Korean J Med.  1998 Aug;55(2):209-220.

The Screening of Middle-aged and Geriatric Diseases for 2,021 Residents over 39 Years of Age in Hwasun County, Korea

• Park JW
• Kim BC
• Rheu D
• Nam MY
• Choi KC
• Kim SW
• Kim NH
• Kang YJ
• Kim WY

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
Middle-aged and geriatric diseases are becoming prevalent in developing countries and some industrialized nations. The present study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of middle-aged and geriatric diseases in Hwasun County, a rural area of Korea, and to examine the correlation between them and various clinical parameters.
METHODS
Population-based cross-sectional study by random cluster sampling of registered residents over 39 years of age was performed. Out of the 3,138 subjects scheduled for the survey, 2,021 residents (male 812, female 1,209) underwent the actual examinations (response rate:64.4%). We examined their weight, height, blood pressure, diet pattern, past and family history, alcohol-drinking and smoking history, and various laboratory parameters.
RESULTS
The mean body mass index (BMI) was 22.8+/-3.8. In BMI criteria, the crude prevalence of obesity was found to be 24.6% (grade I obesity; 22.9%, grade II obesity; 1.7%). We found the increasing hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hypercholesterolemia as BMI increased. Overall crude prevalence was 21.4% for hypertension defined as BP (blood pressure) > or =140/90 mmHg or subject on medication, and 16.1% for BP > or =160/100 mmHg or subject on medication. The crude prevalence of diabetes mellitus, hypercholesterolemia, alcoholic liver disease, ischemic heart disease diagnosed by electrocardiography were 6.2%, 6.0%, 4.4%, and 2.3%, respectively. These prevalence were found to be relatively lower than those of reported elsewhere in the world.
CONCLUSION
These data indicate that middle-aged and geriatric diseases in the rural area of korea are becoming prevalent, although they are less prevalent than in the urban area or advanced countries. We hope that the present study contributes to understand the prevalence of middle-aged and geriatric diseases in the rural area of Korea, and to prevent and control them adequately.

Keyword

Middle-aged Disease; Geriatric Disease; Prevalence; Body Mass Index; Hypertension

MeSH Terms

Blood Pressure
Body Mass Index
Cross-Sectional Studies
Developed Countries
Developing Countries
Diabetes Mellitus
Diet
Electrocardiography
Female
Hope
Humans
Hypercholesterolemia
Hypertension
Korea*
Liver Diseases, Alcoholic
Mass Screening*
Myocardial Ischemia
Obesity
Prevalence
Smoke
Smoking
Smoke