• International journal of advanced smart convergence
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.260-265
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• 2022

This study aimed to determine whether lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels in coronavirus disease (COVID-19) patients in Korea were higher than those in patients without COVID-19, and the effect of sex and age on LDH levels. A retrospective, observational study was conducted to measure LDH levels in 247 and 225 female and male COVID-19 patients, respectively, who were admitted to the study hospital between April 1 and October 30, 2020. Serum LDH levels were measured using an automated analyzer. Results: LDH levels were elevated in both male and female patients with COVID-19. Among patients with COVID-19, LDH levels were higher in males than in females, and LDH levels were higher in patients with COVID-19 than in patients in the control group. In the analysis of differences in LDH levels by age, LDH levels in patients with COVID-19 increased statistically significantly with age in males and females (males: p=0.001, females: p=0.001). By examining the differences in LDH levels according to sex and age, this study contributed to the basic biochemical data available in Korea, particularly regarding patients with COVID-19. Further research may be needed to examine confounding variables.

• Anatomy and Cell Biology
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• v.56 no.4
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• pp.469-473
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• 2023

Anomalies of anterior cerebral artery (ACA) include aplasia, hypoplasia and variations in number. Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) is a non-invasive diagnostic technique for assessment of anomalies of cerebral arteries. The aim of the study was to determine the role of MRA in detection of variants of ACA in adults. This study is an observational retrospective study. This study included forty-nine adult cases (28 males and 21 females), mean age 48±12.9 SD with anomalies of ACA in MRA. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain and MRA were done to all patients. Cerebral MRA and magnetic resonance images were evaluated for frequency and distribution of variants of anterior cerebral arteries, associated aneurysms and infarctions. Odds ratios (ORs) and relative risk were calculated to determine risk of occurrence of cerebral infarctions in patients with anomalies of ACA. Hypoplasia of ACA was the commonest anomaly of ACA (51% of cases). Risk of occurrence of cerebral infarctions was higher in cases with azygos variant (OR, 3.3; P=0.35) than in those with hypoplastic ACA (OR, 2; P=0.58). MRA was highly reliable in identification of different variants of ACA and concomitant vascular changes.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.283-290
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• 2018

The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of Korean medicine treatments on pain reduction of thoracolumbar compression fracture patients. We analysed 48 patients who have been diagnosed as thoracolumbar compression fracture on Computed Tomography(CT) or Magnetic Resonance Imaging(MRI) scan and had admitted to Dunsan Korean Medical hospital from January 1,2014 to April 4, 2017. The analysis was conducted as retrospective study which analyzes patient's medical records. Statistical analysis was performed using the IBM SPSS statistics 24 program. We used Visual Analog Scale(VAS) and pain reduction scale to evaluate pain reduction of patients. The result showed that there were statistically significant pain reduction on thoracolumbar compression fracture patients treated with korean medicine treatments. In conclusion, we found that the korean medicine treatments showed positive effect on pain reduction of thoracolumbar compression fracture patients.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.54-60
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• 2017

Many obesity patients were affected by depressed liver function including hepatosteatosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical effect of the obesity therapy with Korean herbal medicine (KHM) on obese patient with abnormal liver function. This is a retrospective observational study performed on obesity patients with abnormal liver function. All subjects have taken serum liver function tests (LFTs) before treatment. Ten patients showed abnormal LFTs. They were treated with KHM at least 15 days. During this treatment, LFTs were evaluated afterwards. Body weight and body mass index of the patients were decreased during treatments. Five of 10 subjects recovered normal levels of LFTs. While other subjects remained at abnormal level but their levels were decreased. This study shows that the obesity therapy including KHM could be effective to improve liver function on obese patient. Additional large scale studies are necessary for more evidences.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.285-297
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• 2019

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to analyze effectiveness of herbal medicine treatment on Dry Eye Syndrome. Methods : We analyze medical records of 114 patients who visited Indara oriental medical clinic for dry eye syndrome. Patients were treated with acupuncture and Inmok-tang, and the ocular surface disease index was evaluated before and after treatment. Results : Analysis of 114 medical records showed a significant decrease in the pre-treatment and post-treatment ocular surface disease index, and a statistically significant positive correlation between the duration of Inmok-tang administration and the change in the ocular surface disease index. Conclusions : Herbal medicine treatment with Inmok-tang reduces the Ocular Surface Disease Index, an indicator of subjective symptoms of dry eye syndrome.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.27-38
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• 2020

Purpose: Stroke is a time-sensitive disease that could have reduced complications and mortality with timely diagnosis and treatment. This study aimed to analyze the causes of delay in detecting the clinical signs and symptoms of stroke. Methods: This retrospective observational study analyzed the emergency medical services reports of suspected stroke patients with positive predictive values on the Cincinnati Prehospital Stroke Scale. The study was conducted in Daejeon, Republic of Korea from January 1, 2016 through December 31, 2017. Results: Prolonged prehospital time was associated with high blood pressure, history of cerebrovascular disease, and incidences during daily activities, and sleep. High blood pressure and complications from a previous stroke strongly associated with the prolonged stroke-detection phase (p<.05). Total prehospital time was shortened when patients had evident stroke symptoms, such as decreased level of consciousness, dysarthria, and hemiplegia (p<.05). There was no significant difference in gender or age as a factor that delayed the total prehospital time of the suspected stroke patients. Conclusion: Many patients did not recognize the early clinical symptoms and signs of a stroke. Furthermore, risk factors, such as high blood pressure and history of stroke, prolonged the total prehospital time. Therefore, we need targeted interventions that educate about warning symptoms of stroke, along with emphasis on the importance of emergency calls to substantially reduce the prehospital delays.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.99-109
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• 2020

Purpose: Alcohol intoxication is frequently observed in patients with brain hemorrhage. The purpose of this study was to determine whether intoxication affects the Korean Triage and Acuity Stage (KTAS) level and the emergency medical process in emergency departments. Methods: This study was a retrospective observational study enrolled 253 brain hemorrhage patients (47 of those intoxicated) who visited the emergency medical center on public EMS ambulance from January. 1, 2017 to April, 30, 2019. Data were collected through the electronic medical record (EMR). KTAS level and time to computerized tomography (CT) were compared to evaluate whether inebriation affects care and examination processes. All data were analyzed using SPSS program. Results: Of the 47 patients intoxicated patients, 85.1% were male, and 74.5% accompanied by trauma. Initial KTAS level showed significant differences (77.2%; p=.000) when the level 3,4 was not drunk. The average time taken from triage to CT scans showed a significant difference of 24.81±23.72 (min) when the drunken state was not 58.38±56.54 (min)(p=.000). Conclusion: In patients with brain hemorrhage admitted to ED from public EMS, undertriage and delay after initial assessment were detected in inebriated patients. Careful initial evaluation and prompt medical response should be considered for patients transported by EMS.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.50-56
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• 2018

Obesity is associated with menstrual cycle disorder. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical effect of the obesity therapy with Korean herbal medicine (KHM) on obese female patient with oligomenorrhea or amenorrhea. This is a retrospective observational study performed on obesity patients with oligomenorrhea or amenorrhea. Nine patients were treated with KHM and lifestyle management at least 2 months. During the treatment, body weight, body mass index (BMI), percent body fat (PBF) and menstrual cycle length were checked afterwards. Body weight, BMI, and PBF of the patients were decreased during treatments. Five of 9 subjects recovered to normal menstrual cycle. Two subjects improved menstrual cycle. The other subjects remained at oligomenorrhea or amenorrhea. This study shows that the obesity therapy including KHM could be effective to improve menstrual cycle on obese patient. Further large scale studies are necessary for more evidences.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.32-41
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• 2019

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the risk factors for postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) after upper or lower abdominal digestive tract surgery. Methods: Participants in this retrospective observational study had undergone upper or lower digestive tract surgery and entered the surgical intensive care unit between March 1, 2016 and February 28, 2017. Data were collected from the medical records, operative records, results of laboratory test, and the nursing records of the hospitals. Results: Of the patients, 544 patients were enrolled in the study and PPCs -developed in 335 (61.6%) patients. On multivariate logistic regression analysis, significant risk factors of PPCs were identified: BMI (Body Mass Index; $kg/m^2$), preoperative serum BUN (Blood Urea Nitrogen; mg/dL), abdominal open surgery, or blood transfusion during operation. Conclusion: These risk factors could be used to help identify patients at risk for PPCs and then appropriate nursing interventions could be provided for patients at risk of PPCs.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.280-285
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• 2019

Background: Pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) is a treatment modality that alleviates radicular pain by intermittently applying high-frequency currents adjacent to the dorsal root ganglion. There has been no comparative study on analgesic effect according to the position of the needle tip in PRF treatment. The objective of this study is to evaluate the clinical outcomes of PRF according to the needle tip position. Methods: Patients were classified into 2 groups (group IP [group inside of pedicle] and group OP [group outside of pedicle]) based on needle tip position in the anteroposterior view of fluoroscopy. In the anteroposterior view, the needle tip was advanced medially further than the lateral aspect of the corresponding pedicle in group IP; however, in group OP, the needle tip was not advanced. The treatment outcomes and pain scores were evaluated at 4, 8, and 12 weeks after applying PRF. Results: At 4, 8, and 12 weeks, there were no significant differences between the successful response rate and numerical rating scale score ratio. Conclusions: The analgesic efficacy of PRF treatment did not differ with the needle tip position.