Background: Many researchers have identified that adequate sleep duration is linked to the quality of life and metabolic diseases. Nowadays, it is hard to take enough sleep, so weekend catch-up sleep (CUS) may be an alternative option in modern society. To our knowledge, no previous studies reported the association between weekend CUS and metabolic syndrome, especially in the Korean population. Objective: We investigated the association between weekend CUS and the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in Korean adults (≥ 20 years old) with less than 6 hours of average weekday sleep. Patients and Methods: A total of 1,453 individuals were selected from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Weekend CUS was divided into four categories: ≤ 0 hour, 0– 1 hour, 1– 2 hours, and ≥ 2 hours. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were derived by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. Results: Participants with weekend CUS ≥ 1 hour had decreased risk of metabolic syndrome in univariate analysis (CUS 1– 2 hours: OR: 0.413, 95% CI: 0.301– 0.568; CUS ≥ 2 hours: OR: 0.382, 95% CI 0.296– 0.493). Weekend CUS 1– 2 hours reduced the risk of metabolic syndrome in multivariate logistic regression analysis (OR: 0.552, 95% CI: 0.369– 0.823). Based on the age group analysis, weekend CUS ≥ 1 hour reduced the metabolic syndrome among those aged 20– 39 and 40– 65 (20– 39: CUS 1– 2 hours OR: 0.248, 95% CI: 0.078– 0.783, CUS ≥ 2 hours OR: 0.374, 95% CI: 0.141– 0.991; 40– 65: CUS 1– 2 hours OR: 0.507, 95% CI 0.309– 0.832 CUS ≥ 2 hours OR: 0.638, 95% CI: 0.415– 0.981). Conclusion: Weekend CUS was associated with a low risk of metabolic syndrome among Korean adults with sleep restriction.

Few studies have shown the combined impact of sitting time and physical activity on quality of life in older people. This cross-sectional study, using data from the 2016–2018 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, examines the association between sitting time and physical activity and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in Korean adults aged ≥ 65 years. HRQoL was assessed using the EuroQol-5 Dimension (EQ-5D, three-level version). We divided subjects into groups based on sitting time and physical activity and analyzed the combined association of sitting time and physical activity with HRQoL. The association between longer sitting time (≥8 h) and HRQoL was analyzed using multiple logistic regression. In total, 4276 participants were included. Prolonged sitting time was associated with all of the EQ-5D dimensions: mobility (odds ratio [OR]: 1.43, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.22–1.68), self-care (OR: 1.65 [95% CI 1.25–2.17]), usual activities (OR: 2.07 [95% CI 1.69–2.52]), pain/discomfort (OR: 1.57 [95% CI 1.34–1.84]), and anxiety/depression (OR: 1.49 [95% CI 1.17–1.91]). The prolonged sitting time/inactive group had higher ORs for all the EQ-5D dimensions than the low sitting time/active group. Prolonged sitting time was associated with low HRQoL in elderly Korean adults; physical activity could weaken the negative influence of prolonged sitting time on HRQoL.

The prevalence of chronic kidney disease is increasing worldwide. Several studies have suggested that obesity is associated with early renal dysfunction. However, little is known about the relationship between obesity phenotypes and early renal function decline. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the relationship between obesity phenotypes and early renal function decline in adults without hypertension, dyslipidemia, and diabetes. We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of clinical and anthropometric data from 1,219 patients who underwent a routine health checkup in 2014. We excluded adults with cardiovascular disease, renal disease, diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, or low glomerular filtration rate (<60 mL/min/1.73 m2). Renal function was determined according to the estimated glomerular filtration rate calculated using the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration creatinine-cystatin C equation. Age, sex, body mass index, waist circumference, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein, and fasting glucose had an association with the estimated glomerular filtration rate. After adjusting for age, sex, smoking status, and alcohol intake, the odds ratios of the metabolically abnormal normal weight and metabolically abnormal obese phenotypes for the presence of low estimated glomerular filtration rates were 1.807 (95% confidence interval, 1.009- 3.236) and 1.834 (95% confidence interval, 1.162-2.895), compared with the metabolically healthy normal weight phenotype. However, the metabolically healthy obese phenotype did not show a significant association with early renal function decline. In this cross-sectional study, we confirmed the association between the metabolically abnormal normal weight and metabolically abnormal obese phenotypes and early kidney function decline in adults without hypertension, dyslipidemia, and diabetes.

Background: Caffeine, a widely consumed stimulant, affects sleep and mental health. Shift work disrupts the circadian rhythm and has been associated with various mental health issues, such as depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. Objective: This study explored the associations between caffeine consumption, sleep duration, and mental health outcomes, particularly suicidal ideation, among shift workers in Korea. Methods: Data from the 6th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2013, 2015), which comprised 4723 adults aged 19 and older, were analyzed. Participants were categorized into groups based on average daily coffee consumption and work patterns. Multiple logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine the impact of caffeine consumption and work patterns on mental health outcomes. Results: Participants worked longer hours, reported higher perceived stress levels, and slightly decreased sleep duration as daily coffee consumption increased. However, no significant differences were observed in depression or suicidal ideation across the coffee consumption groups. Logistic regression analysis indicated a trend towards higher suicidal ideation risk with increased coffee intake, particularly among those who consumed three or more cups per day (OR 5.67, 95% CI 1.82–17.59). Conclusion: This study suggests a complex relationship between caffeine consumption, work patterns, and mental health outcomes. Although caffeine intake is associated with increased work hours and stress, its impact on suicidal ideation is influenced by occupational factors.

Insulin resistance contributes to the development of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Smoking leads to an increase in triglyceride levels, which, in turn, increases insulin resistance. Although the number of e-cigarette users has increased in recent years, few studies have investigated the association between ecigarette use and insulin resistance. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the association between e-cigarette use and insulin resistance using the triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index in Korean adults. This study included 4,404 healthy adults aged ≥20 years who participated in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 2019 and 2020. Participants were categorized as never-smokers or ecigarette users, and the TyG index was categorized into low- and high-TyG index groups according to the median value (9.22). A logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the association between e-cigarette smoking and insulin resistance. E-cigarette users had a higher TyG index than never smokers (e-cigarette: mean=3.95; never: mean=9.18; P<0.001). The e-cigarette users had a higher risk of being in the high TyG index group than never-smokers (odds ratio [OR], 1.38; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03-1.84). In the subgroup analysis stratified by sex, age, and body mass index, a higher OR for a high TyG index was observed in men (OR, 1.46; 95% CI, 1.03-2.08) and individuals aged 60 years or older (OR, 3.74; 95% CI, 1.14-12.30). Our findings suggest that e-cigarette use is significantly associated with insulin resistance.

Gyu Lee Kim, M.D., Seung Hun Lee, M.D., Ph.D., Yun Jin Kim, M.D., Ph.D., Jeong Gyu Lee, M.D., Ph.D., Yu Hyeon Yi, M.D., Ph.D., Young Jin Tak, M.D., Ph.D., Young Jin Ra, M.D., Sang Yeoup Lee, M.D., Ph.D., Young Hye Cho, M.D., Ph.D., Eun Ju Park, M.D., Young In Lee, M.D., Jung In Choi, M.D., Sae Rom Lee, M.D., Ryuk Jun Kwon, M.D. and Soo Min Son, M.D.. J Hosp Palliat Care 2023;26:60-8. https://doi.org/10.14475/jhpc.2023.26.2.60