• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.63 no.3
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• pp.104-109
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• 2020

Background: It is challenging to diagnose asthma in preschool children. The asthma predictive index (API) has been used to predict asthma and decide whether to initiate treatment in preschool children. Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the association between questionnaire-based current asthma with API, pulmonary function, airway hyperreactivity (AHR), fractional expiratory nitric oxide (FeNO), and atopic sensitization in preschool children. Methods: We performed a population-based cross-sectional study in 916 preschool children aged 4-6 years. We defined current asthma as the presence of both physician-diagnosed asthma and at least one wheezing episode within the previous 12 months using a modified International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood questionnaire. Clinical and laboratory parameters were compared between groups according to the presence of current asthma. Results: The prevalence of current asthma was 3.9% in the study population. Children with current asthma showed a higher rate of positive bronchodilator response and loose and stringent API scores than children without current asthma. The stringent API was associated with current asthma with 72.2% sensitivity and 82.0% specificity. The diagnostic accuracy of the stringent API for current asthma was 0.771. However, no intergroup differences in spirometry results, methacholine provocation test results, FeNO level, or atopic sensitization rate were observed. Conclusion: The questionnaire-based diagnosis of current asthma is associated with API, but not with spirometry, AHR, FeNO, or atopic sensitization in preschool children.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.961-977
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• 2016

Objectives: This study was designed to analyze the treatment effects of Eunhwayeongyo-tang through retrospective chart reviews. We also checked the correlation between each pair of variables of the symptoms and curative rates of patients with cough. Methods: Thirty-three patients with cough who had satisfied the selection criteria were retrospectively reviewed through their basic medical records, nasal endoscopy, and questionnaires about cough on their first and second visits. The questionnaires used were "The questionnaire on clinical symptoms of cough & sputum", Leicester Cough Questionnaire Korean Version (LCQ-K), Total Nasal Symptom Scores (TNSS), Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and "Cold-heat patterns". The improvement rate, calculated by "The questionnaire on clinical symptoms of cough & sputum" was considered to be clinically effective if reduction of symptoms scored more than 30%. The state of nasopharyngeal mucosa was assessed to categorize the cold-heat patterns of the upper respiratory tract and for diagnosis. Results: According to this study, cough and sputum improved by $57.22{\pm}37.76%$. Most patients (76%) improved significantly after $12.18{\pm}6.59days$ of taking Eunhwayeongyo-tang. The cure rates of 26 patients among the 33 patients were judged as effective. All the mean scores of the questionnaires and the anterior nasal cavity states were significantly improved on the patients' second visits. After $18.39{\pm}15.68days$, 30 patients were completely cured and ended treatment. The nasopharyngeal mucosa states of all patients were categorized as heat patterns. Conclusions: The conditions of the patients with nasopharyngitis significantly improved after taking Eunhwayeongyo-tang. All of the patients had pharyngitis or rhinitis. The cold-heat pattern of nasopharyngeal mucosa was a significant indicator of upper respiratory inflammation diagnosis.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.14
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• pp.5523-5528
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• 2014

Objective: To evaluate the implementation of screening colonoscopy amongst first-degree relatives (FDRs) of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) in Turkey. Materials and Methods: A total of 400 first-degree relatives (mean(SD)age: 42.5(12.7) years, 55.5% were male) of 136 CRC patients were included in this cross-sectional questionnaire based survey. Data on demographic characteristics, relationship to patient and family history for malignancy other than the index case were evaluated in the FDRs of patients as were the data on knowledge about and characteristics related to the implementation of screening colonoscopy using a standardized questionnaire form. Results: The mean(SD) age at diagnosis of CRC in the index patients was 60.0(14.0) years, while mean(SD) age of first degree relatives was 42.5(12.7) years. Overall 36.3% of relatives were determined to have knowledge about colonoscopy. Physicians (66.9%) were the major source of information. Screening colonoscopy was recommended to 19.5% (n=78) of patient relatives, while 48.7% (n=38) of individuals participated in colonoscopy procedures, mostly (57.9%) one year after the index diagnosis. Screening colonoscopy revealed normal findings in 25 of 38 (65.8%) cases, while precancerous lesions were detected in 26.3% of screened individuals. In 19.0% of FDRs of patients, there was a detected risk for Lynch syndrome related cancer. Conclusions: In conclusion, our findings revealed that less than 20% of FDRs of patients had received a screening colonoscopy recommendation; only 48.7% participated in the procedure with detection of precancerous lesions in 26.3%. Rise of awareness about screening colonoscopy amongst patients with CRC and first degree relatives of patients and motivation of physicians for targeted screening would improve the participation rate in screening colonoscopy by FDRs of patients with CRC in Turkey.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.73-87
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• 2011

Objectives: This study is to investigate life style and weight control based on the body mass index, and tongue diagnosis in adolescent girls. Help controling unnecessary weight and establishing proper understanding of desirable body images and healthy life for adolescents are expected. Methods: The questionnaire surveys and physical examinations were conducted to examine the life style, weight-control behaviors, and the health status of 173 adolescent girls in Jeonju. Among the students surveyed, 162 answered seriously and were accepted as subjects for the study. Results: 1. The mean height was 160.4 cm and weight was 54.21 kg. The mean BMI of the girls was 21.1 kg/m2, which is normal. The percentages of the normal weight group (71.6%), overweight group (16.7%), obesity group (9.9%), underweight group (1.9%) were shown respectively. 2. The oriental medicine doctor examined the tongue diagnosis. The thin and white tongue fur was the most common (20.7%). This diagnosis showed no statistical significance to BMI. 3. The ideal height for the girls was 165 cm, and the ideal weight was 49 kg. 4. A considerable number of girls (50.6%) thought that a thin body figure was the most beautiful body shape for the women. 5. Even though the percentages of an actual overweight or obese group were 26.6%, 42.0% of the girls thought that they were plump. 6. 94.83% of the normal weight group concerned about the weight regulation. 7. Many girls were dissatisfied with their own body shape, and 86.9% of girls regarded being in a shape was important. 70.69% of the normal weight group answered that they were under stress of their body shapes. Conclusions: The findings of this study demonstrate that there are serious misconceptions on body shapes of the adolescent girls, and mostly, unnecessary and inadequate weight control behaviors were done. Therefore, establishing adequately education on their desirable body images and healthy life is needed for the adolescent girls. In this study, there is no significant relationship between BMI and tongue diagnosis. For the number of subjects is not enough, further study on the relationship between the two is expected.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.510-520
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• 2006

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between fatigue degree and Comprehensive diagnosis of Qui Xui Shui in patients with functional dyspepsia. There again, we investigated an association between scores obtained from Comprehensive diagnosis of Qui Xui Shui and state of skin sympathetic tone or cardiovascular reactivity. Methods: Subjects were 56 patients with Functional dyspepsia and 8 healthy People. Fatigue degree was assessed by questionnaires consisting of subjective complaints of fatigue. Comprehensive diagnoais of Qui Xue Shui was investigated by questionnaire and physical examination, total score and composition score were calculated from the symptom score. Skin sympathetic tone was measured by Ryodoraku Score(RS) and Cardiovascular Reactivity(CV Reactivity) was checked by Pulse diagnostic apparatus. All patients were divided into two groups by RS $40{\mu}A$(below and above) or by CV Reactivity(decreased and increased or not decreased). Results: There was highly significant correlation between Fatigue Degree and total score and each composition score of Comprehensive diagnosis of Qui Xui Shui. And total score of patients was significantly higher than that of health controls : in the patients, females than males. Significance related with the level of RS $40{\mu}Aor$ the state of CV Reactivity were not remarkable in both patients and health control group. Conclusions: Fatigue degree seems to have a special feature reflecting the state of Comprehensive Diagnosis of Qui Xui Shui in patients with functional dyspepsia.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.356-364
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• 2010

Objectives : This study was done to evaluate the effect of stopping drinking, using alcoholic liver disease questionnaire, Diagnosis System of Oriental Medicine (DSOM) and Health Related Quality of Life (HRQOL). Methods : 49 men who satisfied the requirement participated in this trial. They stopped drinking for 6 weeks. They were analyzed using DSOM, alcoholic liver disease questionnaire and SF-36. The data were classified by age (<47,$\geq$48) and alcoholic intake per day (<100g,$\geq$100g). For HRQOL, the SF-36v2 Health Survey was used and Quality Metric Health Outcomes Scoring Software 2.0 (QualityMetric, Lincoln, RI, USA) was applied for the analysis. Results : The alcoholic liver disease questionnaire had a partial correlation with DSOM. Generally stopping drinking decreased Heat (熱). Especially in the group drinking over 100g per day, the correlation was high. In the group over 48 years old, spleen (脾) was improved comparatively. In the group with low HRQOL (PCS<31.43, MCS<23.33) deficiency (虛) was improved. Conclusions : We found that stopping drinking can improve pathogenic factors of alcoholic liver disease and the alcoholic liver disease questionnaire be a useful diagnostic method on alcoholic liver disease by comparison with DSOM.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.173-182
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• 2012

Background: Fibromyalgia (FM) is characterized by chronic widespread pain with a low pain threshold. The aim of this study was to compare two criteria for the diagnosis and assessment of FM and to analyze the correlation and agreement between the 1990 and 2010 American College of Rheumatology (ACR) preliminary diagnostic criteria for FM. Methods: We studied 98 patients who had already been diagnosed as having FM using the 1990 criteria or 2010 preliminary criteria. Tender point examination, FM impact questionnaire (FIQ) and pain visual analog scale (VAS) were obtained. According to the preliminary criteria, FM was quantified as WPI (widespread pain index) and the SS scale (symptom severity) and the two criteria were compared. Results: Among 98 patients, 78.6% of the patients were diagnosed with the 1990 ACR criteria and 93.9% of the patients were diagnosed with the ACR preliminary diagnostic criteria, and there was also significant agreement between the two criteria (P < 0.01). There was a correlation with the WPI and the tender point, with the SS and the FIQ, and with the sum of the WPI and SS and the FIQ. Conclusions: The ACR preliminary diagnostic criteria for FM were in agreement with the 1990 ACR criteria during the disease course. The preliminary criteria were the more sensitive method than the 1990 criteria. In addition, the 2010 criteria might have advantages since it is easy to assess the physical and psychological symptoms and can be quantified. Therefore, the ACR preliminary diagnostic criteria for FM could be used more conveniently for clinical diagnosis and follow up evaluation after starting management of FM.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.671-685
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• 2012

Objective: This study aims to investigate subjects in recuperation to identify the following factors with regard to work-related musculoskeletal diseases: diagnosis in the context of occupational and environmental medicine; assessment systems for judging work-relatedness; recuperation management; workplace management; prevention programs; and care after returning to work. This study intends to analyze differences between subjects and determine what characteristics of subjects account for the differences. Method: A survey was administered to 1,664 workers who were approved by the Korea Worker's Compensation & Welfare Service between 2003 and 2005 for recuperation due to work-related musculoskeletal diseases. The data of 229 subjects who responded the survey questionnaire related to recuperation were analysed. Results: According to the results, demographic, occupational, and musculoskeletal disease-related factors were significant. The demographic factors included gender, age, marital status, and region, while occupational factors included working period, work type, size of workplace, and industry type. The factors related to musculoskeletal diseases were the part of the body in pain, the tissues in pain, and the existence of dysfunction. The above factors were associated with statistically significant differences in the following areas: revealed symptom period, symptoms-diagnosis period, and application for recuperation approval periods; diagnosis and care institutes for recuperarion; the state of patients (body parts in pain, tissues in pain, and existence of dysfunction); return to work; and care after returning to work. Conclusion: The results of this study can serve as basic data in setting priorities for prevention programs for work-related musculoskeletal diseases and selecting target groups.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.2501-2505
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• 2015

Purpose: The present study was carried out to measure knowledge level and behavior of family health personnel (FHP) in Izmir on early diagnosis of breast and cervical cancers. Materials and Methods: The study population of this cross-sectional study was not selected. A questionnaire was applied to all FHP to measure knowledge level and behavior about cancer. The participation rate was 88%. Breast examination, mammography analysis, Papanicolaou smear applications were determined as dependent variables, and knowledge level about breast and cervical cancer, age, professional time as FHP as independent variables. Data were evaluated using definitive statistics, chi-square and logistic regression tests in SPSS software package for Windows 15.0. Results: A total of 970 family health personnel participated in the research. The age range was 20-45 years (82.4%). Mean age was $37.9{\pm}7.4$. Response rate was 87.3%. Of the participants, 88.4% performed breast self-examination. Rate of performing mammography at least once was 24.1%. Rate of performing Pap-smear examination at least once was 61.0%. In logistic regression analyses, it was determined that people with knowledge on breast and cervical cancer were those performing breast self-examination, mammography and Pap-smear examinations (p<0.05. Conclusions: It is essential that the knowledge, behavior and manners of health providers on early diagnosis for cancer increases awareness in the general population and provides information on execution ofthe most effective methods for generating a healthy society.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.1905-1909
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• 2013

Objective: The aim of the current study was to evaluate changes in treatment outcomes in terms of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and symptom burden at zero, one, three, and six months after an initial diagnosis of colorectal cancer. The demographic and clinical characteristics that account for outcome changes in patients were investigated using a repeated measures framework. Methods and Materials: A cohort study was performed of 134 colorectal cancer patients followed from diagnosis to 6 months post-treatment in Central Taiwan. HRQoL and symptoms were assessed at diagnosis and one, three, and six months thereafter. The Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Colon (FACT-C) questionnaire, VAS pain, and the Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale (MSAS) were used for data collection. A generalized estimating equation (GEE) was applied for statistical analysis. Results: The majority of the patients were male (55%) and married (91.5%). The mean age was 60.4 years (SD = 11.71). Most were diagnosed stage III and IV colorectal cancer (54.5%). All underwent surgery; some also received chemotherapy (CT) or concurrent chemoradiation therapy (CCRT). The results of the GEE showed that overall, the HRQoL, pain, and symptoms of the patients significantly improved over the treatment period. Patients with stage IV disease who had received surgery and CCRT showed the worst HRQoL. Females, patients with comorbidity, and stage IV patients had higher pain scores over time. Female and stage IV patients had more severe physical symptoms, whereas stage II and IV patients had worse psychological symptoms over time. Conclusion: The patients' HRQoL, pain, and symptoms significantly improved over the 6-month treatment period. Certain patient and clinical variables accounted for changes in treatment outcomes regarding HRQoL and symptom burden in colorectal cancer patients.