Korean Elderly Research Articles

Unmet Healthcare Needs among the Elderly Korean Population: Before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Unmet healthcare needs (UHN) are an important indicator in healthcare management and require sustainable healthcare systems. This cross-sectional descriptive study aimed to identify differences in UHN among the elderly Korean population before and during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Data (N = 3371) from the 8th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2019–2020), specifically focusing on adults aged 65 years and older, were analyzed. The overall prevalence of UHN decreased from 8.2% in 2019 to 7.6% in 2020, but there was no statistical significance (p > 0.05). The leading reasons for UHN were cost burden and mild symptoms in 2020 and cost burden in 2019 (p < 0.05). Compared to 2019, the cost burden in 2020 was lower in men than in women (odds ratio [OR] = 0.287, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.113–0.726, p < 0.05), and in the economically active group than in the non-economically active one as to mild symptoms (OR = 0.161, 95% CI: 0.054–0.478, p < 0.05) in multiple logistic regression analyses. In conclusion, these findings imply that sustainable healthcare policies and systems should be tailored to address the targeted population’s healthcare needs, even beyond the COVID-19 era.

Risk factors affecting hip fracture patterns in an elderly Korean patient population.

Hip fracture in the elderly patient population, particularly the Korean patient cohort, is one of the most serious complications of osteoporosis and currently increasing alongside age. In this study, we attempted to identify various factors that could either indicate the risk for an intertrochanteric or femoral neck fracture in an osteoporotic Korean hip fracture patient cohort ≥ 65 years old. A retrospective analysis of 168 patients was performed for those who underwent surgical treatment for either an intertrochanteric or femoral neck fracture at Daegu Catholic University Medical Center from January 2013 to December 2015. Inclusion criteria included patients who sustained a intertrochanteric or femoral neck fracture between the designated time frame, ≥65 years old, and of Korean ethnicity. Differences between the T-score and Z-score regarding bone mineral density (BMD) and the relationship between BMD and subtype of the fracture for the intertrochanteric (n = 92) and femoral neck fracture (n = 76) groups were obtained. Demographical factors (age, sex, weight, height, and body mass index [BMI]) were analyzed as potential risk factors for intertrochanteric or femoral neck fractures using software. Of the total 168 patients, mean weight and BMI values were found to be lower in the intertrochanteric fracture group (P = .033) compared to the femoral neck fracture group (P = .044). Additionally, Z-scores for the intertrochanteric fracture group were lower in the trochanter (P = .030), intertrochanteric (P = .029), and Ward's triangle (P = .029) regions. Regarding the intertrochanteric fracture group, the A3 subgroup showed lower T-scores of the trochanteric region than the A1 fracture subgroup (P = .010). In an elderly Korean hip patient cohort, lower body weight, BMI, and BMD Z-scores are correlated with a higher incidence of intertrochanteric fractures when compared to femoral neck hip fractures.

Distribution of Bioelectrical Impedance Vector Analysis and Phase Angle in Korean Elderly and Sarcopenia.

This study aimed to verify whether bioelectrical impedance vector analysis (BIVA) can support the clinical evaluation of sarcopenia in elderly individuals and evaluate the relationships between phase angle (PhA), physical performance, and muscle mass. The sample comprised 134 free-living elderly individuals of both sexes aged 69-91 years. Anthropometric parameters, grip strength, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry findings, bioimpedance analysis results, and physical performance were also measured. The impedance vector distributions were evaluated in elderly individuals using BIVA. BIVA revealed significant differences between the sarcopenia and non-sarcopenia groups (both sexes). The sarcopenia group had a significantly lower PhA than the non-sarcopenia group in both sexes (p < 0.05). PhA was significantly correlated with age, appendicular skeletal muscle (ASM), handgrip strength (HGS), and muscle quality in both sexes and significantly correlated with ASM/Height2 and physical performance in males. BIVA can be used as a field assessment method in elderly Koreans with sarcopenia. PhA is a good indicator of muscle strength, muscle quality, and physical performance in males. These methods can help diagnose sarcopenia in elderly individuals with reduced mobility.

Diabetes Mellitus in the Elderly Adults in Korea: Based on Data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2019 to 2020.

We evaluated the prevalence and management of diabetes mellitus (DM) in elderly Korean patients based on data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). A total of 3,068 adults aged 65 years and older (19.8% of total population) were analyzed using KNHANES from 2019 to 2020. Prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control rates, and comorbidities were analyzed. Lifestyle behaviors and energy intake were also measured. The prevalence of DM and prediabetes was 29.6% and 50.5%, respectively. The awareness, treatment and control rates were 76.4%, 73.3%, and 28.3%, respectively. The control rate was 77.0% if A1C <7.5% criteria was used. The mean A1C value of individuals with known DM was 7.1%, and 14.5% of the known DM patients had A1C ≥8.0%. Abdominal obesity, hypertension, and hypercholesterolemia were combined with DM in 63.9%, 71.7%, and 70.7%, respectively, and the rate of integrated management was 36.0% (A1C <7.5% criteria). A total of 40.1% of those with DM walked regularly. The percentage of energy intake from carbohydrates was higher in those with DM than in those without DM (P=0.044), while those of fat (P=0.003) and protein (P=0.025) were lower in those with DM than in those without DM in women. In 2019 to 2020, three of 10 adults aged 65 years and older in Korea had DM, and approximately 70% of them had comorbidities. A strategy for more individualized comprehensive care for the elderly patients with DM is urgently needed.

An Investigation into Pronunciation Problems of Korean Elderly Learners of English

An Investigation into Pronunciation Problems of Korean Elderly Learners of English

Association between Mild Cognitive Impairment and Gut Microbiota in Elderly Korean Patients.

Recent studies have confirmed that gut microbiota differs according to race or country in many diseases, including mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's disease. However, no study has analyzed the characteristics of Korean MCI patients. This study was performed to observe the association between gut microbiota and MCI in the Korean elderly and to identify potential markers for Korean MCI patients. For this purpose, we collected fecal samples from Korean subjects who were divided into an MCI group (n = 40) and control group (n = 40) for 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. Although no significant difference was observed in the overall microbial community profile, the relative abundance of several genera, including Bacteroides, Prevotella, and Akkermansia, showed significant differences between the two groups. In addition, the relative abundance of Prevotella was negatively correlated with that of Bacteroides (r = 0.733). This study may provide Korean-specific basic data for comparing the characteristics of the gut microbiota between Korean and non-Korean MCI patients.

Cancer Risk in Elderly Korean Patients with Neurodegenerative Disease and its relation to Type 2 Diabetes

Introduction: Some studies suggest that neurodegenerative diseases (NDs), cancer, and type 2 diabetes (T2D) are all related to protein misfolding and may be linked. This study aimed to determine whether these diseases are associated with each other. Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate the difference in cancer incidence according to the presence or absence of T2D in the ND group and the control group during the 10-year follow-up period. Methods: A population-based 10-year follow-up study was conducted using the Korean National Health Insurance Service Database between 2002 and 2015. The study population included the ND group (n = 9,292) and the control group (n = 46,742), who were aged 60 to 84 years. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to estimate multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) for cancer. Results: ND and/or T2D were newly diagnosed in both groups during the follow-up period. The newly diagnosed ND cases before cancer onset were 2,412 (26.0%) and 15,435 (33.0%) in the ND and control groups, respectively (p &lt; 0.01). The newly diagnosed T2D cases were 4,691 (50.5%) and 25,695 (55.0%) in the ND and control groups, respectively (p &lt; 0.01). At the end of the observation period, the number of cancer patients was 2,040 (22.0%) and 8,628 (18.5%) in the ND and control groups, respectively (p &lt; 0.01). The ND group was associated with an increased risk of cancer (HR = 1.25). In both groups, newly diagnosed ND and T2D showed an additive effect on cancer incidence during the follow-up period. Conclusion: This study showed that cancer incidence was positively associated with ND and T2D. These results show that ND, cancer, and T2D are related. More replication studies are needed to address the association between ND, cancer, and T2D.

P23-062-23 Association Between Dietary Inflammatory Index and Sarcopenic Obesity and Frailty in Korean Elderly: Using the Korean Frailty and Aging Cohort Study Data

P23-062-23 Association Between Dietary Inflammatory Index and Sarcopenic Obesity and Frailty in Korean Elderly: Using the Korean Frailty and Aging Cohort Study Data

P28-018-23 Selection of Checklist Items To Evaluate the Degree of Adherence to Dietary Guidelines for Korean Elderly

P28-018-23 Selection of Checklist Items To Evaluate the Degree of Adherence to Dietary Guidelines for Korean Elderly

Impact of Masticatory Discomfort on Daily Living Difficulties in Korean Elderly with Cognitive Decline

Impact of Masticatory Discomfort on Daily Living Difficulties in Korean Elderly with Cognitive Decline

Analysis of multiple chronic disease characteristics in middle-aged and elderly South Koreans by exercise habits based on association rules mining algorithm

BackgroundThe term, “multiple chronic diseases” (MCD), describes a patient with two or more chronic conditions simultaneously at the same time. Compared with general chronic diseases, it is linked to poorer health outcomes, more difficult clinical management, and higher medical expenses. Several existing MCD guidelines support a healthy lifestyle including regular physical activities but do not include specific exercise therapy recommendations. This study aimed to understand the prevalence and model of MCD in middle-aged and elderly South Koreans by comparing MCD characteristics with exercise habits, to provide a theoretical basis for the implementation of exercise therapy in these patients.MethodsThe data of 8477 participants aged > 45 years from the “2020 Korean Health Panel Survey” were used to analyze the current status of MCD in the middle-aged and elderly. The Chi-square test for categorical variables and the t-test for continuous variables. the used software was IBM SPSS Statistics 26.0 and IBM SPSS Modeler 18.0.ResultsIn this study, the morbidity rate of MCD was 39.1%. Those with MCD were more likely to be female (p < 0.001), seniors over 65 years of age (p < 0.001), with low education level, no regular exercise behavior (p < 0.01). Chronic renal failure (93.9%), depression (90.4%), and cerebrovascular disease (89.6%) were the top three diseases identified in patients with MCD. A total of 37 association rules were identified for the group of individuals who did not engage in regular exercise. This equated to 61% more than that of the regular exercise group, who showed only 23 association rules. In the extra association rules, cardiovascular diseases (150%), spondylosis (143%), and diabetes (125%) are the three chronic diseases with the highest frequency increase.ConclusionsAssociation rule analysis is effective in studying the relationship between various chronic diseases in patients with MCD. It also effectively helps with the identification of chronic diseases that are more sensitive to regular exercise behaviors. The findings from this study may be used to formulate more appropriate and scientific exercise therapy for patients with MCD.

#4964 ASSOCIATION OF DIETARY INTAKE WITH SERUM LEVELS OF PHOSPHORUS AND POTASSIUM IN THE ELDERLY HEMODIALYSIS PATIENTS IN KOREA

Abstract Background and Aims Dietary management of elderly (&amp;gt;60 years old) hemodialysis(HD) patients is very important for solving health problems and improving quality of life. Hyperphosphatemia and hyperkalemia in elderly HD patients are closely related to intake of dietary phosphorus and potassium from Koreans’ unique eating patterns. It is very difficult to manage the diet of hemodialysis patients due to the unique eating patterns of elderly Koreans. In the daily meal pattern, sodium and potassium contents are high in grain-based foods, soups, stews, and seasoned vegetables. And, there are various recipes for meals using a range of condiments, which increase serum phosphorus level. For this reason, it is necessary to educate dietary management using real-time Apps for the elderly in Korea. This study was designed to provide the base data for the development of a self-dietary management App for Korean elderly HD patients. Method This study was conducted on 237 elderly HD patients (149 males and 88 females) at nationwide 18 university hospitals. We collected anthropometric data, biochemical parameters, and dietary data of the subjects. Dietary data for usual intake were obtained by use of a food-frequency questionnaire (FFQ) consisting of 23 food meal items based on the Korean usual diets. For this dietary status evaluation, a newly constructed potassium and phosphorus content DB was used. Results The average age of the patients was 69.7± 11.6 years for men and 69.2±6.9 years for women and the duration of HD was 5.4 ± 4.9 years for men and 5.5±4.2 for women. The mean body mass index (BMI) was 23.24 ± 2.99 kg/m2, mean serum phosphorus level was 5.03 ± 9.59 mg/dl, and mean serum potassium level was 5.41 ± 8.58 mEqL. Hyperphosphatemia (&amp;gt; 4.5 mg/dl) was found in 45.8% of the subjects, and hyperkalemia(&amp;gt; 5.0 mEq/L) in 35.4%. Energy and protein were significantly lower than recommended intakes of HD patients(P = .027, P = .015). Lower intake of energy and protein was more significant in women. The intake of sodium and potassium was significantly higher than recommendation(P = .014, P = .021), which was more excessive in men. Serum phosphorus levels showed positive correlation with intake frequency of mixed grains rice (P = .011), noodle without broth(P = .000), vegetable soup(P = .039), and roasted beef(P = .047) in male patients. In case of female patients, intake of sweet potatoes was correlated with hyperphosphatemia (P = .047). Serum potassium levels showed a positive correlation with intake of Kimchi(P = .000), noodle without broth(P = .000), and ham(P = .018) in men. In women, sweet potatoes(P = .027) and medium-potassium fruits(P = .047) were correlated with serum potassium level. On the other hand, intake of white rice showed negative correlation with serum potassium levels(P = .037) in both sex. Conclusion Dietary management along with medical treatment is essential for maintaining serum phosphorus and potassium levels within acceptable ranges because the composition of the daily routine diet is very unique and varies in Korea. The results of this study showed that the intake of white rice rather than mixed grains is an important factor in sustaining normal serum phosphorus and potassium levels in the elderly Korean HD patients. In addition, limiting intake of sweet potatoes, medium and high potassium vegetables &amp; fruits to under three servings per week is recommended. Therefore, customized dietary management needs to be regulated according to each individual's dietary pattern for the Korean elderly HD patients. Major variables found in this study can be used in the development of new App for customized self-dietary management.

#3617 APPLICATION OF CKD EPI 2021 EQUATION FOR ESTIMATION OF GLOMERULAR FILTRATION RATE (EGFR) TO AN ELDERLY KOREAN COHORT TO PREDICT MORTALITY

Abstract Background and Aims A new eGFR equation using serum creatinine (CKD-EPI 2021) without race were developed by Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration in 2021. We projected the changes of eGFR and CKD prevalence in a prospective cohort of elderly Koreans, using current (MDRD equation and CKD-EPI 2009) and new equation (CKD-EPI 2021) Method This study was a part of the Korean Longitudinal Study on Health and Aging, which included a randomly selected, community-based, elderly population aged 65 years or more in a city of Korea, Seong-nam. The base line study was conducted from Sep. 2005 to Sep. 2006; the follow-up study, from May 2010 to March 2012, and the final survey about mortality and renal function, at Jan. 2023. Among 1,000 subjects originally included in the study, 984 subjects with baseline serum creatinine were included in this analysis. We compared the difference of eGFR and predictability of mortality and renal survival between values calculated by MDRD, CKD-EPI 2009, and CKD-EPI 2021. Serum creatinine was expressed as the IDMS-traceable creatinine. Results At baseline study, there were 436 males (44.3%). Age was 76.0 ± 9.1 years. Levels of eGFR at baseline study were 74.2 ± 21.4 ml/min/1.73 m2 by MDRD, 72.2 ± 16.9 ml/min/1.73 m2 by CKD-EPI2009, and 76.6 ± 17.3 ml/min/1.73 m2 by CKD-EPI2021. Values subtracted eGFRs by MDRD or CKD-EPI2009 from eGFR by CKD-EPEI2021 were 2.5 ± 10.1 ml/min/1.73 m2 and 4.5 ± 1.0 ml/min/1.73 m2, respectively. Between eGFRs by CKD-EPI2009 and CKD-EPI2021, the difference of eGFR was higher in females compared to males (p&amp;lt;0.001), was not different between subjects aged less than 75 years and more than 75 years (p = 0.139), and lowest in subject with &amp;lt;45 ml/min/1.73 m2 of eGFR by CKD-EPI2009 compared to subjects with other eGFR values (p&amp;lt;0.001). CKD stage was improved in 241 (24.5%) participants and was not changed in 743 (75.5%) using eGFR calculated by CKD-EPI2021 instead of CKD-EPI2009. Similar trend of eGFR difference between eGFRs calculated by MDRD and CKD-EPI2021. During 8.3 ± 6.2 years, 255 (25.9%) subjects were dead and 7 (0.7%) subjects had end stage renal disease (ESRD) before death. Any eGFR was an independent risk factors to mortality estimated by Cox's hazard proportional model adjusted by related factors. AUC to estimate survival by eGFRs was not different between eGFRs by CKD-EPI2021 and CKD-EPI2009 [0.662 (0.625-0.699) vs 0.658(0.620-0.695), p = 0.758], however, different between eGFRs by CKD-EPI2021 and MDRD [0.662 (0.625-0.699) vs 0584 (0.543-0.626), p&amp;lt;0.001]. AUC to estimate renal survival by eGFRs was not different between eGFRs by CKD-EPI2021 and CKD-EPI2009, also. Conclusion The eGFR calculated by CKD-EPI2021 showed higher value compared to eGFR calculated by CKD-EPI2009 or MDRD. The power to estimate mortality or renal survival was not different between eGFRs by CKD-EPI2021 and CKD-EPI2009.

Preliminary Study of the Physical Fitness Test for Screening of Cognitive Impairment in the Korean Elderly

This study aimed to evaluate the usefulness of physical fitness measurement for cognitive dysfunction screening in elderly Koreans. The subjects of the study were 88 elderly people (16 males and 72 females) aged 60 years or older who visited the Gyeonggi-do public health center and hospital associated with the neurology department of a university hospital in Gyeonggi-do, agreed with the purpose of this study, and wished to participate. Physical fitness measurement variables were isometric muscle strength, muscular endurance, flexibility, cardiorespiratory endurance, agility and dynamic balance, and coordination, and cognitive function tests performed using K-RBANS(Korean-Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status) and CDR(clinical dementia rating), which were dementia screening tools. As a data processing method, correlation analysis was conducted to analyze the correlation between physical fitness and cognitive function. By conducting Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis, the diagnostic accuracy and optimal cut-off of each physical fitness test for cognitive impairment were defined as CDR 0.5. As a result of the study, the F8WT, TUG(Time Up & Go Test ), and T-wall tests showed a large area under the curve (AUC) that defined cognitive impairment (TUG=.768, 95%CI=.650~.885; F8WT=.735, 95%). CI=.612~.857, T-wall=.682, 95% CI=.545~.819). The optimal cut-off for predicting cognitive impairment was 6.0 seconds in TUG (sensitivity = 73.2%, specificity = 73.1%), 26.3 seconds in F8WT (sensitivity = 71.4%, specificity = 73.1%), and T-wall. 94.5 seconds (sensitivity = 62.5%, specificity = 65.4%). The F8WT, TUG, and T-wall test were confirmed as accurate and convenient measurement methods for screening cognitive dysfunction in elderly Koreans. In addition, the availability for screening cognitive dysfunction in the elderly population with various levels of education was confirmed.

Effects of Exercise on Cognitive FunctionImprovement in South Korean Elderly: A Meta-Analysis

The purpose of this study was to conduct a meta-analysis and investigate the impact of exercise on cognitive function in elderly individuals in South Korea. To achieve this goal, academic journals published in South Korea between January 2012 and August 2022 were analyzed comprehensively. The study selected 34 final studies and used the CMA 2.0 for meta-analysis. First, the overall effect size of exercise intervention was found to be significantly large (ES = 1.138). Second, gender and age were not statistically significant to explain effect size of exercise intervention. Third, the study found that a 16-week intervention period had the greatest effect (ES = 2.700). Lastly, the effect size of exercise intervention increased with the passage of time (p=.008). In conclusion, the study found that exercise participation among elderly individuals had a positive impact on cognitive function improvement. The effect of exercise increased with the passage of time.

Association between Subjective Hearing Impairment and Cognitive Status among Korean Elderly.

The goal of this study was to investigate the impact of subjectively assessed hearing impairment on cognitive function in elderly Koreans living in the community. In the 2020 Survey of Living Conditions and Welfare Needs of Korean Older Persons Survey, 9920 subjects (5949 females; 60%) aged 65 or more years were examined. Using the Korean version of the Mini-Mental Status Examination (MMSE-KC), cognitive function was evaluated. To investigate the relationship between hearing impairment and cognitive status, multiple logistic regression analysis was performed with adjustment for multiple confounding variables (socioeconomic, health behavior, psychological factors, and functional status). There were 2297 participants in the hearing impairment group (23.2%) and 7623 subjects in the no-hearing impairment group. Cognitive impairment was significantly higher in the hearing impairment group (37.2%) compared to the no-hearing impairment group (27.5%). After adjusting for confounders, hearing impairment was significantly associated with an increased risk of cognitive decline (odds ratio [OR] 1.21; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.08-1.35) compared to no-hearing impairment group. Although a cross-cectional design of this study does not allow a causal reasoning, our findings show a significant association between the hearing loss of older adults and their cognitive impairment. Hearing impairment should be regarded as a risk factor for cognitive disorders.

Urinary Phthalate Metabolites and Slow Walking Speed in the Korean Elderly Environmental Panel II Study.

Previous epidemiological studies have suggested that phthalate exposure may contribute to neurocognitive and neurobehavioral disorders and decreased muscle strength and bone mass, all of which may be associated with reduced physical performance. Walking speed is a reliable assessment tool for measuring physical performance in adults age 60 y and older. We investigated associations between urinary phthalate metabolites and slowness of walking speed in community-dwelling adults ages 60-98 y. We analyzed 1,190 older adults [range, 60-98 y of age; , ] from the Korean Elderly Environmental Panel II study and measured repeatedly up to three times between 2012 and 2014. Phthalate exposure was estimated using the following phthalate metabolites in urine samples: mono-(2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl) phthalate (MEHHP), mono-(2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl) phthalate (MEOHP), mono-n-butyl phthalate (MnBP), mono-(2-ethyl-5-carboxypentyl) phthalate (MECPP), and mono-benzyl phthalate (MBzP). Slowness was defined as a walking speed of . We used logistic and linear regression models to evaluate the association between each urinary phthalate metabolite and slowness or walking-speed change. We also used Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) to examine overall mixture effects on walking speed. At enrollment, MBzP levels were associated with an increased odds of slowness [odds ratio (OR) per doubling increase: 1.15, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.02, 1.30; OR for the highest vs. lowest quartile: 2.20 (95% CI: 1.12, 4.35) with p-trend across ]. In longitudinal analyses, MEHHP levels showed an increased risk of slowness [OR per doubling increase: 1.15 (95% CI: 1.02, 1.29), OR for the highest vs. lowest quartile: 1.47 (95% CI: 1.04, 2.06), ]; whereas those with higher MnBP showed a reduced risk of slowness [OR per doubling increase: 0.84 (95% CI: 0.74, 0.96), OR in the highest (vs. lowest) quartile: 0.64 (95% CI: 0.47, 0.87), ]. For linear regression models, MBzP quartiles were associated with slower walking speed () at enrollment, whereas MEHHP quartiles were associated with slower walking speed, and MnBP quartiles were associated with faster walking speed in longitudinal analysis ( and , respectively). Further, the BKMR analysis revealed negative overall trends between the phthalate metabolite mixtures and walking speed and DEHP group (MEHHP, MEOHP, and MECPP) had the main effect of the overall mixture. Urinary concentrations of prevalent phthalates exhibited significant associations with slow walking speed in adults ages 60-98 y. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP10549.

Adherence to Antidepressants in Korean Elderly Patients with Major Depressive Disorder

Adherence to Antidepressants in Korean Elderly Patients with Major Depressive Disorder

Association Between Changes in Oral Health-Related Quality of Life and Depressive Symptoms in the Korean Elderly Population.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine the association between changes in oral health related quality of life (OHRQoL) and depressive symptoms in the elderly South Koreans. Methods: We used the 2018 and 2020 Korean Longitudinal Study of Ageing data. Our study population was a total of 3,604 participants aged over 65 in 2018. The independent variable of interest was the changes in the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index as OHRQoL between 2018 and 2020. The dependent variable was depressive symptoms in 2020. Multivariable logistic regression analyzed the associations between changes in OHRQoL and depressive symptoms. Results: Participants with improvement in OHRQoL over 2-year period were likely to have fewer depressive symptoms in 2020. Especially, changes in the oral pain and discomfort dimension score was associated with depressive symptoms. A decline in oral physical function, such as difficulty in chewing and speaking, was also associated with depressive symptoms. Conclusion: Negative change in OHRQoL is a risk factor for depression in elderly. This results suggest the importance of maintaining good oral health in later life, as a protective factor against depression.

Effect of a Single Multi-Vitamin and Mineral Supplement on Nutritional Intake in Korean Elderly: Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2018-2020.

Inadequate nutritional intake is common, especially among elderly individuals. Although micronutrient intake may help fill nutritional gaps, the effects of multi-vitamin and mineral supplements (MVMS) among the Korean elderly are not well known. Therefore, we investigated the nutrition-improving effects of a single MVMS. A total of 2478 people aged ≥65 years who participated in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Survey 2018-2020 were analyzed. Nutrient intake from food and supplements was measured using the 24 h recall method. We compared the nutritional intake and insufficiency between the food-only group (n = 2170) and the food and MVMS group (n = 308). We also evaluated the differences in inadequate nutritional intake after taking MVMS with food. The analysis included vitamins A and C, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, calcium, iron, and phosphorus. The proportion of insufficient intake ranged from 6.2% to 80.5% for men and from 21.2% to 82.4% for women, depending on the nutrients. Intake of MVMS with food was associated with lower rates of inadequacy (3.8-68.5% for men and 3.3-75.5% for women) compared to the food-only group. The results suggest that micronutrient deficiency frequently occurs in the Korean elderly population and can be improved by MVMS intake.