• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.108-117
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• 1997

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the demographic characteristics, alcohol-related characteristics and personality trends in the participants of Alcoholics Anonymous. We compared the 33 participants of Alcoholics Anonymous maintaining abstinence at least over 6 months with 35 hospitalized alcoholic patients who have never attended Alcoholics Anonymous and 32 normal controls. The personality trend was measured by Catell's 16 Personality Factors Questionnaire. -Korean Version. The results were as follows: 1) In the demographic data, the participants of Alcoholics Anonymous were mainly 40's, graduated from high school, married, unemployed, middle class in economic state, first or second sons. 2) In alcohol related characteristics, age of first drinking was mainly distributed from 15 to 19 years-old. The most common psychosocial and environmental problem as precipitating factor of alcohol consumption was the problem with primary supper group and the second one was occupational. Most of them drank everyday, and admitted one time. 3) In the first stratum sources traits, the participants of Alcoholics Anonymous demonstrated significantly higher score than hospitalized alcoholic Patients, but lower than normal control in C-factor(stableness). They demonstrated significantly higher score than hospitalized alcoholic patients and normal controls in O-factor(Guilt-proness) and demonstrated significantly higher score than hospitalized alcoholic patients in Q3-factor(self-control). 4) In the second stratum sources traits, they demonstrated significantly higher score than hospitalized alcoholic patients in EXT-factor(extroversions), and lower score than hospitalized alcoholic patients and normal controls in IND-factor(independence).

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.1068-1075
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• 2017

Objectives: This report describes the case of a patient suffering alcoholic liver disease with lower limb weakness, which was improved by Korean medical treatments. Methods: For relieving symptoms, Korean medical treatments, including acupuncture, moxibustion, and herb medication, were performed. To evaluate the effects of the treatments, a liver function test (LFT), the Hughes grading scale, and weight were used. Results: After treatments for 29 days, symptoms were improved, and the LFT value was decreased. Conclusions: This report suggests that Korean medical treatments may be one solution for alcoholic liver disease.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.88-90
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• 2017

Although Dieulafoy lesion can occur in any part of the gastrointestinal tract, its occurrence in the rectum is rare. Rectal Dieulafoy lesions have been associated with advanced age, renal failure, burns, liver transplantation and cirrhosis. Here, we report on a case of massive bleeding from a rectal Dieulafoy lesion after lung decortication surgery in a 57-year-old male patient with alcoholic cirrhosis. Although rare, a rectal Dieulafoy lesion should be included in the differential diagnosis of massive lower gastrointestinal bleeding in a patient with cirrhosis.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.79-86
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• 2009

Objectives The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical effect of oriental obesity therapy on obese patient with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD). Methods The patient was treated from November 17, 2008 to May 15, 2009 for obesity treatment. And the patient had intensive care through admission treatment from November 17, 2008 to November 29, 2008. Electrolipolysis, auricular acupuncture, herbal medicine, low calorie diet and aerobic exercise were done during the treatment period. Results His body Weight decreased from 102.8kg to 82.7kg. The BMI decreased from 35.2kg/m$^2$ to 28.9kg/m$^2$. NAFLD effectively improved on sonography form grade II${\sim}$III to grade I${\sim}$II after oriental obesity therapy, AST decreased from 65 to 19. ALT decreased from 152 to 18. Oriental obesity therapy could be effective to treat obese patient with NAFLD. Conclusions The obese patient with NAFLD improved on sonography by oriental obesity therapy.

• 대한예방의학회:학술대회논문집
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• 1995.10a
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• pp.127-128
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• 1995

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.186-193
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• 2020

Objectives: This study aimed to report a case that showed improvements in the symptoms of patients with alcoholic hepatitis without any indication of deterioration of the disease. Methods: Western medicine with Urusa tablets and Godex capsules and Korean medicine therapeutic approaches, including Shihogayonggolmoryo-tang, acupuncture, and moxibustion, were administered to a patient during the period of treatment. Blood tests were used to determine levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), AST/ALT ratio, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma glutamyltransferase (GGT), total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, and total cholesterol. Fatigue was measured using the numeric rating scale (NRS), and the patient's total sleeping time was checked, daily. Results: After the combined treatment, the AST/ALT ratio and the AST, ALT, ALP, GGT, total cholesterol, and direct bilirubin levels were decreased. Through Oriental medicine for the purpose of improving symptoms, NRS of fatigue decreased from 10 to 5, and the amount of sleeping time increased from 2 to 5 hours. Conclusions: The herbal medicine had no effect on the hepatoprotective drugs such as Urusa tablets and Godex capsules used to treat alcoholic hepatitis, and no adverse reaction from the combined administration was observed. To reduce fatigue and insomnia in patients with alcoholic hepatitis, it might be helpful to combine Western medications with Korean medicine treatments, including acupuncture, moxibustion, and Shihogayonggolmoryo-tang.

• Korean Journal of Transplantation
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.193-199
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• 2017

Background: Although there more than 1,000 liver transplantations (LTs) are performed in Korea annually, their immense cost remains a great hurdle. Hence, in an attempt to reduce the medical costs of LT, a program was initiated at a public hospital affiliated with the Seoul National University Hospital. Methods: A total of 11 LTs have been successfully executed since the first LT performed at Seoul Metropolitan Government Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center in July 2011 through December 2014. Results: Nine patients (81.8%) were male and two (18.2%) were female. The mean age of patients was 53.4±11.4 years. Hepatitis B virus-related liver disease (n=6, 54.5%) was the most common causative disease, followed by alcoholic liver disease (ALD) (n=4, 36.4%). The actuarial 3-year survival rate was 90.9%. The median total medical cost of LTs was US $41,583 (calculated from operation to discharge), but only $11,860 was actually charged for patients with health insurance coverage. One female patient who had undergone deceased donor LT for alcoholic liver cirrhosis died during follow-up. This patient was non-compliant with the medical instructions after discharge, and finally expired due to septic shock at 10 months post-LT. Conclusions: In the public hospital, LT was successfully performed at a much lower cost. However, LT guidelines and peritransplant management protocols for patients with ALD must be established before escalating LT at public hospitals since ALD with poor compliance is one of the most common causes of complications at public hospitals.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.40 no.6
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• pp.1219-1224
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• 2019

Objective: To investigate the possibility of hepatotoxicity by supplemental foods or folk herbs such as Salvia Plebeia R. Br. Methods: A hospitalized male patient with alcoholic liver disease and electrolyte imbalance had recovered, and then followed by rapid hepatic serum enzymes after taking S. Plebeia. This study monitored the clinical outcome and biochemical parameters. Result: A 58-year male had drunk frequently, which led to alcoholic steatohepatitis and hospitalization. Two weeks after his discharge from hospital, he felt nausea, dizziness, and mild difficulties in speech and walking, resulting in re-hospitalization at the Korean Medical Hospital. The symptoms disappeared on correction of the electrolyte imbalance suspected to have been caused by severe sweating while working in the outdoors, and the patient was discharged. During treatment and monitoring of his health as an outpatient, the serum hepatic enzyme rapidly elevated approximately 10-fold in hepatic enzymes; the enzyme levels fluctuated according to whether or not he was taking the boiled water of S. Plebeia. The RUCAM score was 12, which met the criteria for toxic hepatitis by S. Plebeia. His general condition and abnormal hepatic enzymes recovered with cessation of S. Plebeia and administration of Chungganplus syrup (CGX). Conclusion: This study reports the hepatotoxic risk of Salvia Plebeia, which is commonly used as a folk remedy in Korea.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.207-212
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• 2013

Chronic diarrhea with a 35 kg weight loss (75 kg to 40 kg) occurred during 2 years in an alcoholic patient was diagnosed with Isospora belli infection in the Republic of Korea. The patient, a 70-year old Korean male, had been a heavy drinker for more than 30 years. He was admitted to the Seoul National University Hospital because of long-standing diarrhea and severe weight loss. He had an increased white blood cell (WBC) count with high peripheral blood eosinophilia (36.8-39.9%) and lowered protein and albumin levels but without any evidence of immunosuppression. A parasitic infection was suspected and fecal examination was repeated 3 times with negative results. Peroral endoscopy with mural biopsy was performed in the upper jejunum. The biopsy specimens revealed villous atrophy with loss of villi together with various life cycle stages of I. belli, including trophozoites, schizonts, merozoites, macrogamonts, and microgamonts. The patient was treated successfully with oral doses of trimethoprim 160-320 mg and sulfamethoxazole 800-1,600 mg daily for 4 weeks. A follow-up evaluation at 2.5 years later revealed marked improvement of body weight (68 kg), increased protein and albumin levels, and normal WBC count with low eosinophils (3.1%). This is the first clinical case of isoporiasis with demonstration of various parasitic stages in the Republic of Korea.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.639-647
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• 2009

Objective : This study was case report to show the good effects of herbal medicine (Daekumeum-ja) and acupuncture complex therapy for central pontine myelinolysis (CPM). Method : A 44-year-old man suffering from CPM was chronic alcoholic without electrolyte disturbance. He showed symptoms of dysarthria, dysphagia, dizziness, weakness of lower extremities and gait disturbance. CPM was diagnosed at his former hospital by MR imaging. He had no positive response to western treatments. We treated the patient with herbal extract (Daekumeum-ja) and acupuncture. Results : After our treatments, there was no change of Brain CT. But overall symptoms of CPM were improved. Conclusion : This study suggests that herbal medicine (Daekumeum-ja) and acupuncture complex therapy is probably effective in the treatment of CPM.