Background
: The elderly is known to have physiologic electrocardiographic changes with aging. But in Korea, such study is rare.

Methods : We investigated the residents in a community about past history of disease and current medications. Also we checked electrocardiography for those who were thought to be healthy.

Results : The elderly(≥60 year old) were 66 persons, and the young adults(<40 year old) were 8 persons. Mean QRS axis in the elderly was 37.7°, and it was significantly deviated to the left compared with that(63.8°) in the young adults(P<0.05). Mean T amplitude of V6 in the elderly was 3.47mm, and it was to some degree shorter than that(4.81mm) in the young adults(P=0.063). But pulse rate, PR interval, QRS duration, amplitude of R1, R6, S1 were not different between the elderly and the young adults.

Conclusion : Mean QRS axis in the elderly was significantly deviated to the left compared with in the young adults. And the mean T amplitude of V6 in the elderly was to some degree shorter than in the young adults.

Background
: A reliable, well-validated home blood pressure(BP) self measurement device could have an important role in the management of hypertension. Rigorous assessment of such a device has not performed well, particularly in the hypertensive range.
Method : We assessed the National EW274W device(oscillometric) for home measurement of BP according to the standards set out by the British Hypertension Society protocol and American Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation(AAMI). The device was compared with sequential measurements using a standard mercury sphygmomanometer in the same arm in 105 patients aged 16-79 years. The BP of subjects was measured three times at least a week apart. These data were analysed using Pearson's correlation and paired t-test.

Results : The device was highly correlated to mercury sphygmomanometer in mean systolic BP(SBP) and mean diastolic BP(DBP)(r=0.93, r=0.93, P<0.05). The device was satisfactory over the whole BP range(SBP 106-182mmHg, DBP 56-116mmHg), with a B grade for SBP and a A grade for DBP(British Hypertension Society protocol)and a PASS for both SBP and DBP(AAMI). Sensitivity and specificity are 84.2%, 93.0%(mean SBP) and 100%, 96.9%(mean DBP).

Conclusion : We concluded the wrist blood pressure meter(National EW274W) for home BP measurement is highly satisfactory and is suitable for clinical use.

Background
: Chronic low back pain(CLBP) is one of the most common afflictions of humans. Between 70% and 80% of the population experience back pain some time during their lives. Especially, back pain is the most common cause of limited activity in individuals under age 45.

Methods : The prepared questionnaire and SCL-MPD(symptom check list-minor psychiatric disorders) were presented to subjects who visited our hospital for occupational routine check. The questionnaire was composed of duration and severity of back pain. The subjects were divided into two groups, respectively with chronic low back pain history and without history. The differences of psychogenic symptoms between both groups were analysed.

Results : In general characteristics, there was no significant difference between both groups. There were significant differences in somatization, anxiety, depression, anger-hostility, phobic anxiety, neurasthenic, hypochondriacal, interpersonal sensitivity and general dimensions between both groups(P<0.05). There was no significant difference in obsessive-compulsive dimension between both groups.

Conclusion : These results showed the presense of various psychogenic symptoms in chronic low back pain patients. Such psychosocial variables will need to receive additional careful attention in primary care setting.

Background
: Previously, a large epidemiological study has found that an increase in the serum triglyceride level is an independent risk factor of coronary artery disease and by treating it, the mortality due to coronary artery disease could be decreased. Our study is designed to analyze the serum triglyceride level in healthy adults and to study various factors influencing the serum triglyceride level.

Methods : Study involved all patients who visited Seoul National University Hospital Health Promotion Center from May 1995 to Feb 1997. After a complete history and a physical examination, each participant answered a questionnaire involving sociodemographics, tobacco, alcohol, exercise, menstrual cycle and daily dietary contents. A blood chemistry was also drawn after 12 hours of fasting. We used analysis of covariance and multiple regression analysis to correlate triglyceride level with forementioned variables.

Results : Healthy 3,332 men and 2,986 women were statistically analyzed. The average triglyceride level was 110.7mg/dl(geometric mean). Men at 50's had the highest level of triglyceride. As women aged, their triglyceride level increased. The proportion of participants in their 40's in men and 70's and over in women with triglyceride >220mg/dl, a value of clinical importance, was 19.0% and 18.4%, respectively. The triglyceride level changed significantly according to BMI, exercise, physical fitness, alcohol, tobacco, blood pressure, uric acid and glucose. However, no statistically significant difference was found among diet, thyroid function, income and region. For men, a multiple regression analysis revealed that the factors influencing triglyceride level in decreasing order, were BMI, uric acid, tobacco, diastolic blood pressure, ALT and maximal oxygen uptake. However, for women, a similar analysis showed that BMI, systolic blood pressure, exercise, tobacco and age played a significant role(p<0.001).

Conclusion : Serum triglyceride level was associated with correctable behavioral factors such as obesity, smoking, alcohol, exercise, and physical fitness. Among these factors obesity was the most related factor with triglyceride level.

Background
: The purpose of this study was to figure out the prevalence of smoking, alcohol and other drug abuse and the relationships among them.

Methods : In July 1996, a total of 4,438 school adolescents randomly sampled from 6 schools(2 middle schools, 2 general high schools, 2 vocational high schools) in Seoul were assessed with a self-completing questionnaire pertaining to smoking, alcohol and other drug(sedatives, stimulants, inhalants) use.

Results : The current smoking rate of the study subjects in the study was 17.1%(male: 27.5%, female: 8.3%) and the current alcohol drinking rate was 29.4%(male: 34.0%, female: 25.4%). The experience rate of sedatives and stimulants was 4.0%(male: 4.7%, female: 4.4%) and 12.1%(male: 7.0%, female: 16.6%), respectively. The experience rate of glue, butane gas and other volatile solvents was 1.3%(male: 2.5%, female: 0.4%), 0.8%(male: 2.0%, female: 0.2%) and 1.0%(male: 1.4%, female: 0.6%), respectively. Current alcohol drinking as well as smoking was increased with age, higher in males than females, higher in vocational high school students than general high school students. The experience rate of stimulants was higher in females than males but the experience rate of inhalants(glue, butane gas, organic solvents) was higher in males than females. The younger the age of the study subject, the earlier the starting age of smoking and alcohol drinking. Smoking, alcohol and other drug use status was highly associated with one another.

Conclusion : The most commonly used drugs by the study subjects were alcohol, cigarettes, stimulants, sedatives and inhalants in this order. Higher experience rate was seen in vocational high school students than general high school students.

Background
: The increase of smoking prevalence in adolescents is serious problem because of physical and psychological influences furthermore, fixation of smoking habit. This study is aimed at providing applicable basic information to setting up the education programs and strategies to prevent smoking among high school students by analysis smoking behavior an its related factors.

Methods : 835 students from one senior high school in Taegu completed a self administerd questionnaire during school hours in May, 1996. 813 questionnaires with adequate responses were analyzed using SPSS/PC program. All students were asked class years, school satisfaction, school performance score, number of their three best friends who smoke, smoking status of their fathers, religion, allowance, alcoholic drinks, addicting drug use, Zung's self-rating depression scale(SDS) and Zung's self-rating anxiety scale(SAS). Smokers were asked amount of smoking, motives for smoking, when they started smoking, Fagerstrom score.

Results : Of the 813 students in the sample 135(16.6%) were current smokers. About the amount of smoking, 59.3% smoked less than 5 cigarettes/day. About the motives of smoking, 34.8% started smoking through the solicitation by friends or for making friends. About when they started smoking, 52.6% started smoking before entrance into senior high school. The related factor with smoking included class years, school satisfaction, school performance score, number of three best friends who smoke, allowance, alcoholic drinking, addicting drug use, SDS. Predictors of smoking were number of three best friends who smoke, number of alcoholic drinking, and allowance. The related factors of nicotine dependency were amount of smoking, allowance, when they started smoking. Predictor of nicotine dependency were amount of smoking, number of three best friends who smoke.

Conclusion : The related factors with smoking included class years, school satisfaction, school performance score, number of three best friends who smoke, allowance, alcoholic drinking, addicting drug use, and SDS. Predictors of smoking were number of three best friends who smoke, number of alcoholic drinking, and allowance.

Background
: Obesity has been accepted as the risk factor of major chronic diseases in our society. And nutritional assessment is the important issue in respect to obesity evaluation. A self-administrated semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire of which validity is recognized is used in nutritional assessment. But the relationship between nutritional assessment resulted from the questionnaire and the obesity index has not been built until now, so we studied about this relationship.

Methods : Among 324 adults who had visited health screening center from June '95 to August '96, 270 adults were evaluated except who had any chronic disease such as diabetes mellitus, pulmonary tuberculosis, thyroid disease by screening data or low calorie diet for aimed weight loss or inadequate questionnaire. Nutritional intake was assessed by the self-administrated semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire. We evaluated the activity grade, obesity indices such as body mass index(BMI), waist to hip ratio(WHR), percent body fat using bioelectrial impedance fatness analyzer and serum total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglyceride. Then we examined the correlation between obesity indices and nutritional variables each other. We analyzed these results using Pearson's correlation coefficient.

Results : We evaluated for a group of 164 men and 106 women whose mean age was 43.9 years, mean BMI was 23.2kg/m², mean WHR was 0.85 and mean percent body fat was 21.2%. Correlation coefficient between calorie intake to recommended calorie ratio(ICRCR) and BMI was 0.13(P<0.05), WHR was 0.11(P≥0.05), and percent body fat was 0.07(P≥0.05). Fats intake to recommended fats ratio(IFRFR) and obesity indices didn't show the significant correlation between them. We could not find the significant correlation between cholesterol intake and serum total cholesterol, triglyceride but the significant negative correlation between cholesterol intake and serum HDL-cholesterol(r=-0.14) was found.

Conclusion : Only BMI among obesity indices and ICRCR showed low(r=0.13) correlation coefficient although it is significant. Our results show that obesity is the complex syndrome influenced by genetic, social, psychological, medical variables besides nutritional impacts.

Background
: It was known that physical illness and depression due to cognitive function defects increase in the elderly. This study was designed to evaluate the prevalence of depressive mood, associated factors and to help understanding recent trends of the depressive elderly.

Methods : We selected 108 subjects over 65-year-old who visited Health Promotion Center, Pundang CHA General Hospital for geriatric health evaluation from Mar. 1996 to Feb. 1997. We analyzed Geriatric Evaluation Record to know the effect of sociodemographic factors, life styles and geriatric medical factors by Geriatric Depression Scale(GDS).

Results : The result showed that depressive mood appeared 20(37.0%) in male, 35(64.8%) in female and 55(50.9%) in total among 108 subjects. Factors associated with deprssive mood of the elderly were occupation(p<0.05), regular exercise(p<0.001), nutritional status(p<0.05), functional status and alcohol drinking.

Conclusion : The prevalence of depressive mood of the elderly was 50.9%, and the depressive mood have been affected more for the elderly who was out of work, not doing regular exercises and got high nutritional risk. Further study is required to know other factors influencing on depressive mood of the elderly.

Background
: The improvement is social economic standard of living and aging bring high attention to osteoporosis in women. Many studies have been released so far about how effectively Hormone Replacement Therapy(HRT) in postmenopausal women works for the increase in Bone Mineral Density(BMD) in hip and vertebrae with the different rate of bone formation. In addition, it has been believed that HRT could increase BMD of hip and lumbar vertebrae reduce fractures caused by osteoporosis. In this study, we will find the effect of HRT on the increase in BMD of lumbar vertebrae and hip in postmenopausal women, by measuring and comparing BMD of lumbar vertebrae with high rate of trabecular bone to that of hip with high rate of cortical bone one year after HRT in postmenopausal women.

Methods : Subjects were 48 out of 325 postmenopausal women patients who visited osteoporosis clinic, Sun Hospital, Taejeon, from January, 1995 to December, 1995 and had the osteoporosis test and the vertebrae osteoporosis test one year after. We compared and analyzed the change of BMD in each part by retesting BMD of lumbar vertebrae and hip one year after the continuous HRT in women. SPSS/PC was used for statistical procedure.

Results : Subjects have mean age of 54.8±4.5 years, mean menopausal age of 48.4±3.5 years, mean postmenopause period of 6.5±5.9 years, mean body mass index 23.4±3.1kg/m², mean weight of 56.7±7.8kg and mean height of 154±5.5cm. No correlation was observed of their age, menopausal age, the number of years since menopause and body mass index to the changing rate of BMD in lumbar vertebrae and femur one year after HRT in women. The BMD prior to treatment was, respectively, as follows ; L2-L4(0.8983±0.11g/cm²), Hip(neck, 0.7597±0.10g/cm² ; trochanter, 0.6259±0.08g/cm² ; Ward's triangle, 0.5186±0.90g/cm²), and that one year after treatment ; L2-L4(0.9277±0.11g/cm²), Hip(neck 0.7592±0.00g/cm² ; trochanter, 0.6322±0.08g/cm² l Ward's triangle, 0.5340±0.09g/cm²). There was significant increase in BMD of lumbar vertebrae and femur Ward's triangle(P<0.01) among BMD of each part one year after HRT, but BMD of femur nexk and that of trochanter region has no significant increase.

Conclusion : It was found that one year treatment with HRT in postmenopausal women resulted in significant increase in BMD of not only lumbar vertebrae with lots of trabecular bone but also Ward's triangle regions of femur, regardless of age and postmenopausal period of postmenopausal women at the beginning of treatment. It is considered that HRT may be effective in preventing osteoporotic fractures of lumbar vertebrae and hip on postmenopausal women, and that postmenopausal period would not be an important factor in the beginning of HRT treatment.

Background
: The adverse health effects of welding come from chemical, physical, and radiation hazards. An outbreak of bronchitis was reported among welders at a manufacture factory in Pohang at Sep 1996. The object of this study is to assess the cause of the bronchitis in the welders.

Methods : Authors conducted a questionnaire survey for 12 welders in the factory and a family physician examined their health status. Authors also collected their routine health examination reports and air concentrations of their work environment at that time.

Results : The incidence rate of the bronchitis among welders was 91.7%(11 cases among 12 welders). The symptoms were developed at Feb 1996, 3 months after welding against steelplates. They were aggravated during worktime and relieved at weekend. The symptoms were cough(100.0%), sputum(90.9%), sore throat(72.7%), and general fatigue(72.7%). No abnormal findings were observed in the physical examinations and the radiologic findings. Though air concentrations of welding fume in the confined space(geometric mean=14.68mg/m³) were over the permissible exposure limit(5mg/m³), those in open space(geometric mean=3.66mg/m³) were below. The air concentrations of metal components(Mn, Pb, Zn, Cu, Fe, Ni) in the fume were within each of the permissible exposure limit.

Conclusion : Author thought that the outbreak of bronchitis was brought about by CO₂are welding against paint-free steelplates. Further studies on the factors contributing to the bronchitis will be needed.