• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.82-90
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• 1995

Objectives : Insomnia is significantly influenced by the pre-sleep arousal, self efficacy, sleep hygiene, depression and anxiety. The authors tried to explore how these factors are related with the clinical features of sleep. Methods : Fifty three patients diagnosed as insomnia by DSM-IV criteria were studied. They filled up the pre-sleep arousal scale(PSAS), sleep efficacy scale(SES), sleep hygiene awareness and practice scale, BDI, and state and trait anxiety scales. Results: 1) The mean values of sleep-related variables were as follows : Sleep latency,136.89 minutes ; frequences of awakening during a night, 2.28 ; minutes to get back to sleep, 42.70 ; total sleep time, 180.19 minutes ; duration of illness, 72.00 months. 2) The mean scores of scales were as follows : PSAS(cognitive), 22.40 ; PSAS(somatic), 17.32 ; SES, 20.16 ; sleep hygiene knowledge, 25.96 ; caffein knowledge, 59.78 ; sleep hygiene practice, 42.12 ; BDI. 18.2 ; state anxiety, 41.24 ; trait anxiety ; 44.50. 3) In the subjects with superimposed depression, the mean frequency of awakening during a night and the mean pre-sleep arousal scale score were higher than in those without depression. 4) Frequency of awakening were correlated positively with a PSAS(a tight tense feeling in your muscle) and sleep hygiene awareness. PSAS(cognitive) were correlated positively with a PSAS(somatic). BDI correlated positively with a PSAS item(a jittery, nervous feeling in your body)and a SES item (not allow a poor night's sleep to interfere with daily activities). Anxiety scales were correlated positively with sleep hygiene practice scale sleep, and PSAS were correlated negatively with SES. Conclusions : The mean scores of PSAS, SES, sleep hygiene awareness and practice scale, BDI, state and trait anxiety scales of insomniacs were correlated either positively or negatively in insomnia patients. These factors seem to contribute to the development and maintainence of insomnia.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.185-192
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• 2016

Objectives Treatment response of bipolar disorders (BDs) to long-term mood stabilizers maintenance has not been well explored because of complicated clinical and treatment courses. This study aims at investigating long-term clinical response of BDs to lithium and/or valproate in a naturalistic setting of a tertiary-care university-affiliated hospital. Methods Subjects were 65 patients with bipolar I (BD-I) disorders who had been treated with lithium and/or valproate for more than two years at single bipolar disorder clinic. Long-term response to the best treatment based on treatment algorithms and the current clinical standard of care was retrospectively evaluated using the Alda Scale and the Clinical Global Impression Scale for use in bi-polar illness (CGI-BP). Patients were classified into full responder and partial/non responder groups based on the total score of the Alda Scale with the cut-off score generated from the frequentist mixture analysis of the authors' previous study. Results The mean duration of treatment with the index medication was 69.2 months. Baseline demographic and clinical characteristics were not different among three mood stabilizer groups (valproate, lithium, and combination groups). Twenty-one subjects were classified into full responder group (32.3%). Treatment response assessed by the Alda Scale and CGI-BP scores was not different between lithium and valproate groups. The Alda Scale scores were well correlated with the CGI-BP scores (p < 0.05). Conclusions One third of the patients showed a full response to the long-term lithium and/or valproate treatment in BD-I. The degree of response was similar between lithium and valproate groups.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.199-204
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• 2016

Objectives Although forgetfulness is a common complaint among menopausal depressed women, there is still a debate about the relationship between memory impairment and menopause. The aim of this study is to examine whether menopause is related to cognitive decline among women with depressive disorders. We hypothesized that postmenopausal depressed women show generally poorer performance than premenopausal depressed women on various cognitive function tests. Methods With a retrospective chart review, we identified a total of 87 female patients (45 premenopausal patients and 42 postmenopausal patients) who were hospitalized with depressive disorders from 2000 to 2016. Demographic and clinical variables and cognitive test results were compared between two groups. Results Education year is longer in premenopausal group than postmenopausal group whereas clinical characteristics (illness duration, recurrence, and symptom severity) and mean Intelligence Quotient (IQ) were similar between two groups. The postmenopausal group took longer time for Bender-Gestalt Test (BGT) recall, Trail Making Test (TMT)-A, and TMT-B than the premenopausal group. After controlling for age and education, significant difference was remained for BGT recall (p = 0.029). Conclusions Postmenopausal state may be related with decline of visuospatial memory function, in particular, among depressed female patients. Other areas of cognitive function including complex attention, verbal memory, auditory memory, and working memory might be interpreted while considering age and education level.

• THE JOURNAL OF KOREAN ORIENTAL ONCOLOGY
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.99-108
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• 2003

Recently, the proportion of the population older has increased rapidly. As the aged population is increasing, the prevalence of malignancy rises with age, too. We believe that the potential benefits of approach to cancer care in the elderly are self-evident. In order to investigate the characteristics of cancer in the elderly, we reviewed literature related with the biology of the aged with cancer. The elderly undergo age-related changes in their physiology which may result in altered tolerance to disease and to the requirements of the management of illness. The possible reasons for the increased prevalence of cancer in the elderly are a longer potential duration of exposure to carcinogens, a reduced ability of repair DNA and reduced host defences against malignancy. In general, cancer patients in the elderly have a shorter survival. Because it is impossible to offer the active treatment of cancer in the elderly. Also, they have the problems that the psychosocial change and reduce of physiological function such as absorption, metabolism and excretion. We hope that other groups will further research cancer in the elderly in future.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.61 no.3
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• pp.84-89
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• 2018

Purpose: Timely antibiotic therapy in selected cases of diarrhea associated with bacterial infections can reduce the duration and severity of illness and prevent complications. The availability of a predictive index before identification of causative bacteria would aid in the choice of a therapeutic agent. Methods: The study included patients admitted to the pediatrics unit at Konyang University Hospital for acute inflammatory diarrhea from August 1, 2015 to July 31, 2016 who underwent multiplex polymerase chain reaction testing. Of 248 patients, 83 had positive results. The clinical symptoms and blood test results were examined in 61 patients with Campylobacter spp. (25 patients), Salmonella spp. (18 patients), and Clostridium perfringens (18 patients) infections. The mean age of the 61 patients (male:femal=31:30) was $84.0{\pm}54.8months$, and the mean hospital stay was $4.6{\pm}1.7days$. Results: There were no statistical differences in sex, age, clinical symptoms, or signs. Patients with Campylobacter infection were significantly older (P=0.00). C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in patients with Campylobacter infection were higher than those in the other 2 groups, at $9.6{\pm}6.1mg/dL$. The results of receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis showed that the cutoff age was ${\geq}103.5months$ (sensitivity, 72%; specificity, 86%) and the CRP cutoff level was ${\geq}4.55mg/dL$ (sensitivity, 80%; specificity, 69%). Conclusion: Age (${\geq}103.5months$) and higher CRP level (${\geq}4.55mg/dL$) were good predictors of Campylobacter enterocolitis. If neither criterion was met, Campylobacter enterocolitis was unlikely (negative predictive value 97.2%). When both criteria were met, Campylobacter enterocolitis was highly likely.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.244-256
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• 2001

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of coping mechanisms on uncertainty and depression. The subjects were 71 cancer patients selected from Junbook National University Hospital, and the data collection period was from June 21 to October 19 of 2000. Uncertainty was measured by using Mishel's Uncertainty Scale, problem- focused coping, and emotional-focused coping. The data was collected by a questionnaire developed by Lee (1984), and then depression measured by using Beck's depression scale. program by Pearson Correlation Coefficients, and Path analysis. The results were as follows : 1. The mean uncertainty score was 59.17, the mean problem-focused coping score was 48.78, the mean emotional-focused coping score was 42.52. 2. The mean depression score was 15.77. 3. Uncertainty in illness was significantly related to depression (p=0.003) and emotional-focused coping (p=0.028), but uncertainty was not associated with coping mechanisms. 4. When analyzed multiple regression between uncertainty, problem-focused coping, emotional- focused coping, and depression, more specifically emotional-focused coping showed a stronger association with depression than problem-focused coping. 5. Depression was highly correlated with economic status (p=0.015), educational background (p=0.005), duration of disease (p=0.045). 6. Problem-focused coping and emotional-focused coping appeared to function as moderators instead mediators on the relation between uncertainty and depression. In addition, as a whole, uncertainty showed a significant moderating effect on depression, while problem-focused coping did on depression. Finally, limitation of present findings were discussed and implications for future studies are suggested.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.1-17
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• 2020

Objectives The purpose of this study is to analyze clinical studies on effectiveness of herbal medicine in refractory nephrotic syndrome (RNS). Methods We searched the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with herbal medicine treatment on RNS from the Pubmed, CNKI, OASIS, NDSL, J-stage, and CiNii. The demographic data, duration of illness, intervention, treatment period, outcome, adverse events, and composition of herbal medicine were analyzed for this study. Results 11 RCT studies were selected and analyzed. The children in the control group were given western medicine therapy, and the treatment group was given herbal medicine along with the same western medicine of the control group. The most commonly used herbal medicines were the prescriptions to treat 'Kidney Deficiency with Blood Stasis (腎虛兼瘀血)' which composed of 'Promoting blood circulation (化瘀)', 'Diuresis-inducing (利水)', or 'Heating Yang (溫陽)' medicine based on 'Replenishing Kidney or Spleen (補腎, 補脾)' medicine. In the treatment group, proteinuria and serum lipid was significantly decreased, serum albumin was significantly increased, and total effective rate was significantly higher than the control group. Hypercoagulation and relapse rate was also significantly reduced. Adverse events were significantly lower in the treatment group. Conclusions Herbal medicine treatment on pediatric RNS can be suggested as a new treatment for children who have less response to the conventional therapy. It can also supplement the limitations of the western medicine by reducing adverse events from the steroids and immuno-suppressive agents, and lower the relapse rate as well.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.252-259
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• 2004

Objectives : Halitosis is a common human condition, exact pathophysiological mechanisms of which are unclear. This study, which investigates halitosis patients' characteristics and their related factors, was done with intent to establish a foundation for the Oriental Medical treatment of halitosis. Methods : 329 patients were surveyed by reviewing medical charts and questionnaires from the East-West Halitosis Clinic of Kyunghee Medical Center from May 1, 2001 to December 31, 2002. Sex, age, illness duration, coating on the tongue, postnasal drip, globus pharyngeus, indigestion, condition of feces, halimeter measurements and results of the salivary scans were analyzed. Results : The thick and yellowish coating on the tongue was not a major cause of halitosis in the patients studied. Among the halitosis patients, 21.6% complained of postnasal drip, 15.6% of globus pharyngeus, 37.4% of indigestion, and 23.8% of diarrhea or constipation, suggesting the possibility of extra-oral origin in oral malodor. Conclusions : This study suggests that, when treating halitosis patients, intra-oral causes of halitosis aside, Oriental Medical treatments such as solving qi-stasis(氣鬱), augmenting deficiency of the spleen qi(碑氣虛) and treating gastric fever(胃熱) constitute effective management for oral malodor patients.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.112-121
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• 1994

During the 7 years period from March 1987 to Febrary 1994, 344 patients with thyroid nodules, were admitted and operated at Department of Surgery, Collage of Medicine, Hallym university. We obtained following results: 1) The thyroid nodules were prevalent in female with ratio 1:17.1, both benign and malignant nodules were prevalent in the forth decade(37.8%:25.8%). 2) The duration of illness within 6 months was most common: 47.1% and within 1 years was 66.6%. 3) The most prominent symptoms & sign were palpable mass in anterior neck(96.8%). 4) The right-sided thyroid nodules were most common. 5) Thyroid scaning and thyroid function test were found to be not much value in differentiating malignancy. 6) Accuracy of the fine needle aspiration cytology was 75.5%. 7) There were 251 cases(73.0%) of benign and 93 cases(27.0%) of malignant nodules: most frequent benign nodule was adenomatous goiter(67.7%) and the most frequent malignant nodule was papillary adenocarcinoma (86.0%). 8) The most commonly performed surgical procedure was unilateral lobectomy with isthmectomy in both benign(41.0%) and malignant(33.3%). 9) Postoperative complications are as follows: transient hypothyroidism 22cases, transient hoaseness 16 cases, hypothyroidism 6 cases, wound infection 4 cases, hematoma 3 cases, permanent hoaseness 2 cases.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.91-101
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• 1994

Nodular thyroid disease is a common clinical problem. The problem in clinical practice is to distinguish malignant or potentially malignant tumor from harmless nodules. The cases of thyroid nodule surgically managed at Department of General Surgery, Soon Chun Hyang Univ. Hospital during the period Jan. 1985 to July. 1992 were reviewed retrospectively. To assess method of distinguishing malignant from benign lesions of the thyroid gland, we reviewed 162 patients with thyroid nodule. There were 61(37.7%) malignant nodules and 101(62.3%) benign nodules. According to the review, distinguishing the benign from the malignant nodule with history, physical examination, clinical manifestation, and duration of illness was not suggested sufficiently. In ultrasonogram of 73 cases, 57.5% of nodules were solid, 20.6% were cystic, 21.9% were mixed solid and cystic. Of these, 28.5% of the operated solid lesions, 12.5% of the mixed lesions, and only 6.7% of the cystic lesions were malignant. Thyroid scanning of 82 cases revealed cold nodules in 60 patients(73.2%), of which 26 cases were malignant(36.6%) 137 patients underwent fine needle aspiration cytology(FNAC), and these results were as follow: sensitiviey was 70.6%, specificity was 93.0%, false-positive rate was 14.3%, and false-negative rate was 15.8%. 41 patients underwent frozen biopsy, and the results as follow: sensitivity was 80.0%, specificity was 89.7%. Neither scintigraphy nor ultrasonogram has sufficient specificity to distinguish benign from malignant nodule. But FNAC and frozen biopsy have sufficient accuracy to differentiate benign from malignant nodule. In the benign nodules, the most common type of operation was total lobectomy (60.4%). Of the malignant nodules, total thyroidectomy with or without modified radical neck dissection was performed in 30 cases(49.2%). We conclude that the single technique used to determine the differential diagnosis of a thyroid nodule are unrealiable. It is therefore essential to combine all avaiable clinical and laboratory information.