Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health

Original Articles

Smoking-attributable Mortality in Korea, 2020: A Meta-analysis of 4 Databases: Eunsil Cheon, Yeun Soo Yang, Suyoung Jo, Jieun Hwang, Keum Ji Jung, Sunmi Lee, Seong Yong Park, Kyoungin Na, Soyeon Kim, Sun Ha Jee, Sung-il Cho; J Prev Med Public Health. 2024;57(4):327-338. Published online July 3, 2024; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3961/jpmph.23.471

1,121 View
100 Download
1 Web of Science
1 Crossref

Abstract Summary PDF Supplementary Material

Objectives
Estimating the number of deaths caused by smoking is crucial for developing and evaluating tobacco control and smoking cessation policies. This study aimed to determine smoking-attributable mortality (SAM) in Korea in 2020.
Methods
Four large-scale cohorts from Korea were analyzed. A Cox proportional-hazards model was used to determine the hazard ratios (HRs) of smoking-related death. By conducting a meta-analysis of these HRs, the pooled HRs of smoking-related death for 41 diseases were estimated. Population-attributable fractions (PAFs) were calculated based on the smoking prevalence for 1995 in conjunction with the pooled HRs. Subsequently, SAM was derived using the PAF and the number of deaths recorded for each disease in 2020.
Results
The pooled HR for all-cause mortality attributable to smoking was 1.73 for current men smokers (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.53 to 1.95) and 1.63 for current women smokers (95% CI, 1.37 to 1.94). Smoking accounted for 33.2% of all-cause deaths in men and 4.6% in women. Additionally, it was a factor in 71.8% of men lung cancer deaths and 11.9% of women lung cancer deaths. In 2020, smoking was responsible for 53 930 men deaths and 6283 women deaths, totaling 60 213 deaths.
Conclusions
Cigarette smoking was responsible for a significant number of deaths in Korea in 2020. Monitoring the impact and societal burden of smoking is essential for effective tobacco control and harm prevention policies.

Summary

Korean summary
한국의 흡연율은 상당 수준 감소하였지만 흡연의 장기적인 건강영향은 지속적으로 나타나고 있다. 4개의 대규모 코호트와 1995년 흡연율을 사용하여 2020년 한국의 흡연기인 사망자수를 산출한 결과 남성 53,930명, 여성 6283명으로 총 60,213명이였다. 효과적인 담배규제와 금연 정책을 위하여 장기적인 사망자수 모니터링이 필요할 것이다.

Key Message
Despite the significant decrease in smoking rates in South Korea, the long-term health effects of smoking continue to manifest. Our analysis using four large-scale cohorts and 1995 smoking prevalence revealed that in 2020, the number of smoking-attributable death in South Korea was 53,930 for men and 6,283 for women, totaling 60,213. Long-term monitoring is necessary for effective tobacco control and smoking cessation policies.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

The economic cost of direct smoking in South Korea
Kristine Namhee Kwon, Kangyeon Lee, Wankyo Chung
Preventive Medicine Reports.2024; 46: 102865. CrossRef

Abdominal Obesity in Relation to the Incidence of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Impaired Fasting Glucose among some Korean Adults: A Retrospective Cohort Study.: Seung Ho Ryu, Sung Ho Beck, Yoo Soo Chang, Dong Il Kim, Byung Seong Suh, Woon Sool Kim, Ki Chul Sung; J Prev Med Public Health. 2004;37(4):359-365. Published online November 30, 2004

2,481 View
48 Download

Abstract PDF: OBJECTIVES
This study was performed to determine whether an increase in abdominal obesity is an independent risk factor for impaired fasting glucose and type 2 DM. METHODS: Among 24, 212 adults over 30 years who undertook comprehensive medical screening examinations from Jan to Dec 1999, in a university hospital in Seoul, a total of 11, 183 subjects were selected who had no DM at baseline and who were followed up more than once by Dec 2002. The average follow up period was 2.4 (+/-0.5) years. DM was defined as having a fasting glucose level > or = 126mg/dl, and impaired fasting glucose as showing a fasting glucose level between 110 and 125 mg/dl. Body weight, height and waist circumference (WC) were simultaneously measured with blood sampling. The relative risks (RRs) for DM and impaired fasting glucose by WC were calculated using Cox proportional hazard model. Ageadjusted rates were estimated by direct standardization using a reference population of 2000 from 30 to 80 years. RESULTS: The average age of the subjects was 41.7 (+/- 7.0) years; males 41.2 (+/-6.5) and females 45.6 (+/-9.2). RRs for type 2 DM by WC with the reference group of WC < 80cm were as follows: 2.66 (95%, CI 0.55~12.8) for WC of 80~89cm in men, 5.92 (95%, CI 1.08~32.3) for WC > or = 90 cm in men, and 2.64 (95%, CI 0.23~29.8) for WC of 80~89cm in females. RRs for impaired fasting glucose by WC were 3.03 (95%, CI 2.18~4.22) for WC 80~89cm in men, 6.10 (95%, CI 4.25~8.75) for WC > or = 90cm in men, and 1.56 (95%, CI 0.43~5.67) for WC 80~89cm in women, and 8.08 (95%, CI 2.22~29.4) for WC > or = 90cm in females. These results remained significant after adjustment for age, BMI and fasting glucose concentrations at baseline in both sexes. Annual increment of more than 1 cm in WC was associated with the development of DM and impaired fasting glucose independently of age, sex, BMI, or presence of abdominal obesity. CONCLUSION: In Korean adults, abdominal obesity increased the risk for the development of type 2 diabetes and impaired fasting glucose. This result supports many other prospective studies suggesting abdominal obesity as a risk factor for type 2 diabetes.; Summary

Incidence Density of Antibody against Hepatitis C Virus in Seoul and Gyeonggi Area; A Retrospective Cohort Study: Based on Medical Screening Data from a General Hospital.: Seung Ho Ryu, Dong Il Kim, Byung Seong Suh, Woon Sool Kim, Yoo Soo Chang, Sung Ho Beck, Soo Jin Lee, Jaechul Song, Yong Kyu Kim; J Prev Med Public Health. 2004;37(4):337-344. Published online November 30, 2004

2,180 View
28 Download

Abstract PDF: OBJECTIVES
This study was performed to determine the incidence density and the prevalence of sero-positive hepatitis C from 1999 to 2002 among adults aged 20 and over residing in Seoul and the Gyeonggi province. METHOD: The data for period was obtained from 114, 635 adults, residing in Seoul or the Gyeonggi province, who had undertaken comprehensive health screening tests from Jan 1999 to Dec 2002 in a University hospital in Seoul. Among them, subjects with sero-negative status against hepatitis C were selected (21, 408 in 1999, 28, 830 in 2000) and then followed up until Dec 2002 to determine the incidence of hepatitis C during this period. The serum was tested with the immunoradiometric assay (IRMA) which uses third generation HCV antibody. Age adjusted rates were estimated by direct standardization using a reference population of 2000 aged from 20 to 80 years. RESULTS: The prevalence of anti-HCV from 1999 to 2002 was 2.1 per 1000 persons (95% CI 1.8~2.4). Male showed 1.7 per 1000 persons (95% CI 1.4~2.1), while female showed 2.7 per 1000 persons (95% CI 2.2~3.2). Age?sex adjusted rate showed 2.8 per 1000 persons (95% CI 2.64~2.96), which is lower than the results of some previous study. The prevalence showed a significantly increasing pattern with age both in males and females (p< 0.05). The incidence density of anti-HCV among the population aged 20 and over was 1.1 per 104 person-years at risk (95% CI 0.6~2.4) ; 1.2 (95% CI 0.6~2.7) for males and 0.8 (95% CI 0.6~4.2) for females. Age adjusted incidence density was 2.91 per 104 person-years at risk (95% CI 2.43~3.38) for those aged 20 and over. It showed an increasing pattern with age (p< 0.05), especially for those age over 50 years. CONCLUSION: The study subjects for this study were supposedly healthier than the general population so the prevalence and incidence for the general population are thought to be higher than the results of the present study.; Summary

Editorial

Association Between Green Tea Consumption and Lung Cancer Risk.: Andy H Lee, Wenbin Liang, Fumi Hirayama, Colin W Binns; J Prev Med Public Health. 2010;43(4):366-367.; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3961/jpmph.2010.43.4.366

5,338 View
76 Download
4 Crossref

Abstract PDF

Green tea is a popular beverage and its health benefits are well known. However, inconsistent results have been reported in observational studies concerning the association between green tea consumption and the lung cancer risk. In this commentary, several methodological issues underlying the measurement of tea exposure are highlighted. The recommendations should be useful for designing and planning prospective cohort studies to ascertain the protective effect of green tea against lung cancer.

Summary

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Investigating the potential causal association between consumption of green tea and risk of lung cancer: a study utilizing Mendelian randomization
Jieming Lu, Ye Lin, Junfei Jiang, Lei Gao, Zhimin Shen, Changping Yang, Pinghua Lin, Mingqiang Kang
Frontiers in Nutrition.2024;[Epub] CrossRef
Green Tea and Anticancer Perspectives: Updates from Last Decade
Masood Sadiq Butt, Rabia Shabir Ahmad, M. Tauseef Sultan, Mir M. Nasir Qayyum, Ambreen Naz
Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition.2015; 55(6): 792. CrossRef
Relationships between black tea consumption and key health indicators in the world: an ecological study
Ariel Beresniak, Gerard Duru, Genevieve Berger, Dominique Bremond-Gignac
BMJ Open.2012; 2(6): e000648. CrossRef
Alcohol and tea consumption in relation to the risk of nasopharyngeal carcinoma in Guangdong, China
Hong-Lian Ruan, Feng-Hua Xu, Wen-Sheng Liu, Qi-Sheng Feng, Li-Zhen Chen, Yi-Xin Zeng, Wei-Hua Jia
Frontiers of Medicine in China.2010; 4(4): 448. CrossRef

Original Article

Reliability of Covariates in Baseline Survey of a Cohort Study: Epidemiological Investigation on Cancer Risk Among Residents Who Reside Near the Nuclear Power Plants in Korea.: Sanghyuk Bae, Bo Young Park, Zhong Min Li, Yoon Ok Ahn; J Prev Med Public Health. 2010;43(2):159-165.; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3961/jpmph.2010.43.2.159

4,974 View
53 Download
1 Crossref

Abstract PDF

OBJECTIVES
We evaluated the reliability of the possible covariates of the baseline survey data collected for the Epidemiological Investigation on Cancer Risk Among Residents Who Reside Near the Nuclear Power Plants in Korea. METHODS: Follow-up surveys were conducted for 477 participants of the cohort at less than 1 year after the initial survey. The mean interval between the initial and follow-up surveys was 282.5 days. Possible covariates were identified by analyzing the correlations with the exposure variable and associations with the outcome variables for all the variables. Logistic regression analysis with stepwise selection was further conducted among the possible covariates to select variables that have covariance with other variables. We considered that these variables can be representing other variables. Seven variables for the males and 3 variables for the females, which had covariance with other possible covariates, were selected as representative variables. The Kappa index of each variable was calculated. RESULTS: For the males, the Kappa indexes were as follow; family history of cancer was 0.64, family history of liver diseases in parents and siblings was 0.56, family history of hypertension in parents and siblings was 0.51, family history of liver diseases was 0.50, family history of hypertension was 0.44, a history of chronic liver diseases was 0.53 and history of pulmonary tuberculosis was 0.36. For females, the Kappa indexes were as follow; family history of cancer was 0.58, family history of hypertension in parents and siblings was 0.56 and family history of hypertension was 0.47. CONCLUSIONS: Most of the possible covariates showed good to moderate agreement.

Summary

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Cancer Risk in Adult Residents near Nuclear Power Plants in Korea - A Cohort Study of 1992-2010
Yoon-Ok Ahn, Zhong Min Li
Journal of Korean Medical Science.2012; 27(9): 999. CrossRef

Review

Discovering Gene-Environment Interactions in the Post-Genomic Era.: Nirinjini Naidoo, Kee Seng Chia; J Prev Med Public Health. 2009;42(6):356-359.; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3961/jpmph.2009.42.6.356

4,512 View
34 Download
1 Crossref

Abstract PDF

In the more than 100 genome wide association studies (GWAS) conducted in the past 5 years, more than 250 genetic loci contributing to more than 40 common diseases and traits have been identified. Whilst many genes have been linked to a trait, both their individual and combined effects are small and unable to explain earlier estimates of heritability. Given the rapid changes in disease incidence that cannot be accounted for by changes in diagnostic practises, there is need to have well characterized exposure information in addition to genomic data for the study of gene-environment interactions. The case-control and cohort study designs are most suited for studying associations between risk factors and occurrence of an outcome. However, the case control study design is subject to several biases and hence the preferred choice of the prospective cohort study design in investigating gene-environment interactions. A major limitation of utilising the prospective cohort study design is the long duration of follow-up of participants to accumulate adequate outcome data. The GWAS paradigm is a timely reminder for traditional epidemiologists who often perform one- or few-at-a-time hypothesis-testing studies with the main hallmarks of GWAS being the agnostic approach and the massive dataset derived through large-scale international collaborations.

Summary

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

The Therapeutic Potential of Epigenetics in Autoimmune Diseases
Maria De Santis, Carlo Selmi
Clinical Reviews in Allergy & Immunology.2012; 42(1): 92. CrossRef

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Medical Expenditure of National Health Insurance Attributable to Smoking among the Korean Population.: Sang Yi Lee, Sun Ha Jee, Ji Eun Yun, Su Young Kim, Jakyung Lee, Jonathan M Samet, Il Soon Kim; J Prev Med Public Health. 2007;40(3):227-232.; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3961/jpmph.2007.40.3.227

4,931 View
47 Download
9 Crossref

Abstract PDF

OBJECTIVES
The purpose of this study was to determine the population-attributable risk (PAR) and estimate the total medical expenditure of the Korean National Health Insurance (KNHI) due to smoking. METHODS: We used data from the Korean Cancer Prevention Study of 1,178,138 Koreans aged 30 to 95. These data were available from 1992 to 2003 and covered a long-term follow-up period among the Korean population. RESULTS: The total medical expenditure of KNHI related to smoking increased by 27% from $324.9 million in 1999 to $413.7 million in 2003. By specific diseases, smokingattributable KNHI medical expenditure was the highest for lung cancer ($74.2 million), followed by stroke ($65.3 million), COPD ($50.1 million), CHD ($49 million) and stomach cancer ($30 million). A total of 1.3 million KNHI patients were suffering from smoking-related diseases in 2003. We predicted rises in total KNHI medical expenditure related to smoking to $675.1 million (63% increase compared with that of 2003) and in the total number of KNHI patients suffering from smoking-related diseases to about 2.6million (an approximate 100% increase compared with those in 2003) in 2015. CONCLUSIONS: We found a substantial economic burden related to the high smoking prevalence in South Korea.

Summary

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Estimates of the Prevalence, Intensity and the Number of Workers Exposed to Cigarette Smoking across Occupations and Industries in Korea
Hyejung Jung, Dong-Hee Koh, Sangjun Choi, Ju-Hyun Park, Hwan-Cheol Kim, Sang-Gil Lee, Donguk Park
Journal of Korean Medical Science.2019;[Epub] CrossRef
The Effect of Positive Group Psychotherapy and Motivational Interviewing on Smoking Cessation
Eun Jin Lee
Journal of Addictions Nursing.2017; 28(2): 88. CrossRef
Smoking and Oral Diseases
Dal-Nim Yang, Yong-Duk Park
Journal of the Korean Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco.2015; 6(1): 1. CrossRef
The association between inhaled long-acting bronchodilators and less in-hospital care in newly-diagnosed COPD patients
Jinhee Kim, Kyungjoo Kim, Yuri Kim, Kwang-Ha Yoo, Chin Kook Lee, Hyoung Kyu Yoon, Young Sam Kim, Young Bum Park, Jin Hwa Lee, Yeon-Mok Oh, Sang-Do Lee, Sei Won Lee
Respiratory Medicine.2014; 108(1): 153. CrossRef
Predictors of success at six-month follow-up at a public smoking cessation clinic in South Korea
Soo-Young Bhang, Sam-Wook Choi, Joon-Ho Ahn, Kunwoo Kim, Hano Kim, Hye-Kyeong Park
Asia-Pacific Psychiatry.2013; 5(3): 197. CrossRef
Cost and effectiveness of the nationwide government-supported Smoking Cessation Clinics in the Republic of Korea
Jin-Kyoung Oh, Min Kyung Lim, E Hwa Yun, Sang Hwa Shin, Eun Young Park, Eun-Cheol Park
Tobacco Control.2013; 22(e1): e73. CrossRef
Health and Economic Burden of Major Cancers Due to Smoking in Korea
In-Hwan Oh, Seok-Jun Yoon, Tai-Young Yoon, Joong-Myung Choi, Bong-Keun Choe, Eun-Jung Kim, Young-Ae Kim, Hye-Young Seo, Yoon-Hyung Park
Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention.2012; 13(4): 1525. CrossRef
The influence of housing tenure and marital status on smoking in South Korea
Seungji Lim, Woojin Chung, Hanjoong Kim, Sunmi Lee
Health Policy.2010; 94(2): 101. CrossRef
Factors influencing cigarette smoking and quantified implications for anti-smoking policy: evidence from South Korea
Woojin Chung, Hanjoong Kim, Seungji Lim, Sunmi Lee, Kyungsook Cho
International Journal of Public Health.2009; 54(6): 409. CrossRef

Original Articles

Current Status of Genomic Epidemiology Research.: Daehee Kang, Kyoung Mu Lee; Korean J Prev Med. 2003;36(3):213-222.

5,203 View
50 Download

Abstract PDF: Genomic epidemiology is defined as "an evolving field of inquiring that uses the systematic application of epidemiologic methods and approaches in population-based studies of the impact of human genetic variation on health and disease (Khoury, 1998) ". Most human diseases are caused by the intricate interaction among environmental exposures and genetic susceptibility factors. Susceptibility genes involved in disease pathogenesis are categorized into two groups: high penetrance genes (i.e., BRAC1, RB, etc.) and low penetrance genes (i.e., GSTs, Cyps, XRCC1, ets.), and low penetrance susceptibility genes has the higher priority for epidemiological research due to high population attributable risk. In this paper, the summarized results of the association study between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and breast cancer in Korea were introduced and the international trends of genomic epidemiology research were reviewed with an emphasis on internet-based case-control and cohort consortium.; Summary

The Risk Factors for the Development of Hypertension in a Rural Area - An 1-Year Prospective Cohort Study.: Hee Sook Oh, Byung Yeol Chun, Sin Kam, Min Hae Yeh, Yun Sik Kang, Keon Yeop Kim, Young Sook Lee, Ki Soo Park, Jae Hee Son, Sang Won Lee, Moon Young Ahn; Korean J Prev Med. 2000;33(2):199-207.

2,292 View
33 Download

Abstract PDF: OBJECTIVES
This study was performed to identify the risk factors related to the development of hypertension in a rural area. METHOD: Total of 3,573 subjects in Chung-Song County were interviewed and examined in 1996. The study cohort comprised 2,580 hypertension-free subjects aged above 20. One-year follow up was completed for 1,781 subjects(69.0%) in 1997. General characteristics(age, gender, education level, economic status, marital status), the family history of hypertension, diet, alcohol, smoking, coffee, stress, past history of oral contraceptive and menopausal status in female, height, weight, waist and hip circumference, baseline blood pressure, and serum total cholesterol were considered as risk factors. RESULTS: Multivariate analysis using logistic regression model indicated that age(RR=1.50, 95% CI; 1.15-1.96), the family history of hypertension(RR=2.11, 95% CI; 1.04-4.26), waist-hip ratio(WHR) (RR=2.09, 95% CI; 1.15-3.79), and baseline systolic blood pressure(130-139/<120mmHg)(RR=3.34, 95% CI; 1.47-7.60) were significant risk factors associated with the development of hypertension above the borderline level in male. In female, age(RR=1.06, 95% CI; 1.03-1.09), change in menopausal status(no--> yes/no-->no) (RR=3.32, 95% CI; 1.01-10.87), baseline systolic blood pressure(120-129/<120mmHg: RR=2.00, 95% CI; 1.02-3.90)(130-139/<120mmHg: RR=2.64, 95% CI; 1.34-5.20) and baseline diastolic blood pressure(85-89/<80mmHg)(RR=4.09, 95% CI; 1.86-8.96) were identified as risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: Age and high normal blood pressure were significant risk factors for the development of hypertension above the borderline level. In addition, the family history of hypertension and WHR in men, and the change of menopausal status in women might be significant risk factors in Korea.; Summary

Incidence and Risk Factors for Diabetes Mellitus in Korean Middle-aged Men: Seoul Cohort DM Follow-up Study.: Dong Hyun Kim, Yoon Ok Ahn, Sung Woo Park, Moon Gi Choi, Dae Sung Kim, Moo Song Lee, Myung Hee Shin, Jong Myon Bae; Korean J Prev Med. 1999;32(4):526-537.

2,436 View
52 Download

Abstract PDF: OBJECTIVES
It is known that the prevalence of diabetes mellitus(DM) appears to be rapidly increasing in recent times in Korea, presumably due to a westernized diet and change of life style followed by rapid economic growth. Based on the Seoul male cohort which was constructed in 1993, this study was conducted to estimate the annual incidence rates of DM through 4 years' follow up and to determine which factors are associated with DM risk in Korean middle-aged men. METHODS: Among 14,533 men recruited at baseline, 559 were excluded because they reported a history of diabetes or were found to be diabetes at 1992 routine health examination. During 4 years follow-up, 237 incident DM cases were ascertained through chart reviews and telephone contacts for those who have ever visited hospitals or clinics under suspicion of DM during 1993-1996 and the biennial routine health examinations in 1994 and 1996. RESULTS: In this study the annual incidence of DM among the study population was estimated to be 0.5 per 100. This study showed that fasting glucose level at initial baseline examination was a powerful predictor of risk for diabetes several years later(fasting blood glucose of > or = 110 mg/dl compared with < or = 80 mg/dl, Hazard Ratio[HR]=15.6, 95% Confidence interval[CI]=9.1-26.6) after considering potential covariates such as age, family history, smoking and alcohol history, body mass index, physical activity, total energy intake, and total fiber intake. Adjusted hazard ratios of family history of diabetes was 1.95(95% CI=1.38-2.75); of obesity as measured by BMI(BMI > or = 25.3 compared with < or = 21.3) was 7.19(95% CI=3.75-13.8); of weight change during middle life(>10kg compared with 5) was 1.77(95% CI=1.16-2.69); of smoking(current vs none) was 1.93(95% CI=1.06-3.51); and fat intake(upper tertile compared with lower tertile) was 1.88(95% CI=1.01-3.49), while fiber intake was associated with the reduced risk(HR=0.36, 95% CI=0.19-0.67). CONCLUSION: The factors identified in this study indicate that the greatest reduction in risk of diabetes might be achieved through population-based efforts that promote fiber intake and reduce obesity, smoking, and fat intake.; Summary

A Cohort Study of Physical Activity and All Cause Mortality in Middle-aged Men in Seoul.: Dae Sung Kim, Hye Won Koo, Dong Hyon Kim, Jong Myon Bae, Myung Hee Shin, Moo Song Lee, Chung Min Lee, Yoon Ok Ahn; Korean J Prev Med. 1998;31(4):604-615.

2,243 View
36 Download

Abstract PDF: Although previous studies revealed the association of physical activity with mortality rate, it is unclear whether there is a linear trend between physical activity and mortality rate. In this study, the association of physical activity with the risk of all-cause mortality was analysed using Cox's proportional hazard model for a cohort of 14,204 healthy Korean men aged 40-59 years followed up for 4 years(Jan. 1993 - Dec. 1996). Physical activity and other life style were surveyed by a postal questionnaire in December 1992. Total of 14,204 subjects were grouped into quartiles by physical activity. Using death certificate data, 123 deaths were identified. The second most active quartile had a lowest mortality rate with relative risk of 0.44(95% C.I.: 0.23-0.84) compared with most sedentary quartile, showing a J-shape pattern of physical activity-mortality curve. By examining the difference in proportion of cause of the death between most active quartile and the other quartiles, there was no significant difference of proportional mortality from cardiovascular deaths, cerebrovascular deaths or deaths from trauma. The covariates were stratified into two group between which the trend of RR was compared to test the effect modification. There was no remarkable effect modification by alcohol intake, smoking, body mass index, calorie consumption, percent fat consumption. In conclusion, moderate activity was found to have more protective effect on all-cause mortality than vigorous activity and that the J-shape pattern of physical activity-mortality curve was not due to the difference of mortality pattern or effect modification by alcohol intake, smoking, body mass index, calorie consumption and percent fat consumption.; Summary

Association of Liver Dysfunction with Self-Medication History in Korean Healthy Male Adults.: Jong Myon Bae, Byung Joo Park, Moo Song Lee, Dong Hyun Kim, Myung Hee Shin, Yoon Ok Ahn; Korean J Prev Med. 1996;29(4):801-814.

2,276 View
21 Download

Abstract PDF: BACKGROUND
Korean people could abuse healthy foods as well as medications, which might cause serious side effects. The aim of this study was elucidating liver dysfunction due to the self-medications of hepatotonics, healthy foods and herb medications by nested case-control study. METHODS: Study subjects were drawn from male members of seoul Cohort Study who were recruited by self-administered structured questionnaire survey through mailing to the healthy men between the age of 40 and 59 years through the program of biennial health check-up offered by Korea Medical Insurance Corporation(KMIC). The liver dysfunction was defined as the level of serum AST and ALT above 40 IU/L and increased in more than one hundred per-cent during the 2 year follow-up period. To estimate the odds ratio between self-medication and liver dysfunction after controlling for potential confounders, logistic regression was performed. RESULTS: During the follow-up period, 30 members were identified to fit into case criteria and 2,625 members were selected as control. In logistic regression analyses, history of healthy foods intake, age under 45 years, obesity, and habit of regular exercise were significantly associated with liver dysfunction. The following factors exhibited no statistical significance: intake of hepatotonics, of herb medicine; history of disease in family, of operation, and of radiologic examination; smoking habits and drinking amounts. CONCLUSION: The significant association between the intake of healthy foods and the liver dysfunction illustrates that chronically optional overuse of healthy foods might bring to hazards to health. As the increasing trend of the size of purchasing healthy foods in Korea, pharmacoepidemiologic studies evaluating the safety and efficacy of the widely used healthy foods should be performed in the near future.; Summary

Illness Associated With Contamination Of Drinking Water Supplies With Phenol.: Doo Hie Kim, Sung Kook Lee, Byung Yeol Chun, Duk Hee Lee, Sung Chul Hong, Bong Ki Jang; Korean J Prev Med. 1993;26(2):202-209.

2,010 View
26 Download

Abstract PDF: A accidental spills of phenol(100%) to the river Nakdong with subsequent contamination of the tap water for about two million consumers in Taegu city of Korea were occurred in March 1991. A historical cohort study of 6,913 individuals was undertaken to determine the associated with illness. Population subjects were divided into two groups of exposed and unexposed. Exposed subjects were reported to be phenol associated symptoms significantly higher than those in a nearby unexposed area(39.6% vs 9.4%, p<0.01). Especially, in the related symptoms, highly significant differences were noted in the number of subjects reporting gastrointestinal illness such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or abdominal pain. During the accident, study subjects who experienced peculiar taste or odor in the tap water were significantly higher in the exposed areas(92% vs 34.3%). Chlorophenols formed from chlorination of water may have aggravated the problem.; Summary

A cohort study on the relationship between pesticide use and mortality, and cancer mortality.: Hee Chul Oh, Chung Mo Nam, Sun Hee Lee; Korean J Prev Med. 1991;24(3):390-399.

2,193 View
30 Download

Abstract PDF: The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between pesticide use and mortality, and cancer mortality which are recognized as health hazards of pesticides. Data were analyzed from a cohort of 6,066 people aged fifty-five or over and who have been residing in the main island of Kangwha county. Death certificates, computerized citizenship registers searches, and household interview survey lead to get more than ninety-seven percents follow-up rate for the first five year observation period. Important findings are as follows: 1. Age specific mortality rates of pesticide users are significantly lower than those of pesticides nonusers. The SMR of male is 0.80, and 0.58 for females respectively probably due to healthy worker effects. But, age specific cancer mortality rates are significantly higher than those of pesticide nonusers (SMR=1.59) in males. this finding is not observed in females (SMR=0.85), however. 2. Logistic regression analyses showed that self-reported health status, drinking, and smoking histories in male are significantly associated with total mortality rate. The histories of pesticide use are also calculated to be highly associated with cancer mortality as in univariate analyses in males. In female, self-reported health status, age of first delivery are found to be significantly related to total mortality rate. Only drinking history is calculated to be associated with cancer mortalities in females. Data from further observation of 'Kangwha cohort' and indepth analyses of these are highly expected.; Summary

English Abstract

Smoking and Colorectal Cancer Risk in the Korean Elderly.: Hwa Jung Kim, Seung Mi Lee, Nam Kyong Choi, Seon Ha Kim, Hong Ji Song, Yuong Kyun Cho, Byung Joo Park; J Prev Med Public Health. 2006;39(2):123-129.

2,666 View
69 Download

Abstract PDF: OBJECTIVES
The incidence of colorectal cancer increased greatly among the elderly in Korea, but the relationship between smoking and colon cancer remains controversial. Few studies have targeted Asian elderly people. We analyzed the smoking status, the amount smoked, and the smoking duration as risk factors of colorectal cancer to determine their association and causality. METHODS: The cohort members (n=14,103) consisted of 4,694 males and 9,409 females, and they were derived from the Korea Elderly Phamacepidemilogic Cohort (KEPEC), which was a population-based dynamic cohort. They were aged 65 years or more and they lived in Busan Metropolitan City between from 1993-1998; they were beneficiaries of the Korean Medical Insurance Corporation (KMIC). The baseline information was surveyed by a selfadministered mailed questionnaire; after 8.7 person-years of mean follow up period, 100 cases of colorectal cancer occurred. The adjusted relative ratio (aRR) of smoking status, the smoking amount and the smoking duration were calculated from the Cox's proportional hazard model with the never-smokers as a reference group and the Cox model controlled for age, gender, precancerous lesions of CRC, medication history of NSAIDs and antibiotics, the alcohol drinking status and BMI. RESULTS: Compared with the never smokers, the aRRs were 2.03 (95% CI=1.02-4.03) and 1.36 (95% CI=0.80-2.32) for the ex-smokers and current smokers, respectively. Statistical significant trends were not observed for the dose-relationship among the elderly, either for the mean daily amount smoked (p for trend=0.28) or for the total amount (p for trend=0.15). Still, the aRRs were 1.51 (95% CI=0.97-2.34) for the elderly who smoked less than 40 years and 2.35 (95% CI=1.16-4.74) for the elderly who had 40 years or more of smoking (p for trend=0.06). Smokers who started smoking before the age 20 had an increased aRR of 2.15 (95% CI=1.17-3.93) compared to the never smokers. CONCLUSIONS: After controlling for age, gender, precancerous lesion of CRC, medication history of NSAIDs and antibiotics, the alcohol drinking status and BMI, smoking increases the risk of colorectal cancer among elderly people. The age when starting smoking is also important.; Summary

First
Prev
Page of 2
Next
Last

Search