• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.62-71
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• 2013

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to investigate the characteristics of drinking patterns and the prevalence of hazardous drinking and alcohol use disorder with the assessment of alcohol policy needs in community population of urban city in Korea. Methods : Data was collected from 1,000 residents in a single urban city in Korea, from June 1 to July 31, 2011 by a questionnaire. As research tools, socio-demographic characteristics composed of variables based on study purpose, alcohol problems and alcohol use disorder state scales composed with Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test(AUDIT) and Cut down, Annoyed, Guilty, Eye-opener(CAGE), and the assessment of alcohol policy needs in community population questions were used. Results : The lifetime experience of alcohol drinking was 97.4%. For the frequency of drinking, 21.9% of population responded 2 to 4 times per weekly. 24.4% of male had one time or more high risk drinking, defined as having four or more drinks in a sitting, per week. 51.6% experienced the first time drinking of alcohol in adolescence. The lifetime prevalence of hazardous drinking and alcohol use disorder were 14.9% and 3.3%, respectively using AUDIT. Alcohol use disorder were 9.6% with the CAGE scale. Problem drinking were 8.4% in this study. They requested the program such as prevention education(57.2%), construction of liaison system to treatment facilities(50.1%), alcohol counseling and intervention(41.7%), and rehabilitation program(39.8%). Conclusions : These results demonstrate that alcohol problem and alcohol use disorder were much prevalent, and these problem started in the earlier age. It is necessary to develop an effective alcohol prevention program or policy with considering the needs in community population.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.176-184
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• 2017

Objectives : Middle aged women with depression often experience hot flush symptoms. It is still unclear about the association between depression and hot flush symptoms. Therefore, we investigated hormonal profile, functional somatic symptoms, coping styles and attitude for menopause between depressed women with hot flush and those without hot flush. Methods : This study included 33 depressed patients with hot flush symptoms and 33 depressed patients without hot flush symptoms. Hot flush was confirmed through prospective daily symptom ratings for a week. Subjects' coping styles were assessed by the stress coping checklist. Somatic symptoms were assessed by the Patient Health Questionnaire-15(PHQ-15). Sex hormonal levels were assayed by a radioimmunoassay. The Brief World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment Instrument(WHOQOL-BREF) was used to evaluate quality of life. Results : In coping style, depressed women with hot flush symptoms used less 'problem-centered coping'($13.15{\pm}3.17$) and 'search for social support'($11.83{\pm}2.84$) than those without hot flush symptoms($15.17{\pm}3.1$, p=0.028 ; $14.25{\pm}3.22$, p=0.009 ; respectively). Depressed women with hot flush symptoms showed more negative attitude toward post-menopause, but its statistical significance was marginally insufficient(p=0.059). We did not find any group differences in sex hormonal levels and somatic complaints assessed by the PHQ-15. The score of social relationship domain of WHOQOL-BREF was significantly lower in subjects with hot flush symptoms($8.62{\pm}2.04$) than subjects without hot flush symptoms($9.71{\pm}1.65$ ; p=0.044). Conclusions : Among middle aged women with depression, the manifestation of hot flush symptoms was associated with coping styles and attitude for menopausal transition. Hot flush symptoms in depressed women negatively influence quality of life, so clinicians actively perform therapeutic approach in case of depressed patients with hot flush symptoms. In case of depressed patients who present hot flushes, cognitive behavior therapy or stress management might be an effective treatment option in company with antidepressants or hormonal treatment. Later, longitudinal study will be needed to evaluate risk factor, cause and effect associated with hot flush and depression.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.34-39
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• 2006

Purpose : The incidence of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia is twice as high in East Asians as in Caucasians. However, its metabolic basis has not been clearly explained. The UDP-glucuronosyltransferase gene(UGT1A1) mutation was found to be a risk factor of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. We studied whether neonatal hyperbilirubinemia is associated with the 1828G>A(rs 10929303) polymorphism of the UGT1A1 gene, which encodes for a key enzyme of bilirubin metabolism. Methods : The genomic DNA was isolated from 80 Korean full term neonates who had greater than a 12 mg/dL level of serum bilirubin with no obvious cause, and the genomic DNA was also isolated from 164 Korean neonates of the control population. We studied a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of 1828G>A in the untranslated region of the UGT1A1 gene by direct sequencing. Results : Three of the 80 neonates with a serum bilirubin level above 12 mg/dL had homozygous mutations and 10 of the 80 neonates with a serum bilirubin level above 12 mg/dL had heterozygous mutations. Thirteen of the 164 neonates of the control group had homozygous mutations and 16 neonates of the control group had heterozygous mutations. The allele frequency of 1828G>A polymorphism of UGT1A1 in the hyperbilirubinemia group was 10.0 percent, which was not significantly different from the allele frequency of 12.8 percent in the control group. Conclusion : In this study, the 1828G>A polymorphism of the UGT1A1 gene was detected in the Korean neonates with neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. Our results indicated that this SNP is not associated with the prevalence of hyperbilirubinemia in Koreans.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.52 no.10
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• pp.1109-1118
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• 2009

Purpose : Metabolic syndrome (MS), characterized by obesity and insulin resistance, elicits risk factors such as hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and glucose intolerance with additive effects on atherosclerosis, leading to cardiovascular diseases. The purposes of this study were to evaluate the prevalence of MS among overweight and obese adolescents and to investigate the impact of obesity on the cardiovascular system. Methods : In all, 684 adolescents were included in the study. Blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density-lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol, high-density-lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were measured in the patients with a BMI of >85 percentile. Brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (BaPWV) and ankle brachial index were measured using Vascular Profiler (VP)-1000. Results : MS was confirmed in 19.5% of the overweight and obese adolescents and 50.8% of the obese adolescents. The systolic and diastolic blood pressure, height, weight, fat mass, %fat, BMI, obesity index, and waist circumference were higher in the overweight and obese adolescents with MS. Moreover, the triglyceride, AST, ALT, and hs-CRP levels were higher, whereas HDL-cholesterol level was significantly lower in this group. The overweight and obese adolescents with MS showed shorter diastolic and systolic times, higher heart rate and BaPWV, and longer E-wave deceleration time by echocardiography. Conclusion : Overweight and obese adolescents showed characteristic MS features such as hypertension and hyperlipidemia. Thus, obese adolescents predisposed to MS should be provided early treatment for obesity.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.133-146
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• 2001

The purpose of this study was to investigate the treatment status and its related factors of the newly detected rural hypertensives through community health promotion program. A questionnaire survey and blood pressure measurement were performed to 6,977 residents of a rural area, and 282 hypertensives detected by blood pressure measurement were selected as subjects of the study. The study employed the health belief model as a hypothetical model. The major results of this study were as follows: The proportion of person experienced treatment among hypertensives was 12.0%. Treatment experience rate was significantly related with age and educational level(p<0.01). That is, if they were older, lower educational level, the treatment experience rate was higher. The major reasons of no treatment were 'they had not hypertensive symptoms ' (45.6%), 'their blood pressure was not high so much that they received treatment ' (43.2%). The chief facilities for treatment were public health institutions(57.9%) such as health center and health subcenter, and hospital/ clinics(29.8%). The treatment experience rate was higher when they had higher perceived severity for hypertension, lower perceived barrier to treatment, although statistically not significant. Treatment experience rate was significantly related with cues to action and health education experience(p<0.05). That is, if they had hypertension related symptoms such as headache previously, patients suffered from hypertension complication and health education experience for hypertension, the treatment experience rate was higher. In multiple logistic regression analysis for treatment experience, having a cerebrovascular patient in their acquaintance and the experience of health education for hypertension were significant variables. On consideration of above findings, it would to be essential to provide knowledge about hypertension and its treatment, and severity of hypertension complications through health education.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.518-525
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• 2010

The purpose of the study was to examine health-related behaviors and nutrient intake in relation to job stress level of police officers. Total of 166 police officers working in Jeonbuk area participated in the study. The study was conducted from February to March, 2009. Subjects were given self-administered questionnaire on their general health status, dietary and health-related habits. Nutrient intake was assessed by semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Subjects were divided into four groups (very low, low, high, very high) by their job stress level scores. Main concerns of job stress were from 'job demand', 'organizational system' and 'lack of reward'. More than 95% of the subjects were confident of their health status. Health habits, such as drinking, smoking and exercising, were better than that of average Korean men. There were significant differences in dietary habits in relation to job stress level. Lower job stress group showed lower rate of skipping breakfast (p<0.01), more affordable meal time (p<0.05) and better snacking habits (p<0.001). Sweet food preference was higher in lower job stress group (p<0.05). The average calorie intake was $2063\pm532.7$ (88.5% of EER) and there was no significant difference in nutrient intake among job stress levels. However, mean intake of calcium and vitamin $B_2$ was less than 75% of %DRI in higher job stress group. Therefore, further support in nutritional counseling programs to improve dietary behaviors and health habits and to reduce job concerned stress of the police officers will be necessary.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.129-135
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• 2008

Purpose: The usefulness of serum tumor markers for assessing gastric carcinoma is very limited compared to that for neoplasms in other digestive organs. Many reports have shown that serum tumor markers are closely associated with the prognosis and tumor recurrence in gastric cancer patients. However, little is known about the usefulness of serum tumor markers as a predictor of distant metastasis for gastric carcinoma. Materials and Methods: With excluding the non-specific causes of elevated tumor markers, a total of 788 patients with gastric carcinoma and who were seen at our hospitals between 2004 and 2006 were included in this study. The correlation between the preoperative level of tumor makers and the clinicopathological features was analyzed. Results: CEA was significantly correlated with age, gender and nodal metastasis, but not with the depth of tumor. The CEA level was not correlated with distant metastasis, such as peritoneal or hematogenous metastasis. In contrast, the CA 19-9 level was significantly correlated not only with the depth of tumor and nodal metastasis, but also with peritoneal metastasis. Especially, the patients with over 500% elevation of the CA 19-9 level had a significant risk of peritoneal metastasis. Conclusion: CA 19-9 is useful for predicting peritoneal metastasis in gastric cancer patients. It can be used efficiently in making the diagnostic and the treatment plan, in combination with other diagnostic tools, for gastric cancer patients.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.66 no.5
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• pp.358-364
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• 2009

Background: The appropriate empirical antimicrobial choice in the treatment of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) should be advocated by community-based information on the etiologic pathogens, their susceptibility to antimicrobials, clinical characteristics and outcomes. Jeju is a geographically isolated and identical region in Korea. However, there is no regional reference on adult CAP available. This study investigated the etiologic agents and clinical outcomes of adult patients diagnosed with CAP in Jeju, Korea, to help guide the empirical antimicrobial choice. Methods: A prospective observational study for one year in a referral hospital in Jeju, Korea. Patients diagnosed with CAP were enrolled with their clinical characteristics. Microbiological evaluations to identify the etiologic agents in the adult patients with CAP were performed with blood culture, expectorated sputum smear and culture, antibody tests for mycoplasma, chlamydophila, and antigen tests for legionella and pneumococcus. The clinical outcomes of the initial empirical treatment were analyzed. Results: Two hundred and three patients with mean age of 64 and 79 females were enrolled. Ten microbials from 90 cases (44.3%) were isolated and multiple isolates were confirmed in 30. Among the microbial isolates, S. pneumoniae (36.3%) was the most common, followed by M. pneumoniae (23.0%), C. pneumoniae (17.0%), S. aureus (9.6%) and P. aeruginosa (5.9%). The initial treatment failure (23.8%) was related to the isolation of polymicrobial pathogens, elevated inflammatory markers, and the presence of pleural effusion. Among the 30 isolates of S. pneumoniae, 16 (53.3%) were not susceptible to penicillin, and 19 isolates (63.3%) to erythromycin and clarithromycin. However, 29 isolates (96.7%) were susceptible to levofloxacin and ceftriaxone. Conclusion: S. pneumoniae, M. pneumoniae, S. aureus, and P. aeruginosa are frequent etiologic agents of adult CAP in Jeju, Korea. The clinical characteristics and antibiotic resistance should be considered when determining the initial empirical antimicrobial choice. Respiratory quinolone or ceftriaxone is recommended as an empirical antimicrobiotic in the treatment of adult CAP in Jeju, Korea.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.206-220
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• 2015

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between practice and infectious diseases in elementary, middle and high school students. Methods: In 16 metropolitan cities and province of the Korea, the students who from fourth grade of elementary school to third grade of high school were surveyed by personal interviews and an web-based online survey from 5 to 25 September, 2014. We analyzed data with chi-square test and logistic regression analysis. Results: Common cold, diarrhea, and eye infections were more prevalent among students in higher grade than lower grade. In particular, common cold was more prevalent among girls than boys, using hand sanitizer than washing with soaps, and students who wash the dorsal side of hand than not wash the dorsal side of hand. Conclusions: Higher-grade students showed low status of hand washing practice. Hand washing was determined as the fact which influences to increase the prevention of communicable disease such as common cold. Considering the fact that youth groups have higher risk of being infected due to their group life, schools are recommended to provide adequate educations regarding proper hand washing practice with soap.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.11 no.5
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• pp.389-395
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to examine dental hygiene students' achievement motivation and factors affecting dental hygiene students' achievement motivation by the general characteristics of subjects in this study. The subjects in this study were 450 who were selected by convenience sampling from three different three-year-course colleges. After a survey was conducted, the answer sheets from 421 respondents were analyzed. The collected data were analyzed, which made use of t-test, ANOVA and Kruscal-Wallis test. The findings of the study were as follows. 1. The dental hygiene students investigated got 3.34 in achievement motivation. They got the highest score of 3.78 in the item 'I perform what I have to do with a sense of responsibility.' and they got the lowest score of 2.67 in the item 'I like to do something risky.' 2. Concerning links between their general characteristics and achievement motivation, the students whose academic year was higher(p<0.001) and who had more clinical practice experiences (p<0.01) were better motivated than their counterparts. As to connections between achievement motivation and expected post-graduation length of service, those who replied that they planned to find another job after getting married were better motivated(p<0.05). Regarding relationship between achievement motivation and a will to work abroad, the students who had a stronger will to work abroad were better motivated. 3. As a result of checking the influence of their general characteristics on achievement motivation, stronger motivation was found among the students whose academic year was higher(p<0.01), who intended to work until marriage(p<0.01) and who didn't plan to keep working after marriage(p<0.05) when the other variables were controlled. Therefore dental hygiene students should be taught to look at things positively when they enter college, and they should also be educated to become progressive to keep working for their lifetime instead of just getting a temporary job after graduation.