• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.256-268
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• 1992

This survey was conducted from January 1991 to May 1991. Two hundred arid eight residents in 4 government supported homes for the aged and two hundred and eleven living in the community in Taegu, Korea, were examined to evaluate the depression and the anxiety of the aged with combined anxiety and depression scale(CADS) and somatization symptom check list(SCL). There are no significant differences between residents in the home for the aged and those living in the community on the total scores of CADS and SCL. However, in the case of total score of CADS of the female subjects in the home for the aged were significantly higher than those of the community residents. The elderly in the home for the aged tended to have pure depression, while community residents were likely to have anxiety and depression. Fifty-two subjects of home for the aged and sixty-nine of the community scored over 50 points of CADS, which indicates considerable depression or anxiety. In psychosocial factors, the subjects who in the following situations had statistically significant higher scores than others. The results were as follow. Poor health, unhappiness, unsatisfaction to the past occupation, pessimistic thought in future view for both group and un satisfaction of the relationship with familiar people for the elderly in the community. The SCL scores of two groups subgrouped by under 49 and 50 on CADS showed significant differences between each subgroup on all of the SCL items. It could be suggested that somatic symptoms for the aged is a sign of depression.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.12 no.5
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• pp.387-395
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• 2018

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Recent studies showed vitamin D deficiency is linked to chronic diseases in addition to skeletal metabolism which could threaten the elderly. We analyzed health conditions and socio-demographic factors associated with vitamin D deficiency in community dwelling people aged 65 years and older. SUBJECTS/METHOD: Data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) 2010 to 2012 were obtained. A total of 2,687 subjects aged 65 years and older were participated. The cutoff value of the Vitamin D deficiency was considered as serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] ${\leq}20ng/mL$ (50 nmol/L). RESULTS: The overall prevalence rate of vitamin D deficiency in the elderly was 62.1%. The factors such as female, obesity, metabolic syndrome, current smoker, and skipping breakfast were positively associated with vitamin D deficiency, but high intensity of physical activity and more than 9 hours of sleep duration were negatively associated with vitamin D deficiency (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: It is important that health professions know that the factors proved in this study are connected to vitamin D deficiency thus provide information and intervention strategies of vitamin D deficiency to old aged people.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.837-840
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• 2015

Background: The disclosure of a diagnosis of cancer is complex, particularly in older patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between age and not knowing the diagnosis, and its impact on mood. Materials and Methods: The study included 70 patients with various types of solid and hematologic cancer in early stages, which were followed up in an outpatient oncology/hematology clinic in Turkey between January, 2014 and June, 2014. Initially the caregivers of patients were asked whether the patients knew their diagnosis or not. A questionnaire for the Geriatric Depression Scale was then administered to the patients. Patient age, gender, marital status and education level were noted and analyzed with respect to knowing the diagnosis and depression. Results: Of the 70 patients, 40% of them were female. The mean age was $68.2{\pm}8.9$. The rate of the patients who does not know their diagnosis was 37.1% (n=26). The overall depression rate with GDS was found 37.1% (n=26) among the participants. There was no association with knowing the diagnosis (p=0.208) although the association between not knowing the diagnosis and age was significant (p=0.01). Conclusions: In this study we revealed no association between not knowing the diagnosis and depression in elderly patients. Contrary to what some has thought, the patient is not protected from psychological distress by not being informed about the diagnosis. We believe this study and similar ones will help to discuss and further explore patient autonomy, the principle of respect to self-determination and end of life issues in different cultures.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.678-693
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• 1993

The purposes of this study were to describe the level of vision and hearing impairments, depression and functional capacity, among Korean institutionalized elderly and to examine the relation-ship between sensory impairments, depression, and functional capacity in these people. The final pupose was to test the cognitive function path model using sensory competencies as predictors. A convenience sample of thirty nine male and 90 female subjects with a mean age of 80.5 were the subjects of this study. The subjects were tested for cognitive function, and vision and hearing impairments. Physical function and social function were measured by observation of designated task performance by the subjects. Their level of de-pression was measured using a Geriatric Depression Scale administered through an interview. Individual subjective ratings of hearing and vision were marked by the subjects, on a ladder scale. The results of the study showed that 48.8% of the subjects had a hearing impairment, 63.5% had a vision impairement, and 36.4% had both a vision and hearing impairement. The four sensory groups (no sensory impairement, hearing impairement, vision impairement, hearing and vision impairement) were tested for differences in depression, physical function, social behavior and cognitive function. The only significant difference that was found was in cognitive function, between the no sensory impairement group and the hearing and vision impairement group(F=3.25, P<.05), Subjective ratings of hearing showed a significant correlation with cognitive function(r=.34, p<.001) and with social behavior(r=.31, p<.001). There was no correlation between subjective vision ratings and cognitive function or social behavior. However there was a significant correlation between vision and hearing(r=.49, p<.001). There was also a significant negative correlation between age and vision(r=-.21, p<.01) and between age and hear-ing(r=-.34, p<.001). There was a significant correlation between depression and physical function (r=-.32, p<.001) but there was no correlation between depression and cognitive function or social behavior. Based on the literature review and the result, this study, a path model of sensory competence-> cognitive function- >social behavior was developed and tested : Perceived vision and perceived hearing were the exogenous variahles and cognitive function and social behavior were the endogeneous variables in the model. The path analysis result demonstrated an accept-able fit (GFI=.997, AGFI=.972, X$^2$=.72 (p=.396), RMSR=.019) between the data and the model. There was a significant direct effect($\beta$=.38) of perceived hearing on cognitive function. There was a significant direct effect ($\beta$=.32) of cognitive function on social behavior. The total effect of hearing on social behavior was $\beta$=.32 including the indirect effect ($\beta$=.12) . However perceived vsion had little effect ($\beta$=-.08) on cognitive function. The result of path analysis confirms that hearing levels influence cognitive function, and both hearing and cognitive function levels influence social behavior. However, vision has little effect on cognitive function or on social behavior. For the next study, a combined model of the pre viously developed environment - >depression- > physical and social function model, and the present cognitive function model, should be tested to further refine the functional capacity model. There also a need for longitudinal study of functional capacity and sencory competence in order to better understand how declining sensory competence influences functional capacity and how it effects in-creasing dependency and nursing needs in the elderly.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.970-975
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• 2012

In Sasang constitutional medicine, doctors diagnose and treat patients according to their Sasang consitutition (SC) type. In this work, by a clinical test with a radial pulse tonometer, we investigated radial pulse properties which were significant in distinguishing unhealthy subjects from healthy subjects for each SC type. We measured radial pulse properties on left and right Gwan locations with a pulse tonometer for 299 elderly female subjects of age of 50 years old or above. We used a newly developed SCAT system to determine subjects' SC types. Subjects' health levels of either healthy or unhealthy were determined independently by two Korean medical doctors. To investigate the statistical differences, we used either of Student's t-test or Mann-Whitney U test depending on the normality of distribution of test statistic. For TE type, unhealthy subjects were characterized with significant increases in heart rate, systolic to diastolic period, pulse depth, while they showed significant decreases in width of pulse in normal direction, pulse area in diastolic period, and high harmonic components (6th, 7th) of power spectral density. For SE type, unhealthy subjects were characterized with significant increases in pulse pressure and pulse depth, while no significant differences were found for SY type. We investigated the characteristic differences in radial pulse properties due to change in health levels on each SC type for elderly females. Pulse variables which were significantly different between healthy subjects and unhealthy subjects were found to vary between SC types. For TE type subjects, many variables were found significant at the left Gwan location, which is in support of the theory of hyperactive liver functioning for TE type. Irrespective of the constitution, the related changes in the pulse properties due to worsened health level were in support of elevated blood flow amount in compensation with weakened blood circulatory function.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.940-955
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• 2014

The purpose of this study was to compare the degree nutrient intake, health status and other characteristics of females aged 65 years and over in a longevity area according to family arrangement. For analysis, 585 female elderly were recruited from the Kugoksoondam area (Kurye, Goksung, Soonchang and Damyang counties), known as the longevity-belt region in Jeonla province, Korea. The subjects were categorized into three groups according to family arrangement (living alone, living with spouse only and living with family). Demographic characteristics were collected, as well as information on physical measurements, blood tests for biochemical indicators, health status and health-related life style, dietary behavior, favorite food groups, consumption frequency of food groups, nutrient intake and mini nutrition assessment. In the group living with their spouse only, the highest education, physical activity, diverse food intake, frequency of eating meats and fish, energy and nutrients intake, and score on the mininutrient status assessment (MNA) were found to be significantly favorable factors. Taken together, these results demonstrated that the group living with their spouse only had relatively superior nutrient intake and the quality of diet. In contrast, the group living alone showed the lowest self-rated economic status, diversity of food intake, and physical activity, with the highest frequency of drinking, smoking and regular exercise for almost everyday compared with the other groups. On the other hand, those living with family demonstrated the lowest intake of supplements or functional foods, and levels of hemoglobin hematocrit MCH, but the highest HBA1c and blood sugar. Therefore, the group living with family was assumed to be at risk of anemia and diabetes. These results could be useful to plan effective strategies to increase the health-life expectancy of Korean elderly people living in rural areas, according to family arrangement.

• Asian Journal for Public Opinion Research
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.228-249
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• 2018

In 2015, the population of elderly people in Thailand was 16% of the total population and is predicted to be over 20% by 2021 and nearly 28% by 2031. The increase of the elderly population in Thailand has also increased the proportion of dependent elderly people, and caring for them poses many challenges for both families and the government. This descriptive method research aimed to survey the health status of dependent older people in the rural community of Lampang province in northern Thailand. The participants consisted of 62 older people and 62 primary family caregivers from Hong Ha Health Promoting Hospital, Lampang, Thailand (totaling 124 people). The researchers assessed the health status of older people and their activities of daily living (ADL). In addition, researchers assessed the health status and stress of caregivers. All the participants were interviewed about their experiences with caregiving. The results showed that most of the older respondents were female with an average age of 78.15 years. Based on the ADL assessment, 50 of the 62 older persons were homebound while the rest were bedridden. The majority of older people had chronic or long-term conditions that required hospitalization from time to time. Their frequent health problems included oral disorders such as tooth decay or caries/gum disease/no teeth, reduced sight, psychological disorders, knee pain and risk of falling, low BMI, risk of malnutrition, and urinary leakage and incontinence (58.06%, 66.13%, 62.90%, 70.97%, 38.71%, 66.13%, and 37.10%, respectively). Usual care provided by the family members included personal hygiene care, food preparation and feeding, medication management, housekeeping and organizing necessary equipment, supply of needed equipment, prevention of falls, helping with travel for medical checkups and treatment, and providing companionship. Families experienced shortages of medical supplies, daily use equipment, lack of employment, inadequate income, and difficulty accessing health care services due to lack of transportation. Some caregivers experienced caregiving stress related to a lack of social interactions as well as routine caregiving activities. Families need different types of support in order to promote the well-being of older people and caregivers. This highlights the need for a community participation model for the care of older people in order to reflect sustainable long-term outcomes.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.32 no.7
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• pp.1147-1152
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• 2003

The purpose of this study was to investigate dietary habits and health-related behaviors in elderly people aged over 85 years residing in Namhae-gun Kyungnam. The subject group of this study was composed of 24 males and 76 females, the average age being 88.9$\pm$4.0 years old. The mean age of their parents' death were 67.3$\pm$15.9 years for the father and 68.1$\pm$16.6 years for the mother. Most of the subjects had a regular meal pattern consuming three meals a day, and the female (89.5%) had more regular meals than the male (66.7%). Most of the subjects showed to have no taboo foods (77.1%) and health foods or supplements (90.5%). The rates of alcohol drinking and smoking showed to be 46.8% and 31.1%, respectively, and the quantities of them were a little. Of the subjects, 65.6% spend 6∼8 hours for sleeping and 57.6% spend 4∼5 hours for activity. Most of the subjects recognized to be healthy (88.7%) and happy (62.7%).

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.490-498
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• 2014

Objectives: This study was conducted to propose the need of re-establishing the criteria of the body weight classification in the elderly. We compared the Asia-Pacific Region Criteria (APR-C) with Entropy Model Criteria (ENT-C) using Morbidity rate of chronic diseases which correlates significantly with Body Mass Index (BMI). Methods: Subjects were 886 elderly female participating in the 2007-2009 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). We compared APR-C with those of ENT-C using Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC) curve and logistic regression analysis. Results: In the case of the morbidity of hypertension, the results were as follows: Where it was in the T-off point of APR-C, sensitivity was 67.5%, specificity was 43.1%, and Youden's index was 10.6. While in the cut-off point of ENT-C, it was 56.7%, 56.6%, and 13.3 respectively. In the case of the morbidity of diabetes, the results were as follows: In the cut-off point of APR-C, Youden's index was 14.2. While in the cut-off point of ENT-C, it was 17.2 respectively. The Area Under the ROC Curve (AUC) of the subjects who had more than 2 diseases among hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia was 0.615 (95% CI: 0.578-0.652). Compared to the normal group, the odds ratio of the hypertension group which will belong to the overweight or obesity was 1.79 (95% CI: 1.30-2.47) in the APR-C, and 2.04 (95% CI: 1.49-2.80) in the ENT-C (p < 0.001). Conclusions: We conclude that the optimal cut-off point of BMI to distinguish between normal weight and overweight was $24kg/m^2$ (ENT-C) rather than $23kg/m^2$ (APR-C).

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.94-101
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• 2016

Objectives : Anemia is a common problem in the management of elderly patients. Recent studies reported that anemia was associated with cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease. This study was aimed to analyze the differences of hemoglobin levels in Korean patients with Alzheimer's disease(AD) dementia, mild cognitive impairment(MCI), and healthy controls. Furthermore, the study also examined if any association between hemoglobin levels and cognitive functions existed. Methods : A total of 116 Korean elderly adults were participated in this study(mean age 74.67 years ; 60.3% female). The Korean version of the Mini-Mental State Examination(MMSE-K), Clinical Dementia Rating(CDR) and Global Deterioration Scale(GDS) were applied to all subjects. Hematological and related blood chemistry values were investigated. Results : We found that patients with AD dementia had significantly lower hemoglobin and hematocrit levels than MCI subjects and healthy control group. The hemoglobin levels showed a positive correlation with MMSE-K and negative correlation with CDR, GDS. Conclusions : Among Korean elderly, low hemoglobin level is associated with a cognitive impairment. This study indicates that AD is associated with anemia, and low hemoglobin levels may contribute to potentially useful clinical markers of AD. The risk factor for dementia needs to be confirmed by prospective longitudinal studies in a larger group of patients.