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Moon-Doo Kim,
Joon-Hyuk Park, Chang-In Lee,
Na-Ri Kang,
Jae-Sung Ryu,
Bong-Hee Jeon,
Ki-Woong Kim,
Won-Myong Bahk,
Bo-Hyun Yoon,
Seunghee Won,
Jun Hwa Lee,
Duk-Soo Kim,
Seong-Chul Hong
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ABSTRACT: To investigate the prevalence of dementia and its correlates among people with poor socioeconomic status, poor social support systems, and poor performance on the Korean version of the Mini-Mental Status Exam (MMSE-KC).
We used 2006-2009 data of the National Early Dementia Detection Program (NEDDP) conducted on Jeju Island. This program included all residents >65 years old who were receiving financial assistance. We examined those who performed poorly (standard deviation from the norm of <-1.5) on the MMSE-KC administered as part of the NEDDP, using age-, gender-, and education-adjusted norms for Korean elders. A total of 1708 people were included in this category.
The prevalence of dementia in this group was 20.5%. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the following factors were statistically significantly associated with dementia: age of 80 or older, no education, nursing home residence, and depression.
The prevalence of dementia is very high among those with lower MMSE-KC scores, and significant correlates include older age, no education, living in a nursing home, and depression. Enhancing lifetime education to improve individuals' cognitive reserves by providing intellectually challenging activities, encouraging living at home rather than in a nursing home, and preventing and treating depression in its early phase could reduce the prevalence of dementia in this population.
Psychiatry investigation 06/2012; 9(2):134-42. · 0.99 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Subcortical ischemic lesions (SIL) are known to contribute to the pathogenesis of late life depression. The present study examined the influence of SIL on cognitive function and quality of life in elderly Koreans with major depressive disorder (MDD).
MDD patients (n=86) underwent CT scans and were classified as having SIL if they had a score of 2 or above on age-related white matter changes (ARWMC) scale. Demographic data, psychiatric, medical history, neuropsychological test, quality of life, and depressive symptomatology were compared between MDD patients with and without SIL.
SIL with grade 2 or above were found in deep white matter of 22 (25.6%) depressed patients and in basal ganglia of 9 (10.5%) depressed patients. Depressed patients with deep white matter lesions showed poor performance on MMSE-KC and decreased quality of life, particularly in physical function and physical role limitation, as compared to depressed patients without deep white matter lesions.
These data support that SIL may cause general cognitive dysfunction and poor physical health. More attention should be paid to detection and management of SIL in late life depression in clinical setting.
Journal of affective disorders 02/2012; 136(3):485-90. · 3.76 Impact Factor
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Bong-Hee Jeon,
Moon-Doo Kim,
Seong-Chul Hong,
Na-Ri Kim, Chang-In Lee,
Young-Sook Kwak,
Joon-Hyuk Park,
Jaehwan Chung,
Hanul Chong,
Eun-Kyung Jwa,
Min-Ho Bae,
Sanghee Kim,
Bora Yoo,
Jun-Hwa Lee,
Mi-Yeul Hyun,
Mi-Jeong Yang,
Duk-Soo Kim
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ABSTRACT: This study examined the prevalence and correlates of depressive symptoms in North Korean defectors who have been living in South Korea for more than one year.
We used questionnaires developed by the authors to collect sociodemographic data in addition to the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), the Psychosocial Well-being Index to measure stress, and a social support scale. A total of 367 subjects were included in this study.
The results showed that 30.5% of the men and 34.7% of the women reported depressive symptoms, and 33.1% of the men and 36.1% of the women exhibited signs of severe distress. Correlates of depressive symptoms were lack of occupation [odds ratio (OR)=2.198, 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.247-3.873], having escaped without family (OR=1.725, 95% CI, 1.006-2.959), and a poor subjective sense of health status (OR=3.111, 95% CI, 1.591-6.085).
Continuing vocational training and career management, psychological support programs, and intensive physical health services are needed to improve the mental health of this population.
Psychiatry investigation 09/2009; 6(3):122-30. · 0.99 Impact Factor
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Chul-Min Park,
Moon-Doo Kim,
Seong-Chul Hong,
Yeol Kim,
Mi-Youl Hyun,
Young-Sook Kwak, Chang-In Lee,
Min-Jeong Park,
Yun-Hee Jang,
Ji-Hyun Moon,
Eun-Mi Seok,
Young-Ja Song,
Hyeon Ju Kim
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ABSTRACT: Obesity is becoming prevalent in Korean children. Because body image is becoming increasingly important, it is likely that obesity-induced stress has a significant effect on childhood depression.
To examine the correlation between obesity-induced stress and depressive symptoms in Korean elementary school students.
The study participants were 2,305 elementary school children and their parents in the districts of Jeju-si, Seogwipo-si, Namjeju-gun and Bukjeju-gun on Jeju Island, Korea, who completed questionnaires involving demographic information, an obesity-induced stress scale and the Korean form of Kovacs' Children's Depression Inventory (CDI) from September to December 2006.
After controlling for significant independent variables that are wellknown correlates of depressive symptoms in children (e.g. age, gender, residence, family monthly income, obesity status of both parents, family history of chronic illness, and time spent with mother), obesity-induced stress had an odds ratio of 1.128 (95% CI 1.111-1.146).
Reducing the prevalence of depressive symptoms in elementary school children in Jeju Island will require special attention, particularly the development of coping strategies to resolve obesity-induced stress in various areas including school, family and society.
International Journal of Social Psychiatry 08/2009; 55(4):322-35. · 1.15 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Most studies on caregiver burden have been conducted in Western countries, while few studies on the correlates of caregiver burden have been performed in Korea.
To suggest better policies for the care of dementia patients by using a nationwide database to identify factors that affect caregiver burden in Korea.
The database of the Korean National Health Insurance (KNHI) and National Medical Aid (NMA) programs, which covers all Koreans, was used. A sample of 609 dementia patients and their caregivers was selected from a total of 85,281 dementia patients in 2004 and interviewed to evaluate the total cost of care and caregiver burden. Stepwise multiple linear regression analysis was then performed to identify significant independent predictors of caregiver burden.
Among caregiver-related factors, caregiver burden was higher in those who were female, had a history of home care during the previous year, and had less education. Among patient-related factors, poor ADL/IADL function was significant. The most interesting result was that subjective sense of socioeconomic status (good/fair/poor) was a stronger predictor of caregiver outcome than actual economic costs.
The results of this study suggest that interventions to assist patients with dementia should focus on female caregivers, especially those considered likely to be suffering from an economic burden. Interventions should also aim to improve the ADL and IADL capacities of patients.
Gerontology 12/2008; 55(1):106-13. · 2.78 Impact Factor
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Young-Sook Kwak, Chang-In Lee,
Seong-Chul Hong,
Young-Ja Song,
In-Cheol Kim,
Seok-Ho Moon,
Ji-Hyun Moon,
Eun-Mi Seok,
Yun-Hee Jang,
Min-Jeong Park,
Ju-Yeon Hong,
Yong-Beom Kim,
Sang-Hee Lee,
Hyeon Ju Kim,
Moon-Doo Kim
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ABSTRACT: We investigated the prevalence and correlates of depressive symptoms in elementary school children in Jeju Island, Korea. The study participants were 2305 children enrolled in elementary schools in Jeju-si, Seogwipo-si, Namjeju-gun, and Bukjeju-gun and their parents who completed questionnaires about sociodemographics, health habits, family relationship information, and the Korean form of the Kovac's children's depression inventory (CDI) in September to December 2005. Multiple logistic regression showed that higher age (OR = 1.259, 95% CI 1.098-1.445), short time spent developing a relationship with the mother (OR = 2.770, 95% CI 1.280-5.944), and a low level of body image satisfaction (OR = 3.397, 95% CI 1.823-6.330) were correlates of depressive symptoms in children. Our results suggest that the following are essential to prevent depressive symptoms in elementary school children in Jeju, Korea: advanced education and social activity programs at home, in school, and in the community to help children have a positive self-image, and much time spent building a relationship with the mother.
European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry 05/2008; 17(6):343-51. · 2.82 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: This study examined the prevalence of depression and depressive symptoms, and the correlates of depressive symptoms, and proposes some methods for reducing risk of depression in residents of the urban part of Jeju Island in Korea.
In all, 1050 residents were selected using multiphasic cluster sampling to represent each district. Of the 981 respondents, 413 were men and 568 were women. The Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) was used to evaluate depression (CES-D score over 25) and depressive symptoms (CES-D score over 21). Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed for comparisons.
The prevalence of depression in males and females was comparable, at 9.47 and 11.36%, respectively. The prevalence of depressive symptoms in men was 15.01%, while in women the level rose to 18.37%. Those with high self-assessed level of stress scores were significantly more likely to have depressive symptoms than those with low self-assessed level of stress scores (odds ratio (OR) = 5.73 (95% confidence interval (95% CI), 1.29-25.36)). Residents at high risk of problem drinking (CAGE score over 3) were significantly more likely to have depressive symptoms than those with a CAGE score under 1 (OR = 3.43 95% CI, 1.77-6.66). Respondents who slept poorly had more depressive symptoms than respondents who slept well (OR = 2.11 95% CI, 1.37-3.23). Females were significantly more likely to have more depressive symptoms than males (OR = 1.70 95% CI, 1.08-2.68).
The prevalence of depression and depressive symptoms in urban Jeju Island is similar to that in a nation-wide sample. By providing intensive mental health services to those who have high stress levels, problem drinking, and poor health behavior, early detection of depressive symptoms in the community will be important for improving general health status.
International Journal of Social Psychiatry 04/2007; 53(2):123-34. · 1.15 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study was to compare suicide mortality by region in South Korea.
Suicide mortality differentials were calculated for several mortality indicators by geographical regions from raw data of the cause of death from KNSO.
The results are as follows; the Crude suicide death rate was 22.63 per 100,000. The highest was in Kangwon showing 37.84% whereas, Chungnam, and Jeonbuk followed after. Suicide was 4.4% of all causes of death, but Inchon and Ulsan showed a higher proportion. The male suicide death rate was 31.12 per 100,000 and females 14.09. The ratio of gender suicide mortality was 2.21, per 100,000 and was the highest in Jeju. For age-specific suicide death rates, the rate increased as age advanced, showing 2.33 per 100,000 in 0-19 years, 18.68 in 20-39, 30.48 in 40-59,63.33 in 60 years and over. In Ulsan, Kangwon, and Inchon, age-specific suicide death rates of the 60 and over age group were higher than other regions, Daegu, Busan, and Kangwon showed a higher age-specific suicide mortality of the 40-59 age group, and Kangwon, Jeonnam, and Chungnam had a higher age-specific suicide mortality of the 20-39 age group.
Suicide mortality differed by region. These results can be used for a regional health care plan and planning for suicide prevention by regions.
Taehan Kanho Hakhoe chi 03/2007; 37(1):44-51.
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ABSTRACT: Few controlled studies have examined social class as a risk factor for suicide in Korea.
The objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of social class on suicide risk in Korea.
A case-control design was constructed from cause-of-death statistics for the period 1999 to 2001, in Korea, as published by the Korean National Statistical Office. The cases were defined as people aged between 20 and 64 who died by suicide, while the controls were defined as those who died of natural causes in the same age groups.
The proportions and odds ratios for suicide were higher in young people than in elderly people, and higher for divorced subjects than for cohabitants. They were also higher for residents of rural areas, as opposed to residents of Seoul and other metropolitan areas, and for people in social classes III and IV, than they were for those in social class I. To control the variables that influence risk of suicide, such as age, marital status and area of residence, we used multiple logistic regression. Compared with class I, risk of suicide was higher in social classes III and IV, in both sexes. The principal conclusion of this study is that, regardless of sex, lower social class constitutes a high risk for suicide in Korea, even after controlling for variables such as age, marital status and area of residence. We conclude that a well-controlled and balanced social welfare system could reduce suicide risk, especially among people in lower social class.
International Journal of Social Psychiatry 04/2006; 52(2):138-51. · 1.15 Impact Factor
