Table 1. Demographic Characteristics of Korean Adults Aged ≥60 Years According to Tinnitus Status.
| Variables | Tinnitus (+) (n=1733) | Tinnitus (-) (n=4288) | p value | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Age (yr) | 70.13±0.19 | 69.00±0.14 | <0.001 | |
| Female | 1001 (56.1) | 2388 (54.5) | 0.329 | |
| BMI (kg/m2) | 24.14±0.09 | 24.27±0.05 | 0.214 | |
| Obesity* | 653 (37.2) | 1614 (37.8) | 0.680 | |
| TC (mg/dL) | 188.12±1.15 | 187.97±0.69 | 0.905 | |
| Triglyceride (mg/dL) | 139.36±2.46 | 139.82±1.97 | 0.875 | |
| HDL-C (mg/dL) | 48.33±0.33 | 48.45±0.21 | 0.754 | |
| LDL-C (mg/dL) | 109.34±2.44 | 110.89±1.61 | 0.602 | |
| TC/HDL-C ratio | 4.08±0.04 | 4.06±0.02 | 0.591 | |
| Diagnosis | ||||
| Hypertension | 928 (52.3) | 2130 (48.9) | 0.039 | |
| Diabetes | 354 (20.5) | 861 (19.2) | 0.341 | |
| Dyslipidemia | 619 (35.2) | 1,390 (32.5) | 0.086 | |
| Anemia† | 221 (12.6) | 474 (11.1) | 0.164 | |
| Current smoking | 187 (11.5) | 477 (11.8) | 0.625 | |
| Noise exposure‡ | 944 (56.3) | 2,005 (47.5) | <0.001 | |
| Stress cognition§ | 393 (22.7) | 750 (17.9) | <0.001 | |
| Depressive mood or anxiety¶ | 289 (15.8) | 486 (11.5) | <0.001 | |
BMI, body mass index; TC, total cholesterol; HDL-C, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol; LDL-C, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol.
Data were obtained from the 2016–2018 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. p-values were calculated using an independent t-test or chi-squared test. Continuous variables are expressed as the means and standard errors, whereas categorical variables are expressed as unweighted numbers and percentages.
*BMI of ≥25 kg/m2; †Hemoglobin level of <13 g/dL in male and <12 g/dL in female; ‡Defined as at a workplace for >3 months, at a place other than the workplace for >5 hours per week, or having been exposed to instantaneous loud noise, such as noise from firearms and explosions; §Defined as a reporting “a lot” or “very much” stress in daily life; ¶Defined as reporting “somewhat” or “very severe” symptoms of depression or anxiety.