• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.164-173
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• 2001

Objectives : Fatigue is a common symptom in primary medical care and has nonspecific and highly subjective features. So it has been difficult to define and measure fatigue, especially those present without any organic diseases. This study was conducted to evaluate the validity of the Fatigue severity scale(FSS) in patients with persistent fatigue who were free of any organic diseases or psychiatric disorders of depression or anxiety. Methods : Subjects consisted of 45 controls, 44 fatigued patients and 43 psychiatric patients with depression or anxiety. They all completed the fatigue severity, modified Bepsi stress, and Hospital anxiety and depression scales. Chalder fatigue scale was administrated randomly in 30 of them. Data were analyzed for reliability and validity of the FSS. Results: Cronbach's a coeffient of FSS was 0.929, and the Pearson correlation coefficient for test-retest was 0.916(p<0.01). ANCOVA for discriminant validity revealed that there were significant differences in mean FSS values among the three groups. The fatigue group had significantly higher FSS value than the other two groups. The psychiatric group also had significantly higher FSS value than the control group. The Pearson correlation coefficient for convergent validity by comparing FSS with Chalder fatigue scale was 0.782(p<0.01). Using FSS index 3.22 as the cut-off point, sensitivity was 84.1% and specificity was 85.7% for the fatigue and control groups, respectively. Conclusion : Results suggested the clinical application of the FSS to be a useful measurement for distinguishing fatigue between patients with physiologic fatigue and psychiatric patients with depression or anxiety.

• Anxiety and mood
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.9-17
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• 2020

Objective : The purpose of this study was to investigate the association of depressive/anxiety symptoms with psychosocial factors including ego resilience, social conflict, and social support as well as hemoglobin A1c in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). Methods : The subjects were 144 patients with DM. Depressive/anxiety symptoms were evaluated by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Sociodemographic factors, hemoglobin A1c, ego resilience, social conflict, and social support were measured. Multiple regression analyses were performed to examine the impact of hemoglobin A1c, ego resilience, social conflict, and social support on depressive/anxiety symptoms. Results : A total of 32.6% and 24.3% of participants were identified with depressive and anxiety symptoms, respectively. Depressive/anxiety symptoms positively correlated with the social conflict score. Conversely, ego resilience and social support negatively correlated with depressive/anxiety symptoms. In the final model of the multiple regression analyses, ego resilience was associated with a lower level of depressive (β=-0.083, p=0.019)/anxiety (β=-0.125, p=0.001) symptoms whereas social conflict was related to a higher level of depressive (β=0.353, p=0.011)/anxiety (β=0.460, p=0.003) symptoms. Also, hemoglobin A1c positively associated with anxiety symptoms (β=0.495, p=0.012) whereas social support negatively related to depressive symptoms (β=-0.464, p=0.004). Conclusion : We found possible risk and protective psychosocial factors of underlying depressive/anxiety symptoms among patients with DM. Our findings suggest that enhancing ego resilience and social support as well as decreasing social conflict would be crucial in the prevention and management of depressive/anxiety symptoms in patients with DM.

• Anxiety and mood
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.101-108
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• 2019

Objective : This study aimed to investigate the associations of anxiety symptoms with behavior and attention in elementary school children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Methods : A total of 195 elementary school children with ADHD participated in the study. The Korean Version of ADHD Rating Scale (K-ARS) and Behavior Assessment System for Children(BASC-2) were used to measure the children's behavior. Anxiety and attention was assessed with State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children (STAIC) and ADHD Diagnostic System (ADS), respectively. Children with ADHD were categorized to two groups of ADHD with low anxiety (ADHD-LA) and ADHD with high anxiety (ADHD-HA) according to the total STAIC scores. Scores on K-ARS, BASC-2 and ADS were compared between two groups of ADHD-LA and ADHD-HA. Results : The Scores on K-ARS total and both subscales in ADHD-HA group were significantly higher than ADHD-LA group. Scores on the BASC-2 subscales including hyperactivity, aggression, conduct problem, anxiety, depression, somatization, withdrawal, attention problems were also significantly higher in ADHD-HA group compared to ADHD-LA group. In contrary, scores on ADS subscales were not significantly different between the both groups. Conclusion : Our study identified that the anxiety accompanied with ADHD was associated with the negative behavioral aspect in children with ADHD. However, the performances on attention task were not affected by the anxiety comorbid with ADHD. Future studies to reveal underlying mechanism are needed for further understanding the association with anxiety and ADHD.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.146-156
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• 2016

Objectives : The aim of this study was to evaluate the associations between vasomotor symptoms and factors such as sociodemographics, health behaviors, medical condition, depression, stress, anxiety, attitude toward menopause, and quality of life. Methods : We conducted a cross-sectional study in peri- and post-menopausal women enrolled by the Korean Association of Health Promotion. Subjects submitted self-report questionnaires about vasomotor symptoms and other clinical symptoms. Associations between vasomotor symptoms and clinical variables were analyzed using stepwise multiple regression analyses. Results : 1951 women completed self-report questionnaires and 1022 women were enrolled in the study. The prevalence of vasomotor symptoms in peri- and post-menopausal women was 63.9%. Variables showing significant differences between subjects with vasomotor symptoms and subjects without them were score of Beck Depression Inventory, Brief Encounter Psychosocial Instrument-Korean Version, proportions of clinically significant depression(Beck Depression Inventory ${\geq}16$), Menopausal rating scale, attitude towards menopause, the 4 subscales of World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF(Physical health, psychological, social relationships, environment), and a History of Premenstrual syndrome/Premenstrual dysphoric disorder. Stepwise multiple regression analyses indicated that Beck Depression Inventory, Brief Encounter Psychosocial Instrument-Korean Version, Menopausal Rating Scale, and the Psychological subscale of World Health Organization Quality of Life -BREF show associations with vasomotor symptoms. Conclusions : Menopausal vasomotor symptoms are associated with various psychological factors, especially with depression. Midlife women suffering vasomotor symptoms should therefore be screened for depression. Future prospective studies where clinical subjects are diagnosed using structured interviews, focusing on the causal relationship between depression and vasomotor symptoms are necessary.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.20-28
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• 2020

Objectives : The aim of this study was to compare psychosocial characteristics of the functional gastrointestinal disorders FGID group, non-FGID group, and control group and determine factors affecting the QOL of patients with FGID. Methods : 135 patients diagnosed with FGID were selected. 79 adults had no observable symptoms of FGID (control group) and 88 adults showed symptoms of FGID (non-FGID group). Demographic factors were investigated. The Korean-Beck Depression Inventory-II, Korean-Beck Anxiety Inventory, Korean-Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, Patient Health Questionnaire-15 and WHO Quality of Life Assessment Instrument Brief Form were used to assess psychosocial factors. A one-way ANOVA was used to compare differences among groups. Pearson correlation test was performed to analyze the correlation of psychosocial factors and QOL of the FGID group. Further, a hierarchical regression analysis was conducted to determine factors affecting the QOL of the FGID group. Results : Between-group differences were not significant in demographic characteristics. Depression (F=48.75, p<0.001), anxiety (F=14.48, p<0.001), somatization (F=24.42, p<0.001) and childhood trauma (F=12.71, p<0.001) were significantly higher in FGID group than in other groups. Social support (F=39.95, p<0.001) and resilience (F=17.51, p<0.001) were significantly lower in FGID group than in other groups. Resilience (β=0.373, p<0.01) was the most important explanatory variable. The explained variance was 47.2%. Conclusions : Significantly more symptoms of depression, anxiety, childhood trauma, and somatization were observed for the FGID group. This group also had less social support, resilience, and quality of life than the non-FGID and control groups. The key factor for quality of life of the FGID group was resilience.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.25-29
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• 2015

Objectives: The pathophysiology of restless legs syndrome (RLS) has not been fully elucidated. Oxidative stress might play a role in the development of RLS and other antipsychotic-induced side effects such as tardive dyskinesia. In the present study, we investigated whether the glutathione S-transferase (GST) gene polymorphisms are associated with antipsychotic-induced RLS in schizophrenia. Methods: We assessed antipsychotic-induced RLS symptoms in 190 Korean schizophrenic patients using the diagnostic criteria of the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group. The GST-M1, GST-T1 and GST-P1 loci were analyzed using PCR-based methods. Results: We divided the subjects into 2 groups: those with RLS symptoms (n = 96) and those without RLS symptoms (n = 94). There were no significant differences in the distributions of the GST-M1 genotypes (${\chi}^2=3.56$, p = 0.059), GST-T1 (${\chi}^2=0.51$, p = 0.476) and GST-P1 (${\chi}^2=0.57$, p = 0.821) between the 2 groups. Comparison of the RLS score among genotypes of the GST-M1 (t = -1.54, p = 0.125), GST-T1 (t = -0.02, p = 0.985) and GST-P1 (F = 0.58, p = 0.560) revealed no significant difference. Conclusion: These data suggest that GST gene polymorphisms do not confer increased susceptibility to RLS symptoms in schizophrenic patients. Future studies are necessary to evaluate the possible influences of other candidate genes involved in the reactive oxygen species system.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.76-85
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• 2004

Objectives: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the emotional state and personality characteristics of patient with panic disorder. Methods: Twenty patients with panic disorder, 21 patients with somatoform disorder, and 20 normal healthy controls were studied. Korean version of Beck Depression Inventory(BDI), State and Trait Anxiety Inventory(STAI) and Korean standardized edition of Cattell's 16 Personality Factors Questionnaire(16-PF) were used for assessment. Statistically, One-way ANOVA with Scheffe test were used by SPSS/PC for windows. Results: 1) Total score of BDI was higher in the panic group than the somatoform group and normal control group(p<0.001). 2) Total score of state anxiety and trait anxiety in the panic group was higher than the somatoform group and normal control group(p<0.001). 3) In 16 PF, there were no definitely abnormal range of scores. But in first-stratum source traits of 16PF, the panic group was higher than the somatoform group and normal healthy group in O-factor (p<0.01) and Q4-factor(p<0.001). In second-stratum source traits of 16PF, the panic group was higher than the somatoform group in ANX-factor(p<0.05), but lower than normal control group in TOUfactor(p<0.05). 4) There were no differences in the panic subgroup according to sex and cutoff points of BDI score 16 and STAI-T score 54. 5) According to cutoff point of STAI-S score 52, the panic subgroup above 52 was higher than the panic subgroup under 52 in G-factor(p<0.001), Q3-factor(p<0.05) and SUP-factor(p<0.001), but lower in L-factor(p<0.05). Conclusion: These results suggest that emotional state of patients with panic disorder are depressive and anxious as compared with patients with somatoform disorder and normal controls. Patients with panic disorder did not show any abnormal personality characteristics but were more guilt-prone, anxious, emotionally sensitive. We propose that the understanding of panic patients' emotional state and personality characteristics will helpful to treat and manage in patient with panic disorder.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.143-150
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• 1997

This study was performed to evaluate the characteristics of smoking behavior and the effects of smoking on clinical symptoms and level of serum prolactin in schizophrenic patients. Methods : 76 male schizophrenic patients answered the questionnaire about the characteristics of smoking patterns. And patients were assessed by brief psychiatric rating scale(BPRS), positive and negative syndrome scle(PANSS), Hamilton rating scale for depression(HAM-D), assessment for involuntary movement scale(AIMS) and symptom checklist 90 R(SCL-90-R). Serum prolactin levels were measured by enzymeimmunoassay. Results: 1) The frequences of drinking coffee were significantly higher in smokers. The reasons for smoking were to relieve tension, to avoid boredom, due to habit and to do with friends. 80.1% of smokers tried quitting, but smoking was relapsed due to craving and withdrawal symptoms. 2) No significant difference was seen in mean neuropeltic doses, scores of PANSS and AIMS. But as for BPRS, scores of anxiety/depression subscale were significanly lower in smokers. Scores of HAM-D and scores of interpersonal sensitivity and phobia among SCL-90-R were significantly lower. 3) Levels of serum prolactin were significanlty lower in smokers. Conclusion : These findings suggest that in schisophrenia smoking relieves anxiety and depression subjectively But decreased prolactin levels may suggest that the possibility of increased dopamine in CNS.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.64-75
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• 1999

Objective：The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence and characteristics of comorbid disorders and associated symptoms in pervasive developmental disorder(PDD) and to examine the correlation between associated symptoms and developmental characteristics in PDD children. Method：The sample consisted of 209 cases of PDD and 143 cases of developmental language disorder(DLD)(control group) who were treated at the Seoul National Mental Hospital from Jan. 1996 to Mar. 1999. The diagnostic work based on DSM-IV criteria was performed by one or two child psychiatrists, while the clinical feature was evaluated by doctors’s notes, occupational/speech therapy reports, and results of social maturity scale(SMS), childhood autism rating scale(CARS), and psycho-educational profile(PEP). Two groups were compared on a wide range of measures including comorbid disorders, associated symptoms, treatment drugs, and PEP. The relation between associated symptom & PEP was investigated in total(106 cases) and in each dignostic group. Sixty-four cases of PDD were divided into three groups by CARS and then compared on associated symptoms. Result：The prevalence of comorbid disorder was 19.6% in PDD, 41.2% in DLD. The rate of manifestation of 13 associated symptoms was 31.47% in PDD, 22.13% in DLD on the average. Associated symptoms significantly high in PDD were preoccupation, obsession, self-mutilation, stereotypy, sleep problems, and odd response. In total patient group, associated symptoms that significantly influenced PEP were preoccupation, self-stimulation, stereotypy, inappropriate affect, sleep problems, and odd response. But, in each diagnostic group, no associated symptom influenced PEP. Associated symptoms significantly different between the 3 groups of CARS were stereotypy, anxiety, and sleep problems. Conclusion：These preliminary results suggest that developmental characteristics may influence associated symptoms in PDD children and a realistic approach considering minute diagnosis by associated symptoms and comorbid disorders is required.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.193-203
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• 2015

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to evaluate the clinical effects of ascending kidney water and descending heart fire pharmacopuncture treatment for hot flush and sweating. Methods : Ascending kidney water and descending heart fire pharmacopuncture is achieved by injecting pharmacopuncture on a specific acupoint to change from the state of water-fire disharmony to harmonious state. Hwangryunhaedok-tang (黃連解毒湯) pharmacopuncture is injected on both side Gyeonjeong (GB ₂₁ ), Pungji (GB ₂₀ ). Total 0.4 cc was injected by 0.1 cc each point. BUM (Bear’s gall bladder, ox bezoar and musk) pharmacopuncture is injected on both side Jeonjung (CV ₁₇ ), Jungwan (CV ₁₂ ), Gihae (CV ₆ ). Total 0.15 cc was injected by 0.05 cc each point. Treatment was done daily. The method of evaluation are Hot Flush Score (HFS), VAS and sweating areas. Results : In case 1, after treatment hot flush score was reduced from 24 to 4 points. VAS scale was reduced from 7 to 2. It took about two weeks for the symptoms to decrease by half. Associated symptoms almost did not stay at discharge. In case 2, after treatment hot flush score was reduced from 28 to 2 points. VAS scale was reduced from 10 to 3. And emotional symptoms were reduced about 70%. In case 3, after treatment hot flush score was reduced from 8 to 1 points. VAS scale was reduced from 6 to 1. And headache and chest discomfort symptoms have disappeared. Conclusions : Ascending kidney water and descending heart fire pharmacopuncture treatment is effective for improve ascending kidney water and descending heart fire energy. Therefore, it will be used to alleviate hot flush and sweating.