• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
• /
• v.16 no.2
• /
• pp.103-111
• /
• 2008

Background : It was not uncommon authors as psychiatrists faced women patients with somatoform disorders who expresses their symptoms has been started after the poor adherence to 'Doing the month' practices (DMP). DMP is known as a traditional ritual for Korean postpartum women. Aims : This study is an cultural approach to explore the practices of Korean women during the postpartum period are related with the formation of somatoform disorders. Methods : 41 multipara women with somatoform disorders diagnosed by DSM-IV criteria and 91 healthy normal control were enrolled. Subjects were given scales of SOM scale of SCL-90R, Somatic Symptom Scale-Korean version, Korean 'Doing the month' practices Scale(40 items), Postpartum Sick Scale(14 items), Beck Depression Scale and State Anxiety Scale. Results : 1) The period of DMP less than one week were prevalent in the patients group(43.9%) compared to the control group(7.9%, p<0.01). 2) The period of DMP after the abortions showed no difference between two groups. 3) Subjective rate for their poor DMP was significantly high in the patients group(73.2%) compared to the control group(33.0%), and the patients group showed high score in Postpartum Sick Scale as well(4.1, 1.6 respectively). 4) Poor DM was negatively correlated with SOM scale of SCL-90R(correlation coefficient r=-0.47, p<0.01). Conclusion : Poor DMP may make a crucial role for their heath condition after the deliveries and which would be one of the major factors of the somatoform disorders in Korean women. And postpartum physical symptoms after the poor DMP could be last long enough to be diagnosed as somatoform disorders. By understanding the cultural nature of the somatization phenomena the doctor-patient relationship could be enhanced.

• Journal of Radiopharmaceuticals and Molecular Probes
• /
• v.3 no.1
• /
• pp.32-37
• /
• 2017

Cis-(1S,4S)-4-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,2,3,4-tertrahydro-N-methyl-1-naphthalenamine (sertraline) hydrochloride from among selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) is a treatment of major depression. For the differential diagnosis by metabolizing serotonin in a patient with neurological disorders, the radiolabeled $^{11}C$-sertraline was developed for non-invasive positron emission tomography in living brain and use the evaluation of new drug for SSRIs. We release the results of a fast and easy radiolabeling method applied a one-step loop method with $[^{11}C]CH_3OTf$ for routine clinical applications of $^{11}C$-sertraline. 1 mg of a precursor for $^{11}C$-sertraline in 0.1 mL DMF and $5{\mu}L$ of 1N NaOH, were injected into the loop of semi-prep high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). $[^{11}C]CH_3OTf$ was passed through the loop at room temperature (RT). The $^{11}C$-sertraline was separated by the semi-preparative HPLC. $^{11}C$-sertraline was eluted at 28.0 min was collected and evaluated by analytical HPLC and mass spectrometer. The total radiolabeling efficiency of $^{11}C$-sertraline was $30.7{\pm}8.7%$. The specific activity was $64.8{\pm}51.4GBq/{\mu}mol$. The radiochemical and chemical purities were higher than 99%. The mass spectrum of the product showed m/z peaks at 307.1 (M+1), indicating the mass of sertraline. By the one-step loop method with $[^{11}C]CH_3OTf$, $^{11}C$-sertraline could be quickly and easily prepared for clinical application.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
• /
• v.26 no.2
• /
• pp.483-496
• /
• 1996

The purpose of this study was to describe how Korean nurses overcome the language barrier while working in the U.S. hospital settings. Twelve Korean nurses living in New York metropolitan area were asked open-ended, descriptive questions to collect the data. The interviews were done in Korean. All interviews were audiotaped under the permission of the participants and were transcribed verbatim. The data were analyzed using grounded theory analysis. The research process consisted of two phases. In the first phase 8 Korean nurses were interviewed and analyzed. In the second phase, further data were collected to verify categories and working hypotheses that were emerged from the first phase. The results of this study show that all Korean nurses experienced severe psychological stress such as confusion, anxiety, frustration, loss of self-confidence, embarrassment, guilt, depression, anger, and fear. Among the mode of communication such as listening, speaking, leading, and writing, they had the most difficulty in speaking. Speaking ability was especially important for them because of the emphasis of individualism and self-defense in the U.S. Among the verbal communication modes, non-face-to-face communications such as phone conversation and body language were the most difficu1t for them to overcome. It took at least 2 years for the participants to initially overcome the language barrier in U.S. hospitals. After 2-5 years they began to feel comfortable even in non-face-to-face communication. They could actively search for the better place to work after 5 years. They finally felt comfortable in English and in their job almost after 10 years. The factors that influenced the English improvement were ‘the years of clinical experience in Korea’, ‘the decade they came to the U.S.’ ‘coming to U.S. alone or with other Korean nurses’, ‘racial homogeneity or heterogeneity of the working unit’, and ‘the degree of social support’. The strategies Korean nurses used to overcome the language barrier included depending on the written communication, using ‘nunchi’, working and studying hard, and establishing good interpersonal relationships with co-workers. They also employed assertive behavior of the U.S., such as using more explicit verbal language and employing smiles and eye contact with others during the conversation. The results of the study may help Korean nurses and nursing students who try to work in U.S. hospital settings by understanding problems other Korean nurses faced, factors that influenced their English improvement, and strategies they used. They may also help U.S. nurses and administrators in developing and implementing efficient programs for newly employed Korean nurses by understanding major problems and feelings the Korean nurses experienced and strategies they used to overcome the language barriers.

• Journal of Korean Home Economics Education Association
• /
• v.21 no.3
• /
• pp.163-176
• /
• 2009

The purpose of this study was to investigate the gender differences of peer relationship and to analyze the effects of the individual psychology and family variables on adolescents' peer relationships. The subject of this study were 1,444 students of second and third grade of middle school who reside in Seoul and 1,397 self reported questionnaires were used for final analysis. The major results of this study were as follows. First, the findings suggested that there were significant differences between female and male adolescents in peer relationships. Female adolescents' friendship quality was higher than male adolescents', and male adolescents' peer victimization was higher than female adolescents'. Second, higher self-esteem, positive parenting behavior, higher level of parental supervision and lower level of interparental conflict predicted higher level of friendship quality among male and female adolescents. Higher depression, lower self-esteem, positive parenting behavior, lower level of parental supervision and higher level of interparental conflict predicted higher peer victimization among male and female adolescents.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
• /
• v.1 no.1
• /
• pp.1-19
• /
• 1967

The effects of X-ray irradiation and the thyroid gland on the erythropoietic system were studied in the white male rabbits. The total body irradiation was done in doses of 250 r and 500 r to each of 5 rabbits for 10days. The factors were 220KV, 10mA, FLI/4 Cu+1 mmAI(HVL:2.0 mm Cu) 50 cm F.S.D. The thyroid dysfunction was experimentally induced, by giving 2mg of thyroid tablets per kg body weight for 15 days in 5 rabbits for hyperthyroidism and by giving 1.5 mC of $^{131}I$ per kg body weight in another 5 rabbits for hypothyroidism. Fourteen healthy rabbits were used as control. The hematologic changes and ferrokinetic data obtained from $^{59}Fe$ and apparent half survival of the red blood cells obtained from $^{51}Cr$ were compared. Following were the results: A. X-ray irradiated group; 1. There were no significant changes in hematologic findings except for leucopenia. A slight decrease of red blood cells was observed in 500 r irradiated animals. 2. The decreases in the iron turnover rates of the plasma and red blood cells as well as in the red cell renewal rate were found in both groups. A :significant decrease of the red cell iron utilization rate was observed in the 500 r irradiated animals. 3. The apparent half survival times of the red blood cells were slightly, in the 250 r ($12.1{\pm}0.80$ days), and markedly shortened in the 500 r irradiated animals ($9.8{\pm}1.38$ days), the normal being $14.0{\pm}1.6$ days. 4. It appears, therefore, that the anemia caused by X-ray irradiation is due to the inhibition of hemopoietic function and the excess destruction of the red blood cells. B. Thyroid dysfunction group; 1. The slight increases of the red blood cell count and circulating blood volume with the normal serum iron level were observed in the hyperthyroid group, while the decreases of the red and white blood cell counts, hemoglobin and hematocrit values with a marked decrease of the serum iron level in the hypothyroid group. 2. A marked decrease of the plasma iron disappearance rate with increases of plasma iron turnover, red cell iron utilization and red cell iron turnover were observed in the hyperthyroid group, while the marked delay and decreases in the hypothyroid group. 3. The apparent half survival times of the red blood cells were almost the same with the control in the hyperthyroid group, ($14.0{\pm}1.58$ while a marked shortening in the hypothyroid group $10.6{\pm}0.30$. 4. It was reconfirmed that the thyroid hormones bear a close relationship with the erythropoietic system, namely, the latter is stimulated by the former. The lack of the thyroid hormones thus induces the bone marrow depression leading to anemia the major cause of which, therefore, is not hemolysis.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
• /
• v.6 no.2
• /
• pp.227-234
• /
• 1999

An association of low total cholesterol in blood with psychiatric diseases and suicidal behavior has been suggested. As part of an attempt to further explore this relationship, we examine first, whether serum cholesterol levels in psychiatric patients with suicidal attempt would be lower than in non-suicidal psychiatric inpatients or normal controls, second, whether such significant difference of cholesterol levels would be present when the diagnostic groups are analyzed separately, third, whether low cholesterol level would be associated with a history of serious suicidal attempts, and finally, whether low cholesterol level in suicide attempters is a state or a trait marker. We determined the serum cholesterol levels in 231 patients admitted to an emergency room following an suicidal attempt, in the same numbers of age-, sex- and diagnosis- matched non-suicidal psychiatric controls, and in the same numbers of age-, sex matched normal controls. The seriousness of an attempt was divided into 5 grades according to the degree of the resulting medical injury. Total cholesterol levels in suicide attempters were significantly lower compared with both psychiatric and normal controls, when sex, age, and nutritional status (i.e., body mass index) were controlled for. This significant relationship was observed in major depressive disorders and personality disorders, but not in schizophrenia and bipolar type I disorders. The severity of suicide by a lowering of blood cholesterol was related to the magnitude of the cholesterol reduction. After treatment of their psychiatric ailments, the cholesterol levels in suicide attempters were significantly increased. This result suggests that low cholesterol level in psychiatric patients might be a potential biological marker of suicide risk. It is hypothesized that low cholesterol levels is associated with the suicide by modifying the serotonin metabolism, the production of interleukin-2 and melatonin metabolism in psychiatric patients.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
• /
• v.7 no.2
• /
• pp.229-243
• /
• 1996

The purpose of this study was to develop a nursing model for the aged. This study was conducted to measure the physical, psychological and mental health status of the aged and to identify relationships between these health levels and various variables. The data were collected from 172 aged(over 60 years old) by interviews. The tools used for this study was a structured questionnaire which was developed and revised by the researchers. The tool consisted of 22 items on physical health assessment, 7 items on psychological health assessment, 9 items on mental health assessment and 10 items on an ADL evaluation. The major results of the study were as follows ; 1. In physical health, the aged complained of visual disturbance(60.5%), incontinence of urine (55.2%), back or muscle pain(73.3%), dizziness(70.3%) and diarrhea or constipation(44.2%). In psychological health, most aged people felt anger when they got some order from an other person(80.2%). Also, they had depression (69.8%) and felt like dying(64.0%). The ADL level was mostly normal for daily life. 2. The aged man was more healthy than the aged woman in physical and mental health especially the 60-64 year old group. The physical, mental health and ADL level had a positive correlation with age(p>.004), but psychological health had a negative correlation with age. 3. The physical, psychological, mental health and ADL level was positively interrelated with each other. 4. The physical, mental health, & ADL level lowered with inceasing age. Physical & psychological health worsened rapidly from 65-69 years, but for 10-15 years, their health level was preserved. Psychological health level was high in 80-84. 5. The physical health was affected by edu cational level, sex and pocket money (R=.4029, 16.24%). The psychological health was affected by the supportive style and pocket money (R=.5128, 26.30%). And the mental health was affected by education level, age, support ive style, sex and job(R=.4377, 19.16%). As seen above, we suggest the intervention of the young for the old to cope with their life and to maintain their healthy late adulthood. Also, if they have received psychological support in the institution, they will maintain healthy life condition. For further studies should be a search for variables that affect aged health, and should contribut to a nursing program better suited for the aged.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
• /
• v.7 no.2
• /
• pp.174-183
• /
• 1999

Objective : This study was designed to evaluate the incidence and characteristics of posttraumatic stress disorder(PTSD) after motor vehicle accidents(MVA) in 44 consecutive MVA victims referred to psychiatry for the diagnosis, treatment and psychiatric assessment. Method : The diagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorder was made on the basis of DSM-IV criteria, and posttraumatic stress symptoms were assessed by the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale(CAPS). Correlation between the extent of physical injury and the severity of PTSD symptoms using the Abbreviated Injury Scale(AIS) was analyzed and the frequency of psychiatric comorbidity of PTSD was invested. Result : Twenty-two(45.5%) MVA victims met DSM-IV criteria for PTSD, while thirteen(29.5%) showed a subsyndromal form of it. AIS scores significantly related with the development of posttraumatic stress symptoms(r=0.565, p=0.0001). PTSD group showed high percentages of each of the 17 symptoms(criterion B, C, D), while subsyndromal PTSD group showed relatively high percentages of criterion Band D. The most frequent symptom was 'distressing dreams' of criterion B in both group. A high percentages(56%) of the MVA-PTSD group also met the criteria for current major depression. Conclusions : These findings suggest that there is apparently a high likelihood of developing all or part of the PTSD syndrome after motor vehicle accidents. So it does appear that for those MVA victims who seek medical attention and eventually need psychiatric referral, diagnostic possibility of PTSD should be taken into account in treatment planning and early intervention.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
• /
• v.4 no.2
• /
• pp.405-419
• /
• 1997

This research has been conducted to provide the spinal cord injured patients with comprehensive necessity of and backup data for their rehabilitation in the community and make the aware of importance of overall community support to patients. The data was collected through questionnaire made to 83 patients charged to general hospital in Jeonbuk Province between 1 and 31 March 1997 to analyse the patients ability on activities of daily living through the research on general characteristics and Modified Barthel Index(MBI). As a result the outcome of the research was as follows : 1. Sexual distribution represented that 57 male (68.7%) and 26 female(31.3%) and in the age distribution majority group was 36 thirties (43.4 %) most active in social activities. 2. Analysis on occupation of patients showed majority group was in technicians, 21 people representing 25.4 % and the major cause of injury was traffic accident, 45people representing 54.2%, fall down, 17 people representing 20.5% and industrial accident, 13 people representing 15.7%, respectively. 3. In the multiple choice questionnaire on complications, the rate of appealing pain was highest and spasticity, pressure sore, contracture, depression which restrict the patients from activities of daily living ability were also appeared. 4. The theoretical points in MBI Should lie between 1 and 115 and the average point be 58 but the average point of the MBI among 83 patients was 63. 5. The MBI point by the level of injured represented statistically critical difference(P<0.001) and the MBI points tested by Duncan's Multiple Area Testing in lumbar(80.1) and in thoracic (65.8) represented critically higher than the one in cervical(42.5). 6. In the distribution of the method of Urination after spine injury, the intermittent catheterization represented highest numbar of 34(41.1 %). Testing by Duncan's Multiple Area Testing, as we found the critical difference in the analysis on MBI points(P<0.001), the point in independent self voiding patients ($90.87{\pm}29.34$) was higher than the one in other self voiding patients(P<0.05). 7. In th category of social activities after spine injury, the number of people classified in others, 41 people representing 49.5% was highest and in the MBI points of the spinal cord injured people in religious activity, hobby activity, private club, occupation was critically higher than the people classified in miscellancous(P<0.01) who are the spinal cord injured people and mostly depend on their family's assistance at home in their daily activities.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
• /
• v.24 no.1
• /
• pp.35-47
• /
• 1999

Medication non-compliance among the elderly results in medical problems and substantial cost to the health care system. This study investigate predicted variable related to the medication task ability among elderly. This study was done in the selected 4 villages in Kimchun County of Kyungbuk Province from July to August, 1996. The subject was the resident that 202 adults above 60 years of age. The questionnaire of interview included medication task ability, socio-demographic data, COOP/WONCA chart, family ABGAR score. BDI(Beck depression inventory), ADL(activities of daily living), IADL(instrumental activities of daily living), and MMSE-K(minimental state examination-Korean version). The results were as followed : 1. Approximately 49% of study population was taking drug medication currently. We found that 93% of study population was successful at the medication task all alone, 6% was failure at the medication task all alone, so need help partly or completely. 2. Significant variables between group of medication task ability were age, educational attainment, IADL, and MMSE-K in univariate analysis. And significant correlated variables with medication task ability were ADL, IADL, MMSE-K, and BDI in correlation analysis. 3. Major predictors to medication task ability on multiple logistic regression were IADL and sex finally. Findings suggest that IADL is related to medication task ability than other test battery of health status, so IADL could be used to necessary for medication management and add information to conventional methods of assessing mental status.