• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.352-361
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• 2010

Objectives: This study estimated the annual socioeconomic costs of food-borne disease in 2008 from a societal perspective and using a cost-of-illness method. Methods: Our model employed a comprehensive set of diagnostic disease codes to define food-borne diseases with using the Korea National Health Insurance (KNHI) reimbursement data. This study classified the food borne illness as three types of symptoms according to the severity of the illness: mild, moderate, severe. In addition to the traditional method of assessing the cost-of-illness, the study included measures to account for the lost quality of life. We estimated the cost of the lost quality of life using quality-adjusted life years and a visual analog scale. The direct cost included medical and medication costs, and the non-medical costs included transportation costs, caregiver's cost and administration costs. The lost productivity costs included lost workdays due to illness and lost earnings due to premature death. Results: The study found the estimated annual socioeconomic costs of food-borne disease in 2008 were 954.9 billion won (735.3 billion won-996.9 billion won). The medical cost was 73.4 -76.8% of the cost, the lost productivity cost was 22.6% and the cost of the lost quality of life was 26.0%. Conclusions: Most of the cost-of-illness studies are known to have underestimated the actual socioeconomic costs of the subjects, and these studies excluded many important social costs, such as the value of pain, suffering and functional disability. The study addressed the uncertainty related to estimating the socioeconomic costs of food-borne disease as well as the updated cost estimates. Our estimates could contribute to develop and evaluate policies for food-borne disease.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.11
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• pp.6351-6356
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• 2013

Background: Goshajinkigan (GJG) is used for the treatment of several neurological symptoms. We investigated the efficacy of GJG and mecobalamin (B12) against neurotoxicity associated with docetaxel (DOC) in breast cancer patients. Materials and Methods: Sixty breast cancer patients were treated with DOC. Thirty-three patients (GJG group) received oral administration of 7.5 g/day GJG and 27 patients (B12 group) received oral administration of 1500 ${\mu}g/day$ B12. Neuropathy was evaluated according to DEB-NTC (Neurotoxicity Criteria of Debiopharm), Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (NCI-CTC) ver. 3.0, and a visual analogue scale (VAS). This study employed a randomized open design. Results: The incidence of neuropathy was 39.3% in the GJG group, and 88.9% in the B12 group (p<0.01). In the GJG group, grade 1 DEB-NTC was observed in 2 cases, grade 2 in 5 cases and grade 3 in 5 cases. Grade 1 NCI-CTC was observed in 7 cases, grade 2 in 6 cases, and VAS was $2.7{\pm}2.2$. In the B12 group, grades 1, 2 and 3 DEB-NTC were observed in one case, 12 cases and 12 cases, respectively; and grades 1, 2 and 3 NCI-CTC were observed in 11 cases, 12 cases and one case, and VAS was $4.9{\pm}2.4$. Conclusions: Concomitant administration of GJG is useful in preventing neuropathy in breast cancer patients treated with a DOC regimen.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.1-13
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• 2016

Objectives : We conducted a survey aimed at developing a personal health record application for the treatment of atopic dermatitis in Korean medicine .Methods : We conducted a survey on Korean medicine doctors who attended the Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology conference 2016. The questionnaire was based on priority of usage of the diagnostic indices and tools, and intention to use the personal health record application for treatment of atopic dermatitis in the clinic.Results : Data were collected from 50 Korean medicine doctors. Ninety-six per cent of respondents replied that they were willing to use the personal health record application for treating atopic dermatitis. Among the diagnostic indices related to atopic dermatitis, Korean medicine doctors regarded the following as important in the order of priority, i.e., condition of skin, lifestyle, risk factors, symptoms other than those of skin, past history, family history and medical history, results of tongue, pulse, and abdomen investigation, and constitution. These results did not vary with the purpose of diagnosis, and the results were consistent with those obtained with the intention to use diagnostic. Over 50% of respondents replied that they use immunoglobulin E, scoring atopic dermatitis, and visual analogue scale among the diagnostic tools.Conclusions : Our survey was conducted on clinicians who are the intended users of the personal health record application for the treatment of atopic dermatitis; hence, the results of this study can be helpful for developing a useful personal health record application for atopic dermatitis in the clinic.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.277-284
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• 2016

Objectives: The purpose of the study was to investigate the influencing factors of oral health-related quality of life in social workers. Methods: A self-reported questionnaire was completed by 240 social workers in Gwangju by convenience sampling method. The questionnaire consisted of general characteristics of the subjects(age, monthly salary, smoking, alcohol consumption) and systemic health condition(systemic diseases, medication, oral health status, and stress). The factors associated with oral health-related quality of life included skin dryness, eye dryness, lip dryness, and nasal dryness. The subjective dry mouth consisted of 6 questions measured by visual analogue scale(VAS). Cronbach's alpha was 0.868 in the study. The data were analyzed for t-test, one-way ANOVA and multiple regression analysis using SPSS 18.0 program. Results: The oral health-related quality of life in social workers varied by age, oral health status, stress status, and halitosis. The oral health-related quality of life had positive correlations with the subjective perception of dry mouth and whole body dry symptoms. The health status(${\beta}=-0.410$) had the influence on the oral health-related quality of life, nasal dryness(${\beta}=0.230$), age(${\beta}=0.189$), and halitosis (${\beta}=0.162) in order. Conclusions: The oral health-related quality of life was closely related to the health status and nasal dryness. It is necessary to develop the quality of life improvement programs including oral health prevention and care program in the social workers.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.116-129
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• 2018

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of electroacupuncture on heat sensation of the feet of a 61-year-old female patient with restless leg syndrome. Methods: Electroacupuncture was performed at four acupoints (KI3 (太谿), KI6 (照海), LR3 (太衝), LR2 (行間)) selected to reduce heat sensation in both feet. The patient's symptoms were assessed using the VAS (Visual Analogue Scale), the SF-MPQ (short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire), and the IRLS (International Restless Legs Scale). The treatment was performed from April 20, 2010 to April 24, 2010. Results: During five sessions of electroacupuncture treatments, the VAS, SF-MPQ, and IRLS scores improved throughout the treatment period and afterwards. Conclusions: The results suggest that electroacupuncture at KI3(太谿), KI6(照海), LR3(太衝), LR2(行間) can be effective for reducing hot flush in both feet.

• The Journal of the Korean bone and joint tumor society
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.105-109
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• 2005

This journal reports three cases diagnosed with schwannomatosis in which no clinical symptoms of type 2 neurofibromatosis. The chief complain was pain. In adolescence and adult group, all masses were found. The locations were brachial plexus, popliteal fossa and hand. No hearing impairment, vertigo, tinnitus and visual disturbance was observed in any of the case. Family history was negative. In all cases, there was no evidence of vestibular schwannoma on cranial MRI imaging study. In all cases, Tinel sign was positive. Pathologic diagnosis was positive for schwannoma. Further study and case collection is needed to idenity the clinical manifestation, clinical course and genetic characteristic of schwannomatosis.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.53 no.5
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• pp.312-315
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• 2013

Aspergillosis in the central nervous system (CNS) is a very rare disease in immune-competent patients. There was a case of a healthy man without a history of immune-compromised disease who had invasive aspergillosis with unusual radiologic findings. A 48-year-old healthy man with diabetes mellitus, presented with complaints of blurred vision that persisted for one month. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed multiple nodular enhancing lesions on the right cerebral hemisphere. The diffusion image appeared in a high-signal intensity in these areas. Cerebrospinal fluid examination did not show any infection signs. An open biopsy was done and intraoperative findings showed grayish inflammatory and necrotic tissue without a definitive mass lesion. The pathologic result was a brain abscess caused by fungal infection, morphologically aspergillus. Antifungal agents (Amphotericin B, Ambisome and Voriconazole) were used for treatment for 3 months. The visual symptoms improved. There was no recurrence or abscess pocket, but the remaining focal enhanced lesions were visible in the right temporal and occipital area at a one year follow-up MRI. This immune-competent patient showed multiple enhancing CNS aspergillosis in the cerebral hemisphere, which had a good outcome with antifungal agents.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.59 no.4
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• pp.374-378
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• 2016

Objective : A modified surgical technique of posterior cervical foramintomy called posterior cervical inclinatory foraminotomy (PCIF) was introduced in previous preliminary article. PCIF allows better preservation of facet joint and capsule than conventional techniques. The authors conducted a study to investigate long-term outcomes of PCIF. Methods : We retrospectively reviewed demographic, radiologic, and clinical data from the patients who underwent PCIFs at our institution. Criteria included a minimum of 48 month follow-up and PCIFs for patients with radiculopathy from foraminal stenosis (C2-T1; single or multilevel) with persistent or recurrent root symptoms despite conservative treatment for more than 3 months. Patients who had undergone previous cervical operation were excluded. The visual analogue scale (VAS) score was used for clinical follow-up, and radiologic follow-up was performed to compare the changes of cervical sagittal alignment, focal angle and disc-space height of treated segment. Results : The PCIFs were performed between April 2007 and March 2011 on 46 patients (32 males and 14 females) with a total of 73 levels affected. The average duration of follow-up was 74.4 months. Improvements in radiculopathic pain were seen in 39 patients (84.7%), and VAS score decreased from $6.82{\pm}1.9$ to $2.19{\pm}1.9$. Posterior neck pain also improved in 25 patients (71.4%) among 35 patients, and VAS score decreased from $4.97{\pm}2.0$ to $2.71{\pm}1.9$. The mean disc-space heights of treated segment were $5.41{\pm}1.03mm$ preoperatively and decreased to $5.17{\pm}1.12mm$ postoperatively. No statistically significant changes in cervical sagittal alignment, focal angle were seen during the follow-up period (Cox proportional hazards analysis and Student t-test, p>0.05). Conclusion : The PCIF is highly effective in treating patients with cervical spondylotic radiculopathy, leading to long-lasting relief in pain. Long-term radiologic follow-up showed no significant spinal angular imbalance.

• The KIPS Transactions:PartB
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• v.13B no.3 s.106
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• pp.215-222
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• 2006

People health improvement is becoming new subject through the combining with the oriental medicine diagnosis theory and IT technology. To do this, firstly, it needs sicked data that supply the visualization, objectification and quantification method. Especially, if an ocular inspection can be more objective and visual expression in oriental medicine, it seems to offer the biggest opportunity in diagnosis field. In this study, I propose a diagnosis to check the symptoms of heart diagnosis. Our research aim is on the visualization of diagnosis using image processing system which it can be actual analysis about the symptom of heart. To catch up this study, through the color support assistance by face image processing, I devide the face area and analyze the face form and also extract face characteristic point in heart disease diagnosis using oriental medicine based on an ocular inspection method. I would like to prove the usefulness of the method that proposed by an experiment.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.193-206
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• 2005

Objective: This study is designed to compare the effects of Sulguanjul-Bang No.1 on osteoarthritis in knee joint according to formulation. Methods: 47 patients with symptomatic osteoarthritis of the knee joint were enrolled in a open clinical trial. The 47 patients were devided into two groups at random and taken Sulguanjul-bang No.1 with decoction type, suspension type respectively for8 weeks. After 8-week treatment period, the following parameters were analyzed ; Visual analogue Scale(VAS), Lysholm index score, patients' global assessment. Results: Sulguanjul-bang No.1 treatment led to significant improvement in the pain and symptoms of osteoarthritis as determined by all efficacy measures. After 8 weeks of therapy, there was significant improvement in VAS, Lysholm index and patients' global assessment. But there is no significant difference between two groups. Conclusions: Sulguanjul-bang No.1 was very beneficial pain relief effect and functional improvement irrespect of formulation, decoction type or suspension type.