• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.31-41
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• 1989

Since the first cases of tsutsugamushi disease reported in Korea in 1986. many cases has been reported and its occurrence has been increasing. Only 2 cases has been reported in Taegu city and Kyungpook area. We experienced an outbreak of 26 cases of tsutsugamushi disease in this area and their clinical manifestations are ; 1. The outbreak occurred in September to November in 1988 and its peak occurrence was in October. 2. Mean age was 52 years old (18 to 69 years old) and peak incidence was in the 6th decade. 3. Major symptoms and abnormal signs are fever/chills(88%), myalgia(65%), headache(54%), nausea and vomiting(31%), and abdominal pain(27%). The eschar was detected on lower part of body in most of cases. and more frequently in male(M : F 100 vs 58%). 4. Patients were treated with tetracyclines(TC) and/or chlorampenicol(CM) and mean duration of defervescence from initiation of antibiotic therapy was 2.1 days with TC and 2.5 days with CM. 5. Complications are 2 cases of meningitis and 1 cases of shock. and all cases were recovered without any sequlae. As above, tsutsugamushi disease occurs in Taegu city and Kyung Pook area as other part of Korea and clinical manifestations are similar to other reports.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.252-260
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• 2002

Introduction Urticaria is widely spread disease. About 15-20 $\%$ of population has experienced at least once in a life time. The etiology of urticaria is uncertain till now, and the affcting factors are various chemical material, physical factors, alcohol, fever, exercise, and hormone, etc. The symptoms of urticaria are small or large wheal-erythema reaction and itching or tingling sense. Cause there is no probe to detect the urticaria clearly, the treatment of urticaria is symptomatic. And mostly urticaria can be chronic and very hard to treat it fundamentally. Nowadays, many trials to treat the urticaria in oriental medical way show good curability. In this paper I'd like to report the treatment rate and degree of urticaria patients mostly using anti-histamine medication. Subjects From the outpatients who visited Korean Hospital of Kyunghee Kangnam during 2000-4 and 2002-1, the 36 chronic urticaria patients, at least more than 4 weeks from onset and 2weeks of treatment period, were chosen. Methods I evaluated the results of treatment with the following scale. Very Good: The all symptoms are clearly disappeared or one third of symptoms remain and sometimes eruption is appeared. Good: Half of the symptoms are improved but most of symptoms remain. No Change: No change appears before and after treatment. Worse: The degree and duration of eruption get worse than pre-treatment state. Results For Acupuncture treatment, I chose the several Acu points like Hapgok(합곡), Taichung(대충), Gokji(곡지), Yanggok(양곡), Yanggea(양계), and lmeup(족임읍), and usually lasted it 15 minutes. With the acupuncture treatment and herb medicine, 2-3 times a week, the patients whose treatment period was 2 to 4 weeks were 17(47.2$\%$), 4 to 8 weeks were 11(30.5$\%$), 8 to 12 weeks were 3(8.3$\%$), 12 to 16 weeks were 3(8.3$\%$), longer than 16 weeks were 2(5.5$\%$) Collecting the statistics of the frequency of prescripted herb medicine, Hyangsosan(향소산) was prescripted 21 times(58.3$\%$), Hyangsapyungwisan(향사평위산) was 15 times(41.6$\%$), Hwapisan(화피산) was 9 times(25$\%$), Yangwitang(양위탕) was 6 times(16.6$\%$), Bojungikkitang(보중익기탕가미) was 4 times(11.1$\%$), Yongdamsagantang (용담사간탕가미) was 4 times(11.1$\%$). The result of the treatments, evaluating with mentioned rate scale, was 11 cases(30.5$\%$) were Very Good degree, 19 cases(52.7$\%$) were Good , 6 cases(16.6$\%$) were No Change. No cases were Worse degree. Conclusion According to this research, we could say that chronic urticaria can be treated with Oriental medical methods. But more precise probes in both Oriental and Western medicine to diagnose the chronic urticaria should be established and we need to make standards for testing and diagnosing the chronic urticaria.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Emergency Medicine
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.671-678
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• 2018

Objective: This study examined the predictive factors for prolonged length of stays of adult patients with acute appendicitis (AA) in an emergency department (ED). Methods: This was a retrospectively clinical study including patients in an ED. All patients were diagnosed from the clinical symptoms and a typical physical examination, and had undergone a computed tomography (CT) evaluation on the ED visiting date. All data were collected from the electrical medical records. The clinical parameters analyzed were the laboratory data, including the white blood cell count with differential values, C-reactive protein (CRP) level, initial vital signs, duration of admission, coexisting perforation of the appendix in the CT findings. The relationship between the clinical parameters and length of stay was assessed. Results: A total of 547 patients with AA were enrolled in this study. Among them, there were 270 male patients with a mean age of $40.7{\pm}15.8years$. The baseline characteristics, initial clinical features, laboratory, and imaging studies results of 129 patients in the prolonged length of stay (pLOS) group, and 418 patients of the non-pLOS group in AA were compared. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed the predictive factors related to pLOS in AA to be as follows: age 40 years or older, body temperature over $37.3^{\circ}C$, CRP level greater than 5.0 mg/dL, and evidence of perforation in CT findings (P<0.001). Conclusion: If we check age, fever, CRP level and find evidence of perforation, it might be helpful for predicting the increasing period of length of hospital stay for patients with AA in ED.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.27-43
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• 1970

This study is designed to find out proper nursing activities for the needs of the colostomy patients, i.e., mental and psychological as well as physical needs for rapid recovery, and to help them build up the follow-up care for proper social adjustment. The study is based on 268 cases out of 381 colostomy patient's records kept in Ewha Womans University Hospital, Yonsei Medical Center, and National Medical Center in between the period from Jan. 1953 to Jan. 1970. The items of study are mainly on etiology, sex, age, duration of hospitalization, mortality rate, seasonal frequency, time from the onset of illness to the admission of the hospital, signs and symptoms. 1. Frequency of onset by etiology: Neoplastic disease 112 cases (42%), Inflammatory disease 33 cases (12%), Congenital malformation 30 cases (11%), Intussusception 25 cases (9.3%), Trauma 24 cases (9%), Volvulus 17 cases (6.3%), and Crohn's disease 6 cases (2.2%). 2. By sex: male 167 cases (62.9%), and female 101 cases (37.1%). So the ratio of portion of male and female 2:1. 3. By age: under 1·year·old 27 cases (10.1%) highest, 41-50 yrs 54 cases (20.2%), 51-60 yrs 42 cases (15.5%), above 71 yrs 5 cases (1.9%). 4. Duration of hospitalization: the shortest is 2-days and the longest is 470 days. 1-20-days 52%, 40-60 days 14%. 5. Mortality rate: Under the 10-days-admission 19.5%, and the beyond 30-days-admission 3.9%. 6. Seasonal frequency: Higher in summer (32% ). 7. Signs and symptoms: abdominal pain (56%), abdominal distention (54%), vomiting (40%), bloody mucoid diarrhea (38%) , pain of anal region (18%), abdominal tenderness, anorexia, indigestion, constipation, disuria, tenesmus, high fever and chilling sensation, bile tingled vomiting. Nursing activities for the patient's physical needs are as follows: Skin care for colostomy region, Prevention of colostomy constriction and depression, Removal of an offensive odor, The use of colostomy bag-selection for, and demonstration of the use of inexpensive colostomy irrigation equipment, Personal hygiene, general skin care, care of hair, finger nails and toe-nails, Oral hygiene, sleep and rest, aquate, Daily activities, etc. Measures for regulation of bowl movement. Keeping the instruction of taking food, Preparing the meal and help for anorexia, Constipation and it's solution, Prevention of diarrhea, helping the removal of mucous, and stretch constricted steam as needed. Nursing activities for pt's socio-psychological needs are as follows; Help the patient to make decision for the operation, Remove pt's anxiety toward operation and anesthesia, To meet the pt's spiritual needs at his death bed, Help to establish family and friends cooperation, Help to reduce anxiety at the time of admission and it's solution, Help to meet religious need, Help to remove pt's anxiety for loosing his job and family maintenance, Follow-up studies for 7 cases have been done to implement the present thesis. The items of the personal interviews with the patients are as follows: Acceptability for artificial anus, The most anxious thing they had in mind at the time of discharge, The most anxious thing they hat·e in mind at present, Their friends and family's attitudes toward the patient after operation, Relations with other colostomy patients, Emotional damage from the operation, Physical problem of enema, irrigation, Control of diet, Skin care, Control of offensive odor, Patient's suggestions to nurses during hospital stay and after discharge. In conclusion, the follow-up care for colostomy patients shares equal weight or perhaps more than the post-operative care. The follow-up care should include the spiritual care for moral support of the patient, to drag him out of isolation and estrangement, and make him fully participate in social activities. It is suggested that the following measures would help to rehabilitate the colostomy patients (1) mutual acquaintance with other colostomy patients if possible form a sort of club for the colostomy patient to exchange their experiences in care (2) through the team work of doctor, nurse and rehabilitation specialists, to have a sort of concerted effort for betterment of the patient.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.249-260
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• 1986

Recent reports have noted the increase of and questioned the justification for cesarean section rate in the past decade. This study was carried out retrospectively based on the clinical charts of 510 patients who had been performed cesarean section among 3,357 deliveries at Yeungnam University Hospital from May, 9, 1983 through Nov., 30, 1986. The results were as follows : 1. Overall incidence of cesarean section was 15.7% of total deliveries. Of these, 10.9% were by primary cesarean section and 4.7% by repeat operation. There has been a gradual increase in the cesarean section rate. 2. In the distribution of age, the 26-30 aged group was the most prevalent(60.2%). 3. The most common indications for cesarean section were previous cesarean section(30.2%), CPD (26.9%), Malpresentation(22.7%), and fetal distress(3.5%). In primipara, CPD was the most frequent and in multipara malpresentation. 4. A great proportion(31.6%) was done at 40th gestational week. 5. In the weight distribution of infants, the group of 3,000-3,499gm was the most prevalent(39.8%), premature baby was 9.1%, and giant baby was 5.6%. 6. In the type of operation, lower segment transverse cesarean section was the most(97.5%). 7. In the combined surgery, sterilization was the most prevalent and the next was ovarian cystectomy, hysterectomy, and myomectomy in order. 8. In the type of the anesthesia, general anesthesia was 83.5%. 9. Maternal morbidity was 14.7%. Among the causes of this morbidity, wound infection was the most and the next was urinary tract infection, fever of unknown origin, and atonic bleeding in order. 10. It was found that 18.4% was maternal morbidity in the patients below 10gm Hb. In this group, maternal morbidity was markedly increased as the level of Hb was decreased. 11. Maternal morbidity was increased as the duration of ruptured membrane was prolonged. In the group of over 24 hours after rupture of membrane, it was markedly increased(44.4%). 12. Maternal morbidity was increased as the duration of labor was prolonged. In the group of over 12 hours after the onset of labor, it was 24.6%. 13. Maternal morbity of lower segment transverse cesarean section was the least(14.1%). 14. Maternal morbidity of emergency cesarean section was about two times as much as elective cesarean section.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.178-185
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• 2013

Objective: Cytopenia is a common hematologic complication of viral infections. However, information regarding hematologic effects of common respiratory virus infections is scarce. This study aimed to evaluate hematologic complications and the clinical course of patients infected with common respiratory viruses. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 496 patients with respiratory tract infections admitted to the Department of Pediatrics, Wonkwang University Hospital from November 2011 to March 2012 using multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction to detect the presence of respiratory viruses and hematologic abnormalities. Results: Respiratory viruses were identified in 379 patients. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) was most frequently detected (55.7%), followed by influenza A (Flu-A, 23.0%). Further, cytopenia was observed in 35.5% of RSV-infected patients, 25.0% of Flu-A-infected patients, and 34% of patients infected by other viruses. Each virus caused a decrease in 3 blood cell component values, which corresponded with cytopenia frequency. Of the 379 infected patients, 83 had anemia ($9.71{\pm}1.09g/dL$); 46 had neutropenia ($803.70{\pm}263.09cells/mm^3$); and 23 had transient thrombocytopenia ($142,434.78{\pm}86,835.18cells/mm^3$). However, no patient required treatment. A comparison of clinical characteristics between RSV- and Flu-A-positive patients with anemia revealed that RSV-infected patients had significantly longer duration of hospitalization. RSV was detected more commonly in young neutropenic patients, who had a shorter duration of fever. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that infections, particularly RSV and Flu-A, result in varying degrees of cytopenia, which usually improves without treatment and does not affect the clinical course of the infection.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.303-309
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• 2016

Purpose: Malignant ascites is a common complication in terminal cancer patients. Less-invasive pigtail catheter insertion is the most frequent procedure in patients who need repeated ascites drainage. This study investigated effects and adverse events associated with catheter insertion for ascites drainage and evaluated prognostic outcomes. Methods: We reviewed medical records between 2010 and 2013 of hospice and palliative care institutions in Seoul, South Korea. Among 2,608 inpatients, 67 patients received ascites pigtail catheter drainage. We reviewed demographic data, palliative performance scale, laboratory data, duration of catheter insertion, prevalence and type of complications, use and duration of antibiotics, and survival time. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression models were used to evaluate prognostic outcomes related with catheter insertion. Results: Ascites drainage was performed most commonly in hepatobiliary and gastric cancer patients. Ascites symptoms improved in 55 patients after the catheter drainage. Adverse events included pain (19.4%), leakage (14.9%), disconnection (7.5%), catheter occlusion (6%) and fever (4.5%). In Cox regression analysis, survival time from the catheter insertion was significantly associated with Palliative Performance Scale (PPS) (HR 0.73; P value 0.045) and serum sodium level (HR 2.77; P value 0.003) in a multivariate model. Conclusion: Patients' PPS and serum sodium level should be considered before making a decision of pigtail catheter insertion.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.60 no.1
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• pp.72-75
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• 2006

Background : This report reviews our experience with persistent air leaks in the peumothorax that were not considered candidates for surgical treatment in order to evaluate the efficacy and risks of the OK-432 plus autoblood or OK-432 pleurodesis. Material & Methods : From March 2004 to July 2005, 8 consecutive patients who had an air leak in the pneumothorax over 5 days and had been treated with OK-432 plus autoblood or OK-432 pleurodesis. The patients were not considered candidates for surgical treatments because the chest CT findings revealed severe chronic lung disease with multiple bullae and/or bullous changes. A prolonged air leak with/without dead space was treated with either OK-432 plus autoblood or OK-432 pleurodesis. The efficacy and side effects of OK-432 pleurodesis were assessed by determining the duration of the air leak, the number of pleurodesis, the patients' symptoms, measurements of the white blood cell count and the c-reactive protein level. Results : All of eight patients were male and the mean age was $72.4{\pm}8.5$. The mean number of pleurodesis was $1.9{\pm}1.1$ and the mean duration of the air leak was $4.6{\pm}4.6days$ after pleurodesis. Side effects after pleurodesis were encountered in 7 patients, which included a chilling sensation in 7 cases, chest pain in 5 cases, headache in 3 cases, local heat sensation in 2 cases, and fever in 1 case. Leukocytosis was observed in 6 patients, and the mean of WBC count and CRP were $14500{\pm}2100$ and $21.9{\pm}11.4mg/dL$, respectively. Conclusion : Either OK-432 plus autoblood or OK-432 pleurodesis has acceptable side effects, and can be considered a treatment option for persistent air leaks in the pneumothorax that are not candidates for surgical treatment.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.110-116
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• 2013

Purpose: The $^{99m}Tc$-Dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) renal scan is used primarily for the diagnosis of renal scarring and acute pyelonephritis in children with urinary tract infections (UTI). This study aimed to evaluate clinical differences based on the positive or negative results of DMSA scans and kidney ultrasonography (US) in pediatric UTI. Method: We retrospectively reviewed 142 pediatric patients with UTI who were admitted to Myongji Hospital from January 2004 to December 2012. We performed a comparative analysis of clinical parameters such as age, sex, white blood cell (WBC) count, neutrophil count, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) level, creatinine (Cr) level, C-reactive protein (CRP) level, and durations of hospitalization and fever, grouped by the results of the DMSA scans and kidney US. Results: The mean age of the patients was $33.8{\pm}48.3$ months, and 78 (55%) were male. Fifty-two patients had abnormal DMSA findings, and 71 patients had abormal kidney US findings (test positive groups). In the DMSA scan positive group, there were significant differences in age, WBC counts, neutrophil counts, CRP level, BUN level, Cr level, hospitalization duration, number of abnormal findings on kidney US, and incidence of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) compared with the scan negative group. The kidney US positive group had significant differences in age, neutrophil count, CRP level, BUN level, Cr level, hospitalization duration, number of abnormal findings on the DMSA scans, and more frequent VUR compared with the US negative group. Conclusion: Our data suggest that there were no major differences in clinical parameters based on the results of the DMSA scans compared with kidney US in pediatric UTI. However, as kidney US and DMSA scan were performed to predict VUR, the sensitivity and negative predictive value was increased.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.43 no.5
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• pp.701-708
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• 1996

Background : To evaluate the effect of the balloon dilatation in tuberculous bronchial stenosis, we performed balloon dilatation in 13 cases which had airway obstruction in main bronchus with the impairment of pulmonary function. Material and Methods: Thirteen women with tuberculous bronchial stenosis(9cases : left main bronchus, 4 cases: right main bronchus) underwent fluoroscopically guided balloon dilatation under the local anesthesia. Among the these patient, 9 cases were active endobronchial tuberculosis, and 4 cases were inactive. Immediate and long term follow-up(average 15.6months) assessments were done focused on change on PIT. The increase of FVC or FEV1 more than 15% after the procedure was considered effective. Complications after dilatation were evaluated in all patients. Result : 1) There were an decrease of self-audible wheezing in 75%(6/8), improvement of dyspnea in 62.5%(5/8), improvement of cough and expectoration in 50%(3/6), and improvement of chest discomfort in 50%(1/2). 2) Significant improvement of PFT was noted in 42.9%(3/7) of which respiratory symptoms duration was below 6 months. 8m, significant improvement of PFT was noted in only 25%(1/4) of which respiratory symptoms duration was above 12 months. 3) Active stage was 69.2%(9/13) and inactive was 30.8%(4/13). There was an significant improvement of PFT in 44.4%(4/9) of active stage, but, only 25%(1/4) of inactive stage was improved. 4) In 61.5%(8/13), FVC and FEV1 were increased to 35.5%, and 22.2% at post-dilatation 7 days. After 1 month later, FVC and FEV1 were increased to 54.7%, and 31.8% in 5 cases(38.5%). 4 cases in which long-term follow-up(average 19.8months) was possible the improvement of FVC, and FEV1 were 30.5%, and 10.1%. 5) Just after balloon dilatation therapy, transient leukocytosis or fever was noted in 30.8%(4/13), and blood-tinged sputum was noted in 30.8%(4/13). However, serious complication, such as pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum or mediastinitis, was not noted. Conclusion : We conclude that tuberculous bronchial stenosis, which is on active stage, and short dulation of respiratory symptoms was more effective on balloon dilatation than inactive stage or long duration of respiratory symptoms. Furthermore, balloon dilatation is easier, much less invasive and expensive than open surgery. and cryotherapy or photoresection. Because of these advantage, we think that balloon dilatation could be the first choice for treating bronchial stenosis and could be done at first in early stage if unresponsiveness with steroid therapy is observed.