• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.55 no.6
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• pp.506-519
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• 2022

Objectives: This study aimed to analyze the associations of income, marital status, and health behaviors with hypertension in male and female over 40 years of age in the Korea. Methods: The data were derived from the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study (KoGES; 4851-302) which included 211 576 participants. To analyze the relationships of income, marital status, and health behaviors with hypertension in male and female over 40 years of age, multiple logistic regression was conducted with adjustments for these variables. Results: The prevalence of hypertension increased linearly as income decreased. The odds ratio for developing hypertension in people with an income of <0.5 million Korean won (KRW) compared to ≥6.0 million KRW was 1.55 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.25 to 1.93) in the total population, 1.58 (95% CI, 1.27 to 1.98) in male, and 1.07 (95% CI, 0.35 to 3.28) in female. The combined effect of income level and marital status on hypertension was significant. According to income level and marital status, in male, low income and divorce were most associated with hypertension (1.76 times; 95% CI, 1.01 to 3.08). However, in female, the low-income, married group was most associated with hypertension (1.83 times; 95% CI, 1.71 to 1.97). Conclusions: The results of this study show that it is necessary to approach male and female marital status separately according to income in health policies to address inequalities in the prevalence of hypertension.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.8 no.5
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• pp.329-340
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• 2022

The aim of this study is to examine the effect of teaching profession class using gamification on the academic self-efficacy and learning flow of pre-service early childhood teachers. 75 freshmen in the 2022 Early Childhood Education Department at A University located in Gyeonggi were participated and experienced 8 gamification-using classes over 12 weeks of 1 st semester. To examine the effectiveness of the class using gamification on academic self-efficacy and learning flow, a paired t-test for the pre-post test was conducted by analyzing the data of 65 students who faithfully answered both tests. Results of this study illustrated teaching profession class using gamification significantly improved the academic self-efficacy and its sub-factor, confidence of pre-service early childhood teachers, moreover, it also had a positive effect on learning flow and its sub-factor, cognitive learning flow of them. This study proved the effectiveness of the gamification-using class and provided subsequent studies for improving the quality of the gamification-using class.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.61 no.4
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• pp.463-470
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• 2023

This study aimed to identify the recent risk factors for Opisthorchis viverrini infection and cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) to improve disease prevention. The participants were divided into the following 3 groups based on their health status: healthy control (nonOV and nonCCA), those with O. viverrini infection (OV), and those with CCA. A questionnaire was used to explore their lifestyle and behaviors. Multivariate logistic regression and backward elimination were used to identify the significant risk factors. The results showed that the significant risk factors for both O. viverrini infection and CCA were age>50 years (odd ratio (OR)=8.44, P<0.001, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 2.98-23.90 and OR=43.47, P=0.001, 95% CI 14.71-128.45, respectively) and raw fish consumption (OR=8.48, P<0.001, 95% CI 3.18-22.63 and OR=3.15, P=0.048, 95% CI 1.01-9.86, respectively). A history of O. viverrini infection was identified as an additional risk factor for CCA (OR=20.93, P=0.011, 95% CI 2.04-215.10). This study provided an update on the risk factors for O. viverrini infection and CCA. Asymptomatic patients with O. viverrini infection, particularly those>50 years old, should be carefully monitored to prevent CCA.

• Journal of Korean Critical Care Nursing
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.44-56
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• 2024

Purpose : This study sought to explore intensive care unit (ICU) nurses' perceptions regarding the disclosure of patient safety incidents (DPSI) and identify the relationship between the perception of DPSI and communication barriers. Methods : This study used a descriptive research design. A total of 110 ICU nurses from a tertiary hospital were surveyed online between September 14 and October 5, 2022. The mean DPSI score ranged between 1.0 and 4.0, with a higher score indicating a higher perception of DPSI. Results : The mean score for ICU nurses' perceptions of DPSI was 2.92 (SD=0.37). Among the characteristics of ICU nurses, differences were observed in perceptions of DPSI according to gender, age, total work experience, and ICU work experience. Communication barriers among ICU nurses were negatively correlated with negative results as a sub-factor of perceptions of DPSI. Ambiguity in the nurse's position, lack of confidence, differences in perspectives with patients, and inadequate nurse-patient relationships as sub-factors of communication barriers exhibited a negative correlation with negative results as a sub-factor of perceptions of DPSI. Conclusions : ICU nurses' perceptions of DPSI and the sub-factors related to communication barriers are negatively related to DPSI. To improve ICU nurses' perceptions, open and non-punitive circumstances, staff education, practical guidelines, and support systems are required.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.590-598
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• 2023

Objective: To investigate whether the levels of inflammation detected by 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) can predict disease relapse in immunoglobulin G4-related disease (IgG4-RD) patients receiving standard induction steroid therapy. Materials and Methods: This prospective study analyzed pretherapy FDG PET/CT images from 48 patients (mean age, 63 ± 12.9 years; 45 males and 3 females) diagnosed with IgG4-RD between September 2008 and February 2018, who subsequently received standard induction steroid therapy as the first-line treatment. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were used to identify the potential prognostic factors associated with relapse-free survival (RFS). Results: The median follow-up time for the entire cohort was 1913 days (interquartile range [IQR], 803-2929 days). Relapse occurred in 81.3% (39/48) patients during the follow-up period. The median time to relapse was 210 days (IQR, 140-308 days) after completion of standardized induction steroid therapy. Among the 17 parameters analyzed, Cox proportional hazard analysis identified whole-body total lesion glycolysis (WTLG) > 600 on FDG-PET as an independent risk factor for disease relapse (median RFS, 175 vs. 308 days; adjusted hazard ratio, 2.196 [95% confidence interval: 1.080-4.374]; P = 0.030). Conclusion: WTLG on pretherapy FDG PET/CT was the only significant factor associated with RFS in IgG-RD patients receiving standard steroid induction therapy.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.23 no.10
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• pp.998-1008
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• 2022

Objective: The present study aimed to assess the relationship between incidental abnormalities on thoracic computed tomography (CT) and mortality in a general screening population using a long-term follow-up analysis. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively collected the medical records and CT images of 840 participants (mean age ± standard deviation [SD], 58.5 ± 6.7 years; 564 male) who underwent thoracic CT at a single health promotion center between 2007 and 2010. Two thoracic radiologists independently reviewed all CT images and evaluated any incidental abnormalities (interstitial lung abnormality [ILA], emphysema, coronary artery calcification [CAC], aortic valve [AV] calcification, and pulmonary nodules). Kaplan-Meier analysis with log-rank and z-tests was performed to assess the relationship between incidental CT abnormalities and all-cause mortality in the subsequent follow-up. Cox proportional hazards regression was performed to further identify risk factors of all-cause mortality among the incidental CT abnormalities and clinical factors. Results: Among the 840 participants, 55 (6%), 171 (20%), 288 (34%), 396 (47%), and 97 (11%) had findings of ILA, emphysema, CAC, pulmonary nodule, and AV calcification, respectively, on initial CT. The participants were followed up for a mean period ± SD of 10.9 ± 1.4 years. All incidental CT abnormalities were associated with all-cause mortality in univariable analysis (p < 0.05). However, multivariable analysis further revealed fibrotic ILA as an independent risk factor for all-cause mortality (hazard ratio, 2.52 [95% confidence interval, 1.02-6.22], p = 0.046). ILA were also identified as an independent risk factor for lung cancer or respiratory disease-related deaths. Conclusion: Incidental abnormalities on screening thoracic CT were associated with increased mortality during the long-term follow-up. Among incidental CT abnormalities, fibrotic ILA were independently associated with increased mortality. Appropriate management and surveillance may be required for patients with fibrotic ILA on thoracic CT obtained for general screening purposes.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.479-487
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• 2022

Objective: To prospectively evaluate the efficacy of lauromacrogol injection for ablation (LIA) of benign predominantly cystic thyroid nodules and its related factors. Materials and Methods: A total of 142 benign predominantly cystic thyroid nodules (median volume, 12.5 mL; range, 0.4-156 mL) in 137 patients (male:female sex ratio, 36:101; mean age ± standard deviation [SD], 49 ± 13 years) were treated with LIA after being confirmed as benign via cytology. The volume reduction rate (VRR) of the nodules and cosmetic score were evaluated during follow-up at 1, 3, and 6 months after treatment and every 6 months thereafter. A VRR of ≥ 50% at the 12-month follow-up was considered to indicate effective treatment. The associations between the clinical factors and nodular ultrasound features, including the initial nodule volume, proportion of solid components, vascularity grade and ineffective treatment (VRR of < 50% at the 12-month follow-up), and regrowth were analyzed. Results: All patients completed follow-up for at least 12 months. The average ± SD follow-up period was 32 ± 11 months (range, 12-54 months). The effective treatment rate was 73.2% (104/142), while the regrowth rate was 12.0% (17/142) at the last follow-up. Grade 2-3 intranodular vascularity in the solid components of the nodules was the only independent factor associated with ineffective treatment, with an odds ratio (reference category, grade 0-1) of 3.054 (95% confidence interval, 1.148-8.127) (p = 0.025). Conclusion: LIA is an effective treatment for predominantly cystic thyroid nodules. Grade 2-3 intranodular vascularity in the solid components of nodules is the only independent risk factor for ineffective LIA.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.159-171
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• 2024

Purpose: Gastric cancer is one of the most common cancers in Korea, and the proportion of upper-third gastric cancers has been steadily increasing over the last two decades. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of tumor location on gastric cancer prognosis. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 2,466 patients who underwent gastrectomy for pathologically proven gastric cancer between January 2011 and December 2016. The patients were divided into an upper-third group (U group; n=419, 17.0%) and a middle- and lower-third group (ML group; n=2,047, 83.0%). Clinicopathological characteristics, overall survival (OS), and recurrence-free survival (RFS) after surgery were compared. Results: The U group had more advanced disease than the ML group and a higher incidence of N3b disease for T3 (12.0% vs. 4.9%, p=0.023) and T4 tumors (33.3% vs. 17.5%, p=0.001). The 5-year RFS rate for stage III disease was marginally lower in the U group than that in the ML group (47.1% vs. 56.7%, p=0.082). The upper third location was an independent prognostic factor for both OS (hazard ratio [HR], 1.350; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.065-1.711) and RFS (HR, 1.430; 95% CI, 1.080-1.823). Conclusions: Upper-third gastric cancer shows extensive node metastasis compared to those located more distally in ≥T3 tumors. The upper third location is an independent prognostic factor for both OS and RFS and may have an adverse impact on RFS, particularly in patients with stage III gastric cancer.

• Archives of Obesity and Metabolism
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2024

Background: This study investigated the association between obesity and cardiometabolic disease clusters in Korean adults aged 19-39 years. Methods: We included 3,785 participants (1,767 men and 2,018 women) aged 19-39 years who participated in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2020-2022). The risk factors for cardiometabolic disease were defined as follows: high blood pressure; hypertriglyceridemia; hyperuricemia; and high low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high fasting plasma glucose, elevated alanine aminotransferase levels. Results: The prevalence of participants with ≥ 1, ≥ 2, and ≥ 3 cardiometabolic disease risk factors was 95.2%, 84.2%, and 65.6% in men and 90.0%, 70.5%, and 43.0%, in women with class 2-3 obesity, respectively. Compared to those for young adults with underweight/normal weight, the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the clustering of cardiometabolic risk factors were 17.26 (8.32-35.80) for ≥ 1; 19.43 (12.18-31.00) for ≥ 2; and 22.93 (14.15-37.15) for ≥ 3 factors in men with class 2-3 obesity and 14.67 (8.00-26.91) for ≥ 1; 20.88 (12.15-35.88) for ≥ 2; and 36.26 (20.20-65.09) for ≥ 3 factors in women with class 2-3 obesity. Conclusion: Although the patients were young, the prevalence and ORs for cardiometabolic disease risk factor clusters in young adults with obesity were prominently high. Prevention and management of obesity in young Korean adults are urgently needed at both individual and public levels.

• Annals of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.172-179
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• 2023

Backgrounds/Aims: Cancer stigma (CS), a self-inflicted sense of hopelessness, has been identified as a major factor affecting cancer patients' outcomes. However, few studies have investigated the CS-related outcomes in hepatobiliary and pancreatic (HBP) cancer. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate effects of CS on quality of life (QoL) of HBP cancer. Methods: From 2017 to 2018, 73 patients who underwent curative surgery for HBP tumor at a single intuitive were enrolled prospectively. The QoL was measured using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QoL score, and CS was evaluated in three categories, "impossibility of recovery," "cancer stereotypes," and "social discrimination." the stigma was defined by higher scores of attitudes compared with the median value. Results: The stigma group showed a lower QoL (-17.67, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -26.75 to 8.60, p < 0.001) than the no stigma group. Similarly, most function and symptoms of the stigma group showed worse results than the no stigma group. The difference in function scores between the two groups according to CS was highest in cognitive function (-21.20, 95% CI: -30.36 to 12.04, p < 0.001). Fatigue showed the largest difference between the two groups at 22.84 (95% CI: 12.88-32.07, p < 0.001) and was the most severe symptom in stigma group. Conclusions: CS was an important negative factor affecting the QoL, function, and symptoms of HBP cancer patients. Therefore, appropriate management of CS is crucial for improved postoperative QoL.