Elderly adults are the demographic most likely to utilize emergency medical services (EMS). This study aimed to examine the difference in EMS utilization in subgroups of the elderly population by assessing the predictors for using EMS.

Using both descriptive and logistic regression analyses, this study analyses data from the 2014 Korean Health Panel Survey (n = 3,175).

It was observed that certain predisposing factors such as age, sex, and marital status were significant predictors of EMS utilization. However, differences in EMS need do not fully account for the original differences observed between subgroups of elderly Koreans. While health status and disability were important predictors of elderly Koreans using EMS, place of residence did not account for subgroup differences. Nonetheless, place of residence remained particularly important predictors of EMS utilization for the elderly.

Emergency needs and resource availability are 2 main determinants for elderly Koreans using EMS. In addition, it was observed that the demographic subgroup profile of unmarried/divorced/separated/widowed men who were aged 75 and older was least likely to utilize EMS. Improving their resource availability to meet their EMS needs should be a top priority for national policy making to narrow elderly population subgroup differences.

This study was performed to test the association between lung function and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in Korean patients.

Data from the 6^th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2013 to 2015) was used in this study. There were 3,466 individuals aged between 40 and 80 years, with T2DM, who had a smoking and alcohol status listed, and blood analysis (including blood pressure), were included in this study. Lung function, measured by spirometer ventilatory dysfunction was categorized into 3 patterns: normal, restrictive ventilatory dysfunction, and obstructive ventilatory dysfunction (OVD).

Based on multivariate logistic regression analysis, individuals with restrictive ventilatory dysfunction had an increased odds ratio (OR 1.615, 95% CI 1.137–2.294) for T2DM compared with individuals with normal ventilatory function, whereas OVD had no increase in the odds ratio (OR 1.169, 95 % CI 0.857–1.594). Model 1, which adjusted for age and gender, showed that the probability of having restrictive disorder was 1.559 times (95% CI 1.617–2.082) higher for prediabetes patients, and 2.320 times (95% CI 1.611–3.343) higher for T2DM patients, compared to normal individuals. For Model 4, which was fully adjusted for variables, the probability of having a restrictive disorder was 1.837 times higher for T2DM patients (95% CI 1.260–2.679).

Restrictive ventilatory dysfunction, but not OVD, was associated independently with T2DM.