Background: The aim of this study is to examine whether oral hygiene and self‐care, particularly in periodontal health, are associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in the Korean population.Methods: Data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2010 to 2012 were used to assess the community periodontal index (CPI) of 5,878 participants (normal lung function: n = 5,181; obstructive spirometric pattern: n = 697) aged ≥40 years, who underwent spirometry.Results: Participants with COPD brushed their teeth less frequently and used the following less frequently: 1) dental floss and/or interdental brush; 2) mouthwash; and 3) electric toothbrush (P <0.001). Prevalence of periodontitis in patients with COPD (58.1%) was significantly higher than in those without COPD (34.0%, P <0.001). Number of teeth was significantly lower in patients with COPD compared with controls. Decayed‐missing‐filled tooth index was significantly lower in patients with COPD. This study shows risk of COPD by periodontal severity. Periodontitis (CPI 3 and 4) was associated in males with COPD after adjustment for: 1) age; 2) income; 3) education; 4) smoking; 5) alcohol consumption; 6) exercise; 7) body mass index; 8) toothbrushing frequency; 9) diabetes mellitus; and 10) number of teeth (CPI 3: relative risk [RR] = 1.38, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.12 to 2.05; CPI 4: RR = 1.23, 95% CI = 1.06 to 1.56).Conclusion: Findings of this cross‐sectional study suggest that COPD in males may be associated with severe periodontitis and indicates the importance of promoting dental care in patients with COPD.

Yoo Jeong Lee, M.D., M.S., Sun-Hyun Kim, M.D., Ph.D., Shin Hye Yoo, M.D., Ph.D., A-Sol Kim, M.D., Ph.D., Cheng-Pei Lin, R.N., Ph.D., FHEA., Diah Martina, M.D., Masanori Mori, M.D. and Sang-Yeon Suh, M.D., Ph.D.. J Hosp Palliat Care 2024;27:107-19. https://doi.org/10.14475/jhpc.2024.27.4.107

The purpose of the current study was to investigate the association between cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), measured by a simple step test, and the prevalence of metabolic syndrome among Korean adults, in a cross sectional design.

The present study aimed to investigate the mental health status in patients with asthma and assess the effects of asthma on suicidal ideation and attempts using a representative sample from Korea. Individual-level data were obtained from 228,744 participants (6372 with asthma and 222,372 without asthma) of the 2013 Korean Community Health Survey. Demographic characteristics, socioeconomic status, physical health status, and mental health status were compared between patients with asthma and population without asthma. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to investigate the independent effects of the asthma on suicidal ideation and attempts. A depressed mood for 2 or more continuous weeks was reported by 12.0% of subjects with asthma and 5.7% of controls (p < 0.001). Suicidal thoughts were reported by 21.4% of patients with asthma and 9.8% of controls (p < 0.001). Suicidal attempts were reported by 1.0% of the patients with asthma and 0.4% of controls (p < 0.001). Following adjustment for age, sex, income, education, job, marital status, smoking, alcohol, exercise, and presence of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, stroke, arthritis, and depression, the ORs for suicidal ideation with asthma were 1.53 (95% CI 1.42–1.65) and that for suicidal attempts was 1.32 (95% CI 1.01–1.73). We found that asthma increased the risk for suicidal ideation and attempts, even controlling for the effects of socioeconomic status, physical health status, comorbid chronic medical diseases, and depressive mood. Our finding suggests that asthma per se may be an independent risk factor for suicidality.

Lee SM, et al. J Korean Med Assoc. 2018 Aug;61(8):509-521. https://doi.org/10.5124/jkma.2018.61.8.509