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Objectives Adequate intake of vitamin B complex could be prerequisite to health. However, few studies have been reported on the association of thiamine (vit B1 ), riboflavin (vit B2 ) and niacin (vit B3 ) with periodontal health. This study described the association between periodontal health and dietary vit B1 , vit B2 and vit B3 intake in the Korean population. Methods A total of 12 750 adults aged over 19 years were selected for this study as a sub-sample of the national data set from Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (IV and V). Periodontitis and gingivitis were defined as Community Periodontal Index (CPI) scores of 3-4 and 1-2, respectively. Information on dietary vit B1 , vit B2 and vit B3 intake was from 24-hour dietary recall method. Multivariable complex logistic regression analyses estimated association between vit B1 , vit B2 and vit B3 intakes and periodontal health after adjusting for various potential confounders. Stratified analyses by age, sex, dyslipidemia and total energy intake were also undertaken. Results The overall estimated prevalence of periodontitis (CPI 3-4) and gingivitis (CPI 1-2) was 29.9% and 46.6%, respectively. Our data showed none of the inadequate intake of vit B1 , vit B2 and B3 showed significant association with gingivitis after adjusting for potential confounders. Inadequate intake of vit B3 showed higher prevalence odds of periodontitis by 1.25 times (adjusted odds ratio = 1.25, 95% CI = 1.07-1.46). The association of vit B3 with periodontitis was stronger in females and participants aged 40-59 years. Conclusions Inadequate dietary intake of vit B3 was associated with periodontitis.

Background: In Korea, a new law was enacted in January 2016 allowing life-sustaining treatment (LST) of patients in end-of-life to be stopped, popularly known as the LST Decision Act. It came into effect in February 2018. Since then, brain death organ tissue donation affiliated with emergency physicians has decreased. This study aimed to explore emergency physicians’ experiences of and perspectives toward the impact of the LST Decision Act on brain death in Korea. Methods: A qualitative study was conducted using thematic analysis methods. Ten emergency physicians with experience in brain death, organ tissue donation, and LST were interviewed. Data analysis was performed following the six steps proposed by Braun and Clarke. Results: Data analysis revealed 14 subthemes and 5 themes: 1) The LST Decision Act is a legitimate way to stop LST, but it is not enough; 2) Many family members stop LST first, often more quickly and actively than physicians expect them to; 3) Stopping LST makes the patient more comfortable; thus, caregivers do not wish to opt for organ tissue donation, which is seen as distressing; 4) Not all patients experience brain death, and LST is stopped before brain death; and 5) Since the LST Decision Act, brain death organ tissue donation has decreased. Conclusion: Emergency physicians generally welcomed the LST Decision Act. However, family members seemed to perceive stopping LST as the means to making the patients comfortable, resulting in the loss of potential organ tissue donors. There is a need for a supplementary policy that connects stopping LST to brain death organ tissue donation.

Due to the demand by stakeholder groups of global public corporations for greater transparency in business operations, corporations have continuously tried to embody the concept of sustainability in their business strategies and operations. That is, they have collectively published sustainability reports to state their progress toward achieving sustainability goals. However, understanding of the thematic and conceptual structures of environmental and sustainability reports of the global public corporations is still limited. In this study, the author identified key thematic attributes through text data mining analysis: (a) sustainability, (b) energy, (c) approach, (d) environmental, and (e) people for industrial sectors. Additionally, themes of (a) business, (b) employees, (c) financial, (d) energy, and (e) suppliers appeared most frequently and were the top five compounding themes for overall national origins. In fact, the majority of findings pointed out that these themes and concepts have limited environmental and climatic relevance, as they only align with certain goals, such as UN SDGs 12, 13, and 14. That is, understanding key factors of their sustainability reports is crucial toward overcoming the challenges of achieving SDGs. Furthermore, these findings in accordance with industrial sectors and national origins of the global public corporations can help to derive a more in-depth understanding of current reports on environmental and sustainability-driven business operations.

BackgroundSalivary function has been suggested to be associated with cognitive impairment. However, the effect of salivary flow rate (SFR) on cognitive impairment remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate whether SFR is associated with cognitive impairment among Korean elders.MethodsThis cross-sectional study included 649 elders aged 65 and older in the Korean community-dwelling population. Cognitive impairment was assessed using the Mini-Mental Status Examination. Unstimulated SFR was measured and dichotomized. Denture status, age, sex, education level, smoking, drinking, diabetes, hypertension, and obesity were considered confounders. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was applied to assess the adjusted association. Stratified analysis by sex and denture status was performed to clarify the effect modification.ResultsParticipants without cognitive impairment showed a higher SFR level than those with cognitive impairment (0.81 mL/min for non-cognitive impairment versus 0.52 mL/min for cognitive impairment,p < 0.001). After controlling for confounders, participants with low SFR (ConclusionsSalivary flow rate is independently associated with cognitive impairment among Korean elders. The association was modified in females and dentate elders. Physicians and dentists should consider low SFR and cognitive impairment as a risk factor between them in clinics.

This study aimed to evaluate the association of periodontitis with the organoleptic score (OLS)-defined oral malodor after validating OLS with odoriferous sulfur compounds in mouth air among Korean adults. A total of 330 adults aged 47–86 years were recruited from the Yangpyeong health cohort, South Korea, in 2015. Oral malodor was assessed using a 6-point OLS by a trained dentist and validated with the concentrations of hydrogen sulfide (HS) and methyl mercaptan (MM) using a gas chromatographer. Periodontitis was measured by assessing the radiographic alveolar bone loss on digital orthopantomography. Statistical analyses including descriptive statistics, partial correlation, ANOVA, and multivariable logistic regression with putative confounders were applied. OLS was significantly correlated with the concentrations of HS and MM (partial r = 0.401 and 0.392, respectively; both pp = 0.047 and 0.035, respectively). Periodontitis was associated with OLS-defined oral malodor among Korean adults independent of known confounders. Periodontal conditions should be considered for clinical practice and research of oral malodor.

Background: Periodontitis is one of major oral diseases, which has no consensus on early screening tool. This study aimed to compare the association and screening ability of S100A8 and S100A9 in saliva, blood and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) for periodontitis.Methods: We recruited 149 community Koreans, 50 healthy and 99 periodontitis. Using clinical attachment loss and a panoramic radiograph, stage II-IV of new classification of periodontitis proposed at 2018 was considered as periodontitis. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay kit was used to quantify S100A8 and S100A9. T-test, ANCOVA, Mann-Whitney test and correlation analysis were applied to compare the relationship of S100A8 and S100A9 in saliva, blood, and GCF for periodontitis. Receiver operating characteristic curve was applied for screening ability.Results: Among S100A8 and S100A9 in saliva, blood and GCF, S100A8 in saliva was significantly higher in periodontitis participants than in healthy participants (pConclusion: Salivary S100A8 could be a potential diagnostic marker for periodontitis. Thus, S100A8 salivary kit will be useful for screening periodontitis.Summary sentence: Salivary S100A8 kit produced appropriate diagnostic ability for periodontitis and would be an efficient tool for early screening of periodontitis risk.

Background Periodontitis is one of major oral diseases, which has no consensus on early screening tool. This study aimed to compare the association and screening ability of S100A8 and S100A9 in saliva, blood and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) for periodontitis status. Methods We recruited 149 community Korean adults, 50 no or initial periodontitis (NIPERIO) and 99 established periodontitis (PERIO). Using clinical attachment loss and a panoramic radiograph, stage II–IV of new classification of periodontitis proposed at 2018 was considered cases as PERIO. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay kit was used to quantify S100A8 and S100A9. T-test, analysis of covariance, Mann–Whitney test and correlation analysis were applied to compare the relationship of S100A8 and S100A9 in saliva, blood, and GCF for periodontitis. Receiver operating characteristic curve was applied for screening ability. Results Among S100A8 and S100A9 in saliva, blood and GCF, S100A8 in saliva was significantly higher in PERIO than in NIPERIO (p p p Conclusion Salivary S100A8 could be a potential diagnostic marker for established periodontitis and be useful for screening established periodontitis.

Aim This cross-sectional study aimed to examine the diagnostic ability of salivary matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 lateral flow test (LFT) point-of-care (POC) kit and develop an algorithm for diagnosis of periodontitis. Materials and methods Through Seoul National Dental Hospital, 137 participants (46 LFT negatives, 91 LFT positives) were recruited. For salivary diagnostics, 150 μl of the unstimulated saliva was applied to LFT-POC kit. To make a diagnosis of periodontitis, stage II-IV in modified new international classification system was used. Covariates encompassing age, sex, smoking and obesity were evaluated through face-to-face interview. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used for quantification of salivary MMP-9. To develop a diagnostic algorithm, multivariable logistic regression analysis was used. Receiver operating characteristic curve was applied for evaluating diagnostic ability. Results Diagnostic ability of salivary MMP-9 LFT-POC test was 0.82 (sensitivity of 0.92, specificity of 0.72) in total participants. Diagnostic algorithm using POC test resulted in a response equation, that is algorithm score = -3.675 + 2.877*LFT + 0.034*age + 0.121*sex + 0.372*smoking + 0.192*obesity. Diagnostic ability of the algorithm was 0.88 (sensitivity of 0.92, specificity of 0.85) with cut-off score of 0.589. Conclusions Salivary MMP-9 LFT-POC kit showed appropriate diagnostic ability for periodontitis and would be an efficient tool for screening of periodontitis.

Saliva is a bodily fluid transuded from gingival crevice fluid and blood and contains many proteins. Proteins in saliva have been studied as markers for periodontal diseases. Mass spectrometric analysis is applied to investigate biomarker proteins that are related to periodontitis. Saliva samples were collected from 207 participants including 36 pairs matched for age, sex, and smoking who joined Yangpyeong health cohort. Periodontitis was defined by 2005 5th European guideline. Shotgun proteomics was applied to detect proteins from saliva samples. Principal component analysis and Ingenuity Pathway Analysis for canonical pathway and protein pathway were applied. Protein-protein interaction was also applied. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to verify the candidate protein markers among another matched participants (n = 80). Shotgun proteomics indicated that salivary S100A8 and S100A9 were candidate biomarkers for periodontitis. ELISA confirmed that both salivary S100A8 and S100A9 were higher in those with periodontitis compared to those without periodontitis (paired-t test, p

Objective As the era of aging comes, cognitive impairment (CI) is increasing. The impact of rehabilitation of lost tooth on CI remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate whether non-rehabilitated lost teeth (NRLT) is associated with CI among Korean elders. Methods A total of 280 elders comprising of 140 cases and 140 age-sex-matched controls were included in this cross-sectional study. CI was assessed using the Mini-Mental Status Examination (MMSE). NRLT was evaluated using panoramic radiograph and oral examination. NRLT was categorized into low (≤4) and high (≥5). Age, sex, education, drinking, smoking, exercise, obesity, hypertension, subclinical atherosclerosis, glucose, cholesterol, depression, and denture-wearing were considered as confounders. Conditional multivariate logistic regression analysis was applied to assess the adjusted association. Results NRLT was associated with increased CI after controlling for confounders (odds ratio [OR] = 1.06, 95% confidence interval [95% CFI]: 1.00-1.13). However, lost teeth were not associated with CI. Those with high NRLT (≥5) compared to those with low NRLT (≤4) was more likely to have CI by 2.7 times (OR = 2.74, 95% CFI = 1.28-5.86). Conclusion Our data showed that NRLT was independently associated with CI. Hence, rehabilitation of the lost teeth could be important for the maintenance of cognitive function.

Aim Toothbrushing (TB), dental flossing (DF) and inter-dental brushing (IDB) are regarded as fundamental self-care methods for periodontal health. Few evidences on its effectiveness on periodontal health are available. Hence, this study aimed to evaluate the association of TB, DF, IDB and interaction effect with periodontal health. Materials and methods The nationally representative 4,766 Korean adults aged 19 years and older were cross-sectionally surveyed in 2010 and 2012. Periodontal health was defined as Community Periodontal Index 1-2 for gingivitis and 3-4 for periodontitis. The information about variables was from interview and blood analyses. Multivariable logistic regression analyses and the interaction effect between TB and proximal cleaning (PC: DF and/or IDB) were applied. Results Toothbrushing thrice or more per day and DF were associated with a lower prevalence of periodontitis by both 44%, while the preventive fraction of DF on gingivitis was 30%. The preventive fraction of interaction effects between TB thrice or more and PC were 78% for periodontitis and 68% for gingivitis among 40-59 year age group. Conclusions Toothbrushing and PC are independently associated with periodontal health. Hence, periodontists should recommend TB thrice or more per day and PC such as DF and IDB to promote periodontal health.

Background: Chronic periodontitis (CP) could be considered to have the causal relationship with cardiovascular disease (CVD). The aim of this study is to investigate the causal association between CP and CVD using representative health insurance cohort in Korea. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed to test the hypothesis that CP increased CVD incidence among Koreans who had no history of AMI (acute myocardial infarction) or ST (stroke) from 2002 to 2013, using the National Health Insurance Service-National Health Screening Cohort (NHIS-HEALS). A total of 298,128 participants were selected and followed up for ten years from this cohort. Multivariable cox regression analysis was applied to estimate adjusted hazard ratio (aHR). Findings: Our data showed that CP was significantly associated with higher incidence of AMI and ST. Compared with healthy participants, those with severe CP had higher incidence by 11% for AMI (aHR, 1.11 [95% CI 1.02-1.20]), by 4% for ST (aHR, 1.04 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01-1.07]), and by 4% for CVD (aHR, 1.04 [95% CI, 1.01-1.07]). The association for AMI and CVD was positively modified in females and participants aged 40-59 years, while the association for ST was modified in females but not in participants aged 40-59 years only in ST. CP increased total CVD events by 1.6% among Korean. Interpretation: Our data confirmed that CP could increase the event of CVD such as AMI and ST. The prevention and management of CP could be worth in clinical practice to prevent CVD. Funding Statement: This research was supported by the Bio & Medical Technology Development Program of the National Research Foundation (NRF) funded by the Ministry of Science and ICT, Korea (NRF2017M3A9B6062986). Declaration of Interests: The authors state: "None exist." Ethics Approval Statement: The Institutional Review Board (IRB) at the Seoul National University Hospital, which is in compliance with the Declaration of Helsinki, approved this study (IRB number E-1801-019- 912). This study used the Korean National Health Insurance Service database (NHIS-2017-2-459).

Biomarkers to stratify the complex and heterogeneous phenotypes of Sjogren&rsquo, s syndrome (SS) are needed. We aimed to validate the prevalence of anti-aquaporin 5 (AQP5) IgG in a non-Korean cohort and to optimize the method to screen the anti-AQP5 IgG. The study cohort included 111 primary SS and 43 non-SS Sj&ouml, gren's International Collaborative Clinical Alliance (SICCA) controls that were obtained from the Sj&ouml, gren's International Collaborative Clinical Alliance registry, in addition to 35 systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and 35 rheumatoid arthritis (RA) phenotypes. Anti-AQP5 IgG was screened by cell-based immunofluorescence cytochemistry (CB-IFC) assay in the absence or presence of epitope peptides, as well as by ELISA using the epitope peptides as coated antigens. Anti-AQP5 IgG specific to an E1 epitope was best at discriminating between SS and non-SS, and the two different methods (CB-IFC and ELISA) presented comparable performance in diagnostic accuracy (0.690 vs. 0.707). Notably, the SLE and RA groups had substantially lower levels of anti-AQP5 IgG than the SS group. In addition, the presence of anti-AQP5_E1 IgG was associated with serologic and histopathological features of SS. In conclusion, a similar prevalence of anti-AQP5 IgG was confirmed in a non-Korean cohort. Screening anti-AQP5 autoantibodies may help to form subgroups of SS for targeted therapy.

OBJECTIVES Salivary diagnostic using matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) and S100 for periodontitis is a promising issue. However, its prognostic effect is still unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic ability of salivary MMP-9 and S100A8 for periodontitis through non-surgical periodontitis treatment clinical trial. MATERIALS AND METHODS Total 149 participants, 99 periodontitis and 50 healthy, were recruited. Among 99 non-surgical periodontitis treatment participants, 74 participants were revisited after three months. Periodontitis was classified as stage II-IV of new classification of periodontitis proposed at 2018. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit was used to quantify salivary MMP-9 and S100A8. Receiver operating characteristic curve was applied for diagnostic ability. Paired t test was applied for prognostic ability evaluating changes in salivary markers between pre- and post-treatment. RESULTS Salivary MMP-9 and S100A8 were associated with periodontitis (p

Over 90% of oral cancers are oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Hitherto, early detection marker for OSCC has not been available. Hence, this study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic and prognostic ability of salivary matrix-metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) for OSCC. Total of 318 participants with 106 cases and 212 controls were included: OSCC cases were from Seoul National University Dental Hospital and age, sex, and smoking matched controls were from Yangpyeong cohort. Unstimulated saliva was collected to determine MMP-9 and 8-OHdG using sensitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Multivariable linear regression and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) were applied to evaluate the adjusted association of markers with OSCC. Wilcoxon sign rank sum test and Friedman test for median were applied to evaluate follow-up level of MMP-9 after surgery. Receiver operating characteristic curve was obtained for diagnostic ability. Salivary MMP-9 was associated with OSCC (ANCOVA and multivariable linear regression, p

As a team leader, a coach plays a significant role in helping his/her players obtain high levels of performance and success; therefore, a coach should possess skills to help his/her athletes accomplish such daunting tasks. We conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate the relationship between coaching behaviors, athlete satisfaction, and team cohesion. Moreover, we examined gender as a possible moderating variable. Two-hundred eighty-eight effect sizes were obtained from 24 studies that used Chelladurai’s sports leadership scale. Overall, a moderate relationship was found between leadership and cohesion, and a large relationship was found between leadership and satisfaction. Training/instruction was the highest contributor for both relationships. Gender moderated both relationships. It is important to recognize the influence leadership behaviors have on the psychological state of players, especially as sports evolve to be more challenging and multifaceted.

Objectives To investigate the association between periodontitis and cognitive impairment in elderly Koreans. Design Cross-sectional study with age- and sex-matched case–control selection. Setting The Yangpyeong cardiovascular cohort (YCC), a part of the Korean Genome Epidemiologic Study (KoGES), Yangpyeong, South Korea. Participants Individuals with cognitive impairment (n = 65) and cognitively normal controls (n = 124) aged 60 and older from the YCC. Measurements Alveolar bone loss was assessed on dental panoramic radiographs to categorize the cumulative history of periodontitis (HOP) into three groups: normal, moderate periodontitis, severe periodontitis. The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) was used to categorize participants as cognitively normal or cognitively impaired. Age- and sex-matched conditional logistic regression models were used for analysis. Confounders considered in the analysis were age, sex, drinking, smoking, exercise, total cholesterol, total protein, body mass index, fasting plasma glucose, intima-media thickness, hypertension medication, and depression. Results Participants with HOP were more likely to have cognitive impairment than those without (odds ratio = 2.14, 95% confidence interval = 1.04–4.41). The interaction effect of smoking and exercise on periodontitis highlighted the link. Conclusion Periodontitis was independently associated with cognitive impairment after controlling for various confounders. Further longitudinal research is needed to determine whether periodontitis plays a role in cognitive decline in older adults.

Aim To evaluate the association of hypertension and high systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP) with periodontitis in a nationally representative Korean adult population. Materials and Methods Total of 14,625 participants of Fourth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES IV) aged over 19 years were cross-sectionally surveyed. Periodontitis was defined as CPI score of 3 or 4. Hypertension was categorized as: normotensive (SBP

This study aims to evaluate and validate a periodontitis screening model that includes sociodemographic, metabolic syndrome (MetS), and molecular information, including gingival crevicular fluid (GCF), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP), and blood cytokines.The authors selected 506 participants from the Shiwha-Banwol cohort: 322 participants from the 2005 cohort for deriving the screening model and 184 participants from the 2007 cohort for its validation. Periodontitis was assessed by dentists using the community periodontal index. Interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor-α in blood and MMP-8, -9, and -13 in GCF were assayed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. MetS was assessed by physicians using physical examination and blood laboratory data. Information about age, sex, income, smoking, and drinking was obtained by interview. Logistic regression analysis was applied to finalize the best-fitting model and validate the model using sensitivity, specificity, and c-statistics.The derived model for periodontitis screening had a sensitivity of 0.73, specificity of 0.85, and c-statistic of 0.86 (P0.001); those of the validated model were 0.64, 0.91, and 0.83 (P0.001), respectively.The model that included age, sex, income, smoking, drinking, and blood and GCF biomarkers could be useful in screening for periodontitis. A future prospective study is indicated for evaluating this model's ability to predict the occurrence of periodontitis.

Nitric oxide (NO) is known to play an important role in many biologic systems, although the relationship between NO metabolites and periodontitis remains controversial. Moreover, little evidence of an association between salivary NO (S-NO) and periodontitis in the general population has been reported. This study aims to investigate the relationship between S-NO and periodontitis in an elderly Korean population.A cross-sectional study was conducted using participants and salivary samples from Sunchang Elderly Cohort Study. The total number of final participants was 242 (91 males and 151 females; 48 to 93 years old). Periodontitis was determined by a clinical attachment loss of6 mm at six probe points on 12 index teeth. NO was measured in unstimulated saliva via the Griess reaction. Sociodemographic status, general/oral health, and health-related behaviors were investigated as confounders. Bivariate analysis and multivariable linear regression analyses including confounders were applied.After controlling for age, sex, education, salivary flow rate, number of teeth, smoking status, physical activity, hypertension, and diabetes, three metabolites of S-NO (total NO, nitrite, and nitrate) were independently associated with the percentage of probe points exhibiting periodontitis. Of these linear associations, total NO was found to have the strongest correlation with periodontitis (partial r = 0.181, P = 0.009). These associations were most pronounced in females (except for nitrate), non-smokers, those without hypertension, and those without diabetes.Our data suggest that high concentrations of S-NO are associated with severe periodontitis. Thus, S-NO may serve as a potential biologic marker for detecting and monitoring periodontitis.

Backgrounds The association of dietary vitamin C (vit C) on periodontitis requires more valid evidence from large representative samples to enable sufficient adjustments. This study aimed to evaluate the association between dietary vit C intake and periodontitis after controlling for various confounders in the representative Korean adult population Method A total of 10,930 Korean adults (≥19 years) from the fourth Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data set were included in this cross-sectional study. Periodontitis was defined as community periodontal index score of 3 or 4. Dietary vit C intake was estimated from a 24-hour dietary record, and categorized into adequate and inadequate according to the Korean Estimated Average Requirement value. Potential confounders included age, sex, income, frequency of tooth brushing, use of floss, dental visit, drinking, smoking, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, and obesity. A multivariable logistic regression analysis and stratified analysis were applied. Results Those with inadequate dietary vit C intake were more likely by 1.16 times to have periodontitis than those with adequate dietary vit C intake (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.16, 95% confidence interval = 1.04–1.29). Lowest and middle-low quartile of dietary vit C intake, compared to highest quartile of dietary vit C intake, showed significant association (aOR = 1.28 and 1.22 respectively), which was in a biological-gradient relationship (trend-p

AIM This study aims to evaluate the association of salivary matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) with periodontitis and its screening ability on periodontitis. MATERIAL AND METHODS We selected 693 participants from the Yanypyeong Cohort: 577 participants with periodontitis and 116 participants without periodontitis. Periodontitis was assessed by dentists using a panoramic radiograph. Salivary MMP-9 and IL-8 were assayed using multiplexed bead immunoassay (Luminex). MMP-9 and IL-8 were categorized into low, medium and high. Age, sex, income, smoking, drinking, exercise, obesity and metabolic syndrome were confounders. Logistic regression analysis was applied to evaluate the association between MMP-9, IL-8 and periodontitis. Receiver operating characteristic curve was applied for sensitivity, specificity and c-statistics. RESULTS High MMP-9 and medium IL-8 were associated with periodontitis: adjusted odds ratio were 2.2 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.3-3.7] for MMP-9 and 1.9 (95% CI: 1.1-3.4) for IL-8. The final screening model using salivary MMP-9 for periodontitis had a sensitivity of 0.46, specificity of 0.77 and c-statistic of 0.63 (p

Background and aims We aimed to evaluate the association of periodontitis with the development of early atherosclerotic vascular disease in Korean adults. Methods In this cross-sectional study, a total of 1343 adults aged over 40 years were recruited from a community-based cohort of Yangpyeong county, Korea, during the period 2010–2014. Only dentate individuals were included in the study. Subclinical atherosclerosis (SA) was defined as carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT)≥0.754 mm, as assessed bilaterally by B-mode ultrasound. Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) was defined as ankle-brachial index (ABI)≤1.0, as measured by Doppler. History of periodontitis was assessed by measuring the radiographic alveolar bone loss (RABL) on a digital dental panorama and was classified into three groups: normal, moderate and severe periodontitis (≥2 non-adjacent interproximal sites with RABL≥4 mm and 6 mm, respectively). The associations of periodontitis with SA and PAD were evaluated by multivariable logistic regression analysis and analysis of covariance, adjusted for age, sex, education level, tooth loss, smoking, drinking, exercise, obesity, triglycerides, HDL, LDL, hs-CRP, diabetes and hypertension. Stratified analyses were performed to identify specific risk groups. Results After controlling for confounders, severe periodontitis was associated with SA [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 1.55; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.07–2.24] and PAD (aOR = 2.03; 95% CI: 1.05–3.93). These associations were highlighted in never-smokers. For increasing severity of periodontitis, the adjusted mean cIMT increased ( p = 0.011) while that of ABI decreased ( p = 0.033). Conclusions Our data showed that periodontitis is a substantially important risk factor for atherosclerotic vascular disease among Korean adults.

Recent epidemiologic studies have shown that individuals with periodontitis have a significantly increased risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS). Chronic infection and subsequent production of systemic inflammatory markers may be associated with this increased risk. The aim of present study is to determine whether the presence of periodontitis and MetS is associated with a group or an individual of C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and homocysteine (HCY) in the serum of a Korean population.Medical and periodontal parameters, including CRP, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, and HCY, were evaluated in 118 individuals (73 healthy; 20 with periodontitis only; 13 with MetS only; and 12 with both). The community periodontal index was used to assess periodontitis. Age, sex, monthly household income, smoking, and drinking were evaluated as confounders. Analysis of covariance, linear regression analysis, and factor analysis were applied.The group of serologic cytokines was synergistically associated with the periodontitis-MetS coexistence. TNF-α and IL-6 were two representing serologic cytokines in the group.Our results suggest that a group of systemic biologic markers represented by TNF-α and IL-6 might mediate the association between MetS and periodontitis adjusted for various confounders. Additional evidence is needed to generalize our results more widely.

Han D-H, Lim S-Y, Sun B-C, Paek D, Kim H-D. The association of metabolic syndrome with periodontal disease is confounded by age and smoking in a Korean population: the Shiwha–Banwol Environmental Health Study. J Clin Periodontol 2010; 37: 609–616. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-051X.2010.01580.x. Abstract Aim: Because metabolic syndrome (MS) is pro-inflammatory and periodontitis is inflammatory, we issued the hypothesis that MS (the explanatory variable) is associated with periodontitis (the outcome variable). This study aimed to examine the link between MS and periodontitis among Koreans. Materials and Methods: From the Shiwha–Banwol Environmental Health Study, 1046 subjects aged 18 years or older were cross-sectionally surveyed. All participants underwent comprehensive dental and medical health examinations. The community periodontal index was used to assess periodontitis. Age, gender, monthly family income, smoking, drinking, frequency of daily teeth brushing, and physical activity were evaluated as confounders. Results: MS was strongly associated with periodontitis [odds ratio (OR): 1.7, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.22–2.37], and MS with more components had a higher association. The association was higher for elders aged 65 years or more, males, and smokers. MS including both high glucose and hypertension had a higher association with the OR of 2.19 (95% CI: 1.23–3.90) comparing with other types of MS. Conclusions: Our results suggested that MS might be associated with periodontitis and the association was confounded by age, gender, and smoking. MS with high glucose and hypertension showed the higher impact on this link.

Over 45,000 U.S. community college athletes were transported to events during 2005–2006. Transporting college athletes has been an overlooked risk management issue facing administrators. Team travel accidents have caused death, injury, liability claims, property loss, and grief. National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) member institutions' athletics administrators (N = 140) responded to questions related to their transportation practices, including 15-passenger van usage. This study identified transportation practices within community college athletics. Recommendations from athletics administrators and the National Transportation Safety Board are discussed to facilitate passenger safety and decrease institutional liability.

Han D-H, Lim S-Y, Sun B-C, Paek D-M, Kim H-D. Visceral fat area defined obesity and periodontitis among Koreans. J Clin Periodontol 2010; 37: 172–179. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-051X.2009.01515.x. Abstract Aim: Although the association of periodontitis with body mass index (BMI)-defined obesity has been studied, it remains controversial. Hence, this study aims to determine whether the obesity is associated with periodontitis among Koreans and to determine the most significant indicator of the obesity on the link. Materials and Methods: From the Sihwa–Banwol Environmental Health Cohort, 1046 subjects 15 years of age or older were cross-sectionally surveyed. All participants underwent periodontal and medical health examinations. Age, gender, monthly family income, smoking, drinking, frequency of daily teeth brushing and physical activity were evaluated through interviews. The community periodontal index (CPI) was used to assess periodontitis. BMI, waist circumference (WC), waist hip ratio and visceral fat area (VFA) were used to assess obesity. Multivariate linear and logistic regression analyses were applied. Results: BMI, WC and VFA had a dose–effect relationship with the number of sextants with periodontitis. Although subgroup analysis revealed several significant associations between obesity and periodontitis (CPI 3–4), the greatest association between VFA and periodontitis was found in males, age 45–54 (odds ratio=3.30; 95% confidence interval: 1.53–7.09). Conclusions: Obesity was associated with periodontitis. VFA was the most suitable indicator of obesity in relation to periodontitis. Obesity may be a substantial risk factor for periodontitis.

This study was supported by the Korea Health R&D Project of the Ministry of Health & Welfare, Korea, A080863.

Background: The association between periodontal inflammation and non-fatal stroke is still controversial and limited to evidence in Western countries. The aim of this study was to investigate whether periodontitis is independently associated with non-fatal stroke in Korean adults. Methods: A case-control study was conducted on 265 nonfatal chronic stroke cases at the National Rehabilitation Center, Seoul, Korea, and 214 non-stroke population controls. Medical specialists diagnosed stroke by using brain imaging from magnetic resonance imaging and/or computerized tomography. A dentist recorded the clinical attachment level (CAL), the distance between the cemento-enamel junction and the probed base of the periodontal pocket, using a University of North Carolina-15 manual probe. An interview assessed 17 sociodemographic, behavioral, systemic/oral health–related possible confounders. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the association between periodontitis and stroke while controlling for age, gender, income, education, smoking, drinking, history of systemic disease, body mass index, familial cardiovascular risk factors, and oral health behaviors. Subgroup analyses were also performed. Results: Stroke was strongly associated with periodontitis (presence of CAL ‡6 mm): the odds ratio was 4.0 (95% confidence interval: 2.3 to 7.0) after controlling for all possible confounders. The association with periodontitis (tertiary percentage of CAL ‡5 mm) had a dose-response effect. The association between periodontitis and stroke was higher among adults younger than age 60 (6.0 versus 2.6) and normotensives (4.8 versus 3.2). Conclusion: Our data suggested that periodontitis is independently associated with non-fatal stroke, and its impact seems to be greater among younger or normotensive Korean adults. J Periodontol 2008;79:1652-1658.

Adjusted water fluoridation has been disputed because of its various effects on human health. Previous studies have been concerned with the difference in bone mineral density (BMD) between water fluoridated (WF) and none water fluoridated (NWF) districts. The aim of this study is to examine whether water fluoridation affects BMD. BMD was measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). 386 adults(174 males and 212 females) in Ansan (WF) district and 399 adults (176 males and 223 females) in Sihwa (NWF) district, participated in this study. The Ansan and Sihwa districts are similar in residential environment and living class. The relationship between serum fluoride concentration and BMD was also examined by analysis of the serum fluoride concentrations from 402 inhabitants of the Ansan district. In females, the BMD of subjects living in Ansan () was a little higher than that of Sihwa subjects (), although it is not significant, after adjusting for BMI, physical activity level, educational achievement, smoking volume, menopause status, and number of births. However, the BMD of Ansan subjects () in their forties was statistically higher than that of Sihwa (0.498{\pm}0.019). No relationship was found in males. In residential periods, there was significant difference (Ansan , Sihwa , p=0.0125) in the BMD between females of two districts, particularly in the group of over 6 year long-term inhabitants. On the contrary, there was no remarkable difference in males from the two districts. Serum fluoride concentrations in females were associated with BMD, especially in the age group of forties (p=0.0457). No relationship was observed in the male group. Analysis of adult BMD over the age of 20 in a water fluoridated and a none water fluoridated district, confirms more or less a higher BMD in the water fluoridated (WF) district, especially for females. It is assumed that the difference between two districts came somewhat from the effect of water fluoridation.

The purpose of this study was to assess the long-term clinical outcomes and bowel function of patients with total colonic aganglionosis (TCA) after surgery. The hospital records of 17 TCA patients treated surgically during 1985 to 2004 were reviewed. Long-term follow-up was done by telephone interviews with the parents. Primary enterostomy was performed in 13 (76%) patients. In three (17%) patients, TCA was not suspected initially. They underwent conservative surgery primarily, which required a second operation soon after. One had transverse colectomy with ileostomy. By pathologic review, nine (53%) patients had small bowel involvement of aganglionosis. Six (35%) patients died before corrective surgery. They all had extensive small bowel involvement. Among 11 patients who had a corrective operation, 10 were treated with Martin’s procedure. Long-term (mean 74 months) follow-up was available in seven patients, and the mean weight-for-age percentiles was 27.1% (range 5–50%), the frequency of defecation was three to five times a day in four patients (57%), one or two times a day in two patients (28%), and more than five times a day in one patient (15%). TCA is difficult to diagnose; but once it is diagnosed correctly and treated by corrective surgery, outcomes seem promising. Martin’s operation brought about a good outcome and enabled patients to have acceptable bowel habits. The prognosis is highly dependent on the extent of aganglionosis.

The aims of this study were to investigate the prevalence of orofacial pain symptoms in the Korean elderly population, and to evaluate factors associated with orofacial pain and graded chronic pain. Of 4,342 Korean elders from the cohort of Korean National Interview Survey of Oral Health Status in 2000, telephone interviews were conducted on a stratified random sample of 1,032 people aged 55 years or older. Prevalence of five orofacial pain symptoms (jaw joint pain, face pain, toothache, oral sores, and burning mouth) in the past 6 months along with questions from the graded chronic pain scale were assessed by telephone using a structured questionnaire. The results suggested that the 6-month prevalence of joint pain (15.5%), face pain (9.3%), toothache (26.8%), oral sores (26.2%), and burning mouth (14.2%) in Korean elders were higher than in studies on Caucasian populations. Painful oral sores and burning mouth had higher prevalence for females than for males. Subjects with joint pain, burning mouth or toothache pain were more likely to report high levels of a pain-related disability compared with subjects not reporting those symptoms. There were no age group differences in pain intensity, but the older age group reported a higher number of disability days because of their pain. Chronic orofacial pain is a substantial health problem in the elderly population.

OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to evaluate the associations between occupational health behaviors and occupational dental erosion. METHODS Using data for 943 workers among 34 factories, selected by three-stage stratified cluster sampling from 888 factories using acids, two sets of modified case-control studies were performed. The cases were 242 workers with any dental erosion (G1-5) and 78 with severe dental erosion (G3-5); the controls were 701 workers with no erosion (GO) and 864 workers with no or mild erosion grades, GO-2, respectively. The main explanatory variables were behaviors such as wearing a respiratory mask and gargling at work. The results were adjusted for employment, age, sex, knowledge, and opinion about occupational health, attrition, and abrasion. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted. RESULTS The odds of overall occupational dental erosion (G1-5) was 0.63 (95% CI = 0.42, 0.94) for respiratory mask wearers compared to nonwearers; the odds of severe occupational dental erosion (G3-5) was not significantly less in respiratory mask wearers (OR = 0.94; 95% CI = 0.53, 1.67). Gargling did not show a significant association with occupational dental erosion in this study. CONCLUSIONS Among occupational health behaviors, wearing personal protective respiratory masks in work was significantly associated with less overall occupational dental erosion.

Objectives: The objectives of this study were: (1) to compare the mercury levels in general dentists with the mercury levels in other health professionals using toenail clippings as a biomarker, (2) to identify risk factors associated with high mercury levels, and (3) to compare practice characteristics of dentists with high and low mercury levels. Methods: A sample of 579 men was randomly selected from the 33,737 men participating in the Health Professionals Follow-up Study who had provided toenail samples in 1987. A questionnaire was sent to these male subjects in 1991 to obtain information on fish consumption, tooth-brushing frequency, number of teeth, number of amalgam restorations, general practice or specialty status, number of amalgam restorations placed and removed per week, mercury storage and handling procedures, and mercury spillage incidents. A measure of long-term mercury exposure was obtained from toenail samples using neutron activation analysis for the 410 respondents (71% response rate). The 90th percentile mercury level in toenails (0.88 ppm) was selected as the threshold for elevated toenail mercury level. Results: No relationship was found between the number of dental amalgams and toenail mercury levels among general dentists, dental specialists, and nondental health professionals. General dentists were found to have more than twice the level of mercury in toenails than nondental health professionals (mean level=0.94 vs 0.45) and 60 percent higher than dental specialists (mean=0.59). The combined use of disposable capsules and water storage of scrap amalgam appeared to reduce the risk of elevated mercury levels. Regardless of professional status, consumption of tuna and saltwater fish were the primary exposure factors that were positively associated with toenail mercury levels. Conclusions: As shown by the associations with dental profession and fish consumption, the mercury content of toenails is a stable biomarker of cumulative long-term mercury exposure. The lack of association between nail mercury levels and number of amalgam restorations suggests that avoidance of mercury amalgam restorative materials cannot be justified by the presence of mercury released from dental amalgams.

Achieving sustainability in sports events requires effective management, political leadership, and ensuring that all stakeholders adhere to a sustainable philosophy. In order to stage a mega-event, tremendous infrastructure and construction are required with significant consumption of private and public resources. Multiple stakeholder groups are recognized as key entities responsible for an efficient trigger of a mega-event. The aim of this study is to conduct a systematic review of Korean sport literature with regard to CSR practices (ES-linked) of different stakeholder groups and examine through a meta-analytic methodology their impact on the “images” of these groups. The CMA program was utilized as the main analysis tool to calculate the effect sizes from the selected empirical studies. The results indicated that CSR performance of governmental organizations had the highest effect size level on their own image (brand identity) as perceived by visitors and participants. Among the stakeholder groups, effect size levels of their CSR performances were followed by those of corporate sponsors and professional teams. It was found that stakeholder groups are pressured to maintain a balance between financial performance, consumer well-being, and brand identity to bring in external investment.

A comparison of national surveys on oral health suggested that the population of South Korea has a better periodontal health status than that of Japan, despite their similar inherent backgrounds. Here, we investigated differences in oral bacterial assemblages between individuals from those two countries. To exclude potential effects of oral health condition on the microbiota, we selected 52 Korean and 88 Japanese orally healthy adults (aged 40–79 years) from the participants of two cohort studies, the Yangpyeong study in South Korea and the Hisayama study in Japan, and compared the salivary microbiomes. The microbiota of the Japanese individuals comprised a more diverse community, with greater proportions of 17 bacterial genera, including Veillonella, Prevotella, and Fusobacterium, compared to the microbiota of the Korean individuals. Conversely, Neisseria and Haemophilus species were present in much lower proportions in the microbiota of the Japanese individuals than the Korean individuals. Because higher proportions of Prevotella and Veillonella and lower proportions of Neisseria and Haemophilus in the salivary microbiome were implicated in periodontitis, the results of this study suggest that the greater proportion of dysbiotic oral microbiota in the Japanese individuals is associated with their higher susceptibility to periodontitis compared to the Korean individuals.

Background Metabolic syndrome (MetS) may be associated with periodontitis. This study aimed to investigate whether the existence of periodontitis and MetS is cross-sectionally associated with matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) among community Koreans. Materials and Methods Medical and periodontal parameters were evaluated by physicians and dentists in 314 subjects (199 healthy, 58 only periodontitis, 34 only MetS and 23 both). The community periodontal index was used to assess periodontitis. MMP-8, 9, 13 were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Age, gender, monthly household income, smoking and drinking were interviewed as confounders. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was applied. Gender-stratified analyses were applied. Results After controlling for various confounders, MMP-8, MMP-9 and MMP-13 in GCF were significantly associated with periodontitis in both genders and MMP-9, MMP-13 were associated with MetS in women. MMP-8, MMP-9 and MMP-13 showed association with periodontitis–MetS coexistence non-synergistically in both genders. MMP-9 was synergistically associated with periodontitis–MetS coexistence in women. Conclusion Our results suggest that MMP-8, MMP-9, MMP-13 in GCF were independently related to coexistence of periodontitis and MetS. MMP-9 and MMP-13 could be an appropriate common indicator of periodontitis and MetS in women. Further studies might guarantee that MMPs in GCF could screen periodontitis and MetS.

AIM Several studies have suggested that metabolic disorders are related to periodontitis. The objective of this study is to assess whether periodontitis is associated with the metabolic syndrome (MetS) among Koreans. MATERIAL AND METHODS This case-control study was performed among 167 cases with MetS and 166 healthy controls from Shiwha-Banwol Environmental Health Cohort (N = 1853). The community periodontal index (CPI) was used to assess periodontitis (CPI 3-4). MetS was an outcome variable and periodontitis was a main explanatory variable. Age-gender-matched conditional logistic regression models were applied. Monthly household income, smoking, drinking, physical activity and diabetes mellitus were factored as confounders. We also performed stratified analyses according to confounders. RESULTS Those with periodontitis are more likely to be patients with MetS than those without periodontitis. The adjusted odds ratio of periodontitis for MetS was 1.76. There was no significant dose-effect response on the relationship between the number of sextants with periodontitis and MetS. Links became higher in adults aged 45-60 years and adults without diabetes mellitus. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that periodontitis could be an independently related factor on MetS. Hence, dentists and physicians should be aware of the importance of periodontitis as a potential source of inflammatory burden.

A B S T R A C T Objectives: The influence of gender-dependent metabolic risk factors on arterial stiffness has not been fully determined. This study was performed to investigate the relationship between components of metabolic syndrome and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) according to gender. Methods: A total of 537 subjects (54.4 7.5 years and 70.6% men) who underwent baPWV measurement during routine check-ups were analyzed. Results: BaPWV was 1363 229 cm/s in men and 1387 269 cm/s in women (p = 0.313). The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was not different according to gender (23% in men versus 27% in women, p = 0.335). In multiple linear regression analyses, after adjustment for age, baPWV was significantly associated with systolic and diastolic blood pressures, fasting glucose, and triglyceride in both genders. Waist circumference was associated with baPWV in women but not in men. High-density lipoprotein levels were not associated with baPWV in either gender. Subjects with metabolic syndrome had a higher baPWV than those without metabolic syndrome for women aged

Background: Several studies suggested that periodontitis is a risk factor for stroke, but the relationship between periodontitis and hemorrhagic stroke has not been widely reported. This study aims to evaluate the association between periodontitis and hemorrhagic stroke and to identify the risk group for this association. Methods: We recruited 165 patients who were diagnosed via computed tomography brain imaging as having had a hemorrhagic stroke and 214 non-stroke control subjects for a case-control study. All participants underwent a clinical periodontal examination using clinical attachment level (CAL) as a marker. Information about sociodemographic factors, behavioral factors, systemic health, and a familial history of systemic health was gathered through an interview using structured questionnaires. The association between periodontitis and hemorrhagic stroke was evaluated using multivariate logistic regression analyses with adjustment for age, gender, income, education, hypertension, diabetes, body mass index, cardiac disease, familial hypertension history, familial diabetes history, familial cardiac disease history, smoking, and alcohol consumption. Subgroup analyses were also performed to investigate potential risk groups. Results: After controlling for potential confounders, periodontitis (CAL ‡6 mm) was found to be significantly associated with hemorrhagic stroke (odds ratio: 2.5; 95% confidence interval: 1.1 to 5.6), but this association did not exhibit a dose-dependent response for periodontitis (percentile of sites of periodontal pockets with CAL ‡5 mm among total probed pockets). The association between periodontitis (CAL ‡6 mm) and hemorrhagic stroke was significant for males, patients who had a lower income than control subjects, obese patients, and patients without diabetes. Conclusions: Periodontitis may be an independent risk factor for hemorrhagic stroke. Risk groups include males, patients without diabetes, and obese subjects. J Periodontol 2010;81:658-665.

This study aims to determine whether periodontal conditions or dental health behaviors are risk factors for preterm birth (PTB), and whether periodontal pathogens are risk indicators for PTB among Korean mothers.This study was designed as a hospital-based case-control study. Examiner masking was ensured for the validity of the examinations. The mothers included those who gave birth between November 2007 and July 2009 at the obstetrics clinic of a general hospital in Seoul, Korea. Information on demographic and health conditions, periodontal conditions, and microbacterial data was collected.A total of 172 women met the inclusion criteria, 59 mothers who delivered a preterm neonate were assigned to the case group while the other 113 were assigned to the control group. There were no significant differences in demographic information, oral health conditions, and obstetric characteristics. Among health-related behaviors, only scaling within 12 months before pregnancy showed a significant difference (P = 0.031). Even in the adjusted logistic model, only the difference in the experience of scaling before pregnancy was significant between the PTB cases and the controls (P = 0.039). Periodontal disease did not exhibit a significant relationship with PTB even after adjustment for potential confounding factors. Among the microbacterial factors, only Porphyromonas gingivalis showed a slight difference (P = 0.060).There was a significant difference in scaling experience within 12 months before pregnancy and P. gingivalis showed a marginal difference between the PTB and the control groups but clinical periodontal conditions showed no association with PTB.

The oral effect of chronic low-level mercury exposure is not completely understood. This study examined whether mercury exposure is associated with periodontitis.This study cross-sectionally surveyed 1,328 residents (598 males and 730 females) from the prospective Shiwha and Banwol cohort in Korea from July 2005 to August 2006 at baseline. Two dentists assessed periodontitis, an outcome, using the Community Periodontal Index (CPI): CPI 3 or 4 and CPI 0 to 2 were classified as periodontitis and non-periodontitis, respectively. The hair mercury level, the predictor, was analyzed. The mercury level was categorized according to the reference dose of the Environmental Protection Agency of the United States: normal =1 ppm and high =or =1 ppm. Age, gender, economic status, smoking, frequency of daily toothbrushing, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, and obesity were assessed as confounders. Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the adjusted association. Subgroup analyses for gender were also performed.Mercury exposure was independently associated with periodontitis (odds ratio = 3.17). Males with high mercury levels had a 50.0% higher probability of having periodontitis than females with normal mercury levels. Of them, the interaction effect between the body burden of mercury and gender was 39.0%. The odds ratio between periodontitis and high mercury levels was higher for males than females (95% confidence interval: 0.99 to 2.23 versus 0.59 to 1.26, respectively).These results suggest that mercury exposure had an independent association with periodontitis. High body-burden mercury in males might be a contributory factor linked with periodontitis.

– Objectives: This study aimed to validate a Korean version of the oral health impact profile (OHIP) and to develop a short-form of OHIP for the Korean elderly. Methods: The original English version of OHIP was translated into Korean using a forward-backward method. Internal consistency was measured by Cronbach's alpha among 1098 subjects aged 56 or more. Test-retest reliability was assessed by intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) with a 3-month interval among 155 subjects aged 57 or more. The validity of the Korean version of OHIP (OHIP-K) was assessed by comparing OHIP scores with the perceived dental treatment needs and by identifying associations between OHIP scores and the number of natural teeth among 128 subjects aged 54 or more. The short-form of OHIP for the Korean elderly (OHIP-14K) was developed using linear regression models and was also validated and compared with the short-form of OHIP by Slade (OHIP-14S). Results: The Cronbach's alpha value for OHIP-K was 0.97. The ICC for OHIP-K was 0.64. Adults with perceived dental treatment needs had a higher OHIP score than adults without any such needs (P

Although dental caries has been a major oral health problem for children, the association between dental caries and oral health related quality of life has been still controversial. This study aims to evaluate the association between the Korean version of the Child Perceptions Questionnaire (K-CPQ) and dental caries among Korean children. Eight hundred one school children aged 8 to 14 years participated in this study. After the K-CPQ was validated we performed an association study. The K-CPQ was self-reported. Dental caries were evaluated by dentists using the World Health Organization Index. Correlation analyses (intraclass correlation coefficient, Cronbach's alpha and Pearson's correlation coefficient [r]) and linear regression models (partial r) including age, gender and type of school were applied. Untreated deciduous dental caries was associated with the K-CPQ(8-10) overall score (partial r = 0.15, P

Objective: This study investigated the association between occupational acidic chemicals (ACs) exposure and occupational dental erosion. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in which three dentists surveyed 951 subjects from 42 factories using five types of ACs below Korean Threshold Limit Values (K-TLVs). Subjects agreed to participate by a written consent; 519 were acid exposed workers and 431 were non-exposed. The modified ten Bruggen Cate's criteria was used to classify erosion. Length and type of exposure to ACs were assessed using questionnaires. Logistic regression analysis including interaction terms was applied. Results: ACs exposure was associated with erosion severity. Multiple exposures to ACs were found to be strongly associated with severe erosion. Interaction between wearing masks and AC exposure was significant. Conclusions: This study showed a clear association between AC exposure below K-TLVs and erosion. Hence, the authors propose to lower K-TLVs of five types of ACs.