Background The disease burden of metabolic syndrome (MetS) is increasing with increasing prevalence. Economic deprivation is a risk factor for MetS and contributes to the overall mortality. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the association between economic status and mortality in patients with MetS.
Methods Overall, 83,786 patients with MetS were included from the Korean National Health Insurance Service-Health Screening Database. They were divided into three economic levels (low, medium, and high) based on the health insurance premiums charged according to the annual household income. Adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for all-cause mortality were calculated using Cox proportional hazards regression models.
Results The median follow-up duration was 10.0 years. Kaplan-Meier plots showed that the mortality rate was highest in males with a low economic status (P<0.001, log-rank test). Compared with that of the high economic status group, unadjusted HRs (95% CIs) of the middle and low economic status groups for all-cause mortality were 1.44 (1.32–1.57) and 1.88 (1.72–2.06), respectively, in males, and 0.84 (0.76–0.93) and 0.99 (0.89–1.10), respectively, in females. However, in the fully adjusted model, the corresponding HRs (95% CIs) were 1.23 (1.13–1.48) and 1.35 (1.23–1.48), respectively, in males and 1.17 (1.06–1.30) and 1.25 (1.12–1.39), respectively, in females.
Conclusion Among South Korean adults with MetS, the economically deprived population was significantly associated with higher mortality rates than those of wealthier groups.
Background As the global prevalence of diabetes mellitus continues to increase, it is important to identify its risk factors and implement preventive approaches. This study aimed to investigate the association between changes in systolic blood pressure (SBP) and the incidence of diabetes.
Methods Data from 152,547 participants, who underwent two consecutive health checkups between 2002 and 2003, and 2004 and 2005, and included in the Korean National Health Insurance Service Health Screening Database, were reviewed. Participants were divided into three groups according to change in SBP: decrease (≥10 mm Hg); no change (<10 mm Hg); and increase (≥10 mm Hg). Cox proportional hazard regression models for diabetes incidence were constructed to evaluate adjusted hazard ratio (HR) with corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI).
Results The median follow-up was 14.3 years, and 26,352 patients with diabetes were identified. Compared to those with no change in SBP, the adjusted HRs for decrease and increase among males were 1.06 (95% CI, 1.02–1.10) and 1.10 (95% CI, 1.06–1.14), and 1.06 (95% CI, 1.00–1.12) and 1.08 (95% CI, 1.02–1.13) for females, respectively. After stratifying data according to SBP at baseline, the HRs for decrease in males and females were as follows: normotensive group, 1.16 (95% CI, 1.08–1.24) and 1.11 (95% CI, 1.02–1.21); and prehypertensive group, 1.14 (95% CI, 1.09–1.20) and 1.19 (95% CI, 1.10–1.29), respectively.
Conclusion Changes in SBP were associated with a risk for diabetes.
Background In addition to its antidiabetic effects, metformin has pleiotropic effects, such as the inhibition of carcinogenesis. This study aimed to investigate the association between metformin use and pancreatic cancer risk in the Korean National Health Insurance Service (NHIS)-National Health Screening Cohort (HEALS).
Methods Of the individuals in the Korean NHIS-HEALS, 29,271 men and 19,091 women were included in the final analysis after propensity score matching based on age, body mass index, and smoking status. The study population was categorized into three groups: metformin non-users with diabetes mellitus (DM), metformin users with DM, and non-diabetic users. A Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to examine the association between metformin use and pancreatic cancer.
Results The median follow-up period was 12.9 years. The estimated pancreatic cancer incidence was highest in metformin users with DM, regardless of sex (P<0.001), and lowest in non-diabetic men and female metformin non-users (P=0.053). The hazard ratios (95% confidence interval) for pancreatic cancer incidence in metformin users and non-diabetic individuals were 1.116 (0.648–1.923) and 0.447 (0.259–0.771) in men and 2.769 (1.003–7.642) and 1.451 (0.529–3.984) in women, respectively, after full adjustment.
Conclusion Women with diabetes using metformin are at a higher risk of pancreatic cancer than women with diabetes not using metformin. Meanwhile, men with DM using metformin have a similar risk of pancreatic cancer as men with DM not using metformin.
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