• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.102-111
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• 2005

Objective : The purpose of this study was to investigate the quality of life and it's related factors in caregivers of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder patients. Methods : The subjects were 38 attention deficit hyperactivity disorder patients' caregivers(mean age : $37.5{\pm}6.5$, 38 women). Patients were diagnosed with DSM-IV-TR ADHD criteria. Korean version of WHOQOL-BREF(World Health Organization Quality of Life assessment instrument Abbreviated Version) was used for assessment. Results : 1) No significant differences were found in the score of WHOQOL-BREF, overall QOL, physical health domain, psychological domain, social relationships domain and environmental domain between caregiver and control group. 2) The score of Activity of daily living facet$(3.0{\pm}0.7\;vs.\;3.6{\pm}0.7)(p=0.008)$ and self-esteem facet $(2.8{\pm}0.7\;vs.\;3.3{\pm}0.7)(p=0.049)$ were significantly decreased in caregivers of ADHD. 3) Total score of WHOQOL-BREF(r=0.437, p=0.007) and physical health domain(r=0.370, p=0.024) were correlated with caregiver's educational age. 4) In the psychological domain, the score of self-esteem facet(r=-0.337, p=0.039) and thinking, learning, memory & concentration facet(r=-.341, p=0.036) were decreased with caregiver's age. 5) The score of environmental domain were significantly increased with caregiver's educational age (r=0.482, p=0.003), but decreased with patient's age(r=0.328, p=0.044). Conclusion : Although the quality of life in caregivers of ADHD patient had not significantly decreased than control, the quality of lift were positively correlated with educational age of caregives, and negatively correlated with chronological age of caregivers and children. Above results suggest that physicians should consider integrated approaches for caregiver's subjective quality of life in the management of ADHD.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.77-85
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• 2018

Objectives : This study aimed to investigate the level of distress using the distress thermometer (DT) and the factors associated with distress in postoperative breast cancer (BC) patients. Methods : DT and WHOQOL-BREF (World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale Abbreviated Version) along with sociodemographic variables were assessed in patients undergoing surgery for their first treatment of BC within one week postoperatively. The distress group consisted of participants with a DT score ${\geq}4$. The prevalence and associative factors of distress were examined by descriptive, univariable, and logistic regression analysis. Results : Three hundred seven women were recruited, and 264 subjects were finally analyzed. A total of 173 (65.5%) were classified into the distress group. The distress group showed significantly younger age (p=0.045), living without a spouse (p=0.032), and worse quality of life (QOL) as measured by overall QOL (p=0.009), general health (p=0.005), physical health domain (p<0.000), and psychological health domain (p=0.002). The logistic regression analysis showed that patients aged 40-49 years were more likely to experience distress than those aged ${\geq}60years$ (Odds ratios [OR]=2.992, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.241-7.215). Moreover, the WHOQOL-BREF physical health domain was a predictive factor of distress (OR=0.777, 95% CI 0.692-0.873). Conclusions : A substantial proportion of patients are experiencing significant distress after BC surgery. It would be expected that distress management, especially in the middle-aged patients and in the domain of physical QOL (e.g., pain, insomnia, fatigue), from the early BC treatment stage might reduce chronic distress.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.17 no.12
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• pp.1955-1964
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• 2007

A recent report showed that analysis of CD154 expression in the presence of the secretion inhibitor Brefeldin A (Bref A) could be used to assess the entire repertoire of antigen-specific $CD4^+\;T$ helper cells. However, the capacity of intracellular CD154 expression to identify antigen-specific $CD8^+\;T$ cells has yet to be investigated. In this study, we compared the ability of intracellular CD154 expression to assess antigen-specific $CD8^+\;T$ cells with that of accepted standard assays, namely intracellular cytokine IFN-${\gamma}$ staining (ICS) and MHC class I tetramer staining. The detection of intracellular CD154 molecules in the presence of Bref A reflected the kinetic trend of antigen-specific $CD8^+\;T$ cell number, but unfortunately showed less sensitivity than ICS and tetramer staining. However, ICS levels peaked and saturated 8 h after antigenic stimulation in the presence of Bref A and then declined, whereas intracellular CD154 expression peaked by 8 h and maintained the saturated level up to 24 h post-stimulation. Moreover, intracellular CD154 expression in antigen-specific $CD8^+\;T$ cells developed in the absence of $CD4^+\;T$ cells changed little, whereas the number of IFN-${\gamma}$-producing $CD8^+\;T$ cells decreased abruptly. These results suggest that intracellular CD154 could aid the assessment of antigen-specific $CD8^+\;T$ cells, but does not have as much ability to identify heterogeneous $CD4^+\;T$ helper cells. Therefore, the combined analytical techniques of ICS and tetramer staining together with intracellular CD154 assays may be able to provide useful information on the accurate phenotype and functionality of antigen-specific $CD8^+\;T$ cells.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.524-537
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• 2017

This study examined the relationship between the sociodemographic characteristics, health related factors, physical functions (ADL, IADL), mental functions (CES-D, MMSE-K), oral health impact profile (OHIP-14), and the quality of life (WHOQOL-BREF) for the elderly in long-term care facilities. The research was conducted in 602 facility allowance beneficiaries authorized to be eligible for long-term care in long-term care facilities through personal interviews using a structured questionnaire from May 1 to June 30, 2016. As a result, the quality of life was lower among females than males in the group receiving government subsidies than the group whose livelihood was maintained by themselves or their children, in the group with a longer period of care, in the drinking group than the non-drinking group, in the group with irregular exercise than the regular exercise, in the group with irregular meals than regular meals, in the group with poor subjective health conditions than good subjective health condition, in the group with a smaller number of daily toothbrushing, in the group with xerostomia than no xerostomia, in the group with a lower OHIP-14, in the group with a lower ADL and IADL, and in the group with a lower CES-D and MMSE-K. In particular, the quality of life was affected more by health-related factors and CES-D and MMSE-K than by other factors. Therefore, it is necessary to make efforts to prevent depression and cognitive impairment, including health-related behavior, with the objective of improving the quality of life for the elderly in long-term care facilities.

• Korean Journal of Social Welfare
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• v.57 no.1
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• pp.219-243
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• 2005

Homeless people have remained one of the most disadvantaged groups in Korea. Therefore this study aims at examining how the homeless evaluate their quality of life and which factors influence their quality of life. The subjects of this study were 185 homeless adults residing on the street, in the shelter, and in substandard housing in Daejeon Metropolitan City. With a view to collecting the data effectively, different approaches have been taken for each type of homelessness in this study. By using the Korean Version of WHOQOL-BREF(brief version of WHO quality of life measure), this study has examined the current circumstance of the homeless and identified the predictors of their quality of life. The results of this study reconfirm low quality of life of homeless people. Also the results of this study indicate that the important factors influencing their quality of life are age, receipt of public assistance, perceived health status, alcohol use, alcohol addiction, housing type, and recognition by others. Predictors of each domain of quality of life differ to some extent. Statistically significant predictors of physical health are receipt of public assistance, perceived health status, and housing type. Psychological health is significantly influenced by age, receipt of public assistance, perceived health status, housing type, and recognition by others. Significant predictors of social relations are alcohol use, housing type, and recognition by others. Environment is significantly influenced by perceived health status, housing type, and recognition by others. On the basis of the findings of this empirical analysis, some measures conducive to the improvement of quality of life of homeless people are suggested. Only a few studies have been conducted to delve into the quality of life of the displaced group in Korea. In such a context, the significance of this study lies in identifying the circumstances of the homeless as a basic work for upgrading their quality of life on the one hand, and in empirically testing the major predictors of each domain of their quality of life on the other.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.51-60
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• 2017

Background: In cerebral palsy (CP), parents' quality of life and rearing attitude are considered possible factors that influence patients' quality of life, function level, and performance in daily activities. Despite these facts, little attention has been given to demonstrate a relation between these factors. Objects: This study aimed to demonstrate the relationship between parents' quality of life, functional level, and performance in daily activities, the quality of life of school-aged children with spastic CP. Methods: This study included 24 parents of school-aged children with spastic CP. The KIDSCREEN-52 and World Health Organization quality of life (WHOQOL)-BREF questionnaires (including physical, psychological, social, and environmental domains) were used as research tools to assess the quality-of-life profiles of the children with spastic CP and those of their parents, respectively. In addition, the function levels and performance in daily activities of the children with CP were assessed by using the gross motor function measure (GMFM) and modified Barthel index (MBI). Correlation and multiple regression analyses were performed to clarify the determinants of the quality of life of the children with CP. Results: The KIDSCREEN-52 score correlated with the total score (r=.735, p<.01) and all domains of the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire (physical: r=.542, p<.01; psychological: r=.690, p<.01; social: r=.568, p<.01; and environmental: r=.783, p<.01). In addition, significant correlation was found between the KIDSCREEN-52 and MBI scores (r=.411, p<.05), and between the MBI and GMFM scores (r=.427, p<.05). After controlling for age, gender, paralytic type, GMFM, and MBI, the WHOQOL-BREF score ($R^2=.621$), particularly in the environmental domain ($R^2=.699$), remained independently related to the quality of life of the children. Conclusion: These findings suggest that the quality of life of school-aged children with spastic CP can be influenced by the quality of life of their parents. This study provides useful information for future studies to investigate the quality of life of children with CP.

• Journal of rehabilitation welfare engineering & assistive technology
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.89-103
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• 2015

The purpose of this research attempted to developed the Community Reintegration support Program(H-CRsP) on patients with Spinal Cord Injury(SCI) and identity the effect. To assess the effectiveness of a Hospital based H-CRsP with a comprehensive team approach for treating inpatients with Spinal Cord Injury(SCI), offered by the Korea National Rehabilitation Hospital. Participants with SCI were recruited from the Korean National Rehabilitation Hospital. Twenty-five participants who met inclusion criteria were provided with a H-CRsP. A H-CRsP with modules related to the training of daily living skills, driving, vocations and school support activities, leisure or recreational activities, peer counseling, sexual rehabilitation, and others support activities. The 25 enrolled patients had been treated with average of 6.1 programs 2 times a week for over 2 or 3months. COPM, HADS, WHOQOL-BREF, AD-R were administered before the treatment(pre-test) and also at the time of discharge(post-test) to compare the treatment outcomes in the 25 program participants. Measured level of community integration by CIQ at discharge. The data were analyzed by such statistical methods as frequency and paired t-test analysis. Significant improvements were found on the Occupational Performance and Satisfaction, Acceptance of Disability, Quality of Life score in the COPM, AD-R, WHOQOL-BREF (p<0.05). In addition, 10 of the 25 patients returned to home, work or school. These results demonstrated the effectiveness of the H-CRsP in helping patients with SCI return their communities to which they belong. It considered development of the variety of programs and prepare systematically related system.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.487-500
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• 2020

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the validity and reliability of the Korean version of Menopause-Specific Quality of Life (MENQOL). Methods: The MENQOL was translated into Korean according to algorithm of linguistic validation process. A total of 308 menopausal women were recruited and assessed using the Korean version of MENQOL (MENQOL-K), the World Health Organization Quality of Life Brief Version (WHOQOL-BREF), and Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D-K). In estimating reliability, internal consistency reliability coefficients were calculated. Validity was evaluated through criterion validity and construct validity with confirmatory factor analyses using SPSS 23.0 and AMOS 25.0 software. Results: In item analyses, the "increased facial hair" symptom was excluded because of the low contribution of MENQOL-K. The confirmatory factor analysis supported good fit and reliable scores for MENQOL-K model, and the four-factor structure was validated (χ²=553.28, p<.001, NC=1.84, RMSEA=.05, AGIF=.85, AIC=765.28). The MENQOL-K consists of 28 items in 4 domains, including vasomotor (3 items), psychosocial (7 items), physical (15 items), and sexual subscales (3 items). There was an acceptable criterion validity with moderately significant correlation between MENQOL-K and WHOQOL-BREF. The Cronbach's α for the 4 subsacles ranged from .80 to .93. Conclusion: The MENQOL-K is a valid and reliable scale to measure condition-specific quality of life for perimenopausal and postmenopausal women. It can be used to assess the impact of menopausal symptoms on the quality of life of Korean women in clinical trials.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.117-124
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• 2011

Objectives : Bell's palsy is the most common acute facial paralysis but its causes still unclear. At present, one of the most widely accepted cause is viral infections, and generally socioeconomic factors influence the viral infections. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship of incidence of facial palsy with socioeconomic factors. Methods : Seventeen patients with a acute facial palsy, who volunteered and completed all of the assessment measures participated. Using data on 17 participants, we examined the independent contribution of education, income, and occupation to a risk factor of severe facial palsy. Severity of global facial impairment was assessed by the facial disability index (FDI), the house-brackmann facial nerve grading system, WHO quality of life - bref (WHOQOL-BREF) and visual analogue scale (VAS) about discomfort of life. Results : There was no correlation between severity of facial palsy and gender, marriage, education, or occupation. Age greater than 60 years (p<0.05), and low monthly income(p<0.05), poor self-rated health was associated with greater severity of idiopathic facial paralysis. Conclusions : The number of subjects with facial palsy in our study (n-17) was small, and therefore generalization to larger patient populations might be unwarranted. But according to the outcome, we suggest that socioeconomic factors, especially low monthly income influence severity of bell's palsy.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.533-543
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• 2017

As the public interest in environmental issues increased, the "Act On The Integrated Control Of Pollutant-Discharging Facility" was enacted. Through the integrated environmental pollution prevention act in which 19 industries with large environmental impacts are sequentially applied, pollutants can be managed in a medium-integrated manner and integrated permission of the business unit is possible and BAT can be applied to enable a scientific and proactive environmental management system. In order to facilitate the implementation of integrated environmental pollution prevention act with these advantages, the BAT BREF should be published, modified and revised every 5 years considering the level of scientific development. This study reviewed the issues to be considered in applying BAT and the types of BAT and focused on presenting improvements and development direction when revising and supplementing the standards in the future based on these contents. For this purpose, when revising the standards, it will be necessary to reflect on the domestic situation, to expand the TWG(Technical Working Group) of small-scale workplace experts, and to exchange opinions with business places that have similar processes for each waste type through a systematic total inspection. In addition to these methods, by establishing a resident participation system through information disclosure, it is expected to be used as a guideline for environmental management of business places not subject to integrated permission of less than 3 types as well as those subject to integrated permission.