Yong Tak Lee
Sungkyunkwan University · Medicine
About the Lab
Professor Yong Tak Lee's research lab specializes in clinical and population-based studies focusing on the interplay between body composition, pulmonary function, and systemic inflammation in adult populations. The lab investigates sarcopenia, sarcopenic obesity, and underweight status as key determinants of respiratory health and metabolic syndrome, using large-scale health screening data from South Korea. Ultrasound imaging is also employed to evaluate musculoskeletal disorders, particularly adhesive capsulitis and gluteal tendinopathy, with a focus on diagnostic accuracy and treatment outcomes. The lab emphasizes translational research that bridges clinical diagnostics with public health implications.
Research Overview
Research Output Trend
Figures are computed from collected data and may differ slightly.
Selected Papers
15Previous studies have demonstrated that low skeletal muscle mass is related to decreased lung function in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. However, there is little information about the relationship between skeletal muscle mass and lung function in asymptomatic adults without clinically apparent lung disease.This was a cross-sectional study of 240,562 Korean adults without known lung disease. All subjects underwent both pulmonary function test (PFT) and bioelectrical impedanc
In contrast to obesity, studies on the relationship between underweight and pulmonary function are still sparse. Thus, the objective of this study was to investigate the effect of being underweight on pulmonary function in a general population without apparent lung disease. A total of 282,135 retrospective cohort subjects between January 2012 and December 2014 in Korea were included. Using multivariate-adjusted analysis, the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and pulmonary function were
Background: Ultrasound is an essential tool for diagnosing shoulder disorders. However, the role of ultrasound in assessing and diagnosing adhesive capsulitis has not been fully studied. Purpose: To evaluate the ultrasound features of adhesive capsulitis and estimate the correlations between clinical impairment and ultrasound parameters. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: A total of 61 patients with clinically diagnosed unilateral adhesive capsulitis were retrospectively r
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the association between high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and sarcopenic obesity, and to determine age or sex differences underlying the relationship between hs-CRP and sarcopenic obesity. DESIGN: Observational study. PARTICIPANTS: The study included 237 838 participants whose body composition and hs-CRP were analysed at the two health promotion centres in South Korea. Participants were divided into four groups based on body composition: normal, obesity only, s
Low-energy ESWT can be an effective treatment for pain relief in chronic GTPS with MRI-documented gluteal tendinopathy. However, its long-term effect appears to decrease with time.
Background and Objectives: The study aimed to establish the threshold values and prevalence of sarcopenia and to investigate the association of sarcopenia with metabolic syndrome in an urban Korean population. Materials and Methods: The study included 300,090 adults who underwent anthropometric analyses by bioelectrical impedance analyzer. Sarcopenia was defined as: (1) class I, skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) within −1 to −2 standard deviations (SDs); (2) or class II, <−2 SD of SMI in a young
The purpose of our study was to evaluate the role of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) in the differentiation of tendon-derived stem cells (TdSCs) under hyperglycemic conditions. In the in vivo experiment, rats were classified into diabetic (DM) and non-DM groups depending on the intraperitoneal streptozotocin (STZ) or saline injection. Twelve-week after STZ injection, the supraspinatus tendon was harvested and prepared for histological evaluation and real-time reverse transcription p
The harmful effects of excessive mechanical loading on diabetic neuropathy and the reason diabetic neuropathic symptoms are common in feet are unclear. In this study, the hind paw suspension treadmill exercise model was used in rats to investigate whether mechanical loading applied to the front paws precipitates neuropathic pain, especially in diabetic conditions. Thirty-two rats were divided into six groups according to the presence of diabetes (DM) and the intensity of mechanical loading appli
Background Diabetic neuropathy originating in distal lower extremities is associated with pain early in the disease course, overwhelming in the feet. However, the pathogenesis of diabetic neuropathy remains unclear. Macrophage migration inhibitory factor has been implicated in the onset of neuropathic pain and the development of diabetes. Objective of this study was to observe pain syndromes elicited in the footpad of diabetic neuropathy rat model and to assess the contributory role of migration
BACKGROUND: Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) has been used as a safe alternative treatment for refractory musculoskeletal diseases, such as plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinopathy and gluteal tendinopathy, and various forms of fibromatosis including palmar or penile fibromatosis. However, there is limited published data for clinical and sonographic features of plantar fibromatosis after ESWT. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the long-term clinical outcome of ESWT in ultrasonogr
Research Areas
Dive deeper into Yong Tak Lee's research on Nubint
Open this lab's papers in the app to read with AI, summarize, and cite in your writing.