• Korean Journal of Schizophrenia Research
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.42-50
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• 2019

Objectives: In this preliminary study, we investigated the clinical characteristics of patients who were first diagnosed with psychotic disorder and explored the impact of the adherence to antipsychotics on long-term medical use. Methods: All national health insurance claims related to psychotic disorders including gender, age, income, and drug compliance, from January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2015, were examined. With trend test using Medication Possession Ratio (MPR), we compared the medical use between the compliant group (MRP≥0.8) and the comparative non-compliant group (0.2≤MPR<0.8). Results: Among 28,095 participants in total, 16,239 patients (57.8%) were diagnosed as schizophrenia; the 30s were the most common (n=7,151, 25.5%). Drug compliance was generally low regardless of the diagnosis and was the lowest among 20s with the 40-60% range of income. The compliant group showed lower psychiatric and medical use than the comparative group in the following years (p<0.0001). Conclusion: These findings suggest that patients in the 20s and 30s with the 40-60% range of income, who are diagnosed with schizophrenia at the first psychiatric visit, may need more clinical and political attention. The results also emphasize the importance of initial drug adherence to antipsychotics in reducing long-term psychiatric costs.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.131-142
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• 2023

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess lipid levels and to identify groups with poor lipid control group among patients with dyslipidemia. Methods: Data from 1,399 Korean patients with dyslipidemia older than 20 years were extracted from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Complex sample analysis and decision-tree analysis were conducted with using SPSS for Windows version 27.0. Results: The mean levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), and high density lipoprotein cholesterol were 211.38±1.15 mg/dL, 306.61±1.15 mg/dL, 118.48±1.08 mg/dL, and 42.39±1.15 mg/dL, respectively. About 61% of participants showed abnormal lipid control. Poor glycemic control groups (TC ≥ 200 mg/dL or TG ≥ 150 mg/dL or LDL-C ≥ 130 mg/dL) were identified through seven different pathways via decision-tree analysis. Poor lipid control groups were categorized based on patients' characteristics such as gender, age, education, dyslipidemia medication adherence, perception of dyslipidemia, diagnosis of myocardial infarction or angina, diabetes mellitus, perceived health status, relative hand grip strength, hemoglobin A1c, aerobic exercise per week, and walking days per week. Dyslipidemia medication adherence was the most significant predictor of poor lipid control. Conclusion: The findings demonstrated characteristics that are predictive of poor lipid control and can be used to detect poor lipid control in patients with dyslipidemia.

• Korean Journal of Schizophrenia Research
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.55-60
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• 2017

Objectives : Severe mental illness is a major risk factor for suicide. This study aimed to identify characteristics of patients who died by suicide among subjects who had been received service from a community mental health center. Methods : We searched individuals who had committed suicide in Gwangju Bukgu Community Mental Health Center since 2006. Sociodemographic and clinical data were gathered from medical records and their case managers and they were compared with those of general members in the center. Characteristics of schizophrenia patients who died by suicide were particularly summarized. Results : Twelve person committed suicide between 2006 and 2016. The characteristics of those who died by suicide were male (67%), diagnosis of schizophrenia (75%), aged below 50 (83%), unemployed (92%), past history of psychiatric hospitalization (100%), recent admission within 3 months (67%), past history of suicidal attempt (78%), family history of schizophrenia (58%), poor adherence to medication (58%), and use of daily rehabilitation program (42%). Ten out of twelve (83%) showed warning sign for suicide. All identified method of suicide in patients with schizophrenia was jumping from high building. Many patients with schizophrenia, who committed suicide, suffered from comorbid depressive symptoms (67%) and auditory hallucination (78%). Conclusion : Case managers should pay attention to and carefully manage individuals who showed suicidal warning, particularly with risk factors for suicide, such as unemployment, admission state or recent discharge from psychiatric hospital, poor adherence to medication, family history of schizophrenia, and a history of suicidal attempt.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.381-389
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• 2018

Objective : The purpose of this case report is to offer an unprecedented target for Gyejigabuja-tang by analyzing a case in which the symptoms were improved by the herbal decoction therapy, and to accumulate a fundamental knowledge in herbal medicine therapy for urinary incontinence. Method : We studied a patient's chart with the patient's consent and displayed patient's timeline and adherence in a figure according to the CARE guideline. The progress of urination symptoms were assessed with the frequency of urination and how long the patient can stand urine. The accompanied lower limb pain was estimated with Numerical Rating Scale(NRS) Results : The patient's adherence was good during the medication period and symptoms related with urination and accompanied lower limb pain were improved with no specific side effects. NRS of the lower limb pain decreased from 7 to 2, the frequency of urination also improved from over 10 times to 6~8 times per day, and the patient can stand urine from less than 1 second to 2~3 minutes. Conclusions : Gyejigabuja-tang was effective for an urinary incontinence patient which corresponds to the provision No.20 in Shanghanlun.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.218-222
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• 2023

A holistic approach to diabetes considers patient preferences, emotional health, living conditions, and other contextual factors, in addition to medication selection. Human and social factors influence treatment adherence and clinical outcomes. Social issues, cost of care, out-of-pocket expenses, pill burden (number and frequency), and injectable drugs such as insulin, can affect adherence. Clinicians can ask about these contextual factors when discussing treatment options with patients. Patients' emotional health can also affect diabetes self-care. Social stressors such as family issues may impair self-care behaviors. Diabetes can also lead to emotional stress. Diabetes distress correlates with worse glycemic control and lower overall well-being. Patient-centered communication can build the foundation of a trusting relationship with the clinician. Respect for patient preferences and fears can build trust. Relevant communication skills include asking open-ended questions, expressing empathy, active listening, and exploring the patient's perspective. Glycemic goals must be personalized based on frailty, the risk of hypoglycemia, and healthy life expectancy. Lifestyle counseling requires a nonjudgmental approach and tactfulness. The art of diabetes care rests on clinicians perceiving a patient's emotional state. Tailoring the level of advice and diabetes targets based on a patient's personal and contextual factors requires mindfulness by clinicians.

• Journal of Korean Clinical Nursing Research
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.277-288
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• 2022

Purpose: This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of the insulin therapy adherence program (INSTA GRAM) for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methods: This study examined a total of 63 patients with type 2 diabetes for whom the initiation of insulin therapy is being considered or within 6 months of undergoing insulin therapy. INSTAGRAM is a stage-specific intervention consisting of strategies for motivating patients to initiate and maintain insulin therapy using the transtheoretical model on the stages of change, the process of change, and self-efficacy. The participants were randomly assigned to either the INSTAGRAM group (experimental group, n=32) or the standard diabetes education group (control group, n=31). The INSTAGRAM group received 6 sessions over 8 weeks(face-to-face education was conducted in the first and last sessions, and telephone coaching was conducted from the second to fifth sessions). The outcomes were measured by psychological insulin resistance, self-efficacy, and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c). Results: Psychological insulin resistance (p<.001), self-efficacy (p<.001), and HbA1c (p=.024) of the participants in the INSTAGRAM group significantly improved compared to those in the control group. Conclusion: INSTAGRAM is effective in overcoming psychological insulin resistance and improving self-efficacy and HbA1c. Therefore, the INSTAGRAM can be recommended as a nursing intervention for type 2 diabetic patients who delay the initiation of insulin therapy.

• Korean Circulation Journal
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• v.52 no.10
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• pp.785-794
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• 2022

Background and Objectives: Self-monitoring of blood pressure (SMBP) is a reliable method used to assess BP accurately. However, patients do not often know how to respond to the measured BP value. We developed a mobile application-based feed-back algorithm (SMBP-App) for tailored recommendations. In this study, we aim to evaluate whether SMBP-App is superior to SMBP alone in terms of BP reduction and drug adherence improvement in patients with hypertension. Methods: Self-Monitoring of blood pressure and Feed-back using APP in Treatment of UnconTrolled Hypertension (SMART-BP) is a prospective, randomized, open-label, multicenter trial to evaluate the efficacy of SMBP-App compared with SMBP alone. Patients with uncomplicated essential hypertension will be randomly assigned to the SMBP-App (90 patients) and SMBP alone (90 patients) groups. In the SMBP group, the patients will perform home BP measurement and receive the standard care, whereas in the SMBP-App group, the patients will receive additional recommendations from the application in response to the obtained BP value. Follow-up visits will be scheduled at 12 and 24 weeks after randomization. The primary endpoint of the study is the mean home systolic BP. The secondary endpoints include the drug adherence, the home diastolic BP, home and office BP. Conclusions: SMART-BP is a prospective, randomized, open-label, multicenter trial to evaluate the efficacy of SMBP-App. If we can confirm its efficacy, SMBP-App may be scaled-up to improve the treatment of hypertension.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.168-177
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• 2023

Background & Objectives: Fixed-dose combinations (FDCs) offer advantages in adherence and cost-effectiveness compared to free combinations (FCs), but they can also complicate the prescribing process, potentially leading to therapeutic duplication (TD). This study aimed to identify the prescribing patterns of FDCs for dyslipidemia and investigate their associated risk of TD. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study involving drugs that included statins, using Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service-National Patient Sample (HIRA-NPS) data from 2018. The unit of analysis was a prescription claim. The primary outcome was TD. The risk ratio of TD was calculated and adjusted for patient, prescriber, and the number of cardiovascular drugs prescribed using a multivariable Poisson model. Results: Our study included 252,797 FDC prescriptions and 515,666 FC prescriptions. Of the FDC group, 46.52% were male patients and 56.21% were aged 41 to 65. Ezetimibe was included in 71.61% of the FDC group, but only 0.25% of the FC group. TD occurred in 0.18% of the FDC group, and the adjusted risk ratio of TD in FDC prescriptions compared to FC was 6. 44 (95% CI 5. 30-7. 82). Conclusions: Prescribing FDCs for dyslipidemia was associated with a higher risk of TD compared to free combinations. Despite the relatively low absolute prevalence of TD, the findings underline the necessity for strategies to mitigate this risk when prescribing FDCs for dyslipidemia. Our study suggests the potential utility of Clinical Decision Support Systems and standardizing nomenclature in reducing medication errors, providing valuable insights for clinical practice and future research.

• Proceedings of the Korea Contents Association Conference
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• 2010.05a
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• pp.207-209
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• 2010

본 연구는 행정자료인 건강보험 및 의료급여비용 청구자료를 이용하였으며, 일개지역(2개도, 남북)에 개설되어있는 전체 의료기관을 대상으로 진료일 기준 '08.7월~'08.12월(184일)동안 외래 방문이 1회 이상인 30세 이상의 수진자 432,915명을 대상으로 하였다. 투약순응도와 영향 요인을 분석하였다. 투약순응도에 영향을 미치는 요인으로는 남성, 55~64세, 건강보험 가입자가, 종합전문, 종합병원, 보건기관을 주 이용기관으로 방문하는 환자와 심장질환, 당뇨병을 동반상병으로 가지고 있는 환자에서 투약순응도가 높았다. 본 연구 결과 투약 순응도가 낮은 환자에 대한 다양한 요인분석이 필요하며, 투약 순응도를 높이기 위한 고혈압관리사업의 정책적 검토 및 대안이 필요할 것이다.

• KSII Transactions on Internet and Information Systems (TIIS)
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.173-187
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• 2022

Recent studies have focused on self-management of hypertension using smart devices (cellular phones, tablets, watches). It has proven to be an effective tool for early detection and control of high Blood Pressure (BP) without affecting patients' daily routines. This systematic review surveys the existing self-monitoring systems, evaluate their effectiveness and compares the different approaches. We investigated the current systems in terms of various attributes, including methods used, sample size, type of investigation, inputs/ outputs, rate of success in controlling BP, group of users with higher response rate and beneficiaries, acceptability, and adherence to the system. We identified some limitations, shortcomings, and gaps in the research conducted recently studying the impact of mobile technology on managing hypertension. These shortcomings can generate future research opportunities and enable it to become more realistic and adaptive. We recommended including more observable factors and human behaviors that affect BP. Furthermore, we suggested that vital monitoring/logging and medication tuning are insufficient to improve hypertension control. There is also a need to observe and alter patient behavior and lifestyles.