• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.13
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• pp.5287-5291
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• 2014

Background: The cancer survival rate in Korea has substantially increased, necessitating the management of not only patients with cancer but also longer term survivors. Although the divorce rate has drastically increased in Korea, there is not sufficient research regarding the relationship between changes in marital status and quality of life (QOL) in cancer patients and survivors. Thus, we aimed to examine the relationship between marital status and QOL in such cases. Materials and Methods: This study was performed using the Community Health Survey of 2008 administered by the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (N=169,328). We used t-tests and Chi-square tests to compare demographic variables between men and women, and analysis of variance (ANOVA) to compare QOL scores among comparison groups. We also performed a multilevel analysis on the relationship between QOL and marital status while accounting for provincial differences. Results: Decline of EuroQOL five dimensions (EQ-5D) in single patients with cancer was greater than in any other marital status group, but there was no statistically significant decline in survivors of cancer with regard to marital status. In the general population, the decline of EQ-5D was higher among single people than married people. Using the EuroQOL visual analog scale (EQ-VAS), single people had higher values than those of other marital status among both patients with cancer and survivors of cancer. In the general population, EQ-VAS values were higher for single people compared to married people. Conclusions: There may be a significant relationship between marital status and QOL in cancer patients and survivors. Policy interventions to manage patients with cancer who experience a decline in QOL as well as marital problems should be conducted.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.45-56
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• 2012

Objective : This study was done to investigate the correlation between general quality of life(QOL) and disease specific QOL of tinnitus patients. Methods : 2009 National health and nutrition survey(NHNS) data were employed for analyzing the mean estimates of total population and tinnitus sub-group patients, and predicting the regression equation of mapping between EQ-5D and disease severity. Baseline statistical analyses and normality tests were done by using Student t-test, Chi-square test, Shapiro-Wilk test and ladder test. Hierarchial regression analyses were performed using related variables and predicted the optimal regression equations. Statistical significance was achieved if the probability was less than 5%. Results : Firstly, the standardized prevalence of tinnitus patient in South Korea was 18.69% and over 90th age-group was relatively higher than other groups. Mean value of domestic QOL measured by EQ-5D was estimated as 0.9486 and QOL of tinnitus subgroup(0.9169) was lower than the non-tinnitus subgroup(0.9559), significantly. Stratified by age and sex, QOLs of all sub-groups with tinnitus were lower than without tinnitus sub-groups significantly. Regression equations from 2009 NHNS data were developed using hierarchial regression analysis which is as follows. $$Y_{EQ-5D}=0.9224-0.0079{\times}T1-0.0261{\times}T2-0.0951{\times}T3+\sum_{i=1}^{n}{\beta}_i{\times}X_i\\{\hspace{95}}(0.0106){\hspace{3}}(0.0037){\hspace{30}}(0.0072){\hspace{30}}(0.0038)$$ ($X_i$=Other explanatory variables except Tinnitus QOL1, 2, 3, ${\beta}$= Regression Coefficient of Model 4) Conclusion : We confirmed the correlation among THI and EQ-5D and HUI-III, and developed the inference for regression equation of EQ-5D.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.197-211
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• 2011

Objectives : OHIP-14 and EQ-5D were used, targeting the residents of farming communities to identify the elements that influence oral cavity's health and quality of life due to health and to identify the importance of oral cavity's health in order to increase health of adults' oral cavity and quality of life via improved health. Methods : This research was conducted from July 17th, 2010 to August 16th, 2010 targeting 600 residents in Goryeong-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do, aging over 40. The data has been analyzed using Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal-Wallis test and hierarchical multiple regression through SPSS Win Program 18.0 version. Results : 1. OHIP-14 and EQ-5D based on general characteristics showed lower oral health-related quality of life and health-related quality of life on the following cases: women (p=0.004, p<0.001), older (p<0.001, p<0.001), lower scholastic ability (p<0.001, p<0.001), lower average of average spending money (p<0.001, p<0.001), higher number of chronic disease (p<0.001, p<0.001), less drinking (p=0.012, p=0.008), lower perceived oral health and health status (p<0.001, p<0.001) and non smoking showed only EQ-5D (p<0.001). 2. OHIP-14 and EQ-5D based on oral health behavior showed lower oral health-related quality of life and health-related quality of life on the following cases: no periodic oral check-up (p<0.001, p<0.001), less experience of oral health education (p<0.001, p<0.001), horizontal tooth-brushing method(p<0.001, p<0.001) and lower frequency of tooth-brushing showed only OHIP-14 (p=0.042). OHIP-14 and EQ-5D based on oral health status and subjective oral symptom showed lower oral health-related quality of life and health-related quality of life on following cases: number of existing tooth less than 20 (p<0.001, p<0.001), the number of missing teeth more than 9 (p<0.001, p=0.044), DMFT (Decay, Missing, Filling Teeth) index more than 18 (p<0.001, p<0.001), wears denture (p<0.001, p<0.001), edentulous (p<0.001, p=0.002), have xerostomia (p<0.001, p<0.001) and have chewing discomfort (p<0.001, p<0.001). 3. Factors affecting OHIP-14 were gender, age, perceived oral health status, perceived health status, number of existing teeth, dental status, xerostomia and chewing discomfort, and the of reliability (how well it explains) the final model was 48.7%. EQ-5D showed relevance on gender, age, presence of chronic disease, perceived health status, xerostomia, chewing discomfort and oral health-related quality of life, and the reliability of the final model was 42.9%. Conclusions : In order to improve the quality of life of ruralists, oral health needs to be improved or remained by increasing the rate of possession of the existing teeth and preventing the loss of teeth. In order to do so, improvement of accessibility of dental clinic, change of direction from treatment-centered to prevention-centered health care system, development of oral health education program and various oral health care policies which would vitalize continuous oral health care system are considered to be necessary.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.3751-3758
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• 2014

This study was designed to evaluate the effects of arthritis and comorbid chronic conditions on the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in the Korean older population. The study subjects were 2,708 Korean adults aged 65 and older from the $3^{rd}$ Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys data: 1,357 persons with a single chronic condition, such as arthritis, herniations of the intervertebral disc, osteoporosis, asthma, peptic ulcers, stroke, or cataract; 886 persons with arthritis and a second chronic condition described above; and 465 persons with no chronic condition. An analysis of covariance was performed to compare the EQ-5D index among the groups. The effects of arthritis, second chronic condition and their interactions were analyzed by multiple linear regression analysis. The results are as follows. Compared to men with arthritis only, men with stroke only, stroke and arthritis, or cataract and arthritis had a lower age adjusted EQ-5D index. Women with a stroke only, asthma only, cataract only, osteoporosis and arthritis, peptic ulcer and arthritis, stroke and arthritis, or cataract and arthritis had a lower age adjusted EQ-5D index than women with arthritis only. Arthritis and comorbid conditions had additive effects on the HRQol in both genders except for arthritis and stroke in women. In conclusion, comorbid chronic medical conditions in older people with arthritis may reduce the HRQoL in an additive manner.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.57 no.2
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• pp.148-156
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• 2024

Objectives: Understanding patterns of quality of life in people who inject drugs (PWID) can help healthcare providers plan and manage their health problems in a more focused manner. Therefore, the current study aimed to identify patterns of health-related quality of life in PWID in southeast Iran. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in southeast Iran on men who had injected drugs at least once during the last year. We used convenience sampling in 2 drop-in centers and venue-based sampling at 85 venues. Demographic characteristics, high-risk behaviors, and health-related quality of life were evaluated using the 5-level EQ-5D version (EQ-5D-5L) questionnaire. Latent profile analysis was used to identify patterns of quality of life. Results: This study enrolled 398 PWID, who had a mean age of 34.1±11.4 years. About 47.9% reported a prison history in the last 10 years, 59.2% had injected drugs in the last month, and 31.6% had a history of sharing syringes. About 46.3% reported having 2 or more sexual partners in the last 6 months, and 14.7% had a history of sex with men. Out of the 5 EQ-5D-5L profiles, the fifth profile had the most people (36.6%). Most variations in quality of life were related to pain and discomfort. Conclusions: We showed that the pain and discomfort dimension of EQ-5D-5L had more variation in PWID. This finding will be useful for allocating appropriate interventions and resources to promote health-related quality of life in this population.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.9-16
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• 1997

We investigated and analysed the actual conditions and characteristics of railroad noise levels for 17 sites in the vicinity of the Seoul-Pusan Line. The results i,we summarized as follows : 11 Railroad noise level ranged to 64 ~ 74 $L_{eq}$ dB(A) at day time and ranged to 60 ~ 72 $L_{eq}$ dB(A) at night time. 21 Increased night noise level depend on the increase of trains passing at night time. 31 The major factor of Increased noise level in the vicinity of stations are using loudspeakers and stream whistle on trains. 4) Decreased effect of noise according to distance is able to be described quantitatively using regression equations of multiplicative model. $L_{eq}$=$78.59^{X-0.056}$, n =25, r=-0.994, s.e. =1.007 $P_{av}$ = $105.68X^{-0.073}$, n =25, r =-0.997, s.e. = 1.007 Also increased and decreased effect of noise according to floor in apartment Is able to be described quantitatively using regression equations of multiplicative model. $L_{eq}$ = $64.238X^{0.0567}$, n = 39, r = 0.787, s.e. = 1.004 $P_{av}$ =79.963X0.0524, n =39, r =0.689, s.e. = 1.056 5) Average noise level in high floor is over 70 $L_{eq}$ dB(A) at day and night time. so more detailed soundproofing countermeasured in high floors apartment is required.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.173-180
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• 2008

Objectives : The purposes of this study were to examine the health-related quality of life(HRQoL) and to identify its related factors for a group of rural adults. Methods : The study subjects were 1,901 adults who were aged 40-70 years and who were living in Naju City, Jeollanamdo. The sociodemographic characteristics, health-related behavior, health status and global self-rated health were collected for statistical analysis. The health-related quality of life was measured by the Euroqol EQ-5D instrument. The differences on the EQ-5D index between the groups were assessed with t-test, ANOVA and hierarchical multiple regression analysis. Results : Overall, the mean value of the EQ-5D index was $0.884{\pm}0.140$ and this score was significantly different according to the socioeconomic characteristics, the health-related behavior, the health status and the global self-rated health. According to the results from the hierarchical multiple regression analysis, the HRQoL was significantly reduced for females, older subjects, and other subjects with no spouse and the subjects with osteoporosis, obesity, mental distress or poorer global self-rated health. Conclusions : The HRQoL for rural adults was related to the socioeconomic characteristics, the health status and the global self-rated health, A better understanding of the factors related to the HRQoL would help to improve the rural adults' quality of life.

• Journal of Korean Dental Hygiene Science
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.73-83
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• 2022

Background: This study was aimed at reducing depression and improving the quality of life and oral health of the elderly Koreans by elucidating the effect of depression on their life quality and oral health. Methods: Original data from the 8th National Health and Nutrition Survey (2019) were analyzed and implemented. The elderly (age≥65years) Koreans were enrolled. The oral health status was determined using the Decayed, Missing, Filled Teeth (DMFT) index and subjective self-report. The quality of life was quantified as the sum of score of each item in the Euro Qol-5 dimension (EQ-5D) and Health-related Quality of Life Instrument with 8 Items (HINT-8). The t-test, one-way analysis of variance, correlation analysis, and multiple regression analysis were performed to statistically compare the quality of life, oral health status, and oral health status according to the depression status. Results: EQ-5D and HINT-8 scores differed significantly with the history of depression, current depression, stress perception, depression for 2 weeks, and annual suicidal intention (p≤0.05). The DMFT index score differed significantly with the depression diagnosis and depression for 2 weeks (p≤0.05). EQ-5D, HINT-8, and DMFT index differed significantly with all oral health behavior variables (p≤ 0.05). Conclusions: The results of this study could serve as a basis to formulate oral health programs for the elderly to reduce depression and improve the quality of life.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.334-340
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• 2016

Purpose: This study was conducted to investigate the effects of skater exercise on cardiopulmonary fitness and balance function in patients with mild chronic stroke. Methods: A total of ten chronic stroke patients with mild neurologic deficits were recruited. The participants were divided into two groups, a skater exercise (n=5) and a control group (n=5). Skater exercise was performed by physical therapists in the experimental group, whereas patients in the control group conducted self-exercise. One session of the intervention was carried out for 30 minutes, three times per week for eight weeks. Cardiopulmonary function, falling index, and Euro-Quality of Life-5 Dimension (EQ-5D) were measured before and after the intervention. Results: No side effects were reported during and after skater exercise intervention. The peak aerobic capacity, falling index, and EQ-5D improved significantly in the experimental group compared with the control group after eight weeks of skater exercise (p=0.002, p=0.010, and p=0.006). Significant relationships were identified between the change in EQ-5D and peak aerobic capacity (R2=0.75, p=0.002)/falling index (R2=0.65, p=0.002). Conclusion: Skater exercise was an effective physical therapy to improve cardiopulmonary fitness and balance function in patients with mild chronic stroke.

• Journal of the Korean Data and Information Science Society
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.829-846
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• 2014

Using complex sample design, this article analyzes the difference between sex and age groups of mental health, physical activity, suffering lifestyle diseases, drinking, and smoking using the fifth Korea national health and nutrition examination survey data (2011-2012), and then analyzes the effect of mental health, physical activity, suffering lifestyle diseases, drinking, and smoking on EQ-5D, a measure of health-related quality of life. The results show that mental health, physical activity, suffering lifestyle diseases, drinking and smoking are statistically different among gender and age groups, and that age group, education level, suffering diabetes, recognizing stress, thinking suicide are statistically influential on EQ-5D.