• Title/Summary/Keyword: Patient-related Characteristics

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A Study on the Extraction Rate of Brain Tissues from a $^{99m}Tc$-HMPAO Cerebral Blood flow SPECT Examination of a Patient ($^{99m}Tc$-HMPAO 뇌혈류 SPECT 검사 시 환자에 따른 뇌조직 추출률에 대한 고찰)

  • Kim, Hwa-San;Lee, Dong-Ho;Ahn, Byeong-Pil;Kim, Hyun-Ki;Jung, Jin-Yung;Lee, Hyung-Nam;Kim, Jung-Ho
    • The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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    • v.16 no.1
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    • pp.17-26
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    • 2012
  • Purpose: This study mainly focuses on the patients treated with chemically stable radiopharmaceutical product $^{99m}Tc$-HMPAO (d,l-hexamethylpropylene amine oxime) which yielded reduced image quality due to a decreased brain extraction rate. $^{99m}Tc$-HMPAO will be examined further to determine whether this product may be accounted as a factor for this cause. Material and Methods: From January 2010 until December 2010, out of 272 patients who were all subjected to $^{99m}Tc$-HMPAO brain blood flow SPECT scans resulting from Cerebral Infarction; 23 patients(ages $55.3{\pm}9$, 21 males, 3 females) with decreased tissue extraction rate were examined in detail. The radiopharmaceutical product $^{99m}Tc$-HMPAO was used on patients with normal brain tissue exchange rate as well as those with reduced rate in order to prove its' chemical stability. The patients' age, sex, blood pressure, existence of diabetes, drug use, current health status, known side effects from CT/MRI, examination of the patients' past SPECT before/after images were accounted to determine the factors and correlations affecting the rate of blood tissue extractions. Result: After multiple linear regression analysis, there were no unusual correlations between the 6 factors excluding sex, and before/after examination images. Male subjects showed reduced brain tissue extraction rate than the females ($p$ > 0.05) 91.3% male, 8.7% female. Wilcoxon Matched-Pairs Signed-Ranks Test was used on the before/after images which yielded a value of 0.06, which did not indicate a significant amount of difference on the 2 tests ($p$ > 0.05). As a result, the before/after images indicated similar brain tissue extraction rates, and there were variations depending on the individual patient. Conclusion: The effects of the chemically stable radiopharmaceutical product $^{99m}Tc$-HMPAO depended on the patient's personal characteristics and status, therefore was considered to be a factor in reducing brain tissue extraction rate. The related articles of $^{99m}Tc$-HMPAO cerebral blood flow SPECT speculates a cerebrovascular disease and factors resulting from portal veins, and it was not possible to pin point the exact cause of decreasing brain tissue extraction rate. However, the $^{99m}Tc$-HMPAO cerebral blood flow SPECT scan proved to be extremely useful in tracking and inspecting brain diseases, as well as offering accurate results from patients suffering from reduced brain tissue extraction rates.

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An Exploratory Study of Hospice Care to Patients with Advanced Cancer (암환자를 위한 호스피스 케어에 관한 탐색적 연구)

  • Park, Hye-Ja
    • The Korean Nurse
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    • v.28 no.3
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    • pp.52-67
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    • 1989
  • True nursing care means total nursing care which includes physical, emotional and spiritual care. The modern nursing care has tendency to focus toward physical care and needs attention toward emotional and spiritual care. The total nursing care is mandatory for patients with terminal cancer and for this purpose, hospice care became emerged. Hospice case originated from the place or shelter for the travellers to Jerusalem in medieval stage. However, the meaning of modem hospice care became changed to total nursing care for dying patients. Modern hospice care has been developed in England, and spreaded to U.S.A. and Canada for the patients with terminal cancer. Nowaday, it became a part of nursing care and the concept of hospice care extended to the palliative care of the cancer patients. Recently, it was introduced to Korea and received attention as model of total nursing care. This study was attempted to assess the efficacy of hospice care. The purpose of this study was to prove a difference in terms of physical, emotional a d spiritual aspect between the group who received hospice care and who didn't receive hospice care. The subject for this study were 113 patients with advanced cancer who were hospitalized in the S different hospitals. 67 patients received hospice care in 4 different hospitals, and 46 patients didn't receive hospice care in another 4 different hospitals. The method of this study was the questionaire which was made through the descriptive study. The descriptive study was made by individual contact with 102 patients cf advanced cancer for 9 months period. The measurement tool for questionaire was made by author through the descriptive study, and included the personal religious orientation obtained from chung(originated R. Fleck) and 5 emotional stages before dying from Kubler Ross. The content ol questionaire consisted in 67 items which included 11 for general characteristics, 10 for related condition with cancer, 13 for wishes far physical therapy, 13 for emotional reactions and 20 for personal religious orientation. Data for this study was collected from Aug. 25 to Oct. 6 by author and 4 other nurse's who received education and training by author for the collection of data. The collected data were ana lysed using descriptive statistics, $X^2-test$, t-test and pearson correlation coefficient. Results of the study were as follows: "H.C Group" means the group of patient with cancer who received hospice care. "Non H.C Group" means the group of patient with cancer who did not receive hospice care. 1. There is a difference between H.C Group and Non H.C Group in term of the number of physical symptoms, subjective degree of pain sensation and pain control, subjective beliefs in physical cure, emotional reaction, help of present emotional and spiritual care from other personal, needs of emotional and spiritual care in future, selection of treatment method by patients and personal religious orientation. 2. The comparison of H.C Group and Non H.C Group 1) There is no difference in wishes for physical therapy between two groups(p=.522). Among Non H.C Group, a group, who didn't receive traditional therapy and herb medicine was higher than a group who received these in degree of belief that the traditional therapy and herb medicine can cure their disease, and this result was higher in comparison to H.C Group(p=.025, p=.050). 2) Non H.C Group was higher than H.C Group in degree of emotional reaction(p=.050). H.C Group was higher than Non H.C Group in denial and acceptant stage among 5 different emotional stages before dying described by Kubler Ross, especially among the patient who had disease more than 13 months(p=.0069, p=.0198). 3) Non H.C Group was higher than H. C Group in demanding more emotional and spiritual care to doctor, nurse, family and pastor(p=. 010). 4) Non H.C Group was higher than H.C Group in demanding more emotional and spiritual care to each individual of doctor, nurse and family (p=.0110, p=.0029, P=. 0053). 5) H.C Group was higher th2.n Non H.C Group in degree of intrinsic behavior orientation and intrinsic belief orientation of personal religious orientation(p=.034, p=.026). 6) In H.C Group and Non H.C Group, the degree of emotional demanding of christians was significantly higher than non christians to doctor, nurse, family and pastor(p=. 000, p=.035). 7) In H.C Group there were significant positive correlations as following; (1) Between the degree of emotional demandings to doctor, nurse, family & pastor and: the degree of intrinsic behavior orientation in personal religious orientation(r=. 5512, p=.000). (2) Between the degree of emotional demandings to doctor, nurse. family & pastor and the degree of intrinsic belief orientation in personal religious orientation(r=.4795, p=.000). (3) Between the degree of intrinsic behavior orientation and the degree of intrinsic: belief orientation in personal religious orientation(r=.8986, p=.000). (4) Between the degree of extrinsic religious orientation and the degree of consensus religious orientation in personal religious orientation (r=. 2640, p=.015). In H.C. Group there were significant negative correlations as following; (1) Between the degree of intrinsic behavior orientation and extrinsic religious orientation in personal religious orientation (r=-.4218, p=.000). (2) Between the degree or intrinsic behavior orientation and consensus religious orientation in personal religious orientation(r=-. 4597, p=.000). (3) Between the degree of intrinsic belief orientations and the degree of extrinsic religious orientation in personal religious orientation(r=-.4388, p=.000). (4) Between the degree of intrinsic belief orientation and the degree of consensus religious orientation in personal religious orientation(r=-. 5424, p=.000). 8) In Non H.C Group there were significant positive correlation as following; (1) Between the degree of emotional demandings to doctor, nurse, family & pastor and the degree of intrinsic behavior orientation in personal religious orientation(r= .3566, p=.007). (2) Between the degree of emotional demandings to doctor, nurse, family & pastor and the degree of intrinsic belief orientation in personal religious orientation(r=.3430, p=.010). (3) Between the degree of intrinsic behavior orientation and the degree of intrinsic belief orientation in personal religious orientation(r=.9723, p=.000). In Non H.C Group there were significant negative correlation as following; (1) Between the degree of emotional demandings to doctor, nurse, family & pastor and the degree of extrinsic religious orientation in personal religious orientation(r= -.2862, p=.027). (2) Between the degree of intrinsic behavior orientation and the degree of extrinsic religious orientation in personal religious orientation(r=-. 5083, p=.000). (3) Between the degree of intrinsic belief orientation and the degree of extrinsic religious orientation in personal religious orientation(r=-. 5013, p=.000). In conclusion above datas suggest that hospice care provide effective total nursing care for the patients with terminal cancer, and hospice care is mandatory in all medical institutions.

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Surgical Treatment for Isolated Aortic Endocarditis: a Comparison with Isolated Mitral Endocarditis (대동맥 판막만을 침범한 감염성 심내막염의 수술적 치료: 승모판막만을 침범한 경우와 비교 연구)

  • Hong, Seong-Beom;Park, Jeong-Min;Lee, Kyo-Seon;Ryu, Sang-Woo;Yun, Ju-Sik;CheKar, Jay-Key;Yun, Chi-Hyeong;Kim, Sang-Hyung;Ahn, Byoung-Hee
    • Journal of Chest Surgery
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    • v.40 no.9
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    • pp.600-606
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    • 2007
  • Background: Infective endocarditis shows high surgical mortality and morbidity rates, especially for aortic endocarditis. This study attempts to investigate the clinical characteristics and operative results of isolated aortic endocarditis. Material and Method: From July 1990 to May 2005, 25 patients with isolated aortic endocarditis (Group I, male female=18 : 7, mean age $43.2{\pm}18.6$ years) and 23 patients with isolated mitral endocarditis (Group II, male female=10 : 13, mean age $43.2{\pm}17.1$ years) underwent surgical treatment in our hospital. All the patients had native endocarditis and 7 patients showed a bicuspid aortic valve in Group I. Two patients had prosthetic valve endocarditis and one patients developed mitral endocarditis after a mitral valvuloplasty in Group II. Positive blood cultures were obtained from 11 (44.0%) patients in Group I, and 10 (43.3%) patients in Group II, The pre-operative left ventricular ejection fraction for each group was $60.8{\pm}8.7%$ and $62.1{\pm}8.1%$ (p=0.945), respectively. There was moderate to severe aortic regurgitation in 18 patients and vegetations were detected in 17 patients in Group I. There was moderate to severe mitral regurgitation in 19 patients and vegetations were found in 18 patients in Group II. One patient had a ventricular septal defect and another patient underwent a Maze operation with microwaves due to atrial fibrillation. We performed echocardiography before discharge and each year during follow-up. The mean follow-up period was $37.2{\pm}23.5$ (range $9{\sim}123$) months. Result: Postoperative complications included three cases of low cardiac output in Group I and one case each of re-surgery because of bleeding and low cardiac output in Group II. One patient died from an intra-cranial hemorrhage on the first day after surgery in Group I, but there were no early deaths in Group II. The 1, 3-, and 5-year valve related event free rates were 92.0%, 88.0%, and 88.0% for Group I patients, and 91.3%, 76.0%, and 76.0% for Group II patients, respectively. The 1, 3-, and 5-year survival rates were 96.0%, 96.0%, and 96.0% for Group I patients, and foo%, 84.9%, and 84.9% for Group II patients, respectively. Conclusion: Acceptable surgical results and mid-term clinical results for aortic endocarditis were seen.

A Study on the Psychosocial Characteristics and Quality of Life in Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders (기능성위장질환 환자들의 정신사회적 특성 및 삶의 질의 관계에 관한 연구)

  • Kim, So-Won;Jang, Seung-Ho;Ryu, Han-Seung;Choi, Suck-Chei;Rho, Seung-Ho;Lee, Sang-Yeol
    • Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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    • v.27 no.1
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    • pp.25-34
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    • 2019
  • Objectives : This study aimed to compare the psychosocial characteristics among patients with functional gastrointestinal disorder (FGID), adults with functional gastrointestinal symptoms, and normal control group and investigate factors related to quality of life (QoL) of FGID patients. Methods : 65 patients diagnosed with FGID were selected. 79 adults were selected as normal control group based on the Rome III diagnostic criteria, and 88 adults who showed functional gastrointestinal symptoms were selected as "FGID positive group". Demographic factors were investigated. Psychosocial factors were evaluated using the Korean-Beck Depression Inventory-II, Korean-Beck Anxiety Inventory, Korean-Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, Multi-dimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale and WHO Quality of Life Assessment Instrument Brief Form. A one-way ANOVA was used to compare differences among groups. Pearson correlation test was used to analyze correlations between QoL and psychosocial factors in patients with FGID. Results : There were group differences in the education level. Depression (F=29.012, p<0.001), anxiety (F=27.954, p<0.001) and Childhood trauma (F=7.748, p<0.001) were significantly higher in FGID patient group than in both FGID-positive and normal control group. Social support (F=5,123, p<0.001), Resilience (F=9.623, p<0.001) and QoL (F=35.991, p<0.001) were significantly lower in the FGID patient group than in others. QoL of FGID patients showed a positive correlation with resilience (r=0.475, p<0.01), and showed a negative correlation with depression (r=-0.641, p<0.01), anxiety (r=-0.641, p<0.01), and childhood trauma (r=-0.278, p<0.05). Conclusions : FGID patients have distinctive psychosocial factors compared to the both FGID-positive and normal control group. Therefore, the active interventions for psychosocial factors are required in the treatment of patients with FGID.

Safety and Efficacy of Peripherally Inserted Central Catheters in Terminally Ill Cancer Patients: Single Institute Experience

  • Park, Kwonoh;Lim, Hyoung Gun;Hong, Ji Yeon;Song, Hunho
    • Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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    • v.17 no.3
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    • pp.179-184
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    • 2014
  • Purpose: We investigated the safety and efficacy of peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) in terminally ill cancer patients. Methods: A retrospective review was conducted on patients who underwent PICC at the hospice-palliative division of KEPCO (Korea Electric Power Corporation) Medical Center between January 2013 and December 2013. All PICCs were inserted by an interventional radiologist. Results: A total of 30 terminally ill cancer patients received the PICC procedure during the study period. Including one patient who had had two PICC insertions during the period, we analyzed a total of 31 episodes of catheterization and 571 PICC days. The median catheter life span was 14.0 days (range, 1~90 days). In 25 cases, catheters were maintained until the intended time (discharge, transfer, or death), while they were removed prematurely in six other cases (19%; 10.5/1000 PICC days). Thus, the catheter maintenance success rate was 81%. Of those six premature PICC removal cases, self-removal due to delirium occurred in four cases (13%; 7.0/1000 PICC days), and catheter-related blood stream infection and thrombosis were reported in one case, each (3%; 1.8/1000 PICC days). Complication cases totaled eight (26%; 14.1/1000 PICC days). The time to complication development ranged from two to 14 days and the median was seven days. There was no PICC complication-related death. Conclusion: Considering characteristics of terminally ill cancer patients, such as a poor general condition, vulnerability to trivial damage, and a limited period of survival, PICC could be a safe intravenous procedure.

From Patients and Caregivers 119 Rescue party's Experiences for Violence in the Pre-Hospital Emergency Medical Field (환자 및 보호자로부터 구급대원이 경험한 병원 전 응급의료현장 폭력실태)

  • Shin, Sang-Yol
    • Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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    • v.10 no.12
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    • pp.3870-3878
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    • 2009
  • The purpose of this study was to investigate 119 rescue party's violence experiences and to analyze their responses of violence experiences based on the pre-hospital emergency medical field. Data were collected from the self-administered survey of 226 rescue party in Jeollabuk-do area in Korea from January 1 through March 2, 2009. The data were analyzed by descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis using SPSS Win 12.0. The results were as follows: first, all of 119 rescue unit in the pre-hospital emergency medical field reported that they got violence experiences more than once a week, and 62% of rescue team were exposed to physical violence. Patient's factors that caused violence were drug abuse or alcohol(56.2%), on the other hand rescue party's factors were shortage of human resources. Second, 42% of the respondents replied that they did not have any educational experiences for prevention and coping methods about violence within 5 years. 77.4% of those surveyed indicated that they wanted to receive specific educations which can prevent and cope with violence. Third, the mean value of total violent response scores was 2.53, and emotional response score was 3.2, social response score was 2.22, and physical response score was 2.17. Fourth, violent response score related to general characteristics proposed that physical(t=-2.08, p=o.38), emotional(t=-7.13, p=.006), and total responses(t=-4.764, p=.000) were statistically significant. And emotional(t=4.257, p=.000) and total responses(t=8.1330, p=.000) related to age were also statistically significant. Finally, among current tenure qualification scores, social response(t=9.987, p=.012) and total score(t=8.130, p=.000) were statistically significant. Between fire departments, violent response score suggested that physical(t=9.987, p=.000), emotional(t=2.433, p=.012), social(t=6.738, p=.000), and total score(t=5.943, p=.000) were statistically significant.

The concept of Sang(象) and its application in the Oriental Medicine (상(象)의 개념(槪念)과 한의학적(韓醫學的) 적용(適用))

  • Baek, Yu-Sang;Park, Chan-Guk
    • Journal of Korean Medical classics
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    • v.12 no.2
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    • pp.92-109
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    • 1999
  • They say Y$\breve{o}$k'ak(易學) is the root of Oriental studies. This means philosophy, astronamy, geography, medicine, music, numbers are all based on Yin-Yang, and Five phases theory of Y$\breve{o}$k'ak. Nowadays studies are very much specialized but as we go back to old times, we cannot dearly set these studies apart. All the studies can be comprehensively understood with Y$\breve{o}$k'ak(易學). The original purpose of Y$\breve{o}$k'ak is to predict future with highly symbolized signs, Sang-Su(象數). However you cannot fully understand Y$\breve{o}$k'ak without knowing the principle of change in Sang-Su itself. We have to keep thinking about how we should further study Y$\breve{o}$k'ak, treat diseases with Sang-Su, and how Sang-Su can be used in medicine. As a previous step to this process, I will consider relationship of Y$\breve{o}$k'ak and medicine in this paper. This study will help us to set the goal and method in studying medicine. Conclusions of this paper are following: 1. The purpose of understanding a subject is to understand the principle of the subject. The principle of every subject can be turned into principle of changes in the universe. This principle is not affected by time nor space. It is only seen through the changes of subjects. 2. The reason we cannot easily understand the principle is that we have biased mind. How we should overcome this is through developing virtue, and by keep inspecting things over and over. 3. We see the outcome of changes inside but we should not neglect the principle. Therefore we see the principle through Sang. Sang is in between Principle(理) and Things(物), thereby has characteristics of both. Which means it is much like Principle but specific Things is related and it is much like Things but it is not easily understood. 4. There are various kinds of Sang. Mind-Sang(心象) is an image that comes before expressing it with symbols or words. When it is expressed in symbols or words, it is no longer considered as same Sang. Sang in symbol are Kwaesang(卦象), Hyosang(爻象) and Sang in words is Kyesa(卦辭). The characteristic of all these Sang is that it cannot be explained through the logics. 5. If we call Sanghak as the study with Sang, the method is same as that of understanding the principle. The fundamental purpose of Sanghak is to understand the principle of things and then apply this principle to the practical world so that the world can be a better place. So I would say Sanghak is the study of a saint and a ruler. 6. Since the object of medicine is human being who are the mixture of Principle and Ki, we can use Sang which is also related to both Principle and Ki. Actually terms we use in Oriental medicine are not easily understood without the knowledge of Sanghak. 7. When we diagnose a patient, we are looking for Sang that comes from the body inside. When we do the treatment, we cannot neglect the original change that's happening in our body. Therefore studying Sang is a necessary step to do the full diagnosis and treatment. 8. The method of studying medicine is first to get rid of biased mind, taking right Sang from various classics and then apply those Sang to actual situations.

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Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation after Isolated Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery (단독관상동맥우회로술 후 발생한 심방세동)

  • Suh, Jong-Hui;Park, Chan Beom;Moon, Mi-Hyoung;Kweon, Jong Bum;Kim, Young-Du;Jin, Ung;Moon, Seok-Whan;Kim, Chi-Kyung
    • Journal of Chest Surgery
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    • v.42 no.1
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    • pp.14-21
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    • 2009
  • Background: Postoperative atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common complication after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. Although postoperative AF is regarded as benign, transient and self-limited, it has been associated with increased morbidity, thromboembolic events and an increased duration and cost of hospitalization. Material and Method: From January 1994 to December 2007, 190 patients that had isolated CABG surgery were divided into two groups. Group 1 (n=139) involved those who had postoperative atrial fibrillation, and group 2 (n=51) did not have any such events. We reviewed the medical records retrospectively including the incidence of postoperative AF, patient characteristics, surgery related factors and the outcome of the patients with postoperative AF. Result: The frequency of postoperative AF was 26.8%, the conversion rate to regular sinus rhythm before discharge was 82.4%; 82.4% of the AF developed within the first three postoperative days. Although the postoperative AF group was significantly older and had a prolonged postoperative Intensive care unit (ICU) stay, there was no difference in the aortic crossclamp time or duration of hospitalization. No spontaneous defibrillation at declamping, and longer duration of cardiopulmonary bypass were significantly related to the development of postoperative AF. However, postoperative treatment with a beta blocker was associated with a decreased incidence of postoperative AF. The multivariate analysis showed that age and ICU stay were significantly associated with the development of POAF. Spontaneous defibrillation and postoperative beta blocker treatment were significantly associated with a decreased frequency of POAF. Conclusion: AF after CABG surgery is a common complication associated with increased morbidity and a longer ICU stay. Therefore, various strategies aimed at reducing AF, and its complications, such as postoperative treatment with a beta blocker should be considered.

Association between Sleep Quality and Psychologic Factors among University Students in Korea (한국인 대학생에서 수면의 질과 정서적 요인에 관한 상관관계)

  • Kang, Jin-Kyu;Lim, Hyun-Dae;Lee, You-Mee
    • Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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    • v.33 no.3
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    • pp.257-267
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    • 2008
  • The mentophysical disease causes diseases in digestive, respiratory, circulating systems, including chronic pain, through combined reactions from different individual characteristics, mental stress and temperamental factors. The most common symptom related to orofacial area is pain and the contributive factors include biological, behavioral, environmental, social, emotional, recognitive factors. These factors affect the course of the symptom according to individual's character and human nature. In pain, sleep acts as a contributive factor, and pain could bring about sleep disturbance and vice versa. Deterioration of sleep quality would act as a factor that aggravates mental stress. Therefore, relatively accurate and simple mental examinations and sleep quality test should be carried out for the patients with symptoms related to orofacial area. This study evaluated the mental state in relation to the sleep quality which could affect orofacial pain. The number of poor sleeper was 18 in male subjects, and 1 in female subjects and PSQI global index was higher in male($6.11{\pm}2.38$) than female($4.67{\pm}2.18$). SCL-90-R index showed no sex difference. Poor sleeper showed significantly high value in SOM, O-C, I-S, ANX, PHOB, PSY, GSI, PST. When SCL-90-R T scores were compared according to sleep quality, higher the subjective sleep quality score, O-C and I-S showed significant increase. As sleep disturbances score increased, PAR, PSY, PST showed statistically significant increase. In comparison of SCL-90-R T score according to daytime dysfunction, statistically significant increase in DEP, ANX, HOS, PHOB, PAR, GSI was observed. Therefore, the quality of sleep and psychological status have a high correlation. This is likely to influence chronic pain in the orofacial field. As a result, clinicians treating orofacial pain should evaluate the sleep quality and psychological status of the patient. Further studies of larger sample sizes including various age, occupation, and pain groups are necessary in order to apply the results to clinical practice.

Outcome of patients with neuroblastoma aged less than 1 year at diagnosis (진단 시 1세 이하인 신경모세포종 환자의 치료성적)

  • Suh, Jung Min;Lee, Sang Goo;Yoo, Keon Hee;Sung, Ki Woong;Koo, Hong Hoe;Kim, Ju Youn;Cho, Eun Joo;Lee, Suk Koo;Kim, Jhingook;Lim, Do Hoon
    • Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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    • v.52 no.1
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    • pp.93-98
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    • 2009
  • Purpose : The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with neuroblastoma aged less than 1 year. Methods : From January 1997 to December 2007, 41 patients aged less than 1 year were diagnosed with neuroblastoma. Patients were divided into 3 risk groups according to the stage of the disease and N-myc amplification. Low-risk patients underwent surgery with (stage 2) or without (stage 1) short-term chemotherapy. Intermediate-risk patients underwent chemotherapy and surgery with or without local radiation therapy. High-risk patients underwent chemotherapy, surgery, radiation therapy, and high-dose chemotherapy/autologous stem cell rescue (HDCT/ASCR). Results : While tumor relapse occurred in only 1 patient, 7 patients died of treatment-related toxicities. Causes of treatment- related death included infection during conventional chemotherapy in 5 patients and acute myocarditis during HDCT/ASCR in 2 patients. The overall 5-year survival (${\pm}$ standard error) and 5-year event-free survival (EFS) rates after diagnosis for all 41 patients were $82.8{\pm}5.9%$ and $80.0{\pm}$6.3%$, respectively, with a median follow-up of 58 (9-137) months. The 5-year EFS rates for low-risk, intermediate-risk, and high-risk patients were 100%, $68.4{\pm}10.8%$, and $66.7{\pm}19.3%$, respectively. Conclusion : Increased efforts to reduce infection-associated toxicity deaths during conventional chemotherapy are needed to further improve the survival of patients with neuroblastoma aged less than 1 year.