• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.431-451
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• 2000

In this paper, I will examine the variables influencing the Quality of Life of arthritis patients and present basic materials which help arthritis patients have positive thinking in life and ultimately lead a satisfactory life. The subjects for this study are 231 inpatients and outpatients with arthritis living in J and K city in Chonbug Province. For the analysis of collected data I employed the SAS program. The variables for characteristics and the quality of life were analysed by descriptive statistics, T-test and ANOVA, and the relations among variables were analysed through Pearson Correlation; the Regression method was employed to predict the factors affecting quality of life. For the validity of reliance on measuring equipment Cronbach Alpha was used. The results of the study are as follows : (1) The mean score of quality of life of arthritis patients is 3.09(5 in the maximum). The general characteristics which affect the quality of life are age(F=5.13, p=0.0006), standard of education(F=6.49, p=0.0003), marriage status(F=7.77, p=0.0005), monthly pay(F=4.37, p=0.0020), medical benefits (F=4.85, p=0.0087), and supports(F=4.39, p=0.0050). For the disease-related characteristics, there is a significant difference in the 6 items: pain control method(F=5.92, p= 0.0002), physical therapy(F=3.25, p=0.013), whethere or not patients exercise(F=4.62, p=0.0000), regularity of exercise(F=4.79, p=0.0000), frequency of exercise(F=6.29, p=0.0001), and amount of exercise(F=4.62, p=0.0043). Depending on the type of arthritis, there is also a significant difference in the degree of pain felt. The patients with infectious arthritis suffer from pain the most, followed by those with gout, rheumatism and degenerative arthritis, in that order. Although statistics don't show any convincing evidence, those with gout perceive that they are in best health condition, followed by those with rheumatism, degenerative arthritis, and infectious arthritis, in that order(F=2.23, p=0.0669). (2) The quality of life of arthritis patients is correlated positively with perceived health status(r=0.56, p=0.0001), health promoting behavior(r=0.53, p=0.0001), family support (r=0.46, p=0.0001), amount of exercise (r=0.36, p=0.0001), ADL(r=0.36, p=0.0001), HLOC(r=0.32, p=0.0001), frequency of exercise(r=0.32, p=0.0001)in that order, while correlated negatively with the degree of pain felt(r=-0.32, p=0.0001), the number of pain regions(r=-0.19, p= 0.0041), and the duration of pain(r=-0.14, p=0.0279). (3) Regression analysis reveals that the most powerful predictor of the quality of life is perceived health status, which account for 31.11%. The other predictors of the quality of life, which account for 60.22%, are health promoting behavior(16.51%), family support(3.81%), ADL(2.52%), gender(1.86%), the number of family members(1.36%), level of pain(1.24%), duration of pain (1.08%), and level of education(0.67%). The results of the study show that perceived health status and health promoting behavior are the two most important variables. However, considering that the perceived health condition is difficult to control by nursing intervention, it is suggested that the level of expectation for patients, must be decided first, and the health promoting behavior and the family support influencing the quality of life must be taken into account as targets for nursing intervention. As a way of controlling the quality of life, I think that a more comprehensive approach comprising the above important variables along with demographic and general characteristics is needed. I also suggest that we must continue to explore the variables affecting the quality of life and include those variables in nursing intervention.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.245-251
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• 2015

Objectives: Intrahepatic recurrence is the major cause of death among patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after curative surgical resection. Several approaches have been reported to decrease the recurrence rate. The objective of our study was to compare the clinical effects of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) combined with interferon-alpha (IFN-${\alpha}$) therapy on recurrence after hepatic resection in patients with HBV-related HCC with that of TACE chemotherapy alone. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the data from 228 patients who were diagnosed with HBV-related HCC and underwent curative resection between January 2001 to December 2008. The patients were divided into TACE (n = 126) and TACE-IFN-${\alpha}$ (n = 102) groups for postoperative chemotherapy. The TACE regimen consisted of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), cisplatin (DDP), and the emulsion mixed with mitomycin C (MMC) and lipiodol. The recurrence rates, disease-free survival (DFS), overall survival (OS), and risk of recurrence were evaluated. Results: The clinicopathological parameters and adverse effects were similar between the 2 groups (P > 0.05). The median OS for the TACE-IFN-${\alpha}$ group (36.3 months) was significantly longer than that of the TACE group (24.5 months, P < 0.05). The 3-and 5-year OS for the TACE-IFN-${\alpha}$ group were significantly longer than those of the TACE group (P < 0.05) and the recurrence rate was significantly lower (P < 0.05). The TACE and IFN-${\alpha}$ combination therapy, active hepatitis HBV infection, the number of tumor nodules, microvascular invasion, liver cirrhosis, and the BCLC stage were independent predictors of OS and DFS. Conclusions: The use of the TACE and IFN-${\alpha}$ combination chemotherapy after curative hepatic resection safely and effectively improves OS and decreases recurrence in patients with HBV-related HCC who are at high risk. Our findings can serve as a guide for the selection of postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy for patients with HBV-related HCC who are at high risk of recurrence.

• Asia pacific journal of information systems
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.95-116
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• 2009

Increasingly the institutional theory has been an important theoretical view of decision making process and IT adoption in many academic researches. This study used the institutional theory as a lens through which we can understand the factors that enable the effective appropriation of advanced information technology. It posits that mimetic, coercive, and normative pressures existing in an institutionalized environment could influence the participation of top managers or decision makers and the involvement of users toward an effective use of IT in their tasks. Since the introduction of IT, organizational members have been using IT in their daily tasks, creating and recreating rules and resources according to their own methods and needs. That is to say, the adaptation process of the IT and outcomes are different among organizations. The previous studies on a diverse use of IT refer to the appropriation of technology from the social technology view. Users appropriate IT through not only technology itself, but also in terms of how they use it or how they make the social practice in their use of it. In this study, the concepts of institutional pressure, appropriation, participation of decision makers, and involvement of users toward the appropriation are explored in the context of the appropriation of the mobile electronic medical record system (M-EMRS) in particularly a hospital setting. Based on the conceptual definition of institutional pressure, participation and involvement, operational measures are reconstructed. Furthermore, the concept of appropriation is measured in the aspect of three sub-constructs-consensus on appropriation, faithful appropriation, and attitude of use. Grounded in the relevant theories to appropriation of IT, we developed a research framework in which the effects of institutional pressure, participation and involvement on the appropriation of IT are analyzed. Within this theoretical framework, we formulated several hypotheses. We developed a second order institutional pressure and appropriation construct. After establishing its validity and reliability, we tested the hypotheses with empirical data from 101 users in 3 hospitals which had adopted and used the M-EMRS. We examined the mediating effect of the participation of decision makers and the involvement of users on the appropriation and empirically validated their relationships. The results show that the mimetic, coercive, and normative institutional pressure has an effect on the participation of decision makers and the involvement of users in the appropriation of IT while the participation of decision makers and the involvement of users have an effect on the appropriation of IT. The results also suggest that the institutional pressure and the participation of decision makers influence the involvement of users toward an appropriation of IT. Our results emphasize the mediating effect of the institutional pressure on the appropriation of IT. Namely, the higher degree of the participation of decision makers and the involvement of users, the more effective appropriation users will represent. These results provide strong support for institutional-based variables as predictors of appropriation. These findings also indicate that organizations should focus on the role of participation of decision makers and the involvement of users for the purpose of effective appropriation, and these are the practical implications of our study. The theoretical contribution of this study is lies in the integrated model of the effect of institutional pressure on the appropriation of IT. The results are consistent with the institutional theory and support previous studies on adaptive structuration theory.

• Journal of Distribution Research
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.73-101
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• 2010

Using data collected from franchisees from Busan, we empirically examined the relationship both structural (tie strength), relational (trust), and cognitive (shared value) of social capital and between those dimensions and the patterns of economic performance and noneconomic performance (relationship continuity intention). So we established 9 hypotheses to test the structural relationship among dimensions of social capital and performances like below. H1: A franchisee's perceived tie strength with its franchisor will positively influence its trust in the franchisor. H2: A franchisee's perceived shared value with its franchisor will positively influence its trust in the franchisor. H3: A franchisee's perceived tie strength with its franchisor will positively influence its economic performance. H4: A franchisee's perceived shared value with its franchisor will positively influence its economic performance. H5: A franchisee's perceived trust in its franchisor will positively influence its economic performance. H6: A franchisee's perceived tie strength with its franchisor will positively influence its relationship continuity intention with the franchisor. H7: A franchisee's perceived shared value with its franchisor will positively influence its relationship continuity intention with the franchisor. H8: A franchisee's perceived trust in its franchisor will positively influence its relationship continuity intention with the franchisor. H9: A franchisee's perceived economic performance will positively influence its relationship continuity intention with the franchisor. The conceptual model specifying the relationship among dimensions of social capital and performances is presented in Fig. 1. Tests of the hypotheses were performed using a structural equation model. This model also reflected a good fit to the data ($\chi^2$=101.12 df=62 p=0.004, RMSEA=0.050 GFI=0.936 AGFI=0.895 NFI=0.959 CFI=0.986). The standardized solution estimated by the AMOS 7 program was for interpreting the structural results (Table 1). As was expected, tie strength and shared value were founded to be significant predictors of trust (H1 supported; H2 supported). Tie strength and trust have a significant positive effect on economic performance (H3 supported; H5 supported). But shared value have not a significant effect on economic performance (H4 Rejected). Tie strength were not associated with relationship continuity intention (H6 Rejected). While on the other higher shared value, trust, and economic performance have a significant effect on the relationship continuity intention (H7 supported; H8 supported; H9 supported). The results show integratedly that, first, tie strength does not affect directly but affects indirectly on relationship continuity intention via trust and economic performance. Second, shared goals affect directly and do indirectly via trust on relationship continuity intention. But shared goals does not affect via economic performance on relationship continuity intention. Finally, the study suggests important implications for both research and practice for franchise system especially.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.7-16
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• 2014

Purpose : To evaluate the prevalence and pattern of perfusion defect (PD) on first-pass stress perfusion MR imaging in relation with the degree of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and late gadolinium-enhancement (LGE) in patients with apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (APH). Materials and Methods: Cardiac MR imaging with first-pass stress perfusion, cine, and LGE sequence was performed in 26 patients with APH from January 2008 to December 2012. We analyzed a total of 416 segments for LV wall thickness on end-diastolic phase of cine images, and evaluated the number of hypertrophied segment and number of consecutive hypertrophied segment (NCH). We assessed the presence or absence of PD and LGE from all patients. If there was PD, we subdivided the pattern into sporadic (sporadic-PD) or ring (ring-PD). Using univariate logistic method, we obtained the independent predictor for presence of overall PD and ring-PD. Results: PD on stress perfusion MRI was observed in 20 patients (76.9%), 12 of them (60%) showed ring-PD. Maximal LV wall thickness and number of hypertrophied segment were independent predictors for overall PD (all, p < 0.05). NCH with more than 3 segments was an additional independent factor for ring-PD. However, LGE was not statistically related with PD in patients with APH. Conclusion: About three quarters of the patients with APH showed PD, most of them represented as ring-PD. LVH degree or distribution was related with pattern of PD, however, LGE was not related with PD. Therefore, the clinical significance of PD in the patients with APH seems to be different from those with non-APH, and further comparison study between the two groups should be carried out.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.148-153
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• 2005

Purpose : The aim of this study was to determine the reference ranges of serum albumin levels depending on the gestational ages of preterm infants. We also intended to compare the mean serum albumin levels between groups of preterm infants that did not develop clinical disorders later, and groups that did develop clinical disorders such as respiratory distress syndrome, intraventricular hemorrhage, retinopathy of prematurity, apnea and bronchopulmonary dysplasia. We also examined the significance of serum albumin as a predictor for the development of clinical disorders. Methods : The records of 208 neonates with gestational ages from 23 weeks to 41 weeks were reviewed retrospectively. The mean albumin concentrations with reference ranges by gestational ages were determined. Statistics for each two of group were compared. Logistic regression analysis was used to model odd ratio, and 95 percent confidence interval as a mean of the association between predictors and outcome. Results : Serum albumin levels were at 23-24 weeks gestation was 2.36 g/dL, rising to 3.43 g/dL in full term babies. There were significant mean differences between the clinical groups and control groups for each clinical disorder such as respiratory distress syndrome, intraventricular hemorrhage, retinopathy of prematurity and apnea in premature babies of 30-36 weeks of gestation. Low serum albumin appeared to be associated with increased risks of clinical disorders. Conclusion : The normal serum albumin levels in preterm infants should be defined according to the gestational ages. Lower albumin levels increase the risks of the later development of clinical disorders, which are common in premature infants.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.248-254
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• 2007

Purpose : Inflammation plays a major role in the pathogenesis of RDS and BPD in the immature lung. We investigated the possible role of IL-10 and IL-12 in the cord blood of preterm newborns with RDS or BPD. Methods : Forty preterm newborns whose mothers received antenatal care at Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital between January 2003 to June 2005, and agreed to testing their cord blood samples were enrolled. The gestational ages were below 34 weeks. Cord blood level of IL-10 and IL-12 were determined by ELISA. We separated the patients into 2 groups (RDS group and non-RDS group, BPD group and non-BPD group) and compared the cytokine levels and clinical records of the groups. Results : Cord blood IL-10 level showed a significant inverse correlation with gestational age and birth weight (P=0.001, P=0.005). Preterm infants with RDS showed higher IL-10 level (1.0 vs 0.1 pg/mL; P=0.001) in the cord blood than those without RDS. The differences remained statistically significant after correction for the effect of gestational age between both preterm groups. Despite similar cord blood IL-10 levels, preterm infants with BPD showed no significant difference with those without BPD. Conclusion : Cord blood IL-10 levels are increased in preterm infants which may be due to the immuno-suppression occurring during pregnancy and to fetal immaturity because these levels are inversely correlated with the gestational age. So, Cord blood IL-10 level can be used as the predictor of RDS.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.170-177
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• 2007

Purpose : Clinicopathological features were investigated to clarify the outcome and prognostic indicators for patients with IgA nephropathy in Korean children. Methods : We reviewed the outcomes of 61 patients in whom IgA nephropathy was diagnosed before the age of 15 years from 1991 to 2005 and followed-up at least for one year. All patients were confirmed by renal biopsy. Results : After mean follow-up of 5.2 years from onset, 24 patients of 61 (39.3%) were in clinical remission at the last examination. Thirty patients (49.2%) had hematuria or mild proteinuria (<$1g/m^2/d$), five (8.2%) had severe proteinuria (${\geq}1g/m^2/d$), and two (3.3%) had chronic renal failure. By univariate analysis, initial presentation at onset and Haas classification were less concordant with outcome. Hypertension during follow-up, rather than hypertension at presentation, was significantly correlated with outcomes (P<0.01). Sixty percent of patients who had more than 20% of glomerular sclerosis or crescent progressed to severe proteinuria or chronic renal failure, as compared with 7.1% of those who did not (P<0.01). Conclusion : Prognosis of childhood IgA nephropathy had a relatively benign course during a mean follow-up of 5.2 years. Persistent hypertension during follow-up and more than 20% of glomerular sclerosis or crescent were strong predictors of a progressive course of IgA nephropathy. A new histologic classification according to characteristics of childhood IgA nephropathy must be established to assess prognosis. Further efforts should be made to understand the prognosis of IgA nephropathy through long-term follow-up.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.193-200
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• 2007

Purpose: This study evaluated the pretreatment expression patterns of MDM2, p53, and pRb proteins to determine if the expression patterns could predict the outcome of concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and aid in the decisions for the selection of treatment modalities. Materials and Methods: Fifty-one patients that were treated with definitive chemoradiotherapy for stage $I{\sim}IVa$ esophageal squamous cell carcinoma were selected for this study. Radiotherapy was administered with daily $1.8{\sim}2\;Gy$ fractions up to a median dose of 54 Gy for primary tumors, and with four cycles of cisplatin/5-fluorouracil chemotherapy that was administered every 4 weeks, the first two cycles of which were administered concurrently with radiotherapy. Expression of MDM2, p53, and pRb was investigated by immunohistochemical analysis using pretreatment biopsy specimens. Results: MDM2, p53, and pRb were detected with high immunoreactivity in 19.6%, 27.5%, and 66.7% of the patients, respectively. However, there was no significant correlation between expression of these factors and clinical outcome. By the use of multivariate analysis with nine covariates-age, tumor location, tumor length, stage, pathological response, clinical response, MDM2 expression, p53 expression, and pRb expression, only pathological response and stage were significant factors for cause-specific survival. Conclusion: Expression of MDM2, p53, and pRb was not found to be clinically significant for predicting outcomes after CCRT in this study. Further studies with a larger patient population and longer follow-up periods are needed to re-evaluate the expression pattern and to identify new predictors for CCRT response.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.29 no.1 s.52
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• pp.79-90
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• 1996

The purpose of the study was to determine factors influencing compliance with anti-tuberculosis therapy. The study subjects were 104 tuberculosis patients who have received the initial treatment in 3 health centers of Kyongju-City, Dalseong-Gun in Teagu and Kumi-City. Data were collected between September and October 1995. The patients were classified into the improved group and the non-improved group according to outcomes of 3 month treatment with short-term therapeutic regimen. To find factors influencing compliance with anti-tuberculosis therapy, multiple logistic regression was made. There was no significant differences between the improved group and the non-improved group in sex, age, education level, occupation, family pattern, and habitual change regarding smoking and drinking. The level of knowledge about anti-tuberculosis therapy in the improved group was significantly higher than the non-improved group(p<0.01). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that family support for not forgetting medication (p<0.05) wis a predictor of improvement and knowledge about anti-tuberculosis therapy(p=0.054), regularity of medication(p=0.062), and consultation to family, doctor and nurse(p=0.075) were marginal predictors of improvement. Treatment must be given to every patient confirmed as having tuberculosis and must be given free of charge to the patients. The requirements for adequate chemotherapy are prescribed in the correct dosage and taken regularly by the patient for a sufficient period to prevent relapse of the disease after cure. It is suggested that education to the patients should be reinforced and connectedness between patients and tuberculosis control workers and family should be solidated.