• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.238-252
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• 1998

Reumatic arthritis is a disease with joint pain being one of the key symptoms. The patient suffers from the pain, stiff sensation and edema due to the inflammation taking Place In one or more joints. Accompanying these problems are fatigue, unusual exhaustion, fever, tachycardia and weakness. Inaddition, joints are often deformed and muscles shrink along with the progress of edema, coupled with depression and psychological instability resulting from the loss of the mobile function and limitations on the daily life. Some patients become fed up with the long and hard flight with the disease and just give up, which aggravates the symptoms. Others come to the hospital only when the conditions have become serious. We need to prevent these and guide the patients in the right direction. Against this backdrop, this study aims to look into the relations between the knowledge on the part of the patients together with their feeling of self-efficacy and the compliance. The results are expected to help the patients improve their life, In addition to providing useful materials for setting up appropriate plan for nursing intervention. The study was conducted by distributing questionnaire to 88 patients selected from the out-patient department of a university hospital in Inchon, from April 6 to 27, 1998. The following tools were used the yardstick of self-efficacy, developed in 1997 by the Society for the Health of Rheumatism Patients, was used for measuring the levels of knowledge and the feeling of self-efficacy. The degree of compliance was measured by the data collected from documents in addition to the results of the analysis of the interviews with the patients. The reliability of the tools was confirmed. In the analysis, the general characteristics were expressed in figures and percentages. The levels of knowledge, feeling of self-efficacy, and compliance were expressed in the average values and standard deviations. The relations among the variables following the general characteristics were analysed by the t-test and one-way ANOVA. The Pearson correction coefficient was used for the analysis of factors. Multiple-loop analysis was used to identify the variables affecting the compliance. The following are the results of this study. 1. Among the 88 patients, 18 were men and the remaining 70 were women, with a ratio 1 : 3.87. Regarding the age groups, 23 were between 50 and 59 years old, with those between 50 and 69 accounting for 51.1% of the total. High school graduates or higher amounted to 58%. Religious patients was 67% or 59 persons. Fifty nine percent were unemployed, and 58.3% (49 persons) had two children or fewer. The period of suffering from rheumatism varied between 2 months and IS years, with 70% less than years. 2. The average figure In relation to the of knowledge was 17.63 points over 30 or 58. 76%, which means a medium level. 3. The average figure of the feeling of self-efficacy was 60.06 points. 4. The level of compliance was 3.26, which was above average. 5. The relation between the feeling of self-efficacy and compliance showed an "r" value of 0.37, which was significant. It means that the higher the feeling, the greater the compliance points. 6. The analysis of the knowledge level revealed that the difference is found only between the college graduates and junior-high graduates or lower. 7. The feeling of self-efficacy varied along with the age and education level. 8. The general characteristics of patients as discussed above did not show significant difference with the compliance. 9. Regarding the elements influencing the compliance, the number of children, period of suffering, income, age, feering of self-efficacy, knowledge, and compliance had 54% of significance. In conclusion, rheumatism victims can lead a better life if they are appropriately educated, based on efficient training program from the early days of the disease ; if they become able to manage themselves thanks to the training ; and if they are helped by a program focusing on the increase of the feeling of self-efficacy aimed at changing patient's behavior.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.162-169
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• 1999

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the attitudes toward complementary and alternative medicine among 1,490 residents(339 households) in Suwon city. Methods: All respondents were asked about types, frequency, effects, side-effects, views, and cost of complementary or alternative medicine through a questionnaire from July 24th to 27th. Six therapies were investigated: diet; acupuncture/ massage/ chiropractic etc., mind control such as Ki/ Yoga/ spiritual therapy/ relaxation therapy etc.; nutritional supplements, cultural remedies; and Herb medications Results: The results of this survey were as follows: 35.6% of respondents had experiences with at least one or more types of complementary and alternative medicine. The average number of different types of therapies used was 3.4. More experience with various types of therapies were found among those respondents of higher education, older age group, higher income, married group, religious group than among the opposite groups of respondents. Herb medications were used most frequently(39.8%), followed by minor grains(37.9%), Ginseng(23.8%), Boshintang(21.5%), acupuncture(20.3%), Gaesojou(15.3%) Gingko nut(12.0%), mushroom(11.5%), Cupping therapy(10.2%), and black goat(0.0%). Acupuncture and Herb medications were used for treatment of hypertension the most frequently; minor grains or silkworm for treatment of diabetic mellitus; vegetables for treatment of obesity; acupuncture, Cupping Therapy, Herb medications for treatment of rheumatism; and acupuncture, Herb medications, or exercises for treatment of Cerebro Vascular Accident(CVA). The average costs of treatment were 108,000 Won for hypertension, 87,200 Won for diabetic mellitus, 16,800 Won for obesity, 68,800 Won for rheumatism, and 87,500 Won for CVA. Among 10.9% of respondents, there were 13 cases of side-effects with acupuncture, Herb medications, and Gaesojou. Among the cases of side-effects, majority was due to Herb medications. Respondents reported that Cupping Therapy was the most effective, followed by acupuncture, Ginseng, Gingko nut, Boshintang, black goat, minor grains, Gaesojou, Herb medications, vegetables, and mushroom. In response to the views of complementary and alternative medicine which they had used, they recommended minor grains first, followed by Ginseng, acupuncture, Gingko nut, Cupping Therapy, vegetables, Boshintang, black goat, mushroom and Herb medications. In contrast, they did not recommend Herb medications, acupuncture, nor Gaesojou. Conclusions: These findings indicate that many people use various complementary and alternative medicine without any guidelines for treatment of serious chronic diseases not even to invigorate themselves. It is, therefore, suggested that medical doctors or scientists verify the true effects or side-effects from the most common complementary or alternative therapies through experiments. Also medical doctors should provide a comfortable atmosphere for discussion among doctors and patients who would like to try these therapies.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.453-460
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• 2018

This study was to identify the prevalence rate of the limitation of activity, the reasons for activity limitation, association with activity limitation and general characteristics among older adults in Korea's population. Data were extracted from the $7^{th}$ Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The number of participants were 1,578 older adults who aged 65 years over. SPSS program (version 18.0) was used for analyzing on frequency, Chi-square test, and logistic regression analysis of the data. The total prevalence rate of activity limitation among Korea's population was 19.6% in 2016. The prevalence rate of the reasons for activity limitation in Korea was highest for neck and back problems(19.8%), followed by arthritis and rheumatism(17.1%). The prevalence rate of activity limitation was statistically significant associated with age and education level, respectively. In conclusion, Age, educational level, and musculoskeletal diseases such as problems related to back and neck, arthritis and rheumatism could be significant risk factors for activity limitations in older adults who aged 65 years over. These findings could be useful as evidence-based data for relieving the prevalence rate of activity limitation and the prevention and management of activity limitations in Korea population.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.165-169
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• 2005

Chlorophytum borivilianum Baker (Antharicaceae) commonly referred as 'Safed Musli' has been widely used in the Indian traditional systems of medicine to treat various diseases like rheumatism apart from having immunomodulating property and is used as general tonic. It is also known as 'Ayurvedic viagra' for its aphordisiac properties. C. borivilianum was screened for the first time to determine its antioxidant activity, isolation of the sapogenins and standardization of the isolated sapogenin fraction using HPTLC. Potent antioxidant activity of ethanolic extract was found by their ability to scavenge DPPH (84.51%), hydroxyl radical (48.95 %), ferryl bi-pyridyl complex (84.53%) along with the inhibition of lipid peroxidation (67.17%) at $100\;{\mu}g/ml$ concentration. The ethanolic extract also exhibited significant inhibition of superoxide anion radical generated by photochemiluminescence. Thus, the potent antioxidant activity validates the innumerable therapeutic claims of the plant in the traditional system especially its use as a Rasayana drug.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.211-218
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• 2010

Acanthopanax koreanum Nakai (Araliaceae) is a medicinal plant indigenous to Korea. The root and stem barks of Acanthopanax species have been used as a tonic and sedative as well as in the treatment of rheumatism and diabetes. In our study, three lignans, eleutheroside E (EE), tortoside A (TA), and syringaresinol (SY), were isolated from the stem and root of A. koreanum in an effort to study the immunomodulating effect. We treated natural killer cells and dendritic cells with lignans (EE, TA, or SY), and analyzed their cytokine (IL-12 and IFN-${\gamma}$) secretion. EE, TA, or SY markedly enhanced IL-12 secretion in mouse lymphoid (DC1) and myeloid type (DC2.4) dendritic cells after 48 hr of treatment. There were no significant differences in the cytokine stimulatory effects between EE, TA, or SY. Moreover, treatment of EE, TA, or SY significantly induced IFN-${\gamma}$ secretion by human NK cells (NK92MI) confirmed by ELISA assay. This study suggests that lignans from A. koreanum modulate cytokines, and that such modulation may provide the mechanism of action for many of their therapeutic effects.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing Administration
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.165-172
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• 2001

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between self-efficacy and adherence of exercise in patients with ankylosing spondylitis. The subjects for this study were the 50 patients with ankylosing spondylitis who had been diagnosed as out patients in the Rheumatism Center of one university hospital in Seoul and participated in the 8 weeks exercise program. The data were collected by a questionnaire the period from April 1 to May 2, 2000. Data were analyzed by t-test, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficient, Frequencies, using the SAS program. The results were as follows: The mean duration for exercise adherence of ankylosing spondylitis was 12.2 months. The mean self-efficacy score was 74.3 in a possible range of 10 to 100. A significant difference of self-efficacy was found between adherers and non-adherers and self-efficacy of adherer was higher than that of non-adheres(t=4.25, p=.001). Self-efficacy was significantly associated with the total duration of an exercise adherence(r=.42, p=.001). These findings may indicate that the relationship between self-efficacy and exercise adherence in patients with ankylosing spondylitis was supported. From these results, it can be suggested that the relationship between self-efficacy and exercise adherence in patients with ankylosing spondylitis. Therefore, intervention is needed to promote self-efficacy of ankylosing spondylitis and futher studies should develop self-efficacy promoting programs for patients with ankylosing spondylitis.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.609-617
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• 2003

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to understand the depression of patients for Fibromyalgia Syndrome(FMS) and to identify the factors influencing depression. Method: The instruments used here are Beck Depression Inventory in depression, the Korean Rheumatology Health Association' instruments in Self-Efficacy. Also, Pain and Fatigue was measured by Visual Graphic Rating Scale. The subject of study is 76 outpatients diagnosing FMS from rheumatism specialists at C hospital in D city. The data has been collected from Sep. 1st to Sep. 30th in 2001. For the analysis of collected data, frequency analysis, independent t-test, analysis of variance, Pearson's correlation and multiple regression analysis were used for statistical analysis with SAS statistical program. Result: General characteristics showing statistically significant difference in depression were age, education, occupation, gender, exercise and sleep in the patients with FMS. Depression for the patients with FMS has negative correlation coefficients with Self-efficacy and ADL, and positive correlation coefficients with Pain and Fatigue. The suitable regression form resulting from the multiple regression analysis to investigate the influencing factors of depression for the partients with FMS was expressed by y =50.067 - 0.278x$_1$ + 1.320x$_2$ (x$_1$: Self-Efficacy x$_2$: Fatigue) and $R^2$ =0.427. Conclusion: The factors influencing on depression of patients for FMS was Self-Efficacy, ADL, Pain, and Fatigue. Further study needs to be done identify methods of overcoming and presentation of depression in FMS.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.191-198
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• 2006

Acanthopanax species have traditionally been used as a tonic, a sedative as well as in the treatment of rheumatism, hypertension and diabetes. In the present study, oxidative stress was induced in Vero cells by incubating the cells with glucose and the cell viability was measured by MTT assay. The concentration of glucose which 50% of cell viability was 125 mM $(IC_{50})$ and the cell viability was increased to $87.6{\pm}8.8%$ by treatment of the extracts of Acanthopanax divaricatus var. albeofructus. The antioxidative activity of water extract of different parts of the Acanthopanax plant was investigated by DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) assay, xylenol orange assay, TBARS (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances) assay and enzyme (superoxide anion and catalase) assay. Each extract (leaves, root, stem and fruits) of the plant showed free radical and $H_2O_2$ scavenging activity. The extract also inhibited lipid peroxidation and recovered enzyme (superoxide anion dismutase and catalase) activity in Vero cells treated with glucose.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.1279-1284
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• 1998

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of physiological and behavioral factors on the bone density of 125 middle aged women who visited Saint Bundo Hospital. 16.1% of subjects had osteoporosis and 40.3% had osteopenia according to the measurement of the bone density of lumbar spine. Mean age was 56.9 in osteoporosis group and 53.7 in osteopenia group. It was significantly different from the mean age of control group, 50.7. The mean bone density of the women who had menarche after 15 years old was significantly lower than that of the women who had menarche before 15. But the age of menopause, the total year of menstruation, irregularity of the menstrual cycle and percentage of subjects who had ovariectomy were not significantly different among osteoporosis, osteopenia and control group. The use of medication such as oral contraceptive, steroid, depressant, diuretic, and Ca supplement and the preference of salty food were not significantly different among three groups. The percentage of subjects who had rheumatism, gastric ulcer, and pain in neck or shoulder was higher in osteoporosis and osteopenia group than in control group. This study shows that the age and the age of menarche affect the bone density, and that behavioral factors were not sig nificantly different in osteoporosis and osteopenia group compared to the control group. Further researches are needed to find out the effective way to minimize the effect of age and other physiological conditions on the decrease of bone density.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.180-184
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• 2005

IL-17 is a major proinflammatory cytokine secreted by activated T-lymphocytes that accumulates in the inflamed joints of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. Additional IL-17-related molecules and their receptors have been discovered and may also contribute to RA pathogenesis. We examined the expression of the prototypic IL-17 (IL-17A) and its homologs, IL-17B-F, by RT-PCR analyses of synovial fluid mononuclear cells (SFMCs) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from RA patients. We also tested for induction of the IL-17 receptor homologs upon stimulation of the fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs) of RA patients with IL-17. The patients' SFMCs expressed IL-17C, E and F in addition to IL-17A. As in the case of IL-17, IL-15 appears to be the major inducer of these homologs in RA SFMCs. We detected transcripts of IL-17R, as well as those of IL-17RB, C and D, in the FLSs of RA patients. Whereas IL-17R expression increased upon in vitro stimulation with IL-17, expression of IL-17RB, C and D was unchanged. However the possibility of cross-interaction between other IL-17 homologs and receptor isoforms remains to be investigated. Our data suggest that these additional homologs should also be considered as targets for immune modulation in the treatment of RA joint inflammation.