• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.217-223
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• 2007

Objective : The apparent increase in the incidence of the intracranial meningiomas in the elderly is due in part to improved diagnostic tools and improved span of life. The authors carried out a retrospect study to validate the use of the Clinical-Radiological Grading System [CRGS] as a clinical tool to orientate surgical decision making in elderly patients and to explore prognostic factors of survival. Methods : From January 1997 to January 2006, the authors consecutively recruited and surgically treated 20 patients older than 65 years of age with radiologic findings of intracranial meningiomas and a preoperative evaluation based on the CRGS. Results : High CRGS score was associated with a higher probability of good outcome [p=0.004] and a lower probability of postoperative complications [p=0.049]. Among the different subset items of the CRGS score, larger maximum tumor diameters [$D{\geqq}4cm$] and the presence of a severe peritumoral edema were associated with incidence rate of postoperative poor outcome and complications [p<0.05]. Additionally, the critical location of the tumor was also correlated with poor outcome [p<0.05]. Conclusion : A CRGS score higher than 13 is a good prognostic indication of survival. The CRGS score is a useful and practical tool for the selection of elderly patients affected by intracranial meningiomas as surgical candidates.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.15-26
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• 2009

Objectives: This paper is intended to illustrate and to discuss the organization and functioning of community resident groups (CRGs) in a community-based participatory health promotion program for healthy aging. Methods: CRGs were convened in 12 government-subsidized apartment communities for low-income seniors in Pennsylvania, U.S.A., to promote healthy aging. Researchers facilitated CRG meetings following a 6-step process of community empowerment and utilizing a social ecological model for assessment and planning. Almost 200 project-related documents were qualitatively analyzed using matrix analysis principles such as cross-classification of multiple dimensions to identify patterns in the data and matrix building for displaying such patterns. Results: CRGs were venues at which apartment building residents could interact, discuss health priorities, and become change agents in their building. CRG members' community health priorities were about their daily living, including building conditions, poor access to fresh food, and unhealthy resident relations. Specific patterns arose in analysis indicating that leadership withing the CRGs, consistency of meetings and participants' attendance, and ability to link health concerns to daily experience impacted the CRGs' capability to identify and accomplish their goals. Conclusion: Community health issues and solutions to those issues identified by CRGs were unique to community contexts and interests. Consistent participation by community members, a consistent pattern of group activities such as monthly meetings, and having established leadership to manage CRG activities were prominent characteristics of community group functioning.