Sun-Young Baek

Helicobacter pylori infection is an independent risk factor of early and advanced colorectal neoplasm.

The role of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) in the development of colorectal neoplasm remains controversial. We examined the association between H. pylori infection and colorectal neoplasm in a large sample of healthy participants who underwent screening colonoscopy.

Helicobacter pylori is associated with dyslipidemia but not with other risk factors of cardiovascular disease

Epidemiologic and clinical data suggest that Helicobacter pylori infection is a contributing factor in the progression of atherosclerosis. However, the specific cardiovascular disease risk factors associated with H. pylori remain unclear. We performed a cross-sectional study of 37,263 consecutive healthy subjects who underwent a routine health check-up. In multivariable log Poisson regression models adjusted for potential confounders, the associations of H. pylori seropositivity with higher LDL-C (relative risk [RR], 1.21; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.12–1.30) and lower HDL-C level (RR, 1.10; 95% CI, 1.01–1.18) were significant and independent. In multiple linear regression analyses, H. pylori infection was significantly associated with higher total cholesterol level (coefficient = 2.114, P < 0.001), higher LDL-C level (coefficient = 3.339, P < 0.001), lower HDL-C level (coefficient = −1.237, P < 0.001), and higher diastolic blood pressure (coefficient = 0.539, P = 0.001). In contrast, H. pylori infection was not associated with obesity-related parameters (body mass index, waist circumference), glucose tolerance (fasting glucose, glycated hemoglobin), and systolic blood pressure. We found that H. pylori infection was significantly and independently associated with dyslipidemia, but not with other cardiometabolic risk factors, after adjusting for potential risk factors of atherosclerosis.

T2-Weighted Liver MRI Using the MultiVane Technique at 3T: Comparison with Conventional T2-Weighted MRI

Objective To assess the value of applying MultiVane to liver T2-weighted imaging (T2WI) compared with conventional T2WIs with emphasis on detection of focal liver lesions. Materials and Methods Seventy-eight patients (43 men and 35 women) with 86 hepatic lesions and 20 pancreatico-biliary diseases underwent MRI including T2WIs acquired using breath-hold (BH), respiratory-triggered (RT), and MultiVane technique at 3T. Two reviewers evaluated each T2WI with respect to artefacts, organ sharpness, and conspicuity of intrahepatic vessels, hilar duct, and main lesion using five-point scales, and made pairwise comparisons between T2WI sequences for these categories. Diagnostic accuracy (Az) and sensitivity for hepatic lesion detection were evaluated using alternative free-response receiver operating characteristic analysis. Results MultiVane T2WI was significantly better than BH-T2WI or RT-T2WI for organ sharpness and conspicuity of intrahepatic vessels and main lesion in both separate reviews and pairwise comparisons (p < 0.001). With regard to motion artefacts, MultiVane T2WI or BH-T2WI was better than RT-T2WI (p < 0.001). Conspicuity of hilar duct was better with BH-T2WI than with MultiVane T2WI (p = 0.030) or RT-T2WI (p < 0.001). For detection of 86 hepatic lesions, sensitivity (mean, 97.7%) of MultiVane T2WI was significantly higher than that of BH-T2WI (mean, 89.5%) (p = 0.008) or RT-T2WI (mean, 84.9%) (p = 0.001). Conclusion Applying the MultiVane technique to T2WI of the liver is a promising approach to improving image quality that results in increased detection of focal liver lesions compared with conventional T2WI.

The Association Between Menarche and Myopia: Findings From the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination, 2008–2012

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to analyze the relationship between age at menarche and myopia in Korean adult females. METHODS A total of 8398 women of at least 19 years of age, who participated in the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2008 to 2012, underwent a refractive examination using an autorefractor. The association between age at menarche and the severity of myopia was evaluated using a four-level multinomial logistic regression analysis. RESULTS The prevalence of myopia was 61.77% (95% confidence interval [CI], 60.46-63.08), including 40.02% with low, 15.46% with moderate, and 6.29% with high myopia. The mean age at menarche was 14.09 ± 0.03 years. Age at menarche was inversely associated with the severity of myopia. In fully adjusted models, older age at menarche decreased the risk of moderate myopia (odds ratio [OR], 0.93; 95% CI, 0.86-0.99; P = 0.0261), and high myopia (OR, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.77-0.95; P = 0.0012). CONCLUSIONS Later age at menarche is associated with a decreased risk of moderate and high myopia. The effects of female sex hormones on ocular structures and growth spurts may mediate this relationship between age at menarche and myopia.

Diabetic biomarkers and the risk of proximal or distal gastric cancer.

The role of diabetes mellitus as a risk factor for gastric cancer has been controversial. We studied the association between diabetic biomarkers and the risk of gastric cancer and whether these associations depend on cancer location.

Prevalence and associated factors of facial palsy and lifestyle characteristics: data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2010–2012

Objectives To report the nationwide prevalence of facial palsy (FP) of grade III or worse in the House–Brackmann (H–B) grading system in South Korea and assess the associated factors. Design Cross-sectional analysis of a nationwide health survey. Settings South Korea. Methods We obtained data from the 2010 to 2012 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys, which were cross-sectional surveys of the South Korean civilian population living in households and aged ≥1 year (N=23 533). A field survey team performed interviews, physical examinations and laboratory tests. Facial expression was evaluated based on the H–B grading system. Results Among the population aged ≥1 year, the prevalence of FP of grade III or worse in the H–B grading system was 0.12% (95% CI 0.07% to 0.17%). FP was more prevalent in women (p=0.01) and the prevalence rate increased with age (p<0.001). In participants aged ≥19 years, age, female gender, history of cardiovascular disease and the serum total cholesterol level were associated with FP in a multivariable analysis. In the evaluation of lifestyle, the individuals with FP had a higher rate of depressive mood and were more restricted in their daily activities. Conclusions Considering the significance of facial expression in psychosocial activities, public acknowledgement and further intervention are required to support patients with this distressing condition.

Risk of Metachronous Advanced Neoplasia in Patients With Multiple Diminutive Adenomas

OBJECTIVES: Individuals with advanced adenomas or three or more adenomas have a higher risk of metachronous advanced neoplasia (AN) and are recommended to undergo surveillance colonoscopy at shorter intervals. However, it is questionable whether patients with multiple (three or more) non‐advanced diminutive adenomas should be considered as high‐risk. METHODS: We analyzed 5482 patients diagnosed with one or more adenomas during their first colonoscopy screening and who underwent a follow‐up colonoscopy. Patients were categorized into four groups based on adenoma characteristics at baseline: Group 1, 1‐2 non‐advanced adenomas; Group 2, ≥3 non‐advanced, diminutive (1 to 5 mm) adenomas; Group 3, ≥3 non‐advanced, small (6‐9 mm) adenomas; and Group 4, advanced adenomas. RESULTS: During a median follow‐up of 38 months, the incidence of metachronous AN at surveillance colonoscopy was 5.6%. The incidence of AN was 3.9% in group 1, 5.9% in group 2, 10.6% in group 3, and 22.1% in group 4. The adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) [95% confidence intervals (CIs)] for metachronous AN between group 2, group 3, and group 4, and low risk group 1 were 1.71 (0.99‐2.94), 2.76 (1.72‐4.44), and 5.23 (3.57‐7.68), respectively. Compared with group 4, the adjusted HRs (95% CIs) for group 1, group 2, and group 3 were 0.19 (0.13‐0.28), 0.32 (0.18‐0.59), and 0.52 (0.31‐0.89), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: We found that patients with three or more non‐advanced diminutive adenomas had a borderline increased risk of metachronous AN compared with patients with low risk adenomas.

Prevalence of minimal hearing loss in South Korea

This study evaluated the prevalence of minimal hearing loss (MHL) in South Korea based on the 2010 to 2012 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. A total of 16,630 representative individuals (older than 12 years) who completed ear examinations and structured questionnaires were analyzed. Only participants who had normal tympanic membranes were included. MHL was categorized into the following three groups: 1) unilateral sensorineural hearing loss (USHL, pure-tone average (PTA) ≥ 15 dB in the affected ear), 2) bilateral sensorineural hearing loss (BSHL, 15 dB ≤ PTA < 40 dB in both ears), and 3) high-frequency sensorineural hearing loss (HFSHL, two or more high-frequency thresholds > 25 dB in either ear). To evaluate clinical symptoms, subjective hearing status, tinnitus, and quality of life of each MHL group were compared to those of normal-hearing listeners. The use of hearing aids (HAs) was also investigated in the MHL population. The prevalence of normal hearing and MHL were 58.4% and 37.4%, respectively. In univariate analyses, the prevalence of MHL increased with age. It was significantly increased in males. Regarding clinical symptoms, 13.0% and 92.1% of participants with MHL reported difficulties with hearing and annoying tinnitus, respectively. In multivariate analyses, these proportions were significantly higher in the MHL groups than in normal-hearing listeners. Participants with MHL also showed significantly lower Euro Qol-5D index scores than did normal-hearing listeners. Regarding hearing rehabilitation, among minimally hearing impaired participants with subjective hearing loss, only 0.47% of individuals used HAs. Our results reveal that MHL is common in South Korea. It is associated with significant subjective hearing loss, tinnitus, and poor quality of life. Therefore, clinicians need to pay attention to this special group and provide proper counselling and rehabilitative management.

Lack of Association between Helicobacter pylori Infection and Various Markers of Systemic Inflammation in Asymptomatic Adults

Background/Aims Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection has been known to cause various extra-gastric diseases, which may be mediated by an increase in systemic inflammation. Thus, we examined the association between H. pylori infection and various markers of systemic inflammation in a large sample of asymptomatic adults. Methods Cross-sectional data were obtained from 17,028 adults who completed routine health check-ups. H. pylori infection status was determined using a serum immunoglobulin G test, and systemic inflammation was assessed using the C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR). Results Multiple linear regression model-adjusted for potential confounders-revealed that H. pylori infection was not associated with CRP levels (coefficient: -0.012, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.037, 0.012, p=0.319), NLR (coefficient: 0.055, 95% CI: -0.027, 0.138, p=0.192), or PLR (coefficient: 1.798, 95% CI: -1.979, 5.574, p=0.351). In a multivariable logistic regression model, H. pylori infection was not associated with the risk of CRP levels being elevated to ≥0.1 mg/dL (odds ratio: 0.96, 95% CI: 0.81, 1.08) or ≥0.3 mg/dL (odds ratio: 1.02, 95% CI: 0.84, 1.19). In the multivariable model, CRP levels elevated to ≥0.1 mg/dL were significantly associated with body mass index, current smoking status, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus. Regular exercise and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol were factors that minimized the elevation of CRP levels. Conclusions Chronic infection with H. pylori was not associated with various inflammatory markers. Further investigation is needed to clarify the interaction between H. pylori infection, systemic inflammation, and extra-gastric disease.