• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
• /
• v.31
• /
• pp.23.1-23.6
• /
• 2016

Objectives A stable follow-up participation rate is a very important factor for validity in a cohort study. This study analyzed the factors that affect the participation rate at one hospital-based birth cohort in South Korean. Methods The participants were recruited from the Mothers' and Children's Environmental Health study between 2006 and 2010. The analysis targeted 1751 mothers who participated in a birth cohort. We conducted analyses of general characteristics during pregnancy and those of infants at birth that affect the participation rate of the 6-month follow-up survey. Results The participation rate for the 6-month follow-up survey was 60.4%. The participation rate in the follow-up of the subsequent period decreased within a 5% to 10% range compared to the number of subjects. The participation rate of premature infants was 16.9% lower than that of a full-term infant (52.6% vs. 69.5%). Analysis showed a 16.7% difference between the participation rate of low-birthweight infants in follow-ups (53.7%) and the participation rate of infants with normal weight (70.4%). The participation rate of mothers who were employed during pregnancy was significantly lower for the 6-month follow-up compared to the participation rate of mothers who were unemployed during pregnancy. Conclusions In this study, factors such as premature birth, low-birthweight, and the employment status of the mother during pregnancy affected the participation rate of the follow-up survey for the birth cohort at six months. A specific strategy is needed to encourage survey participation for the high risk groups in the follow-ups.

• Journal of Home Health Care Nursing
• /
• v.16 no.2
• /
• pp.98-107
• /
• 2009

Purpose: The objective of this study was to identify the effects of a telephone follow-up program on patient compliance, urea kinetic modeling and incidence of infection in patients with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). Method: A pretest-posttest design with a nonequivalent control group was used to examine the effects of a telephone follow-up program for 12 weeks in a group of 39 CAPD patients. The telephone follow-up group of 17 patients received telephone follow-up 10 min once a week for 1 month and 10 min twice a month for 2 months during 12 weeks compared to control group of 22 who patients received usual care. Results: The telephone follow-up group showed no significant changes in patient compliance and urea kinetic modeling, although patients with CAPD receiving a telephone follow-up showed reduced incidence of exit site infection during the intervention compared with the control group. Conclusion: Telephone follow-up program for CAPD patients may decrease the incidence of exit site infection. Future studies with a larger sample be done utilizing diet and exercise reinforcement program combined with telephone follow-up as a nursing intervention for patients with CAPD.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
• /
• v.25 no.1
• /
• pp.21-29
• /
• 2022

Purpose: The objective of this study was to identify the significance of 24-hour post-reduction ultrasonography (US) in pediatric patients with intussusception. Methods: A total of 229 patients with intussusception who were treated with saline reduction at Severance Children's Hospital between January 2014 and September 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. The 229 patients with successful saline reduction were divided into two groups: a recurrence at 24 hours group (R, n=41) and a non-recurrence group (NR, n=188). The full patient sample was divided into two groups: follow-up US (FU) or no follow-up US (NFU); the recurrence group was divided into follow-up (R-FU) and non-follow-up (R-NFU) subgroups, and stratified analyses were performed. Results: There were no significant differences in age, sex, laboratory findings, symptoms, and sonographic findings between the NR and R groups. In the R group, 24 patients underwent follow-up US, and 17 patients did not. Specific sonographic findings were statistically significant in the R-FU group compared to the R-NFU group (p=0.002). The R-FU group had fewer admissions (p=0.012) and longer mean hospitalization times (p<0.001) than the R-NFU group. The NFU group had a 12.2% recurrence rate, while the R-FU group recurrence rate was 25.8% (p=0.0099), suggesting that the omission of some recurrent events and follow-up US was a significant variable in the recurrence of intussusception. The median time to recurrence was 21 hours which supports the 24-hour follow-up protocol. Conclusion: Twenty-four-hour follow-up US was shown to be valuable for detecting early recurrence of intussusception.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
• /
• v.6 no.2
• /
• pp.176-187
• /
• 1998

This study was performed to identify the significant variables affecting Follow-up after psychiatric consultation in General medical units and the trends of psychiatric consultation at the Hallym University hospital in Chunchon. Subjects of this study were 107 patients from April 1, 1998 to August 31, 1998, who were referred for psychiatric consultation during hospitalization. The results were as follows ; 1) Referral rate of General medical units was 7.5% and ordered Gastroenterology, Cardiology, nephrology, Other part. 2) The rate of total follow-up was 58% and the rate of No-follow-up was 42%. 3) In the cases of referral timing over admission 8th days, the days hospitalized after consultation performed were lengthened, significantly. 4) Common reasons for no follow-up of consultation were 'early- discharge' and 'patient's unwillingness to psychiatric reconsult. 5) Significant variables affecting follow-up were 'treatment recommendation', 'concordance with psychiatric drug recommendation', 'concordance with laboratory recommendation', 'total days hospitalized', 'Days hospitalization after consult was performed' and 'referral reason'.

• The Korean Journal of Community Living Science
• /
• v.22 no.3
• /
• pp.455-469
• /
• 2011

The purpose of this study was to find out how follow-up activities of reading picture books influenced infants' language and socio-emotional development. Subjects of this study were 27 2-year-old infants at public day care centers in Busan. After implementing follow-up activities of reading picture books for 8 weeks, this study tried to investigate changes in infants' language and socio-emotional development. Results of this study are as follows. First, follow-up activities of reading pictures have brought positive impacts on infants' language ability. Results indicate a positive influence on infants' expressive and acceptive language ability. Second, follow up activities have also enhanced infants' socio-emotional development. Sepcifically, they have been effective in improving infants' low-level socio-emotional development such as 'internal control', 'peer interaction', and 'achievement motivation'. It is expected that the follow-up activities developed by this research would help to enhance infants' language development and socio-emotional development.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.81 no.1
• /
• pp.49-58
• /
• 2018

Background: Information regarding the incidence and risk factors for deep vein thrombosis (DVT) detected by follow-up computed tomographic (CT) venography after pulmonary embolism (PE) is sparse. The aim of the present study was to identify the predictors of DVT in follow-up CT images, and to elucidate their clinical significance. Methods: Patients with PE were classified into the following three cohorts based on the time of indirect CT venography follow-up: within 1 month, 1 to 3 months, and 3 to 9 months after the initial CT scan. Each cohort was subdivided into patients with or without DVT detected by follow-up CT. Clinical variables were compared between the two groups. Results: Follow-up CT revealed DVT in 61% of patients with PE within 1 month, in 15% of patients with PE at 1 to 3 months, and in 9% of patients with PE at 3 to 9 months after the initial CT scan. Right ventricular (RV) dilation on the initial CT (odds ratio [OR], 8.30; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.89-36.40; p=0.005) and proximal DVT at the initial presentation (OR, 6.93; 95% CI, 1.90-25.20; p=0.003) were found to independently predict DVT in follow-up CT images within 1 month, proximal DVT at the initial presentation was found to independently predict DVT in follow-up CT images at 1 to 3 months (OR, 6.69; 95% CI, 1.53-29.23; p=0.012), and central PE was found to independently predict DVT in follow-up CT images at 3 to 9 months (OR, 4.25; 95% CI, 1.22-4.83; p=0.023) after the initial CT scan. Furthermore, the detection of DVT by follow-up CT independently predicted the recurrence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) (OR, 4.67; 95% CI, 2.24-9.74; p<0.001). Conclusion: Three months after PE, DVT was not detected by follow-up CT in most patients with PE. RV dilation on the initial CT, central PE, and proximal DVT at the initial presentation were found to predict DVT on follow-up CT, which might predict VTE recurrence.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.27 no.3
• /
• pp.196-201
• /
• 1994

Endocardial cushion defect is a rare congenital heart disease. From September 1985, we experienced 20 cases of endocardial cushion defects and postoperative follow up was taken.We reviewed preoperative clinical data, echocardiography, cardiac cath data, operative method & time. After operation, we performed echocardiography and examined mitral valve function & integrity of patch closure sites. Postoperative follow up was taken regularly & follow up period was from 2 month to 91 months. Several postoperative complications were overcome with adequate treatment. There were 3 cases of early death and mortality rate was 15% [3/20].

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
• /
• v.41 no.3
• /
• pp.123-127
• /
• 2009

After a health examination, abnormal patients were classified into two groups. One needs clinical treatment immediately, while the other one needs check-up in 2~3 month after for blood tests and preventive medical study. To discover the status and importance of the follow-up study in a health program, blood test upon health examination was compared to the test from the follow-up. We examined patients of ages from 20's to 70's. Among these patients, most of them were between 40's and 50's, and in male patients the follow-up test were more freguent than female. We examined blood obtained from January 2007 to December 2008. We analyzed and compared initial and the follow up blood test. Lipid profile, liver test, thyroid function tests (TFTs), glucose fasting, and HbA1c were examined from the blood tests. We also surveyed their distribution and status. The value of the follow up blood tests was significantly decreased with the most striking differences in lipid profiles and liver test. Follow up study is able to improve life style of patients through doctor's advice in a health program. Therefore, we can conclude that the follow up blood test is also quite critical.

• Journal of Families and Better Life
• /
• v.21 no.5
• /
• pp.93-107
• /
• 2003

The purpose of this study was to verify the effectiveness of sociodrama on adolescents who are maladjusted in school. For this study, nine adolescents were selected from a middle school located in Seoul. The Inventory of School adjustment by Bae Sook-Jin, Buss-Durkee Hostility Inventory(BDHI) and Impulsivity Test by Eysenck were administered. The experiment group acted out a sociodrama twelve times. The first follow-up test was conducted twelve weeks after the pre-test. The second follow-up test was conducted six weeks after first follow-up test. Each time the adolescents acted out a sociodrama their behavior was recorded by a video- camera and then documented by research assistants. Also in order to discover any changes in daily life after sociodrama, an interview survey were done with the adolescents' teachers. The findings were as follows. First, in the initial follow-up test degree of school-maladjustment was less than in the pre-test. Further decreases in the level of maladjustment were noted in the subsequent follow-ups. Therefore, it can be concluded that the performance of sociodramas can reduce school-maladjustment among adolescents and that this reduced level is maintained. Second, the level of hostility discovered in the first follow-up test was less than that in the pre-test, and this level continued to decrease in the following follow-ups. Therefore, we may conclude that sociodrama that reduces adolescent hostility and the reduced levels continue. Finally, the degree of impulse detected in the first follow-up was, once again, less than that of the pre-test, And, as in the other cases, there was a continued decrease in this level. We may therefore conclude that sociodrama does reduce the impulse of adolescents and that this reduction is maintained. This study indicates that sociodrama is an effective method to improve the psychological characters of adolescents who are maladjusted in school. Given the above, a follow up study is suggested.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.16 no.6
• /
• pp.2507-2513
• /
• 2015

Background: Serum vitamin D status can affect the prognosis of breast cancer patients. Our aim was to determine the association between alterations in the 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] status during follow-up and the prognosis of breast cancer patients. Additionally, we evaluated the association between the 25(OH)D status at the time of diagnosis and the prognosis using a detailed age and stage categorization. Materials and Methods: Four hundred and sixty-nine Korean breast cancer patients were included. We collected patient clinicopathological data, including their serum 25(OH)D concentration at diagnosis and at the annual follow-up until 4 years after diagnosis. The patients were divided according to their 25(OH)D status at diagnosis into a deficient (<20 ng/ml) and a non-deficient (${\geq}20ng/ml$) group. At follow-up, patients were categorized into the four following groups according to 25(OH)D status alterations: persistently deficient, improved, deteriorated and persistently non-deficient. Results: At diagnosis, 118 patients were classified into the deficient group and 351 into the non-deficient group. After a median follow-up period of $85.8{\pm}31.0$ months, the patients with advanced-stage disease or an older age in the non-deficient group showed a significantly better survival compared with the deficient group. Furthermore, at the 1-year follow-up of 25(OH)D status, the persistently non-deficient group and the improved group had better survival compared with the other two groups. Conclusions: Our results suggest that maintaining an optimal 25(OH)D status at diagnosis and during the 1-year follow-up period is important for improving breast cancer patient survival.