• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.42-50
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• 2008

Purpose: Undertreatment of canter pain, especially due to the differences in the perception of pain between the patients and caregivers, is a well recognized problem. The purpose of this study were to determine if there exist differences in communication about pain intensity scores between patients and their family caregivers in Korea. Methods: A total of 127 patient-family caregiver dyads who have experienced canter pain participated in this study at a hospital in Seoul for six months. The data were obtained by fare to face interview with a structured questionnaire based on Brief Pain Inventory-Korean version and other previous researches. The clinical information for all patients was compiled by reviewing their medical records. Results: Patients' 'worst-pain for 24-hour' and 'right-now-pain' scores estimated by family caregivers were significantly higher than those by patient themselves. The degree of agreement between patients and family caregivers in the estimate of patients' 'worst-pain for 24-hour' intensity categories was 78.7% for 'severe pain', 40% for 'no pain', 27.5% for 'mild pain' and 22.9% for 'moderate pain'. In case of 'right-now-pain' intensity categories, the agreement was 50% for 'severe pain', 47.2% for mild pain, 46.3% for 'no pain', and 26.3% for 'moderate pain'. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that the degree of agreement between patients and family caregivers in the estimate of patients 'pain intensity categories was less than 50% except for 'severe pain'. The results indicate that Korean family caregivers tend to overestimate the canter pain intensity of their caring patients, especially, when a lancer patient has 'moderate' or 'mild pain'. Health Providers are advised to educate patient-family caregiver dyads to use a pain measurement scale to promote their agreement in pain Intensity stores. Further analyses and studies are needed to identify the factors and differences that influence their communication about pain intensity scores between patients and their family caregivers.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.82-90
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• 1998

This study is attempted to examine Korean teachers’ perceptions of mental health problems in students and their attitudes towards psychiatric consultations through a questionnaire survey. The results of this study are as follows. 1) Teachers thought that 5.3% of their students had mental health problems, 1.9% of students required psychiatric evaluation, and 1.2% of students were referred or recommended psychiatric evaluation by their teachers. 2) The most frequent mental health problems in students discovered by teachers were distractibility and inattention, lack of academic skills, and language difficulties in elementary schools；distractibility and inattention, conduct problems, and lack of academic skills in middle schools；and conduct problems, distractibility and inattention, physical symptoms, and substance abuse in high schools. 3) Teachers thought the mental health problems in students were caused by the family environment, psychological factors, the educational system, and a lack of mental health services. 4) Teachers desired smaller classes, improvement of the school environment, more time, regular mental health education, a special program for students with mental health problems, and the counseling staffs or consultants for the school mental health. 5) Teachers consulted with other teachers, the parents of the students, the counseling teachers, the health care teachers, the counseling institutes, the psychiatric clinics, and the principals in descending order to handle the hard case problems. The frequent reasons for failing in psychiatric consultations were the prejudice of parents against psychiatric services, the teachers’ sense of superiority in dealing with the problems of students, the prejudice of teachers themselves against psychiatric practice, and inaccessible professional consultation. 6) About 20.4% of teachers reported they had proposed psychiatric consultations or had recommended their students to receive psychiatric evaluations.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.224-233
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• 2005

Purpose: This study was conducted to provide basic data for developing an effective strategy for cancer pain management by comparing the levels of barriers to pain management of metastatic or advanced cancer patient and their nurses. Methods: The subject of this study were 155 patients who were treated for metastatic or advanced cancer at one of three hospitals in Seoul from January 2004 to January 2005, and 153 nurses who take care of those patients. The levels of barriers to pain management were measured using a tool developed by Gunnarsdottir et al. (2002), 27 questions on a six point scale. The levels of stresses were measured using a tool modified from a stress response measurement reported by Goh Gyung-bong et al. (2000), 27 questions on a five point scale. The levels of barriers in cancer patients were analyzed using t-test and ANOVA, while the data obtained from patients and nurses were compared by t-test. Results: Higher levels of barriers to pain management were found in three groups: 'less than middle school,' 'not treated with anti-cancer chemotherapy,' and 'ECOG of 2.' The level (2.55) of barriers to pain management in the patient group was higher than that (1.76) of the nurse group. Both of the two groups had high levels of barriers in two variables: 'There is a danger of becoming addicted to pain medicine.' and 'Using pain medicine blocks your ability to know if you have any new pain.' There was not a significant difference in the levels of stresses between the two groups. Conclusion: It was found that, for effective cancer pain management practices, it would be necessary to provide cancer patients and their nurses with education and training about pain management and related barriers.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.103 no.1
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• pp.129-136
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• 2014

This study aims to investigate the effect of frequency of using forest environment on workers' stress. Workers in medical and counseling industry, which is recently known to require heavy emotional burden and thus cause a lot of stress and burnout syndrome, participated in the study. We classified 370 subjects, who were working at medical and counseling service institutions in Seoul metropolitan area, into two groups according to frequency of using forest environment by conducting a screening survey. 69 subjects submitted written consent and were recruited for either forest therapy program or control-group test; the "high" group (n=27) at the high frequency of using forest environment and the "low" group (n=42) at the low level. We measured the level of stress by using psychosocial indicators such as Worker's Stress Response Inventory (WSRI), Recovery Experience Questionnaire (REQ), and Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey (MBI-GS) and biological ones such as heart rate variability (HRV), cortisol, and Natural Killer cell (NK cell). The results suggested that the level of stress differed by frequency. The "high" group showed significantly low scores in the depression and work sub-scale and the total score of WSRI, emotional exhaustion, professional efficacy and total score of MBI-GS, and high scores in the total score of REQ. Similar tendencies were observed in the most of other indicators of psychosocial measures. Regarding the biological indicators, the "high" group showed the highest SDNN, RMSSD and TP measures of HRV and NK Cell activity and the low cortisol, although the statistical power did not reach the significant level. Our results suggest that the subjects who use forest environment frequently show favorable stress level both psychologically and biologically.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.194-203
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• 1999

Purpose: Childhood pancreatitis has more various and somewhat different etiology than adult. Until now the analysis of severity in childhood pancreatitis were not well-known, although several studies have been made. Therefore, we studied the etiology and complications in childhood pancreatitis and analyzed whether Ranson and CT criteria could be applicated to evaluate the severity of childhood pancreatitis patients. Methods: The records of 30 patients with pancreatitis under 15 years of ages who were diagnosed in Asan medical center were reviewed. Age, sex, history, etiology, clinical features and treatment was reviewed in all patients but complications, Ranson and CT criteria were available in only 12 patients. Correlation between the number of complications and both Ranson and CT criteria were calculated with Spearman correlation coefficient. Results: 1. Median age at diagnosis was 7.3 years of age. 28 cases were acute pancreatitis and 2 cases were chronic pancreatitis. 2. Etiology: choledochal cyst(8 cases), drug (7 cases), trauma (4 cases), infection (3 cases), biliary stone or bile sludge (3 cases), idiopathic (2 cases) Hemolytic uremic syndrome, pancreatic duct obstruction, iatrogenic (1 case). 3. Local complications were ascites (5 cases), pseudocyts (4 cases) and systemic complications were hyperglycemia (4 cases), hypocalcemia (3 cases), pleural effusion (3 cases), etc. 4. Positive correlation was found between the number of complication and Ranson creteria (r=0.78, P=0.0016) and between the number of complication and CT criteria (r=0.65, P=0.015) in 13 cases. Conclusion: A trial to search the biliary duct anomaly may help to find the causes of childhood idiopathic pancreatitis, and both Ranson and CT criteria can be applicated to pediatric patients to evaluate the severity of childhood pancreatitis.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.211-217
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• 2009

The purpose of this study is to investigate into company workers' general characteristics and their awareness or oral health examinations. Answer sheets for questionnaire for 267 industrial workers at Changwon city, Korea, were collected and analyzed using SPSS 12.0. Among workers who haven't visited a dental clinic for last one year, 75.6% of them didn't have dental caries. 74.0% of workers who haven't received dental scaling didn't have dental caries. 84.4% of workers who thought of themselves as having good oral health had good oral health and none of them had dental caries. 9.1% of people who had dental caries of 4 or more had bad breath. 73.4% of workers didn't need to treat dental caries, while scaling in 57.7% of them was required. To reform and improve of the system, incremental dental health care system for industrial workers is needed. Oral health education is needed to increase the motivation of industrial workers to control their basic disease.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.81-89
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• 2004

Purpose : Retropharyngeal and parapharyngeal abscesses are often distinguishable from other head and neck abscesses on clinical grounds, but these infections can combine and the presentations are similar to one another. Because of the advances of antibiotic therapy, the frequency of the diseases decreased considerably, but recently the incidence of neck abscesses has increased. We sought to describe the clinical presentation of patients with deep neck abscess, and implications on management. Methods : For 10 year periods, 94 cases of charts were reviewed retrospectively, who were diagnosed as neck abscesses aged below 16 years old(between January 1993 to August 2003) in 4 hospitals. Deep neck abscesses were diagnosed by surgical pus drainage, neck CT (homogenous, hypodense area with ring enhancement) and neck sono findings. Results : The annual incidence of deep neck abscess has been increased since 2000. The median age of the patients was 4 years(range, 26 days~15 years); 63% of the patients were younger than 5 years. Abscesses in the submandibular space(34%) were most common, followed by peritonsillar space(29.7%), retropharyngeal space(11.7%), combined(10.8%), parotid space(7.4%) and parapharyngeal space(6.4%). Fever(73.4%), sore throat(37.2%), decreased oral intake(34%) and neck pain(27.7%) were the most common symptoms. In 6 children(6.4%), there was refusal to move neck, in 6(6.4%) headache, and in 4(4.3%) torticollis. Respiratory distress was observed in only 1 patient(2.1%) and stridor in 1 other(2.1%). The most common physical examinations were neck swelling/mass(67%), pharyngitis(46.8%), tonsillitis(36.2 %), and cervical lymphadenopathy(28.7%). Neck stiffness was observed in 4 patients(4.3%). Total 35 organisms were isolated in 33 patients. The most common organisms cultured by patients' blood or pus were S. aureus(34%) and S. pyogenes(28.6%). Most organisms were gram positive, and had sensitivities in vancomycin(96.4%), cefotaxime(88.9%), cephalothin (86.4%), trimethoprime-sulfamethoxazole(83.3%), and clindamycin(77.8%). 77 patients(81.9%) underwent surgery plus antibiotics; 17 patients(18.1%) were treated with antibiotics only. There is no significant differences between two groups. In duration of admission, fever after admission, and antibiotic treatment. Conclusion : The incidence of deep neck abscess has increased recently and the major symptoms have been changed. The incidence of respiratory distress or stridor is decreasing, while the incidence of abnormal head and neck symptoms and signs like headache, neck stiffness, refusal to move neck, or torticollis are increasing. Gram positive organisms are predominant, S. aureus is the most common followed by S. pyogenes. 1st generation cephalosporin has high sensitivity on gram positive organisms. Treatment with surgery plus antibiotics dose not significantly decrease total duration of antibiotic treatment or admission compared to treatment with antibiotics alone.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.45 no.5
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• pp.1058-1066
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• 1998

Background: Actinomycotic infection is uncommon and primary actinomycosis of the lung and chest wall has been less frequently reported. This disease may present as chronic debilitating illness with radiologic manifestation simulating lung tumor, pulmonary infiltrating lesion, or chronic suppuration. Diagnosis of choice was not definded yet and role of bronchoscopy on diagnosis was not described yet. Methods: From 1989 to 1998, we experienced 17 cases of thoracic actinomycosis. We have reviewed the case notes of 17 patients with thoracic actinomycosis. The mean age at presentation was $53{\pm}13$ years, 11 were male. Results: Cough, hemoptysis, sputum production, chest pain and weight loss were the commonest symptoms. The mean delay between presentation and diagnosis was $6.6{\pm}7.8$ months. There were six patients who presented with a clinical picture of a suppurative lesion and eleven patients were suspected of having primary lung tumor initially. In no cases was made an accurate diagnosis at the time of hospital admission. Associated diseases were emphysema (1 case), bronchiectasis (2 cases) and tuberculosis (2 cases). Bronchoscopic findings were mucosal swelling and stenosis(n=4), mucosal swelling, stenosis and necrotic covering (n=2), mass (n=3), mass and necrotic covering (n=1) and normal(n=6). Radiologic findings were mass lesion(n=8), pneumonitis(n=3), atelectasis(n=3), pleural effusion(n=2), and normal(n=3). Final diagnosis was based on percutaneous needle aspiration and biopsy (n=3), bronchoscopic biopsy specimens (n=9), mediastinoscopic biopsy (n=1) and histologic examination of resected tissue in the remaining patients(n=4) who received surgical excision. Among 17 patients, 13 were treated medically and the other 4 received surgical intervention followed by antibiotic treatment. Regarding the surgically treated patients, suspected malignancy is the most common indication for operation. However. both medically and surgically treated patients achieved good clinical results. Conclusion: Thoracic actinomycosis is rare. but should still be considered in the differential diagnosis of a chrinic, localized pulmonary lesion. Thoracic actinomycosis may co-exist with pulmonary tuberculosis or lung cancer. If the lesion is located in the central of the lung. the bronchoscopy is recommanded for the diagnosis.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.39 no.1 s.258
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• pp.18-27
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• 2006

Background: Anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery (ALCAPA) is a rare congenital anomaly, but is one of the most common causes of myocardial ischemia which would result in high mortality within the first year of life. This is our early result of the surgical management for these patients. Material and Method: From June 1989 to July 2003, 6 patients with ALCAPA and one patient with ARCAPA (Anomalous origin of the Right coronary artery from the pulmonary artery) underwent surgical repair. We have reviewed the all medical records, electrocardiogram, chest X-ray and echocardiography retrospectively. Result: Three of the patients were boys and four were girls. The median age at the operation was 5.4 months (Range: 3$\∼$33 months). The average body weight of at the operation was 6.7 kg (Range: 3.7$\∼$11.3 kg). A mean follow up period was 18 months. Only 3 patients were initially diagnosed as ALCAPA. And 3 patients had moderate mitral regurgitation. Immediate coronary artery reimplantation on diagnosis with the aim of restoring a two-coronary system circulation was done. The average bypass time was 114$\pm$37 minutes, and the average aortic cross clamping time was 55$\pm$22 minutes. The average stay of intensive care unit was 5$\pm$3 days, the mean mechanical ventilator time was 38$\pm$45 hours and the hospital stay after operation was 12$\pm$5 days. There were significant improvements in electrocardiogram and chest X-ray of the all patients except one late death patient. The ventricular function showed almost normal recovery after operation; the EF (Ejection Fraction) increased from 41.2$\pm$ 10.3$\%$ to 60.5$\pm$ 15.8$\%$ within 1 month and to 59.8$\pm$13.9$\%$ within 1 year after operation, the SF (Shortening Fraction) increased from 23.6$\pm$4.7$\%$ to 38.6$\pm$8.4$\%$ within 1 month and to 37.4$\pm$7.9$\%$ within 1 year after operation, LVEDDI (Left Ventricular End-diastolic Dimension Index) decreased from 100.8$\pm$25.6 mm/$m^{2}$ to 90.3$\pm$ 19.2 mm/$m^{2}$ within f month and to 79.3$\pm$ 15.8 mm/$m^{2}$ within 1 year after operation. Concomitant mitral repair was done in two patients with anterior mitral leaflet prolapse. In every patient, mitral valve showed less than mild regurgitation during follow up. One late death occurred in which patient Dor procedure was applied 10 months after initial operation due to the dilated cardiomyopathy Conclusion: In the management of this rare and could be fatal Anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery (ALCAPA), early suspicion and correct diagnosis is of most important. But, after diagnosis, immediate restoration of 2 coronary systems could result in good outcome.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.404-410
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• 2003

Different treatment options are available according to the stage and duration of the empyema. Stage I empyema (exudate stage) is treated concurrently by the administration of appropriate antibiotics and chest tube drainage. Stage III empyema (organized stage) is considered for decortication through an open thoracotomy. However, the treatment of fibrinopurulent, stage II empyema remains controversial. Recently, debridement with the use of Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (VATS) has been proposed for the treatment of stage II empyema. We analyzed and report our initial experience of 5 cases of stage II empyema, treated with the use of VATS. Material and Method: Between June 2001 and February 2002, 5 patients with fibrinopurulent empyema that did not respond to antibiotics, chest tube drainage or Percutaneous Catheter drainage (PCD), and instillation of fibrinolytic agent were treated by debridement and irrigation with the use of VATS. A CT scan was performed in all patients before the operation to confirm the diagnosis of loculated empyema and to detect additional lung parenchymal diseases. Result: All 5 patients underwent successful debridement and irrigation with the use of VATS and the chest tube was inserted properly. And no patients needed conversion to open thoracotomy. The ratio of sex was 4 : 1 (male : female), the mean age was 53 years old (range, 26~73 years), the mean operative time was 73.4 minutes (range, 52~95 minutes), the mean duration of postoperative chest tube placement was 12.4 days (range, 6~19 days), and the mean duration of postoperative hospital stay was 20.8 days (range, 10~36 days). In all patients, clinical symptoms such as pain and fever subsided and simple chest PA view revealed satisfactory lung expansion. No major postoperative complication was observed during the hospital course and no patient suffered from the recurrence of empyema in the follow-up period. Conclusion: We think that early operation with the use of VATS is safe and efficient for stage II empyema which did not respond to medical treatment(antibiotics and chest tube drainage), therefore, it can prevent stage II empyema from advancing to stage III, organized empyema.