• Annals of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.114-114
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• 2024

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.83 no.1
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• pp.31-41
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• 2020

Background: Chronic cough is defined as a cough lasting more than 8 weeks and socio-economic burden of chronic cough is enormous. The characteristics of chronic cough in Korea are not well understood. The Korean Academy of Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases (KATRD) published guidelines on cough management in 2014. The current study evaluated the clinical characteristics of chronic cough in Korea and the efficacy of the KATRD guidelines. Methods: This was a multi-center, retrospective observational study conducted in Korea. The participants were over 18 years of age. They had coughs lasting more than 8 weeks. Subjects with current pulmonary diseases, smokers, exsmokers with more than 10 pack-years or who quit within the past 1 year, pregnant women, and users of cough-inducing medications were excluded. Evaluation and management of cough followed the KATRD cough-management guidelines. Results: Participants with chronic cough in Korea showed age in the late forties and cough duration of more than 1 year. Upper airway cough syndrome was the most common cause of cough, followed by cough-variant asthma (CVA). Gastro-esophageal reflux diseases and eosinophilic bronchitis were less frequently observed. Following the KATRD cough-management guidelines, 91.2% of the subjects improved after 4 weeks of treatment. Responders were younger, had a longer duration of cough, and an initial impression of CVA. In univariate and multivariate analyses, an initial impression of CVA was the only factor related to better treatment response. Conclusion: The causes of chronic cough in Korea differed from those reported in other countries. The current Korean guidelines proved efficient for treating Korean patients with chronic cough.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.79-87
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• 2020

The purpose of this review was to evaluate the effectiveness of electroacupuncture treatment for women with "primary obesity." Primary obesity is caused by an imbalance in energy intake and consumption due to abnormal eating and living habits in the absence of specific diseases causing the obesity. A literature review (up to December 2019) of randomized controlled trials (RCT) of electroacupuncture treatment for women with "primary obesity" was performed. Relevant clinical studies were retrieved from several databases, and interventions and results were analyzed. There were 6 RCT that fitted the inclusion criteria for this review. The intervention for the treatment group of the selected 6 RCT was electrical stimulation applied to acupoints. Interventions for the control groups included non-treatment, general acupuncture, and so on. Indicators for assessing treatment effects varied from study to study. Four out of 5 studies used body mass index (BMI) as an assessment tool and showed a significant decrease in BMI following electroacupuncture treatment. There were 4 studies using waist circumference as an indicator of abdominal obesity and these studies showed a significant decrease in waist circumference following electroacupuncture treatment. Electroacupuncture treatment used in primary obese women had a clinically significant effect, however, further RCT are needed.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.213-223
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• 2020

Objectives: This study reports on the efficacy of using Korean medical treatment with suspected Meniere's Disease. Methods: We treated a patient with suspected Meniere's disease using Korean medical treatments (herbal medicines, acupuncture, herbal acupuncture therapy). To evaluate the results, we used the visual analogue scale (VAS) to measure dizziness, tinnitus, ear fullness, and headache. The degree of tinnitus was also evaluated using the Korean Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (K-THI). The generic health status was evaluated using the European Quality of Life-5 Dimensions (EQ-5D) scale. Results: Improvements in the VAS and EQ-5D scale scores were observed after the treatments. The change in the K-THI scores showed that the patient's tinnitus handicap was relieved. Conclusions: The results of this case study suggest that Korean medicine therapies may be effective in the treatment of suspected Meniere's Disease.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.42 no.5
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• pp.893-903
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• 2021

Objectives: This study investigated the efficacy of Korean medical treatment for a headache (suspected CPSP) patient with a history of cerebral infarction. Methods: We treated the patient using Korean medical treatments (herbal medicines-Kamiseokyong-tang, acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, and chuna). The treatments were measured using the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) and the Neck Disability Index (NDI) for headache and post neck pain. General health status was evaluated using the European Quality of Life Five Dimensions (EQ-5d) Scale. Results: We observed improvements in the NRS, NDI, and EQ-5d scores after the treatments. Conclusions: This study suggests that Korean medicine may effectively treat headaches (suspected CPSP) with accompanying cerebral infarction.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.43 no.5
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• pp.854-863
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• 2022

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to report the efficacy of applying Korean medical treatment to chronic gastritis. Methods: We treated a chronic gastritis patient with Korean medical treatments (herbal medicines, acupuncture, and herbal acupuncture therapy). To evaluate the results of this treatment, we took measurements using the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale and Visual Analogue Scale for abdominal pain, heartburn, nausea, and abdominal distension. The patient's generic health status was evaluated using the European Quality of Life 5 Dimensions Scale. Results: Improvements in gastrointestinal symptom ratings and the European Quality of Life 5 Dimensions Scale were observed after the treatments. Relief of symptoms was observed in abdominal pain, heartburn, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal distension using the Visual Analogue Scale. Conclusions: This study suggests that Korean medicine may be effective in the treatment of chronic gastritis.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.43 no.5
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• pp.901-908
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• 2022

Objective: The purpose of this study is to report the efficacy of using Korean medical treatment for suspected allergic rhinitis. Methods: We used Korean medical treatments (herbal medicines and acupuncture) to treat a hospitalized patient with suspected allergic rhinitis. To evaluate the treatment, we used Total Nasal Symptom Scores to measure sneezing, rhinorrhea, itching, and obstruction. The degree of rhinitis was also evaluated using the Visual Analogue Scale, and the patient's generic health status was measured using the European Quality of Life 5 Dimensions Scale. Results: Visual Analogue Scale and European Quality of Life 5 Dimensions Scale scores improved after treatment. The change in Total Nasal Symptom Scores showed that the patient's suspected allergic rhinitis symptoms were relieved. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that Korean medicine therapies may be effective for treating suspected allergic rhinitis.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.117-127
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• 2014

Objectives The purpose of this study is to find out the relationship between the hip internal rotation angle and the site of herniation of single level lumbar intervertebral disc. Methods This study was carried out to 418 patients with lumbar disc herniation diagnosed by M.R.I, who visited Bu-Chun Jaseng Hospital of Korean Medicine with low back pain. Researchers measured their hip internal rotation angle and analyzed the relationship between the hip internal rotation angle and the site of herniation of single level lumbar intervertebral disc. Results 1. Excessive right internal rotation of hip joint increases risk of L5/S1 HIVD. 2. Limited left internal rotation of hip joint decreases risk of L4/L5 HIVD. 3. In cases of L4/L5 HIVD level, there was evidence that the prevalence of HNP in men was 1.85 times as higher than that in women. 4. In cases of L5/S1 HIVD level, there was the evidence that the prevalence of HNP in men was 0.64 times as lower than that in women. Conclusions In single-segment lumbar HIVD patients, limited left internal rotation of hip joint decreases risk of HIVD of L4/5 and excessive right internal rotation of hip joint mainly leads to L5/S1 HIVD.

• Korean Circulation Journal
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.169-171
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• 2022

• Korean Circulation Journal
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• v.52 no.7
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• pp.544-555
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• 2022

Background and Objectives: The outcome benefits of β-blockers in chronic coronary artery disease (CAD) have not been fully assessed. We evaluated the prognostic impact of β-blockers on patients with chronic CAD after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods: A total of 3,075 patients with chronic CAD were included from the Grand Drug-Eluting Stent registry. We analyzed β-blocker prescriptions, including doses and types, in each patient at 3-month intervals from discharge. After propensity score matching, 1,170 pairs of patients (β-blockers vs. no β-blockers) were derived. Primary outcome was defined as a composite endpoint of all-cause death and myocardial infarction (MI). We further analyzed the outcome benefits of different doses (low-, medium-, and high-dose) and types (conventional or vasodilating) of β-blockers. Results: During a median (interquartile range) follow-up of 3.1 (3.0-3.1) years, 134 (5.7%) patients experienced primary outcome. Overall, β-blockers demonstrated no significant benefit in primary outcome (hazard ratio [HR], 0.88; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.63-1.24), all-cause death (HR, 0.87; 95% CI, 0.60-1.25), and MI (HR, 1.25; 95% CI, 0.49-3.15). In subgroup analysis, β-blockers were associated with a lower risk of all-cause death in patients with previous MI and/or revascularization (HR, 0.38; 95% CI, 0.14-0.99) (p for interaction=0.045). No significant associations were found for the clinical outcomes with different doses and types of β-blockers. Conclusions: Overall, β-blocker therapy was not associated with better clinical outcomes in patients with chronic CAD undergoing PCI. Limited mortality benefit of β-blockers may exist for patients with previous MI and/or revascularization.