• 한국간담췌외과학회지
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• 제27권3호
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• pp.251-257
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• 2023

Backgrounds/Aims: This is a retrospective analysis of whether the 8th edition American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) was a significant improvement over the 7th AJCC distal extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma classification. Methods: In total, 111 patients who underwent curative resection of mid-distal bile duct cancer from 2002 to 2019 were included. Cases were re-classified into 7th and 8th AJCC as well as clinicopathological univariate and multivariate, and Kaplan-Meier survival curve and log rank were calculated using R software. Results: In patient characteristics, pancreaticoduodenectomy/pylorus preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy had better survival than segmental resection. Only lymphovascular invasion was found to be significant (hazard ratio 2.01, p = 0.039) among all clinicopathological variables. The 8th edition AJCC Kaplan Meier survival curve showed an inability to properly segregate stage I and IIA, while there was a large difference in survival probability between IIA and IIB. Conclusions: The 8th distal AJCC classification did resolve the anatomical issue with the T stage, as T1 and T3 showed improvement over the 7th AJCC, and the N stage division of the N1 and N2 category was found to be justified, with poorer survival in N2 than N1. Meanwhile, in TMN staging, the 8th AJCC was able differentiate between early stage (I and IIA) and late stage (IIB and III) to better explain the patient prognosis.

• Korean Circulation Journal
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• 제52권6호
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• pp.483-484
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• 2022

• The Korean journal of internal medicine
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• 제39권1호
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• pp.200-200
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• 2024

• The Korean journal of internal medicine
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• 제39권2호
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• pp.228-237
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• 2024

Background/Aims: Long-term use of acid suppressants such as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and histamine 2 receptor antagonist (H2RA) has been associated with the risk of osteoporotic fracture. Acid suppressants and muco-protective agents (MPAs) are often used together as anti-ulcer agents. We evaluated the association between the risk of osteoporotic fracture and the combined use of these anti-peptic agents. Methods: A population-based case-control study was conducted by analyzing the Korean National Health Insurance Data from 2014 to 2020. Patients who had been prescribed anti-peptic agents, such as PPI, H2RA, or MPA, were included. Considering the incidence of osteoporotic fractures, the case group (n = 14,704) and control group (n = 58,816) were classified by 1:4 matching based on age and sex. Results: The use of all types of anti-peptic agents was associated with an increased risk of osteoporotic fractures (PPI: hazard ratio [HR], 1.31; H2RA: HR, 1.44; and MPA: HR, 1.33; all p < 0.001). Compared to PPI alone, the combined use of "PPI and H2RA" (HR, 1.58; p = 0.010) as well as "PPI, H2RA, and MPA" (HR, 1.71; p = 0.001) was associated with an increased risk of osteoporotic fracture. However, compared with PPI alone, "MPA and PPI or H2RA" was not associated with an increased risk of osteoporotic fracture. Conclusions: This study found that the combined use of "PPI and H2RA" was associated with a higher risk of osteoporotic fractures. In cases where deemed necessary, the physicians may initially consider prescribing the combination use of MPA.

• The Korean journal of internal medicine
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• 제39권2호
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• pp.261-271
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• 2024

Background/Aims: Mucoprotective agents, such as eupatilin, are often prescribed to prevent gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding in addition to an acid suppressant despite the absence of a large-scale study. We evaluated the additional effect of eupatilin on the prevention of GI bleeding in both the upper and lower GI tract in concomitant aspirin and acid suppressant users using the nationwide database of national claims data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service (NHIS). Methods: An aspirin cohort was constructed using the NHIS claims data from 2013 to 2020. Patients who manifested with hematemesis, melena, or hematochezia were considered to have GI bleeding. A Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to determine the risk factors for GI bleeding associated with the concomitant use of GI drugs and other covariates among aspirin users. Results: Overall, a total of 432,208 aspirin users were included. The concurrent use of an acid suppressant and eupatilin (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.85, p = 0.016, vs. acid suppressant only) was a statistically significant preventive factor for GI bleeding. Moreover, a more than 3-month duration (HR = 0.88, p = 0.030) of acid suppressant and eupatilin prescription (vs. acid suppressant only) was a statistically significant preventive factor for GI bleeding. Conclusions: Eupatilin administration for ≥ 3 months showed additional preventive effect on GI bleeding in concomitant aspirin and acid suppressant users. Thus, cotreatment with eupatilin with a duration of 3 months or longer is recommended for reducing GI bleeding among aspirin plus acid suppressant users.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• 제49권3호
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• pp.141-150
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• 2024

Background: Computed tomography (CT) scans in the Republic of Korea have spiked, reaching approximately 9 million examinations annually in 2017. CT provides significant medical benefits, but radiation exposure remains a concern. This study aims to analyze CT scans in Korea, as a basis study for radiation safety management. Materials and Methods: The raw data of total CT scans was obtained from the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service and analyzed by CT scan type, patients' age and sex, and medical facility type. CT scans trends were analyzed considering the disease incidence. Results and Discussion: In 2017, CT scans accounted for 8,977,300. Usage per capita was 0.18 in males and 0.17 in females. CT scans increased with age until the 50- to 59-year-old groups, then decreased. CT scans were high in abdominal/pelvic (35%), chest (26%), and head (22%) regions due to higher disease rates. Head CT was most frequently used for infants and children. Abdominal/pelvic, chest, and spine CT were more frequent for older groups. The CT scans in the upper and lower extremities was high in child and juvenile groups. Chest and abdominal/pelvic CTs were higher in males, whereas spine, whole spine, and CT densitometry were higher in females. The proportion of CT scans of tertiary and general hospitals, hospitals, and clinics accounted for ≥80%, 13%, and 5%, respectively. Abdomen/pelvis, chest, and head/neck CTs were mostly conducted in tertiary and general hospitals, spine CT in hospitals and clinics, extremity CT in hospitals, and CT densitometry in clinics. Conclusion: The trend of CT scans varied based on the incidence rate for each patient's sex and age, and serious illness diagnosis by medical facility type. The results of this study provide data and guidance for evaluating the radiation exposure of the Korean population by CT and developing management policies for medical radiation safety.

• 한국의료질향상학회지
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• 제1권2호
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• pp.60-72
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• 1994

Background: The number of outpatients visiting large university teaching hospitals has increased drastically with the introduction of a nationwide health care insurance in 1989 and the improvement of the socio-economic status of the population. This resulted in long waiting times for services, particularly prescribed drugs, which have been patients' chief complaints. Hospitals have tried to solve the problem with limited success because their approach lacked comprehensive research. The objective of this study is to investigate associations between waiting times and variables defining a total work system. Methods: Data for the outpatient pharmacy department in a tertiary care university teaching hospital located in Seoul was analyzed to achieve the study objective. Associations of pharmacy system variables -- work load, work force, pharmacist work schedule, machine problems, and inventory control -- with mean and 99th percentile of waiting times were examined by the hierarchical stepwise regression method. Day was a unit of the analyses. Results: The regression models explained 65.8% of variance in the mean waiting time and 61.34% in the 99th percentile of waiting times. The break-down of the printer for drug envelops, Automatic Tablet Counters (ATCs), and main computer system lasted longer than 30 minutes increased the mean for 7.7 minutes, 4.5 minutes, and 7.0 minutes, respectively, and the 99th percentile for 14.8 minutes, 9.0 minutes, and 15.7 minutes, respectively. Concerning the work force, study results showed that there were significant differences in the productivity of pharmacists with work experience more than three years, one to three years, and less than one year, and showed that peak time aid work by pharmacists at job assignments other than the outpatient pharmacy, part-time pharmacists, and the installation of ATCs were effective in reducing waiting times, Finally, study findings indicated that the operational policy of work assignment and rotation schedule, supply and inventory of drugs at work tables, and readiness for undisrupted work during the work hours could have a significant effect on waiting times. Conclusion: The study results indicated that efforts to reduce waiting times for prescribed drugs should be geared toward every components of the pharmacy work system ranging from work schedule of pharmacists and supply of dugs at work tables. These findings should provide hospital managers with right directions in battling the problem.

• 한국콘텐츠학회논문지
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• 제16권9호
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• pp.512-522
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• 2016

본 연구는 진료기록에 대한 일반인의 인식과 태도를 오픈노트(Open Notes)운동을 중심으로 알아보고, 우리나라 임상진료현장에서 오픈노트제도의 도입 가능성을 확인하는 것을 목적으로 한다. 연구 결과를 요약하면 다음과 같다. 일반인들은 주로 인터넷을 통해 건강정보를 얻고 있으며, 병원의 진료정보와 관련하여서는 보험회사에 제출하기 위한 진료비관련 기록을 주로 이용하였다. 또한 진료기록에 대해서는 의사나 병원이 위조 혹은 변조할 가능성이 있다고 인식하고 있었으며, 대부분의 응답자가 진료기록을 언제든 확인할 수 있다면 병원이나 의사에 대해 더 신뢰할 수 있다고 응답하였다. 한편 오픈노트 운동에 대해서는 대부분 좋은 아이디어라고 생각하고, 우리나라에서도 오픈노트제도가 시행되어야 한다는데 동의하였으며, 오픈 노트제도가 시행된다면 참여하겠다고 응답하였다. 결론적으로, 진료기록의 투명성을 추구하는 오픈노트제도의 도입은 의사-환자 간 신뢰에 기여하여, 의사-환자 간 커뮤니케이션에도 긍정적인 영향을 기대할 수 있을 것이다.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제15권20호
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• pp.8993-9004
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• 2014

Background: The incidence rate and the treatment costs of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are high, especially in Thailand. Previous studies indicated that early detection by a surveillance program could help by down-staging. This study aimed to compare the costs and health outcomes associated with the introduction of a HCC surveillance program with no program and to estimate the budget impact if the HCC surveillance program were implemented. Materials and Methods: A cost utility analysis using a decision tree and Markov models was used to compare costs and outcomes during the lifetime period based on a societal perspective between alternative HCC surveillance strategies with no program. Costs included direct medical, direct non-medical, and indirect costs. Health outcomes were measured as life years (LYs), and quality adjusted life years (QALYs). The results were presented in terms of the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) in Thai THB per QALY gained. One-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were applied to investigate parameter uncertainties. Budget impact analysis (BIA) was performed based on the governmental perspective. Results: Semi-annual ultrasonography (US) and semi-annual ultrasonography plus alpha-fetoprotein (US plus AFP) as the first screening for HCC surveillance would be cost-effective options at the willingness to pay (WTP) threshold of 160,000 THB per QALY gained compared with no surveillance program (ICER=118,796 and ICER=123,451 THB/QALY), respectively. The semi-annual US plus AFP yielded more net monetary benefit, but caused a substantially higher budget (237 to 502 million THB) than semi-annual US (81 to 201 million THB) during the next ten fiscal years. Conclusions: Our results suggested that a semi-annual US program should be used as the first screening for HCC surveillance and included in the benefit package of Thai health insurance schemes for both chronic hepatitis B males and females aged between 40-50 years. In addition, policy makers considered the program could be feasible, but additional evidence is needed to support the whole prevention system before the implementation of a strategic plan.

• 한국산학기술학회논문지
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• 제12권12호
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• pp.5779-5788
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• 2011

본 연구는 우리나라 의료기관 입원손상환자의 지역별 자체충족도의 현황을 파악하고 이를 기반으로 지역별 자체충족도를 높이기 위한 방안을 마련하기 위해 수행되었다. 이를 위해, 2005년, 2008년 환자조사 자료, 건강보험공단의 지역별 의료이용 자료, 중앙응급의료센터 연보자료, 응급의료기관 평가결과 자료를 수집하였다. 자료분석에는 빈도분석, 교차분석, 의사결정나무, 로지스틱회귀분석 기법을 이용 하였다. 광역시 도 단위별 자체충족도는 2005년, 2008년 모두 충청남도가 가장 낮았으며, 경상북도, 경기도, 전라남도의 순으로 자체충족도가 낮은 것으로 조사되었다. 시 군 구 단위별 거주지 의료 공급 현황에 따른 의료이용 자체충족도는 2005년, 2008년 모두 거주지에 종합병원, 권역응급의료센터, 지역응급의료센터, 지역응급의료기관이 있는 지역 입원손상환자들의 자체충족도가 높았다. 또한, 거주지 응급의료기관의 질적 수준이 높을수록 자체충족도가 높아지는 것으로 나타났다. 손상환자를 위한 국가 정책 추진시도 단위의 응급 의료 공급수준이 낮은 지역을 우선 사업대상지역으로 하고, 또한 응급실 의료기관의 질적 수준을 높이는 것이 자체충족도 향상에 도움이 된다는 것을 확인할 수 있었다.