• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.171-178
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• 2003

Objective : The aim of this study was to identify the validity of recruiting medical checkup participants of Vietnam veterans using a mail survey, and to identify the 'Vietnam service related characteristics' and 'general characteristics' of Vietnam veterans groups, Method : In this study, a total 900 veterans were randomly selected from the list of Vietnam veterans from f964 to 1973. The veterans were classified into 5 groups, taking into consideration their registered status in the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs: the VRD (veterans who have agent orange-related diseases), VSD (veterans who have agent orange-suspected disease), VM (veterans who peformed meritorious deeds during the war), VR (veterans who were registered with the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affair) and OV (other veterans) groups. By means of postal surveys, the veterans' intention to participate in the medical checkup for our research, and their socioeconomic and general characteristics were investigated. 52 surveys were returned due to the subjects not residing at the listed address, and were excluded from the analysis. Result : 699 of the 848 veterans (82.4%) responded to the survey, of which 619 (88.6%) intended to participate in the medical checkup for our research. The S veterans groups all had similar ages, Vietnam service period, Agent Orange exposure, troop characteristic and wartime class, with the exception of VM, who were older, and with a greater number of officers than the other 4 groups, There was a big difference in the health statius among the Vietnam veterans group. The VM and OV were much healthier than VRD, VSD and VR groups, The socioeconomic stati of the VRD, VSD and VR groups were lower than those of the VM and OV groups. Conclusion : Although there were some limitations, the recruitment, by mail, of medical checkup participants from Vietnam veterans is a valid and feasible method. The VM and OV groups were much healthier, and with higher socioeconomic stati, than the VRD, VSD, and VR groups.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.84 no.4
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• pp.333-334
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• 2021

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.309-318
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• 2013

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between Vietnam experience including exposure to military herbicides and cancer incidence in Korean Vietnam War veterans. Methods: The cancer cases of 185 265 Vietnam veterans from January 1, 1992 to December 31, 2003 were confirmed from the Korea National Cancer Incidence Database. The age-adjusted incidence and standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) were calculated using the male population during 1992 to 2003 as a standard population. Results: The age-adjusted overall cancer incidence per 100 000 person-years was 455.3 in Vietnam veterans. The overall cancer incidence was slightly yet significantly lower in veterans (SIR, 0.97; 95% confidence interval, 0.95 to 0.99) than in the general population. The overall cancer incidence in enlisted soldiers was not lower (SIR, 1.00), whereas that in officers was significantly lower (SIR, 0.87) than in the general population. The incidences of prostate cancer and T-cell lymphoma in all veterans, and lung cancer and bladder cancer in enlisted soldiers, and colon cancer and kidney cancer in non-commissioned officers, and colon cancer, kidney cancer, and prostate cancer in officers, were higher than in the general population. The SIR for overall cancer among Vietnam veterans rose from 0.92 for 1992-1997 to 0.99 for 1998-2003. Conclusions: The overall cancer incidence in Vietnam veterans was not higher than in the general male population. Vietnam veterans and military rank subcohorts experienced a higher incidence of several cancers, including prostate cancer, T-cell lymphoma, lung cancer, bladder cancer, kidney cancer, and colon cancer than the general population. The SIR for overall cancer increased over time in Vietnam veterans.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.44-47
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• 2019

Zoster-associated limb paresis is a relatively uncommon complication of herpes zoster that is characterized by focal motor weakness. Awareness of this disorder is important to avoid unnecessary invasive investigations and to ensure appropriate treatment. We report a case of a herpes zoster involving the femoral nerve.

• Anxiety and mood
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.123-131
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• 2017

Objective : The PTSD Checklist (PCL) is a self-report screen for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) that can be scored for both diagnostic assessment and symptom severity measurement. The most recent revision of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) contains a number of changes to the definition of PTSD, and the aim of this study was to assess the psychometric properties of the Korean version of the PCL for the DSM-5 (PCL-5-K). Methods : The participants were 204 Korean veterans of the Vietnam War who completed the PCL-5-K, the Mini Mental Status Examination (MMSE), PTSD module of Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5, Research Version (SCID5-RV PTSD module), Korean version of Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R-K) and Combat Exposure Scale (CES-K). Results : The PCL-5-K demonstrated good internal consistency (${\alpha}=0.972$) and test-retest reliability (r=0.96); the suggested cut-off score for PTSD diagnosis was ${\geq}37$ with 0.88 sensitivity and 0.96 specificity. The PCL-5-K scale correlated highly with the IES-R-K and CES-K. Factor analysis identified only one factor. Conclusion : Among elderly Korean veterans of the Vietnam War, the PCL-5-K demonstrated similar psychometric qualities to those of both the original PCL and subsequent versions. It is expected that the PCL-5-K will be a useful PTSD screening tool.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.138-140
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• 2005

Strumpell, in 1880, was the first to describe familial case of spastic paraplegia characterized by progressive weakness and spasticity of the lower limbs with little or no involvement of the upper extremities. This syndrome is heterogeneous in inheritance, age of onset, severity and associated signs. We present one family with autosomal dominant hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP) due to SPG4 (spastin) gene mutation which is confirmed by genomic DNA isolated from peripheral blood.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.131-139
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• 2001

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of PTSD on memory function and hippocampal volume, and to identify major variables correlated to hippocampal volume and memory function. Thirty four Vietnam veterans were collected for this study, among whom eighteen were PTSD patients and sixteen were combat control subjects. The author used Impact of Event Scale(IES), Combat Exposure Scale(CES), Hamilton Depression Rating Scale(HDRS) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Korea Memory Assessment Scale(K-MAS) was assessed for memory function. Magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) was used to measure hippocampal volume. There were significant differences between PTSD and Non-PTSD veterans in IES, HDRS and BDI. Significant difference was found in verbal memory and total memory of K-MAS between PTSD and Non-PTSD veterans. There was significant difference in hippocampal volume between PTSD and Non-PTSD veterans. Short term memory, verbal memory and total memory were positively correlated to hippocampal volume. Hippocampal volume was negatively correlated to IES, HDRS, and BDI. These results suggest that PTSD severity be associated with hippocampal atrophy and memory dysfunction. Reduced or smaller hippocampal volume may be preexisting risk factor for stress exposure or the development of PTSD on combat exposure.

• Anxiety and mood
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.113-119
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• 2012

Objective : The purpose of this study is to assess the utility of clinician administered posttraumatic stress disorder scale (CAPS) to diagnose combat related posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in Korean veterans of the Vietnam War. Methods : Sixty-one Korean male veterans of the Vietnam war participated in this study. We compared the diagnostic values of CAPS, Korean version of mini international neuropsychiatric interview (MINI) against the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (SCID) in diagnosing PTSD. Results : The overall internal consistency of CAPS was 0.93. Compared to the SCID, total severity 45 (TSEV45) showed the best results among 5 CAPS scoring rules. In detail, sensitivity was 71.4%, specificity was 85.1, positive predictive value was 58.8%, negative predictive value was 90.9%, and accuracy was 82.0. Conclusion : CAPS was demonstrated as a reliable tool to diagnose combat related PTSD in the elderly. The optimum CAPS scoring was TSEV45.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.41 no.6
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• pp.670-675
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• 1994

Lipoid pneumonia is a chronic inflammatory reaction of the lungs that results from the aspiration of vegetable, animal, or mineral oils. The most frequently implicated agent is mineral oil used as a laxative and to reduce dysphagia. Lipoid pneumonia is suggested when there is a history of chronic oral or intranasal use of an oil- or lipid-based product. The characteristic findings of lipid materials in CT or MRI are used in the diagnosis of lipoid pneumonia. The presence of lipid-laden macrophages in the sputum, bronchoalveolar larvage or pulmonary parenchymal biopsy confirms the diagnosis. Sputum study is simple and inexpensive. We report a case of lipoid pneumonia of 75 year old male with cough and sputum, confirmed by sputum study, and review the literature.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.157-170
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• 2014

Objectives: Agent Orange TCDD has been related to serious diseases among Korean veterans who were exposed to it. Decades after the end of the war, however, its effects are still being debated. The object of this study was to examine various unmet needs raised among Agent Orange exposed veterans and their families and to find grounds of a new welfare policy for providing alternative legislation. Methods: Literatures concerning Agent Orange, TCDD, the associated diseases, compensation for veterans and Supreme Court sentencing were searched using PubMed, ProQuest, press news and relevant homepages. Results: Agent Orange exposed veterans are eligible for various benefits from the government, including disability compensation for diseases associated with exposure. The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs has classified certain diseases into two categories, Agent Orange sequela diseases and sequela suspect diseases and has provided differential benefits based on separated laws. Big differences exist in benefits to veterans and their families between the two laws. The absence of definite standards to classify the Agent Orange associated diseases was confirmed by recent Supreme Court sentencing which ruled in favor of US manufacturers. Conclusion: It appears that the evidence for cause and effect of Agent Orange related diseases would never be perfect. The results suggest a need to change welfare principles from presumptive or indefinite disease basis to exposure experiences combined with integrated disability evaluation. We propose to extend eligibility by enacting a new law for Agent Orange exposed Korean veterans.