• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.15
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• pp.6711-6714
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• 2015

Background: Insomnia is a common condition in cancer patients. In spite of the high prevalence its associations have not been well studied. Existing data suggests that insomnia is related to depression and pain. However, the impact of ongoing chemotherapy on sleep is not investigated. Aim: To study the relationship between insomnia and chemotherapy after analysing confounding variables. Materials and Methods: Consecutive patients who visited New England Oncology Clinic in Tamworth were recruited. Insomnia was assessed with the Bergen insomnia scale. The Montgomery Asberg Depression rating scale was used to measure depression. Pain was assessed with the Brief Pain inventory. Chronic medical conditions, type of cancer, side effects to chemotherapy, role of steroids and other drugs were studied as confounders. Results: A total of 56 patients participated in the study. Age ranged from 33 to 83 years (mean: 63.6, SD=10.97). There were 29 men and 27 women. 42 patients received at least one form of chemotherapy and 15 were receiving radiotherapy at the time of assessment. Mean insomnia score was significantly higher in those receiving chemotherapy than in those without chemotherapy (8.92 vs 17.2, two tailed p=0.005, 95% CI=2.63-13.71). There was no significant variation in insomnia scores in terms of chronic medical condition, type of cancer, psychiatric history, use of steroids or adverse effects of chemotherapy. However, total insomnia score was correlated with depression rating score (Pearson correlation, r=0.39, p=0.003) and magnitude of pain (r=0.37, p=0.006). On regression analysis only pain was found to be predictive of insomnia. Conclusions: Insomnia in patients with cancer is found to be associated with concurrent chemotherapy and correlated with degree of depression and pain. Identifying factors related to insomnia in cancer population has implications in its management and patient education.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.58 no.11
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• pp.440-445
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• 2015

Purpose: Chest pain is common in children and adolescents and is a reason for referral to pediatric cardiologists. Although most cases of chest pain in these age groups are benign and do not require treatment, timely diagnosis is important not to miss life-threatening diseases requiring prompt treatment. We investigated certain clinical characteristics that may be useful in the diagnosis of such critical diseases. Methods: Patient medical records between July 2006 and September 2013 were retrospectively examined. We included 517 patients who presented with chest pain to the Department of Pediatrics at Kyung Hee University Hospital in Gangdong. Results: Most cases of chest pain were idiopathic in origin (73.6%), followed by cases with respiratory (9.3%), musculoskeletal (8.8%), cardiac (3.8%), gastrointestinal (2.9%), and psychiatric (1.4%) causes. In 6 patients (1.2%) with air-leak syndrome including pneumothorax or pneumomediastinum, the pain was abrupt, continuous, and lasted for a short period of 1-2 days after onset in the older adolescents. Of the patients with cardiac pain, 13 had cardiac arrhythmias (65.0%), 6 had congenital heart diseases (30%), and 1 had coronary aneurysms caused by Kawasaki disease (5.0%). One patient with atrial flutter had only symptoms of syncope and chest pain. Conclusion: The abrupt, continuous chest pain of a short duration in the older children was characteristic of air-leak syndrome. In patients with pneumomediastinum, radiological diagnosis was difficult without careful examination. Combined syncope should not be neglected and further cardiac workup is essential in such patients.

• Anxiety and mood
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.17-23
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• 2014

Objective : Panic disorders are frequently accompanied by major depressive disorder (MDD). There is insufficient information about which clinical factors in panic disorder are associated with comorbid MDD. The aim of this study is to identify clinical factors related with comorbid MDD in patients with panic disorder. Methods : Two experienced psychiatrists diagnosed panic disorder based on DSM-IV criteria. This diagnosis in the 275 subjects was confirmed again by Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI). Lifetime comorbid psychiatric diagnoses were examined by MINI. The Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD), Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) and Panic Disorder Severity Scale (PDSS) were used to assess the severity of depressive, anxiety and panic symptoms. Results : The result of MINI showed that 95 patients (34%) with panic disorder satisfied the diagnosis of MDD. Multivariate logistic regression model showed that comorbid generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and the symptom of "fear of losing control or going crazy" were associated with MDD in patients with panic disorder. In female patients, the "chills or hot flushes" symptom was also associated with comorbid MDD. Conclusion : These results showed that coexisting GAD and certain symptoms of panic are associated with comorbid MDD.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.112-120
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• 2009

Objectives : Depression is a common psychiatric disorder in cancer patients. The Brief Edinburgh Depression Scale(BEDS), which is an abbreviated version of the Edinburgh Depression Scale, may serve as a useful tool in screening for the depression in patients with the medical illnesses. This report investigated the reliability and validity of the Korean Version of the BEDS(K-BEDS) for the depression in cancer patients. Methods : One-hundred cancer patients were enrolled in this study. All subjects completed the K-BEDS, the Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale(HADS), and the Karnofsky Performance Status Scale(KPSS). Reliability, validity and Receiver Operating Characteristic(ROC) curve analysis measures were assessed. Results : The K-BEDS showed good internal consistency(Cronbach ${\alpha}$=0.77) and test-retest reliability(0.94, p<0.001). All item-total correlations were above 0.3. Also, it revealed moderate correlation with the depression subscale of the HADS(r=0.617), but no correlation with the KPSS. Exploratory factor analysis produced only one factor, accounting for 47.1% of the total variance. The most valid cutoff value to screen for depression was a total score of 5 on the K-BEDS, which showed sensitivity of 62.5% and specificity of 86.4% with a positive predictive value of 4.60 and a negative predictive value of 0.43.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.57 no.2
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• pp.101-109
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• 2013

Depressive disorders are the most common psychiatric problem in the elderly. Most depression treatment guidelines emphasize treatment with antidepressant medication and recommend that benzodiazepine use be minimized for limited period, particularly to elderly patients. In order to evaluate appropriate use of antidepressants and benzodiazepine, retrospective review of prescriptions was performed. The study population are older than 65 years who had been newly diagnosed with major depressive disorder in specialty mental health at a community general hospital from January $1^{st}$, 2007 to October $31^{th}$, 2012 (N=373). Initial antidepressant accounted for 89.5% with SSRI, and escitalopram accounted for 60.9% of SSRI group. 79% or more of the patients were prescribed the recommended dosage. The maintenance rate for 4 weeks of initial antidepressant was 48% and 6 weeks was 39%. Treatment-discontinuation rate was 68% at 3 month. Alprazolam (short acting benzodiazepine) was prescribed the most, followed by clonazepam (long acting benzodiazepine) and then diazepam. 55% of patients received a duplicated prescription for short acting plus long acting benzodiazepine. 61% of patients used long acting benzodiazepines. Prescribed dosages of benzodiazepines were commonly within a recommended range, while no one was prescribed a appropriate period (up to 2 weeks) except for the early discontinued patients. Appropriate use of zolpidem was only 16.2%. The depressed elderly treated in specialty mental health mostly received long-term treatment with benzodiazepines in combination with antidepressants, guideline recommendations was not followed. Multidisciplinary interventions like audit and feedback of benzodiazepine use are needed and education for the elderly is needed to properly maintain antidepressant treatment.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.59-69
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• 1998

Objectives: This research was performed to know severity of depression and anxiety, the psychopathology of hemodialysis patients and kidney transplantation patients using Minneesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory(MMPI) and Zung's Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS), Zung's Self-rating Anxiety Scale(SAS), MMPI Subscales. Methods: We surveyed 31 hemodialysis patients and 119 kidney transplantation patients. 119 kidney transplantation group(KT) was investigated at ; 1) Before kidney transplantation (KT-1), 2) Three days after kidney transplantation(KT-2), 3) Three weeks after kidney transplantation(KT-3),4) Follow up at OPD(F/U). Results: 1) According to dermographic data, mean age was KT 33.1, HD 42.2, Control 33.1 years old and KT, HD were belonged to lower economic states and lower educational level than Control. 2) In the depression scale for SDS, KT-1 was more depressed than F/U and Control but depression scale was significantly decreased at KT-2 in comparison with HD. In the anxiety scale for SAS, KT-1 was more anxious than Control but anxiety scale was not different within IT subgroups and in comparison with HD. 3) In comparison of MMPI scales, Hs, D, Pt, Ma at KT-1, Pd, Pa, Pt, Ma at KT-2, F, D, Pd, Pt, Pa, Sc, Ma at KT-3, Pt at F/U were more high scores than Control.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.411-422
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• 2014

Objectives: A large number of patients require psychiatric therapy. We attempted to determine the present situation regarding psychotherapy and neuropsychological tests for dementia in Korean medicine for the benefit of the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRAS). The aim of this study was to aware of the current status about psychotherapy and neuropsychological test for dementia in Korean medicine. Methods: We searched the medical practice records for psychotherapy and neuropsychological tests in oriental neuropsychiatry between 2009 and 2013 using the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRAS) database. The search categories were: IJeongByunGi (Medical practice code:59001), JiUnGoRoen (59002), Kyungjapyungji (59003), OhJiSangSeung (59004), neuropsychological test for dementia (29005). Results: 1. The number of patients treated with Korean Medical Psychotherapy increased annually by 151%. The total number of patients treated with Korean Medical Psychotherapy was 4,289 in 2013. 2. The total cost for patients treated with Korean medical Psychotherapy in the public health medical insurance budget was 268,032,000 won in 2013. The average medical cost for one therapy was 17,000 won in 2013. 3. The number of patients in local clinics is increasing faster than the number in Korean medical hospitals. 4. The age group between 20~30 years of age, for both men and women, is the group with the greatest density in Korean Medical Psychotherapy. 5. Neuropsychological Testing for Dementia in Korean Medicine is slowly decreasing. Conclusions: The prevalence of mental illness in Korea is increasing, therefore, the demand for Korean Medical Psychotherapy has increased recently. Authorizing Korean Medical psychiatrists to utilize Korean mental Health resources is essential. This study could be helpful in understanding the current status for the purpose of expanding Korean Medical Psychotherapy.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.42-57
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• 2020

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is indicated for various mental disorders (e.g., major depressive disorder, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder) and the behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia in elderly patients. Furthermore, ECT is a useful first-line treatment in emergency and crisis situations such as suicide risk, violent behavior, catatonia, and food refusal, which are more frequent in elderly patients. ECT is also effective in the treatment of the motor symptoms of neurological disorders, such as Parkinson's disease and Huntington's disease. Due to the high risk of various physical diseases, the comorbid physical conditions of elderly patients should be individually controlled to optimize ECT treatment. Compared to young adults, in elderly patients the seizure threshold is higher, the seizure duration is shorter, and the anesthetic dose is lower. On the contrary, the response rate in the elderly is both faster and higher. Considering potential cognitive decline and the prevention of further deterioration of cognitive function in elderly patients, in the absence of significant comorbidities, twice weekly sessions and right unilateral electrode placement with a lower seizure threshold and less cognitive effect are preferred to bilateral electrode placement, which has a high risk of adverse cognitive effects. After an acute course of ECT, continuation and maintenance of ECT, combined with prescription of therapeutic drugs, may prevent possible relapse or recurrence of mental disorders. In conclusion, ECT can be used to treat mental disorders in elderly adults, with safety and effectiveness comparable to that in young adults.

• Journal of Endocrine Surgery
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.219-227
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• 2018

Purpose: The primary objective of the present study was to investigate the course of anxiety and depression in thyroidectomy. The second objective was to investigate the association between somatic symptoms and psychological symptoms, and the final objective was to identify the sociodemographic, clinical, and psychosocial factors that affect psychiatric morbidity. Methods: This prospective study, 101 patients who were admitted to the Endocrine Surgery Clinic of the Department of General Surgery, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, University of Istanbul, with thyroid pathology were included in the study. Data were collected before surgery, and in the early, and late periods after surgery. Data were collected using a semi-structured interview form, a visual analogue scale, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Results: The average scores of anxiety and depression before surgery were statistically significantly higher compared with the early and late periods after surgery (P<0.001). Psychological morbidity was identified about 10% of patients before surgery and remained after thyroidectomy. A poor positive correlation founded between somatic symptoms and psychological condition in period surgery (P<0.05). Various sociodemographic features and psychosocial parameters affected anxiety and depression level (P<0.05). Conclusion: Anxiety and depression level in thyroid diseases decreased after thyroidectomy. These patients may express psychologic distress through somatic symptoms. Screening of psychological morbidity is suggested in patients planned thyroid surgery, especially in women, low-educated, inadequate social support, attributed to psychological causes.

• Korean Journal of Schizophrenia Research
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.51-55
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• 2019

Objectives: Late-onset schizophrenia (LOS, age at first onset ≥40 years) is characterized by including predominance of women, better premorbid social adjustment and lower severity of positive/negative symptoms. However, few studies have been conducted on LOS, especially in Asian countries. This study aimed to examine the clinical features of LOS in comparison with early-onset schizophrenia (EOS). Methods: By retrospectively reviewing medical records, we assessed demographic data and clinical features of 76 LOS (20 males) and 357 EOS (144 males) who admitted to the psychiatric ward of a general hospital. Results: The mean ages of onset were 47.3±5.1 (LOS) and 25.7±6.5 (EOS) years. There were significantly more women in LOS (73.7%) than EOS (59.6%). Significantly more LOS patients had a marital (88.2% vs. 25.8%) and employment history (28.9% vs. 13.1%) than EOS. Patients with LOS had fewer negative (14.3±9.0 vs. 19.9±9.3), general psychopathology score (36.9±11.1 vs. 42.3±13.9) than EOS patients. Conclusion: In line with previous studies, this study demonstrated that LOS patients have better premorbid social adjustment. Our finding also replicates previous findings that LOS patients differ from EOS in predominance of women and relative lack of negative symptoms. These results suggest that LOS may be a distinct subtype of schizophrenia.