• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제14권5호
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• pp.3017-3021
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• 2013

Background: Health Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) is an important aspect in identifying cancer patients' perceptions of being diagnosed with cancer and the assessment of treatment outcomes. The present study aimedto assess the profile and predicators of HRQoL of Malaysian oncology patients. Materials and Methods: A cross sectional study adopting the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30) was conducted. All cancer patients attending Penang General Hospital between August-November 2011 were approached. Descriptive statistics were used to assess demographic and disease related characteristics of the patients. All analyses were performed using SPSS v 16.0. Results: Three hundred and ninety three cancer patients met the inclusion criteria and were enrolled in the study. The mean age was 53.9 ($SD{\pm}13$) years. The cohort was dominated by females (n=260, 66.2%). Nearly half (n=190, 48.3%) of the participants were of Malay ethnicity, practicing Islam as their religion (n=194, 494%). Two hundred and ninety six (n=296, 75.3%) had beene diagnosed with cancer within six months to 3 years previously. The most common primary cancer site was breast (n=143, 36.4%). The mean Global Health Status (GHS) score was 60.7 (SD=21.3). Females (mean GHS score of 62.3, p=0.035) with Malay ethnicity (mean GHS score of 63.8, p=0.047), practicing Islam as their religion (mean GHS score of 63.0, p=0.011) had better GHS scores. Patients having medical insurance had good scores (mean 65.6, p-0.021). Marital status was significantly associated with GHS scores (p=0.022). Bone cancer patientshad the lowest mean GHS score of 49.2 (p=0.044). Patients at very advanced stages of cancer featured a low GHS mean score of 52.2 (p<0.001). Conclusions: The present study identified many demographic and disease related factors which may contribute to the HRQoL of cancer patients, pointing to the necessity for improved management of disease symptoms and provision of psychological and financial support.

• 한국병원경영학회지
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• 제18권2호
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• pp.15-32
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• 2013

Few public health researchers have paid research attention to the location of medical institutions in Korea. Previous studies were published in geography journals, and relied on limited data in terms of geographic regions and the type of medical institutions. This study utilized nationwide data covering 8 types of medical institutions. We obtained data from Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service and National Population and Housing Census. The correlation coefficients of resident, daytime, university-graduate population, and the population of different age groups (fewer than 15, 15~64, 65 or more) were compared to understand their relative association with the location of medical institutions. Medical clinic, dental clinic, oriental medical clinic, and pharmacy, all of which are almost completely operated by private sector, showed strong positive correlation with population. Hospital-level medical institutions, which are operated by both public and private sector, had moderate positive correlation. Daytime population and university-graduate population, rather than resident population, were more correlated with the location of medical clinics. The correlation coefficients of the population of 15~64 age group and the location of medical institutions were greater than that of other age groups. The results showed that daytime and university-graduate population are more important than resident population to explain the location of medicalrelated facilities. The results also suggests that the population of age groups (especially, 15~64) might be one of important influence factors in the location of medical institutions.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제41권3호
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• pp.147-152
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• 2008

Objectives : Fluoridation of drinking water is known to decrease dental caries, particularly in children. However, the effects of fluoridated water on bone over several decades are still in controversy. To assess the risk of hip fracture related to water fluoridation, we evaluated the hip fracture-related hospitalizations of the elderly between a fluoridated city and non-fluoridated cities in Korea. Methods : Cheongju as a fluoridated area and Chungju, Chuncheon, Suwon, Wonju as non-fluoridated areas were chosen for the study. We established a database of hip fracture hospitalization episode based on the claims data submitted to the Health Insurance Review Agency from January 1995 to December 2002. The hip fracture hospitalization episodes that satisfied the conditions were those that occurred in patients over 65 years old, the injuries had a hip fracture code (ICD-9 820, ICD-10 S72) and the patients were hospitalized for at least 7days. A total of 80,558 cases of hip fracture hospitalization episodes were analyzed. Results : The admission rates for hip fracture increased with the age of the men and women in both a fluoridated city and the non-fluoridated cities (p<0.01). The relative risk of hip fracture increased significantly both for men and women as their age increased. However, any difference in the hip fracture admission rates was not consistently observed between the fluoridated city and the non-fluoridated cities. Conclusions : We cannot conclude that fluoridation of drinking water increases the risk of hip fracture in the elderly.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• 제53권1호
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• pp.1-9
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• 2023

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate 3-dimensional cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images of alveolar bone changes in patients who underwent minimally invasive periodontal surgery-namely, the pinhole surgical technique (PST). Materials and Methods: Alveolar bone height was measured and compared on CBCT images of 254 teeth from 23 consecutive patients with Miller class I, II, or III recession who had undergone PST. No patient with active periodontal disease was selected for surgery. Two different methods were used to assess the alveolar bone changes postoperatively. In both methods, the distance between the apex of the tooth and the mid-buccal alveolar crestal bone on pre- and post-surgical CBCT studies was measured. Results: An average alveolar bone gain >0.5 mm following PST was identified using CBCT(P=0.05). None of the demographic variables, including sex, age, and time since surgery, had any significant effect on bone gain during follow-up, which ranged from 8 months to 3 years. Conclusion: PST appears to be a promising treatment modality for recession that results in stable clinical outcomes and may lead to some level of resolution on the bone level. More long-term studies must be done to evaluate the impact of this novel technique on bone remodeling and to assess sustained bone levels within a larger study population.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• 제55권12호
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• pp.4576-4582
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• 2023

The Korea retrospective dosimetry (KREDOS)-electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) group undertook an intercomparison investigation utilizing hydroxyapatite. This analysis involved four institutions: the Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, Dongnam Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, Korean Association for Radiation Application, and Radiation Health Institute of Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power. Following the irradiation of the hydroxyapatite sample, the recorded build-up was analyzed. To validate the reliability of the EPR dosimetry findings and enhance its operational performance, a hydroxyapatite dose-response curve was plotted and dosimetry was performed for a blind sample. The proficiency of each laboratory was assessed by employing an interlaboratory comparison methodology. This involved a comparative analysis of the measurement results by calculating the relative bias, z-score, and En value. The results submitted by the participating laboratories demonstrated satisfactory ratings for doses of 1.006, 3.999, and 6.993 Gy. Following the second intercomparison, efforts to optimize their hydroxyapatite-EPR dosimetry systems are underway in the participating laboratories. The current assessment of hydroxyapatite dose yielded the foundational data required to establish the parameters of dental dosimetry. In future, the third intercomparison experiment will be conducted for exploring other materials.

• Perspectives in Nursing Science
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• 제7권1호
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• pp.10-22
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• 2010

Purpose: Through a thorough examination of the CCSC (Community Comprehensive Support Center) system in Japan, this study suggests a scheme to provide community-based preventive health care services for the elderly in Korea. Methods: The study inquired into the applicability of the Japanese model by reviewing the data related to the CCSC project, aided by both in-depth interviews with staff in the field and consultations with specialists. Results: Rearrangement of the Visiting Health Management Project system is needed to manage the collective or individual visiting care management for frailty prevention of the elderly in communities. The delegated service system for preventive care in the community, including direct management by one of the public health centers, also needs to be reviewed and the application of stricter standards for the selection of the agency or corporation to run the delegated service is necessary. Long-Term Care Insurance, along with national and local grants, is to be considered as a financial resource for the community-based preventive health care model for the elderly. By making active use of education rooms at district offices, senior citizen centers in neighborhoods for the elderly with easy access can be created. The project needs to raise active supports from communities, develop programs which can be absorbed into particular local cultures, and promote the understanding of the preventive project in local communities. The preventive program should focus on first solving the problems of depression, seclusion, and lack of mobility of the elderly. Second, the program should instruct physical self-management for exercise-nutrition-dental maintenance, and third, the program should strengthen the cognitive abilities of the elderly. In addition, it is necessary to systematize and implement counter-plans of the family and community to protect the elderly who has mental and cognitive problems. Finally, by establishing a network of public health welfare resources based upon research on a community level, assessment and planning for the health of the elderly should be one with their family, and comprehensive consultation and recommendations should be provided to the family. Conclusion: Taking into consideration the experience Japan has had with respect to a similar project, it is appropriate to develop and implement a service system which would combine the Visiting Health Management Project system which has already been established and a preventive health care model for the elderly on a community level.

• Child Health Nursing Research
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• 제19권3호
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• pp.159-167
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• 2013

목적 본 연구는 취약계층 학령전기 아동의 건강상태와 어머니의 아동 건강관리실태를 파악하기 위해 수행되었다. 방법 대상자는 259명의 취약계층 가정의 어머니이며, 연구도구는 선행 연구를 기반으로 연구자가 구성한 설문지이다. 자료는 2010년 1월부터 2월까지 경상남도 20개 보건소의 방문간호사가 가정방문을 통해 수집하였으며, SAS를 이용하여 분석하였다. 결과 비만 아동이 6.5%, 저체중 아동이 19.3%였으며, 건강문제는 아토피가 14.7%였다. 손 씻기 수행율은 화장실 사용 후 69.1%, 식사 전 63.3%였으며, 아침 결식 아동이 15.8%, 규칙적으로 식사하지 않는 아동이 32.0%였다. 어머니의 아동 성교육률은 45.7%, 정기적인 치과검진율은 56.3%였고, 시력검사와 청력검사를 하는 경우가 각각 66.8%와 61.1%였다. 성장발달 촉진을 위한 가정환경은 41점 중 34.3점이었고, 질병유무와 어머니의 연령과 학력에 따라 차이가 있었으며, 사고예방을 위한 가정환경은 22점 중 17.5점이었고, 유치원 등원 여부에 따라 차이가 있었다. 결론 비만 아동과 저체중 아동의 비율이 높고, 기본적인 개인위생 습관과 식습관이 적절하지 못한 아동의 비율이 높았으며, 어머니의 아동건강관리실태는 기초적인 건강관리와 아동의 성장발달 증진과 사고예방을 위한 가정환경의 조성이 미흡한 것으로 확인되었다. 따라서 가정방문 간호사들이 취약가정 학령전기 아동의 건강과 성장발달을 증진시킬 수 있는 가정방문용 간호중재 프로그램을 개발할 필요가 있는 것으로 생각된다.

• 한국치위생학회지
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• 제12권2호
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• pp.431-438
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• 2012

Objectives : The aim of this study was assessment of the variation of urinary mercury concentrations after removal of amalgam fillings in children. Methods : 10 elemental school children with amalgam filling tooth surfaces were took part in this study. One dentist recorded the number of amalgam filling surface, and general characteristics of subjects were surveyed by questionnaire. Each urine samples were collected before, immediately after and after 24 hours amalgam removal. The statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS 18.0. Results : The mean concentration urinary mercury immediately after amalgam removal was higher ($5.70{\pm}1.20{\mu}g/g$ creatinine) than before amalgam removal ($5.28{\pm}1.53{\mu}g/g$ creatinine). The mean concentration urinary mercury level whose have 1-10 amalgam removal surfaces was increased after amalgam removal compared with before. Conclusions : Mercury concentration in urine was influenced by amalgam removal.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• 제47권4호
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• pp.233-239
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• 2017

Purpose: This study was performed to quantify the repeat rate of imaging acquisitions based on different clinical examinations, and to assess the prevalence of error types in intraoral bitewing and periapical imaging using a digital complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor(CMOS) intraoral sensor. Materials and Methods: A total of 8,030 intraoral images were retrospectively collected from 3 groups of undergraduate clinical dental students. The type of examination, stage of the procedure, and reasons for repetition were analysed and recorded. The repeat rate was calculated as the total number of repeated images divided by the total number of examinations. The weighted Cohen's kappa for inter- and intra-observer agreement was used after calibration and prior to image analysis. Results: The overall repeat rate on intraoral periapical images was 34.4%. A total of 1,978 repeated periapical images were from endodontic assessment, which included working length estimation (WLE), trial gutta-percha (tGP), obturation, and removal of gutta-percha (rGP). In the endodontic imaging, the highest repeat rate was from WLE (51.9%) followed by tGP (48.5%), obturation (42.2%), and rGP (35.6%). In bitewing images, the repeat rate was 15.1% and poor angulation was identified as the most common cause of error. A substantial level of intra- and inter-observer agreement was achieved. Conclusion: The repeat rates in this study were relatively high, especially for certain clinical procedures, warranting training in optimization techniques and radiation protection. Repeat analysis should be performed from time to time to enhance quality assurance and hence deliver high-quality health services to patients

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• 제40권2호
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• pp.72-78
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• 2015

Purpose: The purpose of this research was twofold: to compare the short-term efficacy of once-off education versus repetitive education (RE) of patients suffering from temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) and to determine whether there was any correlation amongst patient demographics, recommendation adherence degree and pain levels. Methods: A total of 848 patients with TMDs were enrolled. The control group consisted of patients who received a standard conservative treatment (STD) over at least 6 visits with education provided only during the first visit. The experimental group consisted of patients who received STD but had also been given RE (STD+RE). The RE was delivered through a standardized self-assessment questionnaire (SAQ) that was completed by the patient during each visit. Pain, which included maximum comfortable opening (MCO) of the mouth and limitation of mouth opening (LOM), was compared between the two groups. Behavior pattern and reported pain level changes in the group who used the SAQ were also analyzed. Results: The LOM was significantly improved in all of the experimental group patients (especially in females under 30 years of age, p<0.05). The MCO was significantly higher in females (p=0.029). All of the patients displayed improvements in their habits following RE, which resulted in a strong correlation with pain reduction. Adhering to the recommendations regarding questions 14 and 15 of the SAQ appeared to have the greatest effect on pain reduction. Conclusions: These results clearly demonstrate that RE is more effective than once-off education for TMD patients who are female or under 30 years of age.