• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.78 no.3
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• pp.161-167
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• 2015

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major global health problem, and the incidence of TB cases has not significantly decreased over the past decade in Korea. The standard short course regimen is highly effective against TB, but requires multiple TB-specific drugs and a long treatment duration. Recent studies using late-generation fluoroquinolones and/or high-dose rifapentine-containing regimens to shorten the duration of TB treatment showed negative results. Extending the treatment duration may be considered in patients with cavitation on the initial chest radiograph and positivity in sputum culture at 2 months of treatment for preventing TB relapse. Current evidence does not support the use of fixed-dose combinations compared to separate drugs for the purpose of improving treatment outcomes. All patients receiving TB treatment should be monitored regularly for response to therapy, facilitation of treatment completion, and management of adverse drug reactions. Mild adverse effects can be managed with symptomatic therapy and changing the timing of the drug administration, but severe adverse effects require a discontinuation of the offending drugs.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.221-227
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• 2017

Background: As personalized healthcare industry has attracted much attention, big data analysis of healthcare data is essential. Lots of healthcare data such as product labeling, biomedical literature and social media data are unstructured, extracting meaningful information from the unstructured text data are becoming important. In particular, text mining for adverse drug reactions (ADRs) reports is able to provide signal information to predict and detect adverse drug reactions. There has been no study on text analysis of expert opinion on Korea Adverse Event Reporting System (KAERS) databases in Korea. Methods: Expert opinion text of KAERS database provided by Korea Institute of Drug Safety & Risk Management (KIDS-KD) are analyzed. To understand the whole text, word frequency analysis are performed, and to look for important keywords from the text TF-IDF weight analysis are performed. Also, related keywords with the important keywords are presented by calculating correlation coefficient. Results: Among total 90,522 reports, 120 insulin ADR report and 858 tramadol ADR report were analyzed. The ADRs such as dizziness, headache, vomiting, dyspepsia, and shock were ranked in order in the insulin data, while the ADR symptoms such as vomiting, 어지러움, dizziness, dyspepsia and constipation were ranked in order in the tramadol data as the most frequently used keywords. Conclusion: Using text mining of the expert opinion in KIDS-KD, frequently mentioned ADRs and medications are easily recovered. Text mining in ADRs research is able to play an important role in detecting signal information and prediction of ADRs.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing Administration
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.91-98
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• 2016

Purpose: The aim of this study was to identify the relationship between nurses' knowledge of adverse drug reactions (ADR), attitudes, and monitoring practices and to establish an effective ADR reporting system and provide baseline data for its activation. Methods: The participants in this study were chosen by convenience sampling and included 182 nurses working at major general hospitals that operate a Regional Drug Safety Center. Data were collected from June 1 to 12, 2015 and analyzed using Cronbach's ${\alpha}$, descriptive statistics, independent t-test, one way ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficient and stepwise regression with the SPSS program. Results: The nurses' average score for knowledge was 7.62 points, for attitude, 41.04 points and for monitoring practices, 34.22 points. ADR monitoring practices positively correlated with knowledge (r=.19, p=.011), attitude (r=.41, p<.001), drug performance competency (r=.54, p<.001), and drug education satisfaction (r=.54, p<.001). Drug performance competency, drug education satisfaction, and attitudes explained 42.0% of the ADR monitoring practices (Adj $R^2=.42$, F=43.95, p<.001). Conclusion: In order to facilitate and encourage nurses' voluntary monitoring practice of ADR, efforts must be made to create positive attitudes toward ADR, and to increase drug performance competency and drug education satisfaction.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.183-188
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• 2019

Erythema multiforme (EM) is an inflammatory immune-mediated mucosal disease. EM is classified as EM minor or EM major, depending on the severity of symptoms. Most patients with minor or major forms of EM have oral lesions. EM can occur as a result of adverse drug reactions but this is difficult to establish. Several indicators have been developed that can be used as a criterion of evaluation to ensure objectivity in identifying the causality of adverse drug reactions. The Naranjo algorithm was used in the evaluation to ensure objectivity in identifying the causality of adverse drug reactions. There were two cases of patients suspected of having EM induced by drugs. They were both assessed using the Naranjo algorithm to confirm the causality of the disease.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.45-60
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• 2015

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to understand the status of reporting and characteristics of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) induced by herbal drugs and to make a suggestion for the domestic pharmacovigilance system on herbal medicine. Methods: We carried out a hospital-based observational study at Dongguk University Ilsan Oriental Hospital from April 2012 to December 2014. We reviewed all the herbal-drug-associated ADRs reports registered to the spontaneous ADR reporting system in electronic medical records of the hospital in the period. Results: We found out 101 reports including 163 herbal-drug-associated ADRs from 97 patients. Females (69.3%) outnumbered males and the most frequent age group was the 50s (44, 27.0%). No serious adverse event was observed. The most commonly reported ADR was gastro-intestinal system disorders (68, 41.5%) followed by skin-related disorders (42, 25.8%). Diarrhea (29, 17.8%) was the most frequently referred clinical manifestation. Most ADRs were induced by internal medicines (160, 98.2%) including manufactured (36, 22.1%) and self-prepared decoction (160, 76.1%). The pairs of Igi-hwan-diarrhea, gamiboa-tang-vomiting, and Magnoliae Flos-gastro-intestinal-system-related ADRs were observed twice each and the others appeared only once. Conclusions: We propose Korean government to take an initiative in national pharmacovigilance system for herbal medicine. To perform the surveillance on herbal drugs, the Association of Korean Medicine (AKOM) should set up a nationwide network by designating centers connecting the Korean medical hospitals, local Korean medicine clinics, and the public health centers. The government and AKOM should also educate and encourage them to understand the pharmacovigilance system and report the ADRs actively.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.164-171
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• 2014

Background: Safety of drugs has become a major issue in public healthcare. Spontaneous reporting of adverse drug reaction (ADR) is the cornerstone in management of drug safety. We aimed to investigate the awareness and knowledge of spontaneous ADR reporting in general public of Korea. Methods: A total of 1,500 study subjects aged 19-69 years were interviewed with a questionnaire for their awareness and knowledge related to spontaneous ADR reporting. Computer assisted telephone interview was performed from 27th February 2013 to 4th March 2013. Target population was selected with quota sampling, using age, sex, and residence area. Healthcare professionals such as physicians, pharmacists, and nurses were excluded. The survey questions included awareness of spontaneous ADR reporting, opinions on ways to activate ADR reporting, and sociodemographic characteristics. Results: Overall awareness of spontaneous ADR reporting system was 8.3% (${\pm}2.53%$) among general population of Korea. Major source from which people got the information regarding ADR reporting was television/radio (69.9%), followed by internet (19.3%), and poster/brochure (6.1%). Awareness level differed between age groups (p<0.0001) and education levels (p<0.0001). Upon learning about the ADR reporting system, 88.5% of study subjects agreed on the necessity of ADR reporting system, while 46.6% thought promotion through internet and mass media as an effective way to activate ADR reporting. Conclusion: The overall awareness of spontaneous ADR reporting should be enhanced in order to establish a firm national system for drug safety. Adequate promotions should be performed targeting lower awareness groups, as well as various publicity activities via effective channels for the general population.

• Journal of the Korean Orthopaedic Association
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• v.55 no.1
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• pp.9-28
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• 2020

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the most commonly used drugs worldwide for chronic pain, such as arthritis, and there are many different types depending on their composition and mechanism. After long-term use, various side effects can occur, such as gastrointestinal and cardiovascular complications. With a similar analgesic effect to that of traditional non-selective NSAIDs, cyclooxygenase-2-selective NSAIDs have been highly anticipated, because they could complement gastrointestinal tolerance. On the other hand, because of concerns about cardiovascular safety in 2004 and 2005, and the license withdrawals of rofecoxib and valdecoxib, the interest in the side effects of NSAIDs is increasing. Therefore, it is important to use the necessary drugs at a minimum, considering the side effects and interactions of each drug. This study examined the side effects and characteristics of each NSAID that may occur and reviewed the recent research and guidelines related to the use of non-selective NSAIDs and cyclooxygenase-2-selective NSAIDs.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.85-94
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• 2017

Objectives: To explore experiences of treatment-related side effects and supportive care among Korean breast cancer survivors (BCS). Methods: Focus group interview was conducted with six Korean women with breast cancer. Participants were recruited through snow-balling. Interview was audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. NVivo-11 was used to code the data into themes. Results: Two major themes were identified: (1) experiences of Western medicine, including treatment, side effects, needs and costs; (2) experiences of supportive care with Korean medicine, including the same as above. All participants experienced Western medicine in treatment phase and reported impairment of physical, emotional, and social functioning during and after Western medicine treatment. Only three participants used Korean medicine after treatments end. The negative responses from Western medicine doctors were the most important factor keeping participants from accessing Korean medicine when treatment-related side effects occurred. For this reason, some participants used Korean medicine without disclosure. Participants usually acquired information about Korean medicine from online community or other BCS, which was another important factor because it raised concerns about side effects and credibility of Korean medicine. High cost was also reported as barrier in using Korean medicine. During the cancer treatment, participants tended to endure their treatment-related side effects. Conclusions: Korean BCS may be at high risk of physical or emotional distress during treatment period. Findings suggest that there is a high need for supportive care to relieve treatment-related side effects and improve patients' quality-of-life. Furthermore, developing a systematic guidance or credible information sources should be warranted to help patients find the best supportive care options including Korean medicine.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.33-42
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• 2010

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to investigate the frequency of side effects, and the range of the side effects from Korean herb medicine on children. Methods: The study has been carried out from 212 children who took Korean herb medicine in Department of Pediatrics, $\bigcirc\;\bigcirc$ Oriental Medical Hospital from September 2009 to February 2010. The study was completed through patients chart review and telephone survey. Results: 1. There were 6 side effect cases on male, and 3 side effect cases on female out of 212 children. The incidence of side effect was 4.2%. 2. The most common side effect was abdominal pain. The most common related organ was digestive organ. 3. The side effect occurred within one to three days after taking Korean herb medicine, and the symptoms were mostly disappeared after taking the Korean herb medicine into divided dose or less dose. Conclusions: The symptom of side effects on children was not as severe as other adverse drug reactions often seen in Western medication. The most common symptom was abdominal pain. Further studies are needed.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.133-142
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• 2020

Objectives Studies on Chinese herbal injections are increasing. But, its safety are still not well reported. We have reviewed the literature related to the safety of Chinese herbal injection, especially those related to anaphylaxis. Methods The PubMed database was used to select the literatures related to anaphylaxis in China and to study the quality control and safety of Chinese herbal injection. Results Chinese herbal injection is a major traditional medical treatment in China, but it is the cause of adverse drug reactions including anaphylaxis. In order to solve this problem, various proposals have been made to identify the pharmacological and chemical causes of major side effects and to use them safely clinically. In addition, various researches have been conducted from preclinical to postmarketing surveillance to secure the safety of Chinese herbal injection. Based on this, it was found that various efforts are needed to secure the safety of bee sting needles. Conclusion In order to secure the safety of chinese herbal injections, it is necessary to identify the main mechanism of action and the pharmacological components contributing to it, and to develop a standardized formulation based on this. In addition, institutional pharmacovigilance is required.