• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.13 no.10
• /
• pp.5237-5240
• /
• 2012

Objective: This observational study was to identify risk factors for vulvar cancer recurrence. Materials and Methods: In the study 107 patients with primary vulvar cancer were analyzed. Surgical treatment consisted of radical excision of the primary tumor in combination with unilateral or bilateral superficial and deep inguinofemoral lymphadenectomy through separate incisions. Patients with deeper tumor invasion >1 mm or wider than 2 cm and/or groin lymphnode metastases were referred for adjuvant radiotherapy. Those with large privary vulvar tumors received neoadjuvant radiotherapy of 30Gy followed by surgical treatment and adjuvant radiotherapy. Results: Most of patients had only primary radiotherapy to the vulva and inguinal lymph nodes and only 34.5% of patients were eligible for surgical treatment. In 5 year follow-up period 25.2% (27) patients were alive without the disease, 15.0% (16) were alive with the disease and 59.8% (64) were dead. 60.7% (65) patients experienced local recurrence and 2.8% (3) patients had distant metastases. Median survival for patients without recurrent disease was $38.9{\pm}3.2$ months and $36.0{\pm}2.6$ months with no statistically significant difference. Patients with early stage vulvar cancer had longer mean survival rates-for stage I $53.1{\pm}3.4$ months, $38.4{\pm}4.4$ months for stage II and $33.4{\pm}2.6$ and $15.6{\pm}5.2$ months for patients with stage III and stage IV vulvar cancer, respectively. The only signifficant prognostic factor predicting vulvar cancer recurrence was involvement of the midline. Conclusions: Patients having midline involvement of vulvar cancer has lower recurrence risk, probably because of receiving more aggressive treatment. There is a tendency for lower vulvar cancer recurrence risk for patients over 70 years of age and patients who are receiving radiotherapy as an only treatment without surgery, but tendency for higher risk of recurrence in patients with multifocal vulvar cancer.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
• /
• v.21 no.9
• /
• pp.1055-1064
• /
• 2020

Objective: To assess the incremental prognostic value of coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) in comparison to a clinical risk model (Framingham risk score, FRS) and coronary artery calcium score (CACS) for future cardiac events in ischemic stroke patients without chest pain. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study included 1418 patients with acute stroke who had no previous cardiac disease and underwent CCTA, including CACS. Stenosis degree and plaque types (high-risk, non-calcified, mixed, or calcified plaques) were assessed as CCTA variables. High-risk plaque was defined when at least two of the following characteristics were observed: low-density plaque, positive remodeling, spotty calcification, or napkin-ring sign. We compared the incremental prognostic value of CCTA for major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) over CACS and FRS. Results: The prevalence of any plaque and obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) (stenosis ≥ 50%) were 70.7% and 30.2%, respectively. During the median follow-up period of 48 months, 108 patients (7.6%) experienced MACE. Increasing FRS, CACS, and stenosis degree were positively associated with MACE (all p < 0.05). Patients with high-risk plaque type showed the highest incidence of MACE, followed by non-calcified, mixed, and calcified plaque, respectively (log-rank p < 0.001). Among the prediction models for MACE, adding stenosis degree to FRS showed better discrimination and risk reclassification compared to FRS or the FRS + CACS model (all p < 0.05). Furthermore, incorporating plaque type in the prediction model significantly improved reclassification (integrated discrimination improvement, 0.08; p = 0.023) and showed the highest discrimination index (C-statistics, 0.85). However, the addition of CACS on CCTA with FRS did not add to the prediction ability for MACE (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Assessment of stenosis degree and plaque type using CCTA provided additional prognostic value over CACS and FRS to risk stratify stroke patients without prior history of CAD better.

• Journal of fish pathology
• /
• v.23 no.1
• /
• pp.99-106
• /
• 2010

Aquatic animal diseases control act which is to assure the prevention of outbreak and spread of aquatic animal diseases in Korea has come into effect since 22 December 2008. In order to prevent outbreak and spread of aquatic animal diseases, risk analysis is newly introduced. The introduction of risk analysis for movement of aquatic animals related to implementation of recommendation of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures and should be conducted in accordance with guidelines of OIE Aquatic Animal Health Code. This report involves gathering and analysing the information of international regulation and situations of risk analysis framework in Korea for movement of aquatic animals.

• Journal of Community Nutrition
• /
• v.4 no.2
• /
• pp.109-117
• /
• 2002

The purpose of this study was to investigate food habits, nutritional knowledge, nutritional risk factors, health-related lifestyle, health status and dietetic therapy in Korean middle-aged and elderly outpatients taking supplements. A cross-sectional survey was conducted from July to December in 2001. Subjects were 1702 (male 731, female 971) age-related chronic disease outpatients aged over 50 years. Data was collected using a standardized Questionnaire by in-person interview and analyzed by SPSS system. The subjects with supplement had significantly lower nutritional knowledge, higher nutritional risk factors, undesirable lifestyle, and lower self-reported health status compared to those without supplement. However, the subjects with supplement had desirable (cod habits and more concern about health compared to those without supplement. Age-related chronic disease group with supplement had significantly undesirable food habits, lower nutritional knowledge and higher nutritional risk factors compared to control group with supplement. Age-related chronic disease group without supplement had significantly desirable food habits, higher nutritional knowledge, lower self-reported health status and higher stress compared to control group without supplement. Therefore, these results may provide basic information for proper supplement of Korean middle-aged and elderly outpatients.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.16 no.4
• /
• pp.1355-1360
• /
• 2015

Background: The number of cancer survivors is increasing globally and recently, higher rates of comorbidities in cancer survivors have been reported. However, no studies have investigated whether cancer survivors have a higher risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Accordingly, our study evaluated the association between cancer survivors and the risk of CKD using the 2010-2012 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Materials and Methods: A total of 11,407 participants aged 40 years and over were categorized into two groups according to cancer experience. Multiple variables were compared and the odds ratios (ORs) for CKD prevalence were calculated using a weighted logistic regression analysis between the two groups. Results: Cancer survivors were older than were those in the non-cancer group, on average, the percentages of glomerular filtration rate(GFR) lower than $60mL/min/1.73m^2$, proteinuria, and CKD were significantly higher in cancer survivors when compared to controls. Weighted logistic regression analyses demonstrated that cancer survivors had a higher risk for CKD after adjusting for multiple variables (OR (95% confidence interval), 2.88 (1.48-5.59)). Conclusions: Our study demonstrated a possible association between CKD and cancer survival in Korean adults. Identifying and correcting risk factors for cancer survivors would positively affect prevention of CKD and result in a better cancer prognosis.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
• /
• v.11 no.sup1
• /
• pp.1-6
• /
• 2008

Previous infant feeding guidelines recommended a delayed introduction of solids to beyond 6 months of age to prevent atopic diseases. However, scientific evidence supporting a delayed introduction of solids for prevention of atopic diseases is scarce and inconsistent. Current evidence does not support a major role for maternal dietary restrictions during pregnancy or lactation in the prevention of atopic disease. In studies of infants at high risk of developing atopic disease, there is evidence that exclusive breastfeeding for at least 4 months compared with feeding intact cow milk protein decreases the incidence of atopic dermatitis, cow milk allergy, and wheezing in early childhood. For infants at high risk of developing atopic disease who are not breastfed exclusively for 4 to 6 months, there is modest evidence that atopic dermatitis may be delayed or prevented by the use of extensively or partially hydrolyzed formulas, compared with cow milk formula, in early childhood. There is no convincing evidence that a delayed introduction of solid foods beyond 4 to 6 months of age prevents the development of atopic disease. For infants after 4 to 6 months of age, there are insufficient data to support a protective effect of any dietary intervention for the development of atopic disease.

• Yonsei Medical Journal
• /
• v.59 no.9
• /
• pp.1123-1130
• /
• 2018

Purpose: Exposure to indoor radon is associated with lung cancer. This study aimed to estimate the number of lung cancer deaths attributable to indoor radon exposure, its burden of disease, and the effects of radon mitigation in Korea in 2010. Materials and Methods: Lung cancer deaths due to indoor radon exposure were estimated using exposure-response relations reported in previous studies. Years of life lost (YLLs) were calculated to quantify disease burden in relation to premature deaths. Mitigation effects were examined under scenarios in which all homes with indoor radon concentrations above a specified level were remediated below the level. Results: The estimated number of lung cancer deaths attributable to indoor radon exposure ranged from 1946 to 3863, accounting for 12.5-24.7% of 15623 total lung cancer deaths in 2010. YLLs due to premature deaths were estimated at 43140-101855 years (90-212 years per 100000 population). If all homes with radon levels above $148Bq/m^3$ are effectively remediated, 502-732 lung cancer deaths and 10972-18479 YLLs could be prevented. Conclusion: These findings suggest that indoor radon exposure contributes considerably to lung cancer, and that reducing indoor radon concentration would be helpful for decreasing the disease burden from lung cancer deaths.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.58 no.5
• /
• pp.559-564
• /
• 2020

A survey of rodents and chiggers associated with Orientia tsutsugamushi was conducted in a rural region of the Republic of Korea (Korea) between 2014 and 2018. Overall Apodemus agrarius 15.2% had the highest seropisitive for O. tsutsugamushi, followed by Myodes regulus 11.4%. Monthly risk factors using logistic regression analysis were not associated with O. tsutsugamushi infections in rodents. The overall prevalence rate of O. tsutsugamushi among chiggers was 0.3%. The chigger (Leptotrombidium scutellare) and monthly (October) risk factors were associated with O. tsutsugamushi human infections (P<0.05). Orientia tsutsugamushi infections are endemic in rodents in Korea and people, for example, soldiers who are active outdoors, must employ preventive measures, especially during October (P<0.05). When there are many reports of O. tsutsugamushi infections in Korea. The Boryong strain 85.7% (2/14) was the most common strain detected in chiggers, followed by the Shimokoshi 7.1% (1/14) and Karp 7.1% strains.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing
• /
• v.17 no.1
• /
• pp.16-25
• /
• 2010

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the impact that health motivation, stage of change and cardiac risk factors have on health behaviors in Korean patients with coronary artery disease(CAD) admitted to hospital. Method: The participants in this study were 127 patients with CAD hospitalized between May 2008 and July 2009. A structured questionnaire with personal interviews and chart reviews were used to collect data. Data were analyzed using the SPSS. Results: Of the relatively significant factors, including a stage of change, self efficacy, modifiable risk factor score, and perceived barriers, stage of change was found to be the most significant predictor of health behavior in patients with CAD. These variables accounted for 48.2% of the variance in health behavior. Conclusion: The results of the study indicate the necessity of developing a cardiac rehabilitation program for use in their daily lives after discharge from the hospital. Stage of change should be assessed for all patients with CAD being discharged from acute care hospitals.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
• /
• v.11 no.2
• /
• pp.185-190
• /
• 1995

Transient and permanent hypocalcemia after various types of thyroidectomy are well-known complications, and are more common after bilateral subtotal thyroidectomy for Graves' disease. However, their causative mechanisms are not well explained. Four hundred thirty patients with Graves' disease who underwent bilateral subtotal thyroidectomy from January 1983 through December 1992 were analyzed to determine the incidence and risk factors for the development of postthyroidectomy hypocalcemia. Of the 430 patients underwent bilateral subtotal thyroidectomy, symptomatic transient and permanent hypocalcemia developed in 24.2 % (104/430) and 0.5 % (2/430), respectively. With analysis of potential risk factors, the increase in incidence of the postthyroidectomy hypocalcemia was found to be statistically related to the larger thyroid gland, the larger amount of blood loss during thyroidectomy, the smaller remnant thyroid tissue, the higher levels of serum alkaline phosphatase and TBII titers. Our data suggest that impairment of parathyroid gland blood supply, degree of thyrotoxic osteodystrophy and autoimmune process of each patient are regarded as main mechanisms of postthyroidectomy hypocalcemia in patients with Graves' disease.