• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.27 no.2 s.46
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• pp.313-325
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• 1994

A cross-sectional study was conducted in an effort to investigate the effect of air pollution on respiratory symptoms. Two groups of female aged more than 20 living in the unpolluted rural area of Taebul (n=159) and urban area of Taegu (n=140) were selected. The ATS-DLD-78 questionnaire was translated into Korean and administered with minor modification. The proportion of smoker was less than 1% in both area. Exposure to smoking and higher educational level were more frequent in Taegu. Age-adjusted prevalence rates of 'chronic cough', 'chronic sputum', 'wheezing', and 'dyspnea' were higher in Taegu than in Taebul. In particular, the prevalence rate of 'chronic sputum' in Taegu was found to be higher, which was statistically significant. Exposure to smoking and education level were not concerned with all respiratory symptom prevalence rates. In conclusion, this study Indicates that an urban factor is related to the rates of respiratory symptoms in Korea.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.716-729
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• 2008

Objectives : We designed this study to evaluate the effectiveness of Chungin-troche(CIT) preparation as an adjunctive medicine to a herbal extract of Chungsangboha-tanggagambang(CSBH). Methods : A paralled, comparative study of CSBH+CIT and CSBH was conducted on 42 patients of chronic cough who attended Division of Allergy, Immune & Respiratory System, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Oriental Medicine, Kyung Hee University between December, 2007 and June, 2008. The treatment in each group lasted for two weeks. Patients were asked to fill in the Leicester Cough Questionnaire (LCQ) before and after administration of each treatment legimen. Results : 42 patients completed the trial and no adverse effects were reported. Both CSBH +CIT group and CSBH group showed statistical significant improvement in total LCQ score after 2 weeks from baseline. Social domain score and total score in patients taking CSBH+CIT showed a statistical significant increase compared to those scores in CSBH patients. Conclusion : CSBH+CIT compositive preparation and CSBH separate preparation appeared to have some benefits in the treatment of chronic cough. However, additional CIT preparation to CSBH can improve social domain in LCQ of chronic cough patients.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.61 no.2
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• pp.121-128
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• 2006

Background: The "health-related quality of life" (HRQL) for patients with chronic respiratory disease has been emphasized, because chronic respiratory disease (CRD) is chronic and progressive, and it finally causes disability. HRQL instruments may be useful for monitoring patients' progress or for determining the most appropriate choice of treatment. We describe the adapting St George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ), which is a self-administered questionnaire developed by Jones et al. (1991), into the Korean version for covering three domains of health for the patients suffering with airways disease. Method: We obtained the original SGRQ from the author after gaining permission. For adaptation, we created an expert panel and translated the original questionnaire into Korean language. The translated questionnaire was then back-translated by bilingual experts and we compared it with the original questionnaire. After correction and feasibility testing, 74 patients with chronic respiratory disease (COPD, asthma, destroyed lung) completed the Korean version of the SGRQ. The clinical status of each patients was evaluated concurrently with measurement of their health status. Result: The Korean version of the SGRQ was acceptable and easy to understand. Cronbach's alpha reliability coefficient was 0.92 for the overall scale and 0.63 for the "Symptoms", subscale, 0.87 for the "Activity", subscale, and 0.89 for the "Impacts" subscales. The correlation coefficients between the overall score and the Borg scale score, oxygen saturation, and forced expiratory volume in one second ($FEV_1$) were 0.52, -0.32 and -0.26, respectively. These results support that the Korean SGRQ was correlated with other measurements. Conclusion: The Korean SGRQ was reliable and valid for patients with chronic respiratory disease, such as COPD, asthma, and destroyed lung. The SGRQ score was well correlated with other respiratory measurements as well. Although further studies should complete the adaptation work, our results suggest that the SGRQ may be used in Korea and also for international studies involving Korean CRD patients.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.54-66
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• 2000

Background: Pneumoconiosis, like other chronic respiratory diseases, is essentially incurable and, for many, progressive. While improved survival time is an important aim of treatment, there is growing recognition that for some people, improving the quality of life is more important than extending the length of life. Currently the measurement of the quality of life is used to assess the efficacy of therapeutic agents. Methods: Sixty-three pnemoconiotics who were admitted to St. Mary's Hospital between April and August 1999 were interviewed using COOP charts, Chronic Respiratory Questionnaire(CRQ) and Pneumoconiotic Respiratory Questionnaire(PRQ), a newly developed questionnaire concerning clinical and socioeconomic features of pneumoconiotics. Also, ILO classification of the chest film, pulmonary function test, and arterial blood gas analysis of the patients were evaluated. The scores between Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance(IACI) covered and uncovered patients and between clinically stable and unstable patients were compared. Results: Domains of CRQ and PRQ showed a high internal consistency reliability($\alpha$=0.86-0.89, 0.77-0.81) except the dyspnea domain($\alpha$=0.63) of CRQ. The scores on the CRQ and PRQ showed statistically significant correlations with the results of COOP charts, pulmonary function test and arterial blood gas analysis. The dyspnea domain and social activity domain of the PRQ showed significant difference between IACI covered and uncovered patients and between clinically stable and unstable patients. Conclusion : Korean translation of the Chronic Respiratory Questionnaire and the newly developed Pneumoconiotic Respiratory Questionnaire are reliable and valid methods and are likely to be useful in measuring the quality of life in patients with the chronic respiratory disease including pneumoconiosis.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.81 no.3
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• pp.167-174
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• 2018

Despite recent clinical guidelines, the optimal therapeutic strategy for the management of refractory chronic cough is still a challenge. The present systematic review was designed to assess the evidence for efficacy and safety of gabapentin in the treatment of chronic cough. A systematic search of PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library databases, and publications cited in bibliographies was performed. Articles were searched by two reviewers with a priori criteria for study selection. Seven relevant articles were identified, including two randomized controlled trials, one prospective case-series designed with consecutive patients, one retrospective case series of consecutive patients, one retrospective case series with unknown consecutive status, and two case reports comprising six and two patients, respectively. Improvements were detected in cough-specific quality of life (Leicester Cough Questionnaire score) and cough severity (visual analogue scale score) following gabapentin treatment in randomized controlled trials. The results of prospective case-series showed that the rate of overall improvement of cough and sensory neuropathy with gabapentin was 68%. Gabapentin treatment of patients with chronic cough showed superior efficacy and a good safety record compared with placebo or standard medications. Additional randomized and controlled trials are needed.

• The Journal of the Korean dental association
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• v.51 no.9
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• pp.511-517
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• 2013

To assess the association between oral health and general health, this study examined the relationship between chewing difficulty and twelve chronic health conditions such as hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, cerebro- and cardiovascular disease, musculoskeletal disease, respiratory disease, eye/nose/throat disease, stomach/intestinal ulcer, renal dysfunction, thyroid disease, depression, and cancer in Korea. The study population was 3,066 elders aged 65 years old and more from the fourth Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Chewing difficulty was measured on a 5-point Likert scale. Chronic conditions were assessed by self-reported questionnaire. Confounders were age, gender, education, income, smoking, drinking, and obesity. Chi-square test, general linear model, and multiple logistic regression model were done with complex sampling design. Musculoskeletal disease (adjusted odds ratio=1.33), respiratory disease (adjusted odds ratio=1.52), and cancer (adjusted odds ratio=1.58) were independently associated with chewing difficulty. Multiple chronic conditions with more than 4 chronic disease showed significant association with chewing difficulty (adjusted odds ratio=1.37).

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.52 no.6
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• pp.416-426
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• 2019

Objectives: In recent years, transboundary air pollution from mainland East Asia has led to growing concerns about air pollution in Japan. Air pollution is reportedly associated with the exacerbation of respiratory diseases. In this study, we assessed the effects of air pollution on respiratory symptoms and the health status of participants with and without chronic respiratory diseases. Methods: Participants (n=2753) with and without chronic respiratory diseases who visited healthcare facilities in Japan during February from 2010 to 2015 filled out a self-report questionnaire regarding their symptoms and perceived health status. Participants were followed up during April-May and June-July. Results: Oxidant concentrations were associated with respiratory symptoms, overall health, and quality of life (QoL). Suspended particulate matter (SPM) and particulate matter <$2.5{\mu}m$ levels were associated with physical fitness; SPM was also associated with QoL. Recent experience of an Asian sand dust event had a significant effect on allergic symptoms, change in health, and QoL. Conclusions: Respiratory symptoms were more strongly affected by oxidants than by other pollutants. Significant associations of air pollutants were found with a comprehensive range of items related to perceived health status, including overall health and QoL. Although the effects of air pollutants on respiratory symptoms and health status were more apparent among patients with respiratory diseases, the adverse effects of air pollutants were significant even among participants without such conditions.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.22-39
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• 2015

Objectives : The aim of this study was to develop a standard tool of pattern identification for chronic cough, which will be applied to clinical research. Methods : The items and structures of the instrument were based on reviews of textbooks and published literature. The advisor committee on this study consisted of 11 Korean respiratory internal medicine professors, one clinical fellow, and five clinicians with 10 years of experience. The questionnaire, which includes the signs and symptoms of chronic cough, was studied by the delphi method. Delphi examination was carried out via email, through evaluating the importance of symptoms included in each pattern. Results : We divided the pattern identification of chronic cough into five patterns: Wind-Cold, Phlegm-Turbidity, Liver-Fire, Lung Deficiency, and Kidney Yang Deficiency. By the Delphi method and a score evaluation, 38 items were chosen for pattern identification of chronic cough. Conclusions : Through this study, we created a Korean instrument for the pattern identification tool for chronic cough. We expect to apply this tool to subsequent research as its validity and reliability are further confirmed.

• CELLMED
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.12.1-12.6
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• 2017

The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect wool in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The study was conducted experimentally on 53 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease attending the chest diseases polyclinic of a hospital located in Erzurum. A randomized selection method was used to categorize patients into two groups; a treatment (n = 27), and a control group (n = 26). Patients in the treatment group (pre-test measurements were taken) wore wool vests for a period of three months, while patients in the control group wore cotton vests (placebo) for the same duration; post-test measurements were taken for both groups at the end of the three-month period. The Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36, the St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire, and pulmonary function tests were used to collect data. Results concluded that there was a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in the overall score of the St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire, and the symptom, effect, and activity mean scores, while there was a significant increase (p < 0.05) in the SF-36 physical functioning, general health, bodily pain, role physical, vitality, role emotional, social functioning, mental health, physical and mental component summary mean scores of patients in the treatment group. Results of the study concluded that the symptoms, activity, disease effectiveness, and quality of life improved in patients that wore wool vests.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.520-530
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• 2017

Objectives: Gastro-esophageal reflux-induced chronic cough is not easy to diagnose and treat. In this study, three patients diagnosed with this disease were treated with Ojeok-san plus Saengmaek-san. Methods: Three patients with chronic cough, suspected to be gastro-esophageal and reflux-based, were diagnosed according to symptoms and abdominal examinations. They were treated with the herbal medicine, Ojeok-san plus Saengmaek-san. To evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment, a visual analogue scale (VAS) for measuring the severity of a cough and the Korean version of the Leicester Cough Questionnaire (LCQ-K) were used to determine the patients' quality of life. Results: After administration of Ojeok-san plus Saengmaek-san, the severity of the patients' coughing decreased based on VAS scores and quality of life improved based on LCQ-K scores for all patients. Conclusions: Ojeok-san plus Saengmaek-san is a potent therapeutic agent for gastro-esophageal reflux-induced chronic cough.