• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• 제37권1호
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• pp.13-19
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• 2024

Purpose: Trauma is an important public health concern, and it is important to increase the survival rate of patients with trauma and enable them to return to society in a better condition. Initial treatment in the emergency department (ED) is closely associated with the prognosis of patients with trauma. However, studies regarding laboratory biomarker tests that can help predict the prognosis of trauma patients are limited. Presepsin is a novel biomarker of inflammation that can predict a poor prognosis in patients with sepsis. This study aimed to determine whether presepsin could be used as a prognostic indicator in patients with polytrauma. Methods: The study included patients with trauma who had visited a single regional ED from November 2021 to January 2023. Patients who had laboratory tests in the ED were included and analyzed retrospectively through chart review. Age, sex, injury mechanism, vital signs, surgery, the outcome of ED treatment (admission, discharge, transfer, or death), and trauma scores were analyzed. Results: Overall, 550 trauma patients were enrolled; 59.1% were men, and the median age was 64 years (interquartile range, 48.8-79.0 years). Patients in a hypotensive state (systolic blood pressure, <90 mmHg; n=39) had higher presepsin levels (1,061.5±2,522.7 pg/mL) than those in a nonhypotensive state (n=511, 545.7±688.4 pg/mL, P<0.001). Patients hospitalized after ED treatment had the highest presepsin levels (660.9 pg/mL), followed by those who died (652.0 pg/ mL), were transferred to other hospitals (514.9 pg/mL), and returned home (448.0 pg/mL, P=0.041). Conclusions: Serum presepsin levels were significantly higher in trauma patients in a hypotensive state than in those in a nonhypotensive state. Additionally, serum presepsin levels were the highest in hospitalized patients with trauma, followed by those who died, were transferred to other hospitals, and returned home.

• 한국산학기술학회논문지
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• 제18권6호
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• pp.180-186
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• 2017

본 연구는 정상 성인을 대상으로 공복혈당 장애 정도와 공복혈당 장애율과 관련된 요인을 파악하여 향후 당뇨병으로 진행하는 것을 예방하는데 도움을 주고자 실시 하였다. 연구 대상은 2014년 국민건강영양조사 자료 대상자인 7,550명 중 당뇨병이 있거나 무응답자를 제외한 20~59세의 당뇨병이 없는 정상 성인 1,341명으로 하였다. 연구 방법은 대상자를 비만군과 정상 체중군으로 나누고, 인구학적 특성(성, 연령, 가구 소득, 교육 수준, 직업 등), 건강행태 특성(음주, 흡연, 걷기, 과일섭취 빈도 등), 비만도 및 공복혈당 장애 정도를 조사하였다. 연구결과 비만군 및 정상 체중군 모두 연령이 높은 경우 공복혈당 장애율이 유의하게 높았다 (p<0.001). 비만군에서는 과일섭취 빈도가 적은 경우와 음주를 많이 하는 경우 공복혈당 장애율이 유의하게 높았다 (p<0.05). 따라서 당뇨병이 없는 성인들의 경우 당뇨병으로 진행하는 것을 예방하기 위해 비만군과 정상 체중군에 따른 접근 전략을 달리해야 하며, 특히 비만 성인을 대상으로 적절한 과일 섭취와 절주를 위한 교육 프로그램과 보건의료 서비스 정책이 필요하다.

• 한국병원경영학회지
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• 제29권1호
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• pp.46-55
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• 2024

Objective: This study was conducted to provide basic data for the establishment of effective health policies for the unmet medical experience that may occur among the elderly depending on whether they live in a singleperson household or not. Methodology: This study used data from the 8th National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2019-2020) and excluded cases with missing values in variables for the total number of respondent participants of 15,469. Finally, 2,850 subjects aged 65 or older were selected for final analysis. This study examined the relationship between experiences of unmet medical needs, attempting to confirm the relationship between single-person households and unmet medical needs through subgroup analysis considering gender, age, and household income. Results: According to the results, in the case of single-person households, the odds ratio (OR) for unmet medical needs was significantly higher at 1.60 times (95% CI: 1.16-2.21). Upon conducting subgroup analyses for gender, age, and household income quintiles, the OR was significantly higher at 2.24 times (95% CI: 1.14-4.41) for males and 1.48 times (95% CI: 1.02-2.14) for females, statistically significant in both cases. For individuals aged 65-69, the OR was significantly higher at 1.90 times (95% CI: 1.04-3.47), but for those aged 70-74 and over 75, it was not statistically significant. In the case of households with 'low' income, the OR was higher at 1.62 times (95% CI: 1.16-2.26), and for 'middle' income, it was significantly higher at 3.21 times (95% CI: 1.08-9.51). Conclusion: This study confirmed that the experience of unmet medical care is high among men who make up single-person households and low-income seniors. Therefore, this study suggests that policies to expand medical services and support welfare for single-person households should be established to resolve these problems, showing that health policies that take into account individual and regional characteristics are needed to improve medical accessibility for single-person households.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제14권4호
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• pp.2159-2165
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• 2013

Cancer registries help to establish and maintain cancer incidence reporting system, serve as a resource for investigation of cancer and its causes, and provide information for planning and evaluation of preventive and control programs. However, their wider role in directly enhancing oncology drug access has not been fully explored. We examined the value of cancer registries in oncology drug access in the Asia-Pacific region on three levels: (1) specific registry variable types; (2) macroscopic strategies on the national level; and (3) a regional cancer registry network. Using literature search and proceedings from an expert forum, this paper covers recent cancer registry developments in eight economies in the Asia-Pacific region - Australia, China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, and Thailand - and the ways they can contribute to oncology drug access. Specific registry variables relating to demographics, tumor characteristics, initial treatment plans, prognostic markers, risk factors, and mortality help to anticipate drug needs, identify high-priority research area and design access programs. On a national level, linking registry data with clinical, drug safety, financial, or drug utilization databases allows analyses of associations between utilization and outcomes. Concurrent efforts should also be channeled into developing and implementing data integrity and stewardship policies, and providing clear avenues to make data available. Less mature registry systems can employ modeling techniques and ad-hoc surveys while increasing coverage. Beyond local settings, a cancer registry network for the Asia-Pacific region would offer cross-learning and research opportunities that can exert leverage through the experiences and capabilities of a highly diverse region.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제16권10호
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• pp.4339-4345
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• 2015

Occupational exposure to wood dust is one cause of nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC); however, assessing this exposure remains problematic. Therefore, the objective of this study was to develop a semi-quantitative exposure assessment method and then utilize it to evaluate the association between occupational exposure to wood dust and the development of NPC. In addition, variations in risk by histology were examined. A case-control study was conducted with 327 newly diagnosed cases of NPC at the National Cancer Institute and regional cancer centers in Thailand with 1:1 controls matched for age, gender and geographical residence. Occupational information was obtained through personal interviews. The potential probability, frequency and intensity of exposure to wood dust were assessed on a job-by-job basis by experienced experts. Analysis was performed by conditional logistic regression and presented in odds ratio (ORs) estimates and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Overall, a non significant relationship between occupational wood dust exposure and NPC risk for all subjects was observed (ORs=1.61, 95%CI 0.99-2.59); however, the risk became significant when analyses focused on types 2 and 3 of NPC (ORs=1.62, 95%CI 1.03-2.74). The significant association was stronger for those exposed to wood dust for > 10 year (ORs=2.26, 95%CI 1.10-4.63), for those with first-time exposure at age > 25 year (ORs=2.07, 95%CI 1.08-3.94), and for those who had a high cumulative exposure (ORs=2.17, 95%CI 1.03-4.58) when compared with those considered unexposed. In conclusion, wood dust is likely to be associated with an increased risk of type 2 or 3 NPC in the Thai population. The results of this study show that semi-quantitative exposure assessment is suitable for occupational exposure assessment in a case control study and complements the information from self-reporting.

• 한국산학기술학회논문지
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• 제17권8호
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• pp.407-414
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• 2016

본 연구의 목적은 일 지역 내 소재 요양병원에 입원하고 있는 일당정액제 환자의 입원일수 및 진료비 특성을 파악하고, 요양병원 입원일수 및 입원진료비 관련 현황을 분석하여, 향후 요양병원의 입원진료에 대한 적정성 방안을 찾기 위해 필요한 기초자료를 제공하는 것이다. 본 연구의 대상은 2014년 1월부터 12월까지 1년 간 대전, 충남, 충북, 세종 소재 요양병원 입원 환자가 건강보험심사평가원에 청구한 월별 청구자료 중 요양병원 1일당 정액수가제에 해당하는 44,037건이었다. 분석결과 연구대상자의 일반적 특성과 주 진단명 상위 15위 간의 정준상관분석 결과 7개의 정준함수가 도출되었으며, 그 중 6개의 정준함수가 통계적으로 유의한 것으로 나타났고(p<0.001), 정준함수 1에서는 카이제곱 값이 5955.49이고 자유도가 98일 때 p<0.001 수준에서 유의하게 나타났다. 본 연구에서는 지역사회 내 보건 복지서비스를 확대하면 사회적 입원을 줄일 수 있을 것으로 판단된다. 보건 복지서비스의 확대는 고령의 노인들에 대한 삶의 질을 향상시킬 수 있으며, 아울러 요양병원 입원일수를 단축시키고 총 진료비를 절감시켜 증가 일로에 있는 국민의료비의 지출 감소에도 기여할 것으로 판단된다.

• 보건행정학회지
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• 제30권3호
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• pp.386-398
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• 2020

Background: We determined the differences in awareness of myocardial infarction and stroke according to the presence or absence of diabetes mellitus in the community. Methods: The 2018 Community Health Survey identified 20,812 people with diabetes mellitus aged 40-79 years. Using 1:1 matching by propensity score, 20,812 people without diabetes mellitus but with similar sociodemographic characteristics were selected as a comparison. Outcome variables were awareness of early symptoms of myocardial infarction and stroke and awareness of coping strategies in case of occurrence. Results: There was no significant difference between nondiabetic and diabetic people in terms of recognizing all early symptoms of myocardial infarction (nondiabetic, 42.7%; diabetic, 43.0%; p=0.43) and stroke (nondiabetic, 49.4%; diabetic, 49.4%; p=0.91). In addition, no significant difference was found between nondiabetic and diabetic people in the proportion of knowing correct emergency response to myocardial infarction (nondiabetic, 84.6%; diabetic, 84.4%; p=0.56) and stroke (nondiabetic, 81.3%; diabetic, 81.4%; p=0.77). Conclusion: Since people with diabetes are at greater risk of cardiovascular disease than the general public, it is important to lower the risk of disability and death by improving their awareness of early symptoms and correct emergency response to myocardial infarction and stroke.

• 한국환경보건학회지
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• 제39권6호
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• pp.492-504
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• 2013

Objectives: This analysis seeks to evaluate the impact of environmental health factors (EHF; e.g. hospital beds per capita, employees of medical institutions) on extreme-heat vulnerability assessment in Busan Metropolitan City during 2006-2010. Methods: According to the vulnerability concept suggested by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), extreme-heat vulnerability is comprised of the categories of Exposure, Sensitivity, and Adaptive Capacity (including EHF). The indexes of the Exposure and Sensitivity categories indicate positive effects, while the Adaptive capacity index indicates a negative effect on extreme-heat vulnerability. Variables of each category were standardized by the re-scaling method, and then each regional relative vulnerability was computed with the vulnerability index calculation formula. Results: The extreme-heat vulnerability index (EVI) excepting EHF was much higher in urban areas than in suburban areas within the metropolitan area. When EHF was considered, the difference in the EVI between the two areas was reduced due to the increase of the Adaptive capacity index in urban areas. The low EVI in suburban areas was induced by a dominant effect of natural environmental factors (e.g. green area) within the Adaptive capacity category. Conclusions: To reduce the vulnerability to extreme heat in urban areas, which were more frequently exposed to extreme heat than others areas, public health and natural environments need to be improved in sensitive areas.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제16권15호
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• pp.6561-6568
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• 2015

Background: Smokeless tobacco (SLT) has long been realized as an important component of the fight for global tobacco control. It still remains a major problem in countries like India, Bangladesh and Nepal. The objective of this study was to estimate the trends of SLT use in three countries of the SEARO WHO office. Materials and Methods: We used data from national surveys in three countries (Bangladesh, India and Nepal) to estimate trends in prevalence of current SLT use. All available nationally representative data sources were used. Estimates were weighted, age standardized and given along with 95% confidence intervals. Significance of linear trend in prevalence over time was tested using the Cochrane-Armitage test for trend. A p value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: We identified three surveys for Bangladesh, three for India and four for Nepal that met the selection criteria (such as Demographic and Health Surveys, WHO-STEPwise approach to Surveillance and Global Adult Tobacco Surveys). A significantly increasing trend was noticed in the prevalence of current SLT use among Bangladeshi men (20.2% to 23%, p=0.03). In India, a similar significantly increasing trend was seen among men (27.1% to 33.4%, p<0.001) and women (10.1% to 15.7%, p<0.001). In Nepal, there was a no significant trend among both men (39.1% to 31.6%, p=0.11) and women (5.6% to 4.7%, p=0.49). Conclusions: In the study countries SLT use has remained at alarmingly high levels. Usage trends do not show any signs of decline in spite of control efforts. Tobacco control measures should focus more on controlling SLT use.

• 농촌의학ㆍ지역보건
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• 제16권2호
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• pp.179-194
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• 1991

Despite its universal coverage of health insurance, the rural health insurance program(RHIP) stands at the crossroads in Korea. The RHIP has weaknesses in stability of financing, problems of inequities in the provision of health services and has suffered from high cost of running the program. The author has analyzed these problems from the perspective of health insurance policy and presented several options for improvement. First of all, this study urged the importance of a firm Governmental commitment of RHIP with the 50% subsidization of contributions as the Government had promised, instead of the current 40%. This can be justified from the 20% subsidization by the Government for the contributions of private school teachers and their dependents, who belong to richer segments of the population. Second, various cost containment measures ought to be sought curbing the rising demand for medical through strengthening health education and increasing individual responsibility, and tightening the claim review process. Third, this study requires the Government to run a demonstration project on the introduction of case payment system for primary health care. Fourth introducing an income-related cost sharing scheme is another possibility. Reforming the cost sharing formula for large medical expenditures is recommendable for a beginning. This measure can take the form of tax credit for medical expenditures of the poor. Fifth, the degree of financial adjustment among health insurance plans should be levelled up for enhancing stability of RHIP and social solidarity. Sixth, health policy should be redirected toward development of rural health resources and higher priority should be put on relieving difficulties in access to care. Seventh. the insurance plan owned-hospital needs to be developed or provision of health services in the medically underserved areas, and the need of such facilities is particularly acute for geriatric care, rehabilitation and renal dialysis, etc. Eighth, more generous insurance benefits are required of the elderly who are suffering the most : elimination of the maximum 180 days of benefit period and provision of glasses and artificial dentures, etc. Ninth. the economies of scale principle is working for the operating expenses of regional self-employed insurance plan. Thus, measures should be instituted to pursue an optimum size of health insurance plans. Lastly, excessive dependence on exclusion items is an evil so that some radical remedies are urgently required to cut them.