• The Journal of Advanced Prosthodontics
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.191-204
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• 2021

PURPOSE. The purpose of this study is to present a methodology to evaluate the accuracy of intraoral scanners (IOS) used in vivo. MATERIALS AND METHODS. A specific feature-based gauge was designed, manufactured, and measured in a coordinate measuring machine (CMM), obtaining reference distances and angles. Then, 10 scans were taken by an IOS with the gauge in the patient's mouth and from the obtained stereolithography (STL) files, a total of 40 distances and 150 angles were measured and compared with the gauge's reference values. In order to provide a comparison, there were defined distance and angle groups in accordance with the increasing scanning area: from a short span area to a complete-arch scanning extension. Data was analyzed using software for statistical analysis. RESULTS. Deviations in measured distances showed that accuracy worsened as the scanning area increased: trueness varied from 0.018 ± 0.021 mm in a distance equivalent to the space spanning a four-unit bridge to 0.106 ± 0.08 mm in a space equivalent to a complete arch. Precision ranged from 0.015 ± 0.03 mm to 0.077 ± 0.073 mm in the same two areas. When analyzing angles, deviations did not show such a worsening pattern. In addition, deviations in angle measurement values were low and there were no calculated significant differences among angle groups. CONCLUSION. Currently, there is no standardized procedure to assess the accuracy of IOS in vivo, and the results show that the proposed methodology can contribute to this purpose. The deviations measured in the study show a worsening accuracy when increasing the length of the scanning area.

• 한국노년학
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.311-323
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• 2020

Older adults are at a high risk of falling, causing severe injuries and increased hospital stays and treatment costs. This can be a burden not only on the family but also on the national economy. Thus, fall prevention is very important in nurses' and nursing assistants' work. This study intended to grasp the real situation faced by nurses and nursing-assistants working at geriatric hospitals in J province, Korea. The researcher interviewed thirty-six nurses and nursing-assistants in four geriatric hospitals and performed four focus group interviews. Data were analyzed through an inductive content analysis based on Elo & Kyngäs's approach. Three categories and five subcategories were identified. Categories were patients, environmental, and personal factors. Patient factors included patients' impaired cognitive function. Environmental factors included lack of personnel support and assignment of inpatients without regard to fall risk. Personal factors included hopelessness regarding improvement and fear of being blamed. Promotion of fall prevention practice needs a gradual increase in nursing staff at geriatric hospitals, a system for assigning hospital room according to fall risk, and education and support system to reduce nursing burden.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.247-266
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• 2022

This study examines the sociodemographic and anthropometric data, health-related and dietary habits, and nutrient intakes according to depression levels in men and women aged over 65 years. A total of 2,938 subjects were analyzed from the 2016~2018 Korean National Health and Examination Survey. Statistical analyses for complex samples were applied using the SPSS software package. Based on the health questionnaire-9, the subjects were applied into two groups. The percentage of depression in women was significantly higher than in men (P<0.001). The factors associated with men's depression were marital status (P<0.05), household income (P<0.001), occupation (P<0.01), and body mass index (P<0.01). Women's depression was found to be significantly associated with household income (P<0.001), education level (P<0.01), basic living allowance (P<0.001), and body weight status (P<0.01). Perceived health status, stress level, quality of life, not feeling very well for the last two weeks, and activity restriction (P<0.001, respectively) were significant health-related habits associated with depression in both sexes. Diabetes (P<0.05) amongst men and hypertriglyceridemia (P<0.01) in women were significant factors associated with depression. Frequency of meals and eating meals together were significant dietary habits associated with depression by sex. Significant associations between improper nutrient intake and depression were also derived for both sexes; 7 nutrients were identified in men and 10 in women. Our results indicate that different factors are associated with depression in the elderly based on sex. Hence, sex-based health promotion programs are required to prevent the onset of depression among the elderly.

• Journal of Korean Critical Care Nursing
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.1-14
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• 2023

Purpose : This study aimed to compare peripheral pulse oxygen saturation (SpO₂) values, measured at different monitoring sites, and arterial oxygen saturation (SaO₂) of neurocritical patients. Methods : The study included 110 patients admitted to the neurosurgical intensive care unit of a university hospital. The patients' SpO₂ values were measured in their index fingers, both second toes, both earlobes, and foreheads, using the patient monitoring system. These values were compared with the standard value of SaO₂ measured using a blood gas analyzer. Data were analyzed using descriptive values, Pearson's correlation coefficients, Lin's concordance correlation coefficients (CCC), and Bland-Altman plots. Result : Regardless of the measuring site, SpO₂ was correlated with the paired measurements of SaO₂ (r=.40~.60, p<.001, CCC range=.40~.58). No significant bias in paired measurements of SpO₂ and SaO₂ was observed at all sites (-0.06~0.19%, p>.05). SpO₂ values at the left finger and right earlobe had the narrowest range, with a 95% limits of agreement (LOA) (left finger -3.04~2.93% and right earlobe -3.18~2.79%). SpO₂ at the index finger, on the side without an arterial catheter, had a narrower range of 95% LOA than that of the opposing finger (-3.00~2.97% vs. -3.73~3.26%). Conclusion : SpO₂ at the finger without an arterial catheter had the highest level of precision. This study suggests using the index finger, on the side without an arterial catheter, for pulse oximetry in neurocritical patients.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.11-20
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• 2024

Purpose: Advance directives (ADs) are legal documents that outline a person's preferences or decisions regarding end-of-life care ahead of time. In Korea, there is insufficient awareness and knowledge about ADs among patients undergoing hemodialysis. This study explored the relationship between perceptions of a good death, knowledge about ADs, and attitudes toward ADs in this patient population. Methods: This cross-sectional survey enrolled 119 hemodialysis patients from a secondary hospital in 2021. The participants completed a self-administered questionnaire, and the data were analyzed using the t-test, analysis of variance, Pearson correlation coefficients, Spearman rank correlation coefficients, and multiple regression analysis. Results: The average score for perceptions of a good death among hemodialysis patients was 2.80 out of 4, with clinical symptoms identified as the most critical factor. The average scores for knowledge about ADs and attitudes toward ADs were 5.69 out of 9 and 2.79 out of 4, respectively. There was a positive correlation between perceptions of a good death and attitudes toward ADs (r=0.34, P<0.001), as well as between knowledge about Ads and attitudes toward ADs (r=0.19, P=0.037). Factors influencing attitudes toward Ads included employment status (β=0.22, P=0.011), education level (β=0.22, P=0.013), and perceptions of a good death (β=0.29, P=0.001), which accounted for 24.8% of the variance in attitudes toward ADs. Conclusion: A positive perception of a good death among patients undergoing hemodialysis was associated with a positive attitude toward ADs. Educational programs are needed to improve individuals' understanding of a good death and encourage the development of end-of-life care plans.

• Journal of Korean Critical Care Nursing
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.12-24
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• 2024

Purpose : This study aimed to identify factors influencing the quality of life of family caregivers of intensive care unit (ICU) patients. Methods : We conducted a study using a cross-sectional design. The study involved 109 family caregivers of ICU patients at a university-affiliated hospital in Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. Data were collected through self-report questionnaires between July 2020 and April 2021 and analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, one-way ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficients, and multiple regression analysis. Results : The study revealed significant differences in quality of life based on economic status (F=11.63, p<.001), cohabitation with patients (t=-2.04, p=.044), sleep duration after patient's admission to the ICU (t=-2.48, p =.025), and subjective health status (F=30.06, p<.001). There were significant negative correlations observed between quality of life and post-traumatic stress symptoms (r=-.38, p<.001) as well as caregiver burden (r=-.46, p<.001). Factors affecting quality of life were subjective health status, economic status, and caregiver burden (adj. R²=0.52, F=15.64, p<.001). Conclusion : These findings underscore the need to develop and implement intervention programs tailored to the health conditions and economic status of family caregivers, with a focus on alleviating caregiver burden. Such initiatives are essential to ultimately improve the quality of life for family caregivers of ICU patients.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.91-103
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• 2024

Stroke is one of the most common disabilities experienced by the elderly in the community. However, stroke progresses to a chronic level, patients are discharged from medical institutions and eventually no longer receive therapeutic interventions at home. In this systematic review, we compared home-based rehabilitation (HBR) with comparison for patients with stroke. Literature published in Cumulative Index for Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Embase, Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro), PubMed, and Google Scholar were reviewed. A total of 1,158 studies were initially retrieved. After reading the full texts, 11 articles were included in the systematic review. Quality assessment of the included studies was conducted using Risk of Bias (RoB) 2.0, and Egger's regression test was used to evaluate publication bias. Data analysis was performed using the R studio software (R Studio). According to the quality assessment using RoB 2.0, three studies were evaluated as low risk, two as of some concern, and three as high risk. The overall effect size was moderate (0.309). The value of the balance function was a small effect size (0.201), while the value of the gait function was a moderate effect size (0.353). The values were small and moderate effect (0.154, 0.411) for the chronic and subacute conditions, respectively. According to the Egger's regression test, no publication bias was observed. The findings of this study indicate that HBR resulted in the greatest improvement in gait function in patients with subacute stroke compared to those with chronic stroke. Therefore, the application of this intervention to patients with stroke in the community is recommended.

• Dementia and Neurocognitive Disorders
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.117-125
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• 2022

Background and Purpose: Medication adherence is essential for effective medical treatment. However, it is challenging for cognitively impaired patients. We investigated whether an automated telephone reminder service improves medication adherence and reduces the decline of cognitive function in isolated patients with cognitive impairment. Methods: This was a single-center, randomized clinical trial. We enrolled mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients who lived alone or with a cognitively impaired spouse. We provided an automated telephone reminder service for taking medication to the intervention group for 6 months. The control group was provided with general guidelines for taking the medication every month. The participants underwent neuropsychological assessment at the beginning and end of the study. Statistical significance was tested using nonparametric Wilcoxon rank sum and Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed-rank tests. Results: Thirty participants were allocated randomly to groups, and data for 29 participants were analyzed. The mean age was 79.6 (standard deviation, 6.0) years and 79.3% of the participants were female. There was no significant difference in medication adherence between the 2 groups. However, a subgroup analysis among participants with more than 70% response rates showed better medication adherence compared to the control group (intervention: 94.6%; control: 90.2%, p=0.0478). There was no significant difference in the change in cognitive function between the 2 groups. Conclusions: If a patient's compliance is good, telephone reminders might be effective in improving medication adherence. It is necessary to develop reminder tools that can improve compliance for cognitively impaired patients.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.194-201
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• 2024

Background: Asthma is a chronic inflammatory airway disease associated with systemic inflammation and increased prevalence of various comorbid conditions. This study investigates the prevalence of non-respiratory comorbidities among adult asthma patients in South Korea, aiming to elucidate potential correlations and impacts of asthma on overall health, thereby affecting patients' quality of life and healthcare systems. Methods: This retrospective cohort study utilized the National Health Insurance Service data (HIRA-NPS-2020) and included adults diagnosed with asthma. Non-respiratory diseases were identified using the Korean Standard Disease Classification (KCD-8) codes, with exclusions applied for other respiratory conditions. The prevalence of comorbidities was analyzed and compared between asthma and non-asthma patients, adjusting for confounders such as age, gender, and insurance status through inverse probability treatment weighting (IPTW). Results: The analysis revealed that asthma patients exhibit significantly higher rates of cardiovascular diseases, metabolic disorders, gastrointestinal conditions, and mental health issues compared to the control group. Notably, conditions such as heart failure, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and anxiety were more prevalent, with odds ratios (OR) ranging from 1.18 to 3.90. These results demonstrate a substantial burden of comorbidities associated with asthma, indicating a broad impact on health beyond the respiratory system. Conclusion: The findings highlight the systemic nature of asthma and the interconnectedness of inflammatory processes across different organ systems. This comprehensive analysis confirms previous research linking asthma with an increased risk of various non-respiratory diseases, providing insights into the multifaceted impact of asthma on patient health.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.19
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• pp.8371-8376
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• 2014

Background: The use of statistical methods has become an imperative tool in breast cancer survival data analysis. The purpose of this study was to develop the best statistical probability model using the Bayesian method to predict future survival times for the black non-Hispanic female breast cancer patients diagnosed during 1973-2009 in the U.S. Materials and Methods: We used a stratified random sample of black non-Hispanic female breast cancer patient data from the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database. Survival analysis was performed using Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional regression methods. Four advanced types of statistical models, Exponentiated Exponential (EE), Beta Generalized Exponential (BGE), Exponentiated Weibull (EW), and Beta Inverse Weibull (BIW) were utilized for data analysis. The statistical model building criteria, Akaike Information Criteria (AIC), Bayesian Information Criteria (BIC), and Deviance Information Criteria (DIC) were used to measure the goodness of fit tests. Furthermore, we used the Bayesian approach to obtain the predictive survival inferences from the best-fit data based on the exponentiated Weibull model. Results: We identified the highest number of black non-Hispanic female breast cancer patients in Michigan and the lowest in Hawaii. The mean (SD), of age at diagnosis (years) was 58.3 (14.43). The mean (SD), of survival time (months) for black non-Hispanic females was 66.8 (30.20). Non-Hispanic blacks had a significantly increased risk of death compared to Black Hispanics (Hazard ratio: 1.96, 95%CI: 1.51-2.54). Compared to other statistical probability models, we found that the exponentiated Weibull model better fits for the survival times. By making use of the Bayesian method predictive inferences for future survival times were obtained. Conclusions: These findings will be of great significance in determining appropriate treatment plans and health-care cost allocation. Furthermore, the same approach should contribute to build future predictive models for any health related diseases.