• The Journal of Korean Medical History
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.29-47
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• 2006

Because the size of population was directly related to the power of the nation in the Chosun Dynasty, various efforts were exerted to maintain the size stable and the keys to the efforts were a high birth rate and a low death rate. However, in addition to wars, epidemic diseases had an enormous effect on the death rate. Particularly during the mid Chosun Dynasty, epidemic diseases were more prevalent than ever due to the abnormal climate called the little ice age. To cope with them, the government executed several medical relief policies and published medical books. In Chinese epidemiology, infectious diseases mean sicknesses caused by hot weather, but in Korean epidemiology, they indicate large-scale infectious sicknesses caused by both hot and cold weather. Therefore, as treatment methods for diseases from the cold were not applicable to the pathology of epidemic diseases, China developed separate epidemiology. In Korea, however, the main concern was how to prevent epidemic diseases, whether from hot or cold weather, that drove many lives into death. The characteristics of Korean epidemiology are as follows. First, whenever epidemic diseases were prevalent, in order to cope with them, translated medical books were promptly published including Ganibyeokonbang, Bunmunonyeokihaebang, Sinchanbyeokonbang, Byeokyeoksinbang and Byeokonsinbang. Second, those books were annotated in Korean so that people could read easily and accurately. Third, as an extension of the Hyangyak movement from the late Koryo Dynasty, Danbang was used a lot to treat and prevent epidemic diseases with less financial burden, and things obtainable easily according to individuals' situation were mentioned for anybody to overcome the emergent situation of epidemic diseases. Fourth, methods for praying to God were suggested for practitioners to work with sincere spirit and to keep themselves from epidemic diseases.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.163-170
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• 1995

The purpose of this study was to investigate the epidemiology of midface fractures. We observed clinically 71 patients with midface fracture who visited the Department of oral and maxillofacial-surgery, Chosun University, Dental Hospital, from 1991 to 1994. The results obtained were as follows. 1. There was the highest age incidence in the third decade(29.6%). 2. There was the highest incidence in the summer(36.6%). 3. The most etiologic factor of midface fracture was traffic accidents(43.6%) and next factor was fall down(38.0%). 4. The highest incidence fracture was zygomatic arch(38.7%) and next fracture was ZMC fracture(31.5%). 5. Most midface fracture was treated within 2 weeks(86.7%). 6. Midface fractures was most frequently combined with mandibular fracture(15.5%), head injuries(14.1%), orthhopedic injuries(8.5), thorax & abdomen(5.6%). 7. The highest complication was the nerve injury(8명), and next complications were infection(3명), epiphora(3명) etc.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.161-171
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• 1993

Mycoplasma pneumoniae(M. pneumoniae) is a primary pathogene of the respiratory tract in children. Most studies of such pneumonia involve a group of admitted patients in hospital, usually with major medical illness. We retrospectively studied the epidemiologic and clinical feature of 105 patients with serologically proven M. pneumoigic pneumonia treated at Gwang-Yang Hospital during a epidemic period of Jun. 1993 to Dec. 1993. All cases of pneumonia developed in this period were also reviewed and compared with serologically proven group. The results were as follows. 1. There were 63 males and 42 females, and the male /female ratio was 1.5 : 1. 2. More than half(57%) of cases belonged to 5-9 years of age group, and mean age was 6.5 years old. 3. Mean age was steadily decreased as prevalence of mycoplasmal pneumonia had been subsided. 4. The date of index case was June 26th, and that of median case was 3 months after the index case. 5. A major determinant of the outbreak seemed to be the population density rather than the population size. 6. Recurrence and serious complication were not observed in this period. 7. All cases of pneumonia developed in this period might be attributed to M. pnemoniae. These epidemiologic and clinical characteristics would contribute to the prevention and diagnosis of mycoplasmal pneumonia.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.133-141
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• 2009

We reviewed retrospectively the medical records of 600 elderly patients, over 65 years old who visited oral medicine. The ratio of the age group was composed of 65${\sim}$74 years old group was 63.7%, 75${\sim}$84 years old group was 32.2%, over 85years old group was 4.2%, and the patients were mostly females. The main chief complaint was composed of oral soft tissue problem(44.1%) and oromaxillofacial pain(39.0%). The majority of systemic diseases was composed of diseases of the circulatory system(30.1%), diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue(16.8%), endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases, and diseases of the digestive system(10.1%). The numerous pateints were diagnosed as soft tissue disease(32.0%), arthrogenous disease(24.1%), and myogenous disease(18.1%) of temporomandibular disease.Principally medication(43.9%), physical therapy(24.2%) were performed. 14.2% of all patients visited oral medicine with a letter of request written by other medical departments or local dental clinics, or referred from other departments in Chosun university dental hospital. These findings indicate epidemiologic characteristics on the elderly patients visited oral medicine. We hope that this study will play a basis in the future research about the elderly patients.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.75-80
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• 2023

Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) are a group of musculoskeletal disorders that encompass symptoms caused by abnormalities of the craniofacial structures of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), muscles involved in the masticatory system, and other related tissues or structures. Although TMDs can occur at any age, research on the prevalence, epidemiology, and treatment strategies of TMDs has been conducted in all age groups, but primarily in adults. Unlike adults, children and adolescents are in a period of cognitive and physical development. Because of this growth potential, children respond better to TMD treatment than adults do. However, clinicians must remember that chronic pain and growth abnormalities can occur if the patient's symptoms and signs are not accurately diagnosed and treated. This article reviews the growth and development of the craniofacial region, including the TMJ, and discusses considerations when diagnosing and treating TMDs in children and adolescents.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.231-244
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• 2000

Classification and research trends were studied to analyze a total of 240 original articles that have been published in 34 volumes of The Korean Journal of Rural Medicine from 1976 to 1999. The results were as follows: 1. A total of 337 articles were published. Among them, 240(71.2%) articles were classified as original articles. This number has been increasing significantly over the years as the number of the articles was 13 in the 1970s, 73 in the 1980s, and 154 in the 1990s. 2. There were 10 authors in the original articles and 55(22.9%) of them were written by 3 of them. There were five research institutions involved in the articles, and 106(44.2%) of the articles were done by one research group. 3. In the original articles. 24(10.0%) were noted to be done using research funds, and only 6(2.5%) were written in English. 4. In the view of the research styles of the original articles, 115(47.9%) used analytical study, 92(38.3%) used technical study, 21(9.2%) used experimental study, and 6(2.5%) used case reports. In the 1970s, 13(100.0%) articles used technical study, and in the 1980s, 47(64.4%) used technical studies and 19(26.0%) used analytical studies. However, in the 1990s, 96(62.8%) articles used analytical studies and 32(20.9%) used technical studies. The statistical methods most commonly used in the articles were technical statistics, the ${\chi}^2$-test, and the t-test respectively. 5. On the classification into three different research fields, 105(43.8%) articles were classified as health management, 96(40.0%) as disease epidemiology, and 39(16.3%) as rural environment and rural occupational disorders. In the 1970s, 12 (92.3 %) of the articles were on disease epidemiology and 1(7.7%) on health management were published. In the 1980s, 33(45.2%) articles on disease epidemiology, 29(39.7%) on health control, and 11(15.1%) on rural environment and rural occupational disorders were recorded. In the 1990s, however, 75(48.7%) articles were on health control, 51(33.1%) on disease control, and 28(18.2%) on the rural environment and rural occupational disorders. 6. According to the research subjects in each research field, the 39 articles in rural environment and rural occupational disorders were composed of 8(20.5%) articles on pesticide intoxication, 7(17,9%) on farmer's diseases, 7(17.9%) on vinyl-house diseases, and 6(15.4%) on accidents. From a total of 96 articles in disease epidemiology 56(58.3%) articles were on parasites, 16(16.7%) on non-infectious diseases, 12(12.5) on infectious diseases. From 105 articles in health control 25(23.8%) articles were on medical care utilization patterns, 18(17.1%) on the health care delivery system, and 13(12.4%) on maternal and child health. In the analysis of the 10 most prevalent subjects dealt in the above articles, 6(46.2%) articles were on parasites and 4(30.8%) on non-infectious diseases were recorded in the 1970s. In the 1980s, 28(38.4%) were on parasites. 9(12.3%) on the health care system, 7(9.6%) on medical care utilization patterns, 5(6.8%) on maternal and child health, and 4(5.5%) were on pesticide intoxication. In the 1990s, 22(14.3%) articles were on parasites. 18(11.7%) on medical care utilization patterns, 16(10.4%) on senile health, 14(9.1%) on the health care system, 10(6.5%) on infectious diseases, arid 10(6.5%) were on non-infectious diseases. In conclusion, the research activity on rural health has been strengthened in this country because the original articles in The Korean Journal of Rural Medicine have significantly increased in the past 24 years. In the 1970s and 1980s, research on disease epidemiology was most prevalent, but in the 1990s papers on health care were most popular. In addition, the articles on parasites were most frequently published in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, showing that parasitic problem was the main theme in those eras. However, in the 1990s, it was evident that the articles on parasites were decreasing and articles on the subject of medical care utilization patterns and senile health increased. Hereafter it was expected that research on health care would be more common in rural health in Korea.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.226-237
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• 2019

Purpose: This study investigated the characteristics of adult patients who had fallen from a height and presented to an emergency room (ER) according to gender and intentionality, with the goal of reducing the harm caused by these injuries. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted of fall-from-height patients aged ≥19 years from the in-depth surveillance study of injured patients visiting ERs conducted under the supervision of the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention from 2011 to 2016. Patterns were analyzed according to gender and intentionality. Results: There were 29,838 men (68.5%) and 13,734 women (31.5%), with mean ages of 50.3±15.7 years and 57.2±19.9 years, respectively. The most common height of the fall was ≥1 m to 4 m in men (n=15,863; 53.2%) and <1 m in women (n=7,293; 53.1%). The most common location where the fall occurred was the workplace for men (n=10,500 male; 35.2%) and residential facilities for women (n=7,755; 56.5%). Most falls from height were unintentional (n=41,765; 97.1% vs. n=1,264; 2.9% for intentional falls). Suicide was the most frequent reason for intentional falls, and the age group of 19-30 years predominated in this category (n=377; 29.9%). For intentional falls, the most common interval before presentation to the ER was 0-6 hours (n=370; 29.3%) and the most common height was ≥4 m (n=872; 69.0%). Conclusions: Among men, falls from height most often occurred from ≥1 m to 4 m, at the workplace, and during the course of paid work, whereas among women, they were most common from <1 m, in residential facilities, and during daily activities. Intentional falls most often occurred with the purpose of suicide, in the age group of 19-30 years, with an interval of 0-6 hours until treatment, from ≥4 m, and in residential facilities. Alcohol consumption was more common in intentional falls.

• Journal of Korean Medical classics
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.37-52
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• 2016

Objectives : The paper seeks to delve into a study of smallpox, specifically as one of the most representative contagious diseases during the Chosun era and how it was treated during that time. The lack of traditional medical texts that deal with smallpox has led this paper to dive into Duchanggyeongheombang. Methods : Everything related to edition and copy, and the author was organized based on pre-existing studies. The copy that is assumed as the original copy was considered and studied. The book was compared to and reviewed with Donguibogam, and the differences between the book and Korean translation were given attention as well. Results : Park Jin-hee is assumed to have authored Duchanggyeongheombang, and it is like that was had access to texts published by the state, one of which includes Donguibogam. He utilized the periods with smallpox outbreaks as his frame of study and put together a series of treatment for different symptoms. To this, he attached various medical charts, and added Korean translation for higher usability. In his book, he placed emphasis on spleen and stomach, but when needed, he did not shy away from using cold and coolness herbs. Conclusions : Duchanggyeongheombang was influenced partially by Donguibogam, but the book was given new life through the author Park Jin-hee's edition. Medical charts were added to increase its usability, and Korean translation was provided for wider audience. Its scope of prescription is very wide, and it provided the reasonings behind its medical judgements based on actual clinical studies instead of being tied down to traditions or taboos.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.183-191
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• 2013

Objectives: In Korea, the proportion of deaths due to alcohol is estimated at 8.9%, far exceeding the global estimate of 3.8%. Therefore, this study was performed to examine the factors associated with low-risk, moderate-risk, and high-risk drinking patterns in Korean adults and to identify target populations for prevention and control of alcohol-related diseases and deaths. Methods: We analyzed data from 230 715 Korean adults aged 19 years and older who participated in the 2009 Korean Community Health Survey. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was used to examine associations between socio-demographic and health-related factors and patterns of alcohol use. Results: A substantially larger proportion of men than women engaged in high risk (21.2% vs. 3.4%) and moderate-risk alcohol use (15.5% vs. 8.2%). In both sexes, moderate- and high-risk uses were associated with younger age, higher income, being currently employed, smoking, being overweight/obese, and good self-rated health. Conclusions: Given the large proportion of the population that is engaging in moderate- and high-risk drinking and given the social norms that support this behavior, public health policies and campaigns to reduce alcohol consumption targeting the entire population are indicated.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.26-32
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• 2002

Purpose: Constipation in childhood is a significant problem, however, understanding of its epidemiology has been limited in Korea. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of constipation in school-aged children, helping to manage and prevent it. Methods: This cross-sectional, descripsive observational prevalence study included children (2grade, 1st and 6th grade) who were attending two elementary schools in Gwangju. The prevalence of constipation, associated symptoms, and risk factors were evaluated by questionnaire. A child was considered to be constipated when he or she defecated two or less times per week. Results: The prevalence of constipation was 15.4%. There is no significant difference between both sexes and grades. Of the causes of constipation, there was statistically significant difference in exercise deficiency, frequent intake of convenience food, long-time watching TV, unbalanced diet and enuresis history between constipation and normal group. Especially, long-time watching TV, exercise deficiency, and enuresis history were risk factors for development of constipation. Only 27.1% of children with constipation were treated by laxative and enema. Conclusion: Even though the prevalence of constipation was high, more than half of them was not treated at all. We should endeavor to educate the children and their parents to prevent constipation by evaluating the feeding and behavioral habit completely, and treating them properly.