Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

Sung-Il Cho

Publications and source records attributed to Sung-Il Cho.

33 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2005

Seroconversion of Helicobacter pylori in Korean male employees.

OBJECTIVE: Helicobacter pylori infections are acquired primarily during childhood, but also occur in adults. As no published estimates are available on the seroconversion rate of H. pylori in the Korean population, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence and prevalence of H. pylori infection in male Korean employees. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Levels of anti-H. pylori IgG were measured by ELISA, and gastroscopic findings were checked in 588 employees of the Subway Corporation (aged 40-60 years, male) in 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, and 2003. Questionnaire responses concerning socio-economic state, education level, and type of job were analyzed versus serologic test results. RESULTS: Out of the 588 subjects, 455 (77.4%) were positive for anti-H. pylori IgG. Multivariate analysis showed that abnormal gastroscopic findings, especially duodenal ulcers, were more frequent in the H. pylori-positive group (17.6) than in the initially H. pylori-negative group (9.0%) (OR: 1.71, 95% CI: 1.07-2.81). Among the multiple questionnaires, only the proportion of white-collar workers was significant; that is, it was lower in the H. pylori-positive group (44/6) than in the initial H. pylori-negative group (57.9%) (OR: 0.62, 95% CI: 0.41-0.92). Seventeen of 133 subjects (12.8%) who were initially seronegative underwent seroconversion during a 6-year follow-up period, a seroconversion rate of 2.13%/annum. CONCLUSIONS: The seroprevalence of H. pylori infection in this study group was 77.4% and duodenal ulcer was more frequent in H. pylori-positive subjects, thus confirming the relationship between H. pylori infection and duodenal ulcer. Seroconversion of H. pylori infection in the Korean male employees was determined to be 2.13% per year, suggesting that new infections occur continuously even during late adulthood.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

[Distribution of calcaneal bone density according to the mechanical strain of exercise and calcium intake in premenarcheal girls].

OBJECTIVES: The effects of exercise on bone density have been found to be inconsistent in previous studies. We conducted a cross-sectional study in premenarcheal girls to test two hypotheses to explain these inconsistencies. Firstly, "the intensity of mechanical strain, in terms of the ground reaction force(GRF), has more important effects on the bone mass at a weight-bearing site", and secondly, "calcium intake modifies the bone response to exercise". METHODS: The areal bone mineral density was measured at the Os calcis, using peripheral dual energy X-ray absorptiometry, in 91 premenarcheal girls aged between 9 and 12 years. The intensity of mechanical strain of exercise was assessed by a self-report questionnaire and scored by the GRF as multiples of body weight, irrespective of the frequency and duration of exercise. The energy and calcium intake were calculated from the 24-hour dietary recall. An analysis of covariance(ANCOVA) was used to determine the interaction and main effects of exercise and calcium on the bone density, after adjusting for age, weight, height and energy intake. RESULTS: The difference in the bone density between moderate and low impact exercise was more pronounced in the high than low calcium intake group. The bone density for moderate impact exercise and high calcium intake was significantly higher than that for low impact exercise (p=0.046) and low calcium intake, after adjusting for age, weight, height and energy intake. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that the bone density at a weight-bearing site is positively related to the intensity of mechanical loading exercise, and the calcium intake may modify the bone response to exercise at the loaded site in premenarcheal girls.

Bone Density↗
PubMed2005

[Does non-standard work affect health?].

OBJECTIVES: Job insecurity, such as non-standard work, is reported to have an adverse impact on health, regardless of health behaviors. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between non-standard employment and health in Korea. METHODS: We analyzed a representative weighted sample, which consisted of 2,112 men and 1,237 women, aged 15-64, from the 1998 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Non-standard employment included part-time permanent, short time temporary and daily workers. Self-reported health was used as a health indicator. RESULTS: This study indicated that women were more likely to report poorer health than men with standard jobs. Of all employees, 20.3% were female manual workers. After adjusting for potential confounders, such as age, education, equivalent income, marital, social and self-reported economic status and health behavior factors, nonstandard employment was found to be significantly associated with poor health among female manual workers (OR, 1.86; 95% CI, 1.24 to 2.79). No significant association was found in other working groups CONCLUSIONS: Among female manual workers, nonstandard employees reported significantly poorer health compared with standard workers. This result raises concern as there are increasing numbers of non-standard workers, particularly females.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

[Socioeconomic differentials in health and health related behaviors: findings from the Korea Youth Panel Survey].

OBJECTIVE: This study examined the socioeconomic differentials for the health and health related behaviors among South Korean middle school students. METHODS: A nationwide cross-sectional interview survey of 3,449 middle school second-grade students and their parents was conducted using a stratified multi-stage cluster sampling method. The response rate was 93.3%. The socioeconomic position indicators were based on self-reported information from the students and their parents: parental education, father's occupational class, monthly family income, out-of-pocket expenditure for education, housing ownership, educational expectations, educational performance and the perceived economic hardships. The outcome variables that were measured were also based on the self-reported information from the students. The health measures included self-rated health conditions, psychological or mental problems, the feelings of loneliness at school, the overall satisfaction of life and the perceived level of stress. The health related behaviors included were smoking, alcohol drinking, sexual intercourse, violence, bullying and verbal and physical abuse by parents. RESULTS: Socioeconomic differences for the health and health related behaviors were found among the eighth grade boys and girls of South Korea. However, the pattern varied with gender, the socioeconomic position indicators and the outcome measures. The prevalence rates of the overall dissatisfaction with life for both genders differed according to most of the eight socioeconomic position indicators. All the health measures were significantly different according to the perceived economic hardship. However, the socioeconomic differences in the self-rated health conditions and the psychosocial or mental problems were not clear. The students having higher socioeconomic position tended to be a perpetrator of bullying while those students with lower socioeconomic position were more likely to be a victim. CONCLUSIONS: The perceived economic hardships predicted the health status among the eighth graders of South Korea. The overall satisfaction of life was associated with the socioeconomic position indicators. Further research efforts are needed to explore the mechanisms on how and why the socioeconomic position affects the health and health related behaviors in this age group.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Changes in job stress, musculoskeletal symptoms, and complaints of unfavorable working conditions among nurses after the adoption of a computerized order communication system.

OBJECTIVES: Order communication system (OCS) is a real-time computerized hospital information system that supports communication of orders from the ward users to the service departments. The adoption of an OCS may profoundly alter the service patterns of healthcare workers. As a result, job stress, musculoskeletal symptoms, and complaints of unfavorable working conditions can be expected to increase. This study investigated changes in job stress, musculoskeletal symptoms, and complaints of unfavorable working conditions among nurses after an OCS had been adopted and whether adoption of the system affected the changes. METHODS: A group of nurses employed in a university hospital in Korea was surveyed 1 month before and 3 months after the OCS had been adopted. We used Karasek's job contents questionnaire (JCQ) to evaluate job stress. The cumulative trauma disorder (CTD) questionnaire was used to assess the presence of musculoskeletal symptoms. The presence of unfavorable working conditions was also assessed. Next, we evaluated whether non-work factors (such as demographic factors and life events) had influence on job stress, musculoskeletal symptoms, and complaints of unfavorable working conditions after adoption of the OCS. RESULTS: One hundred thirty nurses from the hospital (51.2%) responded to both surveys. Several JCQ scales were notably altered after OCS adoption; psychological job demand was significantly decreased (P < 0.01), although subjective assessment for hazardous conditions was significantly increased (P < 0.01). There was a significant increase in back complaints (P < 0.05). There was considerable decrease in the number of nurses who complained of 'increase in work intensity' (P < 0.05), 'increase of staying time to deal with remaining duties' (P < 0.05), and 'abrupt change of duties' (P < 0.01). According to the analysis for the associations between non-work factors and significantly changed variables, only two non-work factors, 'tenure' and 'conflicts with friend(s)', showed statistical significance with complaints of 'increase in work intensity' (P < 0.05) CONCLUSIONS. This study suggests that a newly adopted computerized system might have provoked changes in job stress, musculoskeletal symptoms, and the complaints of unfavorable working conditions. It was found that, despite the overall favorable changes, complaints of hazardous conditions and back symptoms increased.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Prevalence and risk factors of distal radius and calcaneus bone mineral density in Korean population.

To estimate the prevalence and the related risk factors of low bone mineral density of the calcaneus and the distal radius, a community-based study was conducted in three rural areas of Korea. A total of 1420 women and 732 men aged 40 years and older participated in this study. Information on sociodemographic characteristics and the potential risk factors for osteoporosis were collected by an interviewer-administered standardized questionnaire. Bone mineral density (BMD) of the calcaneus and the distal radius were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Three hundred and seventeen women and 183 men aged 20-29 years who participated in a regular health check-up were used as a reference population. Osteoporosis was defined using WHO criteria. Odds ratios of the risk factors of osteoporosis were calculated by the unconditional logistic regression model. The standardized prevalence of osteoporosis of the calcaneus was 8.4% for males and 27.3% for females using the Korean population of year 2000 as a standard population. The standardized prevalence of osteoporosis of the distal radius was 4.2% for males and 18.8% for females. Older age and lower body mass index (BMI) were related with low BMD in both the calcaneus and distal radius in males and females. The duration after menopause and the number of live births were an independent risk factor for osteoporosis of the calcaneus (OR = 1.1, 95% CI = 1.00-1.11; the duration after menopause; OR = 2.0, 95% CI = 1.20-3.35, the number of live birth) and a familial history of non-traumatic fractures or osteoporosis among the first-degree relatives was significantly related to a increased risk of osteoporosis of the distal radius in females (OR = 2.9, 95% CI = 1.36-6.31).

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Gender differences in familial aggregation of obesity-related phenotypes and dietary intake patterns in Korean families.

PURPOSE: To investigate familial influences on obesity-related phenotypes and dietary intake patterns, and to examine gender differences in Korean families with adolescent children. METHODS: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted on 134 biologically related families composed of 260 parents and 231 adolescent children aged 11 to 19 years. Anthropometric measurements, including total fatness and fat distribution, were measured. Dietary intake was assessed by the semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). RESULTS: The odds ratio and 95% confidence intervals for overweight were 6.6 (range, 1.5-29.7) in the sons and 13.7 (range, 2.5-76.4) in the daughters of overweight parents. Obesity and fat distribution in the adolescents were more significantly correlated with mothers than fathers. Daughters had more significant familial aggregations with their parents than did sons. The dietary intake patterns of both sons and daughters correlated more strongly with their mothers than their fathers. We observed significant correlations in anthropometric variables and dietary intake patterns between spouses and between siblings. CONCLUSIONS: In the contemporary Korean nuclear family, maternal anthropometry and dietary behavior have a greater impact on children than do paternal contributions, and daughters resemble their parents more than sons. Genetics and environmental factors within the family infrastructure may provide strategies for the prevention and treatment of adolescent obesity.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Body composition changes with age have gender-specific impacts on bone mineral density.

Body weight, smoking, alcohol, physical activity, and diet have been proven to affect bone mineral density (BMD) directly or indirectly. Of these, body weight is perhaps best known to affect BMD. However, there is some debate as to whether lean body mass (LBM) or fat mass (FM), the two components of body weight, most determines BMD. Recently, newer peripheral densitometry devices have been developed, which have the advantages of low cost and portability, and this has made field epidemiologic study of osteoporosis possible. As the number of studies that have focused on the contribution made by body composition to BMD is limited, we investigated the relative contribution of LBM and FM to BMD in healthy Korean subjects. 402 age- and weight-matched subjects over 45 years old were selected from a population-based cohort. The mean ages of men and women were 64.1 +/- 8.7 (mean +/- SD) and 64.2 +/- 12.7 years, and mean weights were 63.0 +/- 8.2 and 63.1 +/- 8.2 kg, respectively. BMD was measured by peripheral dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) and body composition by bioelectrical impedance. Sociodemographic characteristics and physical activities were investigated using a standard questionnaire delivered by face-to-face interview. BMDs were 0.48 +/- 0.01 and 0.37 +/- 0.11 g/cm2 in men and women, respectively. In men, age, weight, body mass index (BMI), LBM, FM, physical activity, smoking, alcohol, and education were significantly correlated with BMD. In women, age, weight, BMI, LBM, FM, education, years since menopause, number of deliveries, and number of children breast-fed were significantly correlated with BMD. By multiple regression, LBM, education, smoking, and alcohol in men, and age, LBM, FM, smoking, and number of delivery in women were independent determinants of BMD. LBM was an important contributor for BMD in men, but both LBM and FM were equally important contributors in female to BMD. This stems from the fact that body composition changes with age differ in men and women. Thus, the augmentation of muscle mass in men and the maintenance of an optimal weight in women act to prevent osteoporosis.

Aged↗
PubMed2004

The metabolic syndrome and associated lifestyle factors among South Korean adults.

INTRODUCTION: The importance of managing the metabolic syndrome has been emphasized in the prevention of cardiovascular disease. Although South Koreans have a low prevalence of obesity, little information is available about the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome and its associated risk factors. METHODS: Data was obtained from individuals aged 20-79 years from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1998, a cross-sectional health survey of a nationally representative sample of non-institutionalized civilian South Koreans. The prevalence of the metabolic syndrome, as defined by the Third Report of the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel (NCEP ATP III), was determined, and lifestyle factors associated with predisposition to the metabolic syndrome were analysed. RESULTS: Among South Korean adults, the age-adjusted prevalence of the metabolic syndrome was 14.2% for men and 17.7% for women, whereas the age-adjusted prevalence of obesity (body mass index (BMI) >or=30 kg/m(2)) was 1.7% and 3.0% for men and women, respectively. Age, unemployment, higher BMI, and current smoking were associated factors for the metabolic syndrome regardless of gender. Moderate exercise (2-3 sessions/week) in men and light alcohol drinking (<15 g/day) in women decreased the odds of the metabolic syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: Metabolic syndrome is present in more than 15% of South Koreans despite a low prevalence of obesity. Higher BMI and current smoking were identified as independent modifiable risk factors of the metabolic syndrome. Weight control and smoking cessation may therefore decrease the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in South Korean adults.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Psychometric evaluation of the Chinese (mainland) version of Job Content Questionnaire: a study in university hospitals.

To evaluate the psychometric properties of the Chinese (mainland) version of Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ), this validation study was conducted in university hospitals among 193 men and 581 women health care workers. The Cronbach's alpha coefficients for decision latitude, psychological job demands and social support ranged from 0.56 to 0.82, which indicated that psychological job demands had lower internal consistency. The decision latitude displayed a negative correlation with psychological job demands and a positive correlation with social support. Exploratory factor analysis showed 3 meaningful factors that could explain the 3 theoretical dimensions of job strain model. Apart from some uncertainty over psychological job demands particularly, it is concluded that the Chinese (mainland) version of JCQ is a reliable and valid instrument for measuring job stressors, and is applicable to Chinese working population.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Impact of Agent Orange exposure among Korean Vietnam veterans.

In order to determine whether Agent Orange exposure was associated with increased frequency of medical problems, we conducted a cross-sectional epidemiologic study of Korean veterans during 1995-1996. 1,224 Vietnam and 154 non-Vietnam veterans were included in the study. Exposure to Agent Orange was assessed by structured in-depth interview on the participants' history of service in Vietnam. Health outcomes were assessed by a standardized comprehensive clinical investigation by a group of clinical specialists. The differences in the prevalence of various medical diagnoses were assessed by Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel chi-square tests comparing the exposure levels of Vietnam veterans, adjusting for age. Multiple logistic regression was performed to estimate the effect of "service in Vietnam" adjusting for age, smoking, alcohol, body mass index, education, and marital status. Vietnam veterans had an increased frequency of eczema (odds ratio [OR] = 6.54), radiculopathy (OR = 3.98), diabetes (OR = 2.69), peripheral neuropathy (OR = 2.39), and hypertension (OR = 2.29), compared to non-Vietnam veterans, adjusting for potential confounders. In addition, higher levels of exposure among Vietnam veterans were associated with increased frequency of ischemic heart disease (p < 0.01), valvular heart disease (p < 0.01), and retinopathy (p < 0.01). We conclude that exposure to Agent Orange is associated with various health impacts in Korean Vietnam veterans.

2,4,5-Trichlorophenoxyacetic Acid↗
PubMed2002

Does standing at work during pregnancy result in reduced infant birth weight?

The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between infant birth weight and standing at work during pregnancy. A total of 1222 pregnant women employed in a large petrochemical corporation in Beijing, China, were enrolled in the study, after receiving permission from the government to have a child. The subjects were followed up from that time through their entire pregnancy, for a total of up to 12 months. All subjects delivered at the company staff hospital between 1996 and 1998. Various work-related physical activities during pregnancy were assessed using a structured questionnaire, and generalized additive models (GAMs) were performed to examine their association with birth weight. Of the assessed activities, only standing was significantly associated with birth weight. After adjusting for potential confounders, maternal standing hours per day at work was found to be significantly associated with reduced birth weight (-17.7 g, P = 0.03).

Adult↗
PubMed2002

The Korean Twin Registry--methods, current stage, and interim results.

The Korean Twin Registry is the first nationwide twin study in Korea. We compiled 154,783 twin pairs from existing nation-wide data sources, mainly from address and national health insurance data. The coverage of this registry was almost complete for the twins born since 1970, but less complete as age increased, so that there were only 990 pairs who were born before 1930. The twins' health examination (N = 54,390 persons) and questionnaire (N = 44,546 persons) results were incorporated into the registry, yielding 12,894 and 9074 concordantly informative pairs. Morbidity and mortality outcomes have been followed up since 1990, for most diseases. For preliminary analysis of complex diseases, we selected ventricular septal defects (VSD) in young twins, stomach and colorectal cancers in adult twins. We identified 353 VSDs, 284 stomach cancers, and 116 colorectal cancers among twins. The prevalence rates of cancers, but not that of VSD, were lower in twins than those in population. The difference in the cancer prevalence was marked for twins born before 1926, implying some degree of selection. Like-sex (LS) twins showed familial recurrence risks (lambdaLS) of 41.2 for VSD and 22.4 for colorectal cancers, and 1.74 for stomach cancers. For opposite-sex (OS) twins, we could estimate lambdaOS of 19.8 for VSD only. These results were compatible with previous studies for VSD and colorectal cancers, but not for stomach cancers. Despite the strength in size, availability of health outcomes, and some lifestyle and basic laboratory data, we need accurate zygosity information to improve the validity of the results.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Parental exposure to organic solvents and reduced birth weight.

The authors investigated the association of birth weight with maternal and paternal exposure to organic solvents in 1,222 couples employed in a large petrochemical corporation in Beijing, China, during the period between 1994 and 1998. A trained interviewer assessed parental exposures to organic solvents. The authors used generalized additive models to examine the association between birth weight and parental exposure to organic solvents. After the authors adjusted for potential confounders, maternal exposure to solvents was significantly associated with reduced birth weight (-81.7 gm, 95% confidence interval = -106.3, -3.1), and reduced birth weights of female babies and of younger mothers' babies were statistically significant. Maternal exposure to organic solvents was associated with reduced birth weight in this population, but paternal exposure to organic solvents was not similarly associated.

Adult↗