. To better clarify and provide a comprehensive summary of the correlation between obesity and bladder cancer risk, we conducted a meta-analysis to summarize results of studies on the issue. Stratified analyses were also performed on potential variables and characteristics. Methods: Studies were identified by searching in PubMed and Wanfang databases, covering all the papers published from their inception to March 10, 2013. Summary relative risks (SRRs) with their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated by either random-effect or fixed-effect models. Results: A total of 11 cohort studies were included in our meta-analysis, which showed that obesity was associated with an increased risk for bladder cancer in all subjects (RR=1.10, 95% CI=1.06-1.16; p=0.215 for heterogeneity; $I^2$=24.0%). Among the 9 studies that controlled for cigarette smoking, the pooled RR was 1.09 (95% CI 1.01-1.17; p=0.131 for heterogeneity; $I^2$=35.9%). No significant publication bias was detected (p = 0.244 for Egger's regression asymmetry test). Conclusions: Our results support the conclusion that obesity is associated with the increased risk of bladder cancer. Further research is needed to generate a better understanding of the correlation and to provide more convincing evidence for clinical intervention in the prevention of bladder cancer.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.88-112
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• 2023

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to analyze the oriental medical treatments of burning mouth syndrome, understand the tendency of treatment, and apply it to clinical settings. Methods : We collected case reports, retrospective cohort studies and RCT studies related to oriental medical treatments of burning mouth syndrome using domestic and Chinese databases(CNKI, KISS, RISS, OASIS, KCI). Search terms include 'Burning Mouth Syndrome', 'BMS', 'Burning Tongue', '灼口综合征', and 'oriental medicine', 'oriental medical treatment', 'Korean medicine' and '中医'. A search was conducted by appropriately combining keywords. Results : A total of 27 papers were included in the analysis. Among them, 9 are case studies, 1 is a retrospective cohort study, 1 is a before and after study and 16 are RCT studies. Treatments for burning mouth syndrome included herbal medicine, acupuncture, electro-acupuncture, acupoint injection, auricular acupuncture treatment, external use herbal medicine and gargling. In all studies, symptoms of burning mouth syndrome were alleviated after oriental medical treatments. In 14 RCT studies comparing western medical treatments, the results of the treatment group that included oriental medical treatments were found to be more significant, except for one. Conclusions : As a result of the study, oriental medical treatments are effective in treating burning mouth syndrome. In the future, we hope that clinical research related to oriental medical treatments of burning mouth syndrome will be actively conducted so that evidence-based treatment can be implemented.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.146-156
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• 2006

Purpose: 1) to construct cohorts according to risk scores calculated with the Gail Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Tool (Gail et al., 1989) (Gail) and the Breast Cancer Risk Appraisal (Lee et al,. 2003) (Lee) 2) to identify the distribution of risk factors and preventive behavior stages between the cohorts 3) to identify abnormal breast conditions in risk cohort. Method: Using convenience sampling, 775 rural women were selected. Risk appraisal was scored using Gail and Lee. Preventive behavior stages for BSE (Breast self examination) and mammography were measured using 4 stages of the Transtheoretical Model (Prochaska & DiClemente, 1983). Results: 1) The risk cohort according to Gail was 12.3% (n=95), and Lee, 3.1% (n=24). 2) There were significant differences in the distribution of risk factors (age, family history, age at 1st live birth, age at menarche, number of breast biopsy, history of breast disease, and breast-feeding) between cohorts. 3) There was a significant difference in the distribution of the stage of BSE according to Lee. 4) Six women in the risk group detected masses or nodules and physician consultation and ultrasonography were recommended. Conclusion: On the basis of the constructed cohorts, further longitudinal studies of cohorts are recommended with interventions according to characteristics of cohorts.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.70-75
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• 2015

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been demonstrated to play an important role in carcinogenesis. Previous studies revealed that miRNAs are present in human plasma in a remarkably stable form that is protected from endogenous RNase activity. In this study, we measured the plasma expression levels of three miRNAs (miR-21, miR-27a, and miR-155) to investigate the usefulness of miRNAs for gastric cancer detection. We initially examined plasma miRNA expression levels in a screening cohort consisting of 15 patients with gastric cancer and 15 healthy controls from Korean population, using TaqMan quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. We observed that the expression level of miR-27a was significantly higher in patients with gastric cancer than in healthy controls, whereas the miR-21 and miR-155a expression levels were not significantly higher in the patients with gastric cancer. Therefore, we further validated the miR-27a expression level in 73 paired gastric cancer tissues and in a validation plasma cohort from 35 patients with gastric cancer and 35 healthy controls. In both the gastric cancer tissues and the validation plasma cohort, the miR-27a expression levels were significantly higher in patients with gastric cancer. Receiver-operator characteristic (ROC) analysis of the validation cohort, revealed an area under the ROC curve value of 0.70 with 75% sensitivity and 56% specificity in discriminating gastric cancer. Thus, the miR-27a expression level in plasma could be a useful biomarker for the diagnosis and/or prognosis of gastric cancer.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.321-328
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• 2007

Objectives : The aim of this study was to evaluate the roles of cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, tuberculosis, and their interactions in the risk of lung cancer in a Korean cohort. Methods : The study subjects comprised 13,150 males and females aged above 20 years old. During the follow up period from 1993 to 2002, 79 lung cancer cases were identified by the central cancer registry and the national death certificate database. Information on cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption and the history of physician-diagnosed tuberculosis was obtained by interview. Indirect chest X-ray findings were also evaluated to ascertain tuberculosis cases. Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate relative risks (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) after adjusting for age and gender. Results : Cigarette smoking was statistically significantly associated with an increased risk of lung cancer [for current smokers, RR = 2.33 (95% CI = 1.23 - 4.42) compared to non-smokers]. After further adjustment for cigarette smoking, both alcohol consumption and tuberculosis showed no statistically significant association with the risk of lung cancer [for current drinkers, RR = 0.80 (95% CI = 0.48 - 1.33) compared to non-drinkers] [for tuberculosis cases, RR = 1.17 (95% CI = 0.58 - 2.36) compared to non-cases]. There was no statistically significant interaction between cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption (p-interaction = 0.38), or cigarette smoking and tuberculosis (p-interaction = 0.74). Conclusions : Although cigarette smoking was confirmed as a risk factor of lung cancer in this cohort study, this study suggests that alcohol consumption and tuberculosis may not be associated with the risk of lung cancer.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.143-152
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• 2016

Objectives: Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of risk factors for type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease. Associations between metabolic syndrome and several types of cancer have recently been documented. Methods: We analyzed the sample cohort data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service from 2002, with a follow-up period extending to 2013. The cohort data included 99 565 individuals who participated in the health examination program and whose data were therefore present in the cohort database. The metabolic risk profile of each participant was assessed based on obesity, high serum glucose and total cholesterol levels, and high blood pressure. The occurrence of cancer was identified using Korean National Health Insurance claims data. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using Cox proportional hazards models, adjusting for age group, smoking status, alcohol intake, and regular exercise. Results: A total of 5937 cases of cancer occurred during a mean follow-up period of 10.4 years. In men with a high-risk metabolic profile, the risk of colon cancer was elevated (HR, 1.40; 95% CI, 1.14 to 1.71). In women, a high-risk metabolic profile was associated with a significantly increased risk of gallbladder and biliary tract cancer (HR, 2.05; 95% CI, 1.24 to 3.42). Non-significantly increased risks were observed in men for pharynx, larynx, rectum, and kidney cancer, and in women for colon, liver, breast, and ovarian cancer. Conclusions: The findings of this study support the previously suggested association between metabolic syndrome and the risk of several cancers. A high-risk metabolic profile may be an important risk factor for colon cancer in Korean men and gallbladder and biliary tract cancer in Korean women.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.123-128
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• 2002

Objective : To examine the relationship between cigarette smoking, alcohol and cancer mortality in men in the Kangwha cohort after 12 years and 10 months of follow up. Methods : The subjects consisted of 2,681 men in the Kangwha cohort aged over 55 in 1985. Number of deaths and the time to death front all cancers and other cause were measured and the data for the smoking and drinking habits were obtained from the baseline survey data in 1985. All subjects were categorized into four groups according to their smoking habits: non-smokers, ex-smokers, mode(ate-smokers (1-19 cigarettes per day), heavy-smokers ($\geq$20 cigarettes per day). In addition, they were also categorized according to their drinking habits: non-drinkers, light-drinkers ($\leq$1 drink per week), moderate-drinkers (<3 drinks per day), heavy-drinkers ($\geq$3 drinks per day). The cancer specific death rates were calculated according to their smoking and drinking status. The adjusted risk ratio for all cancer deaths according to their smoking and drinking status were estimated using the Cox's proportional hazard regression model. Results : Using nonsmokers as the reference category, the adjusted risk ratio for all cancer deaths were 1.573(95% CI=1.003-2.468) for heavy-smokers. For lung cancer deaths, the adjusted risk ratios were 3.540(95% CI=1.251-10.018) for moderate-smoker and 4.114(95% CI=1.275-13.271) for heavy-smokers. Compared to non-drinkers, the adjusted risk ratio for stomach cancer was 2.204(95% CI=1.114-4.361) for light-drinkers. Conclusion : Smoking is the most significant risk factor for cancer deaths particularly lung cancer.