• 농촌의학ㆍ지역보건
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• 제47권2호
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• pp.109-120
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• 2022

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to identify the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccinations on deaths of the COVID-19 cases in some elderly long-term care facilities (LTCF) in Gwangju Metropolitan City. Methods: The study subjects were 659 COVID-19 cases in residents of 7 elderly LTCF, Gwangju, from 21 Dec. 2021 to 28 Jan. 2022. The used variables were confirmed dates for COVID-19, demographic characteristics, co-morbidities, presentation of symptoms, death and vaccination related characteristics including type of vaccine, doses and dates. Vaccination status were classified as not vaccinated, partially and fully vaccinated. The associations of vaccination status and deaths of COVID-19 cases were tested by chi-square test and multiple logistic regression analysis. Results: The rates of not vaccinated, partially vaccinated and fully vaccinated were 19.4%, 10.2% and 70.4%, respectively. The mortality rate of the cases was 6.4%. The death rate by vaccination status was 16.4% in not vaccinated, 15.4% in partially vaccinated and 2.6% in fully vaccinated, showing a statistically significant difference. The adjusted odds ratios (ORs) (95% confidence intervals, CIs) of death compared to fully vaccinated were 7.64 (3.87-16.34) in non-vaccinated, and 6.97 (3.44-14.14) in partially vaccinated. Conclusions: COVID-19 vaccination seems to work effectively in preventing deaths of COVID-19 cases of elderly LTCF residents. This finding support that fully vaccinations in high risk group such as elderly LTCF residents is very important for one of strategies of COVID-19 management.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제56권3호
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• pp.155-161
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• 2023

Background: Surgical closure of an atrial septal defect (ASD) is infrequently indicated during infancy. We evaluated the clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients who underwent surgical ASD closure during infancy. Methods: A single-center retrospective review was performed for 39 patients (19 males) who underwent surgical ASD closure during infancy between 1993 and 2020. The median body weight percentile at the time of operation was 9.3. Results: During a median follow-up of 60.9 months, 4 late deaths occurred due to chronic respiratory failure. A preoperative history of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) was the only risk factor for late mortality identified in Cox regression (hazard ratio, 3.54; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.75-163.04; p=0.015). The 5-year survival rate was significantly lower in patients with preoperative history of BPD (97.0% vs. 50.0%, p<0.001) and preoperative ventilatory support (97.1% vs. 40.4%, p<0.001). There were significant postoperative increases in left ventricular end-diastolic (p=0.017), end-systolic (p=0.014), and stroke volume (p=0.013) indices. A generalized estimated equation model showed significantly better postoperative improvement in body weight percentiles in patients with lower weight percentiles at the time of operation (<10th percentile, p=0.01) and larger indexed ASD diameter (≥45 mm/m², p=0.025). Conclusion: Patients with ASD necessitating surgical closure during infancy are extremely small preoperatively and remain small even after surgical closure. However, postoperative somatic growth was more prominent in smaller patients with larger defects, which may be attributable to an increase in postoperative cardiac output due to changes in ventricular septal configuration. The benefits of ASD closure in patients with BPD are undetermined.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• 제14권2호
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• pp.141-152
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• 2023

Objective: We performed a meta-analysis of epidemiological results for the association between occupational exposure as a firefighter and cancer as part of the broader evidence synthesis work of the IARC Monographs program. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted to identify cohort studies of firefighters followed for cancer incidence and mortality. Studies were evaluated for the influence of key biases on results. Random-effects meta-analysis models were used to estimate the association between ever-employment and duration of employment as a firefighter and risk of 12 selected cancers. The impact of bias was explored in sensitivity analyses. Results: Among the 16 included cancer incidence studies, the estimated meta-rate ratio, 95% confidence interval (CI), and heterogeneity statistic (I²) for ever-employment as a career firefighter compared mostly to general populations were 1.58 (1.14-2.20, 8%) for mesothelioma, 1.16 (1.08-1.26, 0%) for bladder cancer, 1.21 (1.12-1.32, 81%) for prostate cancer, 1.37 (1.03-1.82, 56%) for testicular cancer, 1.19 (1.07-1.32, 37%) for colon cancer, 1.36 (1.15-1.62, 83%) for melanoma, 1.12 (1.01-1.25, 0%) for non-Hodgkin lymphoma, 1.28 (1.02-1.61, 40%) for thyroid cancer, and 1.09 (0.92-1.29, 55%) for kidney cancer. Ever-employment as a firefighter was not positively associated with lung, nervous system, or stomach cancer. Results for mesothelioma and bladder cancer exhibited low heterogeneity and were largely robust across sensitivity analyses. Conclusions: There is epidemiological evidence to support a causal relationship between occupational exposure as a firefighter and certain cancers. Challenges persist in the body of evidence related to the quality of exposure assessment, confounding, and medical surveillance bias.

• Journal of Digestive Cancer Research
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• 제2권2호
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• pp.64-67
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• 2014

식도암은 다른 암종에 비해서 예후가 좋지 못하며, 최근 외과적 수술의 근치적 절제율의 발달과 항암화학방사선동시요법이 효과적이라는 보고들은 있으나, 진행성 식도암의 경우에 있어서는 부분관해에 이르는 것이 대부분이며, 한계가 있는 것이 사실이다. 저자들은 80세 남자가 한 달 전부터 발생한 연하곤란을 주소로 내원하였으며, 식도암 및 암종의 주기관지로의 함입, 다발성의 전이성 림프절 비대를 보여 진행성 식도암으로 진단을 받았다. 그러나 환자가 고령이라는 점, 전신상태가 좋지 못한 점, 식도암이 주기관지까지 함입되어 있어 방사선치료 후 누공이 발생할 가능성 등을 염두하여 고식적인 항암화학요법만을 시행하였으나, 총 6차에 걸친 항암화학요법 후에 완전 관해에 이른 드문 증례를 경험하였다.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제57권1호
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• pp.62-69
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• 2024

Background: Cervical esophageal cancer is a rare malignancy that requires specialized care. While definitive chemoradiation is the standard treatment approach, surgery remains a valuable option for certain patients. This study examined the surgical outcomes of patients with cervical esophageal cancer. Methods: The study involved a retrospective review and analysis of 24 patients with cervical esophageal cancer. These patients underwent surgical resection between September 1994 and December 2018. Results: The mean age of the patients was 61.0±10.2 years, and 22 (91.7%) of them were male. Furthermore, 21 patients (87.5%) had T3 or T4 tumors, and 11 (45.8%) exhibited lymph node metastasis. Gastric pull-up with esophagectomy was performed for 19 patients (79.2%), while 5 (20.8%) underwent free jejunal graft with cervical esophagectomy. The 30-day operative mortality rate was 8.3%. During the follow-up period, complications included leakage at the anastomotic site in 9 cases (37.5%) and graft necrosis of the gastric conduit in 1 case. Progression to oral feeding was achieved in 20 patients (83.3%). Fifteen patients (62.5%) displayed tumor recurrence. The median time from surgery to recurrence was 10.5 months, and the 1-year recurrence rate was 73.3%. The 1-year and 3-year survival rates were 75% and 33.3%, respectively, with a median survival period of 17 months. Conclusion: Patients with cervical esophageal cancer who underwent surgical resection faced unfavorable outcomes and relatively poor survival. The selection of cases and decision to proceed with surgery should be made cautiously, considering the risk of severe complications.

• 정신신체의학
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• 제32권1호
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• pp.1-9
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• 2024

노쇠는 스트레스 요인에 대한 취약성이 증가하여 생리적인 예비능력이 감소되고 항상성을 유지하는 능력이 저하되는 증후군으로 입원, 장애 및 사망의 위험을 증가시킨다. 노쇠는 다양한 원인에 의해 발생하며 다차원적인 접근이 필요하고 조기에 발견해서 관리하는 것이 중요하다. 노쇠는 통증이나 우울증과 같은 신경정신과적 문제와도 깊은 관련이 있다. 노쇠를 평가하는데 있어서 질병, 영양, 움직임, 감각기능 등의 신체적 영역뿐만 아니라 심리사회적인 영역까지 포괄적으로 고려하는 것이 바람직하며, 대표적인 척도로 Fried의 신체적 노쇠 기준과 Rockwood의 노쇠 척도를 들 수 있다. 노쇠 관리를 위해서는 신체적 활동과 적절한 단백질 섭취가 중요하며, 부적절한 약물 사용을 줄이고 구강관리, 인지기능, 낙상에도 유의해야한다. 노쇠와 통증은 서로 영향을 미칠 수 있으며 통증이 노쇠를 촉진시킬 수 있다. 노쇠와 통증 연구 분야에서 호르몬과 단백질의 이상, 면역체계 활성과 염증반응, 그리고 후성 유전학의 기전이 공통적으로 작용하고 있다는 증거들이 발표되고 있다. 향후 좀 더 광범위하고 수준 높은 연구가 이루어져야 할 것이며, 그 결과를 노쇠와 통증의 억제와 치료에 적용한다면 삶의 질이 높아질 것이다.

• 산업융합연구
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• 제22권3호
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• pp.91-100
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• 2024

허혈성 심장질환은 재발의 위험이 높고, 재발 시 사망률이 더욱 증가하므로, 재발 예방을 위해서 운동과 식이요법 등 건강행위의 실천이 중요하다. 관상동맥질환자의 규칙적인 운동에 대한 동기를 유발하기 위해서는 의료인의 건강행위 권고가 필요하다고 알려져 있으나, 의료인의 권고가 대상자들의 운동이행에 어떠한 영향을 미치는 지에 대한 연구는 드물다. 이에 의료인의 식이 및 운동 권고가 규칙적인 운동이행에 미치는 영향을 파악하고자, 2018년 7월 4일부터 2019년 7월 30일까지 서울 소재 2개 대학병원 순환기내과에 관상동맥조영술을 위해 입원한 환자 219명을 대상으로 서술적 조사 연구를 실시하였다. 연구 결과, 의료인으로부터 운동이행 권고를 받은 경우(OR 3.52, p=.036), 식이이행 권고를 받은 경우(OR 6.48, p=.022), 운동자기효능감이 높은 경우(OR 1.36, p=.001), 경제 상태가 좋은 경우(OR 7.59, p=.007), 주관적인 건강 상태가 좋은 경우(OR 0.31, p=.047), 규칙적인 운동이행에 긍정적인 영향을 주었다. 따라서 의료인은 규칙적인 운동과 건강한 식이에 대해 환자 맞춤형 권고를 강화할 필요가 있고, 운동자기효능감 증진 프로그램을 개발하여 참여를 유도할 필요가 있다. 향후 의료인 권고의 정도나 방법에 따라 관상동맥질환자들의 자기 관리 실천에 미치는 영향을 파악하는 연구를 제언한다.

• 대한임상검사과학회지
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• 제56권1호
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• pp.66-72
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• 2024

지질 대사장애는 임상에서 흔히 볼 수 있는 질환이다. 이상지질혈증(dyslipidemia)과 그 유병률은 전세계적으로 심혈관질환의 이환율 및 사망률과 밀접한 관련이 있다. 한국인 대상 40~64세 성인 중년층을 대상으로 ABO 유전자의 다형성과 이상지질혈증과의 연관성을 확인하기 위해 유전자 분석을 실시하였다. 본 연구는 한국인 유전체분석자료(Korean Association REsource, KARE)에서 총 6,750명의 피험자를 선정하였다. KARE 자료의 이상지질혈증 환자 4,403명과 정상 대조군 2,347명의 유전자형 데이터를 사용하여 ABO 유전자의 단일염기다형성(single nucleotide polymorphisms, SNPs)과 유전적 상관관계를 분석하였다. 그 결과 ABO 유전자 중 11개 SNPs 가 이상지질혈증과 통계적으로 유의미한 연관성을 나타내었다. 이 중 ABO 유전자의 rs8176707이 통계적으로 이상지질혈증과 가장 유의한 상관관계를 보였다(P-value=0.002, odds ratio=0.82, 95% confidence interval 0.78~0.86). ABO minor allele T는 이상지질혈증 위험을 감소시키는 것으로 나타났다. 본 연구는 ABO 유전자의 유전적 다형성과 이상지질혈증 사이의 유의미한 연관성을 밝힌 연구이다. 이러한 결과는 ABO의 SNPs가 이상지질혈증의 원인과 유전적 상관관계가 있음을 시사한다고 하겠다.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제67권3호
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• pp.345-353
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• 2024

Objective : Blood-blister aneurysms (BBAs) of the internal carotid artery (ICA) are challenging lesions with high morbidity and mortality rates. Although research on BBAs is well documented in different populations, the study of BBAs in the Tibetan population is extremely rare. This study aimed to evaluate the characteristics of BBAs and analyze the treatment modalities and long-term outcomes in the Tibetan population in comparison with the Han population. Methods : The characteristics of patients with BBAs of the ICA from January 2009 to January 2021 at our institution were reviewed. The features of aneurysms, treatment modalities, complications, and follow-up outcomes were retrospectively analyzed. Results : A total of 130 patients (41 Tibetan and 89 Han patients) with BBAs of the ICA who underwent treatment were enrolled. Compared with the Han group, the Tibetan group significantly demonstrated a high ratio of BBAs among ICAs (8.6%, 41/477 vs. 1.6%, 89/5563; p<0.05), a high ratio of vasospasm (34.1%, 14/41 vs. 6.7%, 6/89; p=0.001), a high risk of ischemic events (43.9%, 18/41 vs. 22.5%, 20/89; p<0.05), and a low ratio of good outcomes (modified Rankin scale, 0-2) at the 1-year follow-up (51.2%, 21/41 vs. 74.2%, 66/89; p<0.05). The multivariate regression model showed that ischemic events significantly contributed to the prediction of outcomes at 1 year. Further analysis revealed that microsurgery and vasospasm were associated with ischemic events. Conclusion : In comparison with Han patients, the Tibetan population had a high ratio of BBA occurrence, a high incidence of ischemic events, and a high ratio of poor outcomes. The endovascular approach showed more benefits in BBA patients.

• Korean Circulation Journal
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• 제53권11호
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• pp.744-755
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• 2023

Background and Objectives: Aortic valve replacement (AVR) is considered a class I indication for symptomatic severe aortic stenosis (AS). However, there is little evidence regarding the potential benefits of early AVR in symptomatic patients diagnosed with normal-flow, low-gradient (NFLG) severe AS. Methods: Two-hundred eighty-one patients diagnosed with symptomatic NFLG severe AS (stroke volume index ≥35 mL/m², mean transaortic pressure gradient <40 mmHg, peak transaortic velocity <4 m/s, and aortic valve area <1.0 cm²) between January 2010 and December 2020 were included in this retrospective study. After performing 1:1 propensity score matching, 121 patients aged 75.1±9.8 years (including 63 women) who underwent early AVR within 3 months after index echocardiography, were compared with 121 patients who received conservative care. The primary outcome was a composite of all-cause death and heart failure (HF) hospitalization. Results: During a median follow-up of 21.9 months, 48 primary outcomes (18 in the early AVR group and 30 in the conservative care group) occurred. The early AVR group demonstrated a significantly lower incidence of primary outcomes (hazard ratio [HR], 0.52; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.29-0.93; p=0.028); specifically, there was no significant difference in all-cause death (HR, 0.51; 95% CI, 0.23-1.16; p=0.110), although the early AVR group showed a significantly lower incidence of hospitalization for HF (HR, 0.43; 95% CI, 0.19-0.95, p=0.037). Subgroup analyses supported the main findings. Conclusions: An early AVR strategy may be beneficial in reducing the risk of a composite outcome of death or hospitalization for HF in symptomatic patients with NFLG severe AS. Future randomized studies are required to validate and confirm our findings.