• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.107-113
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• 2014

Objectives Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a sleep disorder characterized by uncomfortable and unpleasant sensations in the legs and an urge to move the legs, usually at night. The aim of this study is to investigate the incidence of RLS in patients with late life depression and its influence on various clinical outcomes such as severity of depression, sleep quality, cognitive function, and quality of life and accordingly, to elucidate the clinical significance of RLS in patients with late life depression (LLD). Methods This study enlisted 170 depressive patients aged 65 years or older from an outpatient clinic. Structured diagnostic interviews were performed using the Korean version of the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview. All patients completed the questionnaires, including the International RLS Severity Scale, the Korean version of Short-Form 36-Item Health Survey (SF-36), and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). The severity of depression was evaluated by the Korean form of the Geriatric Depression Scale (KGDS) and the level of global cognition was assessed by the Mini-Mental State Examination in the Korean version of The Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Packet (MMSE-KC). Results The incidence of RLS was 17.6% in LLD patients. RLS was more prevalent among the subjects with major depressive disorder (MDD) than those with minor depressive disorder or subsyndromal depressive disorder. The RLS group showed higher score in the KGDS than the Non-RLS group but the difference did not reach the statistical significance (p = 0.095, Student t-test). The mean PSQI score was significantly higher in the RLS group than in the Non-RLS group (p = 0.001, Student t-test). The MMSE-KC score was also lower in the RLS group than in Non-RLS group (p = 0.009, analysis of covariance). But, there was no difference in the score of SF-36 between the RLS group and the Non-RLS group. Conclusions RLS is common in LLD patients, especially in the patients with MDD and is associated with poor sleep quality and cognitive dysfunction, indicating that RLS is clinically significant in patients with LLD. Therefore, RLS should be considered as an important clinical issue in the management of LLD.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.71-84
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• 2013

Objectives: As suicide among the elderly population has been a critical issue in Korea, this study aimed to evaluate correlations of suicidal ideation with protective and risk factors among elderly who reside in a rural community. Methods: A total of 157 elders from Gyeongju city, who had attended senior centers in, were enrolled to answer questionnaires including the Geriatric Depression Scale Short Form-Korea and the Scale for Suicidal Ideation. Data were analyzed using SPSS 18.0K for Windows, and included t-test, Pearson correlation, and a three-step hierarchical multiple regression analyses. Results: Using the hierarchical regression analyses for predicting the elderly's suicidal ideation, male gender and social group variables were entered as predictors in the first step(adjusted $R^2$=0.107, P<0.05). Pain, ADLs, family support variables were not entered in the second step. Depression variable was the only predictor in the third step(adjusted $R^2$=0.384, P<0.001). Conclusions: Although this study confirmed the impact of depression on the suicidal ideation, elderly with risk factors including male gender and social isolation should receive a special attention from community health care professionals.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Oral Health
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.216-223
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• 2018

Objectives: The purpose of the study was to investigate factors affecting the assessment of objective and subjective masticatory ability in the elderly, and to evaluate masticatory ability assessment more accurately. Methods: A total of 112 participants were recruited after oral examination in senior citizen welfare facilities. The participants' masticatory ability was evaluated objectively (Mixing ability index; MAI), and subjectively (Key food intake ability; KFIA). Participants' general characteristics and oral health-related variables were also recorded. Based on masticatory ability assessment, participants were classified as either high or low. IBM SPSS Statistics Ver.23.0 was used for all analyses, including descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, Mann-Whitney U test, Spearman rank correlation, and Logistic regression analysis. Results: Higher masticatory ability was positively correlated with higher scores on MAI and KFIA. Additionally, there was a significant positive correlation between MAI and KFIA. When analyzing factors affecting objective and subjective masticatory ability assessments, Functional tooth units (FTUs) were revealed as a related factor. In subjective masticatory ability assessment, oral moisture, difficulty in chewing, and the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI) were also influential factors. Conclusions: In order to accurately assess masticatory ability, it is necessary to use both objective and subjective measures. Additionally, to improve the masticatory ability in the elderly, treatment should be provided to improve overall oral health and satisfaction.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.67-75
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• 2012

Objectives: While there have recently been efforts to improve public health service at a governmental level, there is actually insufficient research on awareness of the roles related to public health service among hospital employees. This study examined role perception and function performance related to public health service among the medical staff in a national hospital. Methods: 15% were randomly sampled from each type of occupation among the medical staff in a national university hospital, a survey was conducted in 323 persons, and there were a total of 265 participants (80.2%): 103 doctors(38.9%), 98 nurses (37.0%), and 64 others (24.1%). Results: The hospital employees had insufficient awareness of their roles as public health service providers in terms of six required items for public health service: 1) services for supporting establishment, implementation, and assessment of public health service policies, 2) participation in the health service activities and support services by central or local governments, 3) technological support and educational services for private health service institutions, 4) health service for unprivileged brackets, 5) health service that requires association with other areas dealing with geriatric, disabled, and mentally-disordered people, and 6) health service for children and mothers. Conclusions: In general, since the hospital employees had insufficient awareness of their roles and responsibilities as public health service providers, it is necessary to secure manpower exclusively in charge of public health service and provide education about strategic public health service.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.15-21
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• 2013

Objectives: Cognitive impairment in restless legs syndrome (RLS) patients can be affected by sleep deprivation, anxiety and depression, which are common in RLS. The objective of this study is to investigate relationship between cognitive impairment and RLS in the non-medicated Korean elderly with controlling for psychiatric conditions. Method: The study sample for this study comprised 25 non-medicated Korean elderly RLS patients and 50 age-, sex-, and education- matched controls. All subjects were evaluated with comprehensive cognitive function assessment tools- including the Korean version of Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Packet (CERAD-K), severe cognitive impairment rating scale (SCIRS), frontal assessment battery (FAB), and clock drawing test (CLOX). Sleep quality and depression were also assessed with Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) and geriatric depression scale (GDS). Results: PSQI and GDS score showed no difference between RLS and control group. There was no significant difference between two groups in nearly all the cognitive function except in constructional recognition test, in which subjects with RLS showed lower performance than control group (t=-2.384, p=0.02). Subjects with depression ($GDS{\geq}10$) showed significant cognitive impairment compared to control in verbal fluency, Korean version of Mini Mental Status Examination in the CERAD-K (MMSE-KC), word list memory, trail making test, and frontal assessment battery (FAB). In contrast, no difference was observed between subjects who have low sleep quality (PSQI>5) and control group. Conclusions: At the exclusion of the impact of insomnia and depression, cognitive function was found to be relatively preserved in RLS patients compared to control. Impairment of visual recognition in RLS patients can be explained in terms of dopaminergic dysfunction in RLS.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.193-203
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• 2001

The purpose of this study was to identify the relationship between depression and physical health of the elderly and to provide fundamental data for programs which improve the health of this population. The subjects were 168 elderly people(55 years and older) who resided at home in Taegu. They were surveyed by interview using a closed- ended questionnaire. The survey was done from September 16 to October 16 in 2000. The instruments used in this study were general characteristics, Short form Geriatric Depression Scale(SGDS), Barthel Index, Muscular skeletal symptoms scale, Northern Illinois University's Health Self Rating Scale. The data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson Correlation Coefficient, multiple regression with SPSS PC 10.0 version for Windows. The findings were as follows: 1. As compared 65-74 years elderly group, 75-84 years group was significantly higher score for depression(F=3.17, p=.026). As compared elderly group who has own spouse, the group who has no own spouse was significantly higher score for depression(t=- 2.44, p=.016). 2. The aged who have more limitation of Activities of Daily Living(ADL)(t=3.93, p=.000), pain of muscular skeletal symptoms(F=5.33, p=.002) and poor perceived health state(F=17.04, p=.000) showed the higher severity of depression than the aged who have not. 3. ADL correlated negatively with depression(r=- .293, p=.000), pain of muscular skeletal symptoms correlated positively(r=.251, p=.001), perceived health status correlated negatively(r=-.522, p=.000). 4. The combination of perceived health status and ADL explained 29.1% of the varience of depression. On the basis of the above findings the following recommendations are made; 1. Developing health programs is needed considering ADL, pain of muscular skeletal symptoms, perceived health status, demographic variables (age, spouse status) which have an significant effects on depression of the elderly. 2. In the following study, the use of the various scale is needed which reflects physical status of the elderly in home.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.101-110
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• 2010

Purpose: This study has been conducted in order to examine the oral health status and dental prostheses status, and the effects of dental prostheses to the oral health related quality of life among the elderly using social welfare centers. Material and methods: For this purpose, the researcher conducted a questionnaire survey and oral examination of 275 samples of old persons using 7 social welfare centers located in Daejeon metropolitan city. The oral health related quality of life was measured by GOHAI (Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index). Results: 1. The less age and the more education and the more subjective economic status and living with spouse of family status, the higher GOHAI showed. 2. Mean age of first using of removable denture is 62.11 years old and average life cycle of removable denture is 10.76years. 57.5% of study subjects use removable denture and complete denture user of study subjects are 13.8%. 3. In the case that they use fixed prostheses rather than removable ones and in the complete denture they use both sides (upper and lower) rather than single side, showed higher GOHAI. 4. In the case that they showed higher degrees of satisfaction with dental prostheses and can use them always and showed no necessity for new dental prostheses and denture adaptation is good, GOHAI showed higher. Conclusion: In order to improve oral health related quality of life among the elderly who have many missing teeth, it is required to restore their masticatory ability to the normal level by restoring the missing teeth which has lost its function through providing proper dental prostheses.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.5-13
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• 2014

Objectives: Depression, sleep complaints and cognitive impairments are commonly observed in the elderly. Elderly subjects with depressive symptoms have been found to show both poor cognitive performances and sleep disturbances. However, the relationship between sleep complaints and cognitive dysfunction in elderly depression is not clear. The aim of this study is to identify the association between sleep disturbances and cognitive decline in late-life depression. Methods: A total of 282 elderly people who underwent nocturnal polysomnography in a sleep laboratory were enrolled in the study. The Korean version of the Neuropsychological Assessment Battery developed by the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease (CERAD-K) was applied to evaluate cognitive function. Depressive symptoms were assessed with the geriatric depression scale (GDS) and subjective sleep quality was measured using the Pittsburg sleep quality index (PSQI). Results: The control group ($GDS{\leq}9$) when compared with mild ($10{\leq}GDS{\leq}16$) and severe ($17{\leq}GDS$) depression groups, had significantly different scores in the Trail making test part B (TMT-B), Benton visual retention test part A (BVRT-A), and Stroop color and word test (SCWT)(all tests p<0.05). The PSQI score, REM sleep duration, apnea-hypopnea index and oxygen desaturation index were significantly different across the three groups (all indices, p<0.05). A stepwise multiple regression model showed that educational level, age and GDS score were predictive for both TMT-B time (adjusted $R^2$=35.6%, p<0.001) and BVRT-A score (adjusted $R^2$=28.3%, p<0.001). SCWT score was predicted by educational level, age, apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) and GDS score (adjusted $R^2$=20.6%, p<0.001). Poor sleep quality and sleep structure alterations observed in depression did not have any significant effects on cognitive deterioration. Conclusion: Older adults with depressive symptoms showed mild sleep alterations and poor cognitive performances. However, we found no association between sleep disturbances (except sleep apnea) and cognitive difficulties in elderly subjects with depressive symptoms. It is possible that the impact of sleep disruptions on cognitive abilities was hindered by the confounding effect of age, education and depressive symptoms.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.50-70
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• 1993

Clinical observation was done on 92 cases of Occlusive CVD, Cerebral hemorrhage (Subarachnoid hemorrhage) which were confirmed by Brain CT scan and observed for over 4 weeks, among the 121 cases which were more than 65 years of age. they admitted to the Dept. of Internal Medicine, Oriental Medical Hospital in Dong Guk Univ. from July 1992 to June 1993. The result were as follows; 1. In this study, Occlusive CVD was 74 cases, Cerebral hemorrhage (Subarachnoid hemorrhage was 2 cases) was 18 cases. 2. The ratio of male to female was 1.09:1. The age distribution showed the large number in the 65-69 year group(52.2%), 7th decade was 44.5% over 8th decade was 3.3% in ratio. 3. The site of Occlusive CVD was most common at MCA. the site of Cb-hemorrhage was most common at Basal ganglia. 4. The most common preceding disease was hypertension(47.8%) and the next were diabetes mellitus(14.1%), heart desease(14.1%). 5. Recurrence rate was 33.7% and 2nd attack was 20.7%, 3rd attack was 8.7%, 4th attack was 4.3% 6. Predisposing factors in Occlusive CVD were initiated usually during resting and sleeping, and that in Cb-hemorrhage were represented chiefly exercising(66.6%). 7. The smoker was 52.2%, the drinker was 32.6% in whole group. the drinker was 61.1% by the Cb-hemorrhage. 8. The ratio of the season distribution was as follow, fall 35.8%, winter 29.3%, spring 19.6%, summer 15.3%, that of the month distribution was november 15.2%. 9. Duration from on set in Occlusive CVD, 60.8% was within 5 days, that in Cb-hemorrhage, 77.8% was within 5 days. 10. Level of consciousness on attack was clear 42.2%, lethargy and mental change(dull, stupid etc.) 41.3%. The common symptoms were motor disturbance(90.2%), verbal disturbance(65.2%), headache(43.5%). 11. The physical theraphy of Occlusive CVD has been performed 75.7% in whole group and the average beginning time was 6.4 days, and that of Cb-hemorrhage has been performed 61.1% in whole group and the average beginning time was 13 days. 12. Duration of hospitalization was noted 11-20 days was 31.5%, over 21 days was 46.8%, and the average admission was 22.7 day(Occlusive CVD), 32days (Cb-hemorrhage). 13. The main complication were observed in the studies; urinary tract infection and pneumonia were noted in 6.5%, bed sore in 5.4%. 14. The ratio of systolic blood pressures in admission and discharge decreased from 58.7% to 28.3% in over 160 mmHg, that of diastolic blood pressures in admission and discharge decreased from 72.8% to 51.1% in over 90 mmHg. In 31(33.7%) of the 92 cases it showed the glucose levels of more than normal. 15. The patients have done family history of hypertension and C.V.A were 32.6% of all 16. Occlusive CVD In 83.8% and Cb-hernorrhage in 72.2% were improved 17. The herb medications were various Sunghyanggeonggisan, Sopungtang, CHunmagudeungeum were used most frequently and Gamidaebotang, Boyangwhanotang, Gagamyunjotang, Mangeumtang etc. were used as discharge.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.37-48
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• 2004

Purpose: Population using complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) and the cost or it are increasing all over the world. In this study, we investigated the utilization state of CAM in the elderly people during the last 6 months of life. Methods: We found 4,210 persons in Seoul, older than 65 years who received a funeral subsidy from health insurance after death during the latter half of the year, 2001. We stratified them by age and gender and selected 301 persons and surveyed them by questionnaire. Results: 247 persons (83.1%) used at least one of CAM during their last 6 months of life. Diet and Nutrition remedy showed the highest utilatization rate (65.5%), and drug therapies also were much used (29.9%). Utilization rate was higher in female (60%) and according to the cause of death, the highest in a geriatric disease groups, and the lowest in the cancer group. Whole satisfaction to CAM was high with average 4.25 points out of total 6, and adverse effects were almost free with average 5.55 points out of total 6. Satisfaction was the highest in Diet and Nutrition remedy but the lowest in Manipulative and Body-Based methods. Adverse-effect score was best in Manipulative and Body-Based methods. According to age and the causative disease of death, there were significant differences in satisfaction and adverse effect levels. Conclusion: Majority of old people used at least one of CAM during their last 6months of life. Whole satisfaction and adverse-effect level were very excellent.