• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.39-44
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• 2005

Objectives: Much attention has been paid to sleep apnea syndrome (SAS) in the elderly because of its high prevalence. It is expected that SAS in the elderly has both similarities and differences compared to SAS in the young or middle-aged populations. The aim of this study was to elucidate the characteristics and consequences of SAS in the elderly. Methods: In this study we included 210 young or middle-aged adults between 23 and 59 years (20 women and 190 men) and 65 older adults between 60 and 83 years of age (16 women and 49 men). Respiratory disturbance indices (RDIs) of the study subjects were more than 5 in an overnight polysomnography. They completed the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Informations about body mass index (BMI), neck, waist, and hip measurements, and blood pressure were obtained. Results: No difference was observed between older adults with SAS (older SAS) and adults aged under 60 with SAS (SAS aged under 60) in RDI, apnea index, % time of oxygen saturation less than 90%, and PSQI. Obstructive apnea index and oxygen desaturation index (ODI) were lower in older SAS. Compared to SAS aged under 60, lowest oxygen saturation and central apnea index were higher in older SAS, but they were statistically not significant. BMI and neck circumference were significantly lower in older SAS compared to SAS aged under 60. Diastolic blood pressure was lower in older SAS compared to SAS aged under 60 with no difference in systolic blood pressure. Older SAS showed lower scores in ESS than SAS aged under 60. Significant correlation was observed between RDI and BMI in SAS aged under 60, but not in the case of older SAS. The relationships between RDI and neck circumference, systolic and diastolic pressure, and ESS were similar. Conclusions: The elderly with SAS were not over-weight and there was no relationship between body weight and the severity of SAS. Also, the behavioral and cardiovascular effects of SAS were not marked in the elderly, which might be partly explained by decreased ODI and relatively higher lowest oxygen saturation in older SAS. The normal aging process, aside from increased body weight, might contribute to the development of SAS in the elderly with modest complications.

• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.323-332
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• 2004

This study researched the visual acuity test object and Auto-refractormeter, visual of near power. The object were composed of middle aged, the old men and women who in habit Daegu. The results were as follows : 1. The subjects consisted of 537 people, 29.98% men, 70.02% women. 2. The emmetropia was 1.12% for myopia, 2.79% for hyperopia, 96.09% for astigmatism. 3. The abnormal refraction was composition for myopic compound astigmatism(16.57%), hyperopia compound astigmatism(45.62%), Mixed astigmatism(33.89%). 4. On the Myopic Spherical Equivalent(S.E) power, the range of -0.50D ${\leq}$ M.S.E < -1.00D was 21.67%, -1.00D ${\leq}$ M.S.E < -2.00D was 48.89%, -2.00D ${\leq}$ M.S.E < -6.00D was 29.44%. 5. On the Hyperopic Spherical Equivalent(S.E) power, the range of +0.50D ${\leq}$ H.S.E < +1.00D was 28.57%, +1.00D ${\leq}$ H.S.E < +2.00D was 49.30%, +2.00D ${\leq}$ H.S.E < +6.00D was 23.13%. 6. The addition power was 1.00D(8.01%), 1.50D(8.57%), 2.00D(13.78%), 2.50D(16.57%), 3.00D(16.95%), 3.50D(17.88%), 4.00D(18.25%).

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.38 no.10
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• pp.836-846
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• 2005

This study was performed to determine the effect of carotenoid-rich food consumption and smoking on the lipid peroxidation and antioxidant status in human. The subjects consisted of the health 210 middle-aged adults who visited health care center in the Inha University hospital. The blood and urine samples of the subjects were taken to analyze serum lipid profiles, plasma TBARS, total antioxidant status (TAS) and urinary 8-isoprostanes concentration. The anthropometric indices of the subjects were measured. The nutritional intake and the frequency of carotenoid-rich food consumption was determined by semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire survey. HDL-cholesterol level of the smoking subjects was significantly lower than that of the non-smoking subjects in men. In the analysis of the carotenoid-rich food consumption, the frequency of pepper and tomato consumption of the non-smoking subjects was significantly higher than that of the smoking subjects in men. In women, the Sequency of pear and peach consumption of the non-smoking subjects was significantly higher than that of the smoking subjects. HDL-cholesterol level of the high carotenoid rich food consumption group was significantly higher than that of medium and low group in women. TAS of the high carotenoid rich food consumption group was significantly higher than that of medium and low group. In conclusion, carotenoid intakes seemed to be effective to reduce lipid peroxidation and increase antioxidant status in the body. The frequency of the carotenoid-rich food consumption seemed to be lower in the smokers than in the non-smokers. However, further researches consisted of large-scaled and randomized clinical trials are required to determine whether carotenoids have any other beneficial effect in human. (Korean J Nutrition 38(10): 836$\sim$846,2005)

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.245-253
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• 2012

Background: Prevalence of chronic pain and its association with demographic characteristics have been reported by different studies from different geographical regions in the world. However, data from many Middle East countries including Iran (especially southern Iran) are scare. The aim of the present study was to demonstrate the prevalence of chronic pain and its association with demographic, psychological and socioeconomic factors in an Iranian population. Methods: In this population-based survey, the target population was comprised of subjects aged 20 to 85 years residing in Jahrom, southern Iran during 2009-2011. All eligible subjects were invited to participate in the study. Before a detailed questionnaire was given; face to face interviews were done for each individual. Results: There were 719 men and 874 women with an average age of 40.5 years at the onset of the study. Among the study population, 38.9% (620/1,593) complained of chronic pain, of whom 40.8% (253/620) were men and 59.2% (367/620) were women. Foot and joint pain were observed in 31.9%. Hip and spine pain, migraine and tension headaches, heart pain, and abdomen pain were observed in 21.5%, 15.5%, 9.5%, and 8.0% of chronic pain cases, respectively. There was a significant association among the covariables age, sex, overweight, educational level, income, and type of employment with chronic pain as the dependent variable (P < 0.0001). Conclusions: Our findings show the prevalence of chronic pain and its association with demographic, psychological and socioeconomic factors. Individuals with low incomes and less education became accustomed to pain due to a lack of knowledge.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.126-139
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• 2023

Purpose: This study aimed to analyze interventions for bereaved families and evaluate their effectiveness, with the ultimate goal of supporting evidence-based nursing for bereaved families. Methods: Research trends were identified based on a search of domestic databases from January 2000 to December 2022, and a meta-analysis was conducted on interventions for bereaved families. Forty-five papers were selected, and information was extracted on participants, research design, and interventions. A meta-analysis of seven papers was performed, and the effect size was calculated. Results: Fourteen papers dealt with interventions for middle-aged women who had lost their spouses, 20 used qualitative research methods, and 20 were on art therapy programs. Thirty studies had fewer than 10 participants, and most interventions had 60~120 minutes per session and 9~16 sessions in total. There were seven randomized controlled trials, and all studies included in the quality evaluation showed a low risk of bias. Four papers measured grief as an outcome, and the effect size was -1.9577 (95% CI: -2.9206 to -0.9947), indicating that the treatment significantly decreased grief (P<0.001). Six papers measured depression as an outcome, and the effect size was -1.6775 (95% CI: -2.1835 to -1.1716), showing that the treatment significantly decreased depression (P<0.001). Conclusion: Intervention programs for bereaved families were shown to be effective in relieving grief and depression. However, programs should be developed that target middle-aged men who have lost their spouses and children who have lost their parents. Randomized controlled trials should also be conducted on interventions to reduce grief and depression.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.185-194
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• 2016

Background: The purpose of this study is to forecast changes in the prevalence of chronic diseases and health expenditure by age group. Methods: Based on the Future Elderly Model, this study projects the size of Korean population, the prevalence of chronic diseases, and health expenditure over the 2014-2040 period using two waves (2012, 2013) of the Korea Health Panel and National Health Insurance Service database. Results: First, the prevalence of chronic diseases increases by 2040. The population with hypertension increases 2.04 times; the diabetes increases 2.43 times; and the cancer increases 3.38 times. Second, health expenditure on chronic diseases increases as well. Health expenditure on hypertension increases 4.33 times (1,098,753 million won in 2014 to 4,760,811 million won in 2040); diabetes increases 5.34 times (792,444 million won in 2014 to 4,232,714 million won in 2040); and cancer increases 6.09 times (4,396,223 million won in 2014 to 26,776,724 million won in 2040). Third, men and women who belong to the early middle-aged group (44-55 years old) as of 2014, have the highest increase rate in health spending. Conclusion: Most Korean literature on health expenditure estimation employs a macro-simulation approach and does not fully take into account personal characteristics and behaviors. Thus, this study aims to benefit medical administrators and policy makers to frame effective and targeted health policies by analyzing personal-level data with a microsimulation model and providing health expenditure projections by age group.

• Journal of Digital Contents Society
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.685-692
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• 2018

The purpose of this study is to develop a prediction model of hypertension in middle-aged adults using Statistical analysis. Statistical analysis and prediction models were developed using the National Health and Nutrition Survey (2013-2016).Binary logistic regression analysis showed statistically significant risk factors for hypertension, and a predictive model was developed using logistic regression and the Naive Bayes algorithm using Wrapper approach technique. In the statistical analysis, WHtR(p<0.0001, OR = 2.0242) in men and AGE (p<0.0001, OR = 3.9185) in women were the most related factors to hypertension. In the performance evaluation of the prediction model, the logistic regression model showed the best predictive power in men (AUC = 0.782) and women (AUC = 0.858). Our findings provide important information for developing large-scale screening tools for hypertension and can be used as the basis for hypertension research.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.21 no.7
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• pp.144-156
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• 2021

This study was conducted to explore important factors to consider when designing voice-based psychological counseling agents amid the increasing use of conversational agents in counseling and psychotherapy. 48 participants selected their preferred agent's voice among four types (young women and men, middle-aged women and men) and had a conversation with a psychological counseling agent. They also evaluated the reasons for voice selection, mood changes, perception of the agent's characteristics, and counseling outcomes. As a results, the agent's voice type selected according to the user's gender was not statistically significant. However, the qualitative analysis showed 'comfort' of the voice was an important factor. Next, the user's mood improved significantly after the conversation with the agent, which confirmed the intervention effect. Finally, it was found that expertness and attractiveness perceptions toward the agent contributed to the counseling outcomes. The implications of the study and suggestions for future research were discussed.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.17
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• pp.7981-7986
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• 2015

Background: As coverage of public insurance is not sufficient to cover diagnosis or treatment of cancer, having private health insurance is important to prepare for unexpected expenses of cancer. The purpose of this study was to assess factors associated with having private cancer insurance, considering gender among the socio-demographic factors and health behavior. Materials and Methods: We used data from the 2011 Korea Health Panel, which included 10,871 participants aged 20 years and older. Socio-demographics, health behavior, and perceived cancer risk were the independent variables and having private cancer insurance was the dependent variable. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with having private cancer insurance. Results: The variables relating to middle age, higher education, higher household income, married men, and the perceived cancer risk groups of 1-10% and 11-30% were significantly associated with having private cancer insurance. Additionally, females who had private non-cancer health insurance were positively associated with the dependent variables (OR=1.36; 95% CI=1.17-1.57). Education, smoking status, exercise, and perceived cancer risk possibility were significantly associated with having private cancer insurance only among women. The men lowered the overall percentages of those having private cancer insurance (OR=0.53, 95% CI=0.45-0.63). Conclusions: We found that there were significant differences between men and women who had private cancer insurance. Women with private cancer insurance are more likely to follow precautionary health behavior than men. This could be interpreted as resulting from masculine ideologies. It is important to make males recognize the seriousness of the cancer risk. In general, household income was highly associated with private cancer insurance. These results reveal an inequity among the buyers of private cancer insurance in terms of economic status level, education level, and health condition.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.603-609
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• 2003

This study examined the reproducibility of nutrient intakes estimated by the 24-hour recall method in a prospective cohort study (Longitudinal study of aging and health monitoring of Korean elderly) of middle-aged volunteer subjects (42 males and 49 females) in the Seoul area. The three-day 24-hour recall was administered twice at an interval of approximately 6 months. The first data were collected and a corrective procedure was performed by interviewing of the subjects and a trained dietitian. The second data were collected by mail from the subjects without the performance of any corrective procedure. The mean age of the subjects was 53.5 $\pm$ 9.6 for the males and 52.2 $\pm$ 8.9 for the females. The subjects who had above college education were 95% in the case of the males and 60% in the case of the females. The characteristics of the male subjects in this study were that they were highly educated and held professional jobs and were from the middle or upper class. Comparing the first and second 24-hour recall data, the second data showed relatively lower intakes of all nutrients, except vitamin A, vitamin Bi and cholesterol. There was no difference in the nutrients of the first and the second data with respect to vitamin A, vitamin B$_1$ and cholesterol in the males and calcium, iron, sodium, vitamin A, vitamin B$_1$, vitamin B$_2$ and cholesterol in the females. This data may indicate that the 24 hour retail method without a dietitian's help may result in lower reporting of the subject's intakes. The men had a tendency to remember less than the women. Pearson's correlation coefficients with unadjusted nutrient intakes values were ranged from 0.24 to 0.66. When energy intake was adjusted, there was a slight increase (from 0.26 to 0.71). Intra-class correlation coefficients with nutrient-unadjusted values ranged from 0.22 to 0.66, and the energy-adjusted values were ranged from 0.23 to 0.69. The weighted Kappa statistical values ranged from 0.10 to 0.40. On the average,46.3% of the subjects who were found in the lowest quartile of the nutrient intake levels based on the first 24-hour recall, were in the lowest quartile based on the second 24-hour recall. Therefore, there was a low reproducibility between the first and the second 24-hour recall. We should examine the factors influencing low reproducibility. Also, strategies should be developed to maximize the reliability of the assessment, with regard to portion-size training and telephone validation. (Korean J Community Nutrition 8(4) : 603∼609, 2003)