Background: One of the most frequently used medications for treating gastrointestinal disorders is proton pump inhibitor (PPI), which reportedly has potential adverse effects. Although the relationship between the use of PPIs and the risk of pancreatic cancer has been extensively investigated, the results remain inconsistent. Hence, this meta-analysis aimed to evaluate such relationship. Methods: We searched for literature and subsequently included 10 studies (seven case–control and three cohort studies; 948,782 individuals). The pooled odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for pancreatic cancer were estimated using a random-effects model. We also conducted sensitivity analysis and subgroup analysis. Results: The pooled OR of the meta-analysis was 1.698 (95% CI: 1.200–2.402, p = 0.003), with a substantial heterogeneity (I² = 98.75%, p < 0.001). Even when studies were excluded one by one, the pooled OR remained statistically significant. According to the stratified subgroup analyses, PPI use, and pancreatic cancer incidence were positively associated, regardless of the study design, quality of study, country, and PPI type. Conclusion: PPI use may be associated with the increased risk of pancreatic cancer. Hence, caution is needed when using PPIs among patients with a high risk of pancreatic cancer.

Background and Objectives: Recently, the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in Korea has increased rapidly. Current knowledge reflects the importance of dietary control in relation to the metabolic syndrome. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of skipping breakfast on the metabolic syndrome. Materials and Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study using data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2017 for the second year. A total of 3864 adults aged 20 to 64 were included in the study. We stratified the study population into three groups, based on breakfast patterns: the regular group, irregular group, and skipping group. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the association between skipping breakfast and the presence of metabolic syndrome. Results: We noted an increase in the proportion of metabolic syndrome cases as follows: skipping group (3.3%), irregular group (5.4%), and regular group (8.5%) (p < 0.001). The multivariate-adjusted odds ratios of metabolic syndrome in the skipping and irregular groups compared with the regular group were 0.68 (95% CI; 0.35 to 1.35) and 0.81 (95% CI; 0.51 to 1.28), respectively. In the 40–65-year-old age group, which had a high prevalence of metabolic syndrome, the multivariate-adjusted odds ratios of metabolic syndrome in the skipping group compared with regular group were 0.78 (95%CI, 0.39 to 1.62). Conclusions: There was no significant correlation between skipping breakfast and risk factors of metabolic syndrome (after adjusting for risk factors), but a tendency of skipping breakfast to lower the risk of metabolic syndrome was observed. A rationale for these results is proposed through the association between skipping breakfast and intermittent fasting.

Background: This study investigated the association between atherosclerosis and systemic inflammation markers, specifically the C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), in healthy middle-aged adults. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted on a total of 1264 Korean adults aged 40–65. We assessed these inflammatory markers and carotid metrics, such as carotid intima–media thickness (cIMT), plaque number (PN), plaque stenosis score (PSS), and plaque score (PS), using linear regression, logistic regression, and receiver operating characteristic analysis. Results: In males, the ESR and CRP were significantly correlated with the PN (p < 0.001 and p = 0.048, respectively). The ESR was correlated with the PN in females (p = 0.004). The NLR and PLR both correlated with the PS in males (p < 0.001 and p = 0.015, respectively) and females (p = 0.015 and p = 0.023, respectively). The odds ratio for the NLR as a risk factor for increased cIMT was 1.15 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03–2.15) for males and 1.05 (95% CI, 1.01–1.29) for females. The AUC for the NLR and PLR as a predictor for the PS showed significance in both men and women. Conclusions: Inflammatory markers, particularly the NLR and PLR, demonstrate a correlation with carotid atherosclerosis. Both the NLR and PLR hold potential as valuable surrogate markers for carotid atherosclerosis. To further substantiate their predictive efficacy, further prospective studies are needed.

This study aimed to determine whether nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is an independent risk factor for CVD and to identify the most useful NAFLD diagnostic tool for predicting CVD. Data from a total of 23,376 Korean adults without established CVD were analyzed. Cardiovascular risk was calculated using the Framingham Risk Score (FRS) 2008. The presence of NAFLD was defined as moderate-to-severe fatty liver disease diagnosed by ultrasonography. Scores for fatty liver were calculated using four NAFLD scoring systems (Fatty Liver Index, FLI; Hepatic Steatosis Index, HSI; Simple NAFLD Score, SNS; Comprehensive NAFLD Score, CNS), and were compared and analyzed according to cardiovascular risk group. Using the FRS, 67.4% of participants were considered to be at low risk of CVD, 21.5% at intermediate risk, and 11.1% at high risk. As the risk of CVD increased, both the prevalence of NAFLD and the score from each NAFLD scoring system increased significantly (p < 0.001). In the unadjusted analysis, the CNS had the strongest association with high CVD risk; in the adjusted analysis, the FLI score was most strongly associated with high CVD risk. Fatty liver is an important independent risk factor for CVD. Therefore, the available NAFLD scoring systems could be utilized to predict CVD.