• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.145-154
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• 2022

Objectives : This study intends to assess the associations among perceived stigma at the time of infection, coping strategies adopted 12 months later and depressive and posttraumatic symptoms 24 months later in Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) survivors. Methods : A nationwide cohort study was conducted on 63 survivors of 2015 MERS outbreak. Demographic data, illness severity of MERS, depression and posttraumatic stress symptoms, coping strategies and MERS-related stigma were collected 12 and 24 months after the MERS outbreak, respectively. Results : Higher levels of perceived stigma at the time of outbreak were associated with higher levels of dysfunctional coping strategies after 12 months (p=0.003) and more severe depressive (p=0.058) and posttraumatic stress symptoms (p=0.011) after 24 months. Moreover, higher levels of dysfunctional coping strategies after 12 months were significantly associated with more severe depressive (p=0.002) and posttraumatic stress symptoms (p<0.001) after 24 months. Conclusions : Social stigma against people who have contracted an emerging infectious disease can leave a negative impact on the mental health of the survivors in the long term. In case of novel pandemics in the future, prompt rectification of stigma and promotion of adaptive coping strategies in survivors are needed.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.171-182
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• 1989

The structure, clonal grwoth, shoot modules dynamics and rhizome respiratory rate of the Phragmites longivalvis circular patch were studied in a 15-year-old reclaimed land on Mado of the western Korea for two growing seasons. Clonal growth by P. longivalvis resulted in subpopulations of shoot modules which may be separated into pioneer, mature and senile growth phase. The radial growth of circular patch was 208 cm per a year. The shoot phytomass, shoot height and spike frequency were the lowest in the senile phase, and were the highest in the mature phase. The maximum shoot phytomass of pioneer, mature and senile phase in August was 347, 536 and 195g/$\m^2$ for the first year, and 609, 748 and 248g/$\m^2$ for the second year, respectively. The birth rates of shoot modules were the highest during the early spring. Of all modules, the percemtage of spring cohort of pioneer, mature and senile growth phase were 52, 82 and 70% for the first year, and 83, 88 and 85% for the second year, respectively. The flowering shoots were only derived from spring cohorts. The death rates of shoot modules of the pioneer and mature phase were the highest in October. The module is an annual semelparous plant though the genet is a perennial iteroparous plant. Their survivorship curve was negatively (Deevey type I). The density of shoot modules of the pioneer, mature and senile growth phase increased as much as 4.0, 1.6 and 2.3 times for one year, respectively. The respiratory rate was the highest in the lowest in the senile growth phase.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.54 no.3
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• pp.225-231
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• 2013

Objective : Spinal dysraphism defects span wide spectrum. Wound dehiscence is a common postoperative complication, and is a challenge in the current management of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks and wound healing. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the risks of CSF-related morbidity in the surgical treatment of spinal dysraphism. Methods : Ten patients with spinal dysraphism were included in this retrospective study. The median age of the cohort was 4.8 months. To assess the risk of CSF morbidity, we measured the skin lesion area and the percentage of the skin lesion area relative to the back surface for each patient. We then analyzed the relationship between morbidity and the measured skin lesion area or related factors. Results : The overall median skin lesion area was 36.2 $cm^2$ (n=10). The percentage of the skin lesion area relative to the back surface ranged from 0.6% to 18.1%. During surgical reconstruction, 4 patients required subsequent operations to repair CSF morbidity. The comparison of the mean area of skin lesions between the CSF morbidity group and the non-CSF morbidity group was statistically significant (average volume skin lesion of $64.4{\pm}32.5cm^2$ versus $27.7{\pm}27.8cm^2$, p<0.05). CSF morbidity tended to occur either when the skin lesion area was up to 44.2 $cm^2$ or there was preexisting fibrosis before revision with an accompanying broad-based dural defect. Conclusion : Measuring the lesion area, including the skin, dura, and related surgical parameters, offers useful information for predicting wound challenges and selecting appropriate reconstructive surgery methods.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.733-740
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• 2007

Objective : This study investigated the relationship between warning signs and Sasang constitution (SC) in acute stroke patients. Methods : From October in 2005 to March in 2007, 629 acute stroke patients were studied. Patients were hospitalized within 14 days after the onset ofstroke at one of 3 oriental medical hospitals in Seoul and Kyong-gi province. We assessed the type of SC of acute stroke patients by Questionnaire for Sasang Constitution Classification II (QSCC II). We investigated warning signs (motor weakness, blindness, dysarthria, sensory disturbance, finger dullness, facial & eyelid spasm, neck stiffness), general characteristics, etc. Results : This study showed a higher proportion of Tae-eum & So-eum experience upper extremity sensory disturbance but So-yangexperience lower extremity sensory disturbance. Smoker So-eumexperience 1st & 2nd finger dullness more than non-smoker So-eum. So-eum women experience motor weakness more than So-eum men. Conclusion : Besides these results, we could observe almost no relationship between warning signs and Sasang constitution (SC) in acute stroke patients. More data from prospective cohort studies will help people better understand the relationship between warning signs and Sasang constitution (SC) in acute stroke patients.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.96-104
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• 2009

배경: 당뇨병 환자에게 관상동맥심질환은 생존률, 건강 상태 유지 및 삶의 질에 주요한 영향을 미치는 합병증이며 적극적인 당뇨병 치료는 이러한 심혈관 합병증을 예방할 수 있으나 당뇨병의 적극적 치료와 관리에는 많은 비용이 소요된다. 목적: 제2형 당뇨병 환자를 대상으로 메트포르민과 글리메피리드 병합요법과 메트포르민과 피오글리타존 병합요법의 비용-효과성을 비교하고자 하였다. 연구방법: 마르코프 코호트 프로세스(Markov Cohort Process Model) 모형을 이용하여 비용-효과분석을 실시하였다. 연장된 수명 (life years gained, LYG)과 삶의 질(quality)을 보정하여 증가된 QALYs를 주요 효과 지표로 측정하였고, 총비용으로는 직접의료비용과, 환자와 가족의 교통비를 직접비의료비용으로 고려하였고 환자와 가족의 시간비용을 간접비용으로 포함하였다. 연구결과: 비용-효과분석 결과, 메트포르민과 글리메피리드 병합요법의 경우 총 비용은 5,962,288원, 효과는 7.94LYG, 6.43QALY이었다. 반면 메트포르민과 피오글리타존 병합요법은 총 비용 10,982,243원, 효과 8.62LYG, 6.99QALY으로, 점증적 비용-효과비(ICER)는 7,402,663원/LYG과 8,934,546원/QALY 이었다. 결론: 우리 사회의 연장된 수명(LYG)에 따른 지불의사가 700만원 이하인 경우는 메트포르민과 글리메피리드 병합요법이 비용-효과적인 대안이며 700만원 이상인 경우에는 메트포르민과 피오글리타존 병합요법이 비용-효과적인 대안이 될 수 있다.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing Administration
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.484-492
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• 2011

Purpose: The aims of study were; (1) to evaluate the validity and sensitivity of a fall-risk assessment tool, and (2) to establish continuous quality improvement (CQI) methods to monitor the effective use of the risk assessment tool. Methods: A retrospective case-control cohort design was used. Analysis was conducted for 90 admissions as cases and 3,716 as controls during the 2006 and 2007 calendar years was conducted. Fallers were identified from the hospital’s Accident Reporting System, and non-fallers were selected by randomized selection. Accuracy estimates, sensitivity analysis and logistic regression were used. Results: At the lower cutoff score of one, sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were 82.2%, 19.3%, 0.03%, and 96.9%, respectively. The area under the ROC was 0.60 implying poor prediction. Logistic regression analysis showed that five out of nine constitutional items; age, history of falls, gait problems, and confusion were significantly associated with falls. Based on these results, we suggested a tailored falls CQI process with specific indexes. Conclusion: The fall-risk assessment tool was found to need considerable reviews for its validity and usage problems in practice. It is also necessary to develop protocols for use and identify strategies that reflect changes in patient conditions during hospital stay.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.149-154
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• 2013

Liver enzyme elevations, as an indicator of liver function, are widely associated with metabolic diseases. Genome-wide population-based association studies have identified a genetic susceptibility to liver enzyme elevations and their related traits; however, the genetic architecture in childhood remains largely unknown. We performed a genome-wide association study to identify new genetic loci for liver enzyme levels in a Korean childhood cohort (n = 484). We observed three novel loci (rs4949718, rs80311637, and rs596406) that were multiply associated with elevated levels of alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase. Although there are some limitations, including genetic power, additional replication and functional characterization will support the clarity on the genetic contribution that the ST6GALNAC3, ADAMTS9, and CELF2 genes have in childhood liver function.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.1-17
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• 2009

The purpose of this study was to find factors affecting health of the rural residents. The data were collected from a sample of 2,587 people aged from 40 to 70 in the year 2005-2006, Wonju City and Pyeongchang County, Gangwon-do, Korea. The theoretical model adopted in this study was the Lalonde's health field(human biology, environment, lifestyle, and health care organization). SF-12 was used to measure subjective health status. In the category of human biology, men were healthier than women. Age and BMI showed negative relation to health status. Income, education and social support showed positive relation to health status in the environment category. In the category of life style, stress showed negative relation to health status. Medical expenses showed negative relation to health status in the category of health care organization. After converting SF-12 score to percentage score, the health determinants portions were 47% lifestyle, 26% environment, 18% human biology and 9% health care organization. These findings suggest that life style, environment and biology are main factors in determinants of health. Especially stress in the life style category is more focused for the community health promotion. We also may be able to improve income, education and social support in the environment category with self empowerment efforts, community supports and government helps. Finally greater attention must be payed to life style in the future health planning and budget allocation priority in the healthcare area.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.81 no.3
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• pp.228-232
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• 2018

Background: Chronic bronchitis (CB) is an important phenotype in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The purpose of this study is to evaluate different pattern of COPD assessment test (CAT) score between CB and non-CB patients. Methods: Patients were recruited from 45 centers in Korea, as part of the Korean COPD Subgroup Study cohort. CB was defined when sputum continued for at least 3 months. Results: Total 958 patients with COPD were eligible for analysis. Among enrolled patients, 328 (34.2%) were compatible with CB. The CAT score was significantly higher in patients with CB than non-CB, and each component of CAT score showed a similar result. CB was significantly associated with CAT score when adjusted with age, sex, modified Medical Research Council, and post-bronchodilator forced expiratory volume in 1 second. Each component of CAT score between patients with CB and non-CB showed different pattern according to Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease grade. Conclusion: CAT score is significantly higher in patients with CB than non-CB. Each component of CAT score was significantly different between two groups.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.1 no.3
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• pp.231-236
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• 2007

Underreporting patterns by the level of obesity have not been fully assessed yet. The purpose of this study was to examine the differential underreporting patterns on cardiovascular risk factor, macronutrient, and food group intakes by the level of Body Mass Index (BMI). We analyzed cross-sectional baseline nutritional survey data from the population-based longitudinal study, the Healthy Women Study (HWS) cohort. Study subjects included 538 healthy premenopausal women participating in the HWS. Nutrient and food group intakes were assessed by the one-day 24-hour dietary recall and a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire, respectively. The ratio of reported energy intake (EI) to estimated basal metabolic rate (BMR) was used as a measure of relative energy reporting status and categorized into tertiles. Overweight group ($BMI{\geq}25kg/m^2$) had a higher ratio of EI to BMR (EI/BMR) than normal weight group ($BMI<25kg/m^2$). Normal weight and overweight groups showed similar patterns in cardiovascular risk factors, nutrient intake, and food group intake by the EI/BMR. Fat and saturated fat intakes as a nutrient density were positively associated with the EI/BMR. Proportion of women who reported higher consumption (${\geq}4\;times/wk$) of sugar/candy, cream and red meat groups was greater in higher tertiles of the EI/BMR in both BMI groups. Our findings suggest similar patterns of underreporting of cardiovascular risk factors, and macronutrient and food group intakes in both normal and overweight women.