• Journal of East-West Nursing Research
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.46-56
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• 2004

Purpose: The purposes of this study are to examine and to compare factors causing stress and coping methods between nephrology nurses working in the Hospitals of University and the Hemodialysis Clinics. Method: Data were collected by a direct survey method using a questionnaire from August 13 to August 31, 2001. The sample of 137 nephrology nurses in the twenty-one Hospitals of University and 168 nephrology nurses in the twenty-six Hemodialysis Clinics were selected for a total sample of 305 nurses. Result: Stress according to general characteristics showed a significant difference in religion and in the level of satisfaction for their work. Stress score was the highest in the nurses whose religion was Buddhism(F=4.846, P=0.008) and in the group with 'dissatisfied' for the work in the Hemodialysis unit(F=3.193, P=0.014). The results analyzed coping method according to the general characteristics had a significant difference only in religion(F=16.237, P=0.000). The score for the coping method was the highest in Buddism. The score compared the satisfaction level for their work according to the hospital type, were 3.55 in the Hospital of University group and 3.35 in the Hemodialysis clinic group and these two values were significant different(p<0.05). The mean score of the stress nephrology nurses in the Hospitals of University is 2.79 and that of the stress nephrology nurses in the Hemodialysis clinics is 2.78 of 4 point scale. Among the factors causing stress, items related nursing work and conflict in nurse-patient relationship significantly caused more stress to the nephrology nurses in the Hospitals of University than to those in the Hemodialysis clinics(p<0.05). Conclusion: This study suggests that there were some differences in the stress and coping methods between nephrology nurses in the hospitals of University and the Hemodialysis clinics. Further study related to stress management program is needed to decrease stress and use effective coping methods.

• Kidney Research and Clinical Practice
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.111-116
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• 2017

The Korean Society of Nephrology participated in the task force team consisting of government authorities and civilian experts to prevent and control the spread of Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) in 2015. The Korean Society of Nephrology MERS Task Force Team took an immediate action and drafted 'the clinical recommendation for hemodialysis facilities' to follow when the first and the only confirmed case was reported in the hemodialysis unit. Owing to the dedicated support from medical doctors, dialysis nurses, and related medical companies, we could prevent further transmission of MERS infection successfully in hemodialysis units. This special report describes the experience of infection control during MERS outbreak in 2015 and summarizes the contents of 'the clinical practice guideline for hemodialysis facilities dealing with MERS patients' built upon our previous experience.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.52-57
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• 2012

Objectives: Lifting heavy weights involves the Valsalva manoeuvre, which leads to intraocular pressure spikes. We used data from a case-control study to further investigate the hypothesis that occupational lifting is a risk factor for retinal detachment. Methods: The study population included 48 cases (patients operated for retinal detachment) and 84 controls (outpatients attending an eye clinic). The odds ratios (OR) of idiopathic retinal detachment were estimated with a logistic regression model (adjusted for age, sex and body mass index). Three indexes were used to examine exposure to lifting; 1) maximum load lifted, 2) average weekly lifting, 3) lifelong cumulative lifting. Results: For all indexes, the most exposed subjects showed an increased risk of retinal detachment compared with the unexposed (index 1: OR 3.57, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.21-10.48; index 2: OR 3.24, 95% CI 1.32-7.97; index 3: OR 2.23, 95% CI 1.27-8.74) and dose-response relationships were apparent. Conclusion: These results reinforce the hypothesis that heavy occupational lifting may be a relevant risk factor for retinal detachment.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.33-36
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• 2016

Metformin, commonly prescribed for type 2 diabetes, is considered safe with minimal side-effect. Acute pancreatitis is rare but potentially fatal adverse side-effect of metformin. We report a patient on hemodialysis with metformin-related acute pancreatitis and lactic acidosis. A 62-year-old woman with diabetic nephropathy and hypertension presented with nausea and vomiting for a few weeks, followed by epigastric pain. At home, the therapy of 500 mg/day metformin and 50 mg/day sitagliptin was continued, despite symptoms. Laboratory investigations showed metabolic acidosis with high levels of lactate, amylase at 520 U/L (range, 30-110 U/L), and lipase at 1,250 U/L (range, 23-300 U/L). Acute pancreatitis was confirmed by computed tomography. No recognized cause of acute pancreatitis was identified. Metformin was discontinued. Treatment with insulin and intravenous fluids resulted in normalized amylase, lipase, and lactate. When she was re-exposed to sitagliptin, no symptoms were reported.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.345-355
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• 2000

The purpose of this study was to explain the relationship of professional self-concept, self-efficacy and job satisfaction among nephrology nurses. The subject consisted of 84 nephrology nurses who work at 17 hospitals in Kwangju, Chonnam, Chonbuk and Cheju-do. The instrument of this study was a structured questionnaire on professional self-concept, self-efficacy and job satisfaction. The data were collected from August 16 to September 10, 1999 and analyzed by Cronbach alpha, descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Scheffe's test and Pearson's correlation coefficient by using the SPSS/PC+ program. The results of the research were as follows : 1. The average item scores were 2.73 for professional self-concept and 7.16 for selfefficacy. The average item score of job satisfaction was 3.05. Professional status (3.56) among the component factors of the job satisfaction had the highest value followed by the interaction(3.46), task requirements(3.28), autonomy(2.98), organizational requirement(2.70), and pay(2.22) was the lowest. 2. The relationship between general characteristics and professional self-concept shows a significant difference with regard to position and the nurses' intention to stay. The relationship between general characteristics and self-efficacy shows a significant difference with regard to position and shift. 3. A significant positive correlation between professional self-concept and self-efficacy (r=0.462, p<0.01) was found. A significant positive correlation between professional self-concept and job satisfaction(r=0.486, p<0.01) was found. In conclusion, professional self-concept and job satisfaction of nephrology nurses are significantly related. A professional self-concept is an important factor for job satisfaction of nephrology nurses. Therefore, this study suggested that we should develop programs and policies to increase the professional self-concept of nephrology nurses for their job satisfaction.

• Kidney Research and Clinical Practice
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.418-419
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• 2018

• Journal of Medicine and Life Science
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.66-69
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• 2022

Patients with vesicoureteral reflux (VUR), the retrograde flow of urine from the bladder to the kidney, are known to experience renal scarring; this results in the worsening of renal function. Reflux nephropathy is a cause of chronic kidney disease, and VUR has also been observed in dialysis patients. VUR is a major underlying precursor condition of urinary tract infection (UTI) and is sometimes accompanied by hydronephrosis. However, there are no guidelines for the management of UTI due to VUR-associated hydronephrosis in patients with end-stage kidney disease. Herein, we report a case of UTI caused by VUR-associated hydronephrosis in a dialysis patient treated with percutaneous nephrostomy.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.55 no.4
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• pp.417-420
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• 2017

Hookworm infections are rare causes of acute gastrointestinal bleeding. We report a middle aged man with primary nephrotic syndrome and pulmonary embolism. During the treatment with steroids and anticoagulants, the patient presented acute massive hemorrhage of the gastrointestinal tract. The results of gastroscopy showed red worms in the duodenum. Colonoscopy and CT angiogram of abdomen were unremarkable. Capsule endoscopy revealed fresh blood and multiple hookworms in the jejunum and ileum. Hookworms caused the acute intestinal bleeding. The patient responded well to albendazole. Hematochezia was markedly ameliorated after eliminating the parasites. Hence, hookworm infection should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a patient with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding. Capsule endoscopy may offer a better means of diagnosis for intestinal hookworm infections.

• Kidney Research and Clinical Practice
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.393-403
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• 2018

Background: This study compared nutritional parameters in hemodialysis (HD) subjects and controls using bioimpedance analysis (BIA) and investigated how BIA components changed before and after HD. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 147 subjects on maintenance HD from two hospitals and 298 propensity score-matched controls from one healthcare center. BIA was performed pre- and post-HD at mid-week dialysis sessions. Results: Extracellular water/total body water (ECW/TBW) and waist-hip ratio were higher in the HD patients; the other variables were higher in the control group. The cardiothoracic ratio correlated best with overhydration (r = 0.425, P < 0.01) in HD subjects. Blood pressure, hemoglobin, creatinine, and uric acid positively correlated with the lean tissue index in controls; however, most of these nutritional markers did not show significant correlations in HD subjects. Normal hydrated weight was predicted to be higher in the pre-HD than post-HD measurements. Predicted ultrafiltration (UF) volume difference based on pre- and post-HD ECW/TBW and measured UF volume difference showed a close correlation ($r^2=0.924$, P < 0.01). Remarkably, the leg phase angle increased in the post-HD period. Conclusion: The estimated normal hydrated weight using ECW/TBW can be a good marker for determining dry weight. HD subjects had higher ECW/TBW but most nutritional indices were inferior to those of controls. It was possible to predict UF volume differences using BIA, but the post-HD increase in leg phase angle, a nutritional marker, must be interpreted with caution.

• The Korean Journal of Medicine
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• v.99 no.2
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• pp.116-121
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• 2024

Polyarteritis nodosa (PAN) is a systemic necrotizing vasculitis predominantly involving medium- or small-sized arteries, typically of the kidneys and other internal organs. Given the rarity of PAN and the variable clinical presentation, diagnosis is challenging and, to date, no definitive diagnostic marker has been identified. A patient diagnosed with immunoglobulin A nephropathy was observed to exhibit deterioration in renal function. To determine whether new structural abnormalities had developed, computed tomography scans of the kidneys, ureters, and bladder were obtained. Both kidneys exhibited multiple cortical defects, and a renal angiogram was performed to determine the cause. Angiography revealed partial obliteration of the left distal renal artery branches and multifocal extensive infarctions in both kidneys, and the patient was diagnosed with renal-limited PAN. Following steroid monotherapy, an improvement in renal function was observed. We believe that this case report may be helpful to physicians who assess and treat patients with suspected renal-limited PAN.