Background
: There is a widespread increase in the use of CAM by patients with rheumatic disease. This study was performed to identify the prevalence of CAM use and determining factors affecting CAM use by patients with rheumatic disease.

Methods : From October 23 to November 31 in 2003, face-to-face structured interviews were conducted in a rheumatology hospital in Seoul. A total of 182 patients with rheumatic disease, who visited the hospital, participated.

Results : CAM was used by 59.3% (95% CI=52.1∼66.2%) of the patients with rheumatic disease. The most common use of CAM was traditional Chinese medicine such as acupuncture and herbs. Demographic variables were not predictive for the use of CAM. As the duration of disease was longer, probability on CAM use was lower (odd ratio: 0.922, 95% CI=0.855∼0.994). CAM use on disabled people who registered were 4.623 (95% CI=1.105∼19.348) times higher than non-disabled.

Conclusion : CAM use is common in patients with rheumatic disease. The duration of disease and physical disability were the influencing factors for using CAM. These findings support a need for outcome studies on the effectiveness of CAM in rheumatic disease, as well as the improvement of providing patients with information on CAM usage.

Background
: Adolescence is an important period with respect to health promotion, because development of health behavior at this stage is the foundation of health in adults. Among the social factors, family factor which affects the primary social function can be the most fundamental. We investigated the effects of fathers' health behavior on the health behavior of their children during adolescence.

Methods : From June to August 1999, 300 adolescent students from middle schools and high schools of areas including four cities (Seoul, Incheon, Anyang, Gunpo) and their fathers were questioned about general characteristics and health behavior such as smoking, alcohol drinking, exercise, duration of sleep, body weight, height and eating habits for breakfast ('Alameda 7'). The relationship between fathers' health behavior and their adolescents' health behavior was analyzed by chi-squared test.

Results : Among 300 adolescents and their fathers, 211 pairs responded appropriately to the questionnaires. Adolescent's smoking was not associated with father's smoking. In drinking there was no significant association between fathers and adolescents, but in drinking amount, fathers' high drinking amount was significantly associated in all students, especially in females and high school students. Regular diet, exercise, sleep did not show significant association between father and adolescent. The proportion of obesity in adolescents whose fathers were obese was significantly greater compared to those whose fathers were not.

Conclusion : High drinking amount and obesity had a statistical significance of association between fathers and adolescents. When we consider adolescents' health behavior, their fathers' health behavior must be considered.

Background
: DHEA is the most abundant steroid hormone secreted from the adrenal cortex and has several roles such as increasing insulin sensitivity, lowering serum lipid, improving obesity, and anti-cancer effects. DHEA levels vary profoundly and levels decline as age increases. But the role of DHEA in the aging process is not yet fully understood. Total antioxidant status(TAS) which provides information of one's antioxidant capacity, also decreases with age. In this study, we investigated the relationship between TAS and serum DHEA-s concentration.

Methods : By reviewing the medical records of 197 healthy adults, we determined the serum levels of DHEA-s and TAS according to BMI, pulse pressure, WBC, hs-CRP, A/G ratio, LDL-cholesterol, triglyceride, ferritin, uric acid and total bilirubin. We studied the relationship between the parameters by Pearson correlation coefficients and multiple regression analysis.

Results : The mean level for TAS and serum DHEA-s was 1.20 mml/L and 177.3 ug/mL, respectively. Serum DHEA-s correlated positively with TAS (r=0.44) and negatively for age (r=-0.44). WBC, triglyceride and uric acid also showed statistically significant correlations. But, according to multiple regression analysis DHEA-s only correlated with TAS and age.

Conclusion : Serum DHEA-s correlates positively with TAS.

Background
: It is evident that obesity and other associated chronic diseases are increasing. Since 1998, periodic health examination has been taken in the first grade of high school in accordance with the law nationally and will be expanded to other grades. We evaluated the health status of this population and thought the problems and pitfalls of this program.

Methods : We took 983 students of the first grade of 3 high schools in Seongnam city from April to June 2002. We used the questionnaire and test results as the first line methods of evaluation. Phone counselling was used as the follow-up method. Chi-square test was the main analytic method.

Results : Impaired visual acuity and absence of hepatitis B viral antibody were shown in over 40% of this population. Obesity, anemia, hyperlipidemia, hypertension were followed as the next most popular problems. Though 7.9% of 983 students were to be examined again, only 53.8% of them were re-examined. 52.7% of the student who took re-examination was proved normal. 47% of the test students thought that they were not healthy. Over half of students had the problems of exercise and eating behavior.

Conclusion : We concluded that many students had the behavioral problems causing the chronic diseases. Medical prevention and education program is needed and medical faculties must participate in these programs. In periodic health examination various follow-up programs and screening-questionnaires on psychologic problems must be invented and applied for students.