• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
• /
• v.31 no.4
• /
• pp.105-116
• /
• 2021

Objectives Lumbar herniated intervertebral disc (L-HIVD) is common disease in which Western-Korean collaborative treatment is performed in Korea. This study aimed to analyze Western-Korean collaborative treatment utilization of Korean patients with L-HIVD using Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service's Patients Sample Data. Methods This study used the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service-National Patient Sample (HIRA-NPS) in 2018. Claim data of L-HIVD patients were extracted. The claim data were rebuilt with the operational concept of 'episode of care' and divided into Korean medicine episode group (KM), Western medicine episode group (WM) and collaborative treatment episode group (CT). General characteristics, medical expenses and healthcare utilization were analyzed. In addition, the difference of average visit day and average medical expenses between non-collaborative group (KM plus WM) and CT were analyzed by the propensity score matching method. Results A Total of 64,333 patients and 365,745 claims were extracted. The number of episodes of WM, KM and CT was 69,383 (92.97%), 3,903 (5.23%), and 1,341 (1.80%) respectively. The frequency of collaborative treatment episode was higher in women and the age of 50s. The most frequently described treatment in CT was acupuncture therapy. As a result of the propensity score matching, the number of visit days and medical expenses in the collaborative treatment group was higher than in the non-collaborative group. Conclusions The analysis of healthcare utilization of Korean-Western collaborative treatment may be used as basic data for establishing medical policies and systematic collaborative treatment model in the future.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
• /
• v.29 no.1
• /
• pp.41-61
• /
• 2019

Objectives The purpose of this survey was to investigate the using experiences and attitudes of general public toward the East-West collaborative medical practices (EWCMP). Methods We selected objects in general public and structured questionnaires were administrated to both 295 offline participants and 795 online participants. The data was collected from 15 to 28 February 2016 and analyzed statistically by frequency, ${\chi}^2$ cross-over analysis with SPSS software. Results The total number of participants was 1,090 and 66.1% of them has heard but only 19.5% has ever used EWCMP. For participants who has used EWCMP, the decision to use it was made by themselves (53.2%), 44.0% of them was satisfied with EWCMP, 89.4% of them showed revisiting intention to EWCMP hospital, and 72.2% of them showed the intention to introduce EWCMP to others. And 52.3% of them were optimistic about the prospects of EWCMP, especially in the field of disease treatment (49.9%) and rehabilitation (20.6%). On the reasons for lack of development of EWCMP, 31.9% of them listed prejudices existing on both sides firstly (31.9%). Preferred type of EWCMP was to use both western and Korean medical treatment at the same weight (53.9%). To promote EWCMP, it is required to confirm the concept of collaborative medical practice to the medical professions and government authorities (29.5%). Conclusions Considering low proportion of utilization and positive attitude toward the EWCMP among general populations, it is need to introduce or advertise EWCMP to them.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.45 no.2
• /
• pp.83-95
• /
• 2024

Objectives: This study analyzed the factors related to outpatient service to Western medicine (WM) and Korean medicine (KM) of Korean adults with depressed mood using data from the 2019 Korea Health Panel Study. Methods: The general characteristics according to group of 827 individuals, and the factors influencing the use of integrative medicine (IM) medical service were identified using the Chi-square test and binary logistic regression results. The factors were classified based on the Andersen healthcare utilization model. The results of regression analysis were presented as odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: Among the individuals of the study, 658 (79.6%) were in the WM group and 169 (20.4%) were in the IM group. In the WM group and the IM group, the presence of suicidal ideation was common at 37.7% and 43.2%, respectively. As a result of regression analysis, the living in Busan/Daegu/Ulsan/Gyeongsang compared to living in Seoul/Gyeonggi/Incheon [OR = 0.522 (95% CI = 0.328 to 0.830)], and presence of musculoskeletal [OR = 1.686 (95% CI = 1.071 to 2.653)] and mood disorders [OR = 1.737 (95% CI = 1.106 to 2.726)] were the most influential factors on the use of IM medical service. Conclusions: This study is the first in Korea to analyze the patterns of medical institution use and factors used in KM treatment among adults with depressed mood. The results of this study provide preliminary evidence for the contribution of KM to national mental health in the context of depression.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.45 no.3
• /
• pp.243-245
• /
• 2024

Objectives: This study analyzed the factors related to outpatient service to Western medicine (WM) and Korean medicine (KM) of Korean adults with depressed mood using data from the 2019 Korea Health Panel Study. Methods: The general characteristics according to group of 827 individuals, and the factors influencing the use of integrative medicine (IM) medical service were identified using the Chi-square test and binary logistic regression results. The factors were classified based on the Andersen healthcare utilization model. The results of regression analysis were presented as odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: Among the individuals of the study, 658 (79.6%) were in the WM group and 169 (20.4%) were in the IM group. In the WM group and the IM group, the presence of suicidal ideation was common at 37.7% and 43.2%, respectively. As a result of regression analysis, the living in Busan/Daegu/Ulsan/Gyeongsang compared to living in Seoul/Gyeonggi/Incheon [OR = 0.522 (95% CI = 0.328 to 0.830)], and presence of musculoskeletal [OR = 1.686 (95% CI = 1.071 to 2.653)] and mood disorders [OR = 1.737 (95% CI = 1.106 to 2.726)] were the most influential factors on the use of IM medical service. Conclusions: This study is the first in Korea to analyze the patterns of medical institution use and factors used in KM treatment among adults with depressed mood. The results of this study provide preliminary evidence for the contribution of KM to national mental health in the context of depression.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.54 no.5
• /
• pp.278-283
• /
• 2021

Our understanding of the differential effects between specific omega-3 fatty acids is incomplete. Here, we aimed to evaluate the effects of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) on T-helper type 1 (Th1) cell responses and identify the pathways associated with these responses. Naïve CD4⁺ T cells were co-cultured with bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (DCs) in the presence or absence of palmitate (PA), DHA, or EPA. DHA or EPA treatment lowered the number of differentiated IFN-γ-positive cells and inhibited the secretion of IFN-γ, whereas only DHA increased IL-2 and reduced TNF-α secretion. There was reduced expression of MHC II on DCs after DHA or EPA treatment. In the DC-independent model, DHA and EPA reduced Th1 cell differentiation and lowered the cell number. DHA and EPA markedly inhibited IFN-γ secretion, while only EPA reduced TNF-α secretion. Microarray analysis identified pathways involved in inflammation, immunity, metabolism, and cell proliferation. Moreover, DHA and EPA inhibited Th1 cells through the regulation of diverse pathways and genes, including Igf1 and Cpt1a. Our results showed that DHA and EPA had largely comparable inhibitory effects on Th1 cell differentiation. However, each of the fatty acids also had distinct effects on specific cytokine secretion, particularly according to the presence of DCs.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.29 no.4
• /
• pp.1061-1074
• /
• 2008

Objectives : Recently, the number of cancer patients who use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), including oriental medicine, are increasing. Also, evidence for efficacy and safety of cancer CAM is reported continuously. This study was designed to evaluate the quality of the published papers for clinical studies about oriental medical cancer treatment in Korea. Methods : We searched for clinical research papers on the websites of the Korean oriental medical society and subsidiary academies, Korean traditional knowledge portal. Koreanstudies information service system (KISS), etc. We used the reference words 'cancer', 'malignant tumor', 'leukemia', 'lymphoma', 'multiple myeloma', 'melanoma', etc, We then chose studies that had been presented between 1991 and 2008 and analyzed them by publication year, design, cancer type, intervention, subject and journal. Results : There were 86 clinical research papers that were published between 1991 and 2008. The number of clinical studies has increased in a time-dependent manner. Case reports and case series studies account for 78% of total clinical research. Studies of lung cancer account for 17%. Studies of cancer-related symptoms of cancer patients account for 38%. Studies of Hang-Am-Dan account for 33%. Studies published in the journal of the Korean Society of Oriental Internal Medicine account for 35%. Conclusion : The clinical research papers about oriental medicine are increasing over time, but most of the studies are retrospective case reports or case series. Well-designed and prospective clinical trials would be recommended to provide more reliable evidence.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
• /
• v.24 no.1
• /
• pp.41-53
• /
• 2024

Objectives: We used the Korea Health Panel Annual Data 2019 to analyze factors related to visits to both Korean medicine and Western medicine (WM) outpatient clinics among patients with overweight and obesity. Methods: The inclusion criteria for this study are as follows: 1) adults over 18 years of age, 2) overweight or obese with a body mass index of 25.0 or more, 3) visited WM outpatient clinics at least once during 2019. Total 2,963 individuals were included in WM group or integrative medicine (IM) group. Using the Andersen healthcare utilization model, factors related to healthcare utilization of the participants were classified. Binomial logistic regression analysis was used to analyze factors associated with IM use. Results: Among the participants, 80.49% (n=2,385) were assigned to WM group and 19.51% (n=578) to IM group. As a result of the regression analysis, factors significantly related to the use of IM included the elderly over 65 years of age, sex (men), college or higher education level, residential area (Gwangju/Jeolla/Jeju), presence of cancer, and presence of musculoskeletal disease. The main diagnosis associated with both WM and IM use was most frequently musculoskeletal conditions. Also, IM group received WM treatment for musculoskeletal conditions more frequently compared to WM group. Conclusions: This study is the first to analyze healthcare utilization patterns among overweight or obese patients in Korea. The current findings suggest that the presence of musculoskeletal conditions, especially in this population, may be strongly associated with concurrent use of IM services.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
• /
• v.26 no.4
• /
• pp.185-189
• /
• 2023

Purpose: Limited research has been conducted on the prevalence of non-medical opioid use (NMOU) in Korean cancer patients who have received prescription opioids (PO). This study aimed to identify the potential proportion of NMOU in cancer patients who had been prescribed opioids in Korea. Methods: A retrospective cohort analysis was conducted on 14,728 patients who underwent cancer-related treatment between January 2009 and December 2019, using electronically collected data from a tertiary hospital in Korea. Information regarding the type and duration of opioid use was gathered. A detailed review of medical charts was carried out, focusing on patients who had been prescribed opioids for over 60 days beyond a 12-month period following the completion of their cancer treatment (long-term PO users). Results: Out of the 5,587 patients who were prescribed PO and followed up for at least 12 months, 13 cases of NMOU were identified, representing 0.23% of the patient population. Among the 204 long-term PO users, the rate was 6.37% (13/204). The most commonly misused opioids were oxycodone and fentanyl. For the group confirmed to have NMOU, the median duration of prescription was 1,327 days in total. Of the 13 patients diagnosed with NMOU, 9 reported withdrawal symptoms, 3 exhibited craving behavior for opioids, and 1 experienced both symptoms. Conclusion: This study found that 0.23% of cancer patients who had been prescribed opioids in Korea demonstrated NMOU. Despite this relatively low rate, careful monitoring is necessary to minimize the risk of NMOU in this population, especially among long-term PO users.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
• /
• v.7 no.3
• /
• pp.51-59
• /
• 2019

Purpose : To evaluate the effect of comprehensive art therapy on physical function and activities of daily living in children with cerebral palsy (CP). Methods : Ten ambulant children with diplegic (n=8) or hemiplegic (n=2) CP participated in this study. All were randomly assigned to either the art therapy group (n=5) or the control group (n=5). Both groups received physical therapy based on neurodevelopmental techniques for 20 minutes a day, 1 day a week, for a period of 12 weeks. Children in the art therapy group received additional comprehensive art therapy for 70 minutes once a week for 3 months. Tests for various measurements-Motricity Index (MI) for strength, Trunk Control Test (TCT) for trunk ability, Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) and Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) for gross motor function, Denver Developmental Screening Test-II (DDST-II) for developmental milestones, Functional Independence Measure of Children (WeeFIM) for abilities to complete daily activities, Leg and Hand Ability Test (LHAT) for limb function-were performed before and after treatments. Results : The upper extremity and whole extremity strengths of MI, self-care and total scores of WeeFIM, and leg and arm functions of LHAT improved significantly only for individuals in the art therapy group after the art therapy (p<.05). The value of MI after treatment was at the upper extremity and whole extremity strengths the leg function of LHAT was also significantly improved compared to the control group (p<.05). Conclusion : This study revealed that comprehensive art therapy along with physiotherapy was effective in increasing upper extremity strength and leg ability in children with CP. This suggests that comprehensive art therapy may be a useful adjunctive therapy for children with CP.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
• /
• v.25 no.3
• /
• pp.182-186
• /
• 2008

An 11-year-old mixed breed male dog was presented with a thoracoabdominal wall mass of 3-year duration. Initial tentative diagnosis of osteosarcoma was made. Despite chemotherapy treatment, 72 days following the date of presentation, the dog was euthanized. Based upon necropsy and histopathologic findings, the tumor was definitely diagnosed as a combined type osteosarcoma of the rib. At necropsy examination, the tumor extended the left kidney and diaphragm, but distant metastasis was not found. The tumor's weight was 2.3kg and that was 38.3% of the dog's weight. This case report describes the clinicopathological, computed tomographic, histopathologic and immunohistochemical findings of extensive rib osteosarcoma in a small breed dog.