Overweight or obesity might be protective factors of tuberculosis (TB), but the evidence is inconclusive. The objective of study was to evaluate association between BMI and incident TB.
The National ...Health Insurance database was used. Eligible participants were individuals aged 20-89 years without history of TB before 2007, and who underwent national health examinations between January 2002 and December 2006. The latest record of BMI was used as the exposure and categorized as follows: <18.5, 18.5-23, 23-25, 25-30, and ≥30 kg/m2. TB was defined as the first recorded diagnosis of TB, using ICD-10 between January 2007 and December 2013.
Among 301,081 individuals, 3,772 (1.26%) incident TB cases were detected. The incidence rate of the event was 19.65 per 10,000 person-years. After adjusting age, sex, household income, smoking status, alcohol use, and diabetes, incident TB was decreased as BMI was increased in an inverse dose-response relationship. However, when stratified by age and sex, BMI >30 kg/m2 did not show protective effect of TB in female under 50 years. Additionally, BMI >30 kg/m2 did not decrease incident TB in diabetics.
Our study suggests that high BMI might be associated with decreased risk of TB. However, very high BMI did not reduce the risk of TB in young females or diabetics participants with in Korean population.
Previous studies have reported that fine particulate matter (PM2.5) affects the incidence of premature births. In addition, recent studies have suggested that heat waves have a negative impact on ...birth outcomes. However, the combined effect of PM2.5 and heat waves on the incidence of premature birth is controversial. This study investigated the independent and combined effects of PM2.5 and heat wave exposures during the 1st and 2nd trimesters on premature birth.
The National Statistical Office of Korea provided birth data from 2010 to 2016. Preterm birth was defined as birth between 22 and 36 weeks. To assess the exposure to PM2.5 and heat waves, we used PM2.5 data estimated by the Community Multiscale Air Quality Modeling System (CMAQ) and heat wave warning data provided by the Korea Meteorological Administration. A multivariate logistic regression was used to investigate the risk of preterm birth according to the exposure to PM2.5 and heat waves during the 1st and 2nd trimesters, and it was adjusted for residential area, year of birth, season of birth, parity, education level of the mother, age of the mother, and sex of the baby.
In the 2nd trimester, compared with the 0 h of heat wave exposure (≤67 percentile), 62.50–314.00 h (79–88 percentile) and>315.00 h of heat wave exposure (>88 percentile) were both significantly associated with preterm birth (OR for 79–88 percentile, 1.037, 95% CI, 1.003–1.073; OR for > 88 percentile, 1.174, 95% CI, 1.134–1.215). However, PM2.5 exposure was not significantly associated with preterm birth. On the other hand, in the analysis to evaluate the combined effect of PM2.5 and heat wave exposures of the 2nd trimester, compared with 0 h of heat wave exposure (≤67 percentile) and<11.64 μg/m3 (≤25 percentile) of PM2.5, 11.64–22.74 μg/m3 (≤25 percentile), 22.74–27.58 μg/m3 (26–50 percentile), and 27.57–32.39 μg/m3 (51–75 percentile) of PM2.5 exposure combined with>315.00 h of heat wave exposure (>88 percentile) were all significantly associated with preterm birth. In addition, the effect size was increased with an increase of PM2.5 exposure (OR for ≤ 25 percentile, 1.148, 95% CI, 1.095–1.203; OR for 26–50 percentile, 1.248, 95% CI, 1.178–1.323; OR for 51–75 percentile, 1.370, 95% CI, 1.245–1.507).
Our findings suggest that the combined effect of heat wave and PM2.5 exposure during the 2nd trimester on the risk of preterm birth was greater than that of each exposure alone. In other words, exposure to PM2.5 increases the impact of heat waves on the risk of preterm birth. These results indicate that control of prenatal exposure to fine particular matter and extreme temperatures is important for the prevention of preterm birth.
To prevent tobacco use in Korea, the national quitline number was added to tobacco packages in December 2012, tobacco prices were raised by 80% in January 2015, and graphic health warning labels were ...placed on tobacco packages in December 2016. This study evaluated the association of these tobacco packaging and pricing policies with suicide mortality in Korea.
Monthly mortality from suicide was obtained from Cause-of-Death Statistics in Korea from December 2007 to December 2019. Interrupted time-series analysis was performed using segmented Poisson regression models. Relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated adjusted for suicide prevention strategies.
Suicide mortality was 20 per 1,000,000 in December 2007 and showed a downward trend over the study period. After the implementation of tobacco packaging and pricing policies, suicide mortality immediately declined by - 0.09 percent points (95% CI = - 0.19 to 0.01; P > 0.05) for the national quitline number, - 0.22 percent points (95% CI = - 0.35 to - 0.09; P < 0.01) for tobacco prices, and - 0.30 percent points (95% CI = - 0.49 to - 0.11; P < 0.01) for graphic health warning labels. The corresponding RRs for these post-implementation changes compared with the pre-implementation level were 0.91 (95% CI = 0.83 to 1.00), 0.80 (95% CI = 0.70 to 0.91), and 0.74 (95% CI = 0.61 to 0.90), respectively. Significant associations between tobacco control policies and suicide mortality were observed even when stratified by sex and region.
The findings of this study provide new evidence for an association between tobacco control policies and deaths by suicide. An array of effective tobacco control policies should be considered for prevention programs targeting suicide.
•Children under the age of 3 years are particularly vulnerable to AOM.•Higher PM2.5 concentrations are associated with a higher risk of incident AOM.•The impact was increased in children with a ...recent URI history and in warm season.•Young children should be wary of PM2.5 exposure to reduce the risk of AOM.
Experimental studies have reported that air pollution could make the middle ear more susceptible to infections. However, the associations between specific air pollutants and AOM were inconsistent in previous epidemiologic studies. This study aimed to investigate the association between PM2.5 exposure and the AOM events in seven major cities in the Republic of Korea.
We performed a nationwide time series analysis of children aged 0–3 years living in seven major Korean cities between 2008 and 2016. We used a quasi-Poisson regression to estimate the short-term association between incident AOM and the 5-day moving average of particulate matter smaller than 2.5 μm (PM2.5) for each city. Then, we conducted a meta-analysis to combine the city-specific associations. The exposure unit was 10 μg/m3, and all models were adjusted for time, daily mean apparent temperature and day of the week.
A higher risk of incident AOM was significantly associated with higher 5-day moving PM2.5 averages in five cities, except for Gwangju and Ulsan. The combined relative risk (RR) was 1.011 (95% confidence interval CI: 1.008, 1.014). In the subgroup analysis by season, PM2.5 exposure was significantly associated with incident AOM in the warm season (RR: 1.016, 95% CI: 1.009, 1.022). In addition, among children with a URI history within 4 weeks, children with a more recent URI history were more sensitive to the impact of PM2.5 exposure on incident AOM (RR for 1st week: 1.017, 95% CI: 1.011, 1.024; RR for 2nd week: 1.013, 95% CI: 1.008, 1.018; RR for 3rd week: 1.008, 95% CI: 1.003, 1.013; RR for 4th week: 1.005, 95% CI: 1.001, 1.009).
Higher PM2.5 concentrations are associated with a higher risk of incident AOM, particularly in the warm season and children with recent URI history. Our findings could have important implications for preventing AOM in children.
Exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) that influence the hormonal and homeostatic systems is known to be associated with gynecologic health risks in many countries. In this study, we ...evaluated exposure to EDCs associated with diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) and gynecologic health risks.
This cross-sectional study was performed from September 2014 to November 2014 and included 307 Korean reproductive-aged women. Anthropometric measurements, laboratory tests with urine and blood sampling and pelvic ultrasound examinations were performed.
Urinary bisphenol A (BLA) level was significantly higher in the DOR group with anti-Müllerian hormone lower than 25 percentile (1.89 ± 2.17 ug/g and 1.58 ± 1.08 ug/g,
< 0.05). Urinary mono-(2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl) phthalate, mono-(2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl) phthalate and mono-N-butyl phthalate, and substrates of phthalate were evaluated and no significant difference was observed between the DOR group and non-DOR group. Logistic regression analysis suggested an increase in infertility in high BPA exposure group and the odds ratio (OR, 4.248) was statistically significant after adjustment for age, birth control pills, and the age of menarche, parity, and waist circumference. High phthalate exposure was associated with endometrial polyp after adjustment (OR, 2.742).
BPA exposure might be associated with DOR and infertility. Meanwhile, endometrial polyp is increased in women with high phthalate exposure. Therefore, the risk of exposures to EDCs for reproduction should be a matter of concern in reproductive-aged women.
BackgroundExposure to heavy metals is a public health concern worldwide. Previous studies on the association between heavy metal exposure and neurobehavioral functions in children have focused on ...single exposures and clinical manifestations. However, the present study evaluated the effects of heavy metal complex exposure on subclinical neurobehavioral function using a Korean Computerized Neurobehavior Test (KCNT). MethodsUrinary mercury, lead, cadmium analyses as well as symbol digit substitution (SDS) and choice reaction time (CRT) tests of the KCNT were conducted in children aged between 10 and 12 years. Reaction time and urinary heavy metal levels were analyzed using partial correlation, linear regression, Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR), the weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression and quantile G-computation analysis. ResultsParticipants of 203 SDS tests and 198 CRT tests were analyzed, excluding poor cooperation and inappropriate urine sample. Partial correlation analysis revealed no association between neurobehavioral function and exposure to individual heavy metals. The result of multiple linear regression shows significant positive association between urinary lead, mercury, and CRT. BMKR, WQS regression and quantile G-computation analysis showed a statistically significant positive association between complex urinary heavy metal concentrations, especially lead and mercury, and reaction time. ConclusionsAssuming complex exposures, urinary heavy metal concentrations showed a statistically significant positive association with CRT. These results suggest that heavy metal complex exposure during childhood should be evaluated and managed strictly.
In 2019, the International Agency for Research on Cancer re-evaluated the carcinogenicity of night-shift work and reported that there is limited evidence that night-shift work is carcinogenic for the ...development of prostate cancer. Therefore, in 2020 and 2021, the Korean Epidemiologic Investigation Evaluation Committee concluded that 2 cases of prostate cancer were occupational diseases related to the night-shift work. Here, we report the 2 cases of prostate cancer in night-shift workers which were first concluded as occupational diseases by the Korean Epidemiologic Investigation Evaluation Committee.
Patient A: A 61-year-old man worked as a city bus driver for approximately 17 years, from 2002 to 2019, and was exposed to night-shift work during this period. In March 2017, the patient was diagnosed with high-grade prostate cancer through core-needle biopsy after experiencing stinging pain lasting for 2 months. Patient B: A 56-year-old man worked as an electrician and an automated equipment operator in a cement manufacturing plant for 35 years from 1976 to 2013 and was exposed to night-shift work during this period. In 2013, the patient was diagnosed with high-grade prostate cancer through core needle biopsy at a university hospital because of dysuria that lasted for 6 months.
The 2 workers were diagnosed with high-grade prostate cancer after working night shifts for 17 and 35 years respectively. Additionally, previous studies have reported that high-grade prostate cancer has a stronger relationship with night-shift work than low or medium-grade prostate cancer. Therefore, the Korean Epidemiologic Investigation Evaluation Committee concluded that night-shift work in these 2 patients contributed to the development of their prostate cancer.
Anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) in women is secreted by granulosa cells of antral follicles. AMH appears to be a very stable marker for ovarian function. It may be used to diagnosis cases of premature ...ovarian failure, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and ovarian tumors. It has been suggested that cadmium exposure can reduce female fecundity. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether environmental exposure to cadmium was associated with alterations in AMH with regards to age.
In a cross-sectional study, the data of premenopausal women living in Seoul, ranging from 30 to 45 of age was collected. The study included a total of 283 women who completed serum AMH and whole blood cadmium assessments. Linear regression analyses were used in order to examine the association between cadmium and AMH. Given that age was the strongest confounder in both cadmium and AMH concentrations, we stratified subjects by 5 years old and analyzed their data.
Geometric mean concentrations of blood cadmium and AMH were 0.97 μg/L and 3.02 ng/ml, respectively. Total association between cadmium and AMH was statistically significant (adjusted coefficient = - 0.34 (0.15),
= 0.02). After stratification, the only age group with a negative association between cadmium and AMH were the women raging between 30 and 35 years (adjusted coefficient = - 0.43 (0.18),
= 0.01).
The results of this study suggest that environmental exposure to cadmium may alter the AMH level of premenopausal women, depending on their age group.
A number of studies have found associations between heavy metals and uterine fibroids, but the results are inconsistent. Here, we conducted this research to demonstrate the relationships between ...blood heavy metal concentrations and uterine fibroid volume as well as the rate of uterine fibroid presence.
In a cross-sectional study, we collected data from 308 premenopausal women aged 30-49 years in Seoul; uterine fibroids are ascertained by past history of myomectomy and pelvic ultrasonography. In the analytic phase, we first analyzed the presence of the fibroids and the concentrations of heavy metals via logistic regression. In subgroup analysis, we used simple and multiple linear regression analyses to examine the associations between heavy metals and uterine fibroid volume.
There was no connection between the heavy metal concentrations and the presence of uterine fibroids, but the odds of women having fibroids were higher with three particular metals. In subgroup analysis, the association between blood cadmium concentrations and uterine fibroid volume was statistically significant (adjusted beta coefficient = 2.22, 95% confidential interval: 0.06-4.37). In contrast, blood mercury and lead concentrations were not significantly associated with uterine fibroid volume.
Our findings are the first that we know to report the association of blood cadmium concentrations with the volume of uterine fibroids. We expect that our findings will be used as evidence for supporting policies to improve premenopausal Korean women's health.
The incidence and prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) are increasing worldwide. Recent studies have shown that air pollution is associated with poorer kidney function. We evaluated the ...association of long-term exposure to air pollutants with kidney function, and with risk of CKD using data from the seventh Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES).
KNHANES data from 2016 through 2018 and the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) equation were used to calculate estimated glomerular filtration rates (eGFRs) and define the CKD patients with eGFRs <60 mL/min/1.73 m2. After applying the sampling weights based on the complex survey design, we conducted multivariate linear regression and logistic regression analyses to examine the association of air pollutant exposure with kidney function and CKD risk, after adjusting for covariates, including gender, body mass index, education level, household income, smoking status, alcohol consumption, comorbidities, and serum triglyceride.
A total of 15,983 adults aged ≥20 years were included in the analysis. Long-term exposure to PM2.5, PM10, NO2, and CO was associated with decreases in eGFR levels (PM2.5: −4.67, 95% confidence interval (CI): −6.16, −3.18; PM10: −2.19, 95% CI: −2.84, −1.54; NO2: −1.56, 95% CI: −2.16, −0.97; CO: −1.34, 95% CI: −1.96, −0.71). Long-term exposure to PM2.5 (odds ratio (OR): 1.97, 95% CI: 1.14, 3.42) and PM10 (OR: 1.45, 95% CI: 1.10, 1.91) was associated with an increased the risk of CKD.
Annual exposure to PM2.5, PM10, NO2, and CO was significantly associated with decreased eGFR. Long-term exposure to PM2.5 and PM10 was associated with an increased risk of CKD.
•We evaluated the association between air pollution exposure and kidney function.•We used data from a nationwide cross-sectional population-based study conducted from 2016 through 2018, and included a total of 15,983 participants.•Exposures to PM2.5 and PM10 were significantly associated with decreased kidney function.•The association of exposure to PM2.5 and PM10 with decreased kidney function was consistent in multi-pollutant models.
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