• Quality Improvement in Health Care
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.120-127
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• 1998

Background : This study is to identify preoperative patient characteristics associated with a lack of improvement on one or more measures peri operatively, postoperative 3-4 months, and postoperative 12 months. Methods : For the assessment, prospective study was performed with 92 patients who had undergone either one eye or both eye cataract surgery by 3 ophthalmologists practicing at a university hospital. The criteria of improvement were (1) Snellen visual acuity, (2) a cataract-related symptom score(possible range: 0, 0 of 6 symptoms present or bothersome, to 18, all 6 symptoms very bothersome), and (3) VF-14 score - a measure of functional impairment in patient with cataract - (possible range: 0, inability to perform any of the applicable activities, to 100, no difficulty in performing any of the applicable activities). Results : Although 14 patients (15.2%) failed to improve on one or more of the outcome measures assessed, no one failed to improve on all three measures. Both eyes of surgery than one eye, preoperative cataract symptom score of 1-4, 5 or higher than 0 were associated independently with the increased likelihood of improvement (odds ratio 8.95, 7.16, 8.87 respectively). And the preoperative level of Snellen visual acuity was not associated with the likelihood of improvement Conclusion : We conclude that specific preoperative characteristics (both eyes, cataract symptom score) are independent predictors of patient outcome after cataract surgery.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.224-237
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• 2004

Background & Object : It is well known that functional dyspepsia is one of the most common diseases. While many dyspepsia patients have been helped with oriental medical therapy, there has not been a study based on the concepts of oriental medicine. The aim of this study was to perform a fundamental epidemiological survey and to analyse the symptom pattern of functional dyspepsia. Methods : 86 patients(27 males, 59 females) diagnosed with functional dyspepsia in Kyunghee Oriental Medical Center from May to December 2002 were involved in this investigation. The disease characteristics of functional dyspepsia(based on Rome criteria II) and the Qui Xue Shui diagnostic procedure were investigated by questionnaire and physical examination. The total score and composition ratio of each comprehensive diagnosis were calculated from the symptom score described in the questionnaire. Results : The total score from the Qui Xue Shui diagnostic procedure was found to be influenced by the number of functional dyspepsia symptoms(p=0.026) and the patient's own cognition of their current dyspeptic situation(p=0.006), in addition to digestive ability and general congnition(p=0.006), and was not associated with sex, duration of dyspeptic symptoms in one year, or the total illness period, In the composition ratio of the Qui Xue Shui diagnostic procedure, only Qui-yu(p=0.048) diagnosis was accurate regarding the number of symptoms in one year, total illness period, or the patients' own congnition of their current dyspeptic situation, But the value of the composition ratio among the total factors involved was most similar to that of sex. Conclusions : Thus, it is shown here that the total score of using the Qui Xue Shui diagnostic procedure is mainly dependent on dyspeptic symptoms and the patinets' own cognition of their current dyspeptic situation, and that regular symptom patterns in the Qui Xue Shui diagnostic procedure exist in dyspeptic patients.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.33-45
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• 2024

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Onion, particularly onion peel, is a quercetin-rich food with, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects. However, the effect of onion peel extract (OPE) in humans is unclear. Thus, the present study aimed to investigate whether OPE improves natural killer (NK) cell activity and cytokine concentration in a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Eighty participants aged 19-64 yrs old with a white blood cell count of 4,000-10,000 cells/µL, symptoms of upper respiratory infection at least once within the previous 12 mon, and perceived stress scale (PSS) over 14 were included. Participants were randomly assigned to take either 1,000 mg/day OPE or a placebo for 8 weeks. RESULTS: Compliance were 87.4 ± 8.6% and 86.9 ± 79.0% in OPE and placebo groups. Compared to the placebo, OPE supplementation improved "Hoarseness" (P = 0.038) of the Wisconsin Upper Respiratory Symptom Survey (WURSS)-21 symptom, and stress scores (P = 0.001; 0.021) of PSS. Supplementation of OPE had no significant effect on NK cell activity and concentrations of cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-2, IL-6, IL-12, IL-1β, interferon-γ, and tumor necrosis factor-α. At baseline, the WURSS-21 symptom and PSS score (P = 0.024; 0.026) were higher in the OPE group than the placebo group. Among participants with higher than median WURSS-21 symptom score, OPE supplementation increased NK cell activity (P = 0.038). Supplementation of OPE had no significant effects on safety measurements and adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: The present study suggested that OPE supplementation improves NK cell activity in participants with moderate upper respiratory symptoms without any significant adverse effects.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.55-62
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• 2014

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship of nicotine dependence and mental health. Methods: The subjects of this study were 153 male smokers in their 20s, 30s, 40s and 50s who visited Wonmi Public Health Center. They were evaluated with Fagerstorm's test for nicotine dependence (FTND) and Symptom Checklist-90-Revision (SCL-90-R). Using the FTND score, the participants were divided into three groups; mild nicotine dependent group, moderate group and severe group. Results: In the SCL-90-R score, there were statistically significant differences in the characteristics of Somatization, Obsessive-Compulsive, Interpersonal Sensitivity, Depression, Global Severity Index (GSI) and Positive Symptom Test (PST) among the three groups. Comparing the values of FTND and the amounts of Daily Smoking to the values of Somatization, Obsessive-Compulsive, Interpersonal Sensitivity, Depression and GSI in this study resulted in positive correlations, thereby demonstrating a statistical significance. Conclusions: The above results suggest that there are significant relations between nicotine dependence and the level of mental health. These results can be used for planning the smoking cessation program and mental health promoting program based on Korean traditional medicine.

• Child Health Nursing Research
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.159-166
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• 2005

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare subjective symptoms of VDT between computer-addicted and non-addicted adolescents. Method: A descriptive survey design was used and 646 students in one middle and two high schools were selected as participants. Result: The VDT subjective symptoms and degree of severity differed according to whether the students were computer-addicted or not, and in all symptoms, general, musculoskeletal, eye and mental, the mean score for subjective symptoms was higher in the addicted group than in the non-addicted group. The score for VDT subjective symptoms was highest in the addicted group for girls and students who were not healthy. The most frequent physical symptom reported by students who visited the school health room for a health problem after using the computer was headache. The most frequent type of treatment at the school health room was treatment of the symptom. Conclusions: This study suggests that students must acquire correct habits in computer use and be careful not to be addicted to the computer in order to avoid VDT syndrome. For this, educational authorities should develop computer-related health education programs and start the programs from the lower grades of elementary school.

• Journal of Technologic Dentistry
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.58-71
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• 1995

This study was carried out in order to examine demographic variables and personal and working conditions affecting to self-esteem, self-efficacy and work autonomy and mental health of the dental technicians. For this study, questionnaires composed of 50 items for the measurement of psychiatric symptom, work autonomy, self-esteem and self-efficacy index and 14 items related with demographic variables and personal and working conditions were distributed to 400 dental technicians and the 304 of them were statistically analyzed the results were as the following ; 1. Self-esteem and self- efficacy in dental technicians appeared to be interacted. 2. Score of self-efficacy index was higher in dental technicians of young age, or high or professional education than in otherwise dental technicians. 3. Score of self-efficacy index was higher in dental technicians of young age or professional education than in otherwise dental technicians. 4. All of self-esteem, self-efficacy and work autonomy in dental technicians affected directly their psychiatric symptom. 5. Promotion, and communication with fellows and senior workers of dental technicians affected directly their psychiatric symptom. 6. Each of anxiety, anger, depression and cognitive disturbance appeared to be interacted.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.159-170
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• 2014

Purpose: This research investigated the degree and predictors of hot flashes and hypogonadism symptoms in patients with prostate cancer receiving hormone replacement therapy. Methods: The subjects were 111 patients with prostate cancer receiving hormone replacement therapy in two university hospitals located in D city. The measurement tools included Hot Flash Diary and AMS (Aging Male's Symptoms rating scales). The data were analyzed using t-test, ANOVA, and binary logistic regression analysis. Results: The percentage of patients who experienced hot flashes among the participants was 14.4%. The predictors for hot flashes were eating irregularly, having coffee frequently and the types of hormone. The average score of hypogonadism symptom was 2.16 out of five-point scale and the highest score of hypogonadism symptom was the sexual symptoms (2.77 out of five-point scale). The predictors for hypogonadism symptom were eating habits and years of having the illness. Conclusion: These findings provide the information that irregularly eating habit was an important factor in hot flashes and hypogonadism symptoms of the participants. Therefore the development of a nutritional education encouraging regular meals is necessary for the given population.

• Clinical and Experimental Vaccine Research
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.121-126
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• 2023

Purpose: Sublingual immunotherapy is currently promoted by various companies, with administration schedules variable in the different products even though almost all are standardized immunologically. So, this study was planned to examine the efficacy of simple nondaily dosing of sublingual immunotherapy instead of the widely used daily schedule. Materials and Methods: Fifty-two patients with allergic rhinitis and bronchial asthma were enrolled. Sublingual immunotherapy (manufactured at the allergen immunotherapy preparation unit at Mansoura University) was given in suitable bottles with a dropper mechanism that permits comfortable dosing under the tongue. The physician recommended that the patient put the drops under his/her tongue and leave the drops beneath the tongue for 2 minutes before swallowing. This was repeated every 3 days, with the drop number and concentration gradually rising. Results: After 2 months of follow-up, 65.8% responded partially to the symptom score and 26.3% responded completely to the medication score. There was a significant decline in the symptom and medication scores from the baseline scores (p<0.0001). After 4 months of follow-up, 95.8% responded partially to symptom scores and no one has not responded; 54.2% responded completely to medication scores; and 81% of studied patients had no side effects. However, the most frequent side effect was a sore throat. Conclusion: Our nondaily schedule of sublingual immunotherapy is tolerable, safe, and effective in patients with allergic rhinitis and bronchial asthma.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.172-180
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• 2000

Objectives : We investigated the characteristics of perceived stress response and relationship between some variables of gastrointestinal symptoms(esp., dyspepsia) and subscales of perceived stress response inventory(PSRI) in patients with upper gastointestinal disorder when they perceived stress. Methods : 84 patients with upper gastrointestinal disorder(gastritis, gastric ulcer, duodenal ulcer etc.) and 94 normal controls completed the PSRI developed by Korean psychiatrists. The patient group performed the questionnaire including some variables of gastrointestinal symptoms. Results : Internal consistency was statistically significant in all subscales of PSRI. The patient group was significantly higher at total score of PSRI, general somatic symptom subscale score, specific somatic symptom score than control group. As the result of stepwise regression analysis for relationship between some variables of gastrointestinal symptoms ans subscales of PSRI, specific somatic symptom subsclae closely related with illness duration, past illness history and severity of symptom, and the lowered cognitive function & general negative thinking subscale related with the existence of emotional distress. Conclusion : Patients with upper gastrointestinal disorder showed stronger perceived stress response than control group and they experiences somatic symptoms related to autonomic nervous system and/or gastrointestinal symtoms rather than emotional, cognitive, behavioral symtoms when they perceived stress. They also responded to stress as they expeirenced specific somatic symtom when they had long illness duration, past illness history, and high severity of symptom and the existence of emotional distress could develop lowered congnitive function and general negative thinking.

• Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.224-237
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• 2003

Purpose : This study was designed to describe the relationship on climacteric symptom and health behavior according to hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in climacteric women. Method : Data were collected through self-reported questionaries which were constructed to include a climacteric symptom and health behaviors of climacteric women. The subjects for this study were 135 climacteric women between 45-65 years of age living in Kuri city. Among them. 65 were in the experimental group and the other 70 were in the control group. The data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, t-test, $x^2-test$, ANOVA, and Pearson Correlation Coefficient. Results : The results were as follows 1) There was no significant difference on the climacteric symptom between the group of women receiving HRT and those who did not (t=1.973, p=0.162). 2) The mean health behavior score for the group of women receiving HRT was significantly higher than those who did not(t=2.557, p=0.042). 3) The climacteric symptom and health behavior were positively correlated (r=.289, p=0.015) in women receiving HRT, while these were negatively correlated (r=-.242, p=0.043) in women without HRT. 4) Women in the HRT group showed higher climacteric symptom than the those In the control group in most items. 5) The mean score for health behavior was 2.76 in the hormone replacement therapy group and 2.35 for the control group. 6) For women in the experimental group, climacteric symptom was significantly different by the level of education (F=7.371, p=.001). 7) For women in the control group, climacteric symptom was significantly different by the number of children (F=2.873, p=.044), the level of education (F=5.616, p=.006), the number of abortion (F=3.231, p=.015), and the status of menstruation (F=4.129, p=.020). 8) For women in the experimental group, health behavior was significantly different by the level of education (F=7.351, p=.001), frequency of exercise (F=8.106, p=.000), and the status of menstruation (F=3.446, p=.032), 9) For women in the control group, health behavior was significantly different by frequency of the exercise (F=7.381, p=.001). Conclusion : This study results indicated that there was no association between the HRT and climacteric symptoms, while there was positive correlations between the HRT and health behavior. Therefore. it is assumed that HRT increases the positive health behavior of women.