• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제23권3호
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• pp.345-357
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• 1990

Accumulated data on medical care utilization among the insured in Korea Medical Insurance Corporation can explain the health status of the population. The purpose of this study was to analyze a change of the disease-mix and utilization pattern by controlling the size of the population enrollment. Major findings of the study are as follows : 1. The changes of inpatient disease-mix a. Utilization rate was 139.2% in 1988 against 1980. b. Disease groups higher than the average utilization rate included neoplasms, endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases and immunity disorders, mental disorders etc. Meanwhile, disease groups seen less often were infections and parasistic diseases, diseases of blood and bloodforming, diseases of the digestive system etc. c. Utilization rate was up 106.3% in 1988 compared to 1985, and diseases above that average level were ill-defined intestinal infections, chronic liver disease and cirrhosis, diabetes mellitus, essential hypertension, etc. d. The disease-mix by institution in 1988 compared to 1985 shows that chronic disorders rank high in general hospitals whereas opthalmologic, obstetric, and orthopedic diseases rank high in private clinics. 2. The changes of outpatient disease-mix a. Utilization rate was up 175.2% in 1988 compared to 1980. b. Disease groups higher than the average utilization rate included neoplasms, endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases and immunity disorders, mental disorders etc. And disease groups seen less often were infections and parasistic diseases, diseases of the respiratory system, diseases of the genitourinary system. etc. c. Utilization rate was up 104.0% in 1988 compared to 1985, and diseases above that average level were gastric ulcer, diseases of hard tissues of teeth, etc. And diseases seen below that average level were acute nasopharyngitis(common cold). acute upper respiratory infections of multiple or unspecified sites, etc. It was concluded that medical care utilization level was increased, and that, from 1980 to 1988, disease-mix shifted to the chronic disorders. Chronic disorders accounted for more medical care utilization in general hospitals.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제84권3호
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• pp.188-199
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• 2021

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common chronic respiratory disease with increased prevalence in the elderly. Telomeres are repetitive DNA sequences found at the end of the chromosome, which progressively shorten as cells divide. Telomere length is known to be a molecular marker of aging. This study aimed to assess the relationship between telomere length and the risk of COPD, lung function, respiratory symptoms, and emphysema index in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in Dusty Areas (CODA) cohort. Methods: We extracted DNA from the peripheral blood samples of 446 participants, including 285 COPD patients and 161 control participants. We measured absolute telomere length using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. All participants underwent spirometry and quantitative computed tomography scan. Questionnaires assessing respiratory symptoms and the COPD Assessment Test was filled by all the participants. Results: The mean age of participants at the baseline visit was 72.5±7.1 years. Males accounted for 72% (321 participants) of the all participants. The mean telomere length was lower in the COPD group compared to the non-COPD group (COPD, 16.81±13.90 kb; non-COPD, 21.97±14.43 kb). In COPD patients, 112 (75.7%) were distributed as tertile 1 (shortest), 91 (61.1%) as tertile 2 and 82 (55%) as tertile 3 (longest). We did not find significant associations between telomere length and lung function, exacerbation, airway wall thickness, and emphysema index after adjusting for sex, age, and smoking status. Conclusion: In this study, the relationship between various COPD phenotypes and telomere length was analyzed, but no significant statistical associations were shown.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제79권4호
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• pp.307-311
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• 2016

Pulmonary strongyloidiasis is an uncommon presentation of Strongyloides infection, usually seen in immunocompromised hosts. The manifestations are similar to that of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Therefore, the diagnosis of pulmonary strongyloidiasis could be challenging in a COPD patient, unless a high index of suspicion is maintained. Here, we present a case of Strongyloides hyperinfection in a COPD patient mimicking acute exacerbation, who was on chronic steroid therapy.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제85권3호
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• pp.221-226
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• 2022

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by airflow limitation due to chronic airway inflammation and destruction of the alveolar structure from persistent exposure to oxidative stress. The body has various antioxidant mechanisms for efficiently coping with such oxidative stress. The nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)-antioxidant response element (ARE) is a representative system. Dysregulation of the Nrf2-ARE pathway is responsible for the development and promotion of COPD. Furthermore, COPD severity is also closely related to this pathway. There has been a clinical impetus to use Nrf2 for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Therefore, in this work, we systematically reviewed the clinical significance of Nrf2 in COPD patients, and discuss the value of Nrf2 as a potential COPD biomarker.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제78권1호
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• pp.8-17
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• 2015

Background: AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) not only functions as an intracellular energy sensor and regulator, but is also a general sensor of oxidative stress. Furthermore, there is recent evidence that it participates in limiting acute inflammatory reactions, apoptosis and cellular senescence. Thus, it may oppose the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Methods: To investigate the role of AMPK in cigarette smoke-induced lung inflammation and emphysema we first compared cigarette smoking and polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid [poly(I:C)]-induced lung inflammation and emphysema in $AMPK{\alpha}1$-deficient ($AMPK{\alpha}1$-HT) mice and wild-type mice of the same genetic background. We then investigated the role of AMPK in the induction of interleukin-8 (IL-8) by cigarette smoke extract (CSE) in A549 cells. Results: Cigarette smoking and poly(I:C)-induced lung inflammation and emphysema were elevated in $AMPK{\alpha}1$-HT compared to wild-type mice. CSE increased AMPK activation in a CSE concentration- and time-dependent manner. 5-Aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide-1-${\beta}$-4-ribofuranoside (AICAR), an AMPK activator, decreased CSE-induced IL-8 production while Compound C, an AMPK inhibitor, increased it, as did pretreatment with an $AMPK{\alpha}1$-specific small interfering RNA. Conclusion: $AMPK{\alpha}1$-deficient mice have increased susceptibility to lung inflammation and emphysema when exposed to cigarette smoke, and AMPK appears to reduce lung inflammation and emphysema by lowering IL-8 production.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제63권6호
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• pp.480-485
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• 2007

연구배경: 만성폐쇄성폐질환은 여러 중요한 사망 원인 중 전세계적으로 유일하게 유병률이 증가하고 있는 질환이다 만성폐쇄성폐질환은 폐 이외의 다른 장기에도 영향을 끼치는 전신 질환으로 이해되고 있다. 본 연구는 폐활량 검사에서 기류 폐쇄 유무에 따른 호흡기 증상 빈도와 검사실 성적에 대해 알아보고자 하였다. 방 법: 2001년 국민건강영양조사와 같이 시행된 국가 단위 만성폐쇄성폐질환 유병률 조사에 참여한 대상으로 연구가 수행되었다. 본 연구는 폐활량 검사를 실시하여 GOLD 진단 기준으로 기류 폐쇄가 있는 대상과 없는 대상으로 구분하여 총 콜레스테롤, 혈액요소질소, 크레아티닌, 혈색소, 적혈구용적율, 공복 혈당, 고밀도 콜레스테롤, 중성지방의 평균값의 차이가 있는지를 알아 보았고 설문 조사를 통한 호흡기 증상의 빈도를 확인하였다. 결 과: 총 2,217명이 연구대상에 포함되었다. 이 중 GOLD 진단 기준에 따라 기류 폐쇄가 있는 대상이 288명, 기류 폐쇄가 없는 대상이 1,929명이었다. 호흡곤란을 느낀 적이 있다고 대답하였으나 기류 폐쇄의 유무에 따른 차이는 없었다. 기류 폐쇄가 있는 연구 대상들은 기류 폐쇄가 없는 대상들보다 객담, 기침, 천명음 등의 증상을 더 많이 호소하였다. 폐기능이 나쁠수록 호흡기 증상을 호소하는 연구 대상이 통계적으로 유의하게 더 많았다. 혈색소, 적혈구용적률의 평균값은 기류 폐쇄가 있는 군에서 더 높게 측정 되었으며 고밀도 콜레스테롤의 평균값은 기류 폐쇄가 있는 군이 통계적으로 낮게 측정 되었다. 총콜레스테롤, 중성지방, 혈액요소질소, 크레아티닌, 공복 혈당의 평균값은 기류 폐쇄 유무에 상관 없이 양군간에 차이는 없었다. 결 론: 기류 폐쇄가 없는 연구 대상에 비해 기침, 객담, 천명음과 같은 호흡기 증상의 경험 빈도가 많았고 혈액 검사에서 혈색소, 적혈구용적률의 평균값은 컸으며 고밀도 콜레스테롤의 평균값은 낮았다. 운동시 호흡곤란의 빈도, 총 콜레스테롤, 중성지방, 공복 혈당, 총 콜레스테롤, 혈액요소질소, 크레아티닌의 평균값은 기류 폐쇄의 유무와 상관 없었다.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제79권3호
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• pp.193-193
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• 2016

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제77권6호
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• pp.237-242
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• 2014

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airway that comprises a variety of etiologies and inflammatory phenotypes. Clinically, there is a wide range of patients with varying severities and responses to individual drugs. The introduction of inhaled corticosteroid therapy has dramatically changed the treatment of asthma. Recent development of new therapies suggests the possibility of another breakthrough. These can be categorized as follows: anti-cytokine therapies that usually target eosinophilic inflammation, sublingual immunotherapy, and bronchial thermoplasty. In this paper, we will review the major articles related to asthma treatment that were published in 2013.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• 제14권3호
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• pp.287-294
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• 2023

Background: Fruit and vegetable market is an abundant source of bioaerosols. Exposure to organic and inorganic waste and long-term inhalation of bioaerosols during working hours leads to chronic respiratory symptoms. Hence, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms and related factors among fruit and vegetable workers compared with the control group in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Methods and materials: A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted from 2020 to 2021. Data were entered in EpiData 3.1 and exported to Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25. Logistic regressions were computed to depict the data and related factors. The culture method was done to count and compare bacterial and fungal concentrations between fruit and vegetable workers and office workers. Results: In this study, the prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms (PR = 2.87, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.772-4.66) was significantly higher among fruit and vegetable workers (46.7%) than controls (23.4%). Sex (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.11, 95% CI = 1.12-3.98), educational status (AOR = 1.34, 95% CI = 0.78-2.32), working hours per day (AOR = 3.91, 95% CI = 1.586-9.65), and working department (AOR = 3.20, 95% CI = 0.90-11.40) were associated with chronic respiratory symptoms. Bacterial and fungal concentrations were significantly higher in the air of the vegetable market (276 colony-forming unit) than the air in the workplace of controls (7 colony-forming unit). Conclusion: The fruit and vegetable market workers (greengrocers) had a higher prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms relative to office workers. Respiratory protective devices should be given to deliver preventive measures.

• 한국치위생학회지
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• 제18권1호
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• pp.65-75
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• 2018

Objectives: This study aims to contribute to the prevention of dental diseases and health care in the elderly by investigating the relationship among the experiences of chronic diseases, dental health status, and the behaviors in the Korean elderly people. Methods: A total of 2,856 elderly people aged 65 or older were selected as the final analysis subjects using data from the 6th National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2013-2014). Chronic diseases were defined as 'cardiocerebrovascular diseases', 'diabetes', 'chronic respiratory diseases', and 'cancer' diagnosed by the doctors. For the statistical analysis, SPSS 21.0 for Windows was used. Descriptive analysis and a Chi-square test were conducted to investigate the relationship among the experiences of chronic diseases, general characteristics, dental health status, and the behaviors in the Korean elderly. Finally, logistic regression analysis was performed to investigate the relationship among the experiences of chronic diseases, dental health status, and the behaviors. Results:The prevalence of Cardiocerebrovascular diseases was significantly higher in the 3-4 group of community periodontal index with the score of 1.36 (95% CI 1.03-1.00) than in the 0-2 group. The prevalence of Cardiocerebrovascular diseases was significantly higher in the group without dental examination during the past one year with the score of 1.29 (95% CI 1.00-1.66). The prevalence of diabetes was significantly higher in the uncomfortable speaking state group with the score 1.46 (95% CI 1.12-1.91). The prevalence of cancer was significantly higher in the partial denture needs group with the score 1.67 (95% CI 0.98-2.83). Conclusions: Regular dental examinations and dental health care for the elderly with chronic diseases showed that periodontal health and residual teeth could be maintained and managed. Therefore, continuous customized dental health services should be implemented for the elderly with chronic diseases.