Association Between Depression and Metabolic Syndrome in Korean Adults: Data From the 2014 and 2016 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

This study aimed to examine the association of depression with metabolic syndrome and to investigate levels of awareness and treatment of depression in Korean adults. We analyzed data extracted from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2014 and 2016) using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 depression screening instrument. Among the survey participants, 10 459 were selected for data analysis. Of them, 7.2% had depression, 24.4% had metabolic syndrome, and 10.0% had both depression and metabolic syndrome. Among those with depression, 33.1% were aware of their condition and 25.7% received treatment, with significant differences found between those with and without metabolic syndrome. The mean Patient Health Questionnaire-9 scores significantly increased with the number of metabolic syndrome components ( F = 6.06, P = <.001). In logistic regression analysis, the odds ratio (OR) for depression with metabolic syndrome was 1.41 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.12-1.76). For the number of metabolic syndrome components, having 2 (OR = 1.37, 95% CI = 1.01-1.86), 3 (OR = 1.57, 95% CI = 1.12-2.21), 4 (OR = 1.95, 95% CI = 1.32-2.87), and 5 (OR = 2.18, 95% CI = 1.38-3.46) conditions significantly increased the OR for depression. Including depression in the management of metabolic syndrome could help make people with depression more aware of their condition.

Association between smoking type and prevalence of atopic dermatitis and asthma in men and women

AIM

This study aimed to examine the association between smoking type and the prevalence of atopic dermatitis and asthma in men and women.

BACKGROUND

Cases of allergic diseases have been steadily increasing worldwide. Smoking is associated with serious diseases. Only a few studies have assessed the association between smoking and atopic dermatitis and asthma in adults, and gender difference studies are scarce despite a significant difference in smoking rates.

METHODS

We conducted a secondary cross-sectional analysis of 17 886 adults with atopic dermatitis and 17 889 with asthma aged ≥19 years, using raw data from the Fifth Korea national Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2010-2012).

RESULTS

The prevalence of atopic dermatitis in men was not associated with active or passive smoking, whereas asthma prevalence in men was associated with indoor passive smoking exposure at home. We found that atopic dermatitis prevalence in women was associated with current smoking status, whereas asthma prevalence in women was associated with the presence of an indoor daily smoker at home and indoor passive smoking exposure at home.

CONCLUSION

Asthmatic adults should be informed of the hazards of passive smoking, and women with atopic dermatitis should in particular be dissuaded from smoking.