• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.47-56
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• 2015

Objectives:The aim of this study is to investigate any differences between non-medical and medical college students for : 1) a level and the nature of perceived stress, 2) a level of life satisfaction, and 3) the related factors affecting to life satisfaction. Methods:We measured self-reported questionnaires of stress, satisfaction with life, health behavior including happiness, alcohol use, nicotine dependency and depressive symptoms in 1,714(863 non-medical and 851 medical) college students. Results:Non-medical college students had significantly higher total stress scores than medical college students(${\chi}^2$=7.66, p<.001). In non-medical college students, employment problem score was significantly higher than medical college students(t=4.07, p<.001). In medical college students, the scores of academic achievement (t=-3.81, p<.001), change of social life(t=-2.03, p<.05), death(t=-2.05, p<.05) or sickness(t=-2.60, p<.05) of friends were significantly higher than non-medical college students. And non-medical college students showed significantly lower life satisfaction scores than medical college students(${\chi}^2$=-19.05, p<.001). We also found that life satisfaction were significantly related to happiness in non-medical college students(${\beta}$=.410, $R^2$=.325, p<.001) and depressive symptoms in medical college students(${\beta}$=-.435, $R^2$=.326, p<.001) by stepwise multiple regression analysis. Conclusions:In this study, a level and the nature of perceived stress, a level of life satisfaction, and the related factors affecting to life satisfaction showed definitely differences between non-medical and medical college students. We suggest with our findings that specified mental health promotion program need for the college student's mental health management.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.723-735
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• 1998

Background : Vitamin C has been reported to have a role in the decrease of airway hyperresponsiveness in animal models. This data is based on some metabolic actions of vitamin C, such as promotion of histamine degradation, producing more $PGE_2$ than $PGF_{2\alpha}$ in cyclooxygenase pathway, decrease of smooth muscle contraction, and acting as reducing agent of oxidant. It has been also known that heavy smokers have lower blood levels of vitamin C than nonsmokers and this deficiency in heavy smokers have been explained by several mechanisms, such as increased oxidation by oxidants and free radicals, increased biosynthesis of catecholamine and serotonin released by nicotine, and inadequate dietary intake. In this study, We attempted to assess effect of vitamin C on bronchial hyperresponsiveness in heavy smokers who have bronchial hyperresponsiveness and role of vitamin C on bronchial hyperresponsiveness. Method: To assess acute effect of vitamin C on airway hyperresponsiveness, blood sample for vitamin C level and spirometry, methacholine challenge test were done in 17 smokers and 8 nonsmokers, and one hour after oral administration of vitamin C 3 g, blood sample for vitamin C level and spirometry, methacholine challenge test were repeated. To assess chronic effect of vitamin C on airway hyperresponsiveness, after daily administration of vitamin C 1 g for one week in 17 smokers, blood sample for vitamin C level and spirometry, methacholine challenge test were done. To assess role of vitamin C, after oral administration of vitamin C 3 g plus indomethacin 100 mg in 12 of 15 smokers who were reactive to methacholine challenge test, spirometry and methacholine challenge test were done and after oral intake of indomethacin 100 mg in 12 smokers who were reactive to methacholine challenge test, spirometry and methacholine challenge test were repeated. Result: There were no significant differences in whole blood vitamin C levels between smokers($1.17{\pm}0.22$ mg/dL) and nonsmcikers($1.14{\pm}0.19$ mg/dL) (p>0.05). Fifteen of the 17 smokers(88.2%) were reactive to methacholine challenge test and 10 of the 15 smokers who were reactive to methacholine challenge test were less than 8 mg/dL in $PC_{20}FEV-2$, and 7 of the 8 nonsmokers(87.5%) were nonreactive to methacholine challenge test There were significant decrease in bronchial responsiveness after oral administration of vitamin C 3 g in 13 of the 15 smokers who were reactive to methacholine challenge test This significant decrease persisted with maintenance daily administration of 1 g for one week. $PC_{20}FEV-2$ were not correlated to vitamin C levels in smokers. After oral administration of indomethacin 100 mg, significant reduction of bronchial responsiveness that occured after oral administration of vitamin C 3 g in smokers were attenuated. Conclusion: Although there were no significant differences in whole blood vitamin C levels between smokers and nonsmokers. heavy smokers have significant increase in bronchial responsiveness than nonsmokers. This bronchial hyperresponsiveness of heavy smokers can be attenuated by vitamin C supplement. Disappearance of vitamin C effect by indomethacin supplement may suggest that vitamin C exert its effect via alteration of arachidonic acid metabolism.