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As the prevalence of developmental disorders (DDs) has increased, many OECD countries provide a national screening examination for early detection and intervention for DDs. This study examined effects of the National Health Screening Program in Korea. 65,334 children (39%) were DD-screened and 35,466 children (21%) received a false negative among the 167,050 study subjects. The DD-screened rate had increased from 3208 (27.2%) in 2008 to 8471 (47.3%) in 2012, then decreased to 5544 (29.8%) in 2017. Changes in the false negative rates increased from 2.7% in 2008 to 23.8% in 2017 were one of the most influential factors in these fluctuations. The DD-screened rate was influenced by demo-geographic and economic factors as well as by age-related characteristics of the subconditions.

Prevalence of developmental disorders (DDs) has been increasing worldwide. This study identifies a trend in their prevalence and incidence, using nationwide population-based data to analyze the characteristics of children with DDs in Korea. The prevalence of DDs steadily increased by more than four times (from 0.6 to 2.5) from 2003 to 2017. Boys had higher incidence than girls throughout the period, during which the gap increased from 19.1 to 31.4%. The incidence also increased by the size of city and medical insurance quartile. The ratio of autism spectrum disorder, developmental delay and language disorders among the total incident cases of DDs increased by 13.7%, 817.6%, and 30.7%, respectively, indicating their contribution to the trend of increasing prevalence.

Objective: This study aims to identify classes based on the trajectory of depressive symptoms and to examine the impact of trajectory classes of depressive symptoms on longitudinal changes in cognitive function in older adults with diabetes. Methods: This is a secondary data analysis of 572 older adults with diabetes using data from the 5th (2014) to 8th (2020) wave of the Korean longitudinal study of aging. Analysis of latent class growth and the effect of trajectories of depressive symptoms on cognitive function was examined using a latent growth curve model. This analysis has been found to be functional in change trajectories and in describing the direction of the trajectory. Results: The trajectory of depressive symptoms was classified into four classes: low‐stable (36.89%), high‐decreasing (20.28%), low‐increasing (18.71%), and high‐persistent (24.13%). Compared with the high‐persistent class, higher initial levels of cognitive function were observed in the high‐decreasing and low‐stable classes. Compared with the high‐persistent class, a slower rate of cognitive decline was observed in the low‐stable class (B = 0.410, p =.021). Conclusions: Continuous monitoring of depressive symptoms and early management of depressive symptoms for community‐dwelling older adults with diabetes can help prevent the cognitive decline and delay the deterioration of cognitive function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: As life expectancy increases worldwide, the prevalence and the disease burden of diabetes in older adults are also increasing. This study aimed to examine sex differences in the reciprocal relationship between glycemic control and depressive symptoms among older adults with diabetes by using longitudinal data at two timepoints. Methods: Wave 1 (W1, 2016–2017) and wave 2 (W2, 2018–2019) data from the Korean Frailty and Aging Cohort Study were used. Finally, 416 older adults with diabetes who satisfied the inclusion criteria were analyzed (215 males, 201 females). The reciprocal relationship between depressive symptoms and glycosylated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels was examined using a cross‐lagged panel model. Results: HbA1c levels and depressive symptoms at earlier time points were the most significant factors contributing to HbA1c levels and depressive symptoms at later timepoints. The relationship between HbA1c level and depressive symptoms differed according to sex. The cross‐path from depressive symptoms (W1) to HbA1c levels (W2) was positively statistically significant in males (β = 0.18, SD = 0.05, P = 0.001). The path from HbA1c levels (W1) to depressive symptoms (W2) was positively statistically significant in females (β = 0.12, SD = 0.06, P = 0.032). Conclusions: Early management of blood glucose levels and depressive symptoms is important in older adults with diabetes. Moreover, glycemic control through social activities in the community could be effective in relieving depressive symptoms in older females with diabetes, and managing depressive symptoms and glucose levels together could be effective in glycemic control in older males with diabetes. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2024; 24: 32–39. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]