• Title/Summary/Keyword: 동국

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Medical Costs between Dietary Supplement Users and Non-users Using the Korea Health Panel Data (한국의료패널 자료를 활용한 건강기능식품 섭취에 따른 의료비 지출 비교분석)

  • Hye-Young Kwon;Soohyun Oh
    • Health Policy and Management
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    • v.34 no.1
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    • pp.87-93
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    • 2024
  • Background: In recent years, studies have shown conflicting results regarding the benefits of dietary supplements in reducing healthcare expenditures. This study aimed to address this inconsistency by examining the association between supplement consumption and health expenditures using nationally representative data from the Korea Health Panel Survey (2019-2020). Methods: A 1:1 matched case-control dataset was established using propensity score matching technique based on supplement consumption. Then, total annual healthcare expenditures were compared between the two groups. In addition, a multivariate regression analysis (Proc Surveyreg) was performed to determine the association between the supplement consumption and medical costs. Results: The supplement user group spent about 1.72 million Korean won, while the non-user group spent about 1.43 million Korean won on medical services (p=0.0186). The results of multivariate regression showed that the costs were approximately 26.15% higher in the user group than in the non-user group (p=0.0004). Conclusion: Contrary to the previous studies that have shown the benefits of supplement use in reducing healthcare costs, this study showed that those who consistently consumed supplements spent more on medical services. This can be interpreted in the same context as previous studies suggesting that dietary supplement intake is a healthy behavior for managing one's health. However, we caution against drawing firm conclusions due to data limitations. Further analysis using patient-level epidemiologic data is needed.

A Study of Mac(脈)-Theory and Change of Mac(脈)-Diagnosis in Whang Di Nei Qing(黃帝內經) (황제내경(黃帝內經)의 맥(脈) 이론(理論)과 진맥법(診脈法)의 변화(變化)에 관(關)한 연구(硏究))

  • Ra, Kyoung-Chan;Park, Hyun Kook
    • The Journal of Dong Guk Oriental Medicine
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    • v.2 no.1
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    • pp.73-105
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    • 1993
  • To say nothing of the orient and the west, the human beings discover the method of Jin Mac(診脈) by the way that observe disease. But oriental medicine devise special method of Jin Mac(診脈) in the study of Kyoung Mac(經脈). Although sip-ei Kyoung Mac Jin(十二經脈診), Sam Bu Gu Who Jin(三部九候診), In Young Mac Gu Jin(人迎脈口診), Chon Kwan Chuck Jin(寸關尺診) namely Yuk Bu Jung Wee Jin Mac (六部定位診脈) that is used today are devised, it has changed naturally by the changing treatment and the introduction of Yuin Yang(陰陽) and five element(五行). Many methods dg Jin Mac(診脈), it had not developped successing alternative, it had developped of declined by it's own way. 1. Results for the birth of Mac(脈) 1) Mac(脈), it means Kyoung Mac(經脈), at first entirelly Mac(脈), is seized a blood vessel that flows in the body. As presumed today, after finding many acupunture point, a general idea of Mac(脈) is not maked by the line that connect point and point, it connect between acupunture point and acupunture point. 2) Like blood flows in Hyul Mac(血脈), Gie(氣) flows in Kyoung Mac(經脈). The two things relate deeply each other. In a general idea or actrally Kyoung Rak(經洛), the two things sometimes accord, sometimes seperate, sometimes mix alternative. 3) Hyul Mac(血脈) and Kyoung Mac(經脈), we call it Mac(脈) entirely Kyoung Mac(經脈), is a way that manifest disease through Kyoung Mac(經脈) or a boundary that disease belongs to it method of Mac Jin(脈診) individual that disease of Kyoung Mac(經脈) is diagnosed by the jumping situation of Hyul Mac(血脈). 4) In method of Moxa, athough the pathology and the diagnostic of Mac(脈) are created by finding Mac(脈). Finding acupunture have opportunitty fot Mac Jin(脈診) and treatment. 2. Results of Kyoung Mac Mac Jin(經脈脈診) 1) In theory of kyoung Rak(經洛), disease are resumed for malfunction of Young Wee(榮衛) that flows in Kyung Rak(經洛). So to speak, in treatment of Kyoung Rak area, the purpose of diagnosis observe the situation of disease and cause. For fitting the purpose of diagnosis, the dead had esatablised four-diagnosis method mangMunMnnJeul(望聞問切), in four-diagnosis(四診法), the core is Mac Jin(脈診). 2) sip-ei Kyoung Mac Mac Jin(十二經脈診) had existed as Kyoung Mac Mac Jin(經脈脈診), it precedes Sam Bu Gu Who Jin(三部九候診). In Young Ki Gu Mac(人迎脈口診). 3) Although Bu Yang Mac(趺陽脈), So Um Mac(少陰脈) is a part of Sip-ei Kyoung Mac(十二經脈診), they developped especially because they located in the point of Won Hyul(原穴) and they are convenient for diagnose. 4) Sip-ei Kyoung Mac Mac Jin(十二經脈診), which belongs to Bu Yang Mac(趺陽脈) and So Urn Mac(少陰脈), is not important for the comming age medical books compared with Mac Kyoung(脈經). 3. Results gor Sam Bu Gu Who Jin(三部九候診) 1) Mac Jin(脈診) of Sam Bu Gu Who(三部九候), which is noted in the theory of Sam Bu Gu Who(三部九候診) of So Mun(素問), belongs to Kyoung Mac Mac Jin's(經脈脈診) geneology, Sip-ei Kyoung Mac Mac Jin(十二經脈診) is arranged, simplicated by the idealogy three talents(三才思想) in the heaven and the earth. 2) What Sam Bu Gu Jin(三部九候診) is regardded as very important in So Mun(素問), the editor of So Mun(素問) recognize the meaning that one discover disease early in this method of diagnosis. 3) After Young chu(靈樞), Nan Kyoung(難經) it is lacked the method of Sam Bu Gu Who Jin(三部九候診) in the books that treatment has changed. Sam Bu Gu Who Jin(三部九候診) based on actually clinic appropriate. 4. results for In Young Mac Gu Jin(人迎脈口診) 1) In Young Mac Gu Jin(人迎脈口診) is the method of comparative Mac Jin(脈診) according to the theory of Yin Yang(陰陽), it is presumed after Sam Bu Gu Who Jin(三部九候診), it had perished in parallel with the development of the theory of five elelment(五行). The development of the acupunture, the perishment of the treatment of negative(刺絡). 2) In Young Mac Gu Jin(人迎脈口診), Wang Suk Wha(王叔和) recreated that the left is In Young(人迎), the right is Kie Gu(氣口). In future generations by Jin Mu Taek(陳無擇) who is the writer of Sam In Bang(三因方). In Young Mac Gu Jin(人迎脈口診) is a measure for disease which classify it's inside and outside cause. 5. Results for Chon Gu Mac Jin(寸口脈診) 1) What we say Mac Jin(脈診) of Chon Gu(寸口) two means are used in commn. First case, we simply say the area of Chon Gu(寸口), second case, we say Chon Kwan Chuk Jin(寸口尺診) reducingly. Chon Gu(寸口) is the area which is the radial artery of wrist joint. What we attemp diagnose by only Chon Gu Mac(寸口脈), it is clearly shoued in the method of Nan Kyoung, five Nan(難經五難). 2) Because Jin Mac(診脈) is made in only Chon Gu(寸口), that is the area in which is concentated Kyoung Kee(經氣). That is the birth of Jin Kee(眞氣) and Jin Kee(眞氣) is related with disease. We can diagnose disease by taking Chon Gu(寸口). 3) Chuk Jin(尺診) in Nae Kyoung(難經) have two things. One is Il Chuk(一尺), the other is Chon Kwan Chu(寸關尺). 4) Chuk Chon Jin(尺寸診) is the method which diagnose the difference of point and the condition of Mac(脈) by dividing a part of Chuk(尺) in the area of Chon Gu(寸口). In Chon Gu Jin(寸口診), by introducing the theory of Yin Yang(陰陽), the method of Chon Gu Jin(寸口診) is developed by chon Gu Jin(寸口診). 5) What Chuk Kwan Chon Jin(寸關尺診) is that area of the Chon Gu(寸口) are divided fot three point, we can diagnose. By consulting Sam Bu Gu Who Jin(三部九候診), developping of the method of acupunture, utilzing the theory of five element(五行) it is devised by concentrating way of thinking of the method mac Jin(脈診) exiting. 6) Chon Kwan Chuk Jin MaC(寸關尺診脈) begin from Nae Kyoung(內徑) exiting. After Nan Kyoung(內徑), spread out widely from Mac Kyoung(脈診) of Wang Suk wha(王叔和), the future medicins followed it. Yang Hyun Jo(楊玄操) and established Chon Kwan Chuk Jin(寸關尺診) which is used widely today. This right and left Chon Kwan Chuk Jin(寸關尺診), we call it method of Yuk Bu Jung Wee Jin Mac(六部定位診脈). 7) We can think the base which presume the arrangement of the viscera for Chon Kwan Chuk(寸關尺) of the right and the left. 8) The origin, which seperate the right and the left of Mac(脈), is showed at the treory of Ji Jin Yo Dae(至眞要大論) in So Mun(素問) which Chon Chuk(寸尺) seperate the right and the left. But the method of diagnosis in Nan Kyoung(難經) have no seperation the fight and the left. Otherwise this. there is clearly writtened the seperation for the right origin of the method of Yuk Bu Jung Wee Jin Mac(六部定位診脈) seek for Cang Gong(倉公). 9) Yang Hyun Jo(楊玄操) notice that the Chuk(尺) is mentioned for Sam Cho(三焦) in the method of Mac Kyuong(脈經), Sim Po Kyung(心包經) which put together with Sam Cho(三焦) allot on this, he had established the method of Yuk Bu Jung Wee Jin Mac(六部定位診脈). 10) On the method of Paen Jak Yin Yang Mac(扁鵲陰陽脈) in Mac Kyoung(脈經), equal article exist with the theory of Pyung In Kee Sang(平人氣象論) in So Mun(素問). When Wang Suk Wha(王叔和) write Mac Kyung(脈經), we can presume that the book of Mac(脈) which Paen Jak(扁鵲) had experienced the origin have exited besides So Mun(素問), Young Chu(靈樞). If so he must be make Chon Kwan Chuk Jin(寸關尺診) very fairly standard. So Nae Kyoung(內經), which must be fllowed the method of Paen Jak Mac(扁鵲脈), do the method diagnosis of Chon Kwan Chuk(寸關尺), diagnise of disease and treat.

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Phase Behaviors of the GAP/PTMG Polyurethanes Chain Extended with 3-Azidopropane-1,2-Diol (3-Azidopropane-1,2-diol로 쇄연장된 GAP/PTMG 폴리우레탄의 상거동)

  • Kim, Hyoung-Sug;You, Jong-Sung;Kweon, Jung-Ohk;Kim, Jung-Su;Lee, Tong-Sun;Noh, Si-Tae;Jang, Young-Ok;Kim, Dong-Kuk;Kwon, Sun-Kil
    • Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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    • v.21 no.4
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    • pp.377-384
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    • 2010
  • We perform a comparative study to investigate the properties of the new energetic chain extender (AzPD). A series of poly(glycidyl azide)/poly(tetramethylene oxide)-based energetic segmented polyurethane (GAP/PTMG ESPU) with different chain extender, which is 3-azidopropane-1,2-diol (AzPD), 1,4-butane diol (1,4-BD), or 1,5 pentane diol (1,5-PD), was synthesized by solution polymerization in dimethyl formamide (DMF) and their phase behaviors were investigated. The ESPUs were characterized with Fourier transform infrared-attenuated total reflection spectroscopy (ATR FT-IR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). The results of the ATR FT-IR analysis of the urethane carbonyl group region showed that the 'free' C=O fraction was higher in GAP/PTMG AzESPU (0.5) than GAP/PTMG BDESPU (0.44) and GAP/PTMG PDESPU (0.41) for 7 days samples after preparation and that it was similar in the range of 0.26~0.29 for three 60 days ESPU samples. DMA curves of the GAP/PTMG AzESPU for 7 days samples showed amorphous polymers, but GAP/PTMG BDESPU and GAP/PTMG PDESPU showed viscoelastic behaviors with rubbery plateau and the flow region. However, DMA curves of the GAP/PTMG AzESPU for 60 days samples showed viscoelastic behaviors with rubbery plateau and the flow region like GAP/PTMG PDESPU, but GAP/PTMG BDESPU did not show the flow region. From phase behaviors with ATR FT-IR, DSC and DMA analysis, GAP/PTMG AzESPU showed good phase-mixing between components. However, it represented viscoelastic behavior of TPE similar to GAP/PTMG PDESPM according to phase equilibrium progress with aging time.

Osteoporosis in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (만성폐쇄성폐질환에서의 골다공증에 관한 연구)

  • Kim, Seong-Ja;Lee, Young-Hyun
    • Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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    • v.47 no.1
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    • pp.90-96
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    • 1999
  • Background : Osteoporosis has been reported in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, but this association is not well established. This study was undertaken to determine whether the prevalence of osteoporosis was increased in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and we examined the relationship of corticosteroid administration with osteoporosis. Method: Subjects were 23 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and 20 control patients. We reviewed hospital records and measured bone mineral density using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry(Lunar. USA). Results: Mean bone mineral density(BMD) of spine in COPD group was $0.683{\pm}0.154 g/cm^2$ and $0.971{\pm}0.212g/cm^2$ in controls(p<0.01). But there was no significant difference in femoral neck BMD. There were seventeen cases of osteoporosis and six cases of osteopenia in COPD group and three patients of osteoporosis and one case of osteopenia in controls. But, there was no significant correlation between disease duration of COPD and spinal T score(r=-0.395, p>0.05). Ten patients were received corticosteroid in COPD group. Spinal T score in steroid receiving patients were $-3.82{\pm}0.94(SD)$ and $-2.82{\pm}0.97(SD)$ in not having steroid patients(p<0.01). Cumulative dose of corticosteroid was associated with spinal T score(r=-0.424, p<0.05) and duration of corticosteroid administration also associated with spinal T score(r=-0.457. p<0.05). Spinal BMD of patients not having corticosteroid in COPD group(n=13) were significantly lower than that of controls($0.71{\pm}0.13 g/cm^2$ and $0.97{\pm}0.21 g/cm^2$, p<0.01). Conclusion : Prevalence of osteoporosis is increased in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Especially patients who are receiving corticosteroid have high risk of osteoporosis or osteopenia and need for preventive management.

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The Difference between Clinical Manifestations and Feeding or Delivery Methods in Healthy Full-term Neonates and Those with Nosocomial Rotaviral Infection (수유 및 분만방법에 따른 신생아실 로타바이러스 원내감염의 증상 차이)

  • Lee, So Young;Kim, Hyun Ji;Kim, Mi Young;Kim, Won Duck;Lee, Dong Seok;Kim, Doo Kwun;Choi, Sung Min
    • Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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    • v.46 no.5
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    • pp.454-458
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    • 2003
  • Purpose : Rotavirus is the main cause of infantile diarrheal disease worldwide. The purpose of this study is to assess the difference between clinical manifestations and feeding or delivery methods in healthy full-term neonates and those with nosocomially-acquired rotaviral infection. Methods : The study was conducted on 348 babies who were delivered in Dongguk University Kyongju Hospital from Jan 1 to June 30 in 2001. Stool specimens were collected from clinically symptomatic neonates. We studied the rate of positive stool rotazyme ELISA tests and positive symptoms. We compared the frequency of clinical manifestations according to the feeding methods [breast feeding(BF) or formula feeding(FF)] and the delivery methods[normal vaginal delivery(NVD) or Cesarean section(C/sec)]. Results : Rotavirus was detected in 152 of 348 babies. The rate of positive rotazyme ELISA test was 43.7% in healthy full-term symptomatic neonates. The most common symptom of rotaviral enteritis was mild fever; the others were watery diarrhea, abdominal distension, vomiting, delayed weight gain, irritability, poor oral intake and dehydration. Compared with FF neonates, BF neonates have lower frequency of symptoms, especially watery diarrhea, delayed weight gain and poor oral intake. The symptomatic frequency was higher in FF and NVD neonates than BF and C/sec. Conclusion : The symptoms of rotaviral enteritis were less frequent in BF or C/sec delivered neonates. BF appeared to alleviate the rotaviral enteritis but further studies are needed. The cause of the lower frequency of symptoms in C/sec delivered neonates was unknown.

Predictive factors for severe infection among febrile infants younger than three months of age (발열을 주소로 내원한 3개월 미만의 영아에서 중증 감염의 예측 인자)

  • Cho, Eun-Young;Song, Hwa;Kim, Ae-Suk;Lee, Sun-Ju;Lee, Dong-Seok;Kim, Doo-Kwun;Choi, Sung-Min;Lee, Kwan;Park, Byoung-Chan
    • Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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    • v.52 no.8
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    • pp.898-903
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    • 2009
  • Purpose : This study investigated the predictive factors for identifying infection-prone febrile infants younger than three months. Methods : We conducted a retrospective study of 167 infants younger than three months with an axillary temperature >$38^{\circ}C$ who were hospitalized between 2006 and 2008. If they met any of the following criteria, positive blood culture, CSF WBC ${\geq}11/mm^3$ or positive CSF culture, urinalysis WBC ${\geq}6$/HPF and positive urine culture, WBC ${\geq}6$/HPF on microscopic stool examination or positive stool culture, they were considered at high risk for severe infection. Infants with focal infection, respiratory infection or antibiotic administration prior to admission to the hospital were excluded. We evaluated the symptoms, physical examination findings, laboratory data, and the clinical course between the high risk and low risk groups for severe infection. Results : The high-risk group included 77(46.1%) infants, and the most common diagnosis was urinary tract infection (51.9%). Factors, such as male sex, ESR and CRP were statistically different between the two groups. But, a multilinear regression analysis for severe infection showed that male and ESR factors are significant. Conclusion : We did not find the distinguishing symptoms and laboratory findings for identifying severe infection-prone febrile infants younger than three months. However, the high-risk group was male and ESR-dominated, and these can possibly be used as predictive factors for severe infection.

Chemical Saturation Breath-hold Fast MR Imaging for characterization of Regional Fatty Changes in Liver (화학적 포화 호흡정지 급속 자기공명영상에서 국소적 간지방병변의 특성화)

  • 김동국;유정식;김태훈;오세정;김지형
    • Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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    • v.1 no.1
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    • pp.135-141
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    • 1997
  • Purpose: To assess the usefulness of breath-hold fast MR imaging of liver with fat suppression (FS) by application of chemical saturation technique in the diagnosis of regional fatty changes suspected in sonography. Materials and Methods: Thirteen patients who had focal lesions with diffuse, homogeneous signal changes after FS through chemical saturation technique without additional changes of imaging parameter during MR imaging of liver were selected. T1-weighted fast low-angle shot and T2-weighted turbo spin-echo sequences were obtained with or without FS during each single breath-holding session. Subjective changes of signal intensity between the pre-FS and the FS images were compared with the sonographic findings in each lesion. Results: Seven lesions of decreased signal intensity after FS on T1 or T2-weighted images, including three lesions only at FS T1 images, were regarded as focal fat infiltration. All seven lesions had compatible sonographic findings as homogenously echogenic areas. Another six lesions of subjectively increased signal intensity including two lesions only at FS T2 images were regarded as focal fat sparing. All six lesions had sonographic findings as homogenous echo poor areas suggesting focal fat sparing. In cases regarded as fat infiltration, score changes were more prominent at FS T1 images than FS T2 images(p=0.0002). In cases regarded as fat sparing, score changes were more prominent at FS T2 images than FS T1 images(p=0.042). Conclusion: Breath-hold fast T1 and T2-weighted MR imaging with and without chemical saturation pre-pulse may be sufficient for characterization of regional fatty changes in the differential diagnosis of focal hepatic lesion found at sonography.

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Predisposing factors to nipple confusion (모유 수유에서 유두 혼란에 영향을 주는 인자)

  • Kim, Ji Hyun;Cha, Og Ryeon;Seo, Yu Kyung;Lee, Sun Ju;Cho, Sung Min;Park, Byung Chan
    • Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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    • v.51 no.4
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    • pp.362-366
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    • 2008
  • Purpose :The purpose of this study is to investigate the predisposing factors for nipple confusion by using questionnaires. Methods :From October, 2005 to October, 2006, we performed a survey on guardians of neonates who had been admitted to the nursery at Dongguk University Medical Center and were discharged 10 to 14 days before the survey. We reviewed their medical records retrospectively. The neonates were categorized into two groups; nipple-unconfused group and nipple-confused group. Results :There were 71 neonates in the nipple-unconfused group and 29 neonates in the nipple-confused group. In the nipple-confused group, 12 neonates (41.4%) had nipple-suckling experience before admission, whereas in the nipple-unconfused group, 54 neonates (76.1%) had nipple-suckling experience before admission; showing a difference that was statistically significant (P=0.001). Regarding to breast-feeding experience before admission, 11 neonates (37.9%) had experience in the nipple-confused group, whereas 49 neonates (69.0%) had in the nipple-unconfused group. This also showed a statistically significant difference (P=0.004). However, the relationship between the duration of breast-feeding prior to hospitalization was not different (P=0.151). Conclusion :In this study, we believe that the suckling experience and the breast-feeding of neonates before admission may be factors affecting the development of nipple confusion. This study particularly revealed that neonates who had only nipple suckling experience, regardless of breast-feeding, had less nipple confusion. Thus, allowing neonates enough time to make an attempt at nipple suckling may be helpful to prevent nipple confusion.

Evaluation of Quality of Life according to Temporomandibular Disorder Symptoms in Dental Hospital Worker (치과병원 종사자에서 측두하악관절장애 증상에 따른 삶의 질 평가)

  • Kim, Dong-Kook;Lim, Hyun-Dae;Lee, You-Mee
    • Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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    • v.37 no.1
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    • pp.61-72
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    • 2012
  • Temporomandibular disorder(TMD) is relatively prevalent disease, and quality of life may be impaired in TMD patients. Like general population, dental hospital workers are also exposed to the risk of TMD. But, many of them tend to overlook or tolerate their symptoms for lack of time and interest. Therefore, problems may become more serious, causing interference of performing task and decrease of quality of life. The aim of this study were to obtain data for TMD prevalence in dental hospital workers and to evaluate quality of life according to TMD symptoms. Subjects were recruited from Wonkwang University Dental Hospital. After consent, subjects completed quality of life questionnaire and were evaluated for subjective and objective signs and symptoms of TMD. Subjects were classified into 4 groups : (1) normal group (2) joint disorder group, (3) local myalgia group, and (4) myofascial pain group. The result of the study indicated that TMD negatively influences the quality of life in dental hospital worker. TMD symptoms can deteriorate quality of life in dental hospital worker. Future effort to make protocol for proper management is needed.

Influence of histologic chorioamnionitis and funisitis on the level of peripheral blood C-reactive protein at birth in preterm infants (조산아에서 조직학적 융모양막염 및 제대 혈관염이 출생 직후 말초 혈액 C-반응성 단백의 농도에 미치는 영향)

  • Kim, Do-Hyun;Lee, Heun Ji;Kim, Hee Sup;Yoo, Byoung Hoon
    • Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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    • v.53 no.1
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    • pp.33-40
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    • 2010
  • Purpose : The objective of this study is to determine the change of C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in the peripheral blood of preterm infants at birth according to the stage of intrauterine inflammation. Methods : A total of 187 infants (<32 weeks of gestation) were divided into a "no histologic chorioamnionitis" [HCAM (-), n=85] group and a "histologic chorioamnionitis" [HCAM (+), n=102] group according to placental pathologic findings. Furthermore, the HCAM (+) group was subdivided into a "funisitis" [F (+), n=49] group and a "no funisitis" [F (-), n=53] group and also into a "funisitis/amnionitis" [FA (+), n=58] group and an "isolated chorio-deciduitis" [FA (-), n=44] group. High-sensitivity CRP levels in the peripheral blood at birth were measured.Results : Peripheral blood CRP levels were significantly higher in the HCAM (+), F (+), F (-), and FA (+) groups than in the HCAM (-) group, but were not significantly different between the FA (-) and HCAM (-) groups. In addition, peripheral blood CRP levels were significantly higher in the F (+) and FA (+) groups than in the F (-) and FA (-) groups, respectively. For identification of amnionitis or funisitis, a cut-off value of 0.02 mg/dL was chosen. Clinical chorioamnionitis, proven early onset sepsis, histologic chorioamnionitis, and funisitis had higher incidences in infants with peripheral blood CRP levels higher than 0.02 mg/dL. Conclusion : The present study shows that peripheral blood CRP levels at birth in preterm infants born before 32 weeks' gestation is significantly increased in amnionitis or funisitis and might reflect the progress of histologic chorioamnionitis.