• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.39 no.3
• /
• pp.190-201
• /
• 2022

This review aimed to analyze Korean medicine treatment (KMT) methods used for Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) in studies from January 1, 2010, to December 21, 2021. Five online databases (KISS, SCIENCEON, DBpia, RISS, KMbase) were searched for GBS-related studies. A total of 14 case reports were selected. Various treatment methods for GBS such as acupuncture, herbal medicine, moxibustion, and cupping have been reported, and some included Western medication. Herbal medicine and acupuncture were the most frequently used treatment methods. The most common prescription for GBS was Shipjeondaebotang Gami, the most common herb used was Glycyrrhizae radix et rhizome, and the most common acupoints were ST36, LI11, TE5, and LI4. In moxibustion treatment for GBS, CV4 was commonly used, and in cupping treatment the low back and back-shu points and were mostly used. Further studies on Korean medicine treatment of GBS are necessary for standardization of treatment.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.65 no.5
• /
• pp.230-238
• /
• 2022

Myocarditis was previously attributed to an epidemic viral infection. Additional harmful reagents, in addition to viruses, play a role in its etiology. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine-induced myocarditis has recently been described, drawing attention to vaccine-induced myocarditis in children and adolescents. Its pathology is based on a series of complex immune responses, including initial innate immune responses in response to viral entry, adaptive immune responses leading to the development of antigen-specific antibodies, and autoimmune responses to cellular injury caused by cardiomyocyte rupture that releases antigens. Chronic inflammation and fibrosis in the myocardium eventually result in cardiac failure. Recent advancements in molecular biology have remarkably increased our understanding of myocarditis. In particular, microRNAs (miRNAs) are a hot topic in terms of the role of new biomarkers and the pathophysiology of myocarditis. Myocarditis has been linked with microRNA-221/222 (miR-221/222), miR-155, miR-10a^*, and miR-590. Despite the lack of clinical trials of miRNA intervention in myocarditis yet, multiple clinical trials of miRNAs in other cardiac diseases have been aggressively conducted to help pave the way for future research, which is bolstered by the success of recently U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved small-RNA medications. This review presents basic information and recent research that focuses on myocarditis and related miRNAs as a potential novel biomarker and the therapeutics.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
• /
• v.20 no.2
• /
• pp.39-44
• /
• 2022

N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) is the standard antidote treatment for preventing hepatotoxicity caused by acetaminophen (AAP) poisoning. This review summarizes the recent evidence for the treatment of AAP poisoning. Several alternative intravenous regimens of NAC have been suggested to improve patient safety by reducing adverse drug reactions and medication errors. A two-bag NAC infusion regimen (200 mg/kg over 4 h, followed by 100 mg/kg over 16 h) is reported to have similar efficacy with significantly reduced adverse reactions compared to the traditional 3-bag regimen. Massive AAP poisoning due to high concentrations (more than 300-lines in the nomogram) needs to be managed with an increased maintenance dose of NAC. In addition to NAC, the combination therapy of hemodialysis and fomepizole is advocated for severe AAP poisoning cases. In the case of a patient presenting with an altered mental status, metabolic acidosis, elevated lactate, and an AAP concentration greater than 900 mg/L, hemodialysis is recommended even if NAC is used. Fomepizole decreases the generation of toxic metabolites by inhibiting CYP2E1 and may be considered an off-label use by experienced clinicians. Since the nomogram cannot be applied to sustained-release AAP formulations, all potentially toxic sustained-release AAP overdoses should receive a full course of NAC regimen. In case of ingesting less than the toxic dose, the AAP concentration is tested twice at an interval of 4 h or more; NAC should be administered if either value is above the 150-line of the nomogram.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
• /
• v.34 no.3
• /
• pp.151-161
• /
• 2023

Objectives: To examine effect of Korean medical treatment on patients with insomnia and correlations among changes in psychological scales before and after treatment. Methods: Medical records of 38 patients diagnosed with insomnia based on DSM-V who received Korean medical treatment (herbal-medication, acupuncture, Korean psychotherapy) for at least 8 weeks were retrospectively reviewed. Psychological scales including Insomnia Severity Scale (ISI), Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory (STAXI) were measured every four weeks and analyzed. Results: After eight weeks of treatment, ISI, BDI-II, BAI, STAI-X-1/2, and STAXI-S/T showed statistically significant decreases. Psychological scale pairs that showed a statistically significant correlation were ISI and BDI-IIㆍSTAI-X-1ㆍSTAI-X-2ㆍTA, BDI-II and BAIㆍSTAI-X-1ㆍSTAI-X-2ㆍAX-I, BAI and STAI-X-1ㆍSTAI-X-2ㆍSAㆍTA, STAI-X-1 and STAI-X-2, SA and TA, and TA and AX-I. In women, the improvement of AX-C was high. The improvement in AX-I score was significant when the disease duration was more than one year. A lower pretreatment BAI value predicted a greater decrease in ISI score after treatment. Conclusions: Korean medical treatment including herbal medicine, acupuncture, and Korean psychotherapy was effective in improving insomnia symptoms and accompanying symptoms such as depression, anxiety, and anger. In the future, more in-depth follow-up research is needed on the mechanisms by which various psychological problems (depression, anxiety, anger, etc) cause and worsen insomnia and the psychological symptoms secondary to insomnia.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
• /
• v.36 no.3
• /
• pp.62-77
• /
• 2023

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to investigate the domestic study trends on habitual abortion treated with Korean medicine. Methods: We searched the studies on habitual abortion treated with Korean medicine via searching 5 Korean web databases. After searching studies, we analyzed 7 studies selected according to the selection and exclusion criteria. Results: Of the seven selected studies, five case-reporting studies and two retrospective chart analysis. The most applied intervention for habitual abortion was herbal medication. All patients took herbal medicine before pregnancy, and Seunggum-dan was widely used. 66.3% of pregnant patients after treatment took herbal medicine after pregnancy, and Anjeonyichen-tang was the most widely used. As a result of analyzing retrospective chart analysis studies, whether the patient's age was 35 years or older has a significant impact on the success rate of Korean medicine treatment. Conclusions: This study has provided a basis for using Korean medical intervention in the treatment of habitual abortion in clinical practice. In order to provide a more high-quality basis, reliable follow-up studies related to the effectiveness and stability of Korean medicine treatment for habitual abortion should be conducted in the future.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
• /
• v.33 no.3
• /
• pp.153-167
• /
• 2023

Objective: Bipolar disorder displays a spectrum of manifestations, including manic, hypomanic, depressive, mixed, psychotic, and atypical episodes, contributing to its chronic nature and association with heightened suicide risk. Creating effective pharmacotherapy guidelines is crucial for managing bipolar disorder and reducing its prevalence. Treatment algorithms grounded in science have improved symptom management, but variations in recommended medications arise from research differences, healthcare policies, and cultural nuances globally. Methods: This study compares Korea's bipolar disorder treatment algorithm with guidelines from the UK, Australia, and an international association. The aim is to uncover disparities in key recommended medications and their underlying factors. Differences in CYP450 genotypes affecting drug metabolism contribute to distinct recommended medications. Variances also stem from diverse guideline development approaches-expert consensus versus metaanalysis results-forming the primary differences between Korea and other countries. Results: Discrepancies remain in international guidelines relying on meta-analyses due to timing and utilized studies. Drug approval speeds further impact medication selection. However, limited high-quality research results are the main cause of guideline variations, hampering consistent treatment conclusions. Conclusion: Korea's unique Delphi-based treatment algorithm stands out. To improve evidence-based recommendations, large-scale studies assessing bipolar disorder treatments for the Korean population are necessary. This foundation will ensure future recommendations are rooted in scientific evidence.

• Journal of Home Health Care Nursing
• /
• v.30 no.1
• /
• pp.105-114
• /
• 2023

Purpose: This study aimed to comprehensively analyze the recent revision of the Outcome and Assessment Information Set (OASIS)-D to version E in the United States to identify the most recent trends in home health care and provide suggestions for implementing home health care in Korea. Methods: This study is a comprehensive literature review. We compared all items in OASIS-D and OASIS-E and identified the most significant changes. Additionally, we have discussed the context in depth. Results: The addition of items related to health literacy and medication reconciliation, strengthening assessment in the cognitive and mood domains, and improving items related to pain assessment were identified. These major revisions resulted from a greater emphasis in the healthcare field on social determinants of health. Additionally, the COVID-19 outbreak highlighted the importance of monitoring and managing the symptoms of home care patients in the community. Conclusion: The key items of the OASIS amendment and their background analysis proposed in this study could serve as a cornerstone for the revision of home health care assessment tools or the development of systematic common assessment tools in Korea.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
• /
• v.33 no.1
• /
• pp.22-34
• /
• 2023

Background: With the increasing use of narcotic analgesics, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety has been operating the National Narcotics Information Management System (NIMS) since 2018 in Korea. Some studies are related to the narcotic analgesics use, but the evaluation studies of system, including NIMS users are insufficient. Objective: This study evaluated the NIMS enforcement process through in-depth interviews on the experience of using NIMS of doctors and pharmacists who prescribe or dispense opioid analgesics. Methods: Participants in this study were selected through purposeful sampling as three doctors and two pharmacists in the metropolitan area. The interviews were conducted from August 27 to October 19, 2022. Each interview was analyzed using a phenomenological method. Results: Six components of this study included "Doctors and pharmacists come across drug abusers", "They respond individually to drug abusers", "They use NIMS tailored to the needs of system managers", "They are concerned about the role of NIMS in practice settings", "They face challenges against drug abusers" and "They find a way to utilize the system to deal with drug abusers." The interviews confirmed that doctors and pharmacists used NIMS little in their work, and they only reported data. Therefore, it might be difficult for doctors and pharmacists to take measures for the safe use of narcotic analgesics. Conclusion: It is likely that adding data-feedback and medication-check function can reduce the abuse of narcotic analgesics. In the future, further studies on the evaluation of the empirical results of NIMS and review of systems in other countries will be required.

• Journal of Convergence for Information Technology
• /
• v.12 no.2
• /
• pp.184-191
• /
• 2022

This study aims to provide basic information necessary to find an efficient management plan for patients using auto insurance. The analysis was conducted on the five-year auto insurance medical expenses review data registered in the health care bigdata Hub from 2016 to 2020. As a result of the analysis, the number one composition ratio of auto insurance inpatient treatment expenses was treatment and surgery fees for Certified tertiary hospitals, hospitalization fees for general hospitals, hospitals and clinics, and treatment and surgery fees for oriental medical institutions and dental hospitals. outpatient treatment expenses was doctor's fee for medical institution, treatment and surgery fees for oriental medical institutions and dental hospitals. The ratio of medication, anesthesia, and special equipment significantly affected the cost of inpatient. And the ratio of physical therapy significantly affected the cost of outpatient.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.39 no.2
• /
• pp.96-104
• /
• 2022

This study aimed to examine the clinical efficacy of electroacupuncture treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome by reviewing published randomized controlled trials. Among the 186 studies retrieved from 7 online databases (PubMed, Cochrane library, CNKI, NDSL, RISS, OASIS, KMbase) on October 29, 2021, 4 studies were selected according to the inclusion, exclusion criteria, and were evaluated using risk of bias. Control groups for electroacupuncture were wearing a splint at night, traditional acupuncture, and medication. Methods such as total effective, functional status scale, symptom severity scale, electromyography, tip pinch strength, visual analogue scale, numeric rating scale, and ultrasound were used to evaluate the therapeutic effect. Electroacupuncture was reported to have significant treatment results compared with the control group in methods such as total effectiveness, electromyography, and tip pinch strength. However, the quality of the studies (using risk of bias) does not allow reliable conclusions to be made. Many high quality (low risk of bias) randomized controlled trials are needed to examine the efficacy of electroacupuncture treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome.