• Health Policy and Management
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.579-596
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• 2012

The purpose of the study is to examine the use of medication among adults by comparing the pattern of outpatient prescription drug use with the pattern of long term taking lifestyle drug use. Furthermore, the study investigates factors associated with the use of medication, particularity focusing on socioeconomic factors. Korea Health Panel data of 2008 was used to conduct the study analysis. By performing four different logistic regression models, the study noticed different patterns of the medication use between prescription drugs and lifestyle drugs. More specifically, the study showed that adults with lower education level tend to more frequently receive prescriptions while adults with higher education as well as income level tend to more use lifestyle drugs than their counterparts. Furthermore, other control factors such as age and gender were statistically significant for the use of both prescription and lifestyle drugs in different patterns. The study findings expect that reimbursement structure of drugs may be significantly associated with the different patterns and accordingly the accessability of medicine in particularly vulnerable population. Therefore, these policy factors should be considered in future study to more comprehensively understand about the diverse patterns in the medication use.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.158-165
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• 2024

Over the past few decades, there has been a notable increase in the incidence of pediatric obesity, which is a significant public health concern. Children who are obese have a greater risk of type 2 diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, polycystic ovary syndrome, obstructive sleep apnea, and adult obesity. Lifestyle modification therapy is typically the initial approach to treat pediatric obesity. For patients who do not achieve success with lifestyle modification therapy alone, pharmacotherapy is the next logical treatment option. When selecting an anti-obesity medication (AOM), it is essential to first ascertain the medical background of the patient, including current medications and obesity-associated comorbidities. Evaluation of obesity phenotypes in patients may also be beneficial. AOMs for pediatric obesity include metformin, orlistat, glucagon-like peptide 1 agonists, phentermine, and the phentermine/topiramate combination. Sufficient lifestyle modification therapy should be administered before considering pharmacotherapy and continued after the initiation of AOM. To ensure healthy development, monitoring growth and puberty development during anti-obesity treatments is essential.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.10 no.11
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• pp.501-510
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• 2019

This study aimed to find health related lifestyle factors that influence glycemic control for diabetes mellitus (DM) management strategies. This study used nested case-control design with matching variables that were not controlled by individuals such as age, sex, insulin or oral hypoglycemic agent (OHA) use, disease duration, education level and household income. This study analyzed 983 subjects with type 2 DM who enrolled in the $7^{th}$ (2016-2017) Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). The target HbA1c level of controlled glucose was defined as less than 6.5%, and 289 (30%) were achieved. Conditional multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to find self-control factors associated with HbA1c levels. The results statistically significant for variables such as duration of diabetes, insulin or OHA use in overall cohort and body mass index (BMI), smoking and fundus Examination in matched cohort. These results are expected to provide as evidence for the intensive care criteria(disease duration, drug use) and lifestyle management strategy(BMI, smoking, fundus examination).

• Archives of Obesity and Metabolism
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.43-45
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• 2022

Intensive lifestyle modifications and anti-obesity medications are essential for obesity treatment. Antiobesity medications should be selected according to the patient's comorbidities, symptoms, and preferences. This case report describes the treatment of a morbidly obese patient with a history of depression, who complained of tingling and numbness after total thyroidectomy for papillary thyroid cancer. Very low-dose controlled-release phentermine/topiramate was prescribed and intensive lifestyle modifications were encouraged. As a result, the patient effectively lost weight and reached a near-normal weight without adverse drug effects. This implies that even an off-label anti-obesity medication low dose may be better for some patients, and the most important factor in obesity treatment is patient-tailored treatment.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.27-36
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• 2022

Background: Medication-related problems (MRPs) frequently occur during the discharge period. Elderly patients, particularly, are at high risk for these problems due to polypharmacy and the use of potentially inappropriate medications. The purpose of this study was to build and implement collaboration between general hospital and community pharmacies to address MRPs among high-risk elderly patients before/after discharge. Methods: This retrospective study was conducted between June and December of 2020. The inclusion criteria were patients with aged ≥65 years; residents of Jeonju; discharged from Jeonbuk National University hospital; either on medication of exceeding 10 medications (or high-risk medications) after hospitalization through the emergency room, or having severe illness. Patients received medication reconciliation and counselling by hospital pharmacists before discharge and home-visit pharmaceutical care as follow-up by community pharmacists after discharge. Results: Twenty-two patients agreed to home-visit pharmaceutical services. Fifteen and 11 patients completed the first and second home-visit pharmaceutical care service, respectively. Forty-two MRPs were identified in 15 patients. The types of high-frequency MRPs were incorrect administration of drug, adverse drug reactions, medication non-compliance, drug-drug interactions, lifestyle modifications, and expired medication disposal. After consultation with the pharmacist, 34 out of 42 MRPs were resolved. Conclusions: Transitional care for high-risk elderly patients before and after discharge was successfully built and implemented through a collaboration between general hospital and community pharmacies. This study suggests that home-visit pharmaceutical services may have positive effects on the safe use of drugs during the transition period; however, additional research is needed to expand on these findings.

• Medical Lasers
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.110-118
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• 2020

The non-ablative fractional dual laser is equipped with two types of lasers, 1550 nm and 1927 nm in one device, and was approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration in 2013. The advantages of the non-ablative fractional laser (NAFL) include fewer side effects such as erythema, edema, post-laser pigmentation, and scab formation. Thus, the NAFL is preferred by both practitioners and consumers because it is convenient and safe for use. The 1550 nm erbium glass and 1927 nm thulium lasers are representative NAFLs that have been developed separately and are often used as a single-wavelength laser with proven clinical efficacy in various indications. The 1550 nm wavelength laser penetrates the dermis layer and the 1927 nm wavelength laser is effective for epidermal lesions. Therefore, targeting the skin layer can be easily achieved with both the 1550 and 1927 nm lasers, respectively, or in combination. Clinically, the 1550 nm laser is effective in the treatment of mild to moderate sagging and wrinkles, scars, and resurfacing. The 1927 nm laser improves skin texture and treats skin pigmentation and wounds. It can also be used for drug delivery. The selection and utilization rate of NAFL has been increasing in recent times, due to changes in lifestyle patterns and the need for beauty treatments with fewer side effects and short downtime. In this study, we present a plan for safe and effective laser therapy through a review of literature. Clinical applications of the multifunctional NAFL are also described.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.194-197
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• 2021

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common disorder in reproductive-age women. In 2018, an international evidence-based guideline announced recommendations spanning a wide range of issues on the assessment and management of PCOS. From the 166 recommendations, the present study reviews those that are of particular clinical relevance for daily practice and introduces other relevant studies that have been published since the global guideline. The 2018 guideline increased the antral follicle count cutoff for the diagnosis of PCOS from 12 to 20 when using a high-frequency probe. Hirsutism was defined as having a score of ≥4-6 based on a lower percentile of 85%-90% or cluster analysis, which was lower than the traditionally used 95th percentile-based cutoff. The diagnosis of PCOS in adolescents is challenging, and irregular menstruation was defined carefully according to years from menarche. The use of ultrasonography for the diagnosis of PCOS was restricted to those 8 years after menarche. As medication for non-fertility indications, combined oral contraceptives are the first-line drug. Metformin, in addition to lifestyle modifications, should be considered for adult patients with a body mass index ≥25 kg/m² for the management of weight and metabolic outcomes. An aromatase inhibitor is the recommended first-line medication for ovulation induction, a subsequent individual patient data meta-analysis also reported the same conclusion. Whether the new global guideline will be fully adopted by many specialists and change clinical practice is open to question. Further studies are needed to better understand and manage PCOS patients well.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.59-75
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• 2008

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to identify the stages of change distributions for nine major health behaviors among poor children in underserved area, and to provide basic information for developing specific objectives and strategies for health education program. Methods: The health behavior data were obtained with a self-administered questionnaire and analysed for 3,081 poor children in 106 local children's centers nationwide. Stages of change classification were based on self-reported responses to five statements. The health behaviors included were balanced diet, safety behavior (helmet and protective device use while riding), regular exercise, smoking, alcohol use, drug use, sleep pattern, weight management and stress management. Results: Poor children were more likely in precontemplation and less frequently in action and maintenance stages for a safety behavior. 33.1% of respondents were precontemplators, 29.9% contemplators, and 6.5% in preparation stage. Only 4.3% and 9.6% were in action and maintenance stages, respectively. Gender differences were apparent. Boys were more likely to be precontemplators for nine health behaviors. Children from the lowest socioeconomic status and disrupted family were more likely to be in precontemplation for weight management and exercise behaviors. Children living with both parents were more likely to be in the action and maintenance stages for nine health behaviors. Stages of change for balanced diet and smoking were significantly related with those for other eight health behaviors. And the stage of exercise adoption was found to be significantly related with those for other seven health behaviors. Conclusion: Safety education must receive high priority in health education program for low income children. Balanced diet smoking cessation and regular exercise could be a possible gateway behavior toward healthier lifestyle practices.

• Nutritional Sciences
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.223-234
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• 2004

The aim of this study was to investigate intake of health foods and supplements and its associated factors in middle and old-aged adults in order to contribute to health promotion of Korean population by providing a guide for proper use of health foods and supplements. About 69% of the subjects reported that they were currently taking health foods and supplements or had experiences of having them in the past, whereas 31.2 % reported they had never taken them. The most commonly used type of health foods and supplements was vitamin C as reported by 41.8% followed by others such as lactobacillus products, multi-vitamins, tonic medicine and cardiotonic drug, artificially processed Ginseng foods, vitamin B complex, enzyme supplement, calcium, aloe, apricot extract products, chitosan products, loyal honey, squalene, refined fish oil and iron products. The major reason for taking health foods and supplements was 'to protect the weak constitution' with 155 (42.1%) responses, and the motive for the intake was the suggestion from family-relatives with 235 (63.9%) responses, and the place of purchase was pharmacy with 140 (38.0%) responses, the average monthly expense was 20,000-40,000 won with 140 (26.2%) responses, and effects after the intake was 'so and so' with 180 (33.6%) responses as the highest. More health foods and supplements were consumed as age and education were statistically significantly increased (p<0.05). For health and lifestyle and the intake of health foods and supplements, perceived health status, the presence of illness, and the presence of health management were statistically significant (p<0.05). Male subjects than female subjects and the 30s than the 405 and 50s were appeared to have poorer dietary behaviors (p<0.05). For the health locus of control and the intake of health foods and supplements, the health locus of control score was 22.82 for consumers and 22.79 for non-consumers, showing no significant difference. Logistic regression analysis was performed to find out major factors that affect the intake of health foods and supplements, in which gender, education, smoking, perceived health status, the presence of illness, and health management were significant to the intake of health foods and supplements. It is shown that subjects with perception and attitude of 'health foods and supplements are useful in health maintenance and disease prevention' and 'the information and variety for health foods and supplements are great' have higher probability of taking health foods and supplements.

• Journal of TMJ Balancing Medicine
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• v.13 no.sup
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• pp.1-8
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• 2023

Objectives: Parkinson's disease (PD) is currently the most rapidly increasing degenerative brain disease due to population aging and westernization of lifestyle. Levodopa is the most commonly used drug to manage PD symptoms. However, levodopa has a problem in that the wearing-off phenomenon occurs as the duration and dose of administration increase. In order to investigate the wearing-off phenomenon in PD patients and devise countermeasures, we conducted a questionnaire survey in Korea. Methods: For the study, a questionnaire with a total of seven items was prepared. Part IV of the MDS-UPDRS (Movement Disorder Society-Sponsored Revision of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale) and the WOQ-9 (9-symptom Wearing-off Questionnaire) were used as references. Results: Of the 48 patients who completed the questionnaire, all 47 patients who completed the questionnaire experienced the wearing-off phenomenon. Only one of the patients diagnosed with PD a year ago did not experience the wearing-off phenomenon. Patients frequently mentioned a lack of sleep and stress as aggravating factors for wearing-off. They also stated that in order to resolve the off-state, they walked, massaged, warmed up the body, stretched and exercised. Conclusions: Because wearing-off is such a common occurrence, it is thought necessary to develop wearing-off prevention and resolution measures that PD patients can use in their daily lives.