• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제66권5호
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• pp.349-357
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• 2009

Background: The treatment success rates in patients with tuberculosis are known to be lower in the private sector compared to the public sector. To improve treatment outcomes in the private sector we developed a public-private collaboration model for strengthening health education and case holding activities with public health nursing in the private sector. Methods: We performed a prospective cohort study in new smear positive pulmonary tuberculosis patients treated at private hospitals, selected by non-randomization, with an intervention consisting of health education and case holding activities by specially trained public health nurses (intervention group) results were compared with cases treated without the intervention (conventional group). Physicians were asked to treat both groups routinely. The treatment outcomes of patients under treatment by the National Tuberculosis Programme were also analyzed for comparison. Results: There were 172 cases each in the intervention and conventional groups. The mean age was 48.9${\pm}$19.0 and 48.2${\pm}$19.7 in the respective groups (p=0.66). The PHN interacted with the cases in the intervention group by initial face to face interview and telephone calls an average of 7.1${\pm}$9.2 times during the initial six months. The intervention group showed a significantly higher treatment success rate, 91.6%, (Rate Ratio [RR]; 1.23, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]; 1.12-1.36), lower default, 3.6%, (RR; 0.31, 95% CI; 0.13-0.75) and transfer-out rate, 3.0%, (RR; 0.32, 95% CI; 0.12-0.86) than the conventional group where they were: 75.0%, 11.6%, 9.3%, respectively. The success rate was even higher than the rate (80.5%) of 1,027 cases treated in health centers (RR; 1.11, 95% CI; 1.05-1.17). Of the completed cases in the intervention group, 82.2% regarded the role of the public health nurse as very helpful. Conclusion: The treatment success rate, of tuberculosis patients in the private sector, was significantly improved by an intervention using a public-private collaboration model.

• 대한임상독성학회지
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• 제16권2호
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• pp.93-101
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• 2018

Purpose: The Korean government has tried to decrease the suicide death rate over the last decade. Suicide attempts, particularly non-fatal attempts, are the most powerful known risk factor for a completed suicide. An analysis of suicide attempt methods will help establish the effective preventive action of suicide. Fit prevention according to the method of suicide attempt may decrease the incidence of suicide death. Self-poisoning is suggested as a major method of both suicide attempts and suicide death. The aim of this study was to determine if a self-poisoning patient is a suitable target for the prevention of the suicide. Methods: This was retrospective analysis of a prospective cohort, which included patients who presented to the emergency department (ED) after a self-harm or suicide attempt from Jan 2013 to Dec 2017. The proportion of methods in suicide attempts, psychological consultation, and fatality according to the suicide attempt method were analyzed. The types of poison were also analyzed. Results: Poisoning was the most common method of suicide attempts (52.1%). The rate of psychological consultations were 18.8% for all patients and 29.1% for poison patients (p<0.001). The rate of mortality in poisoning was 0.6%. Psychological consultation was performed more frequently in admission cases than discharged cases. The most common materials of poisons was psychological medicines and sedatives that had been prescribed at clinics or hospital. Conclusion: Self-poisoning is a major method of suicide attempt with a high rate of psychiatric consultation, low mortality rate, versus others methods. The prevention of suicide death for suicide attempts may focus on self-poisoning, which is the major method of suicide attempts. A suitable aftercare program for self-poisoning may be an effective method for preventing suicide if an early diagnosis and management of psychiatric disorders through psychiatric consultation can be made, and early connection to social prevention program for non-fatal patients are possible.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제85권2호
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• pp.155-164
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• 2022

Background: The remarkable efficacy of osimertinib in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with acquired T790M mutation has been widely documented in clinical trials and real-world practice. However, some patients show primary resistance to this drug. Even patients who initially show a favorable response have inconsistent clinical outcomes later. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify additional clinical predictive factors for osimertinib efficacy. Methods: A prospective cohort of patients with acquired T790M positive stage IV lung adenocarcinoma treated with osimertinib salvage therapy in Hallym University Medical Center were analyzed. Results: Sixty-one eligible patients were analyzed, including 38 (62%) women and 39 (64%) who never smoked. Their mean age was 63.3 years. The median follow-up after treatment with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) was 36.0 months (interquartile range, 24.7-50.2 months). The majority (n=45, 74%) of patients were deceased. Based on univariate analysis, low baseline neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratios (NLR), age ≥50 years, never-smoking history, stage IVA at osimertinib initiation, and prolonged response to previous TKIs (≥10 months) were associated with a significantly longer progression-free survival (PFS). Multivariate analysis showed that never-smoking status (hazard ratio [HR], 0.54; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.30-0.98; p=0.041) and a baseline NLR less than or equal to 3.5 (HR, 0.23; 95% CI, 0.12-0.45; p<0.001) were independently associated with a prolonged PFS with osimertinib. Conclusion: Smoking history and high NLR were independent negative predictors of osimertinib PFS in patients with advanced NSCLC developing EGFR T790M resistance after the initial EGFR-TKI treatment.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• 제23권10호
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• pp.939-948
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• 2022

Objective: Evidence supports the efficacy of coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA)-based risk scores in cardiovascular risk stratification of patients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD). We aimed to compare two CCTA-based risk score algorithms, Leiden and Confirm scores, in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) and suspected CAD. Materials and Methods: This single-center prospective cohort study consecutively included 1241 DM patients (54.1% male, 60.2 ± 10.4 years) referred for CCTA for suspected CAD in 2015-2017. Leiden and Confirm scores were calculated and stratified as < 5 (reference), 5-20, and > 20 for Leiden and < 14.3 (reference), 14.3-19.5, and > 19.5 for Confirm. Major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) were defined as the composite outcomes of cardiovascular death, nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, and unstable angina requiring hospitalization. The Cox model and Kaplan-Meier method were used to evaluate the effect size of the risk scores on MACE. The area under the curve (AUC) at the median follow-up time was also compared between score algorithms. Results: During a median follow-up of 31 months (interquartile range, 27.6-37.3 months), 131 of MACE were recorded, including 17 cardiovascular deaths, 28 nonfatal MIs, 64 unstable anginas requiring hospitalization, and 22 strokes. An incremental incidence of MACE was observed in both Leiden and Confirm scores, with an increase in the scores (log-rank p < 0.001). In the multivariable analysis, compared with Leiden score < 5, the hazard ratios for Leiden scores of 5-20 and > 20 were 2.37 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.53-3.69; p < 0.001) and 4.39 (95% CI: 2.40-8.01; p < 0.001), respectively, while the Confirm score did not demonstrate a statistically significant association with the risk of MACE. The Leiden score showed a greater AUC of 0.840 compared to 0.777 for the Confirm score (p < 0.001). Conclusion: CCTA-based risk score algorithms could be used as reliable cardiovascular risk predictors in patients with DM and suspected CAD, among which the Leiden score outperformed the Confirm score in predicting MACE.

• 대한임상독성학회지
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• 제21권2호
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• pp.69-80
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• 2023

Purpose: Suicide ranks among the top causes of death among youth in South Korea. This study aimed to identify the characteristics of suicidal individuals treated at emergency departments between 2011 and 2020. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted using data from January 2011 to December 2020 in the Injury Surveillance Cohort, a prospective registry. Patients' sex, age, mortality, methods of self-harm, and previous suicide attempts were analyzed. The methods of self-harm were categorized into falls, asphyxiation, blunt injuries, penetrating injuries, poisoning, and others. Sub-groups with and without poisoning were compared. Results: The proportion of self-harm/suicide attempts increased from 2.3% (2011) to 5.0% (2020). The mortality rate decreased from 10.8% (2011) to 6.3% (2020). Poisoning was the most common method (61.7%). Mortality rates ranged from 42.0% for asphyxiation to 0.2% for blunt injuries. Individuals in their 20s showed a marked increase in suicide/self-harm attempts, especially in the last three years. A large proportion of decedents in their 70s or older (52.6%) used poisoning as a method of suicide. The percentage of individuals with two or more previous attempts rose from 7.1% (2011) to 19.7% (2020). The death rates by poisoning decreased from 7.7% (2011) to 2.5% (2020). Conclusion: Our findings underscore the urgent need for targeted interventions and suicide prevention policies. Managing and reducing suicide and self-harm in emergency settings will require a focus on poisoning, the 10-29 age group, and the elderly. This paper will be valuable for future policies aiming to reduce the societal burden of suicide and self-harm.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제87권4호
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• pp.465-472
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• 2024

Background: Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) expressing eosinophilia experience slightly fewer episodes of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), than those without eosinophilia. However, the severity and burden of hospitalized pneumonia patients with COPD involving eosinophilia have not been assessed. Methods: We evaluated the differences in clinical characteristics between patients with CAP and COPD with or without eosinophilia by a post hoc analysis of a prospective, multi-center, cohort study data. Results: Of 349 CAP patients with COPD, 45 (12.9%) had eosinophilia (blood eosinophil ≥300 cells/µL). Patients with eosinophilia had a lower sputum culture percentile (8.1% vs. 23.4%, p<0.05), a lower percentile of neutrophils (70.3% vs. 80.2%, p<0.05), reduced C-reactive protein levels (30.6 mg/L vs. 86.6 mg/L, p<0.05), and a lower pneumonia severity index score (82.5 vs. 90.0, p<0.05), than those without eosinophilia. The duration of antibiotic treatment (8.0 days vs. 10.0 days, p<0.05) and hospitalization (7.0 days vs. 9.0 days, p<0.05) were shorter in eosinophilic patients. The cost of medical care per day (256.4 US$ vs. 291.0 US$, p<0.05), cost for the medication (276.4 US$ vs. 349.9 US$, p<0.05), and cost for examination (685.5 US$ vs. 958.1 US$, p<0.05) were lower in patients with eosinophilia than those without eosinophilia. Conclusion: Eosinophilia serves as a favorable marker for the severity of pneumonia, health-care consumption, and cost of medical care in patients with CAP and COPD.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• 제20권3호
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• pp.131-138
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• 2013

목적: 일본뇌염 백신의 면역원성 및 중화항체 지속률을 평가하여 일본뇌염 예방 사업을 위한 토대를 제공하고자 하였다. 방법: 국내 6개 대학병원에 입원한 2-6세의 어린이 중 기초접종력이 확인된 170명을 대상으로 기초접종 완료 경과 기간에 따른 중화항체가를 조사하였다. 결과: 총 170명 중 불활성화 백신 접종군 103명, 생백신 접종군 64명, 교차접종군 3명이었다. 항체검사까지의 기간은 불활성화 백신 17.5개월, 생백신 21.0개월이었고 모두 일본뇌염 방어가 가능한 항체가를 보여 불활성화 백신 322, 생백신 266이었다. 추가접종 후 항체역가 변화는 1-4개월에 가장 높았고 이후 서서히 떨어지는 경향을 보였다. 결론: 불활성화 백신과 생백신의 면역원성과 중화항체 지속률에는 차이가 없고 두 백신 모두 일본뇌염 예방을 위한 적절한 수준의 면역원성을 갖고 있었다. 향후 대규모 표본을 대상으로 더 많은 연구가 필요하다.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제55권6호
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• pp.560-569
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• 2003

연구배경 : 대기오염 물질들은 폐나 점막등으로 흡수되어 폐기능 및 건강에 여러 가지 악영향을 미칠 수 있다고 알려져 있다. 이에 저자들은 대기오염에 노출이 심하다고 생각되는 교통경찰과, 비 교통경찰을 비교하여 대기오염이 교통경찰의 폐기능과 혈중 CO-Hb농도에 미치는 영향을 알아보고자 하였다. 대상 및 방법 : 2001년 5월부터 2002년 8월까지 본원외래를 방문한 현직 교통경찰 329명과, 비 교통경찰 130명을 대상으로 설문조사를 실시하고, 각각의 군에서 폐기능 검사 및 정맥혈을 채취하여 CO-Hb농도를 측정하였으며, 심전도, 소변검사, 일반혈액검사, 생화학검사, 흉부방사선 검사를 시행하고 다음과 같은 결과를 얻었다. 결 과 : $FEV_1(%)$은 교통경찰군과 비 교통경찰군이 각각 $97.1{\pm}0.85%$, $105.7{\pm}1.21%$로, 교통경찰군이 통계적으로 유의하게 낮았다(p<0.05). FVC(%) 역시 교통경찰군과 비 교통경찰군이 각각 $94.6{\pm}0.67%$, $102.1{\pm}1.09%$로 교통경찰군이 유의하게 낮았다(p<0.05). 혈중 CO-Hb수치(%)는 교통경찰군과 비 교통경찰군이 각각 $2.4{\pm}0.06%$, $1.8{\pm}0.08%$로 교통경찰군이 유의하게 높았다(p<0.05). 폐기능 및 혈중 CO-Hb농도에 영향을 미칠수 있는 교란변수들(연령, 흡연량)을 보정하여 공분산분석(ANCOVA)을 실시한 결과, 교통경찰군이 비 교통경찰군에 비해 FVC(%), $FEV_1(%)$가 유의한 감소를 보였으며 (각각 p=0.0001, p=0.0005), 혈중 CO-Hb수치는 교통경찰군이 비 교통경찰군에 비해 유의한 증가를 보였다(p=0.0016). 결 론 : 이러한 결과로 교통경찰과 비 교통경찰에서 측정한 폐기능에 유의한 차이를 보이고, CO-Hb농도에도 영향을 미칠 수 있을 것으로 보여, 대기오염이 인체의 폐기능에 영향을 줄 수 있음을 추정할 수 있으나, 이에 관한 직접적인 연관관계를 파악하기 위해서는 전향적 코호트 연구가 필요할 것으로 사료된다.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• 제16권2호
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• pp.183-190
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• 2009

목 적: 본 연구에서는 일본뇌염 백신의 종류별 이상반응 발생실태를 조사하여 일본뇌염 백신의 안전성에 대한 평가를 통해 향후 일본뇌염 국가예방접종사업의 효율화를 위한 토대를 제공하고자 하였다. 방 법: 2006년 8월부터 2007년 2월까지 본 연구에 협력하기로 한 일개 대도시 지역의 보건소 4개소와 소아과 의원 9개소에서 실시되었다. 총 658명의 어린이를 대상으로 이상반응 평가가 완료되었다. 이들 어린이들을 대상으로 예방접종 당일부터 4일후까지 발적, 동통, 발열, 두통 등 상대적으로 흔한이상반응의 발생빈도 등을 전향적으로 추적 관찰하였다. 결과: 대상 소아의 평균 연령은 사백신이 1.4세(1-8.5), 생백신이 1.7세(1-8.3)였다. 그 중 보건소에서 사백신을 접종받았던 어린이는 425명(64.6%)이었으며 소아과 의원에서 생백신을 접종받은 경우는 233명(35.4%)이었다. 사백신의 경우 전체 접종 어린이 중 3.3%인 14명이 한 가지 이상의 국소 이상 반응이 나타났으며, 생백신 접종 어린이들의 2.6%가 한 가지이상의 국소 이상반응을 호소하였다. 이러한 차이는 통계적으로 유의한 수준은 아니었다(P =.607). 발열 등의 전신반응의 경우 사백신과 생백신 접종 어린이들의 각각 5.2%와 8.2%에서 나타났으나 역시 유의한 수준의 차이는 아니었다(P =.131). 사백신 접종 어린이들에서는 접종당일 발적이 4명(0.9%), 종창이 2명(0.7%), 동통이 7명(1.7%), 발열이 2명(0.5%) 나타났다. 반면 생백신 접종 어린이들의 경우 각각 4명(1.8%), 2명 (0.9%), 0명(0.0%), 6명(2.6%)에서 해당 증상을 호소하였다. 발열의 경우 통계적으로 유의하게 생백신 접종 어린이들에서 빈번하였다(P=.026). 발적, 종창, 동통, 발열 중 한 가지 이상 나타난 어린이들의 백분율은 사백신과 생백신 접종자들의 각각 3.3%와 5.2%였으며, 이는 유의한 수준의 차이는 아니었다(P =.243). 접종 1, 2, 3, 4일 후 주요 국소 및 전신 이상반응 발생빈도는 사백신과 생백신에서 유의한 차이를 보이지는 않았다. 이상반응의 세부 항목 중에서는 설사 증상만이 생백신접종 어린이들에서 유의하게 많이 나타났다(P =.044). 결 론 : 본 연구에서는 일본뇌염백신의 이상반응 발생률이 이전의 보고보다 낮았고, 접종 당일 사백신 접종자들에 비해 생백신 접종자들에서 발열이 빈번하게 관찰되었다. 그 외 사백신과 생백신의 이상반응 발생에 뚜렷한 차이가 없었다. 그러나 사백신의 경우 향후 더 많은 수의 인구 표본을 대상으로 안전성에 대한 전향적 연구가 필요하며, 생백신의 경우 안전성에 대한 객관적 경험이 더 축적되어야 할 것으로 생각된다. 아울러 가장 문제가 되고 있는 중증이상반응의 발생을 확인하기 위해서는 대규모 표본을 대상으로 지속적인 감시활동이 필요할 것으로 사료된다.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• 제7권1호
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• pp.53-58
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• 2010

목 적: 모체 혈장으로부터 가장 효과적으로 세포 유리 DNA(cell free DNA, cf-DNA)를 추출하는 방법을 찾기 위해 우리는 viral DNA 추출 방법과 일반 혈액DNA 추출 방법을 이용하여 비침습적 임신 초기 태아 성별 확인 결과를 비교하였다. 대상 및 방법: 임신 초기 44명의 임산부로부터 모여진 모체 혈장을 통한 전향적 연구가 구성되었다. Cf-DNA는 viral DNA 추출 방법과 일반 혈액 DNA 추출 방법을 이용하여 각각 추출되었다. 정량 형광-중합효소 연쇄 반응(QF-PCR)을 이용하여SRY 와AMXY 유전자를 검출하였다. QF-PCR의 진단 정확도는 최종 분만 기록을 토대로 결정하였다. 결 과: 전체 44명의 여성이 실험에 참여하였지만, 최종 분만 기록은 단지 36명의 여성에서 획득하였다. 이들 중 16명은 남아를 20명은 여아를 임신하였다. 두 추출 방법에서 태아 성별의 진단적 정확도는 일반 혈액 DNA 추출 방법에 경우 63.9% (23/26)였으며 viral DNA 추출 방법에 경우 97.2% (35/36) 였다. 결 론: QF-PCR을 이용한 비침습적 임신초기 태아 성별 확인에 있어 viral kit를 사용하는 것이 높은 진단적 정확도를 이끌 수 있을 것으로 사료된다.