Comparison of prevalence of metabolic syndrome between korean emigrants and host country residents in Japan and china-the korean emigrant study

New Common and Rare Variants Influencing Metabolic Syndrome and Its Individual Components in a Korean Population

To identify novel loci for susceptibility to MetS, we conducted genome-wide association and exome wide association studies consisting of a discovery stage cohort (KARE, 1946 cases and 6427 controls), and a replication stage cohort (HEXA, 430 cases and 3,264 controls). For finding genetic variants for MetS, with its components, we performed multivariate analysis for common and rare associations, using a standard logistic regression analysis for MetS. From the discovery and replication GWA studies, we confirmed 21 genome-wide signals significantly associated with MetS. Of these 21, four were previously unreported to associate with any MetS components: rs765547 near LPL; rs3782889 in MYL2; and rs11065756 and rs10849915 in CCDC63. Using exome chip variants, gene-based analysis of rare variants revealed three genes, CETP, SH2B1, and ZFP2, in the discovery stage, among which only CETP was confirmed in the replication stage. Finally, CETP D442G (rs2303790) associated, as a less common variant, with decreased risk of MetS. In conclusion, we discovered a total of five new MetS-associated loci, and their overlap with other disease-related components, suggest roles in the various etiologies of MetS, and its possible preventive strategies.

Coffee Intake and Liver Enzyme Association in Korean Immigrants and Japanese: A Comprehensive Cross-Sectional Study

OBJECTIVES

Significant inverse association between coffee intake and the levels of liver enzymes has been reported. We demonstrated higher prevalence of metabolic syndrome in Korean immigrants (KIs) than in indigenous Japanese (IJs). The aim of this study was to investigate whether the association between coffee intake and liver enzyme levels was different between the 2 ethnic groups.

METHODS

This study is a cross-sectional study including a total of 966 subjects comprising KIs and IJs. The association between the quintiles of coffee intake and dichotomous values of liver enzymes was evaluated by logistic regression analysis in KIs, IJs, a high-risk group (current smokers or alcohol drinkers ≥45 g/day), and a low-risk group (non-smokers and alcohol drinkers <45 g/day).

RESULTS

In KIs, a significant inverse association between coffee intake and serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels was observed. In the IJs, a significant inverse association between coffee intake and serum alanine aminotransferase levels was observed. In the high-risk group, a significant inverse association between coffee intake and serum AST and gamma-glutamyltransferase levels was observed.

CONCLUSION

No difference was observed between KIs and IJs regarding the association between coffee and liver enzymes. Coffee might inhibit hepatic damage by alcohol drinking and smoking.

Is There Disparity in Cardiovascular Health Between Migrant Workers and Native Workers?

The purpose of this study was to identify the probability of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD) and its association with metabolic syndrome (MS) risk factors among middle-aged Korean Chinese (KC) migrant women workers compared to comparable native Korean (NK) women workers. Using matched samples based on the propensity score matching method, 10-year CVD risk was calculated and MS risk factors identified. Logistic regression and classification and regression tree (CART) analysis were conducted. The probability of KC migrants' 10-year CVD risk was significantly lower (6.4%) than NK women risk (7.8%, t = 1.99, p = .048). Blood pressure of 130/85 mmHg or higher was found to be a significant risk factor for 10-year CVD risk in both groups. The findings support existing knowledge about the healthy immigrant effect on CVD and MS risk factors. The findings could be the basis for occupational health professionals to pursue policy initiatives and public health and occupational health interventions to improve CVD outcomes among migrant women workers including KC migrants.