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Graves' Disease in Prepubertal Children Compared with Pubertal Children (소아 Graves병의 임상적 고찰 : 사춘기 이전군과 사춘기군의 비교)

  • Kim, Hyun Mi;Yoon, Ju Yun;Jung, Min Ho;Suh, Byung Kyu;Lee, Byung Churl
    • Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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    • v.46 no.1
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    • pp.76-82
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    • 2003
  • Purpose : The aim of this study was to determine whether differences exist in the presentation, clinical course, and outcome of Graves' disease between prepubertal children and adolescents. Methods : A retrospective chart review of 14 prepubertal(PREPUB, $7.2{\pm}0.9yr) and 38 pubertal (PUB, $12.4{\pm}1.5yr$) children with Graves' disease between January 1989 and November 1995 at St. Mary's Hospital and Kangnam St. Mary's Hospital was undertaken. Results : There were no significant differences in $T_3$, $T_4$, TSH between two the groups at diagnosis. The PUB group had significantly higher titers of antimicrosomal antibody(positive dilution factor $11,727.3{\pm}22,888.4$) than did the PREPUB group($2,111.5{\pm}2,285.0$, P<0.001). The PREPUB group had significantly higher titers of TSH-binding inhibitory immunoglobulin(TBII, $62.5{\pm}39.6$) than did the PUB group($44.9{\pm}10.4$, P<0.05) before treatment started. The duration(months) of medical therapy before thyroid function tests were normalized was longer in the PREPUB group than in the PUB group($T_3:6.8{\pm}5.0$ vs. $5.4{\pm}13.2$, $T_4:2.3{\pm}1.9$ vs. $2.1{\pm}2.2$, $TBII:26.7{\pm}24.0$ vs. $20.8{\pm}12.1$), especially that of TSH was significantly longer in the PREPUB group($14.6{\pm}11.0$ vs. $6.8{\pm}7.8$, P< 0.05). Total length of medical therapy was significantly longer in the PREPUB group than the PUB group($52.3{\pm}19.3$ vs. $37.9{\pm}16.3months$, P<0.01). During three years of antithyroid drug therapy, in the PREPUB group, the remission rate was lower and the relapse rate was higher than in the PUB group. Total length of treatment correlated negatively with chronological age(P=0.03). Conclusion : Prepubertal children require longer medical therapy to achieve a remission than do pubertal children. But there is an obvious need for more studies because of the small number of patients and the short duration of the follow-up.

Actual Status of Constipation and Life Factors Affecting Constipation by Diagnosis of Rome in Female University Students in Korea (일부 한국여대생의 로마진단기준에 의한 변비 실태조사 및 변비에 영향을 미치는 생활요인)

  • Jung, Su-Jin;Chae, Soo-Wan;Sohn, Hee-Sook;Kim, Sook-Bae;Rho, Jeong-Ok;Baik, Sang-Ho;Kang, Myung-Hee;Kim, Gun-Hee;Kim, Mi-Hyun;Kim, Hyun-Sook;Park, Eun-Ju;Heo, Young-Ran;Cha, Youn-Soo
    • Journal of Nutrition and Health
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    • v.44 no.5
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    • pp.428-442
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    • 2011
  • This study investigated the actual status of constipation. In total, 978 female students in Korea participated. We identified the relationship among constipation and life style, clothing patterns, housing patterns, dietary habits, and dietary intake in a constipation symptom group and a normal group. The actual constipation rate based on the Rome II criteria was 27.0% (n = 264). Body weight (p < 0.05) and body mass index (p < 0.05) in the constipation group were significantly higher than those in the normal group. The incidence of functional bowel disease and irritable bowel syndrome in the constipation group were significantly higher than those in the normal group. The discomfort of wearing underwear was significantly higher in the constipation group than that in the normal group. The constipation group revealed a significantly higher rate of irregular dietary habits than those in the normal group. The dietary diversity score of the normal group was 4.22 (p < 0.05), which was significantly higher than that of constipation group (4.12). No significant difference in life style factors was observed. It is necessary for university female students to correct their dietary habits, maintain food intake of three times per day, and select diverse foods. Furthermore, it is necessary for university female students to wear comfortable clothing to lessen symptoms and improve constipation rates.

Effects of Market Orientation and Relationship Orientation with Suppliers on Business Performance in Animal Clinic Industry: Moderating Effects of Entrepreneur's Characteristics and Clinic Location (동물병원의 시장지향성과 공급업체와의 관계지향성이 동물병원 성과에 미치는 영향: 경영자의 특성과 동물병원 입지에 따른 조절효과)

  • Yoo, Dong-Keun;Suh, Seung-Won;Lee, Yong-Ki
    • Journal of Global Scholars of Marketing Science
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    • v.18 no.2
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    • pp.189-222
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    • 2008
  • This study developed a model to empirically investigate the effects of market orientation and relationship orientation with suppliers on business performance and examine the moderating effects of entrepreneur's characteristics (working tenure) and clinic's location. The data was collected from 200 animal clinics which belong to Korean Animal Hospital Association (KAHA)'s national conference in April, 2007. Descriptive statistic, factor analysis, reliability analysis, and regression analysis were conducted to analyze the data using SPSS/PC+ 12.0. The findings are as follows. First, the market orientation of animal clinics influences significantly both financial and non-financial performance. When the moderating effect of entrepreneur's working tenure is considered, market orientation has significant effect on animal clinic's financial and non-financial performance. However, when the moderating effect of animal clinic's location is considered, market orientation has not significant effect on animal clinic's financial and non-financial performance. Second, animal clinic's relationship orientation with suppliers mostly affects the financial and non-financial performance significantly. When entrepreneur's working tenure in the clinic is longer (above 4 years group), relationship orientation with suppliers significantly affects both financial and non-financial performance. Meanwhile, when the entrepreneur's working tenure in the clinic is shorter (less than 3 years group), relationship orientation with suppliers doesn't affect clinic's financial performance but affect non-financial performance partially. In other words, when entrepreneur's working tenure is shorter (less than 3 years group), market orientation more influences on clinic's financial and non-financial performance while relationship orientation with suppliers does less. It is thought that their relation with suppliers and relationship orientation activities with suppliers are less strongly established and maintained yet. So, they primarily focus on market orientation strategy when entrepreneur's working tenure is shorter. Third, when animal clinics are located in non-metropolitan area, relationship orientation with suppliers significantly affects financial and non-financial performance. However, when animal clinics are located in metropolitan area, it doesn't affect financial and non-financial performance either. It is thought that animal clinics which are located in non-metropolitan area need stronger relationship with suppliers and need support more from them as most of suppliers actively work in metropolitan area not in the non-metropolitan area and animal clinics in metropolitan area can easily get better market information than animal clinics in non-metropolitan area. Lastly, while the effect of the market orientation significantly influences animal clinic's business performance continuously, the effect of the relationship orientation differently influences business performance as it is moderated by entrepreneur's working tenure and animal clinic's location. So, relationship orientation with suppliers can be selectively applied to improve the clinic's financial and no-financial performance. In summary, both of animal clinic's marketing orientation and animal clinic's relationship orientation with suppliers positively influence their business performance. However, entrepreneur's working tenure and animal clinic location moderate the relationship between market orientation and relationship orientation and their business performance differently. This study is quite meaningful to empirically investigate the effects of both of market orientation and relationship orientation with suppliers on business performance and examine the moderating effects of entrepreneur's characteristics (working tenure) and clinic's location. And, as this kind of study has been very few in the context of animal clinic industry, it helps practically understand the effects of market orientation and relationship orientation with suppliers on the financial and non-financial performance in animal clinic industry. Furthermore, as the market conditions in animal clinic industry have been in difficulty for a few years, this study can help improve animal clinic's financial and non-financial business performance together with their suppliers as business partners. Lastly, this study can help find mid-term and long-term cooperation between animal clinics and their suppliers. This study has some limitations. So, care should be taken when generalizing the results of the study. First, our samples were collected from only the animal clinics industry. However, a comparison of the results presented here with those form other marketing contexts (e.g., general hospitals) would be worthwhile. Future comparative research will enhance the generality of our contingency theory cross industry context. Second, this study found that market orientation and relationship orientation affect business performance. However, there may be other antecedents, such as internal market orientation and relationship orientation with customers. Also, this research did not consider other moderators, such as overall market conditions, competitive situations, and power/conflict between suppliers and buyers in the relationship between market and relationship orientation and business performance.

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Cephalometric Characteristics of TMD Patients based on RDC/TMD Axis I Diagnosis (RDC/TMD Axis I 진단에 따른 측두하악장애 환자의 측두 두부방사선적 특징에 관한 연구)

  • Ahn, Ji-Yeon;Kim, Yong-Woo;Kim, Young-Ku;Lee, Jeong-Yun
    • Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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    • v.36 no.1
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    • pp.39-51
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    • 2011
  • The aims of this study were to investigate whether the facial skeletal patterns previously reported to be related to temporomandibular disorder (TMD) in other studies could be consistently observed in the TMD patients diagnosed according to Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorder (RDC/TMD) Axis I and evaluate its usability in the orthodontic clinics to examine the patients with TMD related symptoms. The clinical records and radiographs of female patients who visited the TMD and Orofacial Pain Clinic of Seoul National University Dental Hospital and were diagnosed as TMD were consecutively filed for this study. Patients were clinically examined and diagnosed according to the revised diagnostic algorithms of RDC/TMD Axis I and the lateral cephalogram, panoramic orthopantomogram, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) orthopantomogram, and transcranial radiograph of each patient were taken and digitalized. The data of patients who were under 18 years of age or had any systemic disease, trauma history involving the TMJ, or skeletal deformity at the time of the first examination were excluded. The remaining data of 96 female patients were finally analyzed. The obtained results were as follows: 1. There are no significant differences of cephalometric measurements between RDC I (muscle disorders) diagnostic groups. 2. Only the articular angle of the RDC group IIc (disk displacement without reduction without limited opening) patients was larger than patients of the no diagnosis of RDC II group (disk displacement). 3. Larger articular angle and smaller facial height ratio were observed in RDC IIIc group (osteoarthrosis) compared to IIIa group (arthralgia). Larger articular angle, larger Bjork sum, smaller posterior facial height, and smaller facial height ratio were observed in RDC group IIIc compared to no diagnosis of RDC III group (arthralgia, arthritis, and arthrosis). 4. According to the results of cephalometric analysis in simplified RDC groups, smaller overjet was observed in muscle disorders (MD) group. Facial height ratio and IMPA were smaller and articular angle was larger in disk displacements (DD) group than in no diagnosis of DD group. In arthrosis (AR) group, posterior facial height, and facial height ratio were smaller, and articular angle, gonial angle, facial convexity, FMA, Bjork sum, and ANB were larger than in no diagnosis of AR group. In joint pain (JP) group, only posterior facial height was smaller than no diagnosis of JP group. In conclusion, Facial morphologic patterns showing posterior-rotated mandible and lower posterior facial height is related to RDC group II and III diagnosis of the TMJ in female TMD patients. RDC/TMD Axis I diagnosis can provide a good clinical diagnostic tool for the standardized examination of the TMJ in orthodontic clinics.

Recognition and attitude to functional division between physicians and pharmacists of practising physicians and pharmacists in Taegu city (대구시 개원의사와 개국약사의 의약분업에 대한 인식과 태도)

  • Lee, Moo-Sik;Yoon, Nung-Ki;Suh, Suk-Kwon;Park, Jae-Yong
    • Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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    • v.26 no.1 s.41
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    • pp.1-19
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    • 1993
  • Mail questionnaire was administrated to 370 practising physicians and 388 pharmacists in Taegu city selected by systematic sampling to examine utilization states and opinion of pharmacy under medical care insurance programme and the attitude to the functional division between physicians and pharmacists from April to May 1992. Regarding the opinion on the outcome of drug-store under medical insurance, 71.2 percent of practicing physician answered faliure but 13.4 percent of practicing pharmacists answered failure in contrast. Fifty percent of practicing physician asserted introducing functional division between physician and pharmacist while 66.9 percent of practicing pharmacist answered drug-store under medical insurance itself is sucessful programme. Average daily numbers of preparation of medicine was 32.2 case. Percentage of utilization of drug-store under medical issurance to average daily cases of preparing of medicine was 20 percent, percentage of utilization with physician's prescription was 0.7 percent. And 58.7 percent of practicing physician experienced outside the institute prescription. Regarding the opinion on the pros and cons of enforcing functional division between physician and pharmacist, 59.2 percent of practicing physician prefered pros and 17.7 percent cons, but 38 percent of practicing pharmacist prefered pros and 45.5 percent cons. And pharmacist knew better the content of functional division between physician and pharmacist than physician. As a reason for pros of enforcing functional division between physician and pharmacist, practicing physician emphasized to prevent misuse or abuse of medicine but practicing pharmacist emphasized to display physician and pharmacist's professional ability. And as an opinion on implementation style of functional division between physician and pharmacist in pros respondents, practicing physician favored mandatory enforcement (52.3%), while practicing pharmacist favored partial incomplete functional division (81.7%). As the method of prescription if functional division between physician and pharmacist will be enforced, both practicing physician and pharmacist prefered generic name (44.0%, 89%) mostly, but physician prefered brand name (35.3%) secondly. Regarding the reason for not implementing functional division between physician and pharmacist up to date, both physician and pharmacist answered problem of business right between physician and pharmacist, followed by lack of recognition, and interest of people and lack of the govermental willness. Regarding the opinion on prior decision of condition for enforcing functional division between physician and pharmacist, practicing physician and pharmacist named uneven distribution of medical facilities and drug-store between rural and urban, inequality of physician and pharmacist manpower and the problem of manpower demand and supply mostly, and practicing physician pointed out establishing attitude of acceptance on the part of pharmacist and practicing pharmacist favored establishing attitude of acceptance on the part of physician, which was different attitudes between physician and pharmacist. Following conclusion was reached ; 1. Current drug-store under medical insurance program yield insufficient outcome, so we should consider program conversion from drug-store under medical insurance program to functional division between physician and pharmacist. 2. There were problem of business right and conflicts between physician and pharmacist at enforcing functional division between physician and pharmacist, so the goverment should search for formulating plan to resolve the problem and have neutral willness for the protection of the national health.

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The Effects of Cattle Slurry Application and Mixed Sowing with legumes on Productivity and Feed Values of Barley and Rye (액상우분뇨와 콩과식물 혼파재배가 보리, 호밀의 생산성과 사료가치에 미치는 영향)

  • Jo, IK-Hwan
    • Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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    • v.17 no.3
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    • pp.371-380
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    • 2009
  • This study was conducted to assess effects of supplying different types of nitrogen sources as fertilizers on productivity and feed values of barley and rye as winter forage crops, and ultimately done to get good quality of organic forages with higher fertilization of soil. For barley, N+P+K plots were significantly (P<0.05) higher in annual dry matter (DM) and total digestible nutrients (TDN) yields than other plots. However, cattle manure plots had significantly (P<0.05) higher annual DM and TDN than P+K and non-fertilizer plots. Plots of 50%-cattle manure and mixed sowing with hairy vetch or forage pea were higher than only 50%-cattle manure plot, particularly, these were significantly higher than non-fertilizer, and their crude protein (CP) yields were much higher than other plots. Crude protein contents were significantly higher in N+P+K and 50%-cattle manure slurry plots than non-fertilizer and P+K plots, and plots of mixed sowing with hairy vetch or forage pea in application of 50%-cattle manure had higher CP content than other plots. ADF content was lowest in 50%-cattle manure+forage pea plots, but highest in 100%-cattle manure plots. NDF content was lowest in legumes-mixed sowing, but highest in 100%-cattle manure plots. TDN content was the highest in forage pea plots, and plots of 50%-cattle manure and legumes-mixed sowing had high RFV, but cattle manure plots rich in ADF and NDF content had the lowest TDN and RFV. For rye, plots of 50%-cattle manure+hairy vetch mixed sowing, and N+P+K application had significantly higher annual DM, CP and TDN than other plots except for cattle manure. DM productive efficiency to nitrogen fertilization was markedly higher for cattle manure plots than for chemical fertilizer. This tendency was more conspicuous in plots of 50% cattle manure+legumes-mixed sowing. CP content was higher for N+P+K plot than for all plots, and plots of 50%-cattle manure + legumes-mixed sowing were significantly higher than other plots. On the contrary, forage pea-mixed sowing plot had the lowest ADF and NDF, but TDN and RFV were significantly (P<0.05) higher than other plots. Grass crop cultivation together with legumes by applying livestock manure to soil may lead to higher palatability of livestock, and better quality of forage. Furthermore, cattle manure application increased production yield per ha and CP contents. Thus, when applying forage crops produced by cattle manure application and mixed sowing to organic livestock production, it was conceived that forages produced might become a substitute for foreign organic grain as protein sources.

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Estimation of Availability of Whole Crop Barley and Rye Silage TMR in the Cattle (청보리 및 호밀 Silage를 이용한 거세한우 비육중기용 TMR의 소 체내 이용성 조사)

  • Qin, Wei-Ze;Jin, Guang Lin;Kim, Jong-Kyu;Oh, Young-Kyoon;Lee, Sang-Cheol;Song, Man-Kang
    • Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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    • v.30 no.4
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    • pp.343-354
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    • 2010
  • The present study was conducted to examine the fermentation characteristics and effective degradability (ED) in the rumen, and whole tract digestibility of whole crop silage based TMR in comparison with conventional separate feeding of concentrate and roughage. Three ruminally fistulated non-lactating Holstein cattle were used in a 3 $\times$ 3 Latin square design. The cattle were fed 8kg of whole crop barley silage based TMR (BS-TMR) or 8kg (DM basis) of whole crop rye silage based TMR (RS-TMR) twice (08:00 and 18:00) daily in an equal amount. The cattle were also fed concentrate (5.6kg) and rice straw (1.4kg) seperately (DM basis, Control) twice daily in an equal amount. The both silages were included in TMR at 20% level (as fed basis). pH in the rumen fluid was not influenced by the diets but was slightly higher from TMR than from control. No difference was found in ammonia-N concentration between diets. Total VFA concentration was relatively increased in the cattle fed RS-TMR to the other diets up to 6h post feeding. The proportion of acetate was increased in the TMR feeding at right before feeding (0 h, p<0.005) and 9 h (p<0.048) post feeding compared with control. Propionate proportion was increased (p<0.046) in both TMRs while butyrate proportion was increased (p<0.029) at 1h post feeding compared to other diets. Effective degradability (ED) of DM and CP of RS-TMR was relatively increased to other diets, and EDNDF of both TMRs was higher than that of control diet due to the increased parameters b (p<0.039) and c (p<0.006) in TMR treatments. Whole track digestibility of most components in the TMRs was slightly increased compared to that in control diet, and RS-TMR had a tendency to be increased whole track digestibility except for NDF compared to BS-TMR. Based on the results observed from the present study, nutrient availability of whole crop silage based TMR looked slightly better than conventional separate feeding of concentrate and rice straw, mainly due to the improved stabilization of fermentation in the rumen and increased NDF digestibility of whole crop silage in TMR.

Clinical Analysis of Influenza in Children and Rapid Antigen Detection Test on First Half of the Year 2004 in Busan (2004 상반기 부산 지역에서 유행한 인플루엔자의 임상 역학적 분석 및 인플루엔자 진단에 있어서의 신속 항원 검사법)

  • Choi, So Young;Lee, Na Young;Kim, Sung Mi;Kim, Gil Heun;Jung, Jin Hwa;Choi, Im Jung;Cho, Kyung Soon
    • Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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    • v.11 no.2
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    • pp.158-169
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    • 2004
  • Purpose : Although influenza is one of the most important cause of acute respiratory tract infections in children, virus isolation is not popular and there are only a few clinical studies on influenza and diagnostic methods. We evaluated the epidemiological and clinical features of influenza in children and rapid antigen detection test(QuickVue influenza test) on fist half of the year 2004 in Busan. Methods : From January 2004 to June 2004, throat swab and nasal secretion were obtained and cultured for the isolation of influenza virus and tested by rapid antigen detection test(QuickVue influenza test) in children with suspected influenza infections. The medical records of patients with influenza virus infection were reviewed retrospectively. Results : Influenza viruses were isolated in 79(17.2%) out of 621 patients examined. Influenza virus was isolated mainly from March to April 2004. The ratio of male and female with influenza virus infection was 1.2 : 1 with median age of 4 years 6month. The most common clinical diagnosis of influenza virus infection was bronchitis. There was no difference between influenza A and B infection in clinical diagnosis and symptoms. All patients recovered without severe complication. The sensitivity obtained for rapid antigen detection test (QuickVue influenza test) was 93.6% and the specificity was 80.2%, the positive predictive value 40.8%, the negative predictive value 98.8%. Conclusion : With rapid antigen detection test, it is possible early detection of influenza in children. reduction in use of antimicrobial agent and early use of antiviral agent.

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A Comparative Study on the Pattern of Outpatient Department Utilization at a Tertiary Level Hospital before and after Implementation of the Patient Referral System (의료전달체계 실시 전후의 3차 진료기관 외래환자 이용양상 비교)

  • Lee, Kyeong-Soo;Kim, Chang-Yoon;Kang, Pock-Soo
    • Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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    • v.25 no.1 s.37
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    • pp.88-100
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    • 1992
  • This study was conducted to assess the effects of implementation of the patient referral system started July 1st, 1989. A comparison on the pattern of outpatient services of the Departments of Internal Medicine, General Surgery, and Pediatrics at the Yeungnam University Hospital was conducted for each one year period before and after implementation of the patient referral system. The pre-implementation period was from July 1, 1988 to June 30, 1989 and the post-implementation period was from July 1, 1989 to June 30, 1990. The information used for this study was obtained from official forms, prepared by the Yeungnam University Hospital, and submitted to the Korean Medical Insurance Cooperatives. After implementation of the patient referral system, the number of outpatient cases in the Department of Internal Medicine decreased 36.1% from 9,669 cases to 6,181 cases a year. Cases in the Department of General Surgery decreased 23.7% from 1,864 cases to 1,422 cases a year. The number of cases in the Department of Pediatrics decreased 36.9% from 3,372 cases to 2,128 cases a year. After implementation of the patient referral system, the average age of cases in the Departments of Internal Medicine and General Surgery was 52.5 and 49.7 years old, respectively. This was a significant increase in comparison with the pre-implementation period. After implementation of patient referral system, the proportion of new outpatients in the Department of Internal Medicine decreased from 24.1% to 14.6%, the Department of General Surgery from 36.0% to 23.4%, and the Department of Pediatrics from 15.5% to 8.3%. The number of visits per case decreased significantly in the Department of Internal Medicine(from 1.74 to 1.61), but there was no significant change in the Departments of General Surgery and Pediatrics. The length of treatment per case increased significantly in all three departments(from 16.1 days to 19.3 days in the Department of Internal Medicine, from 12.0 days to 15.2 days in the Department General Surgery, and 8.9 days to 11.2 days in the Department of Pediatrics). The number of clinical tests per case increased significantly in the Department of Internal Medicine (from 2.2 to 2.5), in the Department of Pediatrics(from 0.8 to 1.1) and increased in the Department of General Surgery(from 6.4 to 6.6). The average medical cost per case decreased from 43,900 Won to 42,500 Won in the Department of Internal Medicine, while the cost increased from 75,900 Won to 78,500 Won in the Department of General Surgery and from 12,700 Won to 13,500 Won in the Department of Pediatrics. In case-mix, the chronic degenerative disease(i. e. hypertension, diabetes mellitus, angina pectoris, malignant neoplasm, and pulmonary tuberculosis) ranked higher and acute infectious diseases and simple cases(i. e. gastritis and duodenitis, haemorrhoids, anal fissure, carbuncle, acute URI, and bronchitis) ranked lower after implementation of the patient referral system compared to before implementation.

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Helicobacter pylori Infection in Children with Recurrent Abdominal Pain (소아에서 만성 반복성 복통(Recurrent Abdominal Pain)과 Helicobacter pylori 감염과의 연관성에 대한 연구)

  • Na, So Young;Seo, Jeong Kee
    • Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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    • v.8 no.1
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    • pp.1-11
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    • 2005
  • Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between H. pylori infection and recurrent abdominal pain (RAP) in children and to evaluate the effects of eradication therapy on RAP. Methods: From January 1998 to January 2005, 166 children with RAP (61 male, 105 female) aged $10.0{\pm}3.3$ years were included. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopies were performed for all the patients. All H. pylori infected children (n=70) received the eradication therapy and were divided into two groups: Group Ia (n=52); eradicated, Group Ib (n=18); non-eradicated. H. pylori-negative children (n=96) were divided into three groups according to the medication: Group IIa (n=67); no medication, Group IIb (n=13); acid-suppressant, Group IIc (n=16); both acid-suppressant and antibiotics. Questionnaire for symptoms were asked at the first, 6th, 12th, 24th, and 36th months following the treatment (grade 0; completely resolved, grade 1; definitely improved, but there are occasional episodes of mild abdominal pain, grade 2; no change in the frequency and intensity of abdominal pain). Results: In about 90% of H. pylori positive children, RAP improved in the both H. pylori-eradicated and non-eradicated children in a follow-up survey. In about 75% of H. pylori-negative children, RAP also improved among in the three groups of patients regardless of medication. Conclusion: These results suggest that there was no correlations between improvement of RAP and eradication of H. pylori, and between improvement of RAP and medication. Consequently the reassurance that the children with RAP have no serious organic cause was important to improvement of RAP.

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