• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.14-22
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• 1998

Purpose : Cancer is a common cause for admission to emergency room(ER). Cancer patient present to ER with undiagnosed cancer, acute vague problem of cancer, or treatment related complication. But there is little information on the magnitute of the problems in the Korea. The purposes of our study were to evaluate the appropriateness of care for oncologic emergencies in Korea. Materials and Methods : This study was undertaken of all cancer patients above 15 years old presenting to the Seoul National University Hospital ER, who visited during the period from Oct. 16 to Nov. 15, 1997. ER record was reviewed and ER doctors evaluated patients' reason for visiting ER, appropriateness in patients' utilization of ER, oncology emergency Results : 266 cancer patients(17.4% of total patients) visited ER during this period and 166 cancer patients(62.4%) utilized inappropriately ER. Their average stay is 32.0 hours and 65.8% of them stayed for 6 hours. There were complaints of patients such as pain(44.8%), abdomen distension(9.4%), and dyspnea(7.5%). The most common oncologic emergency in ER during this study were gastrointestinal(34.0%), neurologic(21%), hematologic(8.0%), infectious(7.0%), respiratory(6.0%), and genitourinary(5.0%). Conclusion : For the care of symptoms like pain, most of cancer patients utilize ER inappropriately due to lack of attention from primary health delivery system. For the better care, the palliative medicine should be established in Korea.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.510-537
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• 1995

Human health is an integral part of experience in the process of Human Becoming. Through continual interaction with the environment human beings freely choose experience and develop as responsible beings. The process of the health experience of patient with terminal cancer is a unique. he objective of this study is to understand the lived experience of patients with terminal cancer in order to provide basic information for nursing care in the clinical setting and to develop a theoretical background for clinical practice. This study is to de-scribe and define the lived experience of patients with terminal cancer in order to provide a foundation for nursing research and education. Data collection has been done between December 1993 and November 1994. The subjects included five persons -four females and one male : one who was in her sixties, one in his fifties, two in their forties, and one who was in her thirties. The researcher has met with these patients 35 times, but at eight times the patient was in a stuporous condition and not able to participate, so these were not included in the data analysis. Parse's "Human Becoming Methodology", an existential phenomenological research methodology is used for this study. Data has been collected using he dialogical engagement process of "I and You", the participant researcher and the participant subject. Dialogical engagement was discontinued when the data was theoretically saturated. Data was analyzed using the extraction - synthesis and heuristic interpretation. The criteria of Guba and Lincoln(1985). and Sandelo wski(1986) : credibility, auditability, fitness and objectivity were used to test the validity and reliability of the data. The following is a description of the structure of the lived experience of patients with terminal cancer as defined by this study : 1. Structure : 1) Suffering through the reminiscence of past experience 2) The appearance of complex emotions related to life and connectedness 3) The increasing importance of significant people and of the Absolute Being 4) The increasing realization of the importance of health and belief 5) Desire for a return to health and a peaceful life or for acceptance of dying and a comfortable death In summary the structure of the lived experience of these patients can be said to be : suffering comes through reminiscence of past experience, and there are complex emotions related to life and connectedness. Significant people and the Absolute Being become increasingly important along with a realization of the importance of health and faith. And finally there is a desire for either a return to health and a peaceful life or for the acceptance of dying and a comfortable death. 2. Heuristic Interpretation : Using Parse's Human Becoming Methodology, the structure of the lived experience of patients with terminal cancer identified in this research is interpreted as. The lived experience of patients with terminal cancer involves the solving of past conflicts, and the experience of the healing and valuing of sorrow and pain. Through the relation of life and health, and the complex emotions that arise, the lived experience of revealing - concealing is of paradoxical emotions. The increasing importance of significant others and of the Absolute Being shows Connecting and Separating an on- going process of nearness and farness. Revision of thoughts about health and faith is interpreted as transforming and desire for restoration to health and a peaceful life or acceptance of dying and a cowfortable death, as powering. In summary, it is possible to see, in the lived experience of patients with terminal cancer, the relationship of the five concepts of Parse's theory : valuing, revealing -concealing, connecting-separating, transforming, and powering. From Parse's theory, the results of this study show that meaning is related to valuing, rhythmicity to revealing-concealing and connect-ing-separating, and cotranscendence to transforming and powering.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.95-106
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• 2017

Objectives : Although interest in preventive medicine has increased recently, "Mibyeong", the preventive concept of Korean medicine, is still unfamiliar to the general public. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the concept of Mibyeong and users used on the Internet. Methods : Naver (www.naver.com), which has the highest ranking in terms of market share, number of visitors, search time share, and community category share, has been selected as a search target and jisik-iN Q&A and posts of cafe about Mibyeong were searched for recently approximately 6 years. Results : 105 cases of Jisik-iN Q&A and 283 cases of cafe posts were searched. Overall, the number of Jisik-iN Q&A and cafe posts's Mibyeong term usage was the highest in 2013. In the Internet user category, Mibyeong Term was used most commonly in the Jisik-iN Q&A by Korean medicine related medical personnel (29 cases, 28%) and in the cafe other health-related workers (87cases, 31%). In Mibyeong related cafe classification, Information Exchange (220 cases, 77%) was the most frequent and besides 39 cases (14%) used in Operation of Medical Institutions. And the concept of Mibyeong was often used as symptom-based rather than diagnostic test or disease (Cafe posts 52%, Jisik-iN Q&A 70%), in particular, topic of Mibyeong related Jisik-iN Q&A was used in the order of pain (31 cases, 16%), cancer (17 cases, 9%), fatigue (11 cases, 6%). Conclusions : This study has significance as basic research data of general Internet user group and can be used as fundamental data for awareness promotion, publicity and necessity of Mibyeong.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.139-144
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• 2013

Advanced cancer patients tend to present multiple concurrent symptoms which are often moderate or severe in intensity. To date, the majority of studies have focused on either a single symptom, such as pain, fatigue, or depression or associated symptoms. While this approach has advanced understanding of some symptoms, it has offered clinicians not much guidance for treating several multiple concurrent symptoms in cancer patients. So in recent years, a few symptom management studies attempted a new approach of focusing on symptom clusters instead of individual symptoms. A symptom cluster is defined as two or more concurrent symptoms that are related to each other. If we better understand symptom clusters, interrelations of symptoms, and their common mechanisms in advanced cancer patients, clinicians can more effectively control multiple, concurrent symptoms and reduce drug side effects. And clinicians can also predict any other symptoms, functional performance, and the relationship between symptom clusters and survival in advanced cancer patients. At present, there is inconsistency in symptom clusters due to many unexplained mechanisms and various means to assess and analyze symptoms. Still, with further study, the approach to symptom clusters rather than individual symptoms could more effectively control symptoms and improve patients' quality of life.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.18
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• pp.8101-8105
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• 2016

Background: This study examined the psychometric properties of the Bahasa Malaysia (BM) version of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Colorectal Cancer-specific Quality Of Life Questionnaire (QLQ-CR29). Materials and Methods: We studied 93 patients recruited from University Malaya and Universiti Kebangsaan Medical Centers, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia using a self-administered method. Tools included QLQ-C30, QLQ-CR29 and Karnofsky Performance Scales (KPS). Statistical analyses included Cronbach's alpha, test-retest correlations, multi-traits scaling and known-groups comparisons. A p vaue ${\leq}0.05$ was considered significant. Results: The internal consistency coefficients for body image, urinary frequency, blood and mucus and stool frequency scales were acceptable (Cronbach's alpha ${\alpha}{\geq}0.65$). However, the coefficients were low for the blood and mucus and stool frequency scales in patients with a stoma bag (${\alpha}=0.46$). Test-retest correlation coefficients were moderate to high (range: r = 0.51 to 1.00) for most of the scales except anxiety, urinary frequency, buttock pain, hair loss, stoma care related problems, and dyspareunia (r ${\leq}0.49$). Convergent and discriminant validities were achieved in all scales. Patients with a stoma reported significantly higher symptoms of blood and mucus in the stool, flatulence, faecal incontinence, sore skin, and embarrassment due to the frequent need to change the stoma bag (p < 0.05) compared to patients without stoma. None of the scales distinguished between patients based on the KPS scores. There were no overlaps between scales in the QLQ-C30 and QLQ-CR29 (r < 0.40). Conclusions: the BM version of the QLQ-CR29 indicated acceptable psychometric properties in most of the scales similar to original validation study. This questionnaire could be used to complement the QLQ-C30 in assessing HRQOL among BM speaking population with colorectal cancer.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.57-65
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• 2014

Purpose: Since most terminally ill cancer patients die of multiple organ failure, plasma endotoxin concentration levels may be used to predict the life expectancy. This study was performed to evaluate the clinical significance of endotoxin level in plasma as a prognostic factor for survival in patients with terminal cancer. Methods: This study was conducted with 56 terminally ill cancer patients, above 20 years old, from April 2009 through October 2009. Demographic characteristics, Karnofsky performance status, and survival time were evaluated. We analyzed blood levels of white blood cell hemoglobin, hematocrit, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, c-reactive protein, total bilirubin and endotoxin in each patient. Results: We considered following variable for univariate analysis: plasma endotoxin level, sex, age, WBC, hemoglobin, hematocrit, AST, ALT, total bilirubin, CRP and severity of pain. Univariate analysis did not show a significant association between plasma endotoxin level and survival time. However, in a multivariate analysis with factors that were found to be significantly associated with survival sex, WBC count and total bilirubin level in univariate analysis, high levels of plasma endotoxin and short survival time were significantly related. Conclusion: Plasma endotoxin level could be used as a prognostic factor to predict the life expectancy of terminally ill cancer patients.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.sup3
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• pp.81-85
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• 2016

Globally, the burden of breast cancer (BC) continues to increase. BC related lymphedema (BCRL) is currently non curable and as a life time risk it affects at least 25% of BC patients. Knowing more about BCRL and appropriate control of its modifiable risk factors can improve quality of life (QOL) of the affected patients. In this case control study to detect factors, 400 women with BCRL (as the case group) and 283 patients with BC without lymphedema (as the control group) that were referred to Shiraz University of Medical Sciences affiliated BC clinic center were assessed. The data were analyzed in SPSS. The mean age of the case group was $52.3{\pm}11.0years$ and of the control group was $50.1{\pm}10.9years$. In patients with BCRL, 203(50.7%) had left (Lt) side BC and in non- lymphedema group 151 (53.3%) had Lt side BC. Out of all BCRL patients, 204 (51%) had lymphedema in all parts of their affected upper extremities, 100 (25%) had swelling in the arm and forearm and 23 (5.7%) had edema in both the upper extremity and trunk. Edema, heaviness, concern about changing body image, pain and paresthesia were the most common signs/symptoms among patients with BCRL. In BCRL patients, the difference of circumference between the affected upper limb and non-affected limb was $4.4{\pm}2.5cm$ and the difference in volume displacement was $528.7{\pm}374.4milliliters$. Multiple variable analysis showed that moderate to severe activity (OR; odds ratio =14, 95% CI :2.6-73.3), invasiveness of BC (OR =13.7, 95% CI :7.3-25.6), modified radical mastectomy (OR=4.3, 95% CI :2.3-7.9), BMI =>25 (OR=4.2, 95% CI :2-8.7), radiotherapy (OR=3.9, 95% CI :1.8-8.2), past history of limb damage (OR=1.7, 95% CI :0.9-3.1) and the number of excised lymph nodes (OR=1.06, 95% CI :1.02-1.09) were the significant predictors of lymphedema in women with BC. Modifiable risk factors of BCRL such as non-guided moderate to severe physical activity, high BMI and trauma to the limb should be controlled as early as possible in BC patients to prevent development of BCRL and improve QOL of these patients.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.241-246
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• 2008

Lichen planus is a common, chronic inflammatory disease of the skin and mucous membrane for which no precise causes have been confirmed. But it is often connected with infections. Helicobacter pylori(H. pylori) among various bacteria has been associated with the cause of gastritis, peptic ulcer and gastric cancer. Considering the similarities of histological features between gastric ulcer and oral ulcers, it is resonable to assume that H. pylori might also be involved in the development oral mucosal ulceration. So we employed this study to investigate the possible involvement of H. pylori in the aetiology of erosive oral lichen planus. We analyzed detection rate of H. pylori in saliva of patients with erosive oral lichen planus by nested PCR. As a result, it revealed a significant difference statistically by showing positivity in 16 to 21(76.2%) saliva samples of patients group and in 11 of 44(25%) saliva samples of control group(P>0.001). We were able to suppose that H. pylori in saliva can be related to cause of erosive oral lichen planus.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.56 no.5
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• pp.353-358
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• 2023

Background: Malignant pleural effusion affects many patients with advanced cancer. When chemotherapy or radiotherapy fails to relieve malignant pleural effusion and related symptoms, drainage and pleurodesis can help. Although surgical talc pleurodesis is the most widely used method, Viscum album, which has been recently used in surgical or bedside procedures, has demonstrated significant results and is as effective as talc. This study aimed to determine the most effective agent and procedure. Methods: Between January 2015 and July 2022, chemical pleurodesis was performed in 137 patients with malignant pleural effusion, using a V. album surgical procedure in 48, a V. album bedside procedure in 55, and a talc surgical procedure in 34 patients. We reviewed patients' clinical responses and disease progression after chemical pleurodesis. Results: The success rate was not significantly different among the V. album surgical procedures (91.7%), V. album bedside procedures (83.6%), and talc surgical procedures (91.2%). However, the total drainage amount and tube insertion duration in both Viscum groups were more effective than those in the talc group. Furthermore, the bedside Viscum group showed significantly lower post-pleurodesis pain scores than the other 2 groups. Conclusion: According to our results, talc and V. album can be considered ideal agents for chemical pleurodesis. However, Viscum pleurodesis showed safer outcomes in terms of ensuring quality of life than talc. Additionally, the bedside Viscum group showed significantly lower pain scores than the other groups. Hence, patients for whom surgical procedures are inappropriate can undergo bedside Viscum pleurodesis without diminishing the therapeutic effect.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.39 no.5
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• pp.683-692
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• 2009

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify cancer-related symptom clusters and to validate the conceptual meanings of the revealed symptom clusters in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Methods: This study was a cross-sectional survey and methodological study. Patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (N=194) were recruited from a medical center in Seoul. The 20-item Symptom Checklist was used to assess patients' symptom severity. Selected symptoms were factored using principal-axis factoring with varimax rotation. To validate the revealed symptom clusters, the statistical differences were analyzed by status of patients' performance status, Child-Pugh classification, and mood state among symptom clusters. Results: Fatigue was the most prevalent symptom (97.4%), followed by lack of energy and stomach discomfort. Patients' symptom severity ratings fit a four-factor solution that explained 61.04% of the variance. These four factors were named pain-appetite cluster, fatigue cluster, itching-constipation cluster, and gastrointestinal cluster. The revealed symptom clusters were significantly different for patient performance status (ECOG-PSR), Child-Pugh class, anxiety, and depression. Conclusion: Knowing these symptom clusters may help nurses to understand reasonable mechanisms for the aggregation of symptoms. Efficient symptom management of disease-related and treatment-related symptoms is critical in promoting physical and emotional status in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.