• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.31 no.4 s.63
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• pp.814-827
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• 1998

In this study we analyzed the insurance claims data to investigate the medical care utilization pattern of tuberculosis patients in private sector. We selected the claims of principal or secondary diagnosis with tuberculosis from claims database of National federation of Medical Insurance, from December 1995 to November 1996. Both spell-based analysis and person-based analysis were carried out. In spell-based analysis, type and location of treatment facilities, distribution of diagnoses, number of outpatient/inpatient treatments were analyzed. Additionally in person-based analysis, number of tuberculosis patients, demographic characteristics, number of treatments per person, frequency and pattern of change in source of care were analyzed. The results were as follows 1. The number of treatments with tuberculosis was 863,641 from 1 December 1995 to 30 November 1996. The number of patients was 313.964. 2. Most of tuberculosis patients in private sector were treated in general hospital (45.8%) and clinics(42.2%) 3. About 77.7% of tuberculosis patients who were treated more than two times did not change the source of care. 18,9% of tuberculosis patients changed source of care only once. Even when we limited tuberculosis patient to those who were treated more than five times and whose treatment period were longer than six months, 94.7% of patients did not change source of care at all, or changed treatment facility only once. 4. The probability of change in source of rare was higher in pulmonary tuberculosis, in twenties, and in rural area respectively than other tuberculosis. In conclusion, healer shopping of tuberculosis patients was not serious as expected. However special attention is needed to pulmonary tuberculosis in twenties and rural area.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.349-361
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• 1999

This study is designed to describe and analyze the experiences of hysterectomy. It also attempts to develop the practical theory of their experiences and thus suggest a fundamental frame that can help nurses broaden their clinical understanding of hysterectomy patients and take better care. The data was collected through interviewing the selected subjects. The subjects were five hysterectomy patients. They were interviewed at first hand by this researcher and recorded under their permissions. Each interview took one hour or two hours per interviewer. The data was collected through the interview. The method of "the Ground Theory" by Strauss & Corbin (1990) was used for data analysis. A total of 129 concepts were extracted from the data analysis. which were classified into 27 subcategories through reanalysis. The subcategories were grouped under 12 higher categories. During the process of the data analysis the following three propositions repeatedly appeared. (1) The higher importance of sexual life and pregnancy, the greater the patients' despair. The support system was not satisfied. The closed defense intensified their despair. They felt that the operation result was out of control. (2) The lower the importance of sexual life and pregnancy, the lesser the patients' despair. The support system proved to be highly satisfactory. As a result more favorably. (3) The lower physical change, the lesser importance of pregnancy. the lesser the patients' despair, the patients' thought turned out to be more positive, which, in turn, left the patients the less despaired. As a results the patients accept the operation result more favorably.

• Quality Improvement in Health Care
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.18-32
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• 2002

Background : We developed a model for predicting premature discharge and identifying related factors. Methods : Prediction model was developed by data mining techniques. Basic data were collected from the total discharge data base of a university hospital in Chungnam Province during the period from July 1, 1999 to June 30, 2000. Results : 1. Among 22,873 patients, the number of patients discharged with usual discharge orders were 21,695 or 94.8%. The number of the prematurely discharged patients were 1,178 or 5.2%. 2. The primary reason for unusual discharge was transfer to other hospital. Move to a local hospital closer to their home and burdensome medical expenses were main reasons. 3. Predictability of each model was tested using the top 10 percent of patients with the highest probabilities of premature discharge. The neural network model was chosen as the most appropriate model for predicting prematurely discharged patients. 4. Ten percent of the total number of patients had been selected randomly to test the effectiveness of the neural network model. We have chosen the threshold of the neural network model as 0.7. The number of patients who were expected to discharge prematurely was 312. Among them, 241 had been discharged prematurely (77.2%). Conclusion : Of the several data mining techniques used, the neural network model was the most effective, It can be used to identify and manage the patients who are expected to discharge prematurely.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.295-307
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• 1997

This study was performed to investigate the reproductibility of eccentric mandibular movements according to preferred chewing side, range of mouth opening, type of lateral guidance and involvement of temporomandibular disorders. 50 patients with temporomandibular disorders and 65 dental students without any signs and symptoms were randomly selected for this study as the patients group and the control group, respectively. For recording and observation of eccentric mandibular movement trajectory, BioEGN$^\textregistered$ of Biopak$^\textregistered$ system (Bioresearch Inc., USA) was used. Each eccentric movement to anterior, right and left side was performed three times similar to the movement pattern for Pantronic Reproducibility Index. mandibular path was analyzed by three dimensional positional change and the three paths from one direction were compared with one another. From this, reproducibility index of one-directional lateral movement could be calculated, and total reproducibility index, named BioEGN reproducibility index(BERI), was also computed from three-directional eccentric movement likewise. BioEGN reproducibility Index could have four value of score by small or large scale, and by outgoing or incoming movement. The data were analyzed by SAS/stat program and the results obtained were as follows: 1. Right side chewing subjects showed more consistent pattern In reproducibility index in comparison between patients group and control group than left chewing subjects have done, and reproducibility was low in patients group. However, there was no difference between the two stoups in bilateral chewing subjects. 2. There were no difference in reproducibility index between preferred chewing side and contralateral side in unilateral chewing subjects whereas reproducibility index in left side on outgoing movement were higher than in right side in bilateral chewing subjects. 3. Difference in total reproducibility index(BERI) between canine guidance group and non-canine guidance group were not observed though difference in reproducibility index on lateral movement were observed in part. 4. There were no difference in reproducibility index between affected side and contralateral side in unilaterally affected patients, and between unilaterally affected patients and bilaterally affected patients in patients group. 5. Highly significant positive correlationship were shown among the four 쇼pes of total reproducibility index(BERI) in total subjects, and range of clinical mouth opening was negatively correlated with BEBI on outgoing movements and with index on outgoing movement to preferred side.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.432-441
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• 2004

Purpose: This descriptive survey was conducted to investigate out the utilization of alternative complementary remedies for stroke patients. Method: The subject for this study were 194 patients, selected from inpatients department of 11 major medical center at Busan and Ulsan. Data were collected from August 19th to November 12th, 2002 through interview schedule designed by the investigator. Data was analyzed with frequency, percentage, and ${\chi}^2$-test by using SPSS Win 10.0. Results: 71.6% of objects has used alternative complementary remedies. The use of alternative complementary remedies according to disease-related features was statistically significant in concurrent diseases(${\chi}^2=15.03$, p=0.001), rehabilitation treatment(${\chi}^2=6.341$, p=0.012) and the level of ADL(${\chi}^2=19.63$, p=0.000). The most frequently used therapies were diet and nutrition(31.8%). The patients with less than 3month onset and in the mid-period of treatment frequently used remedies. The reason for using remedies were the belief in it's effects on treatment, but most patients responded was not effective(30.9%) or not much improvement after using remedies. Most of the patients were recommended to use remedies by their neighbors(27.3%) and family members(25.2%). The family members were most supportive in therapy(56.1%). The 28.1% of patients responded that the remedies were effective in promoting blood circulation and 95% of the patients had not experienced side effects. Conclusion: These results could be the basic material in developing nursing intervention for cerebral apoplexy patients.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.114-121
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• 1998

The purpose of this study is to investigate the appropriate management of severe radionecrotic wounds of the anterior chest wall associated with infection of the soft tissues and ribs and exposure of vital structures(heart and lung), and present our strategies for reconstruction of these complicated patients. 9 patients have undergone radical debridement and immediate microsurgical reconstruction for severe radionecrotic wounds of the anterior chest wall over last 7 years. All patients had extensive osteomyelitis of the ribs or sternum, and chronic infection or cutaneous fistulae. 2 patients had pericardial effusions due to longstanding inflammation, and 6 patients had pleural effusions. 2 patients had ipsilateral lung collapse. 10 free flaps were performed for coverage of the huge defects. One patient required 2 free flaps to control the inflammation. 8 free TRAM flaps were used for coverage of the defects and in addition, the rectus abdominis muscle was packed into any deep cavity. 1 patients underwent latissimus dorsi muscle free flap because of previous abdominal surgery. After extensive debridement of the infected, radionecrotic wounds, all 10 free flaps were successful. All the extensive radionecrotic defects of the anterior chest wall were completely healed. Free flaps successfully covered the exposed vital structures of the heart and lungs. Patients with severe radionecrotic defects of the anterior chest wall after ablative breast cancer surgery and radiotherapy were successfully treated by radical debridement and immediate free flap surgery. The TRAM flap together with the rectus muscle is the treatment of choice for these huge defects. The latissimus dorsi muscle flap was the second choice in patients with previous abdominal surgery. The recipient vessel should be carefully selected because of possible radiation damage and inflammation.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.194-203
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• 2018

Background: Bone fractures are high in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Hyperglycemia and chronic kidney disease may increase the risk of fracture prevalence via altered bone metabolism, but whether glycemic control and kidney function are associated with the risk of fracture prevalence remains unclear. This study evaluated the relationship between glycemic control and baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and risk of fracture prevalence in older and middle-aged patients with T2DM. Methods: Patients who underwent a general medical check-up between 2009 and 2013 were selected from the Korean National Health Insurance Sharing Service records. Chi-square test and multiple logistic regression analysis were used to assess the relationship between glycemic control and eGFR and risk of fracture prevalence. Results: Cumulative fracture prevalence were higher in patients with T2DM, irrespective of whether they had tight or less stringent glycemic control (fasting blood glucose [FBG] ${\geq}110mg/dL$). After adjustment for baseline age and FBG, tight and less stringent glycemic control was significantly associated with increased adjusted risk of fracture prevalence in middle-aged patients with T2DM (OR=1.13, 95% CI, 1.05-1.21, p=0.0005 vs OR=1.13, 95% CI, 1.06-1.20, p=0.0001), but not in older patients. Baseline eGFR was not significantly related to fracture prevalence in either older or middle-aged patients. Conclusion: Less stringent glycemic control significantly increased the adjusted risk of fracture prevalence in middle-aged patients with T2DM. Further studies are needed to confirm the effect of tight glycemic control on fracture prevalence.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.20
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• pp.8823-8828
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• 2014

Objective: To explore the most appropriate treatment for patients with hepatocellular cancer (HCC) >10 cm by using the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) classification. Materials and Methods: A total of 124 HCC patients undergoing surgery were selected. Disease-free survival (DFS), overall survival (OS) and prognostic factors were respectively assessed. Results: This study showed that the cumulative 1-, 3-, 5-year survival rates were 79.7%, 59.8% and 41.6% in BCLC-A patients, 76.2%, 9.5% and 0% in BCLC-B patients and 44.9%, 0% and 0% in BCLC-C patients, respectively. The 1-, 3-, 5-year DFS rates were 49%, 24.5% and 9.1% in BCLC-A patients, 7.5%, 0% and 0% in BCLC-B patients, respectively. No BCLC-C patients survived 1 year after surgery. Multivariate analysis indicated that hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), vascular invasion, intra-hepatic metastasis, curative resection, tumor rupture and pathologic differentiation were independent prognostic factors. Conclusions: Surgery is effective and safe for patients with HCC >10 cm with sufficient hepatic reserve.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.10
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• pp.5811-5816
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• 2013

Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women. Molecular subtypes are important in determining prognosis. This study evaluated five-year disease-free survival among four molecular subtypes in patients with early stages of breast cancer. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective descriptive-analytical study, information on patients with breast cancer between 2001-2010 was evaluated. Five hundred ninety two patients in the early stages of breast cancer (stages 1 and 2) were selected to undergo anthracycline-based chemotherapy. Relapse, death or absence (censor) were considered as the end of the study. Patients based on ER, PR and HER-2 expression were divided into four subtypes (luminal A, luminal B, HER-2 enriched and triple negative). Information based upon questionnaire was analysed. To show the patients survival rate, life table and Kaplan-Meyer methods were used, and for comparing mean survival among different groups, the Log-Rank test was utilized. Results: Mean age at diagnosis was $47.9{\pm}9.6$. Out of the 592 patients, 586 were female (99%) and 6 were male (1%). Considering breast cancer molecular subtypes, 361 patients were in the luminal A group (61%), 49 patients in the luminal B group (8.3%), 48 patients in the HER-2 enriched group (8.1%) and 134 in the triple negative group (22.6%). Mean disease-free survival was 53.7 months overall, 55.4 months for the luminal A group, 48.3 months for the luminal B group, 43 months for the HER-2enriched group and 54.6 months for the triple negatives. Disease free survival differed significantly among the molecular subtypes (p value=0.0001). Conclusions: The best disease-free survival rate was among the luminal A subgroup and the worst disease-free survival rate was among the HER-2 enriched subgroup. Disease free survival rate in the HER-2 positive groups (luminal B and HER-2 enriched) was worse than the HER-2 negative groups (luminal A and triple negative).

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.1851-1855
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• 2016

Tamoxifen is a pharmacological estrogen inhibitor that binds to the estrogen receptor (ER) in breast cells. However, it shows an estrogenic effect in other organs, which causes adverse drug reactions (ADRs). The sulfotransferase 1A1 (SULT1A1) enzyme encoded by the SULT1A1 gene is involved in estrogen metabolism. Previous research has suggested that the SULT1A1 copy number is linked with the plasma estradiol (E2) concentration. Here, a total of 34 premenopausal breast cancer patients, selected from the Thai Tamoxifen (TTAM) Project, were screened for their SULT1A1 copy number, plasma E2 concentration and ADRs. The mean age was $44.3{\pm}11.1years$, and they were subtyped as ER+/progesterone receptor (PR)+ (28 patients), ER+/PR- (5 patients) and ER-/PR- (1 patient). Three patients reported ADRs, which were irregular menstruation (2 patients) and vaginal discharge (1 patient). Most (33) patients had two SULT1A1 copies, with one patient having three copies. The median plasma E2 concentration was 1,575.6 (IQR 865.4) pg/ml. Patients with ADRs had significantly higher plasma E2 concentrations than those patients without ADRs (p = 0.014). The plasma E2 concentration was numerically higher in the patient with three SULT1A1 copies, but this lacked statistical significance.