• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
• /
• v.24 no.3
• /
• pp.129-133
• /
• 2017

Objectives Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a disabling psychiatric disorder, and more attention is recently paid on the quality of life (QoL) in OCD patients. The Euro-QoL-5D (EQ-5D) is a widely used self-report to calculate a single score which represents 'health utilities'. The aim of this study was to assess the health-related QoL for patients with OCD using the EQ-5D and to examine the relationship between health-related QoL and symptom severity. Methods Seventy-three patients with a Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) diagnosis of OCD were recruited from the outpatient clinic in Seoul National University Hospital. Symptom severity was assessed using the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (YBOCS), and QoL was assessed with the EQ-5D-5L questionnaire. Using Korean valuation study, a single score of QoL was calculated. Results Most of the OCD patients were relatively young (< 45 years) with the mean YBOCS total score of 19.33. The mean EQ-5D score was 0.71 and significantly correlated with symptom severity (r = -0.483, p < 0.001). 25% of the EQ-5D score was predicted by the YBOCS total score (b = -0.011, p < 0.001) by regression analysis. Conclusions OCD patients suffer from lower health-related QoL and QoL significantly decreased as symptom severity increased. The results of the EQ-5D would enable further studies on QoL comparison across medical disease and mental disorders.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
• /
• v.29 no.4
• /
• pp.336-347
• /
• 2024

Objectives: This cross-sectional study examined sex differences in Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) among seniors with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). Methods: Data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2008-2020) were analyzed. The EuroQol-5 Dimensions (EQ-5D), a measure of HRQoL, was used. It comprises five dimensions: mobility, self-care, usual activity, pain/discomfort, and anxiety/depression, each with three levels. Results: Analysis of 3,826 older adults with T2DM showed a significant increasing trend in the EQ-5D Index from the 4th survey phase onwards (P for trend < 0.001 for both men and women). Men consistently reported higher EQ-5D levels than women across all survey years. Women's EQ-5D levels remained lower than men's, maintaining a decade-old disparity (P < 0.05). Men scored significantly higher (P < 0.05) in most EQ-5D domains, except for self-care and anxiety/depression, resulting in a higher total EQ-5D Index (P = 0.001). Increased comorbidities were strongly associated with lower EQ-5D levels in both sexes. Additionally, there was a negative correlation between the EQ-5D Index and refined grain intake for both sexes (P for trend < 0.001), with high-EQ-5D groups consuming fewer refined grains. Women in the high-EQ-5D group consumed more nuts, vegetables, and meat compared to men (P for trend < 0.05). Conclusions: Our study highlights the sex disparities in HRQoL among older adults with T2DM. The findings suggest the need for tailored treatment guidelines aimed at improving the HRQoL of elderly T2DM patients, with a focus on their sex-specific characteristics. Implementing these tailored guidelines could enhance the HRQoL of older women with T2DM and promote more equitable healthcare outcomes. This underscores the importance of considering sex differences to comprehensively improve the well-being of this population.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.16 no.8
• /
• pp.3345-3350
• /
• 2015

Background: Evaluation of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in cervical cancer patients is important in order to design the interventions for improving patient outcomes. Reports of HRQOL among cervical cancer patients in Indonesia are limited. Moreover, measurement using EQ-5D-3L is to our best knowledge has hitherto not been performed. This study aimed to examine the HRQOL of cervical cancer patients in Indonesia using EQ-5D-3L. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted by interviewing cervical cancer patients using the EQ-5D-3L questionnaire. Percentages of patients who reported having problems in each dimension of EQ-5D as well as EQ-5D index score (utility) were calculated. Results: Our findings indicated that the most frequent reported problems were pain/discomfort (67.8%) followed by anxiety/depression (57.5%). The mean of EQ-5D VAS was 75.8 (SD=17.0). The mean (SD) utility scores were 0.85 (0.19), 0.76 (0.20), 0.71 (0.21), and 0.77 (0.13) for cervical cancer patients in stage I, II, III, and IV, respectively. Conclusions: Cervical cancer significantly affects patient HRQOL. Efforts should be made to improve the quality of life of cervical cancer patients especially in terms of pain /discomfort and anxiety/depression reduction.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
• /
• v.19 no.5
• /
• pp.479-489
• /
• 2014

Objectives: This study intended to determine significant factors that influence the health-related quality of life ("HRQoL"; EuroQol 5 Dimension health-related quality of life (EQ_5D) & EuroQol visual analogue scale (EQ_VAS)) of the elderly in Korea. Methods: This study was based on 3,903 subjects aged 65 years or more who participated in the Fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES V), 2010~2012. The HRQoL was analyzed by various factors (general characteristics, health habits, mental health, chronic diseases, nutrient intakes). SPSS statistics for complex samples (Windows ver. 21.0) was used. Results: The HRQoL was higher in the males, those with higher educational level or higher income level while it was lower in those belong to single households. In particular, the EQ_5D was significantly higher in the group who reported walking practice, moderate physical activity (male), and the group who reported no vigorous physical activity (female). The EQ_VAS was significantly higher in the group who reported walking practice. Both EQ_5D and EQ_VAS were significantly lower in the group with stress, melancholy, suicidal thinking, and osteoarthritis. EQ_5D was significantly lower in the group with < 75% Estimated Energy Requirements (EER) in energy intake, and with < Estimated Average Requirements (EAR) in iron or niacin intake. A stepwise regression analysis revealed that i) higher educational level (male), and good self-rated health status significantly increased the EQ_5D, ii) age, alcohol intake (male), melancholy (female), suicidal thinking, osteoarthritis, and niacin intake deficiency (male) significantly decreased the EQ_5D, iii) higher income level (male) and good self-rated health status significantly increased the EQ_VAS, and iv) age (male), stress, suicidal thinking (female) and osteoarthritis significantly decreased the EQ_VAS. Conclusions: This study suggested that general characteristics, mental health, osteoarthritis, and niacin intake were associated with the HRQoL. Prospective research of long-term control is needed to establish the causal relationship between factors and the HRQoL.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
• /
• v.14 no.3
• /
• pp.417-423
• /
• 2014

The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between prosthetic status and health related quality of elderly by using EuroQol-5 dimension (EQ-5D) which is a standardized instrument used as a measure of health outcome. Data from 1,179 elderly subjects (over 65 years old) from the fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were used in our analysis. Oral examination were conducted to obtain wearing prosthetic and needed prosthetic. EQ-5D is a widely used health condition measuring instrument. It consists of the five dimensions: Mobility, Self-care, Usual activities, Pain/discomfort and Anxiety/depression. EQ-5D index is a score calculated out of a weighting system. In this study, the mean score of the EQ-5D index among the elderly was 0.86. For EQ-5D index gender, female showed statistically significantly lower quality of life than male. The related factors EQ-5D index, when the lower demand for fixed prosthodontics and full denture. Wearers in partial and complete denture than non-wearers showed higher EQ-5D index. In order to improve EQ-5D index among the elderly who demand prosthetic status, which has lost its function through providing proper dental prostheses.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
• /
• v.22 no.3
• /
• pp.419-425
• /
• 2004

Two different groups (30 and 60 inds.) of olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) were abruptly (within 30 min) exposed to hypo-salinities from seawater (SW, 35$\textperthousand$) to freshwater (FW, 0$\textperthousand$) (30FW and 60FW) and to 35$\textperthousand$ (30SW and 60SW) in a flow through seawater culture systems. Analysis of plasma samples showed the following significant increase at 0$\textperthousand$: cortisol from $2.8\;ng\;mL^{-1}$ to $66.9\;ng\;mL^{-1}$ (30FW) and from $2.7\;ng\;mL^{-1}$ to $314.1\;ng\;mL^{-1}$ (60FW) after 24 hours of exposure; glucose from $15.8\;mg\;dL^{-1}$ to $257.7\;mg\;dL^{-1}$ after 3 hours exposure and to $164.0\;mg\;dL^{-1}$ after 24 hours in 60FW. Plasma $Na^+$ concentration of 30FW and 60FW were decreased until 24 hours after expose. However that in 30SW and 60SW showed no significant differences. Plasma $Cl^-$ concentration of 60FW was decreased from $59.0\;mEq\;L^{-1}$ to $43.5\;mEq\;L^{-1}$ and to $30.0\;mEq\;L^{-1}$ after 3 and 24 hours of exposure, respectively. At all experimental groups, survival were 100% until 24 hours.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.23 no.5
• /
• pp.854-863
• /
• 1990

Since the open heart surgery was performed, various kinds of problem concerning the extracorporeal circulation[EGG] have been known. The author investigated the changes of serum potassium ion before and after ECC among the 102 patients including 63 adults and 39 children who underwent open heart surgery from April 19S6 to February 1990 in Chung-Ang University Hospital. The mean values of potassium ion before and after ECC were analyzed according to the influencing factors such as priming solution, aortic cross clamping time, the underlying disease, the type of oxygenator and the amount of cardioplegic solution. The results were as follows: l. In the aspect of congenital and acquired heart disease groups, the mean values of serum potassium ion[Mean\ulcornerS.D.] before and after ECC revealed a significant change only in the acquired heart disease group[congenital; 3.87$\pm$0.48mEq /L vs. 4.05$\pm$0.73mEq /L, P>0.05, acquired: 4.40 $\pm$0.98mEq /L vs. 4.11$\pm$0.52mEq /L, P<0.05]. Between the two groups, the changes of the mean values of serum potassium ion before and after ECC were significant[P<0.05]. But all values were within normal limits. 2. In the aspect of the aortic cross clamping time[ACCT], in the groups of less or more than 120 minutes, the mean values of serum potassium ion before and after ECC revealed no significant change[less than 120 min; 3.97+-0.64mEq /L vs. 3.99+0.67mEq /L, P>0.05, more than 120 min; 4.34+0.82mEq /L vs. 4.27+0.62mEq /L, P>0.05], and The changes of mean values of serum potassium ion between the two groups were not significant[P>0.05]. 3. In both membrane and bubble oxygenator groups, the mean values of serum potassium ion before and after ECC did not reveal a significant difference respectively [membrane; 4.74 +1.40mEq /L vs. 4.28+0.3lmEq /L, P>0.05, bubble; 4.02 +0.60mEq /L vs. 4.05 L0.68mEq/L, P>0.05], and no differences between the membrane and bubble oxygenator groups[P >0.05]. 4. In the groups of membrane and bubble oxygenator in the cases of ACCT more than 120 minutes, the mean values of serum potassium ion before and after ECC did not reveal a significant difference respectively[membrane; 4.36$\pm$0.85mEq /L vs. 4.37$\pm$0.26mEq /L, P>0.05, bubble; 4.30 $\pm$0.80mEq/L vs. 4.23$\pm$0.67mEq/L, P>0.05], and no differences between the two groups[P>0.05]. 5. In spite of increased amount of cold potassium cardioplegic solution, the mean values of serum potassium ion before ECC were similar to those of serum potassium ion after ECC[less than 20ml /kg

• Journal of dental hygiene science
• /
• v.15 no.4
• /
• pp.480-487
• /
• 2015

The purpose of this study was to examine the association between oral health status and health related quality of life (HRQoL). The study used a nationally representative sample of Koreans (2013 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey) aged 19~64 years (n=3,252). Dependent variable was HRQoL, which was assessed with each component of EuroQol-5 dimension (EQ5D). Independent variable was oral health status (oral pain, chewing problem, speaking problem, and perceived oral health). After adjustment for confounders (socio-demographic factors, oral health behaviors, health behaviors, and physical conditions), the risk of having poor HRQoL was greater in adults with poor oral health status. The odds ratio (OR) of having pain/discomfort were 1.50 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.22~1.86) for respondents with oral pain, 1.72 (95% CI, 1.33~ 2.22) for respondents with chewing problem, 1.79 (95% CI, 1.22~2.62) for respondents with speaking problem, and 1.36 (95% CI, 1.09~1.70) for respondents with poor perceived oral health. The OR of having anxiety/depression were 1.74 (95% CI, 1.28~2.38) when having a chewing problem, 1.72 (95% CI, 1.12~2.64) when having a speaking problem, and 1.54 (95% CI, 1.14~2.08) when rating his/her oral health poor. Among Korean adults, two of the EQ5D components were associated with oral health status. Future study is needed to examine the detailed causal relations between oral health status and HRQoL longitudinally.

• Journal of Korean Home Economics Education Association
• /
• v.34 no.4
• /
• pp.1-18
• /
• 2022

This study aimed to investigate the association between plant protein intake and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in Korean individuals aged 50 years or older. Using the 2016-2018 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data, 7,956 participants (3,434 men and 4,522 women) were included in the study. HRQoL was measured using the Euro-quality of life five-dimension (EQ5D), composed of physical function, self-care, daily activities, pain/discomfort, and anxiety/depression problems. The EQ5D estimates were converted into an EQ5D index score. The association between daily intake of plant proteins and HRQoL was evaluated using regression analysis. The intake of total plant protein, legume nut seed (LNS), and fermented bean (FERMB) proteins were all positively associated with HRQoL in both men and women (p < 0.01). Of EQ5D's five dimensions, physical function and daily activities were most commonly associated with plant protein intake. Compared to LNS protein or FERMB protein intake, total plant protein intake showed a better association with HRQoL. In conclusion, a significant association was observed between plant protein intake and HRQoL. It suggests that adequate intake of plant protein might be helpful for the maintenance or improvement of HRQoL in Korean adults.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.44 no.5
• /
• pp.941-947
• /
• 2023

Objective: The purpose of this case study is to report the hydrocele of the canal of Nuck and the effectiveness of Korean medicine in post-surgery improvement of symptoms. Method: A patient who was diagnosed with hydrocele of the Nuck canal and had symptoms after Lichtenstein's operation was treated using Korean medicine, including acupuncture, herbal medicine, and moxibustion, every day. The evaluation was performed using the Numeral Rating Scale (NRS), the 5-level EQ-5D version (EQ-5D-5L), the EQ visual analogue scale (EQ-VAS), and the World Health Organization Quality of Life-Brief (WHOQOL-BREF). Results: After treatment, changes were observed in NRS (from 8 to 2-3) and EQ-VAS (from 60 to 85), whereas there was no difference in EQ-5D-5L (both 6). There was an overall improvement in the domains of WHOQOL-BREF and subjective symptoms. Conclusion: This study suggests that Korean medicine may improve symptoms after surgery of hydrocele of the canal of Nuck and can be evaluated using an overall QoL questionnaire.