• KDI Journal of Economic Policy
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.129-155
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• 2008

The rate of antibiotics prescription for an acute airway infection significantly varies depending upon the diagnosis type, specialty, and the location of the hospital along with many other related factors. The objective of this study is to empirically investigate the possible relationship between the antibiotics prescription rates for an acute airway infection and the degree of competition in the hospital market regions of mainly the providers of primary medical care services such as clinics, internal medicines, pediatrics and otorhinolaryngology department. Using the data from Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA) regarding the hospitals' antibiotics prescription rates for the acute airway infection and controlling for selected variables of demand and supply sectors, this study tries to figure out that the degree of competition in the hospital market, regardless of what type of competition indexes we employed, has a statistically significant effect on the variations of antibiotics prescription rate of the clinics in local areas. This result implies that as an economic consideration itself, the change in the degree of competition in the hospital market can play a crucial role influencing the treatment behaviors of the medical doctors. More specifically, this study reveals that as the degree of competition increases the antibiotics prescription rate goes up. This result means that if the market becomes more competitive in a specific region so that it might cause a reduction in doctor's income, doctors with rational decision-making process, recognize that the benefit created from inducing patients' seemingly unnecessary demand for medical care (income effect) would be higher than the costs associated with sustaining their targeted income (substitution effect). It is because that the doctors are more likely to prescribe antibiotics which create relatively higher margins than other medical care services in order to sustain their targeted income when the hospital market competition becomes tighter. Even though this study empirically confirms that antibiotics prescription can be affected by the economic incentives, it still raises following issues as limitations of the study: first issue is about the representativeness of the hospital regions segregated for this study, which might be weak in explaining whether these regions are mutually exclusive in reality. Patients actually consider the quality of services, transportation cost, time costs, and any other related factors choosing the doctors or hospitals, and in that sense, this study rules out 'border-crossing' in using the medical care services. Second issue arises in capturing the data of antibiotics prescription rate. Since we use the average rate for each medical institution, we cannot figure out the average rate for each patient so that we are not able to control for the variation of patients' medical conditions. It is because of the unavailability of data regarding each patient's medical condition from HIRA. Thirdly, since this study mainly analyzes the medical institutions providing primary care such as clinics, internal medicines, pediatrics, and otorhinolaryngology department, it is skeptical of whether those institutions can represent the hospital market in respective regions and truly reflect the degree of competition. It needs to extend the study areas and disease types as well as any micro data for future studies.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.91-95
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• 2004

This study aims to analyze realities of oral health and related factors, and establish Structural Equation Modeling. The subjects of study were 9,340 elderly over age 65 who took the health examination(the first) for the local insured which National Health Insurance Corporation carried out in the survey area mentioned below from January 2002 to December 2002. The areas surveyed were 4 big cities including Seongbuk-ku, Seoul, 5 medium cities including Wonjusi, Gangwon-do, and 5 Counties including Yeong deok County, Kyeongbuk. Considering location and the scale of population, firstly, big unit areas(metropolitan city, province) were selected according to convenience, secondly, low unit areas(city, county, district) were selected randomly. The subjects were the elderly who took all tests including an oral examination and filled in the questionnaire. Major results from analysis are as follows: 1. Review of Composition Conception Validity As a result of analyzing composition conception validity of SEM including posture test, urine test, blood test, habits of eating, drinking and smoking, oral symptoms, and oral health status, using fit index such as GFI, CFI, TLI, and RMSEA, all were within fit range and composition conception validity was recognized. 2. As a result of analyzing SEM to find the relationship between each factor and oral health status, it was confirmed that all factors except urine test affected oral health status and the synthetic SEM to explain it could be established. In result, we could verify that the elderly of rural areas who had lesser experience of visiting a clinic and oral prophylaxis had a higher rate of caries, missing teeth, and denture need, and drinking and smoking negatively affected the rate of caries, periodontal, and missing teeth. Also, periodontal diseases were observed from 43.2% of the total elderly and much from the lower age. Most of oral disease can be prevented by right oral health behavior. Therefore through oral health professionals from each district public health center of the nation, oral health education for the elderly about right eating habits and oral health care should be carried out systematically and policy change to increase access to dental service is required lest that visiting a dental clinic should be impossible or oral health behaviors such as oral prophylaxis and denture wearing should be neglected by economic, geographical barriers. Also, to establish SEM to explain the relationship between oral health status and systemic health, more accurate test methods and effective index development should be preceded. Because items developed by National Health Insurance Corporation applied to this study without alteration, structuring a model had the uppermost limit. Continual study seems to be needed.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.117-126
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• 2004

For a month of September, 2004, a questionnaire regarding dental hygiene was distributed to 165 workers of Ulsan area. A total of 125 questionnaire were analyzed: 102 collected of the distributed 165 pieces, and 23 questionnaires reported by patients of a dental clinic in Dong-gu, Woolsan. The result is as follows; (1) Labor workers of Ulsan have thought that they are in good dental health, 44.1% of respondents, following by those who they believe they are in moderate health and those who they think are in poor condition. 89.0% of total workers have experienced dental treatment. (2) Regarding the location of dental treatment, 85.0% of respondents have pointed out dental hospitals and clinics, while 3.9% have indicated that they had treatment from unlicensed dentists. Specifically, workers in their 40s over have ever experienced dental treatment by unlicensed dentists. Those who think they are in poor dental condition have tended to have more dental treatment by unlicensed dentists. (3) Regarding the reason that they put off the treatment, 59.1% of respondents have indicated that they have no time to have the treatment, following by economic burden and the lack of confidence in dentists. When they have tooth aches or the gum ache, 60% of respondents have suggested that they endure the ache or take a medicine to alleviate the pain, showing a lower understanding of early dental treatment. (4) Regarding the reason why they are unwilling to go to dentists, respondents have revealed the anxiety against pain, 50.4%, following by the difficulty of scheduling and unsatisfied services. (5) 47.2% of respondents have brushed their teeth 3 times everyday, following by those who have done it 2 times a day and those one a day. Regarding how to brush the teeth, most of respondents have brushed their teeth in the upper, lower, and the both side, 61.4%. The younger respondents and those who think they are in good dental health have tended to brush their teeth up and down. (6) Regarding the cause of the gum disease, 67.7% of respondents have thought that it is caused by poor dental hygiene, following by natural occurrence due to age, hereditary nature, and physical predisposition. (7) 67.7% of respondents have experienced dental scaling, while 32.3% of them have had no experience in it. 53.5% of workers have thought that scaling may not be recommended since they have the teeth scaled periodically once they had dental scaling, a higher rate than 46.5% who think scaling is good for the gum health.

• Journal of Dental Rehabilitation and Applied Science
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.149-159
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• 2011

Restoring and replacing teeth with fixed prostheses commonly used in dental practice. Because of improper oral hygiene care and inaccurate laboratory procedure, complication of fixed prostheses was found in the mouth of patient. Although many efforts have been continually made to obtain the data of long term prognosis of fixed prostheses, it was difficult to do it. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical status of fixed prostheses to improve the quality of dental care. In order to assess the clinical status of fixed prostheses, a total of 154 individuals (aged 22-82, 88 women and 66 men loaded with 578 unit of fixed prostheses, and 423 abutments) who visited the Department of Prosthodontics, Pusan National University Hospital, between January 2009 to December 2009 and removed old fixed prostheses were examined. The results of this study were as follows: 1. Length of service of fixed prostheses was $10.3{\pm}05.5$ years (mean), 10.0 years (median). 2. Location of fixed prostheses was found to have statistically significant influence on longevity of fixed prostheses (P<.05). The longevity of fixed prostheses was high in anterior-posterior combination region (mean:13.1, median:13.5) than anterior and posterior region. 3. Longevity of fixed prostheses made of metal was longest (mean:13.3, median:12.3). 4. Number of units in fixed prostheses was found to have no statistically significant influence on longevity of fixed prostheses (P>.05). 5. Condition of opposing dentition was found to have statistically significant influence on longevity of fixed prostheses (P>.05). The fixed prostheses lasted longest when opposed by complete denture (mean:17.1, median:19.7), removable partial denture, fixed prosthesis and natural dentition trailing behind (P<.05) 6. Periodontal disease (37.5%), dental caries (19.0%), defective margin (18.4%) were frequent complications. In 33.1% of the cases, abutment state after removing fixed prostheses was needed to be extracted.

• Journal of Dental Rehabilitation and Applied Science
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.359-370
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• 2012

The endodontically treated tooth is generally restored with post and core, owing to the brittle and the loss of large amount of tooth structure. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical status of fixed prostheses to improve the quality of dental care. In order to assess the clinical status of fixed prostheses, a total of 101 individuals (aged 30-89, 66 women and 35 men loaded with 125 fixed prostheses) who treated in the Department of Prosthodontics, Pusan National University Dental Hospital, between January 1990 to December 2005 were examined. The results of this study were as follows: 1. Length of service of fixed prostheses was $9.7{\pm}3.4$ years (mean), 11.1 years (median). 2. Age and sex of patient was found to have no statistically significant influence on longevity of fixed prostheses (P>.05). 3. Location of fixed prostheses was found to have statistically significant influence on longevity of fixed prostheses (P<.05). The longevity of fixed prostheses was low in anterio-posterior combination region (median:9.2 years). 4. Longevity of fixed prostheses made of base metal ceramic(median:12.0 years) and noble metal ceramic (median:11.3 years) is long (P<.05). 5. Number of units in fixed prostheses was found to have no statistically significant influence on longevity of fixed prostheses (P>.05). 6. Condition of opposing dentition was found to have no statistically significant influence on longevity of fixed prostheses (P>.05). 7. Dental caries, periapical disease, tooth fracture were frequent complications. In 51.9% of the cases, abutment state after removing fixed prostheses was needed to be extracted.

• Proceedings of the KOR-BRONCHOESO Conference
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• 1981.05a
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• pp.9.1-10
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• 1981

The clinical study of 183 cases of laryngeal mass was observed and 88 cases of vocal nodule and polyp which is confirmed histopathologically, were clinically classified into 30 cases of vocal nodule, 48 cases of localized vocal polyp, 10 cases of diffuse vocal polyp, and the following results of microscopic examination were obtained. I. The clinical study of laryngeal mass 1. Among total cases of 183, vocal nodule is 82(45%) vocal polyp 53(29%) postintubation granuloma 3(1%) laryngeal papilloma 18(10%) tuberculosis 2(1%) cancer 25(14%). 2. The sex ratio of male to female is 3:4 in vocal nodule, 1:1 in vocal polyp, 1:2 in postintubation granuloma, 3:2 in laryngeal papilloma, 11:1 in cancer. 3. The age distribution is third-fourth decade in vocal nodule, fourth-fifth decade in vocal polyp, third decade in postintubation granuloma, second and fifth decade in laryngeal tuberculosis, sixth decade in laryngeal cancer. 4. The distribution of symptoms is 5 month. -1 year in vocal nodule and polyp, less than 1 year in laryngeal papilloma and postintubation granuloma, 1 year-3 year in laryngeal tuberculosis and cancer. 5. The location of the lesion is between the anterior 1/3 and middle 1/3 in vocal nodule and polyp and papilloma, middle 1/3 and posterior 1/3 in postintubation granuloma, and is diffusely spread on the entire vocal cord in laryngeal tuberculosis and cancer. 6. The side of the lesion is bilateral in vocal nodule and papilloma and the ratio of right to left is 5:3 in vocal polyp, 2:1 in postintubation granuloma. 7. The size is 1~2mm(67%) in vocal nodule, 3~5mm(42%) in vocal polyp, 6~10mm (67%) in postintubation granuloma, 1~2mm (39%) in papilloma, more than 10mm in tuberculosis and cancer. 8. Among the symptoms, the hoarseness is in more than 90% of disease entity, the sore-throat in tuberculosis and cancer, the dyspnea in postintubation granuloma and papilloma and tuberculosis and cancer. 9. In the past history, certain relationship with smoking is noted in cancer (40%) and tuberculosis(50%) and the history of frequent attack of URI is in papilloma(33%). 10. In occupation, certain statistical significance was not noted. II. The histopathological study of vocal nodule and polyp. 1. Most polyps and nodules were covered with stratified squamous epithelium, but focal hyperkeratosis, parakeratosis, acanthosis and atrophy were rather frequently observed. Hyperkeratosis and acanthosis was most frequently seen.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.18 no.8
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• pp.240-247
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• 2017

The increased investigation of the cerebral arteries with magnetic resonance angiography has resulted in an increase in the identification of unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIAs). Knowledge of the distribution and factors associated with UIAs might be helpful for understanding the pathological mechanism of unruptured aneurysms. This study examined patients who visited a health care center and had a health examination from January 2007 to December 2016. Subjects who underwent magnetic resonance angiography with a health examination at the Health Screening were enrolled in this study. The incidence and risk factors of UIAs (age, sex, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, smoking, alcohol, and coronary artery disease) were investigated by comparing the size (more than 3 mm vs. less than 3 mm) and multiple aneurysm (single vs. multiple aneurysms). The frequency of aneurysm according to the site was also analyzed. Among the 187166 subjects, who received a health examination, 18954 underwent magnetic resonance angiography. Of them, 367 (1.93%) had UIAs. A comparison of the size of more than 3 mm and less than 3 mm showed that the mean age of the more than 3 mm group of patients was significantly higher than the other size groups (more than 3 mm $57.16{\pm}8.47$ vs. less than 3 mm $55.12{\pm}8.19$; p=0.07). High-density lipoprotein was significantly higher in the more than 3 mm group than in the less than 3 mm($55.95{\pm}16.03$ vs. less than 3 mm $50.85{\pm}13.65$; p=0.007). Hypertension was significantly higher in the multiple aneurysm group (single 153 in 399 (38.3%) VS multiple 19 in 35 (54.3%); p=0.065). An aneurysm of less than 3 mm in size was frequent in the distal internal carotid artery (34.3%) and MCA-bifurcation (16.4%) (p=0.003). Aneurysms of more than 3 mm were frequent in the distal internal carotid artery (43.4%) and MCA-bifurcation (13.4%), and anterior communicating artery (13.4%) (p=0.003). The difference in size and single or multiple aneurysm revealed other risk factors. These risk factors suggest that degenerative and hemodynamic disorders may lead to the presence of aneurysms.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.488-493
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• 1998

In the preoperative evaluation before coronary artery bypass surgery, review of the coronary arteriogram is the most important step. Expected "normal" lumen diameter at a given coronary anatomic location is a basis for quantative estimation of coronary disease severity that could be more useful than the traditional "percent stenosis". The distribution and number of major coronary artery branches are determinants of number of bypass grafts needed. We reviewed the coronary artery anatomy in 174 adult patients who revealed no coronary pathology in angiographic studies done from September 1994 to June 1996. Quantative analysis was done in all cases by a single person using a Computerized System (Arripro 35ⓡ). The results were follows; 1) The mean diametre of left main coronary artery was 4.45 mm(range 2.74~6.72). The pattern of branching was bifurcation in 67.24%, trifurcation in 28.74% and quadrifurcation in 4.02% of the patients. 2) The mean diametre of left anterior descending artery was 3.17 mm(range 2.10~5.85), 2.79 (range 1.55~5.59) and 2.17 mm(range 1.37~3.81) in the proximal, mid, and the distal portions, respectively. The number of diagonal branches of left anterior artery was from one to four(mode=2). 3) The mean diametre of proximal and distal left circumflex artery were 3.17mm(range 1.74~4.89) and 2.19 mm(range 1.21~4.46). The number of obtuse marginal branches of left circumflex artery is from one to six(mode 2). 4) The mean diametre of proximal and distal right coronary artery, the posterior descending artery and the largest posterolateral branch were mean 3.51 mm(range 2.07~5.67), 2.09 mm (range 1.42~3.60), 2.09 mm(range 1.02~3.60) and 2.30 mm(range 1.39~4.39). 5) The right coronary artery dominant was 163 cases(93.68%) of the total 174 cases. 6) The large significant acute marginal artery was visualized in more than half of the people. half of the people.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.21-29
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• 2006

Purpose: This study explored the anal sphincter-saving rate and down-staging rate after preoperative chemoradiotherapy for treating lower rectal cancer. We also explored the prognosis of the patients who refused surgery after preoperative chemoradiotherapy. Materials and Methods: Thirty seven patients with histologically proven lower rectal cancer who underwent preoperative chemoradiotherapy were retrospectively analyzed. In each case, the tumor location was 0 to 5 em from the anal verge, and curative resection of the cancer with performing a sphincter-saving procedure was not feasible before chemoradiotherapy. In each case, the staging examinations, including biopsy, were done before starting radiotherapy and this was repeated at 1 month after radiation therapy. Results: After chemoradiotherapy, among the 37 included patients, 56.8% and 32.4% were downstaged to the T stage and N stage, respectively, when comparing the postradiotherapy stage with pre-radiotherapy stage. Twenty five patients underwent complete resection of cancer at 6 weeks after radiotherapy: eleven, eight and six patients underwent abdominoperineal resection, low anterior resection and local excision, respectively. The sphincter-saving rate among the 24 completely resected cases was 54.2%. Twelve patients refused surgery after radiotherapy. Among 6 patients who refused surgery with biopsy-proven complete remission after chemoradiotherapy, 5 patients were alive without disease at a median follow up period of 31 months, and only 1 patient had local failure. Conclusion: For lower rectal cancer, a high sphincter-saving rate was accomplished with preoperative chemoradiotherapy. The prognosis of the patients who refused surgery with biopsy proven complete remission after chemoradiotherapy was good and these patients need to be kept under close surveillance.

• Journal of The Korean Ophthalmological Society
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• v.59 no.11
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• pp.1049-1055
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• 2018

Purpose: To investigate the factors associated with glaucoma in patients with pseudoexfoliation syndrome by comparing features of the anterior segments and ocular biometry according to the presence or absence of open-angle glaucoma in pseudoexfoliation syndrome. Methods: We analyzed 96 patients (115 eyes) diagnosed as having pseudoexfoliation syndrome in this study. The patients were divided into two groups of simple pseudoexfoliation syndrome (64 patients, 76 eyes) and pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (32 patients, 39 eyes). We compared the age, sex, underlying disease, location of pseudoexfoliative material, iris change, degree of nuclear cataract, pupil dilatation, corneal endothelial cell counts, central corneal thickness, anterior chamber depth, axial length, corneal curvature, and intraocular pressure (IOP). Results: There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of age (p = 0.694), sex (p = 0.161), diabetes (p = 0.440), hypertension (p = 0.238), pseudoexfoliative material observed in anterior capsule (p = 0.700), pupillary margin (p = 0.210), iris depigmentation (p = 0.526), pupillary ruff loss (p = 0.708), degree of nuclear cataract (p = 0.617), pupil dilatation (p = 0.526), central corneal thickness (p = 0.097), anterior chamber depth (p = 0.283), axial length (p = 0.095), or horizontal and vertical corneal curvature (p = 0.066 and 0.306, respectively). In pseudoexfoliation glaucoma, significantly higher IOP (p = 0.026), a high frequency of membrane formation (p = 0.047), and decreased corneal endothelial cell counts (p = 0.048) were observed. Conclusions: Pseudoexfoliation syndrome with open-angle glaucoma was shown to be associated with high IOP, decreased corneal endothelial cell counts, and a high frequency of membrane formation. Therefore, when such changes are observed in pseudoexfoliation syndrome patients, a higher risk of open-angle glaucoma should be recognized, and careful attentionis required accordingly.