Association of Participation in Health Check-ups with Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Diseases

Natural Compounds for Preventing Age-Related Diseases and Cancers

Aging is a multifaceted process influenced by hereditary factors, lifestyle, and environmental elements. As time progresses, the human body experiences degenerative changes in major functions. The external and internal signs of aging manifest in various ways, including skin dryness, wrinkles, musculoskeletal disorders, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, neurodegenerative disorders, and cancer. Additionally, cancer, like aging, is a complex disease that arises from the accumulation of various genetic and epigenetic alterations. Circadian clock dysregulation has recently been identified as an important risk factor for aging and cancer development. Natural compounds and herbal medicines have gained significant attention for their potential in preventing age-related diseases and inhibiting cancer progression. These compounds demonstrate antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-proliferative, pro-apoptotic, anti-metastatic, and anti-angiogenic effects as well as circadian clock regulation. This review explores age-related diseases, cancers, and the potential of specific natural compounds in targeting the key features of these conditions.

Factors associated with the use of annual health checkups in Thailand: evidence from a national cross-sectional health and welfare survey

Introduction

Thailand has provided free annual health checkups (AHC) since universal health coverage began in 2002. However, evidence regarding the equitable use of AHC is scarce. Thus, this study explored factors associated with the use of AHC in Thailand.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted using data from the national 2015 Health and Welfare Survey. Respondents aged 15 years or above (n = 57,343) were selected as the study sample. Descriptive statistical analysis and multivariable binary logistic regression were conducted to examine the association between the use of AHC and factors selected on the basis on Andersen's Behavioral Model of Access to Medical Care.

Results

Among the study sample, approximately 4.9% (n = 2,815) had used AHC during the past year. Regarding predisposing factors, the use of AHC was positively related to age (e.g., over 61 vs. 15-30: AOR = 2.90 [95% CI = 2.40-3.52], p < 0.001) and female sex (AOR = 1.23 [95% CI = 1.12-1.35] p < 0.001). For enabling factors, the AHC use was positively associated with income (e.g., Q4 vs. Q1: AOR = 1.98 [95% CI = 1.75-2.25], p < 0.001), education (e.g., high vs. low: AOR = 3.11 [95% CI = 2.75-3.51], p < 0.001), being married (e.g., vs. single: AOR = 1.27 [95% CI = 1.11-1.46], p < 0.001), and urban residency (AOR = 1.12 [95% CI = 1.04-1.22], p = 0.006). For need-for-care factors, the AHC use was positively related to chronic disease (AOR = 1.26 [95% CI = 1.15-1.38], p < 0.001), non-smoking (e.g., vs. daily: AOR = 1.18 [95% CI = 1.03-1.36], p = 0.015), non-drinking (e.g., vs. 3-4 times per week: AOR = 1.26 [95% CI = 1.04-1.53], p = 0.016), and vegetable consumption (e.g., over 5 ladles vs. below 1 ladle: AOR = 1.86 [95% CI = 1.50-2.31], p < 0.001).

Conclusion

The results indicate that health awareness could play a significant role in the use of AHC. Individuals with high socioeconomic status (e.g., high-income people) and those with low-risk health behaviors (e.g., non-smokers) generally have a high interest in health and well-being. This may have been the primary reason for the high use of AHC among these groups. Thus, the government should continue to promote the public's health awareness through various public campaigns and education programs to increase the use of AHC.

Measuring the Burden of Disease in Korea Using Disability-Adjusted Life Years (2008-2020)

BACKGROUND

The measurement of health levels and monitoring of characteristics and trends among populations and subgroups are essential for informing evidence-based policy decisions. This study aimed to examine the burden of disease in Korea for both the total population and subgroups in 2020, as well as analyze changes in disease burden from 2008 to 2020.

METHODS

We employed the methodology developed in the Korean National Burden of Disease and Injuries Study to calculate disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) by sex, causes, region, and income level from 2008 to 2020. DALYs were derived by combining years of life lost and years lived with disability.

RESULTS

In 2020, the burden of disease for the Korean population was estimated to be 25,439 DALYs per 100,000 population, reflecting a 13.8% increase since 2008. The leading causes of DALYs were diabetes mellitus, followed by low back pain and ischemic stroke. A sex-specific gap reversal was observed, with the disease burden for men surpassing that of women starting in 2017. Furthermore, variations in disease burden were identified across 250 regions and income quintiles.

CONCLUSION

It is imperative to establish appropriate health policies that prioritize the diseases with significantly increasing burdens and subgroups experiencing high disease burdens. The findings of this study are expected to serve as a foundation for developing healthcare policies aimed at improving the health levels of Koreans and achieving health equity.

Socioeconomic Disparities in the Association Between All-Cause Mortality and Health Check-Up Participation Among Healthy Middle-Aged Workers: A Nationwide Study

BACKGROUND

This study assessed the relationship between non-participation in health check-ups and all-cause mortality and morbidity, considering socioeconomic status.

METHODS

Healthy, middle-aged (35-54 years) working individuals who maintained either self-employed or employee status from 2006-2010 were recruited in this retrospective cohort study from the National Health Insurance Service in Korea. Health check-up participation was calculated as the sum of the number of health check-ups in 2007-2008 and 2009-2010. Adjusted hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of all-cause mortality were estimated for each gender using multivariable Cox proportional hazard models, adjusting for age, income, residential area, and employment status. Interaction of non-participation in health check-ups and employment status on the risk of all-cause mortality was further analyzed.

RESULTS

Among 4,267,243 individuals with a median 12-year follow-up (median age, 44; men, 74.43%), 89,030 (2.09%) died. The proportion (number) of deaths of individuals with no, one-time, and two-time participation in health check-ups was 3.53% (n = 47,496), 1.66% (n = 13,835), and 1.33% (n = 27,699), respectively. The association between health check-up participation and all-cause mortality showed a reverse J-shaped curve with the highest adjusted HR (95% CI) of 1.575 (1.541-1.611) and 1.718 (1.628-1.813) for men and women who did not attend any health check-ups, respectively. According to the interaction analysis, both genders showed significant additive and multiplicative interaction, with more pronounced additive interaction among women who did not attend health check-ups (relative excess risk due to interaction, 1.014 [0.871-1.158]).

CONCLUSION

Our study highlights the significant reverse J-shaped association between health check-up participation and all-cause mortality. A pronounced association was found among self-employed individuals, regardless of gender.

Substantial Lipid Increases During Menopausal Transition in Korean Middle-Aged Women

BACKGROUND

Adverse lipid profiles are observed in postmenopausal women. However, there is insufficient evidence of the association between lipids and reproductive aging in Korean women. We aimed to characterize lipid changes with respect to timing relative to menopause in Korean middle-aged women.

METHODS

This study included 1,436 premenopausal women who had a natural menopause during the follow-up period (median = 15.76 years) from the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study (KoGES) Ansan and Anseong cohort. Lipid levels were measured every 2 years, and the magnitudes of annual lipid changes and differences in the changes by premenopausal body mass index were estimated using piecewise linear mixed-effects models.

RESULTS

All lipid levels increased greatly from 3 or 5 years before menopause to 1 year after menopause in all women, regardless of their premenopausal body mass index. During the period, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels increased at 0.42 mg/dL per year (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.29 to 0.55 mg/dL). Nevertheless, non-HDL-C levels simultaneously increased at 3.42 mg/dL per year (95% CI, 3.11 to 3.72 mg/dL), and an annual change in the non-HDL-C to HDL-C ratio was 0.05 (95% CI, 0.04 to 0.06). One year after menopause, changes in all lipid parameters significantly slowed down, except for the non-HDL-C to HDL-C ratio (P < 0.001 for all). The ratio continued to increase until 3 years after menopause, but thereafter, the change leveled off.

CONCLUSION

Women experienced remarkable increases in lipid levels during menopausal transition, highlighting the need for early intervention strategies for cardiovascular disease prevention in women.

Preventive health examinations: protocol for a prospective cross-sectional study of German employees aged 45 to 59 years (Ü45-check)

Objective

Early identification of health-related risk factors is of great importance for maintaining workability. Screening examinations can help to detect diseases at an early stage and provide more needs-based recommendations. This study aims (1) to assess the individual need for prevention or rehabilitation based on preventive health examinations compared to a questionnaire survey, (2) to assess the results of the preventive health examinations compared to the Risk Index - Disability Pension (RI-DP), (3) to assess the results of the questionnaire survey compared to the RI-DP, (4) to assess the general health status of the sample (target population > 1,000) in German employees aged 45-59, (5) to identify the most common medical conditions. A further study question aims, and (6) to investigate the general health status of the specific occupational groups.

Methods

Comprehensive diagnostics including medical examination, anamnesis, anthropometric measurements, bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), handgrip strength, resting electrocardiogram (ECG), resting blood pressure, pulse wave velocity (PWV), and laboratory blood analyses added by a questionnaire are conducted. The research questions are analyzed in an exploratory manner.

Results and conclusion

We expect that the results will allow us to formulate recommendations regarding screening for prevention and rehabilitation needs on a more evidence-based level.Clinical Trial Registration: DRKS ID: DRKS00030982.

Influencing factors of participation in and satisfaction with elderly health checkups: a cross-sectional study

Background

Attending health checkups as a primary prevention strategy benefits older adults in facilitating the identification of health issues and risk factors for disease. Little is known about factors influencing participation in and satisfaction with a free annual elderly health checkup program (EHCP) in Taiwan. This study aimed to extend current knowledge related to the uptake of this service and individuals' views of the service.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional study using a telephone interview survey method to compare influencing factors and satisfaction between participants and non-participants of an EHCP. The individuals involved were older adults in Taipei, Taiwan. The random sampling method included 1,100 people, 550 older adults who had participated in the EHCP within the last 3 years, and 550 older adults who had not. A questionnaire containing personal characteristics and satisfaction with the EHCP was used. Independent t-test and Pearson's Chi-squared test were used to evaluate differences between the two groups. Associations between individual characteristics and health checkup attendance were estimated using log-binomial models.

Results

Results showed that 51.64% of participants reported being satisfied with the checkups; however, only 41.09% of non-participants were satisfied. In the association analysis, age, educational level, chronic diseases, and subjective satisfaction were related to older persons' participation. Furthermore, having a stroke was associated with a higher attendance rate [prevalence ratio: 1.49; 95% confidence interval: (1.13, 1.96)].

Conclusions

The EHCP had a high proportion of satisfaction among participants, but the proportion was low among non-participants. Several factors were associated with participation and might lead to unequal healthcare service uptake. Health checkups need to increase among people at a young age, those with low educational backgrounds, and those without chronic diseases.

Prediction Model for Hypertension and Diabetes Mellitus Using Korean Public Health Examination Data (2002–2017)

Hypertension and diabetes mellitus are major chronic diseases that are important factors in the management of cardiovascular disease. In order to prevent the occurrence of chronic diseases, proper health management through periodic health check-ups is necessary. The purpose of this study is to determine the incidence of hypertension and diabetes mellitus according to the health check-up, and to develop a predictive model for hypertension and diabetes according to the health check-up. We used the National Health Insurance Corporation database of Korea and checked whether hypertension or diabetes occurred from that date according to the number of health check-ups over the past 10 years. Compared to those who underwent five health check-ups, those who participated in the first screening had hypertension (OR = 2.18, 95% CI = 2.14–2.22), diabetes mellitus (OR = 1.33, 95% CI = 1.30–1.35) and both diseases (OR = 2.46, 95% CI = 2.39–2.53); individuals who underwent 10 screenings had hypertension (OR = 0.86, 95% CI = 0.83–0.88), diabetes mellitus (OR = 0.83, 95% CI = 0.81–0.85) and both diseases (OR = 0.83, 95% CI = 0.79–0.87). Individuals who attended fewer than five screenings compared with individuals who attended five or more screenings had hypertension (OR = 1.61, 95% CI = 1.59–1.62; AUC = 0.66), diabetes mellitus (OR = 1.21, 95% CI = 1.20–1.22; AUC = 0.59) and both diseases (OR = 1.75, 95% CI = 1.72–1.78, AUC = 0.63). The machine learning-based prediction model using XGBoost showed higher performance in all datasets than the conventional logistic regression model in predicting hypertension (accuracy, 0.828 vs. 0.628; F1-score, 0.800 vs. 0.633; AUC, 828 vs. 0.630), diabetes mellitus (accuracy, 0.707 vs. 0.575; F1-score, 0.663 vs. 0.576; AUC, 0.710 vs. 0.575) and both diseases (accuracy, 0.950 vs. 0.612; F1-score, 0.950 vs. 0.614; AUC, 0.952 vs. 0.612). It was found that health check-up had a great influence on the occurrence of hypertension and diabetes, and screening frequency was more important than other factors in the variable importances.

Factors associated with awareness and passage of medical screening in hypertensive persons: data from the Know Your Heart study

Aim. To analyze the demographic, socio-economic and behavioral factors associated with awareness and passage of medical screening among the hypertension adults from Arkhangelsk and Novosibirsk.

Material and methods. The database was formed as part of the Know Your Heart study (2015-2018, Arkhangelsk, Novosibirsk, n=4504). For the present study, 2216 people with hypertension were selected. Binary logistic regression was used to determine the factors associated with awareness of ongoing medical screening and active participation in them.

Results. The analysis determined that 82,5% of the hypertensive residents of Arkhangelsk and Novosibirsk aged 35-69 years old are aware of the medical screening, and 51,4% have passed (are going to pass) it. General factors associated both with greater awareness of ongoing preventive measures and with greater participation in them are female sex and contacts with doctors during the year. From the point of view of awareness, such a factor as the average income level turned out to be significant, while the absence of a permanent employment and the pension status were associated with the passage of medical screening.

Conclusion. The awareness of the hypertensive residents of Arkhangelsk and Novosibirsk about the medical screening was 82,5%. The coverage level is still low. The identified factors associated with greater awareness of the medical screening and more active participation showed that medical specialists should be more attentive to the men working in urban areas with a low income level. More active work is also needed to involve in preventive contacts those persons who are not in constant contact with the healthcare system. This requires the consolidated work of various institutions and departments, including the media.

Increased Incidence of Pediatric Diabetic Ketoacidosis After COVID-19: A Two-Center Retrospective Study in Korea

PURPOSE

We evaluated the clinical characteristics and severity of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) in children before and after the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak to identify its indirect effects on DKA incidence.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This retrospective study included 19 children with DKA admitted to the emergency room (ER) in two centers in Jeonbuk province, Korea during the first 6 months of the year from 2017 to 2020. Data were collected on age, height, body weight, clinical symptoms, diabetic mellitus (DM) type, and laboratory findings. DKA severity was based on the presence of acute kidney injury, cerebrovascular accident, and altered mental status. The ratio of patients with DKA in all pediatric patients who visited the study ERs and in the Jeonbuk population was also determined.

RESULTS

There were no differences in anthropometric characteristics and complication rates between the pre-COVID-19 and COVID-19 periods; however, the rate of polydipsia was significantly higher in the COVID-19 period. All seven patients admitted during the COVID-19 pandemic (100%) had polydipsia and polyuria and were newly diagnosed with DM. The rate of pediatric patients with DKA admitted to the ER in 2020 (0.459%) was more than twice the mean rate of 0.206% for the four-year period. The incidence of DKA in the Jeonbuk population (0.00141%) also exceeded the mean rate (0.0009%).

CONCLUSION

The incidence of pediatric DKA might be higher due to the indirect effect of COVID-19 pandemic. Physicians should be aware of nonspecific symptoms related to DKA in children admitted to the ER.