• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.69-75
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• 2000

Objectives : This study was conducted to evaluate the risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease. Methods : By the questionnaire, the informations of education level, monthly income, alcohol consumption and smoking habit were obtained. Height, weight and blood Pressure(BP) were measured by a trained nurse. The level of lasting blood sugar(FBS), total cholesterol, hight-density lipoprotein(HDL) cholesterol and triglyceride were tested by enzyne method about a group of 2888 males and 1696 females ages ever 20 who had never taken the medication for hypertension. Statistical analysis, ANOVA, stepwise multiple regression, correlation analysis were peformed using SAS package program. Results : There were significant differences among age groups in systolic and diastolic blood pressure, body mass index(BMI), FBS, triglyceride and cholesterol except HDL-cholesterol. The risk factors associated with systolic and diastolic BP significantly in male were BMI, age, alcohol intake, but in female BMI, age. Smoking habit had a significant negative correlation with BP in both sex. In the group of mild hypertension ($\geq140\;mmHg\;or\geq90\;mmHg$ defined by JNC-VI) and hypertension ($\geq160\;mmHg\;or\;\geq95\;mmHg$ defined by WHO), the percent of diabetes $(FBS\geq140\;mg/dl)$, hypercholesterolemia $(\geq240mg/dl)$, and hypertriglyceridemia $(\geq200\;mg/dl)$ were significantly higher compared with normal group in male and female. BMI, and alcohol consumption had a positive correlation with FBS, total cholesterol and triglyceride. Smoking had a positive correlation with cholesterol and triglyceride but negative correlation with HDL-cholesterol in male. The educational attainment had a negative correlation with BMI, FBS, total cholesterol and triglyceride in female. Conclusions : This study suggested that drinking, smoking, and BMI and lower educational level were associated with hypertension, hyperlipidemia and diabetes, but further evaluation was needed by prospective intervention study.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.205-212
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• 2007

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to identify the factors influencing the intention to have stomach cancer screening using the theory of planned behavior (TPB) in Korea. Methods : For this population-based study, 1,535 adult respondents (aged 40 to 70 years) were recruited using multi-stratified random sampling and a face-to-face administered questionnaire. This study was based on Ajzen's theory of planned behavior. Intentions were divided into three scenarios for fee payment in the next two years : (1) free of charge, (2) co-payment, and (3) full charge. Multiple linear regression was used to identify the factors influencing the intention to have stomach cancer screening. Results : Perceived behavioral control and attitude toward stomach cancer screening were significant predictors of the intention to have stomach cancer screening. However, subjective norm only influenced the intention to have stomach cancer screening with full charge in the next two years. Conclusions : The results suggest that attitude and perceived behavioral control are likely to contribute toward increasing the intention to have stomach cancer screening. Especially, perceived behavioral control is a good predictor. Because the study subjects were nation wide residents, the study results can be generalized.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.233-238
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• 2007

Objectives : We aimed to assess the relationship between long-term exposure to air pollution and lung cancer in the Republic of Korea. Methods : Using the Annual Report of Ambient Air Quality in Korea, Annual Report of National Cancer Registration, and Annual Report on the Cause of Death Statistics, we calculated the standardized mortality ratio (SMR) and standardized incidence ratio (SIR) of lung cancer for both sexes in 74 areas from 7 Korean metropolitan cities. We performed random intercept, Poisson regression using empirical Bayes method. Results : Both SMRs and SIRs in the 7 metropolitan cities were higher in women than in men. Mean SIRs were 99.0 for males and 107.0 for females. The association between $PM_{10}$ and lung cancer risk differed according to gender. $PM_{10}$ was not associated with the risk of lung cancer in males, but both incidence and mortality of lung cancer were positively associated with $PM_{10}$ in females. The estimated percentage increases in the rate of female lung cancer mortality and incidence were 27% and 65% at the highest $PM_{10}$ category $({\geq}70\;{\mu}g/m^3)$, compared to the referent category $({\geq}50\;{\mu}g/m^3)$. Conclusions : Long-term exposure to $PM_{10}$ was significantly associated with female lung cancer incidence in 7 Korean metropolitan cities. Further study is undergoing to estimate the relative risk of $PM_{10}$ using multi-level analysis for controlling individual and regional confounders such as smoking and socioeconomic position.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.66-70
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• 1998

Background and Objectives : The managements of unilateral vocal cord palsy include type Ⅰ thyroplasty and arytenoid adduction. One type operation has been shown no satisfactory effect. We evaluated preoperative and postoperative speech of unilateral vocal cord palsy patients who received combined operation of type Ⅰ thyroplasty and arytenoid adduction to help for the management plan of unilateral vocal cord palsy patients. Materials and Methods : We reviewed the postoperative results and complication of 17 surgically treated patients of unilateral vocal cord palsy at Severance hospital from Nov. 1996 to Dec. 1997 retrospectively. They were received combined operation of type Ⅰ thyroplasty and arytenoid adduction. Their pre and post-operative speech were analyzed with MDVP(Multi-Dimension-Voice analysis Program) of CSL(Computerized Speech Lab). Results : After the operation, MPT(Maximal Phonation Time) was increased and MFR(Mean Flow Rate) was decreased in all patients. NHR(Noise to Harmonic Ratio) and VTI(Voice Turbulence Index) were decreased : liner, RAP(Relative Average Perturbation Quotient), PPQ(Pitch Period Perturbation Quotient), sPPQ(smoothed Pitch Period Perturbation Quotient), vFo(fundamental frequency Variation) were decreased : Shimmer, APQ(Amplitude Perturbation Quotient), sAPQ(Smoothed Amplitude Perturbation Qoutient), vAm(Peak Amplitude Variation) were decreased in all the patients. Conclusions : In unilateral vocal cord pals), combined operation of type Ⅰ thyroplasty and arytenoid adduction could obtain satisfactory postoperative voice. MDVP has many parameters and good method for evaluation of voice surgery.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.53 no.5
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• pp.381-386
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• 2020

Objectives: Few studies have been published regarding the relevance of the admission diagnosis to the smoking cessation rate. We studied smoking cessation rates in relation to admission diagnoses in our inpatient smoking cessation programmes. Methods: This retrospective study included all patients recruited into our inpatient smoking cessation programmes at 2 institutions in Singapore between June 2008 and December 2016. Patients were given individualized intensive counselling and were followed up via phone interviews for up to 6-month to assess their smoking status. Multivariable logistic regression was used to analyse potential associations between admission diagnoses and 6-month abstinence. Results: A total of 7194 patients were included in this study. The mean age was 54.1 years, and 93.2% were male. In total, 1778 patients (24.7%) were abstinent at the 6-month follow-up call. Patients who quit smoking tended to be of Chinese ethnicity, have initiated smoking at a later age, be better educated, and have lower Fagerström Test of Nicotine Dependence scores. After adjusting for these factors, patients with a cardiovascular admission diagnosis had a significantly higher probability of quitting tobacco use than patients with a respiratory or other diagnosis. Conclusions: In patients acutely admitted to the hospital, a diagnosis of cardiovascular disease was associated with the highest quit rate. Smoking cessation interventions need to be incorporated into all cardiovascular disease treatment pathways to leverage the patient's motivation and to improve the quit rate. In addition, patients in groups with lower quit rates may benefit from more intensive programmes to increase the rate of successful cessation.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.163-178
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• 2013

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to investigate the characteristics of Sasang constitutional types in the university students. Methods : One hundred fifty students of Woosuk University participated in this study and their majors were Korean medicine, nursing science and pharmacy. The Sasang constitutional types were determined by the results of Two Step Questionnaire for Sasang Constitution Diagnosis (TS-QSCD). The subjects were also tested by Academic Motivation Tests (AMT), Multi-dimensional Learning Strategy Tests (MLST) and Learning Style Questionnaire of Sasang Constitution (LSQ-SC). The subscale scores of AMT, MSLT and each questions of AMT, MLST, LSQ-SC were compared among the different Sasang constitutions using analysis of variances (ANOVA). Results : There were no significant differences in AMT results between Sasang constitutions. In subscales of AMT, Feeling scales (FTF) scores of Soyangin was significantly higher than Taeeumin. Other subscales of AMT were not different between Sasang constitutions. There were no significant differences in MLST results between Sasang constitutions. Subscales of MLST were not different between Sasang constitutions. There were many questions between Soyangin and other constitutions in the analysis of questions of AMT, MLST, and LSQ-SC, and less between Taeeumin and Soeumin. Conclusions : These results suggest that the characteristics of Soyangin is more prominent compared with other constitutions in the learning style, and there were a little differences between Soeumin and Taeeumin.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.195-212
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• 2011

Objectives: This study investigates the relationship between nurse staffing levels and differences in patient outcomes in terms of average length of stay, in-hospital mortality rate and 30-day death rate in order to evaluate the effectiveness of a policy that differentiates fees for inpatients on the basis of nurse-to-bed ratios. Methods: We obtained information on inpatients from health insurance claims data published by the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service(HIRA) in 2008, organizational factors(type of hospital, ownership) from the records of the hospital report system in 2008, and nurse staffing levels, which were graded on a scale of 1 to 7, from data compiled between December 15, 2007, and September 20, 2008. The data were segregated according to type of hospital and quarter and finally 3,517 records of 1,182 hospitals were analyzed using multi-level analysis. Results: The average length of stay in grade 1~6 hospitals was lower than that in grade 7 ones, but the difference was much below one day. No significant difference was found among different grades in tertiary hospitals. Further, variations in staffing levels did not result in any significant difference in the in-hospital mortality rate and 30-day death rate. Conclusions: High nurse staffing levels did not result in better patient outcomes compared with low staffing levels. We therefore recommend modifying the above nurse staffing policy so as to make it more effective in improving patient outcomes.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.160-183
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• 2012

Objectives: Coptidis Rhizoma is one of the most popular and multi-purpose herbs in traditional medicine. The purpose of this study was to contribute to research and applications of Coptidis Rhizoma in clinic, by analyzing and reviewing international studies on its chemical compositions and pharmacological effects. Methods: This study analyzed 344 articles published from 2000 to 2010 in PubMed, Refworks, Riss, and KTKP. The search keywords were "Coptis chinensis", "Coptis japonica", "Coptidis Rhizoma", "huanglian" and "huanglian in Chinese". From them, we selected 114 articles which met our inclusion criteria. Results: This study reviewed 114 articles on Coptidis Rhizoma and its active components in terms of 'Active components', 'Experimental studies', 'Clinical studies', 'Industrial use' and 'Side Effects/Toxicity'. Conclusions: The active components of Coptidis Rhizoma are berberine, coptisine, epiberberine, palmatine, jateorrhizine, magnoflorine, worenine, etc. It is reported that Coptidis Rhizoma and its active components have anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antitumor, and antioxidant activity, and cardiovascular, hepatoprotective, antidiabetic, neuroprotective, gastrointestinal, pain relieving, discharge phlegm and metrocyte proliferation effects. Moreover, we found that Coptidis Rhizoma can be used for bath preparation, cosmetic products and as a natural antimicrobial substance.

• Journal of Sasang Constitution and Immune Medicine
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.96-106
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• 2009

1. Objectives : The aim of this study was to survey the ordinary symptoms of TE type(Tae-eumin) and to compare the tendency of their symptoms according to the Exterior- or Interior- disease. 2. Methods : We recruited 659 TE type(Tae-eumin)-subjects in multi-oriental hospitals and researched their ordinary symptoms. Subjects were diagnosed by the Sasang Constitutional specialists in oriental hospitals, and had remarkable improvement in the chief complains after Sasang Constitutional Medication. Subjects were divided two groups. One group had the Exterior-cold disease and they took the prescription for the Exerior-cold disease(such as Taeumjowi-tang, Jowiseungcheong-tang, Nocyongdaebo-tang etc.). The other group had the Interior-febrile disease and they took the prescription for the Interior-febrile disease(such as Galgunhaegui-tang, Yeoldahanso-tang, Cheongsimyeonja-tang, Gongjinhugwon-dan etc.). All subjects answered the questionnaire about their symptoms. We found the differences of answers using the Chi-square test between-group comparisons. We analyzed using SPSS 12.0 for Korean. 3. Results and Conclusions : In symptoms, Quantity of meal(p=.009), Perspiration of head and face(p=.001), Aspect of Excrement(p=.027), Presence of pain after excrement(p=.001), Frequency of urination at night(p=.003), Clarity of urine(p=.041), Sleep during the day(p=.049), Warm or cold feeling on abdomen(p=.007), etc. are different according to the Exterior- or Interior- disease. We found the differences of symptoms between not only the constitutional types but also the types of disease.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.60-65
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• 2019

Purpose: The quality assurance (QA) chart rounds are multidisciplinary meetings to review radiation therapy (RT) treatment plans. This study focus on describing the changes in RT management based on QA round reviews in a single institution. Materials and Methods: After 9 full years of implementation, a retrospective review of all patients whose charts passed through departmental QA chart rounds from 2007 to 2015. The reviewed cases were presented for RT plan review; subcategorized based on decision in QA rounds into: approved, minor modifications or major modifications. Major modification defined as any substantial change which required patient re-simulation or re-planning prior to commencement of RT. Minor modification included treatment plan changes which didn't necessarily require RT re-planning. Results: Overall 7,149 RT treatment plans for different anatomical sites were reviewed at QA rounds. From these treatment plans, 6,654 (93%) were approved, 144 (2%) required minor modifications, while 351 (5%) required major modifications. Major modification included changes in: selected RT dose (96/351, 27%), target volume definition (127/351, 36%), organs-at-risk contouring (10/351, 3%), dose volume objectives/constraints criteria (90/351, 26%), and intent of treatment (28/351, 8%). The RT plans which required major modification according to the tumor subtype were as follows: head and neck (104/904, 12%), thoracic (12/199, 6%), gastrointestinal (33/687,5%), skin (5/106, 5%), genitourinary (16/359, 4%), breast (104/2387, 4%), central nervous system (36/846, 4%), sarcoma (11/277, 4%), pediatric (7/251, 3%), lymphoma (10/423, 2%), gynecological tumors (2/359, 1%), and others (11/351, 3%). Conclusion: Multi-disciplinary standardized QA chart rounds provide a comprehensive and an influential method on RT plans and/or treatment decisions.