• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.65-76
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• 2011

Objectives : The aim of this study is to survey adverse events of acupuncture in the course of peripheral facial palsy treatments. Methods : The prospective observational study included patients hospitalized to receive acupuncture treatments for peripheral facial palsy. All patients were surveyed daily for adverse events associated with the acupuncture treatments applied the day before. Results : A total of 50 patients received $37.68{\pm}20.37$ acupuncture treatments in average. 36 patients reported experiencing at least one adverse event. Total 163 adverse events were reported. Common adverse events were bleeding(62), bruise(33), pain(30), tiredness(11), hematoma(7). The others were paresthesia(4), erythema(3), delay of removing needles(2), edema(2), aggravation of symptoms(2), declining of appetite(2), pruritus(1), drowsiness(1), anxiety(1), sweating(1), headache(1). Conclusions : Acupuncture has adverse events, like any therapeutic approaches. However, it is a relatively safe treatment. In future study, organized large scale prospective survey should be carried out to fully prove that acupuncture is safe.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.16
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• pp.6863-6869
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• 2014

Objectives: Several preclinical and observational studies have shown that anti-diabetic medications (ADMs) may modify the risk of lung cancer. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis evaluating the effect of metformin, sulfonylureas (SUs), thiazolidinediones (TZDs), and insulin on the risk of lung cancer in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). Materials and Methods: We conducted a systematic search of Pubmed and Web of Science, up to August 20, 2013. We also searched the Conference Proceedings Citation Index (CPCI) and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) for abstracts from major meetings. Fixed or random effect pooled measures were selected based on heterogeneity among studies, which was evaluated using Q test and the I2 of Higgins and Thompson. Meta-regression was used to explore the sources of between-study heterogeneity. Publication bias was analyzed by Begg's funnel plot and Egger's regression test. Associations were assessed by odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: A total of 15 studies (11 cohort, 4 case-control) were included in this meta-analysis. In observational studies no significant association between metformin (n=11 studies; adjusted OR=0.99, 95%CI: 0.87-1.12), SUs (n=5 studies; adjusted OR=0.98, 95%CI: 0.79-1.22), or TZDs (n=7 studies; adjusted OR=0.92, 95%CI: 0.75-1.13), insulin (n=6 studies; adjusted OR=1.13, 95%CI: 0.79-1.62) use and risk of developing lung cancer was noted. There was considerable inherent heterogeneity between studies not explained by study design, setting, or location. Conclusions: Meta-analysis of existing studies does not support a protective or harmful association between ADMs use and risk of lung cancer in patients with DM. There was considerable heterogeneity across studies, and future, well-designed, prospective studies would be required for better understanding of any association.

• Korean Journal of Bronchoesophagology
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.67-74
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• 2003

Larygopharyngeal reflux(LPR) is one form of the Gastroesophageal Reflux Diseases(GERD). It is known to cause various kinds of otolaryngologic symptoms such as hoarseness, globus sensation in throat, chronic throat clearing, and chronic cough, Disease entities diagnosed by otolaryngologists as posterior laryngitis, globus pharyngeus and reflux laryngitis should be suspected as LPR-related diseases. The nizatidine(AXID), as a Histamine H2-receptor antagonist, reduces gastric acid secretion and improves gastric motility function. Objectives : The effect of nizatidine using 150mg b.i.d was evaluated for symptom relief and improvement of laryngoscopic findings in patients with LPR. Materials and Methods : In 30 multicenter, observational trial performed nationalwidely in Korea. 308 patients with LPR symptom were observed to evaluate their symptoms and larygnoscopic findings after 4weeks, 8weeks, 12weeks of treatment with nizatidine. Results : The symptoms of LPR including globus sensation, chronic throat clearing and hoarseness, are reduced significantly after 4 weeks, 8weeks, and 12weeks of treatment(p<0.05). The laryngoscopic findings including diffuse erythema, edema and granulation are improved after nizatidine treatment(p<0.05). and the efficacy of nizatidine on LPR-related sympoms after 4 weeks is 88.6%, and those of after 8 weeks and 12weeks were 92.6%, and 99.1% in ITT(Intent To Treatment) group(p<0.05). And PPA(Per Protocol Analysis)group showed 93.7%, 97.3%, and 99.1% of efficacy after 4, 8, and 12 weeks of nizatidine treatment(p<0.05). Conclusion : These results indicate that in patient with LPR, nizatidine 150mg b.i.d treatment very effectively reduces LPR symptoms and improves laryngoscopic findings as well as reduces gastric acid secretion and improves gastric motility function.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.259-269
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• 2020

Background: This study aims to statistically analyze and compare the curative effect and satisfaction level between typical traditional Korean medicine treatment and nonsurgical spinal decompression treatment. Methods: Of the patients who were diagnosed with the cervical or lumbar herniated intervertebral disc at the Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion Medicine at the Daejeon Korean Medicine Hospital from April 14^th to August 25^th, 2019, this study retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 31 patients who underwent nonsurgical spinal decompression treatment and traditional Korean medicine (assigned to Group A) and another 31 patients who received typical traditional Korean medicine alone (assigned to Group B). The clinical data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Version 23.0. Results: No statistically significant differences appeared in terms of sociodemographic, condition, and therapeutic characteristics, except whether the patient received Western medicine treatment, before or after a treatment with traditional Korean medicine. Group A exhibited higher variations in numeric rating scale, EuroQol- 5 dimension and EuroQol visual analogue scale scores compared to Group B as determined by independent sample t test and analysis of covariance. In addition, the satisfaction score of Group A was higher than that of Group B The result of cross analysis revealed that desire for continued treatment in Group A was higher than that of Group B. Conclusion: This retrospective observational study showed that the patients with nonsurgical spinal decompression treatment reported a greater reduction in pain, improved quality of life and satisfaction than patients receiving typical traditional Korean medicine.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.21
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• pp.9085-9091
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• 2014

Background: Epidemiology studies have shown an inconclusive relationship between phytoestrogen intake and ovarian cancer risk and there have been no relevant meta-analyses directly regarding this topic. The purpose of the present meta-analysis was therefore to investigate any association between phytoestrogen intake and ovarian cancer in detail. Materials and Methods: We conducted a search of PubMed, EMBASE, EBSCO, the Cochrane Library, CNKI and Chinese Biomedical Database (up to April 2014) using common keywords for studies that focused on phytoestrogen and ovarian cancer risk. Study-specific risk estimates (RRs) were pooled using fixed effect or random-effect models. Results: Ten epidemiologic studies were finally included in the meta-analysis. The total results indicated higher phytoestrogen intake was associated with a reduced ovarian cancer risk (RR, 0.70; 95%CI: 0.56-0.87). The association was similar in sensitivity analysis. Meta regression analysis demonstrated sources and possibly types and regions as heterogeneous factors. Subgroup analysis of types, sources and regions showed that isoflavones (RR: 0.63; 95%CI: 0.46, 0.86), soy foods (RR: 0.51; 95%CI: 0.39, 0.68) and an Asian diet (RR: 0.48; 95%CI: 0.37, 0.63) intake could reduce the incidence of ovarian cancer. Conclusions: Our findings show possible protection by phytoestrogens against ovarian cancer. We emphasize specific phytoestrogens from soy foods, but not all could reduce the risk. The habit of plentiful phytoestrogen intake by Asians is worthy to recommendation. However, we still need additional larger well designed observational studies to fully characterize underlying associations.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.174-180
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• 2012

Objectives: An ambulance can be a potential source of contagious or droplet infection of a community. We estimated the prevalence of positive carriage of tuberculosis (TB), methicillin-resistant $Staphylococcus$ $aureus$ (MRSA), and vancomycin-resistant $Enterococci$ (VRE) in patients transported by ambulance. Methods: This was a retrospective observational study. We enrolled all patients who visited a tertiary teaching hospital emergency department (ED). Blood, sputum, urine, body fluid, and rectal swab samples were taken from patients when they were suspected of TB, MRSA, or VRE in the ED. The patients were categorized into three groups: pre-hospital ambulance (PA) group; inter-facility ambulance (IA) group; and non-ambulance (NA) group. Adjusted odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using a multivariable logistic regression model for the prevalence of each infection. Results: The total number of patients was 89206. Of these, 9378 (10.5%) and 4799 (5.4%) were in the PA and IA group, respectively. The prevalence of TB, MRSA, and VRE infection were 0.3%, 1.1%, and 0.3%, respectively. In the PA group, the prevalence of TB, MRSA, and VRE were 0.3%, 1.8%, and 0.4%. In the IA group, the prevalence of TB, MRSA, and VRE were 0.7%, 4.6%, and 1.5%, respectively. The adjusted ORs (95% CI) of the PA and IA compared to the NA group were 1.02 (0.69 to 1.53) and 1.83 (1.24 to 2.71) for TB, 2.24 (1.87 to 2.69) and 5.47 (4.63 to 6.46) for MRSA, 2.59 (1.78 to 3.77) and 8.90 (6.52 to 12.14) for VRE, respectively. Conclusions: A high prevalence of positive carriage of TB, MRSA, and VRE in patients transported by metropolitan ambulances was found.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.192-203
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• 2013

Objectives : To investigate the incidence of drug-induced liver injury (DILI) by combined-prescription of Korean herbal medicine (KHM; prescribed herbal medicine by doctors of traditional Korean medicine) and Western medicine on liver function. Methods : Sixty-nine in-patients who took KHM and Western medicine for various conditions were enrolled for prospective observational study. All subjects were given liver and renal function tests at the start of hospitalization to establish a baseline. After taking KHM and Western medicine, tests were done at approximately 4-week intervals afterwards. Results : Fifty-three subjects showed normal liver function test (LFT) at baseline, 50 subjects (72.5%) remained within the normal range at the second test, while 3 subjects (4.3%) tests revealed slight increase of LFT. However not a single patient had a high enough raised LFT to indicate liver injury. Sixteen of 69 subjects had abnormal baseline, 11 subjects recovered to normal levels and 5 subjects remained at abnormal level. Among all subjects, there was no statistically significant increase in LFT level between the first and second tests. Conclusions : This study shows that the combined-prescription of KHM and Western medicine did not cause any DILI. In some cases, combined treatment increased LFT levels but those increases were not high enough to have statistical significance. Additional large scale and systematical studies are required for more conclusive proof and results.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.213-218
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• 2014

Objectives: The aim of this study was to identify the causal relationship between use of levocetrizine or cetrizine, and liver injury, by comparing frequency and pattern of hepatotoxicity in levocetrizine or cetrizine prescribed patients. Methods: This is a retrospective observational study, using data retrieved from electronic medical record system. Among 1164 patients prescribed levocetrizine or cetrizine during study period (Jul, 2009 - Jun, 2010) at Seoul National University Hospital, 543 patients with more than 4- time liver function test (LFT) results were included in final analysis. Liver injury was defined as greater than 3 times elevated level of alanine aminotransferase or 2 times elevated level of alkaline phosphatase or total bilirubin, compared to upper limit of normal, in patient with normal liver function at baseline. The frequency and pattern of liver injury were assessed. Results: Incidence of liver injury in patients prescribed with levotcetrizine or cetrizine were 1.48% and 2.94%, respectively. With few exceptions, most injuries were shown to be hepatocellular type. Rapid recovery was observed after drug cessation and long term use tends to be associated with incidence of liver injury. In patient with digestive system disorder, rate of liver injury was significantly higher (p=0.011). Conclusion: The result of this study implies potential need of liver toxicity monitoring, especially in patients taking long term levecetrizine or cetrizine or in patient with digestive system disorder. However, prospective large scale observational study is needed to confirm liver injury associated with the use of levocetirizine or cetirizine.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.7
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• pp.3155-3160
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• 2016

Background: L-asparaginase (ASNase) is commonly used in the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and natural killer (NK)/T-cell lymphoma. This study was designed to describe the incidence of toxicity associated with ASNase in Asian adults. Secondary objectives were to investigate the management and impact of toxicity on subsequent ASNase use, and to compare the actual management against current recommendations. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective, multi-center, observational study, Asian patients ${\geq}18$ years old who received ${\geq}1$ dose of the native E. coli ASNase from 2008 to 2013 were included. Patients were excluded if they did not receive ASNase. Endpoints of this study were development of specific toxicities, whether ASNase was discontinued or re-challenged, and developmentg of recurrent toxicity. All data analyses were performed using SPSS version 20.0. Results: A total of 56 patients were analyzed. Mean (${\pm}SD$) age was 36.2 (${\pm}15.2$) years old, with 62.5% being males, 55.4% with ALL and 28.6% with NK/T-cell lymphoma. Hypersensitivity (12.5%) was associated with the highest incidence of toxicity (6 out of 7 patients had Grade 3 and 4 toxicity), followed by 10.7% for hepatic transaminitis, 3.6% for non-CNS thrombosis and 1.8% each for hyperbilirubinemia and pancreatitis. Hypersensitivity recurred in the 3 patients who were re-challenged with E. coli ASNase. Conclusions: ASNase is associated with a wide range of toxicities, with hypersensitivity being the most commonly observed among Asian adult patients.

• Journal of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.48 no.6
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• pp.343-355
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• 2015

There is much observational evidence that active star formation is taking place in the Hii regions Sh 2-255 – 257. We present a photometric study of this star forming region (SFR) using imaging data obtained in passbands from the optical to the mid-infrared, in order to study the star formation process. A total of 218 members were identified using various selection criteria based on their observational properties. The SFR is reddened by at least E(B −V ) = 0.8 mag, and the reddening law toward the region is normal (R_V = 3.1). From the zero-age main sequence fitting method it is confirmed that the SFR is 2.1 ± 0.3 kpc from the Sun. The median age of the identified members is estimated to be about 1.3 Myr from a comparison of the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram (HRD) with stellar evolutionary models. The initial mass function (IMF) is derived from the HRD and the near-infrared (J, J −H) color-magnitude diagram. The slope of the IMF is about Γ = −1.6 ± 0.1, which is slightly steeper than that of the Salpeter/Kroupa IMF. It implies that low-mass star formation is dominant in the SFR. The sum of the masses of all the identified members provides the lower limit of the cluster mass (169M_⊙). We also analyzed the spectral energy distribution (SED) of pre-main sequence stars using the SED fitting tool of Robitaille et al., and confirm that there is a significant discrepancy between stellar mass and age obtained from two different methods based on the SED fitting tool and the HRD.