• 제목/요약/키워드: Hypertension medication rate

검색결과 35건 처리시간 0.024초

Epidemiology of PAH in Korea: An Analysis of the National Health Insurance Data, 2002-2018

  • Albert Youngwoo Jang;Hyeok-Hee Lee;Hokyou Lee;Hyeon Chang Kim;Wook-Jin Chung
    • Korean Circulation Journal
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    • 제53권5호
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    • pp.313-327
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    • 2023
  • Background and Objectives: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a rare but fatal disease. Recent advances in PAH-specific drugs have improved its outcomes, although the healthcare burden of novel therapeutics may lead to a discrepancy in outcomes between developing and developed countries. We analyzed how the epidemiology and clinical features of PAH has changed through the rapidly advancing healthcare infrastructure in South Korea. Methods: PAH was defined according to a newly devised 3-component algorithm. Using a nationwide health insurance claims database, we delineated annual trends in the prevalence, incidence, medication prescription pattern, and 5-year survival of PAH in Korea. Cumulative survival and potential predictors of mortality were also assessed among 2,151 incident PAH cases. Results: Between 2002 or 2004 and 2018, the prevalence and incidence of PAH increased 75-fold (0.4 to 29.9 per million people) and 12-fold (0.5 to 6.3 per million person-years), respectively. The proportion of patients on combination PAH-specific drug therapy has also steadily increased up to 29.0% in 2018. Among 2,151 incident PAH cases (median [interquartile range] age, 50 [37-62] years; 67.2% female), the 5-year survival rate and median survival duration were 71.8% and 13.1 years, respectively. Independent predictors of mortality were age, sex, etiology of PAH, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and chronic kidney disease. Conclusions: This nationwide study delineated that the prevalence and incidence of PAH have grown rapidly in Korea since the early 2000s. The use of combination therapy has also increased, and the 5-year survival rate of PAH in Korea was similar to those in western countries.

노인의 건강상태와 복약실태 (A Study on the Status of Health and Medication in the Elderly)

  • 조원순
    • 한국보건간호학회지
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    • 제14권2호
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    • pp.431-445
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    • 2000
  • In general the prevalence of old people is high and frequently have multiple diseases and symtoms requiring treatment. The nature of illness in the elderly has to be faced, and drugs do have an important part in the treatment of that illness. The purpose of this study were to describe health status and medication, and to provide some basic data for elderly's health education, especially for the right medication. Body mass index, self perceived health status, activities of daily living, disease and experience of past operation were surveyed to recognize the 249 elderly's actual health status. The degree of the elderly's understanding the way of medication, experience of side effects, experience of drug combination and incidence of drug adverse reaction along with drug combination were examined for medication. The aged $women(BMI; 10.7\pm13.3\%)$ overweighed the aged $men(BMI; 4.0\pm10.4\%)$. $69.0\%$ of them recognized their health good. Their activities of daily living were diminished following by the age group(p=0.0068) and relationship with self perceived health status were very significant(p=0.0005). They(192 elderly) suffered from multiple disease such as $osteoarthritis(49.5\%)$, $hypertension(32.0\%)$, gastric $disorder(16.1%)$, $diabetes(14.6\%)$, $osteomalacia(10.9\%)$, cardiovascular $disease(9.9\%)$, senile $cataract(5.7\%)$, skin $rash(5.2\%)$, liver $disease(4.2\%)$, kidney $disease(3.6\%)$, spinal cord $problem(3.6\%)$, respiratory $disease(2.1\%)$ $tuberculosis(1.0\%)\;etc(1.0\%).$ $28.3\%$ of them replied that they had an operation for appendictis senile cataract, peptic ulcer, spinal cord problem, pleurisy, hemorrhoid and the rest. Most of $them(87.4\%)$ knew the way very well how to use drugs, and $21.6\%$ of the replied 171 elderly experienced adverse drug reaction. Drug compliance rate were $high(83.6\%)$. In our study 56.9% of the 167 elderly took several medicine together. And $18.9\%$ of the 95 elderly who did drug combination had an experience of drug interaction. One person kept average 5.5 kinds of drugs at home among 243 elderly. They kept $digestives(79.4\%)$, $ointments(68.7\%)$, $vitamins(59.7\%)$, $analgesics(59.7\%)$, cold $medicines(45.3\%)$ antiarthritic $drugs(33.3\%)$, health $foods(27.7\%)$, antihypertensive $drugs(25.1\%)$, anti peptic ulcer $drugs(24.7\%)$, $laxatives(19.8\%)$, $antacids(16.5\%),\;antibiotics(l6.5\%)$, hypoglycemic $agents(10.3\%)$, cardiac $stimulants(7.0\%)$, $diuretics(4.5\%)$, antiarrhythmic $drugs(4.9\%)$, anti anginal $drugs(4.1\%)$, $hypnotics(3.3\%)$, $etc(38.3\%)$. With this result, we ascertain that polypharmacy in the elderly caused by multiple disease is common, which lead to drug interaction. So our task is to educate elderly how to use drugs in order to maximize their efficiency and to minimize their adverse effects.

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일개 보건소를 방문하는 고혈압, 당뇨 및 관절염환자의 보완요법 이용실태 (Utilization Pattern of Complementary Therapy in Hypertension, Diabetes and Chronic Arthritis Patients Visited to Local Health Center)

  • 박애주;박재용;한창현
    • 농촌의학ㆍ지역보건
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    • 제28권2호
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    • pp.107-122
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    • 2003
  • 만성질환자들의 보완요법 이용률과 이용양상을 알아보기 위하여 보건소에 등록된 고혈압, 당뇨병, 만성관절염 환자를 대상으로 하여 2001년 1월 3일부터 1개월간 각 질환별로 200명씩 총 600명에게 지난 12개월간의 보완요법이용실태에대하여직접면담조사를실시하였다. 지난 1년 동안 전체 대상자의 47.5%가 보완요법을 이용하였는데, 고혈압 환자는 35.0%, 당뇨병 환자는 44.6%, 관절염 환자는 62.9%가 보완요법을 이용하여 관절염 환자의 이용률이 가장 높았다. 보완요법 이용률은 대상자의 일반적 특성에 따라서 거의 유의한 차이를 보이지 않았다. 보완요법 이용자 중 고혈압 환자는 약초요법(31.0%)과 침요법(29.6%)을 많이 이용하였고, 당뇨병 환자는 식이요법(57.5%)과 약초요법(35.1%)을 그리고, 관절염 환자는 침요법(85.0%)과 약초요법(34.7%)을 많이 이용하였다. 보완요법 이용자중 2종류 이상을 이용한 사람은 36.8%였고, 고혈압 환자가 18.3%, 당뇨병 환자가 24.1%, 관절염 환자가 55.9%로서 관절염 환자가 여러종류의 보완요법을 이용하였다. 가장 많이 이용한 보완요법을 종류별로 보면 침술이 47.0%로 가장 높은 빈도를 보였고, 그 다음이 한약(26.3%), 건강보조기구(21.8%), 민간요법(21.4%), 물리치료(9.5%), 건강보조식품(8.4%), 약초(7.7%), 수지침(3.2%), 단전호흡(1.1%), 기공치료(0.7%)의 순이었다. 보완요법을 이용한 장소로는 한의원이 42.8%로 가장 많았고, 이용한 이유로서는 치료를 위해서가 61.8%, 증상완화가 26.0%로 대부분의 환자들이 치료와 증상완화를 위해서 이용하였으며, 지난 1년간 보완요법 이용에 지출한 비용은 9만원 이하가 40.3%로 가장 많았고, 50만원 이상도 31.2%이었다. 보완요법 이용 후 56.1%가 만족하다고 대답했고, 6.0%는 부작용을 경험했다고 하였다. 보완요법을 이용한 사람들의 74.0%가 계속 이용하겠다고 하였으며, 56.1%는 다른 사람에게 권유할 의향이 있다고 하였다. 정통의료와 비교한 보완요법의 이점으로는 33.5%가 심리적으로 안정감을 준다, 21.2%는 몸을 보호해 준다, 19.2%가 효과가 좋다라고 하였다. 또한 조사대상자 가운데 보완요법에 대한 교육을 희망하는 사람은 34.0%였다. 이상의 연구결과에서 볼 때 만성질환자들의 상당수(47.5%)가 지난 1년간 자신들의 건강문제를 해결하기 위하여 다양한 종류의 보완요법을 이용하였고, 비록 부작용 경험률이 6.0%정도 되지만 보완요법에 대한 만족도가 비교적 높고, 계속적으로 이용할 의사가 높기 때문에 보건기관이나 의료인들의 적극적인 관심이 요구되며, 부작용이 없고 건강증진에 도움이 되는 다양한 보완요법 프로그램 개발에 노력을 기울려야 할 것으로 생각된다. 그리고 보안요법의 효능를 확인하는 노력이 계속되어야 하고, 적절한 가격을 유지할 수 있는 제도적 장치도 필요하다고 생각된다.

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고혈압 환자의 투약순응도와 영향 요인 분석 (Analysis of the medication compliance of hypertensives and its influential factors)

  • 손경애;김윤신;홍민희;정미애
    • 한국산학기술학회논문지
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    • 제11권5호
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    • pp.1897-1904
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    • 2010
  • 본 연구는 행정자료인 건강보험 및 의료급여비용 청구자료를 이용하였으며, 일개지역(2개도, 남 북)에 개설되어있는 전체 의료기관을 대상으로 진료일 기준 '08.7월~'08.12월(184일)동안 외래 방문이 1회 이상인 30세 이상의 수진자 432,915명을 대상으로 하였다. 투약순응도와 영향 요인을 분석한 결과 아래와 같다. 연구대상자의 투약순응도 평균은 61.5%로 나타났으며, 이는 분석대상기간 6개월(184일)동안 약 113일 정도 처방 받았음을 의미하며, 투약순응군 비율은 13.0%에 불과하였다. 고혈압상병(주 부상병)으로 외래를 방문한 평균 횟수는 4.3일, 방문한 기관수는 평균 1.1곳이었고, 한곳의 의료기관만을 이용한 환자가 전체의 94.9%로 나타났다. 당뇨병을 동반상병으로 가지고 있는 환자가 11.6%로 가장 많았고 고혈압 환자의 23.3%가 동반상병을 가지고 있었다. 투약순응도는 남성, 건강보험 가입자, 종합전문을 주이용기관으로 이용하는 환자, 동반상병을 가지고 있는 환자에서 높게 나타났으며, 65-74세까지 투약 순응도가 증가하다가 그 후 감소하는 경향을 보였다. 투약순응도에 영향을 미치는 요인으로는 남성, 55-64세, 건강보험 가입자가, 종합전문, 종합병원, 보건기관을 주 이용기관으로 방문하는 환자와 심장질환, 당뇨병을 동반상병으로 가지고 있는 환자에서 투약순응도가 높았다. 이상의 연구결과 투약 순응도가 낮은 환자에 대한 다양한 요인분석이 필요하며, 투약 순응도를 높이기 위한 고혈압관리사업의 정책적 검토 및 대안이 필요할 것이다. 또한 고혈압 환자의 경우 당뇨 등 동반상병 비율이 높아 저염식, 금연 등 올바른 생활습관 관리를 위한 체계적 보건교육과 홍보 프로그램을 개발할 필요성이 요구된다.

The Association Between Smoking Tobacco After a Diagnosis of Diabetes and the Prevalence of Diabetic Nephropathy in the Korean Male Population

  • Yeom, Hyungseon;Lee, Jung Hyun;Kim, Hyeon Chang;Suh, Il
    • Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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    • 제49권2호
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    • pp.108-117
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    • 2016
  • Objectives: Smoking is known to be associated with nephropathy in patients with diabetes. The distinct effects of smoking before and after diabetes has been diagnosed, however, are not well characterized. We evaluated the association of cigarette smoking before and after a diagnosis of diabetes with the presence of diabetic nephropathy. Methods: We analyzed data from the 2011-2013 editions of the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. A total of 629 male patients diagnosed with diabetes were classified as non-smokers (90 patients), former smokers (225 patients), or continuing smokers (314 patients). A "former smoker" was a patient who smoked only before receiving his diagnosis of diabetes. A "continuing smoker" was a patient who smoked at any time after his diabetes had been diagnosed. Diabetic nephropathy was defined as the presence of albuminuria (spot urine albumin/creatinine ratio ${\geq}30mg/g$) or low estimated glomerular filtration rate ($<60mL/min/1.73m^2$). Multiple logistic regression models were used to assess the independent association after adjusting for age, duration of diabetes, hemoglobin A1c, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, medication for hypertension, and medication for dyslipidemia. Female patients were excluded from the study due to the small proportion of females in the survey who smoked. Results: Compared to non-smokers, continuing smokers had significantly higher odds ratio ([OR], 2.17; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.23 to 3.83) of suffering from diabetic nephropathy. The corresponding OR (95% CI) for former smokers was 1.26 (0.70 to 2.29). Conclusions: Smoking after diagnosis of diabetes is significantly associated with the presence of diabetic nephropathy in the Korean male population.

고혈압(高血壓) 환자(患者)의 혈압관리실태(血壓管理實態)와 한방이용(韓方利用) 현황(現況) (The Condition of Controlling Blood-pressure and the Use of Oriental Medical Services in Hypertensive Patients)

  • 신택수;류성기;정명수;이기남
    • 한국전통의학지
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    • 제15권1호
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    • pp.128-144
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    • 2006
  • This Study aims at looking into the use of oriental medical services in treating hypertension. The first objective to be explored through this study is the morbidity caused by the disease, classifying them by age, gender, and occupation. The second is to determine the regular use of anti-hypertensive medicine and their efficacy in controlling blood-pressure. The third is to investigate the use-rate and satisfaction of oriental medical service. 838 households across the country, were asked to answer questionnaires for the period of time from Apr. to Jun. 2005. The conclusion from the survey can be summarized as following. The age of which the first medical diagnosis of hypertension were made showed lower in males, those with higher education and income. The study showed females were more active in blood-pressure control, with their frequent monitoring of blood-pressure for the past year. With age, people in under 50 age group proved to be less active. The management of high blood pressure was more effective in group with regular dosage compared to group with irregular use of anti-hypertensive medication, but their difference was minimal. Also, group with no medication showed signs of blood-pressure control. The use of oriental medical service for the past year, were more frequent in groups with lower education, either low or high income, old age, females and occupations in agriculture, forestry and fishing industry. Results were similar in both general population and high blood-pressure patient group. Females, people over 51 years old and with lower education showed more intentions in utilizing oriental medical services in the future. Results were similar in both general population and high blood-pressure patient group. It is necessary to offer a more accurate information on oriental medical treatments. Also, a systematic reform to reduce the patient's share of the treatment cost, as well as, heightening public awareness on the infirmity of present blood-pressure management system is crucial.

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고혈압 환자들의 순응도와 건강행태의 관계 (Study on Health Behavior of Hypertensive Patients and Compliance for Treatment of Antihypertensive Medication)

  • 김주연;이동배;조영채;이석구;장성실;권윤형;이태용
    • 농촌의학ㆍ지역보건
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    • 제25권1호
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    • pp.29-49
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    • 2000
  • 충남 천안시의 30세 이상 인구에서 표본추출된 7,030명 중 조사된 5,372명에 대하여 고혈압의 유병률을 파악하고, 이들 중 의료기관에서 고혈압으로 진단을 받은 후의 치료순응과 행태의 차이를 파악하기 위하여 1998년 10월 16일부터 12월 19일까지 조사한 결과는 다음과 같다. 1. JNC VI의 고혈압 1도 기준에 의한 고혈압 유병률은 남자 49.8%, 여자 38.8%로 남자가 높았으며, 연령별 고혈압 유병률은 남녀 모두 50대까지는 연령이 증가함에 따라 증가하다가 그 이후는 완만하게 증가하는 양상을 보였다. 2. 교육수준별 고혈압 유병률은 남자의 경우 학력에 따라 차이가 크지 않았으나, 여자의 경우 초등학교 이하 49.8%, 중졸 37.6%, 고졸 24.9%, 대졸 19.6%로 학력이 높아질수록 낮아지는 경향을 보였다. 가구당 월평균수입별 고혈압 유병률은 수입에 관계없이 일정하였으며, 직업별 고혈압 유병률은 무직에서 전문·관리직에 비하여 상대적으로 높았다. 비만도별 고혈압 유병률은 남녀 모두 과체중에서 세장형, 정상체중 군에 비하여 높았다(p<0.01). 3. 고혈압 가족력이 있는 군의 고혈압 유병률은 58.5%로 가족력이 없는 군의 46.7% 보다 높았으나(p<0.01), 여자는 가족력이 있는 군이 38.5%, 없는 군이 38.9%로 비슷하였다. 콜레스테롤 수치별 고혈압 유병률은 콜레스테롤의 수치가 240 mg/dl 이상에서 남자 64.0%, 여자 52.4%로 240 mg/dl 미만의 남자 48.9%, 여자 37.6%보다 높았다(p<0.01). 혈당의 고혈압 유병률은 남녀 모두 혈당치가 증가할수록 높아졌고, 200 mg/dl 이상부터는 크게 높아졌다. 4. 의료기관에서 고혈압으로 진단받은 사람 중 치료순응군은 61.1%, 치료비순응군은 38.9%이었으며, 현재의 혈압분포는 고혈압이 치료순응군에서 79.8%, 치료비순응군 81.1%로 두 군이 비슷하였다. 5. 연령별 치료순응도는 남녀 모두 치료순응군이 치료비순응군에 비하여 연령이 많았고, 학력은 치료비순응군에서 높았다(p<0.01). 직업별 치료순응도는 남자의 경우 치료순응군은 무직에서 높았으나, 치료비순응군은 단순 노무, 사무 기술직에서 높았으며(p<0.01), 여자는 직업에 따라 치료순응도의 차이가 없었다. 6. 가구당 월수입별 치료순응도는 남자의 경우 치료비순응군이 치료순응군에 비하여 수입이 높았으며(p<0.01), 여자는 차이가 없었고, 가족력별 치료순응도는 남녀 모두 차이가 없었다. 7. 치료순응과 관련된 행태 중 운동의 규칙성은 남자의 경우 치료순응군이 83.7%, 치료비순응군이 62.2%로 치료순응군에서 높았으나(p<0.05), 여자는 차이가 없었다. 주관적 건강 상태가 나쁘다고 생각하는 경우가 남녀 모두 치료순응군에서 높았으며(p<0.01), 흡연을 하는 사람과 흡연랑은 남자의 경우 치료비순응군에서 높았으며(p<0.01), 여자는 두 군간에 차이가 없었다. 8. 음주를 하는 사람은 남녀 모두 치료비순응군에서 높았으며(p<0.05), 음주횟수는 두 군간에 차이가 없었으며, 체질량지수, 체중측정의 규칙성, 체중조절방법, 운동여부, 육류섭취와 식염섭취, 혈중 콜레스테롤과 혈당은 치료순응도과 관계가 없었다. 9. 치료를 위한 비약물요법 실천은 남자의 경우 치료순응군이 13.2%, 치료비수응군이 2.5%로 치료순응군이 높았으며(p<0.01), 여자도 치료순응군 10.6%, 치료비순응군 0.8%로 치료순응군에서 높았다. 결론적으로 고혈압 유병률이 매우 높아 순환기계질환에 미칠 영향이 매우 클 것이며, 치료순응도에 따른 치료효과를 높이고, 건강증진을 위하여 건강행태변화를 유도하여야 할 것이다. 그러므로 이를 위한 보건교육과 홍보 등의 확대와 지속적인 관리대책을 세우는 것이 필요하다고 본다.

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우황청심원(牛黃淸心元)의 단독투여 및 연속투여에 따른 정상인의 뇌혈관반응도의 비교연구 (A Comparative Study about Cerebrovascular Reactivity from a Single Medication and Continuous Medication on Healthy Subjects)

  • 황재응;김창현;민인규;김영지;임정태;나병조;박성욱;박정미;고창남;배형섭;정우상;문상관;조기호;김영석
    • 대한한의학회지
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    • 제30권1호
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    • pp.95-108
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    • 2009
  • Objectives: Uwhangchungsim-won (DC) has been used in various medical fields such as stroke, hypertension, atherosclerosis, autonomic imbalance and mental instability, etc. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of UC on cerebral hemodynamics and estimate the appropriate dose of UC. Methods: We studied changes of hyperventilation-induced cerebrovascular reactivity and mean blood flow velocity of middle cerebral arteries (MCA) using transcranial Doppler. We observed the changes of mean blood pressure, pulse rate and expiratory CO2 using S/5 Compact Anesthesia Monitor from 10 healthy young volunteers who were administered UC twice a day in the 1 st section and then once a day in the 2nd section. Results: Mean blood pressure tended to decrease at 1 hour and pulse rate tended to decrease at 2 hours after second administration. After 2 hours, mean blood pressure rose to state before administration, but pulse rate maintained from 2 hours to 4 hours. The changes were not statistically significant. Cerebral blood flow velocity in middle cerebral artery was not statistically significant after second administration. Cerebrovascular reactivity increased from 2 hours to 4 hours after second administration. Conclusions: This study provides that administration of UC twice a day is more effective on hyperventilation-induced cerebrovascular reactivity than administration of UC once a day.

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고혈압 환자 마취시 Transdermal Clonidine (St 155 BS)의 임상적 유용성 (Clinical Efficacy of Transdermal Clonidine (St 155 BS) for Anesthetic Management in Hypertensive Patients)

  • 이현화;김동옥;김건식;최영규;신옥영;권무일;이두익
    • The Korean Journal of Pain
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    • 제6권2호
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    • pp.231-236
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    • 1993
  • Clonidine, a centrally-acting antihypertensive agent known to reduce central sympathetic outflow and modulate presynaptic transmitter's release, has shown to suppress central noradrenergic hyperactivity induced by immobilization stress in animals, by decreasing the MAC of halothane and the dose of narcotics required to prevent reflex cardiovascular response to noxious stimuli, and to have potent analgesic properties in humans. These characteristics suggest that clonidine might be a useful adjunct to the anesthetic management of patients with preexisting hypertension. Accordingly, we determined the clinical efficacy and safety on analgesia, sedation and hemodynamic stability in the perioperative period. Thirty patients(ASA physical status II-III) with a history of arterial hypertension, scheduled for elective orthopedic surgery were randomly assigned to two groups. We applied CPA-clonidine patch($6.9\;mg/cm^2$, 0.2 mg delivered daily) or placebo patch to each groups, 48 hours prior to induction of anesthesia. Antihypertensive medication was continued until the morning of the scheduled surgery. All patients received premedication of atropine and lorazepam, and induced anesthesia with thiopental and succinylcholine, and maintained with enflurane and 50% nitrous oxide, while sustaining the BP and pulse rate at acceptable range. For the relief of pain postoperatively, diclofenac and fentanyl were administered intramuscularly on demand. The results were as follows: 1) The change of hemodynamic responses in clonidine group was less compared to the placebo group. 2) Intraoperative anesthetic requirement for enflurane in clonidine group were significantly lower than placebo group. 3) Postoperative analgetic requirement in clonidine group were significantly lower than placebo group. In clonidine group, 5 cases out of 15 cases were required no analgetics, and the incidence of administration of additional fentanyl was decreased to 5 cases, comparing with 10 cases in placebo group.

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충북지역 노인들의 약물복용 및 영양상태 - I. 질병 및 약물복용실태- (Drug Consumption and Nutritional Status of the Elderly in Chung-Buk Area - I. Diseades and Drug Consumption-)

  • 한경희;김기남;박동연
    • 대한지역사회영양학회지
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    • 제3권1호
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    • pp.76-93
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    • 1998
  • Three hundred sixty-two(male 131, female 231) elderly aged over 65 in Chungb- uk area were interviewed to determine the disease states and drug usage patterns. The prebalence of disease was 78% and women reported more chronic diseases(83%) than men(71%). Elderly who live with spouse and have an occupation have a lower rate of disease. Average number of diseases of the elderly was $1.8\pm{1.1}$, and women$(2.1\pm{1.3)}$ have significantly higher average number of diseases than that of men$(1.4\pm{0.7)}$. Also the elderly in urban areas$(2.1\pm{1.4)}$ have significantly higher number of diseases than that of the elderly in rural areas$(1.6\pm{0.9)}$. Arthritis, hypertension, cardiovascular and gastric diseases were the most frequently listed chronic diseases in order for both men and women. Anemia and fracture of bone were relatively higher in women than in men. Particularly, the arthritis of the urban elderly have a rate of 1.5 times higher than that of the rural elderly. Fifty-two percent of the elderly were currently using drugs ; among drug users 71.2% used prescription drugs and 20.5% used nonprescription drugs. The average number taken per person was 2.1$\pm$1.4 and there was no sex or age difference. However, the elderly in rural areas $(2.7\pm{1.7)}$ consumed a significantly higher number of drugs than those in urban areas$(1.7\pm{0.7)}$. The average number of prescripti- on drugs taken was 2.0$\pm$1.4 while the average of nonprescription drugs taken was $(1.3\pm{0.6)}$. Analgesics and antihypertensive drugs were most commonly used. Vitamin and analgesics were the most frequently used self-prescribed drugs. It was noted that potential adverse drug interaction by concominant drug consumption for arthritis and antihypensive drug, abuse of digestants and antiacid without treatment of the underlying disease, and misuse of quick-acting bowel medications were problematic for the elderly. In addition drugs used for the elderly have some adverse effect on the digestive system. The types and composition of drugs used by the elderly were identified and presented. Medication compliance was poor and 13.5% reported adverse reactions such as edema, heartburn, nausea, and difficulty with eating. Seventeen percent of the elderly obtained drugs arranged by those other than medical staff. Also, even among those elderly who obtained drugs prescribed by a doctor, 69.1% of subjects had not receive instruction about potential adverse reactions. These results suggest that nutritional problems related to drug usage might exist and so dietitians, either individually or as members of health teams, need to have a better understanding of drug-nutrient interaction and closer supervision, and drug information/education service should therefore be provided to prevent or minimize adverse drug reaction in elderly users of medication.

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