• Journal of Korean Medical Science
• /
• v.33 no.46
• /
• pp.290.1-290.11
• /
• 2018

Background: The role of antidepressants (ADs) in bipolar disorder is long-standing controversial issue in psychiatry. Many clinicians have used ADs as a treatment for bipolar depression, and the selection of therapeutic agents is very diverse and inconsistent. This study aimed to examine recent AD prescription patterns for patients with bipolar disorder in Korea, using the nationwide, population-based data. Methods: This study utilized the Korean nationwide, whole population-based registry data of the year 2010, 2011, and 2013. All prescription data of the ADs, antipsychotics, and mood stabilizers of the sampled patients diagnosed with bipolar disorder (n = 2,022 [in 2010]; 2,038 [in 2011]; 2,626 [in 2013]) were analyzed for each year. Results: Annual prescription rate of ADs was 27.3%-33.6% in bipolar disorder, which was gradually increasing over the 3-year period. The combination pattern of ADs and antipsychotic drugs tended to increase over 3 years. The proportion of females and the prevalence of comorbid anxiety disorder were significantly higher in AD user group in all three years. Among individual ADs, escitalopram was prescribed most frequently, and fluoxetine and bupropion were prescribed to the next many patients. The mean duration of bipolar depressive episodes was 135.90-152.53 days, of which ADs were prescribed for 115.60-121.98 days. Conclusion: Our results show prescription rate of ADs in bipolar disorder was maintained at substantial level and increased in recent 3 years. More empirical data and evidence are needed to establish practical treatment consensuses.

• Korean Management Science Review
• /
• v.30 no.1
• /
• pp.91-102
• /
• 2013

This study has an aim to analyze the effects of ADS on conjunctivitis patients among the residents of Seoul, Korea, between 2005 and 2008. For this purpose, the number of medical services provided to conjunctivitis patients on the days of windblown dust storms and the days without any windblown dust storms were analyzed by conducting paired t-test. The interactive effects of the ADS density and the accuracy of ADS forecast on the fluctuation of conjunctivitis cases were also investigated. The results showed that, even with an accurate forecast issued 24 hours prior to the event, the average number of medical services provided for conjunctivitis was higher on the index days than the comparison days. On the other hand, in cases of failure to provide an accurate forecast 24 hours prior to the ADS event, the number of conjunctivitis attacks reported was statistically significantly higher on the index days for 3~5 days after the occurrence of a dust storm in relation to the comparison days. We also found that the rate of increase in asthma treatments on the index days with low level of $PM_{10}$ concentration rather than high $PM_{10}$ level was more significant for all lag days. This study provides evidence that ADS events are significantly associated with conjunctivitis symptoms and the failure to forecast ADS events with low $PM_{10}$ level might aggravate conjunctivitis disease.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
• /
• v.36 no.4
• /
• pp.86-94
• /
• 2015

In order for medical devices to be used outside hospital, they have to be not only of small size but also power consumption has to be kept at low level. This study investigates the feasibility of application of ADS1298 ECG single-chip solution developed by Texas Instruments Inc. for use in development of a new platform for diagnostic resting ECG. To prove the feasibility of commercial products based on the ADS1298 chip, the performance of the ADS1298 chip was measured in terms of input impedance, common mode rejection, frequency response, and input dynamic range using the testing method under the suitability criteria of the IEC 60601-2-25 standard. Result of the this study shows that commercialization of the ECG products based on the ADS1298 ECG single-chip solution that satisfies the international standards would be possible, if the manufactures take the filter characteristics into account in building a new platform for diagnostic resting ECG.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
• /
• v.24 no.1
• /
• pp.10.1-10.17
• /
• 2024

In this review, we will explore the intricate roles of cytokines and vascular endothelial growth factors in autoimmune diseases (ADs), with a particular focus on rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and multiple sclerosis (MS). AD is characterized by self-destructive immune responses due to auto-reactive T lymphocytes and Abs. Among various types of ADs, RA and MS possess inflammation as a central role but in different sites of the patients. Other common aspects among these two ADs are their chronicity and relapsing-remitting symptoms requiring continuous management. First factor inducing these ADs are cytokines, such as IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-17, which play significant roles in the pathogenesis by contributing to inflammation, immune cell activation, and tissue damage. Secondly, vascular endothelial growth factors, including VEGF and angiopoietins, are crucial in promoting angiogenesis and inflammation in these two ADs. Finally, placental growth factor (PlGF), an emerging factor with bi-directional roles in angiogenesis and T cell differentiation, as we introduce as an "angio-lymphokine" is another key factor in ADs. Thus, while angiogenesis recruits more inflammatory cells into the peripheral sites, cytokines secreted by effector cells play critical roles in the pathogenesis of ADs. Various therapeutic interventions targeting these soluble molecules have shown promise in managing autoimmune pathogenic conditions. However, delicate interplay between cytokines, angiogenic factors, and PlGF has more to be studied when considering their complementary role in actual pathogenic conditions. Understanding the complex interactions among these factors provides valuable insights for the development of innovative therapies for RA and MS, offering hope for improved patient outcomes.

• The Korean Society of Law and Medicine
• /
• v.14 no.1
• /
• pp.303-354
• /
• 2013

In 2012, the major jurisdictions regarding medical cases caused the controversial issues towards medical and legal fields by getting the judgments from the Supreme Court, which admitted the exceptional admissibility on discretionary grant. By regarding the serial negligence of medical organizations as a separate tort, the sentences which made up irrationality, were spoken by the court. As a result, if the treatment was made, which did not follow the entered matters in medical documents attached, the court announced the jurisdiction that presumes the negligence, which provided the evidence of negligence; on the other hand, this gave had the burden to medical branch to take great care for medicinal treatment. To be applicable for the Principle of Trust, the doctors have to give and take the necessary information for the treatment process and symptom decisions, which also commented in the court. Thus, this case made it difficult to apply the Principle of Trust and considered all the conditions as tough ones, which eventually induced lesser faults for patients' care. Moreover, the court confirmed that the medical ads sending the emails to the members belong to the internet portal sites, are not the inducing behavior by considering that the actions are only medical ads. Furthermore, in the case of Namsu Kim, the court's interpretation was rather limited the definition for medical practice that announced limited Erweiterung der Strafbarkeit cases by lower courts. As a consequence, it is very interesting whether the Supreme Court may change their position and concerning the duty of explanation, the trend to expand the contents and scopes for the duty of explanation continues by admitting instruction explanation obligation and all the compensations and so on.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
• /
• v.12 no.1
• /
• pp.20-26
• /
• 2009

Purpose: We undertook this study to find out the recognitions of terminal cancer patients and doctors about advance directives (ADs), of how they would do in non-response medical conditions and whether ADs could be one of medical options for their dying with dignity. Methods: One hundred thirty four cancer patients in the Hospice Unit, St. Vincent's Hospital, and 97 medical doctors in the Department of Internal Medicine, Catholic Medical Center, were asked about ADs, including Do-Not-Resuscitate (DNR), medical power of attorney, living will and medical options. Results: One hundred thirty patients (97%) and 38 doctors (39.2%) were unfamiliar with ADs, however, 128 patients (95.5%), 95 doctors (97.9%) agreed with it. Seventy nine patients (59.0%) and 96 doctors (99.0%) wanted DNR rather then intensive treatments if they were in non-response medical conditions. Eighty four patients (62.7%) and 75 doctors (77.3%) were agreeable to medical power of attorney. One hundred Thirty four patients (100.0%) and 94 doctors (96.9%) did not want medical options to be in terminal conditions, and hoped to die in peace. Conclusion: Most of patients did not know about ADs and how to make it. However, they showed positive attitudes about it. If we advertise it properly, it is highly likely that a large number of cancer patients would make their living wills easily by ADs. Nevertheless, many legal and ethical problems have to be solved. Doctors should engage their patients in an ongoing communication about the end-of-life. Therefore, let the patients have opportunities to plan their own deaths.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
• /
• v.46 no.2
• /
• pp.123-129
• /
• 2023

Interventional cardiology procedures can involve relatively high radiation doses compared to conventional radiography. During CAG, CAG + PCI and PCI the same area is exposed to radiation for a long period. In this study, radiation exposure data of 421 examinations in Gyeongsang area were collected, and the DRLs and ADs in actual medical practice for three types of interventional cardiology procedures in Korea were established. In CAG 286 case, 75th percentile DRLs and ADs of the total DAP were 55.89 Gy·cm² and 37.47 Gy·cm² , respectively. In CAG + PCI 92 case, those values were 222.84 Gy·cm² and 117.51 Gy·cm² respectively. In PCI 43 case, those values were 198.73 Gy·cm² and 120.13 Gy·cm² respectively. In this study, for the first time, the diagnostic reference level of interventional cardiology procedures in Gyeongsang area were established. Using the diagnostic reference level of interventional cardiology procedures derived from this study, it will help to identify and improve the level of exposure dose in the region and country.

• Anxiety and mood
• /
• v.5 no.2
• /
• pp.96-102
• /
• 2009

Objective : We investigated that ADHD categorical diagnosis and the dimensional tools for the evaluation of ADHD, widely used in the clinical field, such as the child behavior check list- Korean version (K-CBCL), Korean personality inventory for children (KPI-C), computerized Attention Diagnostic System (ADS). Method : The DSM-IV clinical diagnosis applied by child psychiatrist. K-CBCL, KPI-C, ADS are used. Ultimately, totally 161 ADHD children and 161 controls were evaluated. Subject group are consist of 202 boys (62.7%) and 120 girls (37.3%), and the mean age was $9.5{\pm}2.0$ years old. Results and Conclusion : Social problem, and attention problem in the K-CBCL, correct response time standard deviation in the computerized ADS were statistically significant different and attention problem in the K-CBCL, hyperactivity subscale in the KPI-C were significant trait, between subject group and control group. The ROC value of attention problem in the K-CBCL, hyperactivity subscale in the KPI-C, and ADS were .78, .93, .86. Finally, we found that K-CBCL, KPI-C, ADS were significant corelation with the ADHD categorical diagnosis.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
• /
• v.25 no.1
• /
• pp.28-36
• /
• 2014

Objectives : The goal of this study was to examine the association between zinc and lead level and symptoms of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) among Korean children. Methods : A total of 89 clinic-referred children participated in the study (ADHD group=45, control group=44). The participants were 5-15 years old, and were mainly from urban areas of Seoul, Korea. ADHD was diagnosed using the Kiddie-Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia-Present and Lifetime Version. We excluded children with a comorbid psychiatric disorder, medical illness requiring medication, or a prior history of taking ADHD medication. In order to evaluate the severity of ADHD symptoms, parents' Korean ADHD Rating Scale (K-ARS) was used. The ADHD diagnostic system (ADS) was used for evaluation of the severity of inattention and impulsivity. All participants completed the intelligence test and hair mineral analysis. Multiple regression analysis was used to examine the effect of hair zinc and lead levels on the K-ARS and ADS. We measured the predictive ability of the zinc and lead levels using logistic regression analysis. Results : The lead level explained the score for omission errors, commission errors, and response time SD in visual ADS in the ADHD group (adjusted $R^2$=.243, p<.01, adjusted $R^2$=.362, p<.01, and adjusted $R^2$=.275, p<.01), the score for omission errors of auditory ADS in ADHD group (adjusted $R^2$=.407, p<.01) and the entire group (adjusted $R^2$=.292, p<.01). Zinc was significantly explanatory for the K-ARS scores for the entire group (adjusted $R^2$=.248, p<.001) and the ADHD group (adjusted $R^2$=.247, p<.05). Conclusion : These findings suggest a possible role of zinc and lead in ADHD. Lead concentration in hair samples affected the ADS scores, and this was more prominent in children with ADHD. Children with ADHD had a lower zinc concentration in their hair, and the zinc concentration in hair showed negative correlation with the K-ARS score.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
• /
• v.23 no.3
• /
• pp.253-261
• /
• 2002

A spatially adaptive falter was formulated to imrove PET image qualify and the Performance of the filter was evaluated using simulation and phantom and human PET studies. In the proposed filter. if a pixel was identified as the edge Pixel, the Pixel value was Preserved. Otherwise a Pixel was replaced by the mean of the pixel values weighted by 2:7: 2. A Pixel was identified as the edge Pixel. if it satisfies the following conditions : the number of ADs (absolute difference between center and neighborhood pixels) which is smaller than THl (($pix_max{\times}0.1/log_2(NPM)$, NPM : mean of 6 neighborhood pixels excluding minimum and maximum) is 8-k and the number of ADs which is lager than TH2 ($NPM{\times}0.1$) is k. where k : 2, 3, …, 6. The results of this study demonstrate the superior performance of the Proposed titter compared to Gaussian fitter, weight median filter and subset averaged median filter. The proposed tittering method is simple but effective in increasing uniformity and contrast with minimal degradation of spatial resolution of PET images and thus. is expected to Provide improved diagnositc quality PET images .