• Korean Circulation Journal
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• v.53 no.5
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• pp.313-327
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• 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.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.50-68
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• 2022

Objectives The purpose of this study is to review the current Sasang constitutional research on obesity and to provide basic data for further development in the direction of better research. Methods Clinical research articles on obesity of the Sasang Constitutional Medicine were extracted from five database. Published year, published journals, and subjects of studies were classified. Clinical methods for the classification of Sasang type and diagnostic criteria for obesity were summarized. Results A total of 36 selected research articles were published from 1998 to 2020. And 20 articles(55.6%) have been published in Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine and Journal of Oriental Rehabilitation Medicine. Most of the clinical study subjects were studies that identified independent factors that were correlated with obesity by Sasang constitution type. But these studies have not sufficiently reflected the distinctive characteristics of Sasang Constitution Medicine. Discussion Through this study, it was confirmed to the necessity of developing new research designs for obesity by Sasang constitution and researching on obesity treatment through improvement of symptoms by using the already developed questionnaires that have proven reliability and validity, away from the research biased towards Taeeumin and Taeeumin's prescription. If additional research based on this study is accompanied, it is expected that it can be utilized in typed obesity treatment fields.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.114-123
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• 2014

Objectives: Evidence-based medicine(EBM) advocates the use of up-to-date "best" scientific evidence from health care research as the basis for making medical decisions. EBM also has been applied to traditional Korean medicine(TKM), especially in the field of safety. Recently, the standard prescription for TKM by Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine was published based on toxic index from various toxicity tests. However, there are some limitations when the results from the study based on EBM are applied in clinics. To overcome these imitations, the term "evidence-based practical medicine" was developed and defined as clinically applicable results from the study based on EBM. And safety classification for TKM was suggested as an example of evidence-based practical medicine. Methods: For safety classification for TKM, the data for $LD_{50}$(50% lethal dose), which was transformed to theoretical $LD_1$(1% lethal dose), was analyzed as one of tools for EMB study and divided by maximum dose used in clinics. Results and Conclusions: As a result, human equivalent dose(HED)-based MOS(margin of safety) for korean traditional medicine was calculated and used for safety classification with 5 categories. These categories would be helpful for oriental medicine clinicians to decide the increase and decrease of dosage according to various factors such as patient's sensitivity, potential toxicity of herbal medicines, clinician's experience for better cure. Thus, this safety classification provides some evidences enough that evidence-based practical medicine should be not the same with EBM and defined differently from EBM.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.32-56
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• 2019

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the in vitro anti-inflammatory, anti-pruritic and antimicrobial effects of the three herbal prescription (EST, SCT, WDT), which has been traditionally used for treating leukorrhea induced by various infections in the female genital tract. Methods: In this experiment, the anti-inflammatory effects were evaluated by Nitric oxide (NO), $Interlukine-1{\beta}$ ($IL-1{\beta}$), Interlukine-2 (IL-2), Interlukine-6 (IL-6), Tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$ ($TNF-{\alpha}$), Prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$), Leukotriene $B_4$ ($LTB_4$) production amount and Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), Nuclear factor kappa B ($NF-{\kappa}B$), Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) gene expression levels in RAW264.7 cells. And the anti-pruritic effects were evaluated by Histamine, Acetylcholine (ACh), Acetylcholinesterase (AChE), Substance P production amount in Mast cell/9 (MC/9) and Pheochromocytoma 12 (PC12) cells. The anti-microbial effect was measured by inhibition zone diameter on Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger. Results: As a result of measuring anti-inflammatory efficacy, $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-2, IL-6, $TNF-{\alpha}$, $PGE_2$, and $LTB_4$ production amounts were significantly reduced in the EST, SCT, WDT extraction groups compared with the control group, and significantly decreased the amount of $NF-{\kappa}B$, iNOS, and COX-2 gene expression and the amount of Phospho-Inhibitor kappa B alpha ($p-I{\kappa}B-{\alpha}$)/Inhibitor kappa B alpha ($I{\kappa}B-{\alpha}$) and $NF-{\kappa}B$ p65 protein expression. In addition, As a result of measuring the anti-pruritic effect, the amounts of histamine, ACh and Substance P were significantly decreased, and AChE production was slightly decreased, but it's significance did not appear. Finally the anti-microbial effects of EST, SCT, WDT extraction groups against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger was inhibited, however the growth of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus was not inhibited. Conclusions: These data suggest that EST, SCT, WDT can be used to treat patients with leukorrhea.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.75-96
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• 2017

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate the treatment trend for allergic rhinitis in Korean Medicine. Methods : We conducted an online survey for Korean Medicine Doctors who were registered in the association of Korean Medicine. The questionnaire was consisted of patient characteristics, diagnosis status, treatment status, and future research needs. Results : Data from total of 396 respondents were analyzed. More than 70% of the patient came to the Korean Medicine Clinic after visiting the Western Medicine Clinic in 43.9% of the respondents. 55.6% of the respondents performed combination therapy. History taking, nasal examination, x-ray, and Korean Medicine diagnostic test were used for diagnosis. The mean duration of treatment ranged from $4.9{\pm}2.91$ to $15.2{\pm}8.45$ for pediatric and early childhood patients and from $17.5{\pm}16.15$ to $5.3{\pm}3.85$ weeks for adolescents and adult patients. The mean number of treatment times was from $9.8{\pm}7.00$ to $33.5{\pm}24.45$ for pediatric and early childhood patients and from $10.8{\pm}11.55$ to $40.4{\pm}48.18$ times for adolescents and adult patients. 64.5%, 48.0%, and 91.2% of the respondents used herbal medication in national health insurance coverage, herbal medication uninsured in health insurance and herbal prescription filled at each medical institution, respectively for pediatric and early childhood patients and 67.6%, 42.8% and 86.1% for adolescents and adult patients. 36.9% and 36.4% of respondents answered that the study of acupuncture and herbal medicine are needed preferentially. Conclusions : The results of this survey will be used to develop clinical practice guideline that reflect actual clinical practice.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.119-131
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• 2024

There are growing concerns regarding the safety of long-term treatment with opioids of patients with chronic non-cancer pain. In 2017, the Korean Pain Society (KPS) developed guidelines for opioid prescriptions for chronic non-cancer pain to guide physicians to prescribe opioids effectively and safely. Since then, investigations have provided updated data regarding opioid therapy for chronic non-cancer pain and have focused on initial dosing schedules, reassessment follow-ups, recommended dosage thresholds considering the risk-benefit ratio, dose-reducing schedules for tapering and discontinuation, adverse effects, and inadvertent problems resulting from inappropriate application of the previous guidelines. Herein, we have updated the previous KPS guidelines based on a comprehensive literature review and consensus development following discussions among experts affiliated with the Committee on Hospice and Palliative Care in the KPS. These guidelines may assist physicians in prescribing opioids for chronic non-cancer pain in adult outpatient settings, but should not to be regarded as an inflexible standard. Clinical judgements by the attending physician and patient-centered decisions should always be prioritized.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.1471-1475
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• 2004

Thuja orientalis extract (TOS) has been used on the hemostatic roborant, sedatives and stressless in oriental countries. We investigate the inhibitory effects on the productions of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-1beta (IL-1β), IL-6, tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and nitric oxide (NO) and the hair promotiont of TOS in the macrophage celline RAW264.7 or hair loss-induced DBA1J mice. T08 (50-500 ㎍/㎖) per se had no cytotoxic effect non-stimulated cells, but this extracts concentration-dependently reduced the release of NO, (IL-1β), IL-6, and TNF-α in the stimulate RAW264.7 cells with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Moreover, when applied TOS (500 ㎍/㎖) to DBA 1J/mice, hair growth was promoted remarkably. These data suggest that T08 promotes hair growth on hair loss induced model mice and these properties may contribute to the anti- hair loss activity of the Thuja orientalis.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.29-40
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• 2010

Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of Gamitaeeumjowi-tang(GTT) prescribed by doctors of korean(KMD) medicine on liver function. Methods For this single-center, prospective, observational study, we enrolled patients who wished to take GTT prescribed by KMD for losing weight. sixty(60) patients took GTT for 33.8 days and completed questionnaires. Liver function tests(LFTs) were performed bofore(first test) and after each GTT treatment(finish test). For LFT, T-bil, ALP, AST, ALT were measured. Result There were no significant changes in LFT data between the first and finish tests. At first test, levels of test seven(7) patients were more than twice of normal range of upper limit, levels of eight(8) patients were more than normal range of upper limit, less than twice of normal range of upper limit. At last test, levels of nine(9) patients were more than normal range of upper limit, less than twice of normal range of upper limit. Conclusion The current study showed that ingestion of GTT prescribed by KMD did not increase the frequency of abnormal LFTs, at least in the short term.

• Dementia and Neurocognitive Disorders
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.121-129
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• 2023

Background and Purpose: As it becomes an aging society, interest in senile diseases is increasing. Alzheimer's dementia (AD) and osteoporosis are representative senile diseases. Various studies have reported that AD and osteoporosis share many risk factors that affect each other's incidence. This aimed to determine if active medication treatment of AD could affect the development of osteoporosis. Methods: The Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service provided data consisting of diagnosis, demographics, prescription drug, procedures, medical materials, and healthcare resources. In this study, data of all AD patients in South Korea who were registered under the national health insurance system were obtained. The cohort underwent conversion to an Observational Medical Outcomes Partnership-Common Data Model version 5 format. Results: This study included 11,355 individuals in the good persistent group and an equal number of 11,355 individuals in the poor persistent group from the National Health Claims database for AD drug treatment. In primary analysis, the risk of osteoporosis was significantly higher in the poor persistence group than in the good persistence group (hazard ratio, 1.20 [95% confidence interval, 1.09-1.32]; p<0.001). Conclusions: We found that the good persistence group treated with anti-dementia drugs for AD was associated with a significant lower risk of osteoporosis in this nationwide study. Further studies are needed to clarify the pathophysiological link in patients with two chronic diseases.

• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.145-151
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• 2011

Backgrounds: Multidisciplinary approaches including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy are currently being performed to target various cancers in Western Medicine. However, some cancers still remain difficult to battle, which has long attracted many scientists for the discovery of new agents to fight cancers. Ginseng is one of the herbs used in Oriental Medicine including Korea, China and Japan. We have further investigated ginseng for its anticancer effect. Objective: This is a comprehensive review summary of anticancer effect of ginseng and ginsenoids as a possible agent for future cancer treatment. Methods: Data were retrieved from two web sites; www.pubmed.com and www.riss.kr, and authorized texts concerning anticancer effects of ginseng. From collected data, information on anticancer effect of ginseng was thoroughly sorted, restructured, then assessed. Results: Panax Ginseng C.A. Meyer belongs to Araliaceae Panax family, a perennial prairie plant with its root known as Ginseng Radix. Ginseng induces anticancer effect through cell cycle arrest, acceleration of apoptosis, anti-angiogenesis, and suppression of metastasis. Anticancer effect of ginseng may be due to single compound or multi-compound actions. Many studies report involvement of immune mechanisms of cytokines, Natural Killer (NK) cells, macrophages and some antibodies in enhancing anticancer effect of ginseng. In near future, possibility of applying these mechanisms into clinical trials is convinced. There were some important findings on saponin in ginsenoids in reviewing for this article; First, eradication of metastatic tumors were influenced by macrophage activation. Second, suppression of malignant melanoma cell metastasis to lung were induced by macrophage and NK cell activation in spleen with red ginseng acidic polysaccharide (RGAP). Third, final metabolites of M1, M4 had exerted anticancer effect of ginseng. Conclusion: Unknown anticancer mechanisms of ginseng have been studied for many years up until now. Ginseng is comprised of multiple bio-chemical compounds that create complex pharmaceutical interactions. Therefore, for its proper usage and safe prescription, studies on different types of ginseng and patients' susceptibility to ginseng according to their constitution and stages of the disease should be further pursued. More efforts are needed to understand the anticancer mechanisms of ginseng as well.