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Tonsillectomy has been suggested as a potential intervention to resolve psoriasis; however, its preventive effects on the development of psoriasis remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the risk of developing late-onset psoriasis among a Korean adult population who had undergone tonsillectomy. Data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service-Health Screening Cohort between 2002 and 2019 were utilized. Out of a total of 514,866 participants, 1082 participants aged 40 years or older who had undergone tonsillectomy were matched with 4328 control participants using overlap weighting adjustment based on the propensity score. The incidence and hazard ratio (HR) of psoriasis were calculated for both tonsillectomy and control groups. The incidence rates of psoriasis were 1.30% in the tonsillectomy group and 1.20% in the control group. The incidence of psoriasis (overlap-weighted HR = 1.08, 95% confidence of interval = 0.69–1.69, and p = 0.732) did not differ significantly between the patients who underwent tonsillectomy and those in the control group. The cumulative probability of developing psoriasis was not different between the two groups (Log-rank test: p = 0.440). These findings were consistent across subgroups divided by age, sex, income, and region of residence. We found that tonsillectomy did not confer a preventive effect on the development of late-onset psoriasis in the Korean adult population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A previous study reported a high risk of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in patients with gout. This study intended to evaluate the risk of BPH in gout patients. A total of 514,866 Korean National Health Insurance Service—Health Screening Cohorts were retrieved from 2002 to 2019. Among these individuals, 14,961 gout patients and 58,764 control participants were matched based on demographic factors. The incidence of BPH during the follow-up periods was collected for both the gout and control groups. The risk of BPH was analyzed using stratified Cox proportional hazard models, and hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. Secondary analyses were conducted based on demographic factors and comorbidities. The incidence of BPH was 23.40% in gout patients and 20.70% in control participants. In the adjusted model, the HR of BPH was 1.13-fold higher in gout patients than in the control group (95% CI = 1.09–1.18). Compared with the ≥60-year-old group, the <60-year-old group demonstrated a higher HR for BPH in gout patients (1.19 [1.13–1.24] vs. 1.07 [1.01–1.13]). The risk of BPH in gout patients was consistent according to various comorbidities. Patients with gout demonstrated a greater risk of BPH than participants without gout. The young adult population had a higher risk of BPH related to gout. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate the changes in physical activity levels and the rate of falls during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Korean population. The Korean Community Health Survey (KCHS) conducted in 2019 was compared with that conducted in 2020. Simple or multiple linear regression with complex sampling was conducted to calculate the estimated value (EV) of physical activity in the 2020 group vs. the 2019 group. The odds ratio (OR) of fall histories was calculated using simple or multiple logistic regression with complex sampling for the 2020 group compared to the 2019 group. The time spent on vigorous and moderate physical activity was lower in the 2020 group than in the 2019 group (EV = −10.0, 95% CI = −12.1 to −8.0, P < 0.001 for vigorous exercise and EV = −24.0, 95% CI = −26.7 to −21.4, P < 0.001 for moderate exercise). The rate of falls was lower in the 2020 group than in the 2019 group (OR = 0.66, 95% CI = 0.62 to 0.70, P < 0.001). Vigorous and moderate exercise decreased after the COVID-19 pandemic compared to before the pandemic. The occurrence of falls was lower during the COVID-19 pandemic than in the pre-pandemic period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the association of proton pump inhibitor (PPI) use with the risk of stroke and ischemic heart disease (IHD). The Korean National Health Insurance Service-Health Screening cohort from 2002 to 2003, the participants of which were followed up until 2019, was used. In study I, 45,905 participants who were diagnosed with stroke were matched with 91,810 control I participants. The history of PPI medication was examined. In study II, 40,928 participants who were diagnosed with IHD were matched with 81,856 control II participants. In both study I and study II, the previous history of PPI medication was examined. A propensity score overlap-weighted multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted to estimate the overlap-weighted odds ratios (ORs) of PPI use for stroke (study I) and IHD (study II). Current PPI use was linked with higher odds for stroke in study I. The odds for stroke were higher in groups with a longer duration of PPI use (OR = 0.96 [95% CI = 0.92–1.00] < 1.55 [1.50–1.61] < 1.62 [1.57–1.68] for < 30 days, 30 to 180 days, and ≥180 days of PPI use). Previous PPI use was linked with higher odds for IHD in study II. The odds for stroke were higher in groups with a longer duration of PPI use (OR = 1.13 [95% CI = 1.08–1.18] < 2.12 [2.04–2.21] < 2.60 [2.51–2.69] for <30 days, 30 to 180 days, and ≥180 days of PPI use). Current PPI medication is associated with a high risk of stroke and IHD. A longer duration of PPI medication was related to a higher risk of stroke and IHD. However, a prior history of PPI medication was not linked with a high risk of stroke or IHD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A high rate of Meniere's disease (MD) in patients with osteoporosis has been suggested. This research intended to estimate the bidirectional association of MD with osteoporosis. The ≥40-year-old population in the Korean National Health Insurance Service-Health Screening Cohort 2002–2019 was examined. In study I, 9529 patients with MD and 38,116 control I participants were analyzed for a previous history of osteoporosis. In study II, 65,858 patients with osteoporosis and 65,858 control II participants were analyzed for a previous history of MD. Stratified Cox proportional hazard models were applied to calculate the hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of MD for osteoporosis in study I and of osteoporosis for MD in study II. The rate of a prior history of osteoporosis was 13.3% for the MD group and 11.3% for the control I group. The patients with MD had a 1.12 times higher HR for previous osteoporosis (95% CI = 1.04–1.20). In study II, the rate or a prior history of MD was 3.7% for patients with osteoporosis and 2.0% for the control II group. The patients with osteoporosis had a 1.50 times higher HR for previous MD (95% CI = 1.40–1.61). Most subgroups according to age, sex, and comorbid conditions demonstrated consistent bidirectional associations between MD and osteoporosis. Adult patients with MD had a greater risk of osteoporosis. In addition, adult patients with osteoporosis also showed a higher risk of MD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous researchers have suggested an elevated risk of thyroid cancer (TC) in patients with psoriasis with mixed results. The current study evaluated the relationship of psoriasis with the risk of TC in an adult population. The data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service—Health Screening Cohort ≥ 40 years old were analyzed. In total, 6822 patients with TC were equalized with 27,288 control participants using overlap weighting adjustment based on the propensity score. The history of psoriasis was compared between the TC and control groups using multivariable logistic regression analysis. Secondary analyses were conducted according to age, sex, income, region of residence, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, obesity, smoking, alcohol consumption, the Charlson Comorbidity Index scores, hypothyroidism, goiter, thyrotoxicosis, and thyroiditis. The history of psoriasis was not different in patients with TC (overlap-weighted odds ratio (OR) = 1.02, 95% confidence intervals (CI) = 0.85–1.22). The <55-year-old group showed a high rate of TC associated with psoriasis (overlap-weighted OR = 1.69, 95% CI = 1.22–2.36, p = 0.002). The population without hypothyroidism demonstrated an increased rate of TC related to psoriasis (overlap-weighted OR = 1.29, 95% CI = 1.06–1.57, p = 0.012). The patients with hypothyroidism showed a low rate of TC for psoriasis (overlap-weighted OR = 0.59, 95% CI = 0.37–0.96, p = 0.034). None of the other subgroups showed an association between psoriasis and TC. Psoriasis was not related to the risk of TC in the overall adult population. Young adults and populations without hypothyroidism indicated an elevated rate of TC for psoriasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A few prior researchers presumed the impacts of smoking and alcohol on the risk of Meniere's disease (MD). This study investigated the relationship between smoking, alcohol consumption, and obesity with Meniere's disease in an adult population. The ≥40-year-old population in the Korean National Health Insurance Service-Health Screening Cohort 2002–2019 was analyzed. A total of 15,208 patients with MD were matched with 499,658 comparison participants. The current smoking, alcohol consumption, and past medical histories were collected. Body mass index (BMI) was grouped into underweight, normal, overweight, obese I, and obese II. The odds of histories of smoking and alcohol consumption and the BMI group for MD were analyzed using conditional logistic regression analysis. These associations were further analyzed in subgroups of age, sex, smoking, alcohol consumption, and BMI. In the overall adult population, smoking and alcohol consumption did not show an association with MD. Being underweight was linked with lower odds for MD (adjusted OR [aOR] = 0.80, 95% CI = 0.68–0.93, p = 0.004). In the male group, smoking was positively associated with MD (aOR = 1.08, 95% CI = 1.00–1.17, p = 0.043), while alcohol consumption was negatively related to MD (aOR = 0.87, 95% CI = 0.81–0.94, p < 0.001). Being underweight was related to a lower risk of MD. In adult men, smoking was predicted to increase, while alcohol consumption was predicted to decrease the risk of MD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aimed to investigate the coincidence of obesity and nutritional intake in monozygotic twins compared to dizygotic twins. The data from the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study (KoGES) from 2005 through 2014 were analyzed. Participants ≥ 20 years old were enrolled. The 1006 monozygotic twins and 238 dizygotic twins were analyzed for differences in self-reported nutritional intake, total body fat, and body mass index (BMI) using a linear regression model. The estimated values (EV) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) of the difference in dietary intake, total body fat, and BMI score were calculated. The monozygotic twin group and the dizygotic twin group showed similar differences in nutritional intake, DEXA fat, and BMI (all p > 0.05). The differences in nutritional intake of total calories and carbohydrates were lower in the monozygotic twin group than in the dizygotic twin group (all p < 0.05). The differences in total body fat were lower in monozygotic twins than in dizygotic twins (adjusted EV = 2427.86 g, 95% CI = 1777.19–3078.53 and adjusted EV = 1.90%, 95% CI = 1.33–2.46). Monozygotic twins had more similar dietary habits for total calories and carbohydrate intake. Other nutritional factors did not show differential similarity between monozygotic and dizygotic twins. Total body fat was more concordant in monozygotic twins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated changes in the prevalence of depression, stress, and suicidal attempts during the COVID-19 pandemic. The ≥19-year-old population in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey in 2019 and 2020 was included. The histories of depression, stress, and suicidal attempts were compared between the 2019 and 2020 cohorts using multiple logistic regression analysis with complex sampling. The prevalence of depression was not significantly different between the 2019 and 2020 groups (4.1% vs. 4.5%, p = 0.326). The prevalence of stress and suicide attempts was also not significantly different between groups (all p > 0.05). The rates of depression, stress, and suicide attempts were not associated with the 2020 group compared to the 2019 group (all p > 0.05). The 19- to 39-year-old group in the 2020 group indicated a higher rate of depression (diagnosed by physicians) than the 19- to 39-year-old group in the 2019 group (adjusted odds ratio = 1.58, 95% confidence intervals = 1.00–2.50, p = 0.049). The risks of depression, stress, and suicidal attempts were not related to the COVID-19 pandemic in Korean adults. A young adult population demonstrated an increased risk of depression associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several recent studies suggested reduced physical activity (PA) related to the COVID-19 pandemic without consensus. This study investigated the changes in PA and sedentary time during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to before the COVID-19 era. The Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2019 and 2020 were used. The ≥19-year-old population was examined in 2019 and 2020 for time spent engaging in high- and moderate-intensity PA and sedentary time. Based on the recommended level of PA by the World Health Organization, ≥75 min/wk of high PA and ≥150 min/of moderate PA were classified. A sedentary time of ≥120 min/d was selected. Multiple logistic regression analysis with complex sampling was conducted for ≥75 min/wk of high PA, ≥150 min/wk of moderate PA, and ≥120 min/d of sedentary time in the 2020 group compared to the 2019 group. The ≥75 min/wk high PA was not lower in the 2020 group than in the 2019 group (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 0.96, 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) = 0.79–1.18, P = 0.696). The ≥150 min/wk of moderate PA was also not lower in the 2020 group (aOR = 1.12, 95% CI = 0.94–1.32, p = 0.201). However, the ≥150 min/wk of moderate PA in the female group was higher in the 2020 group than in the 2019 group (aOR = 1.29, 95% CI = 1.01–1.65, p = 0.042). Sedentary time ≥ 120 min/d was lower in the 2020 group (aOR = 0.35, 95% CI = 0.17–0.72, p = 0.005). This association was consistent in the 19–39-year-old and female group. In conclusion, during the COVID-19 pandemic, high and moderate PA were not decreased in Korean adults, while sedentary time was reduced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The heritability of anxiety and its association with insomnia have been suggested. This study investigated the coincidence of anxiety and insomnia in monozygotic twins compared to dizygotic twins. The Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study 2005–2014 was used. The ≥20-year-old cohort population was composed of 1300 twin participants. A total of 980 monozygotic twins and 232 dizygotic twins were compared for the concordance for the history of insomnia in both twin pairs (coincidence of insomnia) and the difference in state of anxiety and trait of anxiety scores. The odds ratios (ORs) for the coincidence of insomnia in monozygotic twins compared to dizygotic twins were analyzed using multiple logistic regression analysis. The estimated values (EV) of the difference of state and trait of anxiety scores were analyzed using a linear regression model. The coincidence of insomnia was not high in monozygotic twins compared to dizygotic twins. The difference in the state of anxiety score was comparable between monozygotic twins and dizygotic twins. However, the difference in anxiety scores was higher in dizygotic twins than in monozygotic twins. The monozygotic twin group did not demonstrate higher coincidence of insomnia or the state of anxiety than the dizygotic twin group. However, the monozygotic twin group indicated higher coincidence of the trait of anxiety than the dizygotic twins. The current results implied the potential contribution of heritable factors for the trait of anxiety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Many epidemiological studies have observed the association of air pollutant exposure with the onset, progression, and mortality of stroke. The aim of this study was to investigate the associations of air pollutants, including SO2, NO2, O3, CO, and PM10, with stroke according to exposure duration. Methods: Data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service-Health Screening Cohort from 2002 to 2015 were obtained. The 21,240 patients who were admitted for or died due to stroke were 1:4 matched for age, sex, income, and region of residence with 84,960 control participants. The meteorological factors of mean, highest, and lowest temperatures; relative humidity; ambient atmospheric pressure; and air pollutant concentrations (SO2, NO2, O3, CO, and PM10) were analyzed to determine their associations with stroke. The odds ratios for stroke after exposure to each meteorological factor and air pollutant at 7 and 30 days were calculated in the stroke and control groups. Subgroup analyses were conducted according to age, sex, income, and region of residence. Results: The odds ratio associated with seven days of exposure to CO was 1.16 (95% CI = 1.04–1.31) in stroke patients. For 30 days of exposure, the odds ratio associated with CO was 1.16 (95% CI = 1.02–1.32) in stroke patients. Seven and 30 days of NO2 exposure were inversely associated with stroke. The odds ratio associated with seven days of exposure to O3 was 1.16 (95% CI = 1.01–1.32) in ischemic stroke patients. Both ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke had negative associations with 7 and 30 days of NO2 exposure. Conclusion: Both short- and long-term exposure to CO were related to stroke. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) block acid secretion from gastric parietal cells; however, recent studies have reported that PPIs have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties in various cells. Newer PPIs are stronger inhibitors of acid secretion; however, the anti-inflammatory effects of these drugs have not been assessed. We evaluated anti-inflammatory effect of PPIs on the development of asthma/asthma exacerbation (AE) in a national health screening cohort. Methods: This case-control study comprised 64,809 participants with asthma who were 1:1 matched with controls from the Korean National Health Insurance Service-Health Screening Cohort. Conditional logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the effect of previous PPI use on an asthma diagnosis in all participants. Unconditional logistic regression was used to assess the effect of PPI use on AE in participants with asthma. These relationships were estimated in a subgroup analysis according to PPI generation. Results: Overall, PPI use increased the risk of asthma diagnosis [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 1.29, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.23–1.35, p < 0.001]. Use of the first-generation PPIs was associated with asthma (aOR = 1.34, 95% CI = 1.18–1.52, p < 0.001), while use of second-generation PPIs was not (aOR = 0.97, 95% CI = 0.82–1.15, p = 0.748). In contrast, overall PPI use decreased the risk of AE in participants with asthma (aOR = 0.79, 95% CI = 0.75–0.84, p < 0.001), although this effect was observed only for second-generation PPIs (aOR = 0.76, 95% CI = 0.65–0.89, p = 0.001). Conclusion: PPI use increased the risk for subsequent asthma diagnosis. However, this effect was confined to first-generation PPIs. Second-generation PPIs decreased the risk of AE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we investigated the risk of thyroid cancer in patients with gout. Participants ≥40 years old in the Korean National Health Insurance Service–Health Screening Cohort were investigated. A total of 5844 patients with thyroid cancer were paired with 23,376 comparison participants (no history of thyroid cancer) to build the nested case–control study. A previous history of gout was collected from both the thyroid cancer and comparison participants. The relationship of thyroid cancer with a prior history of gout was analyzed using a conditional logistic regression model. The rate of gout was higher in the patients with thyroid cancer than in the comparison group. In the total study population, the relationship of thyroid cancer with a prior history of gout was not statistically evident. A previous history of gout was related to an increased risk of gout in the <60 years old, normal weight, abnormal blood pressure, and CCI score = 0 groups. The occurrence of thyroid cancer was not associated with a prior history of gout in the general adult population. However, a prior history of gout was related to an elevated risk of thyroid cancer in middle-aged and healthy populations without comorbidities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The association of gout with nephrolithiasis has been suggested. The current study investigated the risk of nephrolithiasis in patients with gout. The relationship of nephrolithiasis with gout was assessed according to patient characteristics. Individuals in the Korean National Health Insurance Service–Health Screening Cohort were examined. The 17,043 participants with gout were paired with 68,172 comparison participants. The diagnosis of nephrolithiasis was examined in both the gout and control groups. The possible risk of nephrolithiasis in the gout group was analyzed using a stratified Cox proportional hazards model. Subcategory analyses were conducted according to demographic features and comorbidities. The rate of nephrolithiasis was 3.3% (569/17,043) in the gout group and 2.6% (1786/68,172) in the control group. The adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) of gout for nephrolithiasis was 1.23 (95% confidence intervals [95% CI] = 1.12–1.36) in the overall study population. The < 60 years and male groups showed an increased risk of nephrolithiasis related to gout (aHR = 1.26 [1.13–1.42] for the < 60 years group; aHR = 1.27 [1.15–1.41] for the male group). Regarding comorbidities, all subgroups except for the underweight, overweight, total cholesterol ≥ 240 mg/dL, fasting blood glucose ≥ 100 mg/dL, and CCI score 1 and ≥ 2 groups showed a higher risk of nephrolithiasis in gout patients. The gout patients presented an increased occurrence of nephrolithiasis. The middle-aged, male, and healthy populations showed consistently higher HRs of nephrolithiasis related to gout. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives/Hypothesis: This study aimed to investigate the association between Meniere's disease and prior history of asthma. Study Design: A nested case‐control study. Methods: Among the patients aged ≥40 years from the Korean National Health Insurance Service‐Health Screening Cohort 2002–2015, 7,734 diagnosed with Meniere's disease between 2004 and 2015 were enrolled in this study. From the 505,834 participants without a prior history of Meniere's disease, 30,936 control participants were selected based on age, sex, income, and region of residence. The presence of a prior history of asthma before the diagnosis of Meniere's disease was compared between the Meniere's disease group and control group using conditional logistic regression with odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). Results: Prior history of asthma was associated with 1.30 (1.21–1.39) times higher odds of Meniere's disease (E‐value = 1.92 [1.71]). Both allergic asthma and nonallergic asthma patients demonstrated higher odds of Meniere's disease than the control group (adjusted OR = 1.21 [1.08–1.36] and E‐value = 1.72 [1.37] for allergic asthma; adjusted OR = 1.26 [1.17–1.36] and E‐value = 1.83 [1.60] for nonallergic asthma). Conclusions: This study is the first to demonstrate a positive relationship between Meniere's disease and prior asthma history in adults. The association between prior asthma history and Meniere's disease was noted in both allergic and nonallergic asthma cases. The potential development of Meniere's disease should be considered when managing the asthma patients with dizziness or vertigo. Level of Evidence: 3 Laryngoscope, 132:864–872, 2022 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The objective of this study was to investigate the risk of temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) in patients with osteoporosis. Methods: Data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service-Health Screening Cohort from 2002 to 2015 were collected. Participants ≥ 40 years old were enrolled, and the history of osteoporosis was evaluated. The 62,328 osteoporosis patients were matched for age, sex, income, and region of residence with 62,328 control participants. The occurrence of TMD was assessed in both the osteoporosis and control groups during the follow-up period. Stratified Cox proportional hazard analyses for TMD were conducted for the osteoporosis and control groups. The hazard ratios (HRs) of osteoporosis for TMD were further analyzed by age and sex subgroups. Results: A total of 1.2% (725/61,320) of the osteoporosis patients and 0.6% (339/61,320) of the control participants had TMD (P<0.001). Osteoporosis was associated with an elevated HR of TMD (adjusted HR=1.96, 95% CI=1.72–2.23, P<0.001). Among the age and sex subgroups, the < 60-year-old mal\e group demonstrated an adjusted HR of osteoporosis for TMD as high as 4.47 (95% CI=1.17–17.12, P=0.029). Other age and sex subgroups also showed a higher HR for TMD associated with osteoporosis (adjusted HR=2.30, 95% CI=1.90–2.78, P<0.001 for the ≥ 60-year-old female group). Conclusion: Osteoporosis was related to a higher risk of TMD in the adult population. A prominent association of osteoporosis with TMD was noted in middle-aged men and older women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Hysterectomy is one of the most commonly performed gynecological procedures. Several studies have reported an association between hysterectomy and coronary heart disease (CHD), but the conclusions are controversial. This study aimed to evaluate the association between hysterectomy and the occurrence of CHD using a national sample cohort from South Korea.Study Design: Using the national cohort from the Korean National Health Insurance Service, we extracted data on patients who had undergone hysterectomy (n = 8,642) and on controls matched at a ratio of 1:4 (n = 34,568) and then analyzed the occurrence of CHD from 2002 to 2013. Patients were matched according to age, income, region of residence, obesity, smoking, alcohol consumption, and medical history.Main Outcome Measures: A Cox proportional hazards model was used to analyze the hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Subgroup analyses were performed based on both age and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (BSO) status. The age of the participants was defined as that at the time of hysterectomy.Results: The HR for CHD was 1.05 (95% CI = 0.96-1.16, p = 0.286) in the hysterectomy group. The HRs for CHD according to the different age subgroups were 1.19 (95% CI = 1.03-1.38, p = 0.018) for patients aged < 50 years, 1.05 (95% CI = 0.89-1.25, p = 0.561) for patients aged 50-59 years, and 0.88 (95% CI = 0.73-1.05, p = 0.147) for patients aged ≥ 60 years.Conclusion: The incidence of CHD was statistically significantly higher in women who underwent hysterectomy when they were under 50 years of age than in the matched controls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of pre-existing rheumatoid arthritis (RA) on the occurrence of Meniere's disease (MD). The 2002–2015 Korean National Health Insurance Service—Health Screening Cohort data were retrospectively analyzed. A total of 3038 participants with RA were matched with 12,152 control participants for demographic factors. The occurrence of MD was evaluated in both the RA and control groups. The hazard ratios (HRs) of RA for participants with MD were calculated using a stratified Cox proportional hazard model. Additionally, subgroup analyses were conducted. The rate of MD was not different between the RA and control groups (1.5% vs. 1.3%, standardized difference = 0.01). The HR was not higher in the RA group than in the MD group (adjusted HR = 1.03, 95% confidence interval = 0.73–1.44, p = 0.885). A higher HR of RA for participants with MD was found in the ≥60-year-old subgroup in the crude model but not in the adjusted model. An association between RA and MD was not found in any of the other subgroups. A previous history of RA was not related to an increased risk of MD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the effects of coffee consumption and physical exercise on the risk of cancer have been suggested, their interactions have not been investigated. The present cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the correlation of coffee consumption and physical exercise with cancer. Participants ≥40 years old in the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study 2004–2016 were included (n = 162,220). Histories of gastric cancer, hepatic cancer, colon cancer, breast cancer, uterine cervix cancer, lung cancer, thyroid cancer, prostate cancer, and bladder cancer were analyzed according to the coffee consumption groups using logistic regression models. The odds among individuals in the >60 cups/month coffee group were lower for gastric cancer (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 0.80 (95% confidence intervals = 0.65–0.98)), hepatic cancer (0.32 (0.18–0.58)), colon cancer (0.53 (0.39–0.72)), breast cancer (0.56 (0.45–0.70)), and thyroid cancer (0.71 (0.59–0.85)) than for individuals in the no coffee group. Physical exercise of ≥150 min/week was correlated with higher odds for gastric cancer (1.18 (1.03–1.36)), colon cancer (1.52 (1.26–1.83)), breast cancer (1.53 (1.35–1.74)), thyroid cancer (1.42 (1.27–1.59)), and prostate cancer (1.61 (1.13–2.28)) compared to no exercise. Coffee consumption and physical exercise showed an interaction in thyroid cancer (p = 0.002). Coffee consumption was related to a decreased risk of gastric cancer, hepatic cancer, colon cancer, breast cancer, and thyroid cancer in the adult population. Physical exercise was positively correlated with gastric cancer, colon cancer, breast cancer, thyroid cancer, and prostate cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate the association of income level with susceptibility to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and COVID-19 morbidity and mortality. Using the Korean National Health Insurance COVID-19 Database cohort, medical claim data from 2015 through 2020 were collected. A total of 7943 patients who were diagnosed with COVID-19 from 1 January 2020 to 4 June 2020 were included. A total of 118,914 participants had negative COVID-19 PCR tests. Income levels were classified by 20th percentiles based on 2019 Korean National Health Insurance premiums. The 20th percentile income levels were categorized into three groups (low, middle, and high). The relationship of income level with susceptibility to COVID-19 and COVID-19 morbidity and mortality was analyzed using logistic regression analysis. A high income level was related to lower odds of COVID-19 infection (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 0.79, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.75–0.83, p < 0.001). The negative association between income level and COVID-19 infection was maintained in all subgroups. Patients with low income levels were susceptible to COVID-19 infection; however, there was no relation of COVID-19 morbidity and mortality with income level in the Korean population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the rate of depression during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to that during the prepandemic period.Methods: Data from participants in the Korean Community Health Survey in 2019 and 2020 aged ≥ 19 years old were analyzed. In total, the data of 223,306 participants from the 2020 group were compared with the data of 217,133 participants from the 2019 group regarding the experience and severity of depression. The experience of depression was surveyed in terms of a history of sadness or despair for ≥2 weeks in the last year. In addition, the PHQ-9 scores were used, and participants with PHQ-9 scores ≥10 were recategorized as having moderate to severe depression. The odds for depression of the 2020 group compared to the 2019 group based on the survey and PHQ-9 scores were calculated using simple or multiple logistic regression with complex sampling with weighted values.Results: The rate of depression experience was lower in the 2020 group than in the 2019 group. The odds of experiencing depression were lower in the 2020 group than in the 2019 group (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 0.95, 95% confidence intervals [95% CI] = 0.91-0.98, P = 0.004). The odds of moderate to severe depression were also lower in the 2020 group than in the 2019 group (aOR=0.92, 95% CI=0.88-0.97, P = 0.001).Conclusion: The rate of depression experience was not higher during the COVID-19 pandemic than during the prepandemic period in Korea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]