• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.1072-1082
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• 1997

Background : To characterize the clinical features and determine the prognostic factors of severe community-acquired pneumonia. This study is the first of its kind in Korea. Methods : Recruited were 40 patients diagnosed as severe community-acquired pneumonia in Hallym University Hospital from January 1, 1989 through July 31, 1996. Patients were analysed retrospectively for age, sex, underlying disease, respiration rate, hypoxemia, requirement of mechanical ventilation, involvement on chest radiograph, shock, and the serum concentration of BUN and albumin. All parameters were compared between survived and dead group. Results : Male to female ratio was 2.07 : 1. The mean age was $63.1{\pm}17.5$years(range 25~90years) with 65% of patients aged equal to or more than 60. The major underlying diseases were old pulmonary tuberculosis(12.5%), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(7.5%), bronchial asthma(5%), bronchiectasis(2.5%), and diabetes mellitus(22.5%). Microbiologic diagnosis was made in 26 out of 40 patients(65%). The most common causative organism was S. pneumoniae(17.5%, 7/40) followed by S. aureus(15.0%, 6/40), K. Pneumoniae(12.5%, 5/40), M. tuberculosis(7.5%, 3/40), H. influenzae(2.5%, 1/40), coagulase negative staphylococcus(2.5%, 1/40), P. aeruginosa(2.5%. 1/40), E. cloaceae(2.5%, 1/40), and E. coli(2.5%, 1/40). M. pneumoniae was detected in no patient. The most frequent drugs administered in single or combination therapy were aminoglycosides(75%, 30/40), second- and third-generation cephalosporin(40%, 16/40 and 27.5%, 11/40), macrolides(27.5%, 11/40), and amoxicillin/clavulanic acid(22.5%, 9/40). Of the 40 patients, 14 died of severe community-acquired pneumonia(37.5%). Among them, seven patients (50%) expired within 72h of hospital arrival. According to multivariate analysis, mortality was significantly associated with requirement of mechanical ventilation, bilateral pulmonary involvement, and serum albumins$\leq$3.0g/dl. Conclusion : An understanding of the clinical characteristics and prognostic factors in severe community-acquired pneumonia identified in this study will optimize therapeutic approach in this disease and help decreasing its notorious mortality rate.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.110-118
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• 2004

Objectives : Based on the changes of quality of life and pulmonary function test, we aimed to identify the effects and side-effects of Gamichuongsangboha-tang and in asthmatic patients. Methods : The subjects consisted of 30 patients with asthma who were treated with Gamichuongsangboha-tang extract for four weeks. Gamichuongsangboha-tang extract is the extracted powder form of the modified herbal decoction Chuongsangboha-whan, which has been used as the traditional therapeutic agent for asthma. Pulmonary function test (PFT) was checked before and after 4 weeks of treatment. Quality of Life QuestionnaireQ for Adult Korean Asthmatics (QLQAKA) was checked before and after 2 and 4 weeks of treatment. Unpleasant symptoms were checked in all patients at 2 weeks and 4 weeks from the beginning of treatment. Results : Treatment with Gamichuongsangboha-tang extract for four weeks resulted in significant increase in $FEV_{1.0}%$, PEFR%, and QLQAKA. The total efficacy rate of QLQAKA in the patient group was 53.3% after 4 weeks. The QLQAKA of the step 2, step 3, and step 4 groups (n=18, 55.6%) classified by global initiative for asthma (GINA) consistently increased, and significant improvement of QLQAKA occurred in the step3 group. In the step 4 group, FEV1.0%, and PEFR% were significantly increased. A total of 15 patients experienced unpleasant symptoms during the first 2 weeks of treatment, but these symptoms disappeared in all but 2 cases with no need of further treatment during the 2nd 2-week period. Conclusions : This study shows that Gamichuongsangboha-tang extract has effects on improvement of pulmonary function and quality of life, especially in persistent symptomatic asthmatics. Obviously further study concerning all these is still necessary.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.70 no.5
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• pp.416-422
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• 2011

Background: Inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs) are the most essential medication for asthma control. Many reports suggest that the usage of ICSs improves not only the control of asthma symptoms but also prevents exacerbation. We investigated whether increases in ICS prescriptions are associated with decreases in asthma exacerbation in the clinical practice setting. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the database of adult asthma patients who had visited a tertiary referral hospital, the Asan Medical Center between January 2000 and December 2009. The number of emergency department (ED) visits, admissions, intensive care unit (ICU) care, deaths, and ICS prescriptions were analyzed to evaluate the time trend of asthma exacerbation as a function of the ICS prescription rate during the ten years. Results: The numbers of ED visits, admissions, and episodes of ICU care decreased during the ten years (p<0.001, p=0.033, p=0.001, respectively) while the number of ICS prescriptions increased (p<0.001). We found a correlation between the number of ICS prescriptions and the number of ED visits, admissions, or ICU care. For these outcomes, the correlation coefficients were r=-0.952, p<0.001; r=-0.673, p=0.033; r=-0.948, p<0.001, respectively. Conclusion: The number of ICS prescriptions increased during the past ten years while the number of asthma exacerbations decreased. Our results also showed a negative correlation between the ICS prescription rate and asthma exacerbation in the clinical practice setting. In other words, an increase in ICS prescription may be a major cause of a decrease in asthma exacerbations.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.71-76
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• 2009

서론(Introduction) : 의학 시뮬레이션(medical simulation)은 교육생 학습과정에서 내재된 위험이 환자에게 가해짐 없이 교육생이 실제적인 환자 상황을 경험할 수 있게 하고 여러 다양한 임상내용이 포함한 상황에 적용될 수 있다. 시뮬레이션 기술의 사용은 의학교육(medical education), 인증서(certification), 면허교부(Licensure)와 의료의 질 형성에 큰 잠재력을 가지고 있다. 복강경 수술, 내시경검사, 전문심장구조술, 응급기도관리와 외상소생을 포함한 다양한 임상시술의 수행에서 시뮬레이션이 교육생의 술기를 달성하고, 측정하고, 유지하는 유효성을 증명하였다 컴퓨터로 조절되는 시뮬레이터는 맥박, 혈압, 호흡, 대화가 가능하고, 중증질환 또는 외상환자의 치료에 필요한 같은 인명구조 시술을 수행할 수 있다. 의학 시뮬레이션은 의사, 간호사, 응급구조사와 응급 진료를 필요로 하는 환자를 치료하는 사람에게 필요하다. 최신 전문심장구조술 과정수업은 전통적인 강의와 제한된 팀 상호작용이 포함된 이틀 과정이다. 우리는 비 영어권 국제 응급구조학생의 전문심장구조술 술기능력을 알아보고, 그것을 미국 응급구조학생과 비교하고자 한다. 목적(Objective) : 이 연구의 목적은 다양한 전문심장구조술 증례 시나리오를 가진 의학 시뮬레이터를 이용하여 미국과 한국의 응급구조 학생의 능력을 비교하는 것이다. 시행 장소(Site Location) : 이 연구는 한국 제주도에 위치한 제주한라대학 스토니브룩 응급의료교육원에서 진행되었다. 학생들의 평가는 스토니브룩에 위치한 스토니브룩 대학 의료원의 한 명의 평가자(Dr. lee)에 의해 수행되었다. 방법(Methods) : 15명의 한국 응급구조학생들은 세 팀으로 무작위로 선정하였다. 5명이 한 팀이 되어 같은 증례의 시나리오를 받았다. 세 가지 시나리오는 : 첫째, 천식지속상태(Status asthmaticus), 둘째, 긴장기흉을 동반한 만성폐쇄성폐질환(COPD with tension penumothorax) 그리고 마지막으로 메가코드(megacode)를 가진 심정지 이다. 세 팀을 각각 그리고 기본인명구조술(BLS)과 전문심장구조술(ACLS)과정을 마친 미국 응급구조학생들과 비교하였다. 15명의 미국 응급구조학생들 또한 세 팀으로 무작위로 선정하였다. 이 응급구조 학생들은 플러싱병원 의료원 소속으로 그곳에서 이 연구에 참여할 뿐만 아니라 지속적인 의학교육(CME)이수를 받았다. 이들에게도 같은 세 가지 증례의 시나리오가 주어졌고 Dr lee는 총 여섯 팀을 평가하였다(한국 세 팀과 미국 세팀). 결과(Results) : 양 국가의 모든 15명의 학생이 의학시뮬레이터를 사용하여 전문심장구조술 메가코드시험을 포함한 시험에 모두 통과하였다. 비록 학생들을 무작위로 세 팀으로 나누었지만 한 팀이 이 모든 세 증례에서 다른 팀보다 뛰어났다. 제주한라대학 2번 팀은 더 나은 기도관리, 리듬인식과 임상술기를 가진 모든 중요한 활동을 얻기에서 우수했다. 그들은 핵심요구사항을 90% 이상 충족시겼다. 한국의 2번팀(G2K)은 메가코드에서 기도개방, 호흡평가, 순환징후 그리고 흉부압박수와 같은 신체검진 술기에서도 탁월했다. 게다가 다른 팀과 비교 시 리듬인식, 약물지식과 임상술기에서도 높은 점수를 받았으며 2번팀(G2K)이 6팀 중에 가장 뛰어나게 역활수행을 하였다. 결론(Conclusion) : 이 비교 연구에서 한국학생과 미국학생간에 전문심장구조술 메가코드 시험의 통과율에는 차이가 없었다. 그러나 미국학생은 세 팀 사이에 더 적은 변이로 더 일괄된 점수를 받았다. 한국학생들도 모든 세 가지 증례를 통과하였지만 이 세 팀은 미국학생 팀보다 점수에서 더 큰 변이를 보였다.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.59 no.1
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• pp.23-29
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• 2005

Background : Chronic obstructive lung disease is characterized by smoke-related, gradually progressive, fixed airflow obstructions. However, some studies suggested that a reversible bronchial obstruction is common in chronic obstructive lung disease. Such reversibility persists despite the continued treatment with aerosolized bronchodilators and it appears to be related to the diminution in symptoms. The isolated volume response to a bronchodilator is defined as a remarkable increase in the FVC in response to the administration of a bronchodilator whereas the $FEV_1$ remains unchanged. This has been suggested in patients with severe emphysema. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the relationship between the response to a bronchodilator and the severity of an airflow obstruction in COPD patients using the GOLD classification. Methods : This study examined 124 patients with an airway obstruction. The patients underwent spirometry, and the severity of the airflow obstruction was classified by GOLD. The response groups were categorized by an improvement in the FVC or $FEV_1$ > 12%, and each group was analyzed. Results : Most subjects were men with a mean age of $65.9{\pm}8.5$ years. The mean smoking history was $41.26{\pm}20.1$ pack years. The isolated volume response group had relatively low $FEV_1$ and FVC values compared with the other groups. (p<0.001) Conclusion : In this study, an isolated volume response to a bronchodilator is a characteristic of a severe airway obstruction, which is observed in patient with a relatively poorer baseline lung function.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.190-200
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• 1996

Background : Mechanical ventilation constitutes the last therapeutic method for acute respiratory failure when oxygen therapy and medical treatment fail to improve the respiratory status of the patient. This invasive ventilation, classically administered by endotracheal intubation or by tracheostomy, is associated with significant mortality and morbidity. Consequently, any less invasive method able to avoid the use of endotracheal ventilation would appear to be useful in high risk patient. Over recent years, the efficacy of nasal mask ventilation has been demonstrated in the treatment of chronic restrictive respiratory failure, particularly in patients with neuromuscular diseases. More recently, this method has been successfully used in the treatment of acute respiratory failure due to parenchymal disease. Method : We assessed the efficacy of Bilevel positive airway pressure(BiPAP) in the treatment of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD). This study prospectively evaluated the clinical effectiveness of a treatment schedule with positive pressure ventilation via nasal mask(Respironics BiPAP device) in 22 patients with acute exacerbations of COPD. Eleven patients with acute exacerbations of COPD were treated with nasal pressure support ventilation delivered via a nasal ventilatory support system plus standard treatment for 3 consecutive days. An additional 11 control patients were treated only with standard treatment. The standard treatment consisted of medical and oxygen therapy. The nasal BiPAP was delivered by a pressure support ventilator in spontaneous timed mode and at an inspiratory positive airway pressure $6-8cmH_2O$ and an expiratory positive airway pressure $3-4cmH_2O$. Patients were evaluated with physical examination(respiratory rate), modified Borg scale and arterial blood gas before and after the acute therapeutic intervention. Results : Pretreatment and after 3 days of treatment, mean $PaO_2$ was 56.3mmHg and 79.1mmHg (p<0.05) in BiPAP group and 56.9mmHg and 70.2mmHg (p<0.05) in conventional treatment (CT) group and $PaCO_2$ was 63.9mmHg and 56.9mmHg (p<0.05) in BiPAP group and 53mmHg and 52.8mmHg in CT group respectively. pH was 7.36 and 7.41 (p<0.05) in BiPAP group and 7.37 and 7.38 in cr group respectively. Pretreatment and after treatment, mean respiratory rate was 28 and 23 beats/min in BiPAP group and 25 and 20 beats/min in CT group respectively. Borg scale was 7.6 and 4.7 in BiPAP group and 6.4 and 3.8 in CT group respectively. There were significant differences between the two groups in changes of mean $PaO_2$, $PaCO_2$ and pH respectively. Conclusion: We conclude that short-term nasal pressure-support ventilation delivered via nasal BiPAP in the treatment of acute exacerbation of COPD, is an efficient mode of assisted ventilation for improving blood gas values and dyspnea sensation and may reduce the need for endotracheal intubation with mechanical ventilation.