Understanding mechanisms underlying smoking-related factors should be prioritized in establishing smoking prevention and cessation policy. The aim of this study was to identify factors significantly associated with smoking initiation and/or smoking cessation as well as the most important determinants of successful smoking cessation in a developed non-Western setting. Based on multiple logistic regression models, the odds ratios (ORs) for smoking initiation and cessation were estimated among males (N = 24,490) who had participated in the Health Examinees (HEXA) study. The Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to assess the association between selected predictors of smoking cessation and the likelihood of reaching this goal. Finally, Kaplan–Meier curves were constructed to illustrate the distribution of time from age at smoking initiation to age at smoking cessation. We found that the ORs for successfully quitting smoking increased with age, married status, educational achievement, having a non-manual job, drinking cessation and disease morbidity. Those exposed to secondhand smoking showed less likelihood of quitting smoking. A continual decrease in the ORs for successfully quitting smoking was observed according to increased smoking duration, smoking dose per day and lifetime tobacco exposure (p trend <0.001). Among the selected predictors, lifetime tobacco exposure, educational attainment, alcohol drinking status and birth cohort were the major determinants in the success of smoking cessation. Our findings suggest that lifetime tobacco exposure, educational attainment, alcohol drinking status and birth cohort can determine success in smoking cessation. Public interventions promoting a smoke-free environment are needed to reinforce discouraging the initiation of, reducing, and quitting cigarette smoking.

Background The incidence and mortality of gastric cancer have declined rapidly over the past few decades, but reverse trends in the young generation's differential between sexes in some races have been reported in recent years. To investigate whether this divergent trend can be observed in Korea, a country with the highest incidence in the world, age-and sex-specific incidence and mortality trends were evaluated. Methods Gastric cancer incidence data for the years 1999-2010 and mortality data for the years 1983-2012 were obtained from the Korea Central Cancer Registry and National Statistical Office. Annual percentage changes were calculated by age group (20-39, 40-54, 55-69, 70-79) using Joinpoint regression analysis. Furthermore, age-period-cohort analysis was evaluated. Results Overall age-standardized gastric cancer incidence in adults aged between 20 and 79 was declining at a nonsignificant average annual percentage change (AAPC) of -0.2 % in males and -0.4 % in females in Korea during 1999-2010. Mortality was steeper at a significant rate of -4.3 and -5.9 % in males and females, respectively. However, age-specific analysis revealed a flat (males 0.2 %, 95 % CI -0.5-0.6) or increasing incidence trend (females 1.7 %, 95 % CI 0.9-2.5) in the 40-54 age group. APC analysis confirmed the decreasing incidence and mortality trend mainly by the cohort effect. Conclusions The differential pattern between males and females in different age groups suggests a possible effect of detection by screening practice or a signal of the change in epidemiological factors in the incidence and mortality of gastric cancer that warrants further studies.

BackgroundTo investigate whether preeclampsia is independently associated with risk of future metabolic syndrome and whether any such primary associations are modified by different ages at first pregnancy.MethodsBased on the Health Examinees Study, a cross-sectional analysis was conducted. Data of women (n = 49 780) who had experienced at least 1 pregnancy during their lifetime and had never been diagnosed with any metabolic disorder before their pregnancy were analyzed using multiple logistic regression models. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated after adjusting for age, lifestyle characteristics, and reproductive factors. A stratified analysis was also conducted to estimate the extent of the primary association between preeclampsia and future metabolic syndrome by age at first pregnancy.ResultsWomen with a history of preeclampsia had significantly increased odds of developing metabolic syndrome (adjusted OR 1.23; 95% CI, 1.12–1.35), central obesity (adjusted OR 1.36; 95% CI, 1.25–1.47), elevated blood pressure (adjusted OR 1.53; 95% CI, 1.41–1.67), or elevated fasting glucose (adjusted OR 1.13; 95% CI, 1.03–1.25) in later life. In the stratified analysis, women who first became pregnant at ages >35 years and had preeclampsia were found to be at significantly increased likelihood of metabolic syndrome later in life (adjusted OR 4.38; 95% CI, 1.62–11.9).ConclusionsOur findings suggest that preeclampsia increases the risk of metabolic syndrome in later life, and late age at first pregnancy can further exacerbate this risk.