• Journal of Rhinology
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• 제25권2호
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• pp.91-98
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• 2018

Background and Objectives: The present study evaluated the results of skin prick test using 55 allergens at 20 centers in the Republic of Korea in 2006, 2010, and 2014-2015. The aim was to assess changes in the positive rate of allergens according to temporal, regional, and environmental factors. Materials and Method: In total, 20 hospitals were selected based on the population distribution in the Republic of Korea. A skin prick test panel comprising 55 aeroallergens was distributed to 18 hospitals for this prospective study. The 2006 and 2010 skin prick test results were collected and analyzed retrospectively from 20 hospitals, while the 2014/2015 skin prick test results (from June 2014 to May 2015) were collected prospectively from 18 hospitals. Results: A total of 14,897 SPT test results were analyzed: 4,319 in 2006, 7,431 in 2010, and 1,852 in 2014/2015. The overall rate of skin prick test positivity to more than two allergens was significantly higher in males than females. The positive rates of alder pollens and birch, oak and ragweed pollen positivity were increased in older patients. Several positive rates were increased according to the temperature in spring. The positive rates for beech pollen, birch pollen, hazel pollen, oak pollen, Tyrophagus putrescentiae, mugwort, cat, Acarus siro, Lepidoglyphus destructor and Tyrophagus putrescentiae were significantly increased, while those of Cult rye pollen and dandelion were significantly decreased over the three test periods. The overall positive rate for allergens in Jeju province varied significantly from Seoul and other cities. Conclusion: Change in the positive rate of multiple aeroallergens was evaluated in the Republic of Korea over time. Our findings can be used to recommend aeroallergens suitable for inclusion in skin prick test panels in the Republic of Korea and will facilitate further investigation of changes in the patterns of allergic diseases.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• 제8권4호
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• pp.204-209
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• 2008

목적: 위에 발생하는 신경내분비 종양은 국내에서도 그 보고가 드문 매우 독특한 조직형인데, 이 종양의 임상병리학적 특징들에 대해 알아보고자 하였다. 대상 및 방법: 1999년 1월부터 2007년 8월까지 고신대학교 의과대학 외과학교실에서 위암으로 수술받은 4,159예 중 신경내분비 종양으로 진단받은 13예를 대상으로 의무기록 및 조직 표본을 후향적으로 분석하였다. 결과: 위 신경내분비 종양은 남자 11예, 여자 2예였고, 평균나이는 54.9세(42~72)였으며, 주증상은 상복부 통증과 속쓰림이 많았다. 점막 또는 점막하 종양 2예를 제외하고 나머지 9예는 모두 근육층 이상을 침범한 진행성이었고, 종양의 평균 크기는 7.0 cm (0.7~15)였다. WHO 분류법에 의한 내분비 종양의 유형은 제 3형이 8예, 제 4형이 4예, 제 1형이 1예였다. 림프절 전이는 11예에서 있었고, 추적 기간내 재발한 4명의 환자 모두 제 3형과 제 4형이었고, 재발한 장기는 간이 2예, 다장기(복막, 폐) 1예, 다장기(간, 췌장, 십이지장) 1예였고, 생존 기간은 평균 12.8개월이었다. 결론: 위에 발생하는 신경내분비 종양은 진단 당시 진행된 경우가 많았고 간 전이를 잘 하였으며 예후가 나쁜 독특한 조직형이다.

• 대한지역사회영양학회지
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• 제13권2호
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• pp.263-275
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• 2008

Impaired fasting glucose (IFG) is one of significant risk factors of developing diabetes. The persons with IFG are, thus, an important target group for primary prevention of diabetes. It is well known that plasma homocysteine concentration may be increased in poor folate nutritional status. Elevated level of plasma homocysteine is considered as a marker of enhanced oxidative stress. In addition, the protective effect against oxidative stress may be diminished in poor antioxidative nutrient status as vitamin C. It is, therefore, important to maintain adequate nutritional status of folate and vitamin C in the patients with type 2 diabetes or IFG. This study was performed to determine the effects of supplementation of folic acid or vitamin C on plasma concentrations of homocysteine, oxidized LDL, and lipids and on the activity of plasma anti-oxidative enzyme in patients with IFG. A total of 97 patients with IFG were participated voluntarily with written consents. They were divided into one of the four experimental groups; Control (C), Folatesupplemented (F), Ascorbate-supplemented (A), and Folate plus ascorbate-supplemented (FA). The subjects in C were taken placebo, those in F were supplemented 1 mg of folate, those in A were received 1,000 mg of vitamin C, and those in FA were given 1 mg of folate plus 1,000 mg of vitamin C daily for 4 weeks. No change in plasma concentrations of vitamin C, lipids, and oxidized LDL and the activity of GSH-Px were observed in vitamin C-supplemented group (A + FA) and folate-supplemented group (F + FA) compared to the placebo group (C + A). Only the folate-supplemented group (F + FA) had significantly increased average serum folate concentration and lowered plasma homocysteine concentration compared to the placebo group (C + A). Thus, it should be recommended the patients with IFG to increase folate intake through diets and, if it is not sufficient, to take folic acid supplements to prevent the development of complications induced by hyperhomocysteinemia as well as oxidative stress.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제64권6호
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• pp.950-956
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• 2021

Objective : Psoas and masseter muscles are known markers of sarcopenia. However, the relative superiority of either muscle as a marker is unclear. Therefore, this study analyzed the two muscles in patients with a prognosis of traumatic brain injury (TBI). Methods : Patients with TBI visiting a regional trauma center between January 2017 and December 2018 were selected, and their medical records were reviewed. TBI patients with an abbreviated injury score (AIS) of 4 or 5 were selected. Patients with an AIS of 4 or 5 at the chest, abdomen, and extremity were excluded. Patients with a hospital stay of 1 to 2 days were excluded. Both muscle areas were measured based on the initial computed tomography. The psoas muscle index (PMI) and the masseter muscle index (MMI) were calculated by dividing both muscle areas by height in meters squared (cm²/m²). These muscle parameters along with other medical information were used to analyze mortality and the Glasgow outcome scale (GOS). Results : A total of 179 patients, including 147 males (82.1%), were analyzed statistically. The mean patient age was 58.0 years. The mortality rate was 16.8% (30 patients). The mean GOS score was 3.7. Analysis was performed to identify the parameters associated with mortality, which was a qualitative study outcome. The psoas muscle area (16.9 vs. 14.4 cm², p=0.028) and PMI (5.9 vs. 5.1 cm²/m², p=0.004) showed statistical differences between the groups. The PMI was also statistically significant as a risk factor for mortality in logistic regression analysis (p=0.023; odds ratio, 0.715; 95% confidence interval, 0.535-0.954). Quantitative analyses were performed with the GOS scores. Bivariate correlation analysis showed a statistically significant correlation between PMI and GOS scores (correlation coefficient, 0.168; p=0.003). PMI (p=0.004, variation inflation factor 1.001) was significant in multiple regression analysis. The masseter muscle area and MMI did not show significance in the study. Conclusion : Larger PMI was associated with statistically significant improved survival and GOS scores, indicating its performance as a superior prognostic marker. Further analyses involving a larger number of patients, additional parameters, and more precise settings would yield a better understanding of sarcopenia and TBI.

• 방사선산업학회지
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• 제12권4호
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• pp.311-316
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• 2018

Average life expectancy is getting longer due to medical developments and improvements in living standards. So much so that the elderly have an increased risk of developing osteoporosis. Therefore, it is important to prevent, diagnose, and treat the senile disease at an early stage through a bone density test. Bone density is measured by dual energy X-ray absorption (DXA). In this study, while using DXA, in cases when the measurements for both the lumbar and the femur could not be taken simultaneously, the correlation between both measurements were known, and the measurement of one area was used to make a clinical inference for the value of the other. Measurements were taken using Lunar Prodigy Advance (GE) for 43 participant with clinically significant fractures. Statistical calculations were produced and analysed regarding bone density. In case of T-score, lumbar spine produced a statistical result of $-2.112{\pm}1.836$ and femur neck was $-1.716{\pm}1.565$. In case of Z-score lumbar spine produced a statistical result of $-0.151{\pm}1.513$, and femur neck $-0.026{\pm}1.283$. It is indicated that the pearson correlation coefficient of T-score between lumbar spine and femur neck is high at 0.699, and the pearson correlation coefficient of Z-score is considered relatively high at 0.503. The correlation of bone density between lumbar spine and femur neck is shown to be statistically meaningful in T-score's p-value at 0.000 and Z-score's p-value at 0.001. In conclusion, it seems to have clinical usefulness that we can infer the result of one measurement through that of the other part tested, based on the knowledge of the correlation coefficients between lumbar spine and femur neck.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제65권5호
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• pp.719-729
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• 2022

Objective : The ossification of the ligamentum flavum (OLF) is one of the major causes of thoracic myelopathy. Surgical decompression with or without instrumented fusion is the mainstay of treatment. However, few studies have reported on the added effect of instrumented fusion. The objective of this study was to compare clinical and radiological outcomes between surgical decompression without instrumented fusion (D-group) and that with instrumented fusion (F-group). Methods : A retrospective review was performed on 28 patients (D-group, n=17; F-group, n=11) with thoracic myelopathy due to OLF. The clinical parameters compared included scores of the Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA), the Visual analogue scale of the back and leg (VAS-B and VAS-L), and the Korean version of the Oswestry disability index (K-ODI). Radiological parameters included the sagittal vertical axis (SVA), the pelvic tilt (PT), the sacral slope (SS), the thoracic kyphosis angle (TKA), the segmental kyphosis angle (SKA) at the operated level, and the lumbar lordosis angle (LLA; a negative value implying lordosis). These parameters were measured preoperatively, 1 year postoperatively, and 2 years postoperatively, and were compared with a linear mixed model. Results : After surgery, all clinical parameters were significantly improved in both groups, while VAS-L was more improved in the F-group than in the D-group (-3.4±2.5 vs. -1.3±2.2, p=0.008). Radiological outcomes were significantly different in terms of changes in TKA, SKA, and LLA. Changes in TKA, SKA, and LLA were 2.3°±4.7°, -0.1°±1.4°, and -1.3°±5.6° in the F-group, which were significantly lower than 6.8°±6.1°, 3.0°±2.8°, and 2.2°±5.3° in the D-group, respectively (p=0.013, p<0.0001, and p=0.037). Symptomatic recurrence of OLF occurred in one patient of the D-group at postoperative 24 months. Conclusion : Clinical improvement was achieved after decompression surgery for OLF regardless of whether instrumented fusion was added. However, adding instrumented fusion resulted in better outcomes in terms of lessening the progression of local and regional kyphosis and improving leg pain. Decompression with instrumented fusion may be a better surgical option for thoracic OLF.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• 제16권1호
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• pp.10-19
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• 2013

목적: 경남지역 암센터와 경남지역 각 보건소와의 말기암환자를 대상으로 시행한 연계 사업을 담당자를 대상으로 한 설문조사를 통해서 평가하고자 하였다. 방법: 2008년 1월 1일부터 2011년 12월 31일까지 경남지역 암센터와 연계 사업 협약을 체결하고, 환자를 등록해서 진행한 보건소 실무자를 대상으로 진행하였다. 총 9개 지역 보건소의 실제 사업에 참여한 경험이 있는 재가암 담당자 20명을 대상으로 설문지를 개발하여 조사를 하였다. 각 문항의 평가는 Likert 5단계 척도를 변형하여 단계마다 -2에서 +2까지 점수를 부여하였고, 각 문항의 총점은 40점이었다. 결과: 2008년 1월부터 2011년 12월까지 73예(72예는 경남지역 암센터, 1예는 보건소에서 등록)가 연계되었다. 서비스에 대한 평가로 환자나 가족들의 심리적 안정에 도움이 된다라는 항목이 23점으로 가장 높았고, 전반적으로 재가암 사업에 도움이 된다는 점이 11점으로 가장 낮게 나왔다. 연계 서비스에 대한 개선 문항으로는 입원 절차의 간소화가 35점, 환자 병원 방문 시 실질적 혜택 제공이 34점으로 높게 나온 반면, 보건소의 인력 강화가 4점으로 가장 낮게 나타났다. 결론: 말기암환자를 대상으로 한 경남 지역 암센터-보건소 재가암 쌍방향 서비스는 몇 가지 한계점을 드러내었다. 보다 나은 연계 서비스를 위해서는 이번 연구를 통해 나타난 여러 점들을 개선하고, 또 지역 실정에 맞는 모델을 개발하는 등의 노력이 필요한 것으로 생각된다.

• 농촌의학ㆍ지역보건
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• 제40권3호
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• pp.115-125
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• 2015

대장암 발생에 관한 국내 역학연구는 매우 부족한 상황으로 국가단위 대장암 발생률의 추세는 보고되어 왔지만 광역 지역에서의 추세 연구는 미흡한 실정이다. 본 연구에서는 대전과 충남의 대장암 발생률 추세를 결장암과 직장암으로 구분하여 기술하고자 한다. 2000-2012년도 기간 동안 해당 지역암등록 자료를 이용하여 세계표준인구를 기준으로 연령표준화 대장암 발생률을 산출하였다. 발생률 추세는 Joinpoint Regression Program으로 분석하여 연평균 변화율(Average Annual Percent Change, AAPC)로 나타내었다. 연구 대상 암등록자료의 질적 수준 평가에서 충실도 지표(MI%)와 타당도 지표(DCO%, MV%, PSU%, AUK%)는 암 발생률의 추세를 기술하기에 전반적으로 적정한 수준이었다. 13년 동안 연령표준화 대장암 발생률은 남성과 여성 모두 지속적으로 증가하였다. 대전지역에서 남성의 경우 2000년 10만 명당 37.2건에서 2012년 51.7건으로 연평균 3.9%(AAPC) 증가하였고, 여성의 경우 2000년 10만 명당 17.1건에서 2012년 28.4건으로 연평균 3.9% 증가하였다. 충남지역에서 남성의 경우 2000년 10만 명당 29.8건에서 2012년 50.1건으로 연평균 5.1% 증가 하였고, 여성의 경우 2000년 10만 명당 15.9건에서 2012년 26.6건으로 연평균 3.2% 증가하였다. 이를 결장암과 직장암으로 분류하여 살펴보면 남녀 모두 결장암의 증가 추세가 직장암 증가보다 더 컸고, 직장암의 증가는 남성이 여성보다 더 빠른 추세였다. 결론적으로 대전과 충남의 대장암 발생은 2000년 이후 13년간 빠른 증가추세를 보였다. 이를 억제하기 위한 대장암 발생 감시와 예방에 지역사회의 관심을 더 높일 필요가 있다.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제83권1호
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• pp.31-41
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• 2020

Background: Chronic cough is defined as a cough lasting more than 8 weeks and socio-economic burden of chronic cough is enormous. The characteristics of chronic cough in Korea are not well understood. The Korean Academy of Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases (KATRD) published guidelines on cough management in 2014. The current study evaluated the clinical characteristics of chronic cough in Korea and the efficacy of the KATRD guidelines. Methods: This was a multi-center, retrospective observational study conducted in Korea. The participants were over 18 years of age. They had coughs lasting more than 8 weeks. Subjects with current pulmonary diseases, smokers, exsmokers with more than 10 pack-years or who quit within the past 1 year, pregnant women, and users of cough-inducing medications were excluded. Evaluation and management of cough followed the KATRD cough-management guidelines. Results: Participants with chronic cough in Korea showed age in the late forties and cough duration of more than 1 year. Upper airway cough syndrome was the most common cause of cough, followed by cough-variant asthma (CVA). Gastro-esophageal reflux diseases and eosinophilic bronchitis were less frequently observed. Following the KATRD cough-management guidelines, 91.2% of the subjects improved after 4 weeks of treatment. Responders were younger, had a longer duration of cough, and an initial impression of CVA. In univariate and multivariate analyses, an initial impression of CVA was the only factor related to better treatment response. Conclusion: The causes of chronic cough in Korea differed from those reported in other countries. The current Korean guidelines proved efficient for treating Korean patients with chronic cough.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제38권3호
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• pp.359-365
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• 2005

Objectives : An abrupt economic decline may widen the socioeconomic differences in health between the advantaged and disadvantaged in a society. The aim of this study was to examine whether the South Korean economic crisis of 1997-98 affected the socioeconomic inequality from all-causes and from cause-specific mortality between 1995 and 2001. Methods : Population denominators were obtained from the registration population data, with the number of death (numerators) calculated from raw death certificate data. The indicator used to assess the geographic socioeconomic position was the per capita regional tax revenue. Administrative districts (Si-Gun-Gu) were ranked according to this socioeconomic measure, and divided into equal population size quintiles on the basis of this ranking. The sex- and 5-year age-specific numbers of the population and deaths were used to compute the sex- and age-adjusted mortality rates (via direct standardization method), standardized mortality ratios (via indirect standardization methods) and relative indices of inequality (RII) (via Poisson regression). Results : Geographic inequalities from all-causes of mortality, as measured by RII, did not increase as a result of the economic crisis (from 1998-2001). This was true for both sexes and all age groups. However, the cause-specific analyses showed that socioeconomic inequalities in mortalities from external causes were affected by South Korean economic crisis. For males, the RIIs for mortalities from transport accidents and intentional self-harm increased between 1995 and 2001. For females, the RII for mortality from intentional self-harm increased during the same period. Conclusions : The South Korean economic crisis widened the geographic inequality in mortalities from major external causes. This increased inequality requires social discourse and counter policies with respect to the rising health inequalities in the South Korean society.