• 성인간호학회지
• /
• 제17권2호
• /
• pp.248-258
• /
• 2005

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the factors influencing symptom experience in patients with liver cirrhosis(LC). Method: A descriptive correlational study design was used. A convenience sample of 129 subjects was recruited from the gastroenterology department at two university hospitals in Seoul, Korea. Symptom experience in LC was measured with the instrument developed by the researcher based on Theory of Unpleasant Symptoms(Lenz et al, 1995) and the Child-Pugh Score, the Korean version of Profile of Mood States, and the Family Support Questionnaire were used to identify the factors influencing symptom experience. Results: The mean score of symptom experience was relatively low(M=41.67, SD= 24.71). Among individual symptoms, fatigue had the highest score in all dimensions. Fatigue, abdominal distension and/or peripheral edema, muscle cramps, dry mouth, and change in appearance were explored as symptoms needing management. In the regression analysis, symptom experience was found to be influenced significantly by anxiety/depression($R^2=.418$, p=.000) and the severity of LC(Child-Pugh Score)($R^2=.125$, p=.000). These variables explained 54.3% of the variance in symptom experience(F=63.607. p=.000). Conclusion: It suggests that nurses need to take into consideration psychological factor as well as physiological factor in symptom management for patients with LC.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
• /
• 제29권2호
• /
• pp.63-70
• /
• 2011

목 적: 간세포암에 의한 뼈전이 환자의 방사선 조사선량에 따른 통증 감소 정도 및 전이성 병소의 영상학적 치료반응을 분석하고 고선량 방사선치료가 도움이 될 수 있는지 알아보고자 하였다. 대상 및 방법: 2007년 1월부터 2010년 6월까지 병리 혹은 임상적으로 간세포암에 의한 뼈전이로 진단받고 증상 완화 목적의 방사선치료를 받은 103명에서 뼈전이 병소 2237개 부위를 대상으로 연구하였다. 조사받은 생물학적 유효선량이 39 $Gy_{10}$이하인 경우 저선량군, 39 $Gy_{10}$를 초과하는 경우 고선량군으로 대상환자를 구분하였다. 통증 감소 정도는 숫자통증등급(numeric rating scale)을 이용하였고 통증이 감소한 경우, 통증 정도에 변화가 없는 경우, 통증이 증가한 경우로 나누었다. 영상학적 반응은 modified Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors (RECIST) 기준을 이용하였으며 환자의 생존율에 영향을 미치는 인자를 분석하였다. 결 과: 중앙추적 관찰기간은 6개월이었다(범위, 0~46개월). 저선량군에서는 67개 병소(66.3%) 부위에서, 고선량군 에서는 44개 병소(89.8%) 부위에서 영상학적 반응이 있었다 저선량군과 고선량군 사이에 영상학적 치료 반응 정도는 유의하게 차이를 보였다(p=0.02). 저선량군과 고선량군은 각각 65%와 75%의 통증 감소를 보였으나 통계적으로 유의한 차이는 없었다(p=0.24). 저선량군과 고선량군 사이에 급성 및 만성 치료 독성은 통계적으로 유의한 차이가 없었다(p>0.05). 뼈전이 진단 시부터 사망까지 생존기간은 0~46개월(중앙값, 11개월) 범위였고 1년 생존율은 41.6%였다. 잔존 간 기능(Child-Pugh 점수)이 생존율에 유의한 영향을 미치는 인자였고 Child-Pugh 점수에 따른 중앙생존기간은 A 14개월, 8와 C는 2개월로 나타났다. 결 론: 간세포암에 의한 뼈전이는 고선량군에서 영상학적 반응 정도가 더 높았다. 잔존 간 기능이 좋은 환자에게 고선량의 방사선치료 시 높은 치료 반응을 얻음으로써 삶의 질의 향상에 도움을 줄 수 있음을 알 수 있었다.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
• /
• 제33권4호
• /
• pp.276-283
• /
• 2015

Purpose: We evaluated the efficacy and toxicity of repeated high dose 3-dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3D-CRT) for patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma. Materials and Methods: Between 1998 and 2011, 45 patients received hepatic re-irradiation with high dose 3D-CRT in Samsung Medical Center. After excluding two ineligible patients, 43 patients were retrospectively reviewed. RT was delivered with palliative or salvage intent, and equivalent dose of 2 Gy fractions for ${\alpha}/{\beta}=10Gy$ ranged from $31.25Gy_{10}$ to $93.75Gy_{10}$ (median, $44Gy_{10}$). Tumor response and toxicity were evaluated based on the modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors criteria and the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) ver. 4.0. Results: The median follow-up duration was 11.2 months (range, 4.1 to 58.3 months). An objective tumor response rate was 62.8%. The tumor response rates were 81.0% and 45.5% in patients receiving ${\geq}45Gy_{10}$ and $<45Gy_{10}$, respectively (p = 0.016). The median overall survival (OS) of all patients was 11.2 months. The OS was significantly affected by the Child-Pugh class as 14.2 months vs. 6.1 months (Child-Pugh A vs. B, p < 0.001), and modified Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) T stage as 15.6 months vs. 8.3 months (T1-3 vs. T4, p = 0.004), respectively. Grade III toxicities were developed in two patients, both of whom received ${\geq}50Gy_{10}$. Conclusion: Hepatic re-irradiation may be an effective and tolerable treatment for patients who are not eligible for further local treatment modalities, especially in patients with Child-Pugh A and T1-3.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
• /
• 제22권12호
• /
• pp.1985-1995
• /
• 2021

Objective: Although the liver-to-spleen volume ratio (LSVR) based on CT reflects portal hypertension, its prognostic role in cirrhotic patients has not been proven. We evaluated the utility of LSVR, automatically measured from CT images using a deep learning algorithm, as a predictor of hepatic decompensation and transplantation-free survival in patients with hepatitis B viral (HBV)-compensated cirrhosis. Materials and Methods: A deep learning algorithm was used to measure the LSVR in a cohort of 1027 consecutive patients (mean age, 50.5 years; 675 male and 352 female) with HBV-compensated cirrhosis who underwent liver CT (2007-2010). Associations of LSVR with hepatic decompensation and transplantation-free survival were evaluated using multivariable Cox proportional hazards and competing risk analyses, accounting for either the Child-Pugh score (CPS) or Model for End Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score and other variables. The risk of the liver-related events was estimated using Kaplan-Meier analysis and the Aalen-Johansen estimator. Results: After adjustment for either CPS or MELD and other variables, LSVR was identified as a significant independent predictor of hepatic decompensation (hazard ratio for LSVR increase by 1, 0.71 and 0.68 for CPS and MELD models, respectively; p < 0.001) and transplantation-free survival (hazard ratio for LSVR increase by 1, 0.8 and 0.77, respectively; p < 0.001). Patients with an LSVR of < 2.9 (n = 381) had significantly higher 3-year risks of hepatic decompensation (16.7% vs. 2.5%, p < 0.001) and liver-related death or transplantation (10.0% vs. 1.1%, p < 0.001) than those with an LSVR ≥ 2.9 (n = 646). When patients were stratified according to CPS (Child-Pugh A vs. B-C) and MELD (< 10 vs. ≥ 10), an LSVR of < 2.9 was still associated with a higher risk of liver-related events than an LSVR of ≥ 2.9 for all Child-Pugh (p ≤ 0.045) and MELD (p ≤ 0.009) stratifications. Conclusion: The LSVR measured on CT can predict hepatic decompensation and transplantation-free survival in patients with HBV-compensated cirrhosis.

• 대한간호학회지
• /
• 제39권5호
• /
• pp.683-692
• /
• 2009

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify cancer-related symptom clusters and to validate the conceptual meanings of the revealed symptom clusters in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Methods: This study was a cross-sectional survey and methodological study. Patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (N=194) were recruited from a medical center in Seoul. The 20-item Symptom Checklist was used to assess patients' symptom severity. Selected symptoms were factored using principal-axis factoring with varimax rotation. To validate the revealed symptom clusters, the statistical differences were analyzed by status of patients' performance status, Child-Pugh classification, and mood state among symptom clusters. Results: Fatigue was the most prevalent symptom (97.4%), followed by lack of energy and stomach discomfort. Patients' symptom severity ratings fit a four-factor solution that explained 61.04% of the variance. These four factors were named pain-appetite cluster, fatigue cluster, itching-constipation cluster, and gastrointestinal cluster. The revealed symptom clusters were significantly different for patient performance status (ECOG-PSR), Child-Pugh class, anxiety, and depression. Conclusion: Knowing these symptom clusters may help nurses to understand reasonable mechanisms for the aggregation of symptoms. Efficient symptom management of disease-related and treatment-related symptoms is critical in promoting physical and emotional status in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

• 대한한방내과학회지
• /
• 제26권4호
• /
• pp.836-843
• /
• 2005

Objective : Liver cirrhosis is a disease of the liver in which normal cells are replated by scar tissue. Chronic liver disease and liver cirrhosis are the foutth ranked causes of death in Korea. However, clinical data on liver cirrhosis is not accumulated in oriental medicine. Therefore, clinical characteristics of 33 liver patients admitted to Hana Oriental Hospital from May 2004 to May 2005 were studied. Methods : Clinical characteristics of liver cirrhosis, such sex, age, causes, Child-Pugh class, chief complain, abdomen ultrasonography, disease duration, past history, blood test and urinalysis were reviewed. Results : The results of this study were as follows: 1 The distribution of sex and age in our study is similar to already reported statistics. 2. Hepatitis B and alcohol are the major factors to cause the liver cirrhosis. Diabetes and hypertention contribute more to cause than they have in previous histories. 3. Major symptoms are following: fatigue 87.9%, ascites 84.8%, jaundice 78.8%, leg edema 72.7%, dyspepsia 45.5%. 4. Most liver cirrhosis patients have pancytopenia. Standard Deviation accentuates the big differences between total bilirubin and serum amonia. 5. In urinalysis, Urobilinogen 19 patients (57.6%), bilirubin 12 patients (36.4%), blood 15 patients (45.5%) are positive. 11 cases of 15 in blood positive results scored $3{\sim}4+$. Contusions : In oriental medicine, it will be necessary to research and develop oriental medical therapies for liver disease including liver cirrhosis.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• 제58권5호
• /
• pp.448-453
• /
• 2015

Objective : Recently, the survival of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has been prolonged with improvements in various diagnostic tools and medical treatment modalities. Consequently, spine metastases from HCC are being diagnosed more frequently. The accurate prediction of prognosis plays a critical role in determining a patient's treatment plan, including surgery for patients with spinal metastases of HCC. We investigated the clinical features, surgical outcomes, and prognostic factors of HCC presenting with spine metastases, in patients who underwent surgery. Methods : A retrospective review was conducted on 33 HCC patients who underwent 36 operations (three patients underwent surgical treatment twice) from February 2006 to December 2013. The median age of the patients was 56 years old (range, 28 to 71; male : female=30 : 3). Results : Overall survival was not correlated with age, sex, level of metastases, preoperative Child-Pugh classification, preoperative ambulatory function, preoperative radiotherapy, type of operation, administration of Sorafenib, or the Tokuhashi scoring system. Only the Tomita scoring system was shown to be an independent prognostic factor for overall survival. Comparing the Child-Pugh classification and ambulatory ability, there were no statistically differences between patients pre- and post-operatively. Conclusion : The Tomita scoring system represents a practicable and highly predictive prognostic tool. Even though surgical intervention may not restore ambulatory function, it should be considered to prevent deterioration of the patient's overall condition. Additionally, aggressive management may be needed if there is any ambulatory ability remaining.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• 제15권15호
• /
• pp.6387-6390
• /
• 2014

Background: The prognostic significance of the circulating absolute monocyte count (AMC) in patients with locally advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is uncertain. This study was designed to assess the association of circulating AMC with survival outcomes in patients diagnosed with locally advanced or metastatic HCC receiving systemic chemotherapy. Materials and Methods: Between January 1, 2005 and December 30, 2012, locally advanced or metastatic HCC patients who had Child-Pugh stage A or B disease and received systemic chemotherapy were retrospectively enrolled. Patient features including gender, age, extrahepatic metastasis, Child-Pugh stage, serum alpha-fetoprotein(AFP) level and AMC were collected to investigate their prognostic impact on overall survival(OS). Results: A total of 216 patients were eligible for the study. The optimal cut-off value of AMC for OS analysis was $0.38{\times}10^9/L$. Median OS was 5.84 months in low-AMC group (95% confidence interval [CI], 5.23 to 6.45), and 5.21 months in high-AMC group (95% CI, 4.37 to 6.04; p=0.003). In COX multivariate analysis, elevated AMC remained as an independent prognostic factor for worse OS (HR, 1.578; 95% CI, 1.120 to 2.223, p=0.009). Conclusions: Our results indiicate that circulating AMC is confirmed to be an independent prognostic factor for OS in patients with locally advanced or metastatic HCC receiving systemic chemotherapy.

• 대한한의학회지
• /
• 제37권4호
• /
• pp.36-44
• /
• 2016

Objectives: Granulocyte-colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) mobilized bone marrow (BM)-derived hematopoietic stem cells could contribute to improvement of liver function. In addition, liver fibrosis can reportedly be prevented by the Rg 1 component of red ginseng. This study investigated the combined effect of G-CSF and red ginseng on decompensated liver cirrhosis. Methods: Four patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis were injected with G-CSF to proliferate BM stem cells for 4 days ($5{\mu}g/kg$ bid subcutaneously) and followed-up for 3 months. The patients also received red ginseng for 4 days (2 tablets tid per os). We analyzed Child-Pugh scores, Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) scores and cirrhotic complications. Results: All patients showed marked increases in White blood cell (WBC) and CD34+ cells in the peripheral blood, with a peak time of 4 days after G-CSF injection. Spleen size also increased after G-CSF injection, but not severely. At end of the study, 2 patients showed improvement in Child-Pugh scores, hepatic encephalopathy, and refractory ascites. During the clinical trial period, none of the 4 patients showed any other adverse events or deterioration of liver function. Conclusions: We conclude that G-CSF/red ginseng combination therapy is relatively effective in improving liver function and major complications of decompensated liver cirrhosis without adverse effects. Further clinical trials are warranted to assess the clinical effects of G-CSF for decompensated liver cirrhosis.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• /
• 제20권4호
• /
• pp.231-240
• /
• 2016

Purpose: To determine whether liver stiffness (LS) measured by magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) can predict the outcome of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. Materials and Methods: A total of 107 patients with Child-Pugh class A liver function who were treated with RFA for single HCC and who had undergone a gradient-echo MRE within 6 months before RFA were included. We evaluated the relationship between the LS values and the ablation volume, local tumor progression (LTP), and intrahepatic distant recurrence (IDR). We also constructed receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves to examine the role of LS in predicting liver function deterioration, which was defined as an increase of Child-Pugh score by one point or more at 1 year after RFA. Results: There was no significant correlation between LS and ablation volume, and neither time to LTP nor IDR was associated with LS. Among the 66 patients who did not have recurrence 1 year after RFA, 5 patients (7.6%) developed liver function deterioration. A high LS value was significantly associated with development of liver function deterioration after RFA and the area under the ROC curve was 0.764 (95% CI 0.598-0.929, P = 0.003). Conclusion: LS measured by MRE could not predict ablation volume and tumor recurrence. However, high LS values were significantly associated with development of liver function deterioration.