• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.363-369
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• 2015

Chronic pain is one of the leading causes of hospital visits. It not only affects the patients themselves but also has a major negative impact on their families and society. In this study, we investigated epidemiology of musculoskeletal disorders induced chronic pain among general population based on Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey database and also analysed how it influenced on the use of medical services. This study was done by using the data of 5th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES V), taking aged 20 years and over adults as research subjects. The EuroQoL-5 Dimension Index(EQ-5D) was used as a survey instrument. T-test, chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression were used for statistical analysis. Subjects with chronic pain had a higher likelihood than control group to use medical services(odds ratio : 5.858, confidence interval 3.636-9.438). Controlling for existence of chronic pain, more women were likely to use medical services than men(1.156, 0.707-1.889). Age, gender and household income level did not affect the use of medical services. Proper control of chronic pain is very helpful in improving patient's quality of life and it also accounts for a large proportion in suppressing excessive consumption of medical services. Anesthesia and pain medicine specialists have superior knowledge about analgesics and anticonvulsants than other physicians do and also have specialized skills to perform procedures like nerve blocks in treating chronic pain. Therefore Anesthesia and pain medicine specialists need to play a leading role in managing chronic pain.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.157-165
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• 2016

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to examine whether or not Postural Yinyang Correction of TMJ(Temporomandibular joint) using Standard intraoral appliance could decrease chronic low back pain. Methods : We reviewed the medical records of 40 patients with TMJ disorder aged from 30 to 70 years from 124 patients who were treated in chronic low back pain at Department of Acupuncture & Moxibustion of Korean Medicine Hospital of Dong-Eui University from November $1^{st}$, 2015 to June $5^{th}$, 2016. The patients were divided into 2 groups: Group A and Group B. In Group A, we treated the patients with acupuncture, sweet bee venom treatment and FCST(Functional Cerebrospinal Therapy) through Standard intraoral appliance from ABA(Accurate Balancing Appliance), Full body exercise therapy, and Upper cervical alignment balance therapy. In Group B, we treated the patients with acupuncture and sweet bee venom treatment. To estimate the effectiveness in controlling pain, we analyzed the Visual analog scale(VAS). To evaluate functional change of patients, we analyzed the Oswestry low back disability questionnaire(ODI). Results : In both groups, VAS and ODI decreased significantly. In the VAS, the result of Group A is significantly more effective than that of Group B. In the ODI, the result of Group A is statistically less effective compared to that of Group B, but not significantly. Conclusions : According to the results, Postural Yinyang Correction of TMJ using Standard intraoral appliance may be effective treatment for low back pain, but the further researches are needed.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.27-36
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• 2002

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of graded low back exercise program with patient education about low back pain care on abdominal strength, endurance and flexibility of waist of chronic low back pain patents. For this study 13 patients aged 40 to 60 were selected as subjects, who suffered from low back pain and got diagnosed by physician. The exercise program and the education were executed for total 6 weeks, posture education were executed with physical exercises over first 1 to 4 weeks period and over 5 to 6 weeks the exercises were executed. The effect of the exercises and the education were evaluated through weights, WHR, fat(%), flexibility by sit-and-reach and trunk extension test, strength by sit-up test and back sit-up test. Weights were, decreased after physical exercise and education, but there was no statistical significance. Wasit hip ratio(WHR) and fat(%) were decreased after physical exercise and education, but there were no statistical significances. Sit-and-reach was significantly increased from $13.68{\pm}5.59cm$ to $19.45{\pm}3.81cm$ after education and physical exercise(P<0.05). Trunk extension was significantly increased from $30.31{\pm}11.34cm$ to $40.88{\pm}6.16cm$ after education and physical exercise(P<0.05). Sit-up and Back sit-up were increased after physical exercise and education, but there were no statistical significances. These results suggest that graded low back exercise program with patient education about low back pain care increase the abdominal strength, endurance and the flexibility of waist in low back pain patients.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.11 no.11
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• pp.4382-4394
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• 2010

The objective of this survey was to understand the effect of the subjective degree and pain of urinary incontinence on the quality of life of the middle-aged women with the subjective symptom of urinary incontinence. A questionnaire was carried out to investigate the quality of life in relation to urinary incontinence for 114 patients of chronic musculoskeletal system from Feb. to May in 2010. Overall, the subjects responded that their quality of life was medium(($61.36{\pm}13.2$score) and the pain related to urinary incontinence was low back pain. The degree of pain was between the moderate and a little severe in the VAS (Visual Analogue Scale) range of 4 to 7. It was also shown that the action of the subjects was affected by urinary incontinence in forms of avoidance limitation and psycosocial effect. Since the survey showed that the urinary incontinence and pain substantially affect the quality of life of the middle-aged women, the result may provide basic information in developing a practical intervention program.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.683-696
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• 2000

To examine the blood lipids, muscle strength and flexibility at low back, and muscle strength in the knee joint, 44 women, who were diagnosed as chronic low back pain patients and aged between 40 to 50 years old, were recruited as the subjects. The women were divided into two groups: 1) body fat content less than 25% and 2) body fat content more than 30%. The results were: 1) No differences were found between two groups in blood lipids status. 2) The total cholesterol were less 3.78% in the normal group than the obese group. 3) The HDL-cholesterol were higher 4.85% in the normal group than the obese group. 4) The TG were less 13.1% in the normal group than the obese group. 5) No differences were found between two groups in muscle strength and flexibility 6) No differences were found between two groups in the peak torque of knee joint 7) The total work of the knee joints were higher in the normal group than the obese(P<.05). 8) The abdominal strength were higher 34.04% in the normal group than the obese group. 9) The flexibility of low back were higher 44.54% in the normal group than the obese group.

• Clinical Pain
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.16-22
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• 2020

Objective: Recent studies have shown that repetitive peripheral magnetic stimulation (rPMS) reduces pain in various conditions. This pilot study aimed to investigate the effects of rPMS depending on the pain characteristics. Method: Adult patients aged 19~85 years evaluated at our institution between September 1, 2017 and February 28, 2018 for subacute to chronic musculoskeletal pain equivalent to a numeric rating scale of 3 or higher for at least one month were enrolled. Pain scores as determined using a numeric rating scale at baseline and at the end of treatment were set as the primary outcome. Additionally, we classified the pain into nociceptive, intermediate, or neuropathic pain using the PainDETECT questionnaire and compared the responsiveness to rPMS according to the type of pain. Results: The average pain scores significantly decreased after the 2-week rPMS treatment in all enrolled subjects (p<0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in pain reduction between groups divided by PainDETECT questionnaire. Conclusion: This study suggests that rPMS could safely relieve various types of pain.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.216-229
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• 2023

Background: The role of the sympathetic nervous system appears to be central in causing pain in complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). The stellate ganglion block (SGB) using additives with local anesthetics is an established treatment modality. However, literature is sparse in support of selective benefits of different additives for SGB. Hence, the authors aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of clonidine with methylprednisolone as additives to ropivacaine in the SGB for treatment of CRPS. Methods: A prospective randomized single blinded study (the investigator blinded to the study groups) was conducted among patients with CRPS-I of the upper limb, aged 18-70 years with American Society of Anaesthesiologists physical status I-III. Clonidine (15 ㎍) and methylprednisolone (40 mg) were compared as additives to 0.25% ropivacaine (5 mL) for SGB. After medical treatment for two weeks, patients in each of the two groups were given seven ultrasound guided SGBs on alternate days. Results: There was no significant difference between the two groups with respect to visual analogue scale score, edema, or overall patient satisfaction. After 1.5 months follow-up, however, the group that received methylprednisolone had better improvement in range of motion. No significant side effects were seen with either drug. Conclusions: The use of additives, both methylprednisolone and clonidine, is safe and effective for the SGB in CRPS. The significantly better improvement in joint mobility with methylprednisolone suggests that it should be considered promising as an additive to local anaesthetics when joint mobility is the concern.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.72-75
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• 2016

Lichen planus is a chronic disease characterized by bilateral and multiple lesions on the skin or oral mucosa. Lichen planus is caused by immune mediated degeneration along the border between epithelium and connective tissue. The incidence of oral squamous cell carcinoma in patients diagnosed with oral lichen planus (OLP) is reported to be between 0.4%-5.6% in different studies and the World Health Organization has categorized lichen planus as "a potentially malignant disorder". However, the correlation between OLP and oral cancer still remains controversial as some reported that the reason for increased incidence of squamous cell carcinoma in OLP patient is misdiagnosis of dysplastic lesion as OLP. This report aims to discuss the correlation between OLP and oral cancer through a case of middle aged woman diagnosed with OLP who was successfully treated but developed squamous cell carcinoma 8 years later.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.8
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• pp.3567-3570
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• 2014

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common cancers in men and the third most common cancer in woman in Thailand. This retrospective study was designed to assess the prevalence, clinical manifestations, treatment outcomes and prognosis of HCC in the central region of Thailand. Materials and Methods: The authors retrospectively reviewed all HCC patients aged more than 15 years old in Thammasat university hospital (TUH) during the period from January 2007 to December 2012. Clinical information, biochemical tests and radiologic findings were collected from review of medical records. Results: There were 308 patients with HCC, which accounted for the prevalence of 5.19% of all cancers diagnosed in TUH during the study period. Of these, 125 (40.5%) had complete information retrievable from their medical records and met the inclusion criteria, 99 (79.2%) were males. The mean age was 57.4 years. A quarter of HCC patients in this study presented without any symptom before diagnosis. The common clinical presentations in the remaining patients were hepatomegaly 64/125 (51.2%), abdominal pain 56/125 (44.8%) and ascites 16/125 (20.8%). Cirrhosis was seen in almost all patients (92.8%). The most common causes of HCC in this study were chronic hepatitis B (49.6%) and C (19.2%). Based on Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer staging, 75.4% presented at intermediate or late stage. Patients receiving curative therapy with either surgical treatment or radiofrequency ablation had significantly longer survival time after the HCC diagnosis than the palliative therapy group (11.0 months vs 4.0 months, p value= 0.004). The mean survival time after the HCC diagnosis was 10.5 months. Conclusions: The common causes of HCC in central region of Thailand were chronic hepatitis B and C. Surgical therapy or RFA seemed to provide better outcomes than other treatments but only in patients with early stage lesions. Most of the patients in this study presented with advanced diseases and had grave prognosis. Appropriate screening patients at risk for HCC might be an appropriate way to achieve early diagnosis and improve the treatment outcome.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.324-327
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• 1995

Central serous chorioretinopathy is a relatively benign condition of young to middle-aged men, characterized by serous detachment of central retina as a consequence of focal leakage of fluid from the choriocapillaris through a defect in the retinal pigment epithelium. Approximately 80% of central serous chorioretinopathy undergo spontaneous resolution within 6 months. However 20 to 30% of patients with central serous chorioretinopathy have one or more recurrences and undergo chronic courses. In these cases laser photocoagulation is used to burn the leakage site directly, but there is no evidence that it reduces the chance of permanent loss of visual function and recurrence. We have administered stellate ganglion blocks (SGB) on a 43 year old male patient with central serous chorioretinopathy with multiple recurrences and experienced good results. We therefore recommend SGB as an effective treatment for central serous chorioretinopathy in conjunction with other ophthalmological treatments.