• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.120-128
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• 2017

Objectives : Although antipsychotics are commonly used to control symptoms of delirium, there is a lack of research on the prescription pattern and its clinical effects. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of antipsychotics prescription pattern on clinical course of delirious patients consulted to psychiatry. Methods : During the period from July 2016 to February 2017, 212 patients who were referred for delirium were reviewed for their medical records. The duration of delirium was monitored using CAM-ICU, and duration of admission, mortality, and delirium at discharge were reviewed. Clinical course was compared among three groups according to the antipsychotic drug administration pattern: Continuous use group, optimal use group and PRN use group. Results : The pattern of taking antipsychotic medication longer than duration of delirium did not associated with better clinical course compared with the pattern of adapting to the period of delirium and rather increased the risk of taking antipsychotic medication at discharge. When used for a shorter period than the delirium period, it was associated with poor clinical course. Conclusions : The results of this study suggest that a strategy to administer antipsychotics for a minimum period, according to periods of delirium, is appropriate. Also, efforts are needed to minimize the use of antipsychotic drugs after recovery from delirium.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.22-33
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• 1994

The author presented several points of experienced materials obtained from the joint meetings of consultation-liaison Psychiatric division with oncologic department in Kyung Hee University Hospital. The joint meetings which have been held regularly every other week were very helpful not only for the psychiatrist but also for the cancer department stags to manage the cancer patients actively. The joint meetings have been progressed into more cohesive and active communication as time goes by. Most of the subjects discussed in the meeting was focused on the psychological and behavioral problems of the cancer patients. Besides, the difficulties arising from the chemotherapy were discussed. Probably the most difficult task for the treatment team was to provide complete information while respecting the patient's right to deny their situation The liaison psychiatrist usually gave comments to the charge doctor and/or nusing staff how to evaluate the patient's behavior and what would be the influential factors in developing the doctor-patient relationship. It was found that many cancer patients and their family members had their own peculiar illness behavior and disease concept which led patients to take non-medical or moreover, anti-therapeutic care. The family members were found to play an influential role in the choice of treatment method and progression of the disease. Another role of the liaison psychiatrist in the oncology ward was to encourage the treatment team members. In the practical point of view, it was not easy for the liaison psychiatrist to have time regularly for the cancer patients to encourage the liaison activities. And it seems to be fundamental that the consultation fee for the liaison psychiatrist should be set up at the resonable level.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.151-157
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• 1997

The relationship of stress and psychopathology with subjective or objective tinnitus intensity was investigated in 43 patients with tinnitus. Global assessment of recent stress scale, Beck depression inventory and symptom checklist-90-revision were used to measure stress perception and psychopathology. Subjective tinnitus intensity was assessed by subjective tinnitus severity inventory, whereas objective tinnitus intensity was assessed by tinnitogram. Scores of perceived stress related to interpersonal relationship and sickness or min had significantly positive correlation with subjective tinnitus intensity. In psychopathology, scores of somatization, interpersonal sensitivity, depression, anxiety, phobia, paranoid ideation, psychoticism had significantly positive correlation with subjective tinnitus intensity. However, stress perception and psychopathology did not significantly correlate with objective tinnitus intensity. These findings suggest that tinnitus may be associated with stress perception and multiple psychopathology including anxiety and depression. Thus, it is emphasized that Psychosocial intervention as well as effective consultation-liasion activity is needed for evaluation and treatment of patients with tinnitus.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.88-97
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• 1994

A comparison was made between gastric cancer and gastritis patients regarding stress Perception and depression, using Global Assessment Recent Stress(GARS) scale and Beck Depression Inventory(BDI). 50% of gastric cancer patients and 38% of gastritis patients were found to be depressed on scores of BDI scale, respectively. There was no significant difference in scores of stress perception between both the groups. However, gastric cancer patients tended to be more depressed than gastritis patients, although the difference is statistically not significant. In the gastric cancer patients, severity of psychic distress showed significantly positive correlation with depression, whereas in the gastritis patients, severity of physical symptoms showed significantly positive correlation with depression. It suggested that depression of gastric cancer patients was more likely to be related to the extent of psychic distress than that of physical symptoms. In each of both the groups, female patients showed significantly higher stress perception than male patients, and age was found to have significantly negative correlation with stress perception. In conclusion, severity of pathology of the same organ was not related to extent of stress perception and of depression in which denial of gastric cancer patients might play a role. Thus, it is emphasized that psychosocial approach is more needed for gastric cancer patients than for gastritis patients.