• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.428-450
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• 2023

This meta-analysis examined the surgical management of older patients (>80 years) with gastric cancer, who were often excluded from randomized controlled trials. We analyzed 23 retrospective cohort studies involving 18,372 patients and found that older patients had a higher in-hospital mortality rate (relative risk [RR], 3.23; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.46-7.17; P<0.01) and more post-operative complications (RR, 1.36; 95% CI, 1.19-1.56; P<0.01) than did younger patients. However, the surgical complications were similar between the two groups. Older patients were more likely to undergo less extensive lymph node dissection and longer hospital stays. Although older patients had statistically significant post-operative medical complications, they were not deprived of surgery for gastric cancer. The comorbidities and potential risks of post-operative complications should be carefully evaluated in older patients, highlighting the importance of careful patient selection. Overall, this meta-analysis provides recommendations for the surgical management of older patients with gastric cancer. Careful patient selection and evaluation of comorbidities should be performed to minimize the risk of post-operative complications in older patients, while recognizing that they should not be deprived of surgery for gastric cancer.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.42 no.5
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• pp.567-571
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• 2015

Background Bariatric surgeries performed in the USA has increased twelve-fold in the past two decades. The effects of rapid weight loss on facial features has not been previously studied. We hypothesized that bariatric surgery will mimic the effects of aging thus giving the patient an older and less attractive appearance. Methods Consecutive patients were enrolled from the bariatric surgical clinic at our institution. Pre and post weight loss photographs were taken and used to generate two surveys. The surveys were distributed through social media to assess the difference between the preoperative and postoperative facial photos, in terms of patients' perceived age and overall attractiveness. 102 respondents completed the first survey and 95 respondents completed the second survey. Results Of the 14 patients, five showed statistically significant change in perceived age (three more likely to be perceived older and two less likely to be perceived older). The patients were assessed to be more attractive postoperatively, which showed statistical significance. Conclusions Weight loss does affect facial aesthetics. Mild weight loss is perceived by survey respondents to give the appearance of a younger but less attractive patient, while substantial weight loss is perceived to give the appearance of an older but more attractive patient.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.41 no.6
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• pp.780-787
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• 2011

Purpose: This study was conducted to examine activities of daily living (ADL) of older adults admitted to Korean long-term care hospitals (LTCHs), and to explore the patient and organizational factors that have an impact on the ADL of this population. Methods: A secondary analysis of the Korean minimum data set (K-MDS) of patients (N=14,369) and of the profiles of LTCHs (N=358) from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service was done between January and July 2008. The outcome variable was ADL score 6 months after baseline assessment. Multi-level linear regression was employed to explore the patient and organizational factors that affected ADL scores. Results: Of the patients, 45.4% had a baseline ADL score of between 31 and 40, with a score of 40 indicating that the patient was entirely dependent for all items. None of the organizational characteristics were significantly associated with effects on the ADLs of older adults who had been in a LTHC for at least 6 months. However, patient characteristics, such as age, baseline ADL, frequency of physical therapy, urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence, pressure ulcers, and having a tube or catheter, were significantly associated with ADL 6 months after baseline. Conclusion: In order to maintain and improve the ADL of older adults in LTCHs, we should develop strategies to prevent urinary and fecal incontinence, pressure ulcers, unnecessary tubes or catheters, providing adequate physical therapy. Additional studies should include more detailed information regarding nursing staff, including RN hours for direct care, education level and turnover.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.351-362
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• 2019

Objectives: The study aimed to analyze the factors affecting the maturity of dental biofilm, which was assessed with quantitative light-induced fluorescence-digital(QLF-D), in a sample of Korean older adults. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 67 participants, aged 65 years and older. All participants completed a questionnaire and tests to measure their manual dexterity and handgrip strength, which are parameters that indicate hand function abilities. To evaluate dental biofilm maturity, 804 surfaces of six index teeth were imaged using QLF-D and then quantified as ${\Delta}R$ values. All data were collected from May 25, 2017 to April 30, 2018. The independent t-test, one-way analysis of variance, and step-wise multiple linear regression were performed to analyze the factors associated with the maturity of dental biofilm (${\Delta}R$). Results: The multivariate linear regression analysis revealed that the factor most strongly related to dental biofilm maturity(${\Delta}R$) was manual dexterity (${\beta}=-0.326$), followed by handgrip strength (${\beta}=-0.303$) and use of interdental cleaning devices (${\beta}=-0.283$) (p<0.05). Conclusions: Manual dexterity, handgrip strength, and use of interdental cleaning devices are factors that can predict dental biofilm maturity in adults aged 65 years or older. Therefore, the hand function of a patient should be evaluated first, before assessing the oral hygiene status of the patient or providing him/her with oral health education, and the dental hygienist should provide differentiated oral hygiene care depending on the patient's hand function ability. Finally, dental hygienists should help older adults to recognize the importance of auxiliary oral hygiene devices such as interdental brushes and keep motivating them to use the devices more frequently.

• Journal of Korean Critical Care Nursing
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.24-32
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• 2014

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of discharge planning on patient satisfaction, the readmission rate and preparedness for discharge in the elderly admitted to the emergency room (ER) for pulmonary disease. Methods: A quasi-experimental intervention study design was used. Older adults with pulmonary health problems in the ER in one general hospital were randomly allocated to either an experimental (n=21, 74.2 years) or control group (n=19, 70.7 years). The experimental group participated in a discharge planning program by a geriatric nurse practitioner. Data were collected from medical records, physical measurements and structured questionnaires including information on demographics, patient satisfaction, readmission, and preparedness for discharge. Results: Participants in the experimental group had significantly better outcomes with regard to patient satisfaction with nursing services (p=.003) and preparedness for discharge (p=.034). However, there was no significant effect on the readmission rate (p=.392) Conclusion: The results suggested that a discharge planning program could bolster nursing service satisfaction and preparedness for discharge in older patients admitted to the ER for pulmonary health problems. To clarify the effects of discharge planning on older patients admitted to the ER, a larger sample population, better instruments for various measures, a new manual on discharge planning and frequent follow-up will be necessary.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Rural Health Nursing
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.92-98
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• 2023

Purpose: This study describes a case report of wound care performed by a community health practitioner for a rural older adult with diabetic ulcers. Methods: Data were collected from a rural older adult who had a diabetic lower extremity ulcer, and wound dressing was applied over 20 weeks after the skin graft operation. Results: The patient visited a primary healthcare post for regular ulcer care, and a community health practitioner applied appropriate wound dressings and managed the patient's diabetic condition. Conclusion: In rural areas, where healthcare resources are scarce compared with urban areas, rural nurses, such as community health practitioners, are primarily required to manage rural residents' health problems. Advanced nursing practices such as complicated wound care should also be appropriately provided to patients by enhancing rural nurses' competencies in the changing health care environment.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.1-8
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• 2017

Cancer is the disease of aging and Korea is one of the fastest aging country in the world. Older patients have decreased organ function and stress tolerance, therefore are at high risk of functional decline and developing complication from cancer and cancer treatment. Before beginning cancer treatment, it is important to assess patients' life expectancy, whether the patient is likely to die of cancer or of other comorbidity, and also the risks with cancer treatment. In order to estimate patient's physiologic age, it is recommended to perform geriatric assessment and implement appropriate geriatric intervention together with meticulous supportive care, when planning cancer treatment for older patients. In a resource limited country such as Korea, two step approach of applying screening tool followed by geriatric assessment can be more efficient. Geriatric assessment is used to predict toxicity from cancer treatment such as surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, predict survival, and also to aid treatment decision. Number of randomized trials are ongoing to compare usual care versus oncogeriatric care, and with these results we expect to improve outcome of older patients with cancer.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.220-227
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• 2019

Background: Potentially avoidable hospitalizations (PAH) contribute to an increased post-discharge mortality. Methods: To investigate the between-hospital variation and the relationship between all predictors and mortality after discharge among older adults with PAH, we studied 15,186 older patients with PAH in 2,200 hospitals included in the National Health Insurance Service-Senior claims database from 2002 to 2013. Multivariable multilevel logistic regression analyses were performed to analyze the variance at between-hospital for mortality after accounting for differences in patient characteristics. Results: The between-hospital variation in mortality that could be attributed to hospital practice variations were 37.6% at 1-week to 13.9% at 12-month post-discharge, after adjustment for individual patient characteristics and hospital-level factors. Hospital-level factors significantly explained mortality at 3 weeks after discharge. Clinics, compared with general hospitals, demonstrated a 2.75 times higher likelihood of deaths at 3-week post-discharge (p<0.001). Compared with private hospitals, public hospitals exhibited 1.61 times higher odds of 3-week mortality (p=0.01). Conclusion: This study demonstrates considerable between-hospital variations in PAH-related mortality that could be attributed to hospital practices. Monitoring of hospitals to identify practice variations would be warranted to improve the survival of older patients with PAH.

• Journal of Korean Critical Care Nursing
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.61-72
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• 2019

Purpose : The aim of this study was to explore the attributes, antecedents, and consequences of patient-centered care (PCC) for older adults with multimorbidity in acute care hospitals. Methods : The concept analysis performed by Walker and Avant was used to analyze PCC. Fifteen studies from the literature related to PCC appear in systematic literature reviews in the fields of theology, medicine, psychology, and nursing. Results : PCC in acute care hospitals was defined according to the five attributes of 'maintaining patient autonomy', 'empowering self-care', 'individualized and relationship-based care', 'shared decision-making', and 'creating a homelike environment'. Antecedents of PCC were found to be a respect for patients' preferences, qualifications of the nursing staff, care coordination and integration, and organizational support. Consequences of effective PCC were a functional status; health-related quality of life; satisfaction with care, mortality, and medical costs from the perspective of the patient and family; and quality of care and therapeutic relationships from nurses' viewpoints. Conclusion : PCC as defined by the results of this study will contribute to the foundation of institutionalization and the creation of a safe and healthy acute care hospital culture focused on patients' preferences and values.

• Korean Journal of Audiology
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.138-145
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• 2021

Background and Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the audiologic results after cochlear implantation (CI) in older patients and the degree of improvement in their quality of life (QoL). Subjects and Methods: Patients over 65 years old who underwent CI at implant center in Bozyaka Training and Research Hospital were included in this study (n=54; 34 males and 20 females). The control group was patient over 65 years old with normal hearing (n=54; 34 males and 20 females). We administered three questionnaires [World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF), World Health Organization Quality of Life-OLD (WHOQOL-OLD)], and Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) to evaluate the QoL, CIrelated effects on activities of daily life, and social activities in all the subjects. Moreover, correlations between speech recognition and the QoL scores were evaluated. The duration of implant use and comorbidities were also examined as potential factors affecting QoL. Results: The patients had remarkable improvements (the mean score of postoperative speech perception 75.7%) in speech perception after CI. The scores for the WHOQOL-OLD and WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire responses were similar in both the study and control groups, except those for a two subdomains (social relations and social participation). The patients with longer-term CI had higher scores than those with short-term CI use. In general, the changes in GDS scores were not significant (p<0.05). Conclusions: The treatment of hearing loss with CI conferred significant improvement in patient's QoL (p<0.01). The evaluation of QoL can provide multidimensional insights into a geriatric patient's progress and, therefore, should be considered by audiologists.