The aim of this study was to investigate the prescribing cascade phenomenon of dopaminergic drugs such as levodopa in the management of gastroprokinetic drugs induced parkinsonism. Based on the Korea National Health Insurance Service (NHIS)-Senior Cohort Database, we analyzed patients aged ≥65 years, between 2009 and 2013, who obtained new prescriptions for levodopa through the NHIS during this period. Those who were prescribed levodopa from 2002 to 2008 were excluded, only patients who were prescribed metoclopramide and levosulpiride within 90 days of receiving the levodopa prescription were included. Those who did not receive levodopa were used as a control group for 1:3 age and sex matching. We assessed 1824 and 1197 levodopa cases for metoclopramide and levosulpiride use, respectively. The matched controls for each levodopa case were 5472 and 3591, respectively. We used conditional logistic regression to determine the odds ratio (OR) for initiation of levodopa therapy in patients using metoclopramide and levosulpiride, relative to nonusers, after adjusting for age, sex, and exposure to antipsychotic medication. Both metoclopramide (OR = 3.04; 95% confidence interval, CI, 2.46–3.77) and levosulpiride (OR = 3.32; 95% CI, 2.56–4.3) users were three times more likely to begin using medication containing levodopa, compared to nonusers. Metoclopramide and levosulpiride were frequently prescribed within 90 days of receiving a prescription for levodopa. Before prescribing levodopa, it should be considered whether the adverse event is actually a side effect caused by metoclopramide and levosulpiride.
Because of the global obesity epidemic, the incidence and prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) have increased worldwide, including among Koreans. Recently, the incidence rate of NAFLD in Korea was reported to be 45.1 per 1,000 person-years, and the prevalence as approximately 30% depending on the diagnostic methods used. The incidence of advanced fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, as well as all-cause and liver-related mortality in NAFLD patients has increased substantially, imposing considerable public health costs in Korea. Genetic, demographic, environmental, and clinical factors are involved in the pathogenesis of NAFLD. Some genetic variants, such as patatin-like phospholipase domain-containing 3 ( PNPLA-3 ) and sorting and assembly machinery component 50 ( SAMM-50 ), play a major role in the occurrence of NAFLD. The risk of NAFLD and fibrosis increases with advancing age and in men. Nutritional factors, inadequate exercise, and sleep duration are also associated with increased risk of NAFLD. Obesity is a major risk factor for NAFLD; however, NAFLD in lean individuals has been noted in recent studies. Insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome and its components are closely associated with NAFLD development and liver fibrosis with various underlying mechanisms. Sarcopenia likely shares a common pathophysiology with NAFLD. The rapidly increasing incidence and prevalence of NAFLD and its complications, as well as the associated healthcare burden, warrant early assessment of NAFLD and its risk factors to prevent NAFLD-related complications in high risk groups.
Background: Recently, single-person households have increased in Korea and this trend may have potential public health implications and affect various health behaviors. This study investigated the associations between living alone and health behaviors such as smoking and alcohol consumption among Korean adults. Methods: We used data from the 6th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 2013 and 2015 and a total of 17,088 adults were included. We performed a multivariable logistic regression analysis and calculated odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: Single-person households accounted for about 10% of the total participants. The proportions of currently smoking and heavy alcohol consumption were higher among individuals living alone than those living together among younger women and middle-aged and elderly men and women. In the multivariable logistic regression analysis, living alone was associated with increased odds of currently smoking compared to living together among middle-aged men and women (OR, 7.37; 95% CI, 2.33-23.32 in men and OR, 2.36; 95% CI, 1.04-5.36 in women) after adjusting for confounding variables. Conclusion: From this nationwide, population-based study, we found that living alone is associated with increased odds of currently smoking, especially in middle-aged people. Public health concerns may be warranted for middleaged single-person households to reduce health risks related to smoking.
Tolvaptan is useful for correcting dilutional hyponatraemia because of its aquaretic effect. On the other hand, there is a distinct lack of data regarding tolvaptan-induced natriuresis, although previous studies have demonstrated improvement of congestive symptoms and signs in heart failure patients following tolvaptan treatment. Here, we report the case of a 47-year-old man diagnosed with minimal change nephrotic syndrome and whose refractory oedema was immediately controlled by tolvaptan before steroid response was induced. With tolvaptan treatment, patient urine output increased dramatically to approximately 5.5 L/day and body weight decreased by 9 kg over 5 days. Interestingly, urine sodium concentration, fractional excretion of sodium and urine osmolality all increased in response to tolvaptan administration. However, serum sodium concentration was maintained within the normal range, and mild azotaemia was corrected. Tolvaptan was discontinued after 11 days when heavy proteinuria and generalized oedema had been resolved. We discuss the potential mechanisms by which V2 receptor antagonists may stimulate natriuresis in the kidney. In conclusion, tolvaptan may be useful as an adjunctive treatment for oedematous disorders.
The relationships between multiple tobacco products, such as heated tobacco products (HTPs), electronic cigarettes (ECs), and combustible cigarettes (CCs), and suicide-related behaviors among adolescents have not been extensively researched. This study examined the associations between the type of tobacco products used and suicidal thoughts, plans, and attempts among Korean adolescents. Data from the 2019 Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-Based Survey were analyzed, and participants included 57,069 individuals aged 13–18 years. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed. Of the total participants, 13.0%, 4.0%, and 2.9% reported suicidal thoughts, suicidal plans, and suicidal attempts, respectively. After adjusting for confounding variables, all tobacco product users showed a greater likelihood of having suicidal behavior. However, compared with never users, dual users of CCs and HTPs were not significantly associated with having suicidal thoughts and attempts. Among tobacco product users, dual users of ECs and HTPs and triple users of CCs, ECs, and HTPs showed a greater likelihood of having suicidal behavior. Considering the prevalence of suicide and the increasing trend of using multiple tobacco products among Korean adolescents, tobacco control policies should monitor the effects of different products.
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