• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.85-100
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• 2020

Eating alone has recently become a very common dietary pattern in modern society. This study investigated the relationship between the frequency of eating alone and health related issues including chronic diseases, depression, and the quality of life (QOL). The 2016 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey provided the basic data for this study. According to the general analysis of 4,910 adults aged over 19 years or older, the average age in the 'eating alone' group was significantly higher (P<0.001), and the ratio of single-person households was significantly higher as the number of times of eating alone increased (P<0.001). Analysis of the relationship between the risk factors of metabolic syndrome according to the number of times eating alone, using logistic regression analysis, showed that the odds ratio of metabolic syndrome in the 'two times eating alone a day' group was approximately 1.3 times higher (OR=1.275) after being corrected for gender, age and energy intake. For the 'three times eating alone a day' group, the metabolic syndrome odds ratio was higher in all models except for model 1 and 5 (P for trend<0.05). The prevalence of depression using patient health questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) was higher as the number of eating alone increased, and the QOL was inversly related with the number of meals eating alone (P for trend<0.01). We hope the results of this study will raise awareness of the health of those people who eat alone and lay the groundwork for individuals who eat alone and gain social attention.

• Clinical and Molecular Hepatology
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.402-408
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• 2018

Background/Aims: With improvements in the survival of liver transplantation (LT) recipients, the focus is shifting to patient quality of life (QOL), and employment is an important factor in aiding the social reintegration of LT patients. This study aims to evaluate the current employment status of liver graft recipients and various factors that may hinder reemployment. Methods: Fifty patients above age 18 who underwent either living or deceased donor LT at a single center from March 2009 to July 2016 were interviewed during their visit to the outpatient clinic. The internally developed questionnaire consisted of 10 items. The Karnofsky Performance Scale and EQ-5D were used to evaluate patient function and QOL. Results: A total of 25 (50%) patients returned to work after transplantation (the working group), and 21 (84%) patients in the working group returned to work within the first year after transplantation. In the non-working group (n=25), 17 (68%) answered that their health was the reason for unemployment. Fatigue and weakness were the most frequent symptoms. Conclusions: The data shows that as many as 50% of total patients returned to work after receiving LT. Fatigue and weakness were the most common complaints of the unemployed group, and resolving the causes of these symptoms may help to increase the employment rate.

• The Journal of Advanced Prosthodontics
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• v.9 no.6
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• pp.476-481
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• 2017

PURPOSE. Patient-reported outcomes are increasingly commonly used as a method of evaluating treatments. This cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate implant treatment from the perspective of patient-reported outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Subjects were 804 patients who visited the Department of Oral Implantology at Osaka Dental University. The participants were categorized into a pre-implant group and a post-implant group. They were further categorized into five subgroups based on the number of occlusal supports provided by the remaining teeth according to the Eichner classification. The participants answered a basic questionnaire and the General Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI) questionnaire, an oral health-related quality of life (QOL) scale. GOHAI scores were compared according to the number of occlusal supports within each group and between the two groups. RESULTS. The results revealed a significant difference in terms of the number of occlusal supports within the pre-implant group; GOHAI scores decreased as the number of occlusal supports decreased (P<.001). However, no significant difference was observed in GOHAI scores in terms of the number of occlusal supports in the post-implant group (P>.05). GOHAI scores significantly improved in both pre- and post-implant groups in all occlusal support subgroups (P<.001). CONCLUSION. GOHAI scores decrease as occlusal support is lost. However, implant treatment performed in areas of loss improves the GOHAI score when occlusal support is restored.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.284-291
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• 2014

Purpose: In order to examine whether daily physical activity (DPA) can be considered the same as a regular exercise (RE) in patients with Heart Failure (HF), we examined the relationship between RE and DPA, and we explored the relationship of RE and DPA with exercise capacity and quality of life (QOL) in patients with HF. Methods: This cross-sectional, correlational study utilized pretest data (N=136) of a long-term intervention study. Data of the parent study were collected from May 1st to September 26th, 2013. Measures included questions about regular exercise, International Physical Activity Questionnaire, a 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT), and the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ). The data were analyzed using descriptive analysis, Chi-square test, and ANOVA using the SPSS 21.0 program. Results: There were inconsistencies in measures between RE and DPA. About 42.0% of the participants engaging in health enhancing physical activity did not consider themselves to be regular exercisers. Depending on the levels of RE and DPA, significant differences in 6MWT and QOL were observed. Conclusion: RE is more likely to be related to the health status of patients with HF. Deliberate assessment and cautious interpretation of DPA in patients with HF is needed.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.63-70
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• 2006

Objectives : This study was designed to evaluated the effect of electroacupuncture on Quality of life of patients with urinary incontinence Methods : Subjects were voluntarily recruited by newspapers and internet. Electroacupuncture was performed three times a week for 3 weeks. Acupuncture point for EA group was B32, Electrical stimulation frequency was 2Hz, duration 20 minutes, and intensity was up to pain threshold according to patients. The patients's symptoms were assessed before, after 3 weeks of treatment by QOL item of International Prostate Symptom Score(IPSS), Medical Outcomes Study(MOS) 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey(SF-36). Results : QOL score of IPSS were significantly improved after 3 weeks(p<0.05) compared to the pre-treatment. There were significant changes in Social functioning(SF), role-physical(RP), role emotional(RE), mental health(MH), bodily pain(BP) score of SF-36 after 3 weeks(p<0.05), but there were no significant changes in physical functioning(PF), vitality(VT), general health(GH) score of SF-36. Conclusion : This study suggests that electroacupuncture treatments can be applicable to improve symptoms in patients with urinary incontinence.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.447-465
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• 2007

The purpose of this study is to assess the sustainability in 45 cities of all over Gyeongnam and Gyeongbuk using weights and assessment system developed in leading research. The materials of assessment used statistical data and spatial data were standardized for the systematic result. The assessment score was established using the normal distribution from 25 to 125 for removal of the very smallest and maximum value. According to the results, Tongyeong was assessed the highest by 82.5 score in environmental sustainability index. In economical sustainability index, Pohang, Gumi, Changwon, Yangsan were more than 79 score but Busan, Daegu, Andong were less than 70 score. Ulsan, Geoje, Yangsan were assessed higher in society-institutional sustainability index and Jinju, Munkyeong, Changnyeong were showed higher than other cities by more 79 score in quality of life(QOL)'s sustainability index. In case of integrated sustainability index, Jinju that was the highest sustainability in QOL was assessed by first city. However, Ulsan was assessed the lowest city among others. Therefore cities which have high sustainability will prepare a politic investment program for maintaining current conditions. Cities which have low sustainability will grasp closely the environmental characteristics of urban and present the improvement direction through monitoring continuously. Overall, these results can be used as tools to assess the current cities and predict the future one. It is also necessary to establish a systematic urban planning for livable and sustainable city.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.209-218
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• 2022

Objective : This study assessed the effect of a combination of Korean medicine on a chronic nipple eczema patient complaining of stress and immunodeficiency due to long-term steroid use. Methods : Herbal medicine, moxibustion and acupuncture were performed for a year. Treatment outcomes were evaluated with DLQI(Dermatology Life Quality Index), EQ-5D-5L(The 5 level of EuroQol 5 Dimensio scale), EQ-VAS(EuroQol-Visual Analog Scale), ADSI(Atopic Dermatitis Severity Index), pruritus NRS(Numeral Rating Scale), pictures and patient's statements. Results : After the treatment, symptoms have been alleviated, the quality of life has increased, and it has been maintained without further nipple eczema for three months. Conclusion : We suggest that Korean medicine is effective for chronic nipple eczema patient.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.127-142
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• 1990

Comparative studies on the quality of life, a new research specialization,have emerged only in recent years and are experiencing vigorous development in many parts of the world This study is a two year phasing-in project carried out by a jointed research team between Seoul National University and Tokyo University. As the first study of the project series, the aim of the study is to learn how different the quality of life(QOL) between Seoul and Tokyo and how the students of both cities assign the relative weights to parameters of the quality of life in their cities. The study also attempts to illustrate the current state of the art in this new field. Seoul and Tokyo are located very closely bur their physical, socia-economic and cultural aspects are not the same but rather different. Here is our interest and the reason why we started out study. The study is divided into the following two principal parts: (1 ) The survey of the variables influencing the puality of life in Seoul and Tokyo (2) The survey of the attitude of students towards the relative importance of parameter of the quality of life in Seoul and Tokyo. The researches of the variables were carried out utilizing the existing official statistics derived from 1988 Seout Statistical Year Book and 1987 Tokyo Statistical Year Book. Therefore, the choice of indicators was largely limited to data that had been compiled in two yearbooks. The attitude surveys of students were carried out by interview. The questionnaire consists of a face sheet and a question which is designed to produce information on the relative importance of the parameters by the paired comparison method.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.20-28
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• 2020

Objectives : The aim of this study was to compare psychosocial characteristics of the functional gastrointestinal disorders FGID group, non-FGID group, and control group and determine factors affecting the QOL of patients with FGID. Methods : 135 patients diagnosed with FGID were selected. 79 adults had no observable symptoms of FGID (control group) and 88 adults showed symptoms of FGID (non-FGID group). Demographic factors were investigated. The Korean-Beck Depression Inventory-II, Korean-Beck Anxiety Inventory, Korean-Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, Patient Health Questionnaire-15 and WHO Quality of Life Assessment Instrument Brief Form were used to assess psychosocial factors. A one-way ANOVA was used to compare differences among groups. Pearson correlation test was performed to analyze the correlation of psychosocial factors and QOL of the FGID group. Further, a hierarchical regression analysis was conducted to determine factors affecting the QOL of the FGID group. Results : Between-group differences were not significant in demographic characteristics. Depression (F=48.75, p<0.001), anxiety (F=14.48, p<0.001), somatization (F=24.42, p<0.001) and childhood trauma (F=12.71, p<0.001) were significantly higher in FGID group than in other groups. Social support (F=39.95, p<0.001) and resilience (F=17.51, p<0.001) were significantly lower in FGID group than in other groups. Resilience (β=0.373, p<0.01) was the most important explanatory variable. The explained variance was 47.2%. Conclusions : Significantly more symptoms of depression, anxiety, childhood trauma, and somatization were observed for the FGID group. This group also had less social support, resilience, and quality of life than the non-FGID and control groups. The key factor for quality of life of the FGID group was resilience.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.66-73
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• 2016

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate the characteristics of psychosocial factors related to functional dyspepsia(FD) and their effects on quality of life(QOL) in firefighters. Methods : This study examined data collected from 1,217 firefighters. We measured psychological symptoms by Patient Health Questionnaire-9(PHQ-9), Generalized Anxiety Disorder questionnaire(GAD-7), Korean Occupational Stress Scale(KOSS), Ways of Coping checklist(WCCL), Rosenberg's Self-Esteem Scale(RSES) and World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale abbreviated version(WHOQOL-BREF). Chi-square test, independent t-test, Pearson's correlation test, logistic regression analysis, and hierarchical regression analysis were used as statistical analysis methods. Results : For the group with FD, the male participants showed significantly higher frequency(p=0.006) compared to the female participants. The group with FD had higher scores for depressive symptoms(p<.001), anxiety (p<.001), and occupational stress(p<.001), and did lower scores for self-esteem(p=.008), quality of life(p<.001) than those without FD. The FD risk was higher in the following KOSS subcategories: job demand(OR 1.94, 95% CI : 1.29-2.93), lack of reward(OR 2.47, 95% CI : 1.61-3.81), and occupational climate(OR 1.51, 95% CI : 1.01-2.24). In the hierarchical regression analysis, QOL was best predicted by depressive symptoms, self-esteem, and occupational stress. Three predictive variables above accounts for 42.0% variance explained of total variance. Conclusions : The psychosocial factors showed significant effects on FD, and predictive variables for QOL were identified based on regression analysis. The results suggest that the psychiatric approach should be accompanied with medical approach in future FD assessment.