• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.33-42
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• 2023

Objectives: This study was conducted to observe the progression of symptoms according to the treatment period of patients with social anxiety disorder who received complex Korean medicine treatment. Methods: The medical records of 25 patients who were diagnosed with social anxiety disorder according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, and received complex Korean medicine treatment (herbal medicine, acupuncture, and Korean psychotherapy) for 12 weeks were analyzed. The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), the Korean-Social Avoidance and Distress scale (K-SAD), and the Korean-Fear of Negative Evaluation (K-FNE) were measured at the initial hospital visit and during the 4, 8, and 12 weeks of treatment to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment. Missing values were replaced with the average evaluation index value at that time. Results: 1) Statistically significant changes in STAI-X1, STAI-X2, BDI-II, BAI, K-SAD, and K-FNE scores were seen according to the time of treatment. 2) When scores were compared between each treatment time point, STAI-X2 and BDI-II showed statistically significant changes between the initial visit and four weeks of treatment, the initial visit and eight weeks of treatment, and the initial visit and 12 weeks of treatment. STAI-X1 and K-FNE showed statistically significant changes between the initial visit and eight weeks of treatment and the initial visit and 12 weeks of treatment. There was a statistically significant change in BAI scores between the initial visit and the 12th week of treatment. Conclusions: Complex Korean medicine treatment alleviated anxiety, depression, fear, and avoidance of social situation symptoms in patients with social anxiety disorder. The longer the treatment period, the more symptoms tended to be alleviated. However, the evidence should be supplemented with prospective, controlled research.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.434-439
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• 2000

This study was conducted to investigate the association between initial nutritional status and treatment outcome of hepatoma patients. Initial nutritional status was measured based on weight, serum albumin and total lymphocyte counts. Treatment outcome was measured in the three categories such as complication, treatment status at discharge and mortality. The study subjects were 120 patients with hepatoma cancer admitted at a university hospital in Seoul. The information about initial nutritional status and treatment outcome was collected from medical records. Chi-square test was used to test the association between initial nutritional status and treatment outcome As a result. 76.6% of the subjects were classified as the nutritional risk group based on initial nutritional states. Prevalence of complication was higher in nutritional risk group I and II than that in non-risk group(p<0.05). Death rare of the nutritional risk group was significantly higher than that of non-risk group(p<0.001). The findings suggest the strong association between the initial nutritional status and treatment outcome of hepatoma cancer.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.173-176
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• 2020

Sweet bee venom (SBV) causes less hypersensitivity reactions compared with whole bee venom. To determine the appropriate SBV initial dose for pharmacopuncture treatment of lower back pain, the initial dose, and the dose which caused hypersensitivity were retrospectively reviewed between January 1^st, 2017 and December 31^st, 2019. There were 523 first-visit patients who received SBV pharmacopuncture for lower back pain and 41 showed hypersensitivity. No systemic reactions were observed and localized reactions were not severe. Hypersensitivity was observed during the first (7 cases), and fifth treatments (8 cases). An initial SBV (10%) volume of 0.1 mL was used in 2 cases, 0.2 mL in 6 cases, 0.6 mL in 41 cases, and 1.2 mL in 474 cases. The hypersensitivity rate during the first and fifth treatment was 1.34% and 1.53%, respectively. As a result, 1.2 mL of SBV was considered the acceptable initial dose. However, for safer treatment, we recommend limiting the initial dose of SBV to 0.5 mL.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.17
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• pp.7871-7874
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• 2015

Background: There is no consensus regarding the selection of treatment options for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after initial transarterial chemoembolization (TACE). This meta-analysis aimed to explore the survival benefit of hepatic resection after initial TACE for the treatment of HCC. Materials and Methods: We searched three major databases to identify all relevant papers comparing the outcomes of hepatic resection after initial TACE versus TACE alone for the treatment of HCC. Hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs) were calculated to evaluate the survival benefit of hepatic resection after initial TACE over TACE alone. Results: Three of 2037 initially identified papers were included. All of them were cohort studies from Asia. There was a significantly better overall survival (OS) in patients undergoing hepatic resection after initial TACE than in those undergoing TACE alone (HR=0.63, 95%CI=0.52-0.76, P<0.00001). The heterogeneity among studies was not statistically significant (P=0.96; I2=0%). Conclusions: Hepatic resection could improve the OS of HCC patients treated with initial TACE. Further randomized controlled trials should be necessary to identify the target population for the sequential use of hepatic resection after initial TACE and to compare the outcomes between patients undergoing hepatic resection after initial TACE session versus those undergoing TACE alone.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.82-89
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• 2018

Purpose: Early detection of gastric cancer is important to improve prognosis. Early detection enables local treatment, such as endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). Therefore, we investigated whether early detection of gastric cancer could reduce healthcare costs by comparison according to stage and treatment modalities. Materials and Methods: Medical care costs were investigated according to tumor stage and initial treatment modality in 1,188 patients newly diagnosed with gastric cancer at 7 medical institutions from December 2011 to June 2012. Total medical care costs during the first-year after diagnosis (total first-year costs) were examined, including the costs of initial treatment, post-initial treatment, and inpatient and outpatient visits. Results: Stage I (75.3%) was the most common cancer stage. ESD was the second most common treatment following surgery. Total first-year costs increased significantly from stages I to IV. The costs of initial treatment and post-initial treatment were lowest in patients with stage I cancer. Among patients with stage I cancer, total first-year costs were significantly lower when treated by ESD; in particular, initial ESD treatment costs were much lower than others. Conclusions: The cost of healthcare has increased significantly with increasing cancer stages. ESD can greatly reduce medical care costs of gastric cancer. Thus, early detection of gastric cancer is important to reduce healthcare costs.

• Anxiety and mood
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.53-62
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• 2018

Objective : The Korean Association of Anxiety Disorders developed Korean guidelines for treatment of panic disorder (PD) 2018. In this paper, we discussed the consensus among psychiatrists, regarding initial and maintenance treatment strategies for pharmacological treatment of PD in Korea. Methods : Based on current treatment guidelines published by the American Psychiatric Association, the National Institute for Clinical Excellence, and the Canadian Psychiatric Association, we developed questionnaires pertinent to initial and maintenance treatment strategies for pharmacological treatment of PD. Seventy-two experts in PD answered questionnaires. We classified expert opinions into three categories, first, second, and third-line treatment strategies, by analyzing the 95% confidence interval. Results : Antidepressants, benzodiazepine anxiolytics, and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) were recommended as treatments of choice (ToC), and first-line strategies for initial treatment of PD. Escitalopram, paroxetine, sertraline, and venlafaxine were preferred from among many anti-panic drugs. Mean starting dose of anti-panic drugs for initial treatment of PD was relatively lower, than that for other psychiatric illnesses such as major depressive disorder. In the case of maintenance treatment of PD, antidepressants and CBT were selected as ToC and first-line strategies. Patients were typically examined every four weeks during treatment, to review effectiveness and side effects of the drug. Pharmacotherapy was generally continued for one year or more. Conclusion : This study provides information about consensus among Korean experts regarding pharmacological treatment strategies for patients with panic disorder.

• Journal of Audiology & Otology
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.209-216
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• 2021

Background and Objectives: We aimed to analyze treatment outcomes following different initial management approaches and confirm treatment regimens for acute low-tone sensorineural hearing loss (ALHL) that would yield the best results. Subjects and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 106 patients with ALHL who visited a university hospital's otology clinic from March 2013 to June 2019. Pure-tone averages at the initial visit and at 2 and 4 weeks after the initial visit were evaluated. Results: Forty-nine patients were enrolled in this study; of them, 41 (83.7%) exhibited complete recovery (CR) at 2 weeks and 43 (87.8%) exhibited CR at 1 month after the initial visit. Regression analysis revealed that CR at 2 weeks after the initial visit was associated with diuretic use [Exp(B): 10.309, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.007-100]. An initial daily low-dose steroid use was marginally significant [Exp(B): 1.042, 95% CI: 0.997-1.092; p=0.066]. Isolated diuretic use [Exp(B): 25.641, 95% CI: 1.121-90.909; p=0.039] was an independent, good prognostic factor at 1 month after the initial visit. However, other treatment regimens did not affect the final results. Conclusions: A combination of initial daily administration of ≤30 mg prednisolone plus diuretics was sufficient as the first-line treatment for ALHL. High-dose steroids and salvage intratympanic steroid injections can be applied as a second choice; however, the predicted outcome would not be good in that case.

• Korean Journal of Audiology
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.209-216
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• 2021

Background and Objectives: We aimed to analyze treatment outcomes following different initial management approaches and confirm treatment regimens for acute low-tone sensorineural hearing loss (ALHL) that would yield the best results. Subjects and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 106 patients with ALHL who visited a university hospital's otology clinic from March 2013 to June 2019. Pure-tone averages at the initial visit and at 2 and 4 weeks after the initial visit were evaluated. Results: Forty-nine patients were enrolled in this study; of them, 41 (83.7%) exhibited complete recovery (CR) at 2 weeks and 43 (87.8%) exhibited CR at 1 month after the initial visit. Regression analysis revealed that CR at 2 weeks after the initial visit was associated with diuretic use [Exp(B): 10.309, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.007-100]. An initial daily low-dose steroid use was marginally significant [Exp(B): 1.042, 95% CI: 0.997-1.092; p=0.066]. Isolated diuretic use [Exp(B): 25.641, 95% CI: 1.121-90.909; p=0.039] was an independent, good prognostic factor at 1 month after the initial visit. However, other treatment regimens did not affect the final results. Conclusions: A combination of initial daily administration of ≤30 mg prednisolone plus diuretics was sufficient as the first-line treatment for ALHL. High-dose steroids and salvage intratympanic steroid injections can be applied as a second choice; however, the predicted outcome would not be good in that case.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.31-41
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• 2019

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of gender, age, body weight, muscle mass, fat mass, body mass index (BMI), metabolism, and compliance with medication on weight loss in obese adults. Methods: We reviewed the medical records of 178 patients who were visited to the Korean Oriental Clinic for 3~6 month and had obesity treatment using Gamitaeumjowee-tang from April 2017 to May 2017. We conducted a paired T-test, correlation coefficient and decision tree to analyze factors influencing obesity treatment. Results: The results of correlation analysis showed that initial weight (kg), initial fat mass (kg), BMI ($kg/m^2$), compliance with medication (%), Original Harris-Benedict Equation, Revised Harris-Benedict Equation and The Mifflin St Jeor Equation was significantly correlated to weight loss (kg) (P<0.001). As a result of constructing the decision tree model, it showed that over 5% weight loss of their initial weight (n=154) was related with initial BMI ($kg/m^2$), compliance with medication (%) and initial muscle mass (kg). In case of over 5 kg weight loss of their initial weight (n=131), it was related with initial BMI ($kg/m^2$), compliance with medication (%) and final BMI ($kg/m^2$). Conclusions: This study suggests that weight loss may be affected by initial factors and that initial factors can be used for obesity treatment.

• 한국생물공학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2001.11a
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• pp.505-508
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• 2001

An microorganism able to degrade ethylene glycol(EG) was developed. Using this microorganism, biological treatment of ethylene glycol was studied in Erlenmeyer flasks and a laboratory scale stirred loop bioreactor. The removal efficiencies of ethylene glycol from synthetic wastewater were 91.6% ${\sim}$ 97.7% at $30^{\circ}C$ ${\sim}$ $40^{\circ}C$, and 96.3% ${\sim}$ 97.9% at initial pH 9 ${\sim}$ 11 respectively. Also the removal efficiencies of ethylene glycol were found to be more then 92% at initial ethylene glycol concentration of 300mg/L ${\sim}$ I400mg/L. In treatment of weight loss treatment wastewater using Erlenmeyer flasks, the removal efficiencies of ethylene glycol were 79.6%. 82.5%. 77.6%. and 71.3% at initial pH 9. 10. 11. and 12.4 after 11 days of reaction. Moreover in treatment of complex dyeing process wastewater. the residual ethylene glycol was not detected at the initial pH 10.0 and pH 11.3 after 4 days of reaction. When stirred loop bioreactor was used for removing ethylene glycol, the residual ethylene glycol was not detected after 108 hrs and 60 hrs of reaction in batch treatment of weight loss treatment wastewater and complex dyeing process wastewater.