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This study aimed to examine the associations between suicidal behavior in older Korean adults and chronic illnesses, functional limitations, and pain. Data were obtained and analyzed for 8500 adults over 65 years of age from the 2007-2012 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey IV and V. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine the associations between suicidal behavior, chronic illness, functional limitations, and pain. The presence of arthritis and renal failure were significantly associated with a higher risk of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts. Moderate limitation in usual activities and extreme pain significantly increased the risk of both suicidal ideation and suicide attempts, over and above the existence of chronic illnesses and depression status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to determine the relationship between sarcopenia and fall-related injuries in community-dwelling older adults in Korea. The study population comprised 2848 subjects aged 65 years or older who participated in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys during 2010 -2011. Sarcopenia was considered to be present if the subject's appendicular skeletal muscle mass divided by his or her weight was less than 29.9% in men, or less than 25.1 % in women. The incidence of fall-related injuries during the past year among all the respondents was 4.3%, and the prevalence of sarcopenia was 32.2%. After controlling for sociodemographic variables and morbidity due to chronic diseases, the incidence of fall-related injuries remained significantly elevated among older adults with sarcopenia (odds ratio = 1.61, 95% confidence internal = 1.01—2.54). Sarcopenia should be considered when investigating means of preventing of fall-related injuries in community-dwelling older adults. To prevent falls among these persons, it is vital to implement intervention programs that increase muscle mass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the level of understanding of life-sustaining treatment in Korean patients with chronic illness and examined the influence of understanding of life-sustaining treatment on their willingness to complete advance directives. Data were collected by a survey of 187 outpatients recruited by the proportionate quota sampling method at 2 general hospitals in South Korea, using structured questionnaires. Data were analyzed with hierarchical multivariate logistic regression analysis. According to the results, only 9% of the respondents have an adequate understanding of the percentage of survival to actual hospital discharge after in-hospital cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and 59% understood the possibility of permanent use of a mechanical ventilator when breathing is not restored. Although most respondents showed a preference for advance directives only 57% wanted to complete advance directives. Understanding of life-sustaining treatment significantly increased the odds of being willing to complete advance directives, controlling for covariates. In conclusion, proactive publicity and proper education regarding life-sustaining treatments by health care providers are critical to encouraging completion of advance directives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sleep disorder and metabolic syndrome (MetS) are important health-related problems. Recently, sleep duration has decreased among Korean adults. In this study, we examined whether sleep quality is associated with MetS by analyzing 301 subjects, aged 20 years or over, without acute and severe illness who visited three primary care clinics. Sleep duration, sleep quality and the risk of sleep-related breathing disorder (SRBD) were assessed with a standardized sleeping-estimating instrument. MetS was defined according to the modified diagnostic criteria of the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel-III using the Korean abdominal obesity definition. In the multiple logistic regression analysis, compared with the 7-hour sleep group, the adjusted odds ratios (ORs) of the ≤ 5- and ≥ 9-hour sleep groups for MetS were 4.89 and 5.98, respectively. Compared with the good-sleep quality and low-SRBD risk groups, the adjusted ORs of the poor-quality sleep and high-SRBD risk groups were 3.83 and 1.92, respectively (p < 0.05). In the ≤ 5- and ≥ 9-hour sleep groups, the prevalence of elevated triglyceride and high HOMA-IR was higher (p = 0.069). In the poor-quality sleep group, the prevalence of abdominal obesity, elevated triglyceride, low HDL cholesterol, high fasting insulin and high HOMA-IR were higher. In the high-SRBD risk group, the prevalence of abdominal obesity, obesity and elevated triglyceride were higher (p < 0.05). Overall, the ≤ 5- or ≥ 9-hour sleep duration, poor-quality sleep and high-SRBD risk are related with the high prevalence of MetS, perhaps through elevated insulin-resistance resulting from adiposity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to evaluate effectiveness of a peer support program conducted by older community volunteers for older adults living alone. Methods: Thirty volunteers trained as peer supporters were matched with low-income, older adults living alone in the community on gender. Visits occurred on a weekly basis over the 12 month study period, and the volunteers provided peer support for health management to solitary older adults. Data were collected, before the start of the program and again 6 and 12 months after its initialization, from intervention and control groups regarding physical health, general health, mental health, depression, social functioning, and satisfaction with social support. Repeated measures ANOVA was used to analyze data. Results: By the end of the program, socially isolated older adults in the intervention group had significantly higher scores in physical health and general health than elders in the control group. Significant interaction effects between time and group were found for depression, social functioning, and satisfaction with social support. Conclusion: The peer support program undertaken by older community volunteers was effective in improving physical health, general health, depression, social functioning, and satisfaction with social support in socially isolated, low-income, older adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]