• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.110-115
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• 2008

Purpose: Intussusceptions are one of the most common causes of intestinal obstruction in infants and young children. Although it is easily treated by non-operative reduction using barium, water or air, this treatment is very stressful for young patients and may cause bowel perforation, peritonitis and shock. In this study, we identified the risk factors associated with the failure of non-operative reduction, to identify a group of children that would benefit from the procedure and those who would not. Methods: We reviewed the medical records of patients with intussusception who were treated at the Korea University Medical Center Ansan hospital from March 1998 to July 2006. Three hundred fourteen children with intussusception were identified. Among them, non-operative reductions were performed in three hundred. Clinical and radiological variables were compared according to the failure or success of the non-operative reduction. Results: Non-operative reductions were successful in 243 (81%) and failed in 57 (19%). The group that had failed procedures had a younger age (12.3${\pm}$17.2 months vs. 18.0${\pm}$15.8 months, p=0.03), longer symptom duration before reduction (33.6${\pm}$29.0 hr vs. 21.5${\pm}$20.3 hr, p<0.01), more vomiting and lethargy (p<0.01), but less abdominal pain and irritability (p<0.01), compared with the group that had a successful procedure. Logistic regression analysis showed that the factors associated with the failure of non-operative reductions were a younger age, less than 6 months of age (odds ratio: 2.5, 95% confidence interval: 1.2~5.2, p=0.01), duration of symptoms, longer than 24 hrs before reduction (odds ratio: 2.1, 95% confidence interval: 1.2~4.2, p=0.03), bloody stool (odds ratio: 4.8, 95% confidence interval: 1.9~12.2, p<0.01), lethargy (odds ratio: 3.4, 95% confidence interval: 1.1~10.4, p=0.04), and abdominal pain or irritability (odds ratio: 0.2, 95% confidence interval: 0.1~0.4, p<0.01). Conclusion: For children with intussusception, an age younger than 6 months, and duration of symptoms more than 24 hrs before reduction, as well as the presence of bloody stools, lethargy and abdominal pain or irritability were variables associated with failure of a non-operative reduction. Knowledge of these variables should be considered in making clinical decisions for therapeutic interventions.

• Journal of the Korean Society of School Health
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.193-215
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• 1991

This study is aimed at providing basic information applicable to setting up the education programs and strategies to prevent smoking among high school students by analysing smoking behavior and influencing factors. The samples consisted of 814 students, 557 parents and 362 teachers selected randomly from 8 high schools, one from each school district in Seoul. Date Analyses were made through Chi-Square test, Factor Analysis, One Way ANOVA, Multiple Regression, Correlation. SPSS/$PC^+$program was utilized. Smoking behavior (continuous smoking, re-smoking, ex-smoking, never smoking, daily smoking, occasional smoking) were used as dependent variables. Influencing factors (male students, habits, attitudes and knowledge toward smoking, home life, school life, juvenile delinquency, friendship, demographic parent's and teacher's recognition toward male students smoking) were used as in dependent variables. The major findings of the study are as follows : 1. The total smoking rate occupies 41.1% whereas the continuous smoking rate stands at 19.2%, re-smoking rate 9.5%, ex-smoking rate 12.4% and never smoking rate 58.9%. 2. The total smoking rate among high school students is significantly correlated with their monthly expenditures and type of school (p<0.001). The continuous smoking rate also shows the same tendency. As the length of butt get shorter, the current smoking rate increase. The duration of smoking is in proportion to its continuity. The major motive of smoking is curiousity whereas that re-smoking is to follow friend's behavior. The study shows that peer pressure is the most powerful factor influencing smoking behavior of students. Friends and fellow students encourage to pick up smoking and resume smoking even alter one stops smoking. 3. The correlationship between favorable attitudes toward smoking and the current smoking rate and its continuity is statistically significant(p<0.05, p<0.01, p<0.001). 4. The stability and harmony of family life and the current smoking rate show negative correlationship. The daily smoking amount of father is in proportion to the continuity of students' smoking. When parents are in favor of smoking, it is more likely that the experimental smoking rate increase the smoking rate increases, and vice versa. The more acceptable attitudes toward smoking among siblings is also one of the factors to increase the smoking rate and continuity (p<0.001). The more lenient the attitudes of parents toward their children's association with smoking friends, the higher the smoking rate. When students have difficulties in adjusting to school life, it is more likely that the current smoking rate and continuity increase. 5. The continuity of smoking and friendship are significantly correlated (p<0.05, p<0.01, p<0.001). 6. The continuity of smoking and juvenile delinquency are significantly correlated (p<0.001). 7. The difference in attitudes and smoking reasons of parents and students is significantly correlated to different smoking behavior (p<0.01, p<0.001). While smoking knowledge does not significantly influence their smoking behavior, it is noted that in the case of teachers, smoking reason (p<0.05), attitudes (p<0.001) and knowledge (p<0.05) strongly influence their smoking behavior. 8. There is a significantly correlation among the smoking reasons, attitudes and knowledge between students and parents(p<0.001). As for the correlationship between regularity and smoking amount and other influencing factors, the daily smoking amount is in proportion to depth of inhalation and duration of smoking, negative attitudes of parents unstability of family, dissatisfaction of family members, juvenile delinquency, strong smoking reasons and positive attitudes towards smoking. 9. In the case of daily smokers depth of inhalation is significantly correlated to the duration of smoking, juvenile delinquency, acceptability of parents, dissatisfaction of family members and smoking reasons. The duration of smoking motives is significantly correlated to juvenile delinquency, high acceptability of parents, strong smoking motive and positive attitudes toward smoking. 10. It is noted that 40% of parents and 30% of teachers do not recognize the significant correlationship between and the relative influencing factors mentioned above.

• Journal of the Korean Society of School Health
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.87-97
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• 1997

The purpose of this study is to examine the importance of family environment for middle school student's health behavior. In order to do this we collected data through the questioning of 543 male students and 512 female students in 4 Pusan middle schools. The results of this study are summarized as follows. The score on their family cohesion and adaptability was 57.8, 43.5 on the average for male students and 59.8, 44.8 in female students. The score on their family adaptability and cohesion was higher in fema1e students than male students. The score of their Breslow health behavior was 4.20 from a total of 7.00, the total score of health behavior was 131.4 from a total of 176.0 scores. The students had a 43.9 out of 60.0 in personal hygiene and daily habits, 32.8 out of 40.0 for infectious disease preventive behavior, 30.2 out of 40.0 in accident prevention, 24.5 out of 36.0 in mental health. In the cases of males, the score for Breslow health behavior was higher the lower the school grade, the younger the parents, the higher the educational level of parents, the more comfortable the family, and the higher the economic state. There was a statistically significant difference with regard to family cohesion and adaptability. In the cases of females, The total score for health behavior was higher. However, the difference was not significant in other fields. With the multiple regression analysis, the health behavior of middle school student was associated significantly with sex (female students), grade, family cohesion, and adaptability. In Breslow health behavior, scale sex (male students), father's age, family cohesion and the harmony of parents were significant variables. From the results of this study, a good family environment fur middle school students is very important.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.43 no.5
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• pp.482-489
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• 2010

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine whether hand-measured carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) was a reliable and simple tool that could be used to evaluate the severity of stable coronary artery disease (CAD) with normal high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP). Material and Method: We examined left carotid IMTs in 688 patients with stable CAD and excluded 121 patients with abnormally elevated hs-CRP ($\geq$0.5 mg/dL). We sought to determine the association between risk factors and the severity of stable CAD and carotid IMT in 567 patients who were divided into lower and higher groups based on the median value. Patients underwent a coronary artery angiogram and had at least significant stenosis (>50% of the original luminal diameter involving one or more major coronary artery). Result: Of the 567 patients, 300 (52.9%) were in the lower IMT group and 267 (47.1%) were in the higher IMT group; the median value was 0.76 mm. By multivariable logistic regression analysis, the following groups were different: older age (~49 vs. 70~ years, respectively; OR=6.552), high FBS (~99 vs. 120~ mg/dL; OR=1.713) and severity of CAD (1 vessel vs. 2 vessel disease; OR=1.711, 1 vessel vs. 3 vessel disease; OR=1.714). Conclusion: We conclude that there are correlations between increased carotid IMT and severity of CAD in stable angina patients with normal CRP levels.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.66 no.4
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• pp.300-308
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• 2009

Background: The quality of care for patients with community acquired pneumonia needs to be improved; the factors affecting this care need to be analyzed. The objectives of this study were used to measure the performance of care processes of for patients with pneumonia and to determine those patient and hospital characteristics are associated with quality care. Methods: The analysis was performed using data from 21 hospitals that had over 500 beds for 1,001 patients, who were sampled randomly. All patients were born before 31 December 1989, and discharged between the two months' August 2006 and October 2006. Performance process indicators were measured by respective hospital, and multivariate logistic regression was used to calculate associations between patients and hospital characteristics using 4 process indicators. Results: Performance rates in timely assessment of oxygenation assessments and blood cultures, correct administration of antibiotic medications, and blood culture performed prior to initial antibiotics were 69.4%, 79.1%, 82.5% and 60.5%, respectively. Age had a positive affect on oxygenation assessment within 24 hours. Bed number, number of nurses per bed, annual number of emergency department visits, average percentage of beds filled, location and arrival time, and site were factors associated with process indicators. Conclusion: It is necessary to make up for the weak points in the process of care for patients with community acquired pneumonia, by enforcing quality assurance. To reduce performance rate variation among hospitals, improvement in care protocols is required for hospitals that have poor quality of care levels.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.66 no.4
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• pp.280-287
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• 2009

Background: The epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs), became an attractive therapeutic option for advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Several studies suggested that there might be some different efficacy or response predictors between gefitinib and erlotinib. We compared the efficacy and toxicity of gefitinib and erlotinib in Korean patients with advanced NSCLC and evaluated specific predictors of response for both gefitinib and erlotinib. Methods: We collected the clinical information on patients with advanced NSCLC, who were treated with gefitinib or erlotinib at the Ewha Womans University Hospital, between July 2003 and February 2009. Median survival times were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Results: Eighty-six patients (52 gefitinib vs. 34 erlotinib) were enrolled. Patient median age was 64 years; 53 (62%) subjects were male. Out of the 86 patients treated, 83 received response evaluation. Of the 83 patients, 35 achieved a response and 12 experienced stable disease while 36 experienced progressive disease, resulting in a response rate of 42% and a disease control rate of 57%. After a median follow-up of 502 days, the median progression-free and overall survival time was 129 and 259 days, respectively. Comparing patients by treatment (gefitinib vs erlotinib), there were no significant differences in the overall response rate (44% vs. 39%, p=0.678), median survival time (301 days vs. 202 days, p=0.151), or time to progression (136 days vs. 92 days, p=0.672). Both EGFR-TKIs showed similar toxicity. In a multivariate analysis using Cox regression model, adenocarcinoma was an independent predictor of survival (p=0.006; hazard ratio [HR], 0.487; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.292-0.811). Analyses of subgroups did not show any difference in response predictors between gefitinib and erlotinib. Conclusion: Comparing gefitinib to erlotinib, there were no differences in the response rate, overall survival, progression-free survival, or toxicity. No specific predictor of response to each EGFR-TKI was identified.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.66 no.1
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• pp.20-26
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• 2009

Background: $^{18}F$-Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) is widely used for the diagnosis and staging of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The aim of this study is to determine whether the bone marrow hypermetabolism seen on FDG-PET predicts a response to chemotherapy in patients with NSCLC. Methods: We evaluated the patients with advanced NSCLC and who were treated with combination chemotherapy. For determination of the standardized uptake value (SUV) of the bone marrow (BM SUV) on FDG-PET, regions of interest (ROIs) were manually drawn over the lumbar vertebrae (L1, 2, 3). ROIs were also drawn on a homogenous transaxial slice of the liver to obtain the bone marrow/ liver SUV ratio (BM/L SUV ratio). The response to chemotherapy was evaluated according to the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumor (RECIST) criteria after three cycles of chemotherapy. Results: Fifty-nine NSCLC patients were included in the study. Multivariate analysis was performed using a logistic regression model. The BM SUV and the BM/L SUV ratio on FDG-PET were not associated with a response to chemotherapy in NSCLC patients (p=0.142 and 0.978, respectively). Conclusion: The bone marrow hypermetabolism seen on FDG-PET can not predict a response to chemotherapy in NSCLC patients.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.215-223
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• 1997

To estimate association of minerals relating to non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus(NIDDM) the contents of essential minerals and toxic heavy metals in the scalp hair were measured during the period from March 1993 to June 1993. The cases were selected 69 (32 male, 37 female) from the patients who visited Kyungpook University Hospital during the period from March 1993 to June 1993 and 74 controls (47 male 27 female) from normal population. zinc, copper, manganese, lead, cadmium and aluminum were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrophotometer(IL. 551). The results were summarized as follows. In NIDDM group, mean contents of zinc and copper were $132.99{\pm}19.66$ ppm, $8.58{\pm}5.07$ ppm respectively; where as $152.51{\pm}46.15$ ppm, $12.48{\pm}6.56$ ppm in control group. The mean of above two mineral content showed significant difference statistically (p<0.01). But, in manganese the content of NIDDM group; $0.44{\pm}0.27$ ppm were significantly higher than the control group; $0.34{\pm}0.18$ ppm(p<0.05). A thesis submitted to the Council of the Graduate School of Kyungpook National University in partial fulfillment of the require ements for the degree of Ph.D. in Medical Science in June 1994. The mean contents of toxic metals - lead, cadmium, aluminum - in NIDDM group were $10.04{\pm}4.60$ ppm, $0.57{\pm}0.12$ ppm, $11.31{\pm}3.98$ ppm; whereas $8.10{\pm}2.45$ ppm, $0.41{\pm}0.23$ ppm, $7.61{\pm}4.16$ ppm in control group. The mean of above three mineral showed significant difference statistically(p<0.01). Cadmium, zinc and copper were selected statistically significant variables with presence of the NIDDM by multiple logistic regression analysis; copper, zinc and cadmium may be associated with NIDDM.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.171-182
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• 2003

Objectives: This study was conducted to analyze the dental care utilization patterns and related factors of the rural residents. Methods: The data collected by interview and self-administered questionnaire survey of 524 peoples of Seongju county in Gyeongsanbuk-do. The summarized results are as follows. Results: The rate of persons who experienced the oral disease was 52.5% during 1 year and it was at most in the age group of 40-49. The rate of persons who had experienced the oral disease were investigated according to general characteristics, perception of oral health, being of regular treatment facility. Therefore the rate of persons who had experienced the oral disease was significantly higher the younger peoples, worse oral health status and being of the regular treatment source than the other groups. During 1 year period, 64.0% of the cases had treated the perceived oral disease, 36.0% did no action at all during last year. Among respondents, 49.4% had treated their oral disease at dental clinics, 8.0% had treated at community health center or subcenter and remains did not treated at all. The results of logistic regression analysis suggested that statistically significant factors in dental health care utilization were educational level, degree of pain, oral health status and regular treatment facility. Therefore the dental health care utilization rate was higher at groups with the high educational level, serious pain, better oral health status and being of the regular treatment source than other groups. 45.5% of the rural residents did not treat their oral disease immediately due to the no identified need, limitation of time(19.2%), economic limitation(19.2%), and geographical limitation(9.0%). Conclusions: In consideration of above findings, we may conclude that oral health community program to prevent oral diseases should be intensified, oral health education to raise oral health knowledge should be performed periodically.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.90-100
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• 2008

=Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the smoking rate and the related factors to early smoking of high school students.Methods: A questionnaire was administered to 920 students in 3 high schools in Daegu Metropolitan Results: Of total respondents, 1.8% had experience of smoking. Of those, 20.2% citied curiosity, 9.0% cited upon recommendation of friends, and 6.2% cited stress management as the main reason for their smoking. Separately, 53.1% responded habitually and 26.5% responded stress management as the main reason for continuing smoking. Of total former smokers, 68.4% said 'worry about their health' as the main reason for quitting smoking. Of those who failed to quit smoking, 58.7% cited 'weakness of will' as the main reason for their failure. Of total respondents, 10.8% were smoking currently. 'Smoking of family member'(p<0.01) and 'intent to smoke'(p<0.05) were significantly associated to early smoking of the subjects.In multivariate logistic regression analysis, 'higher levels of stress' and 'smoking of family member' were significant related factors to early smoking.Conclusions: Amid growing number of early smokers, it is imminent to identify the actual state of discourage smoking. In addition, education programs need to be developed to assist early smokers in quitting smoking and prevent smoking among youth.