• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.230-236
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• 2008

Purpose: This study was performed to investigate the incidence, types of fracture, treatment, associated fracture and complications in patients with nasal bone fracture. Materials and methods: Clinical examination, patient's records and radiographic images were evaluated in 230 cases of nasal bone fractures who were treated at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Chonnam National University Hospital for recent 5 years; from January 2002 to December 2006. Results: 1. The age of patient was ranged from 4 to 77 years (mean age=36.6 years); Males was 75.7% (n=174), and females 24.3% (n=56). 2. The cause of the nasal bone fracture in this study was a fall or slip down (28.8%, n=66), sports accident (26.0%, n=60), fighting (21.3%, n=49), traffic accident (9.6%, n=22), industrial trauma (7.8%, n=18), and the others (6.6%, n=15). 3. For the patterns of fracture, simple fracture without displacement occured in 10.4% (n=24). Simple fracture with displacement without septal bone fracture was found in 49.5% (n=114). Simple fracture with displacement in company with septal bone fracture showed in 32.6% (n=75). Commiuted fracture with severe depression was presented in 7.4% (n=17). 4. The reduction the displaced nasal bone was carried out in 2 to 10 days (mean 6.8 days) after the injury. 5. Nasal bone fracture associated with Le Fort I fracture (6.5%, n=6.5), Le Fort II fracture (7.4%, n=17), Le Fort III fracture (1.3%, n=3), NOE fracture (13.9%, n=32), ZMC fracture (17.4%, 40), maxillary bone fracture (8.3%, n=19), orbital blow-out fracture (15.7%, n=36), frontal bone fracture (1.3%, n=3) and alveolar bone fracture (10.9%, n=25). 6. The major type of treatment method was closed reduction in 90% (n=207), open reduction in 3% (n=7), and observation in 7% (n=16). 7. There were some complications such as ecchymosis, hyposmia, hypo esthesia and residual nasal deformity which are compatible. Open rhino-plasty was conducted for 3 patients who had residual nasal deformity. Conclusions: These results suggest that most of nasal bone fractures are occurred physically active aged groups(age 10-49 years) and could be treated successfully with closed reduction at 7 days after the injury.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.115-121
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• 2012

Purpose: Severe pancreaticoduodenal injuries are relatively uncommon, but may result in high morbidity and mortality, especially when management is not optimal, and determining the appropriate treatment is often difficult. The objective of this study was to review our experience and to evaluate the role of a pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) in treatment of pancreaticoduodenal injuries. Methods: We performed a retrospective review of 16 patients who underwent an emergency PD at our hospital for severe pancreaticoduodenal injury from 1990 to 2011. Demographic data, clinical manifestations, mechanism and severity of the injury, associated injuries, postoperative complications and outcomes were reviewed. Results: The mean age of the 16 patients was $45{\pm}12years$ ($mean{\pm}standard$ deviation), and 15(93.8%) patients were male. All patients underwent an explorative laparotomy after a diagnosis using abdominal computed tomography. Almost all patients were classified as AAST grade higher than III. Thirteen(83.3%) of the 16 patients presented with blunt injuries; none presented with a penetrating injury. Only one(6.3%) patients had a combined major vascular injury. Fifteen patients underwent a standard Whipple's operation, and 1 patient underwent a pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy. Two of the 16 patients required an initial damage-control procedure; then, a PD was performed. The most common associated injured organs were the small bowel mesentery(12, 75%) and the liver(7, 43.8%). Complications were intraabdominal abscess(50%), delayed gastric emptying(37.5%), postoperative pancreatic fistula(31.5%), and postoperative hemorrhage (12.5%). No mortalities occurred after the PD. Conclusion: Although the postoperative morbidity rate is relatively higher, an emergency PD can be perform safely without mortality for severe pancreaticoduodenal injuries. Therefore, an emergency PD should be considered as a life-saving procedure applicable to patients with unreconstructable pancreaticoduodenal injuries, provided that is performed by an experienced hepatobiliary surgeon and the patient is hemodynamically stable.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.1676-1680
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• 2005

There are few topic about a pulmonary thromboembolism(PTE) especially in Korean medical research. This case report is dealt with a rare situation that a PTE and a lacunar infarction are complicated in one patient. They have a similarity in that both are caused by the thrombosis. The former is the thrombosis in lung and the latter is the cerebral infarcion within the territory of a single perforating artery Recently the attack rate of PTE somewhat grow because of the development of medicine such as the increasing use of indwelling catheters, trauma or surgery of pelvis and lower extrimity, major surgery especially in senior, the use of estrogen containing compounds, cerebrovascular disease, obesity, etc. A 70 year-old lady was stroked by the cerebral infarction and has been getting rehabilitating therapy. She had the sudden onset of dyspnea, chest pain and those symptoms looked like a myocardial infarction. But she was diagnosed as PTE by ventilation perfusion lung scan. We cured her with the integrated therapy of Korean and Western medicine.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.37-44
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• 1975

Authors have reviewed the records of seven patients of multiple rib fractures with severe flail chest who were admitted to Hanyang University Hospital during the 3 years period from 1972 through 1975. Of the seven patients studied, automobile accidents led to the injuries in 4 cases, two patients were injured in fall from a tree and on the ox-heading. All who had a blunt trauma without any open wound on the chest. The numbers of the fractured ribs accounted for 6 to 9 of the ribs including double fractures from 3 to 5 ribs. The left side fractures occurred in the 6 patients and in the right only one patient. Thus the flail segment was more often located in the left antero-lateral position than in the right lateral position [the ratio was 6:1].. All cases had associated injuries. The injuries and multiple fractures were the most common associated injuries occurring in four and five of the patients respectively. The patients were classified as having associated head injuries when they were admitted in comatose or semicomatose state. When a major degree of instability of the thoracic cage exists, adequate respiratory change is not possible. For this reason the tracheostomy was performed in five patients in an acutely injured patient with flail chest only after an endotracheal tube has been inserted or after an endotracheal suction. All patients had secondary complications in the pleural cavity, such as hemothorax or hemopneumothorax with or without intrapulmonary hemorrhage and subcutaneous emphysema. Therefore, closed thoracostomy was performed in five patients in the emergency room. The thoracotomy was required in four patients: immediate operation without closed thoracostomy was performed in two patients and the thoracotomy was indicated in two patients after closed thoracostomy, because of increasing intrathoracic hemorrhage. As to the fixation of the flail segments, authors employed two techniques; one was towel clip traction of the flail segments and the other was intramedullary insertion of Kirschner`s wire in to the double fractured rib fragments for the fixation of the flail segments [Kirschner`s wire fixation]. Because` of an different results in the course of treatment between two techniques, data from patients with towel clip traction was compared with those from patients with thoracotomy and Kirschner`s wire fixation of the flail segments. Of the three patients with towel clip traction, two patients required bronchoscopic toilet due to lung atelectasis which developed because of inadequate motion of thoracic cage and poor expectoration. This was in contrast to the four patients with thoracotomy and Kirschner`s wire fixation, who didn`t these complication because of adequate motion of the thoracic cage and subsequent good expectoration.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.40 no.7 s.276
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• pp.480-484
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• 2007

Background: Major vascular injuries can jeopardize a patient's life or imperil limb survival. We performed this study to establish an optimal management plan for vascular injuries. Material and Method: We retrospectively reviewed 26 cases of vascular injury that were treated at Pusan National University Hospital from May, 1999 to September, 2004. The age and sex distribution, the locations and causes of vascular injury, the diagnostic tools, the degree of injuries, clinical manifestations, the treatment modality and complications were reviewed. Result: The mean age was 39.5 years (range: $12{\sim}86$) and the male to female ratio was 22 : 4. The injuries were in 6 descending thoracic aortas, 4 femoral arteries, 4 popliteal veins and so on. The causes of injury were iatrogenic in 8 cases, traffic accident in 7, stab injury in 6 and industrial accident in 5. The most commonly used diagnostic tools were CT and angiography. The degrees of arterial injury were pseudoaneurysm in 10 cases, partial severance in 5, complete severance in 3 and thrombosis in 3. The degrees of venous injury were partial severance in 6 cases, complete severance in 2 and arteriovenous fistula in 2. The clinical manifestations were absence of pulse in 8 cases, coldness in 7, chest pain in 6, swelling in 5, bleeding in 5 and so on. The most frequently used type of revascularization was graft interposition in 11 cases. Two arteriovenous fistulae were repaired by endovascular procedure. There was one case of mortality due to multi-organ failure after hemorrhagic shock, There were three major amputations, and two of them were due to delayed diagnosis and treatment. Conclusion: A system for the early diagnosis and treatment is essential for improving limb salvage and patient mortality. As a consequence of the widespread application of endovascular procedures, the incidence of iatrogenic injuries has recently increased. Educating physicians is important for the prevention of iatrogenic injury. Easy communication and cooperation for earlier involvement of a vascular surgeon is also an important factor.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.512-518
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• 2002

Purpose : Cerebral palsies are the most common and severe motor disabilities in childhood. There is currently increased interest in their occurrence and patterns of likely cause for a variety of reasons. Therefore, a retrospective study was carried out to understand the clinical features of cerebral palsy. Methods : A retrospective chart review was conducted of all children with cerebral palsy who were diagnosed at St. Benedict Hospital between March 1999 and March 2001. Results : Cerebral palsy patients were classified into 6 major groups. Of six groups, spastic diplegia is the most common type of cerebral palsy(55.3%). The risk factors of cerebral palsy were placenta previa(1 case), placenta abruption(1 case), cytomegalovirus infection(1 case), prematurity (53 cases), neonatal asphyxia(12 cases), dystocia(2 cases), breech delivery(1 case), multiple birth(5 cases), head trauma(3 cases), meningitis(2 cases) and unknown(26 cases). Among the 59 in the preterm group, 37 patients showed MR or CT images of periventricular leukomalacia. Among the 44 in the term group, 15 patients showed MR or CT images of atrophy. Among 103 patients, 29 patients(28.2%) had a seizure disorder. Conclusion : It is very importent to understand the clinical features and risk factors of cerebral palsy for physicians to diagnose and manage cerebral palsy patient.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.563-572
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• 2004

Since bacterial plaque is known as the major cause of every oral disease, it is necessary to control plaque to maintain periodontal health. Although tooth brushing has been the typical method of plaque control, additional use of plaque control devices are necessary for cleansing interdental areas. Dental floss has been used for a long time as the additional plaque control device and proved to be effective. The newly developed embossed new dental pick is composed of elastic plastic material in form with its tip longer than other toothpick. In addition, as thickness of the tip gradually increases, it can be adapted easily with minimal trauma to interdental gingiva. The embossed tip can remove dental plaque easily, and the opposite end can approach lingual and palatal areas through triple angulation. Therefore, the authors studied the effect of embossed new dental pick and dental floss on periodontally involved 15 patient. The following results were obtained. 1. For embossed new dental pick, probing depth at baseline, 1 week, 4 weeks were $3.6{\pm}0.6mm$, $3.4{\pm}0.5mm$, $3.2{\pm}0.5mm$, respectively, and $4.2{\pm}0.9mm$, $4.1{\pm}0.9mm$, $4.0{\pm}0.9mm$, respectivly for clinical attachment level. 2. In case of embossed new dental pick, bleeding on probing at baseline, 1 week, 4 weeks were $43.0{\pm}4.4%$, $28.5{\pm}5.1%$, $22.2{\pm}5.6%$, respectively, and, at 1 week and 4 weeks, they were significantly different from that of dental floss. 3. Gingival index of toαhpick at baseline, 1 week, 4 weeks were $1.7{\pm}0.5$, $1.0{\pm}0.3$, $0.9{\pm}0.2$, respectively, and, $1.7{\pm}0.5$, $1.1{\pm}0.4$, $1.0{\pm}0.4$, respectively for plaque index, and $3.0{\pm}0.5$, $1.7{\pm}0.5$, $1.4{\pm}0.4$, respectively for proximal plaque index. proximal plaque index at 4 weeks was significantly different from that of dental floss. 4. The result of questionnaire showed that the two types of device were both satisfactory, however, embossed new dental pick had higher preference as well as satisfaction. As a result, embossed new dental pick is thought to be clinically effective for its simplicity and good accessibility.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.155-166
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• 1989

Bonica defined, that reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD) may develop pain, vasomotor abnoramalities, delayed functional recovery, and dystrophic changes on an affected area without major neurologic injury following trauma, surgery or one of several diseased states. This 45 year old male patient had been crushed on his left shoulder by a heavily laden rear car, during his job street cleaning about 10 years ago (1978). At first the pain was localizea only to the site of injury, but with time, it spreaded from the shoulder to the elbow and hand, with swelling. X-ray studies in the local clinic, showed no bone abnormalities of the affected site. During about 10 years following the injury, the had recieved several types of treatments such as nonsteroidal analgesics, steroid injections into the glenoidal cavity (10 times), physical therapy, some oriental herb medicines, and acupuncture over a period of 1~3 months annually. His shoulder pain and it's joint dysfunction persisted with recurrent paroxysmal aggrevation because of being mismanaged or neglected for a sufficiently long period these fore permiting progression of the sympathetic imbalance. On July 14 1988 when he visited our clinic. He complained of burning, aching and had a hyperpathic response or hyperesthesia in touch from the shoulder girdle to the elbow and the hand. Also the skin of the affected area was pale, cold, and there was much sweating of the axilla and palm, but no edema. The shoulder girdle was unable to move due to joint pain with marked weakness. We confirmed skin temperatures $5^{\circ}C$ lower than those of the unaffected axilla, elbow and palm of his hand, and his nails were slightly ridged with lateral arching and some were brittle. On X-ray findings of both the shoulder AP & lateral view, the left humerus and joint area showed diffuse post-traumatic osteoporosis and fibrous ankylozing with an osteoarthritis-like appearance. For evaluating the RSD and it's relief of pain, the left cervical sympathetic ganglion was blocked by injecting 0.5% bupivacaine 5 ml with normal saline 5 ml (=SGB). After 15 minutes following the SGB, the clinical efficacy of the block by the patients subjective score of pain intensity (=PSSPI), showed a 50% reduction of his shoulder and arm pain, which was burning in quality, and a hyperpathic response against palpation by the examiner. The skin temperatures of the axilla and palm rose to $4{\sim}5^{\circ}C$ more than those before the SGB. He felt that his left face and upper extremity became warmer than before the SGB, and that he had reduced sweating on his axilla and his palm. Horner's sign was also observed on his face and eyes. But his deep shoulder joint pain was not improved. For the control of the remaining shoulder joint pain, after 45 minutes following the SGB, a somatic sensory block was performed by injecting 0.5% bupivacaine 6 ml mixed with salmon calcitonin, $Tridol^{(R)}$, $Polydyn^{(R)}$ and triamcinolone into the fossa of the acromioclavicular joint region. The clinical effect of the somatic block showed an 80% releif of the deep joint pain by the PSSPI of the joint motion. Both blocks, as the above mentioned, were repeated a total of 28 times respectively, during 6 months, except the steroid was used just 3 times from the start. For maintaining the relieved pain level whilst using both blocks, we prescribed a low dose of clonazepam, prazocin, $Etravil^{(R)}$, codeine, etodolac micronized and antacids over 6 months. The result of the treatments were as follows; 1) The burning, aching and hyperpathic condition which accompanied with vaosmotor and pseudomotor dysfunction, disappeared gradually to almost nothing, within 3 weeks from the starting of the blocks every other day. 2) The joint disability of the affected area was improved little by little within 6 months. 3) The post-traumatic osteoporosis, fibrous ankylosis and marginal sclerosis with a narrowed joint, showed not much improvement on the X-ray findings (on April 25, 1989) 10 months later in the follow-up. 4) Now he has returned to his job as a street cleaner.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.29-94
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• 1974

Today most developed countries provide modern medical care for most of the population. The rural area is the more neglected area in the medical and health field. In public health, the philosophy is that medical care for in maintenance of health is a basic right of man; it should not be discriminated against racial, environmental or financial situations. The deficiency of the medical care system, cultural bias, economic development, and ignorance of the residents about health care brought about the shortage of medical personnel and facilities on the rural areas. Moreover, medical students and physicians have been taught less about rural health care than about urban health care. Medical care, therefore, is insufficient in terms of health care personnel/and facilities in rural areas. Under such a situation, there is growing concern about the health problems among the rural population. The findings presented in this report are useful measures of the major health problems and even more important, as a guide to planning for improved medical care systems. It is hoped that findings from this study will be useful to those responsible for improving the delivery of health service for the rural population. Objectives: -to determine the health status of the residents in the rural areas. -to assess the rural population's needs in terms of health and medical care. -to make recommendations concerning improvement in the delivery of health and medical care for the rural population. Procedures: For the sampling design, the ideal would be to sample according to the proportion of the composition age-groups. As the health problems would be different by group, the sample was divided into 10 different age-groups. If the sample were allocated by proportion of composition of each age group, some age groups would be too small to estimate the health problem. The sample size of each age-group population was 100 people/age-groups. Personal interviews were conducted by specially trained medical students. The interviews dealt at length with current health status, medical care problems, utilization of medical services, medical cost paid for medical care and attitudes toward health. In addition, more information was gained from the public health field, including environmental sanitation, maternal and child health, family planning, tuberculosis control, and dental health. The sample Sample size was one fourth of total population: 1,438 The aged 10-14 years showed the largest number of 254 and the aged under one year was the smallest number of 81. Participation in examination Examination sessions usually were held in the morning every Tuesday, Wenesday, and Thursday for 3 hours at each session at the Namchun Health station. In general, the rate of participation in medical examination was low especially in ages between 10-19 years old. The highest rate of participation among are groups was the under one year age-group by 100 percent. The lowest use rate as low as 3% of those in the age-groups 10-19 years who are attending junior and senior high school in Taegu city so the time was not convenient for them to recieve examinations. Among the over 20 years old group, the rate of participation of female was higher than that of males. The results are as follows: A. Publie health problems Population: The number of pre-school age group who required child health was 724, among them infants numbered 96. Number of eligible women aged 15-44 years was 1,279, and women with husband who need maternal health numbered 700. The age-group of 65 years or older was 201 needed more health care and 65 of them had disabilities. (Table 2). Environmental sanitation: Seventy-nine percent of the residents relied upon well water as a primary source of dringking water. Ninety-three percent of the drinking water supply was rated as unfited quality for drinking. More than 90% of latrines were unhygienic, in structure design and sanitation (Table 15). Maternal and child health: Maternal health Average number of pregnancies of eligible women was 4 times. There was almost no pre- and post-natal care. Pregnancy wastage Still births was 33 per 1,000 live births. Spontaneous abortion was 156 per 1,000 live births. Induced abortion was 137 per 1,000 live births. Delivery condition More than 90 percent of deliveries were conducted at home. Attendants at last delivery were laymen by 76% and delivery without attendants was 14%. The rate of non-sterilized scissors as an instrument used to cut the umbilical cord was as high as 54% and of sickles was 14%. The rate of difficult delivery counted for 3%. Maternal death rate estimates about 35 per 10,000 live births. Child health Consultation rate for child health was almost non existant. In general, vaccination rate of children was low; vaccination rates for children aged 0-5 years with BCG and small pox were 34 and 28 percent respectively. The rate of vaccination with DPT and Polio were 23 and 25% respectively but the rate of the complete three injections were as low as 5 and 3% respectively. The number of dead children was 280 per 1,000 living children. Infants death rate was 45 per 1,000 live births (Table 16), Family planning: Approval rate of married women for family planning was as high as 86%. The rate of experiences of contraception in the past was 51%. The current rate of contraception was 37%. Willingness to use contraception in the future was as high as 86% (Table 17). Tuberculosis control: Number of registration patients at the health center currently was 25. The number indicates one eighth of estimate number of tuberculosis in the area. Number of discharged cases in the past accounted for 79 which showed 50% of active cases when discharged time. Rate of complete treatment among reasons of discharge in the past as low as 28%. There needs to be a follow up observation of the discharged cases (Table 18). Dental problems: More than 50% of the total population have at least one or more dental problems. (Table 19) B. Medical care problems Incidence rate: 1. In one month Incidence rate of medical care problems during one month was 19.6 percent. Among these health problems which required rest at home were 11.8 percent. The estimated number of patients in the total population is 1,206. The health problems reported most frequently in interviews during one month are: GI trouble, respiratory disease, neuralgia, skin disease, and communicable disease-in that order, The rate of health problems by age groups was highest in the 1-4 age group and in the 60 years or over age group, the lowest rate was the 10-14 year age group. In general, 0-29 year age group except the 1-4 year age group was low incidence rate. After 30 years old the rate of health problems increases gradually with aging. Eighty-three percent of health problems that occured during one month were solved by primary medical care procedures. Seventeen percent of health problems needed secondary care. Days rested at home because of illness during one month were 0.7 days per interviewee and 8days per patient and it accounts for 2,161 days for the total productive population in the area. (Table 20) 2. In a year The incidence rate of medical care problems during a year was 74.8%, among them health problems which required rest at home was 37 percent. Estimated number of patients in the total population during a year was 4,600. The health problems that occured most frequently among the interviewees during a year were: Cold (30%), GI trouble (18), respiratory disease (11), anemia (10), diarrhea (10), neuralgia (10), parasite disease (9), ENT (7), skin (7), headache (7), trauma (4), communicable disease (3), and circulatory disease (3) -in that order. The rate of health problems by age groups was highest in the infants group, thereafter the rate decreased gradually until the age 15-19 year age group which showed the lowest, and then the rate increased gradually with aging. Eighty-seven percent of health problems during a year were solved by primary medical care. Thirteen percent of them needed secondary medical care procedures. Days rested at home because of illness during a year were 16 days per interviewee and 44 days per patient and it accounted for 57,335 days lost among productive age group in the area (Table 21). Among those given medical examination, the conditions observed most frequently were respiratory disease, GI trouble, parasite disease, neuralgia, skin disease, trauma, tuberculosis, anemia, chronic obstructive lung disease, eye disorders-in that order (Table 22). The main health problems required secondary medical care are as fellows: (previous page). Utilization of medical care (treatment) The rate of treatment by various medical facilities for all health problems during one month was 73 percent. The rate of receiving of medical care of those who have health problems which required rest at home was 52% while the rate of those who have health problems which did not required rest was 61 percent (Table 23). The rate of receiving of medical care for all health problems during a year was 67 percent. The rate of receiving of medical care of those who have health problems which required rest at home was 82 percent while the rate of those who have health problems which did not required rest was as low as 53 percent (Table 24). Types of medical facilitied used were as follows: Hospital and clinics: 32-35% Herb clinics: 9-10% Drugstore: 53-58% Hospitalization Rate of hospitalization was 1.7% and the estimate number of hospitalizations among the total population during a year will be 107 persons (Table 25). Medical cost: Average medical cost per person during one month and a year were 171 and 2,800 won respectively. Average medical cost per patient during one month and a year were 1,109 and 3,740 won respectively. Average cost per household during a year was 15,800 won (Table 26, 27). Solution measures for health and medical care problems in rural area: A. Health problems which could be solved by paramedical workers such as nurses, midwives and aid nurses etc. are as follows: 1. Improvement of environmental sanitation 2. MCH except medical care problems 3. Family planning except surgical intervention 4. Tuberculosis control except diagnosis and prescription 5. Dental care except operational intervention 6. Health education for residents for improvement of utilization of medical facilities and early diagnosis etc. B. Medical care problems 1. Eighty-five percent of health problems could be solved by primary care procedures by general practitioners. 2. Fifteen percent of health problems need secondary medical procedures by a specialist. C. Medical cost Concidering the economic situation in rural area the amount of 2,062 won per residents during a year will be burdensome, so financial assistance is needed gorvernment to solve health and medical care problems for rural people.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.25-43
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• 1997

Introduction : The outcome and incidence of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) could be variable related to the varied definitions used for ARDS by researchers. The purpose of the national survey was to define the risk factors of ARDS and investigate the prognostic indicies related to mortality of ARDS in Korea according to the definition of ARDS determined by the American-European Concensus Conference on 1992 year. Methods : A Multicenter registry of 48 University or University-affliated hospital and 18 general hospital s equipped with more than 400 patient's beds conducted over 13 months of patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome using the same registry protocol. Results : 1. In the 12 months of the registry, 167 patients were enrolled at the 24 hospitals. 2. The mean age was 56.5 years (${\pm}17.2$ years) and there was a 1.9:1 ratio of males to females. 3. Sepsis was the most common risk factors (78.1%), followed by aspiration (16.6%), trauma (11.6%), and shock (8.5%). 4 The overall mortality rate was 71.9%. The mean duration was 11 days (${\pm}13.1$ days) from the diagnosis of ARDS to the death. Respiratory insufficiency appeared to be a major cause in 43.7% of the deaths followed by sepsis (36.1%), heart failure (7.6%) and hepatic failure (6.7%). 5. There were no significant differences in mortality based on sex or age. No significant difference in mortality in infectious versus noninfectious causes of ARDS was found. 6. There were significant differences in the pulse rate, platelet numbers, serum albumin and glucose levels, the amounts of 24 hour urine, arterial pH, $Pa0_2$, $PaCO_2$, $Sa0_2$, alveolar-arterial oxygen differences, $PaO_2/FIO_2$, and PEEP/$FI0_2$ between the survivors and the deaths on study days 1 through 6 of the first week after enrollment. 7. The survivors had significantly less organ failure and lower APACHE III scores at the time of diagnosis of ARDS (P<0.05). 8. The numbers of organ failure (odd ratio 1.95, 95% confidence intervals:1.05-3.61, P=0.03) and the score of APACHE III (odd ratio 1.59, 95% confidence interval:1.01-2.50, P=0.04) appeared to be independent risk factors of the mortality in the patients with ARDS. Conclusions : The mortality was 71.9% of total 167 patients in this investigation using the definition of American-European Consensus Conference on 1992 year, and the respiratory insufficiency was the leading cause of the death. In addition, the numbers of organ failure and the score of APACHE III at the time of diagnosis of ARDS appeared to be independent risk factors of the mortality in the patients with ARDS.