• Korean Journal of Radiology
• /
• 제23권8호
• /
• pp.811-820
• /
• 2022

Objective: To develop a model incorporating radiomic features and clinical factors to accurately predict acute ischemic stroke (AIS) outcomes. Materials and Methods: Data from 522 AIS patients (382 male [73.2%]; mean age ± standard deviation, 58.9 ± 11.5 years) were randomly divided into the training (n = 311) and validation cohorts (n = 211). According to the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at 6 months after hospital discharge, prognosis was dichotomized into good (mRS ≤ 2) and poor (mRS > 2); 1310 radiomics features were extracted from diffusion-weighted imaging and apparent diffusion coefficient maps. The minimum redundancy maximum relevance algorithm and the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator logistic regression method were implemented to select the features and establish a radiomics model. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify the clinical factors and construct a clinical model. Ultimately, a multivariable logistic regression analysis incorporating independent clinical factors and radiomics score was implemented to establish the final combined prediction model using a backward step-down selection procedure, and a clinical-radiomics nomogram was developed. The models were evaluated using calibration, receiver operating characteristic (ROC), and decision curve analyses. Results: Age, sex, stroke history, diabetes, baseline mRS, baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score, and radiomics score were independent predictors of AIS outcomes. The area under the ROC curve of the clinical-radiomics model was 0.868 (95% confidence interval, 0.825-0.910) in the training cohort and 0.890 (0.844-0.936) in the validation cohort, which was significantly larger than that of the clinical or radiomics models. The clinical radiomics nomogram was well calibrated (p > 0.05). The decision curve analysis indicated its clinical usefulness. Conclusion: The clinical-radiomics model outperformed individual clinical or radiomics models and achieved satisfactory performance in predicting AIS outcomes.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• 제13권4호
• /
• pp.1105-1109
• /
• 2012

Breast cancer is the second most common cancer in women in India and the disease burden is increasing annually. The lack of awareness initiatives, structured screening, and affordable treatment facilities continue to result in poor survival. We present a breast cancer survival scenario, in urban population in India, where standardised care is distributed equitably and free of charge through an employees' healthcare scheme. We studied 99 patients who were treated at our hospital during the period 2005 to 2010 and our follow-up rates were 95.95%. Patients received evidence-based standardised care in line with the tertiary cancer centre in Mumbai. One-, three- and five-year survival rates were calculated using Kaplan-Meier method. Socio-demographic, reproductive and tumor factors, relevant to survival, were analysed. Mortality hazard ratios (HR) were calculated using Cox proportional hazard method. Survival in this series was compared to that in registries across India and discrepancies were discussed. Patients mean age was 56 years, mean tumor size was 3.2 cms, 85% of the tumors belonged to T1 and T2 stages, and 45% of the patients belonged to the composite stages I and IIA. Overall 5-year survival was 74.9%. Patients who presented with large-sized tumors (HR 3.06; 95% CI 0.4-9.0), higher composite stage (HR 1.91; 0.55-6.58) and undergone mastectomy (HR 2.94; 0.63-13.62) had a higher risk of mortality than women who had higher levels of education (HR 0.25; 0.05-1.16), although none of these results reached the significant statistical level. We observed 25% better survival compared to other Indian populations. Our results are comparable to those from the European Union and North America, owing to early presentation, equitable access to standardised free healthcare and complete follow-up ensured under the scheme. This emphasises that equitable and affordable delivery of standardised healthcare can translate into early presentation and better survival in India.

• 대한간호학회지
• /
• 제42권4호
• /
• pp.517-524
• /
• 2012

Purpose: To compare and confirm the impact of prepregnancy body mass index on pregnancy outcome in women with a singleton conceived by assisted reproductive technology and spontaneously conceived pregnancy. Methods: A sample of 165 and 247 pregnant women with and without assisted reproductive technology were retrospectively recruited from electronic medical charts of C hospital. Results: There were significant differences between the two groups for maternal age, paternal age, length of marriage, prepregnancy body mass index, parity, spontaneous abortion experience, and preterm delivery. A prepregnancy body mass index of ${\geq}25$ was associated with higher risk for maternal and neonatal complication in the assisted reproductive technology group. Conclusion: The results indicate that a higher prepregnancy body mass index is associated with increased risks for adverse pregnancy outcomes for women using assisted reproductive technology. So these women need appropriate care to compensate for the risk.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• 제85권1호
• /
• pp.11-17
• /
• 2022

Background: In asthma, consistent control of chronic airway inflammation is crucial, and the use of asthma-controller medication has been emphasized. Our purpose in this study is to compare the incidence of acute exacerbation and healthcare costs related to the use of asthma-controller medication. Methods: By using data collected by the National Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, we compared one-year clinical outcomes and medical costs from July 2014 to June 2015 (follow-up period) between two groups of patients with asthma who received different prescriptions for recommended asthma-controller medication (inhaled corticosteroids or leukotriene receptor antagonists) at least once from July 2013 to June 2014 (assessment period). Results: There were 51,757 patients who satisfied our inclusion criteria. Among them, 13,702 patients (26.5%) were prescribed a recommended asthma-controller medication during the assessment period. In patients using a recommended asthma-controller medication, the frequency of acute exacerbations decreased in the follow-up period, from 2.7% to 1.1%. The total medical costs of the controller group decreased during the follow-up period compared to the assessment period, from $3,772,692 to $1,985,475. Only 50.9% of patients in the controller group used healthcare services in the follow-up period, and the use of asthma-controller medication decreased in the follow-up period. Conclusion: Overall, patients using a recommended asthma-controller medication showed decreased acute exacerbation and reduced total healthcare cost by half.

• 한국게임학회 논문지
• /
• 제13권4호
• /
• pp.73-90
• /
• 2013

기능성 게임은 현재 정부, 교육, 군사, 기업 그리고 보건 및 의료분야에 이르기까지 다양하게 확장되고 있다. 특히 보건/의료 기능성 게임은 예방과 치료를 위한 유용한 도구로 인식되고 있으며, 구체적으로 천식, 당뇨, 암, 뇌질환, 백혈병 등의 질환을 가진 환자들의 상태를 호전시키는 결과가 보고되고 있다. 이러한 효과들을 토대로, 미국과 유럽 등에서는 건강심리, 가상현실, 행동의학 등의 다학제간 융합연구를 통해 다양한 형태의 게임 개발이 시도되고 있다. 그러나, 국내에서는 아직까지 이에 대한 체계적인 학문적 접근은 물론 개발사의 효과적인 기획 전략 수립과 다양한 개발 노력도 부족한 상황이다. 따라서, 본 연구는 보건/의료 기능성 게임에 대한 기존의 연구결과를 바탕으로 그 개념과 효과, 분류체계를 정리하고, 대표적인 성공사례를 분석하여, 향후 관련 연구와 개발 및 기획에 대한 개괄적인 방향성을 제시하고자 한다. 특히, 보건/의료 기능성 게임의 성공적 개발을 위해서는 의학적 근거와 과학적 설명을 근간으로 기획 단계부터 관련 이론을 체계적으로 적용시키는 것이 중요하다. 이에 따라, 본 연구는 보건/의료 기능성 게임에 적용되었거나 향후 활용 가능한 이론들을 정리하고, 성공사례 분석과 결부해 연구자와 개발자, 그리고 의료 전문가들이 고려할 사항과 방향성에 대한 제언을 정리하였다.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
• /
• 제15권6호
• /
• pp.789-797
• /
• 2021

BACKGROUD/OBJECTIVES: Registered dietitian nutritionists (RDN) are providers of medical nutrition therapy (MNT) to address health and chronic disease. Traditionally, RDNs have provided care in healthcare facilities including hospitals and private care facilities. The purpose of this study was to determine how RDN individualized MNT in the home impacted nutrition, physical activity, and food security. SUBJECTS/METHODS: This is a secondary data analysis. The mean age of the participants (n = 1,007) was 51.6 years old with a mean body mass index (BMI) of 34.1 kg/m². Individualized MNT visits were delivered by an RDN in the home setting from January to December 2019. Participants were referred by healthcare professionals or self-referred. Participants had MNT benefits covered by their health insurance plan (43.3% Medicaid; 39.8% private insurance; 7.9% Medicare, 9% other). Health outcomes related to nutrition care were measured. Outcomes included self-reported consumption of nutrition factors and physical activity. Our secondary outcome focused on food security. The changes in weight, BMI, physical activity, and nutrition factors were analyzed by a linear regression model or linear mixed model, adjusting for age, sex, baseline value, and number of appointments. Food security was summarized in a 2 by 2 contingency table. RESULTS: Baseline values had significantly negative impacts for all changes and number of appointments was significant in the changes for weight and BMI. Increases in physical activity were significant for both female and male participants, 10.4 and 12.6 minutes per day, respectively, while the changes in weight and BMI were not. Regarding dietary factors, the consumption total servings per day of vegetables (0.13) and water (3.35) significantly increased, while the consumption of total servings of whole grain (-0.27), fruit (-0.32), dairy (-0.80) and fish (-0.81) significantly decreased. About 24% (of overall population) and 45% (of Medicaid population) reported improvements in food security. CONCLUSIONS: This study found that home visits were a useful setting for MNT delivered by RDNs. There is a strong need for individualized counseling to meet the participants' needs and personal goals.

• 한국병원경영학회지
• /
• 제25권4호
• /
• pp.1-12
• /
• 2020

During the COVID-19 pandemic, most of the western countries with advanced medical technology failed to contain coronavirus. This fact triggered our research question of what factors influence the clinical outcomes like infection rates and case mortality rates. This study aims to identify the determinants of COVID-19 related infection rates and case mortality rates. We considered three sets of independent variables: 1) socio-demographic characteristics; 2) cultural characteristics; 3) healthcare system characteristics. For the analysis, we created an international dataset from diverse sources like World Bank, Worldometers, Hofstede Insight, GHS index etc. The COVID-19 related statistics were retrieved from Aug. 1. Total cases are from 95 countries. We used hierarchical regression method to examine the linear relationship among variables. We found that obesity, uncertainty avoidance, hospital beds per 1,000 made a significant influence on the standardized COVID-19 infection rates. The countries with higher BMI score or higher uncertainty avoidance showed higher infection rates. The standardized COVID-19 infection rates were inversely related to hospital beds per 1,000. In the analysis on the standardized COVID-19 case mortality rates, we found that two cultural characteristics(e.g., individualism, uncertainty avoidance) showed statistically significant influence on the case mortality rates. The healthcare system characteristics did not show any statistically significant relationship with the case mortality rates. The cultural characteristics turn out to be significant factors influencing the clinical outcomes during COVID-19 pandemic. The results imply that the persuasive communication is important to trigger the public commitment to follow preventive measures. The strategy to keep the hospital surge capacity needs to be developed.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• 제56권2호
• /
• pp.128-135
• /
• 2023

Background: Pneumonia caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 can cause acute respiratory distress syndrome, often requiring prolonged mechanical ventilation and eventually tracheostomy. Both procedures occur in isolation units where personal protective equipment is needed. Additionally, the high bleeding risk in patients with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) places a great strain on surgeons. We investigated the clinical characteristics and outcomes of percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy (PDT) in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) supported by ECMO, and compared the outcomes of patients with and without ECMO. Methods: This retrospective, single-center, observational study included patients with severe COVID-19 who underwent elective PDT (n=29) from April 1, 2020, to October 31, 2021. The patients were divided into ECMO and non-ECMO groups. Data were collected from electronic medical records at Ajou University Hospital in Suwon, Korea. Results: Twenty-nine COVID-19 patients underwent PDT (24 men [82.8%] and 5 women [17.2%]; median age, 61 years; range, 26-87 years; interquartile range, 54-71 years). The mean procedure time was 17±10.07 minutes. No clinically or statistically significant difference in procedure time was noted between the ECMO and non-ECMO groups (16.35±7.34 vs. 18.25±13.32, p=0.661). Overall, 12 patients (41.4%) had minor complications; 10 had mild subdermal bleeding from the skin incision, which was resolved with local gauze packing, and 2 (6.9%) had dislodgement. No healthcare provider infection was reported. Conclusion: Our PDT approach is safe for patients and healthcare providers. With bronchoscopy assistance, PDT can be performed quickly and easily even in isolation units and with acceptable risk, regardless of the hypo-coagulable condition of patients on ECMO.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• 제57권3호
• /
• pp.260-268
• /
• 2024

Objectives: Regional disparities in cardiovascular care in Korea have led to uneven patient outcomes. Despite the growing need for and access to procedures, few studies have linked regional service availability to mortality rates. This study analyzed regional variation in the utilization of major cardiovascular procedures and their associations with short-term mortality to provide better evidence regarding the relationship between healthcare resource distribution and patient survival. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using nationwide claims data for patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), stent insertion, or aortic aneurysm resection in 2022. Regional variation was assessed by the relevance index (RI). The associations between the regional RI and 30-day mortality were analyzed. Results: The RI was lowest for aortic aneurysm resection (mean, 26.2; standard deviation, 26.1), indicating the most uneven regional distribution among the surgical procedures. Patients undergoing this procedure in regions with higher RIs showed significantly lower 30-day mortality (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.73; 95% confidence interval, 0.55 to 0.96; p=0.026) versus those with lower RIs. This suggests that cardiovascular surgery regional availability, as measured by RI, has an impact on mortality rates for certain complex surgical procedures. The RI was not associated with significant mortality differences for more widely available procedures like CABG (aOR, 0.96), PCI (aOR, 1.00), or stent insertion (aOR, 0.91). Conclusions: Significant regional variation and underutilization of cardiovascular surgery were found, with reduced access linked to worse mortality for complex procedures. Disparities should be addressed through collaboration among hospitals and policy efforts to improve outcomes.

• Korean Circulation Journal
• /
• 제53권5호
• /
• pp.313-327
• /
• 2023

Background and Objectives: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a rare but fatal disease. Recent advances in PAH-specific drugs have improved its outcomes, although the healthcare burden of novel therapeutics may lead to a discrepancy in outcomes between developing and developed countries. We analyzed how the epidemiology and clinical features of PAH has changed through the rapidly advancing healthcare infrastructure in South Korea. Methods: PAH was defined according to a newly devised 3-component algorithm. Using a nationwide health insurance claims database, we delineated annual trends in the prevalence, incidence, medication prescription pattern, and 5-year survival of PAH in Korea. Cumulative survival and potential predictors of mortality were also assessed among 2,151 incident PAH cases. Results: Between 2002 or 2004 and 2018, the prevalence and incidence of PAH increased 75-fold (0.4 to 29.9 per million people) and 12-fold (0.5 to 6.3 per million person-years), respectively. The proportion of patients on combination PAH-specific drug therapy has also steadily increased up to 29.0% in 2018. Among 2,151 incident PAH cases (median [interquartile range] age, 50 [37-62] years; 67.2% female), the 5-year survival rate and median survival duration were 71.8% and 13.1 years, respectively. Independent predictors of mortality were age, sex, etiology of PAH, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and chronic kidney disease. Conclusions: This nationwide study delineated that the prevalence and incidence of PAH have grown rapidly in Korea since the early 2000s. The use of combination therapy has also increased, and the 5-year survival rate of PAH in Korea was similar to those in western countries.