• 보건교육건강증진학회지
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• 제12권2호
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• pp.109-119
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• 1995

As the population of elderly in Korea is increasing rapidly since the 1990's and will more rapidly in the 21st Century, the demand of their health care would be a great burden to health care expenditure. Then it would be necessary to contemplate the functional status and life satisfaction for elderly to make them live more independently. The objectives of this study were find out the functional status in life and life satisfaction for the elderly aged 65 or over who had resided in urban area of two Gus in Pusan and rural area of two Myuns in Haman Gun in Kyeognam Province, and to provide basic data for planning systematic health care programme. The study period was two weeks from February 6 to February 18, 1995 and the subjects were 274 elderly of which 143 were urban residents, 131 were rural residents, and the study method was by structured questionnaire. The data were analyzed with SAS/PC/sup +/ programme using Chi-square test, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficients, and multiple regression analysis. The results were as follows; 1. To see the pattern of living together, those living with partners were the most common, 39.1% ; 37.8% of urban elderly lived with married sons, 32.2% of them lived with partners, but 46.6% of rural elderly lived with partners, 16.8% of them lived with married sons, which showed difference between residence(p<0.005). 2. Elderly who had jobs were 64.1% in rural residents, and 7.7% in urban residents, which showed significant difference(p<0.05). 3. The score of cognitive function of total subjects was 24.7, that of urban elderly was 23.8, and that of rural elderly was 25.7, then it was higher in rural ones and low for old-elders and those who had no jobs. 4. The score of PADL was 26.8 for urban elderly, 30.1 for rural elderly, and that of IADL was 22.2 for urban elderly, 25.6 for rural elderly, which showed higher activities of daily living for rural elderly than urban elderly(p<0.001). 5. The score of domestic performance was 21.9 for urban elderly, and 30.5 for rural elderly, which showed higher score for rural elderly(p<0.001). 6. The score of life satisfaction was 20.7 for urban elderly, 29.8 for rural elderly, then it was higher for rural elderly(p<0.01). 7. As a result of ANOVA for functional status in living by general characteristics; the score of cognitive function differed by age, job; that of PADL differed by age, job, education, and the pattern of living together, that of IADL differed by age, job, and the pattern of living together. The score of domestic role performance differed by age, job, marital status, and the pattern of living together. 8. ANOVA for life satisfaction showed that the score of life satisfaction differed by job(p<0.001) and the pattern of living together(p<0.01). 9. The correlations between functional status in living and life satisfaction showed that the higher the score of cognitive function was(r=0.39), the higher the score of activities of daily living was(r=0.50), and the higher the score of domestic role performance was(r=0.41), the higher the score of life satisfaction. 10. Stepwise multiple regression analysis for life satisfaction pointed out that residence was responsible for 39.9% of the variance. cognitive function was for 5.3%, and domestic role performance was for 1.2%.

• 핵의학기술
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• 제20권2호
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• pp.75-79
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• 2016

Purpose The ASAN Medical Center, Nuclear Medicine performs TSH (Thyroid stimulating hormone) and FT4 (Free Thyroxine) tests 8 times per day. Accordingly, 70 ~ 80 kit tubes are consumed every day for the measurements and the time consumed for reagent dispensing averages over 170 seconds, where the TAT (turnaround time) may be effected when the number of test samples is larger than expected. Therefore, the following test was conducted with the purpose to reduce the number of kit tubes consumed, and reduce the time for reagent dispensing. Materials and Methods The test is based on applying the same reagent for tests where the number of samples is 30 or less. The test for TSH was conducted 9 times from July $1^{st}$ 2015 to July $10^{th}$ 2015. The test for FT4 was conducted 4 times from June $18^{th}$ 2015 to June $22^{nd}$, 2015. Standard Solution No.2 (0.153 uU/mL) and No.5 (4.96 uU/mL) was selected as the two-point standards for the TSH test, and Standard Solution No.3 (0.777 ng/dL) and No.4 (2.044 ng/dL) was selected as the two-point standards for the FT4 test. 38 test samples were subject to correlation analysis. Results For TSH, the result of the normal test shows ranges of 0.20 ~ 0.37 uU/mL for Control1, 0.53 ~ 0.71 uU/mL for Control2, and 6.77 ~ 7.94uU/mL for Control3, while the result of two-point calibration curve test shows ranges of 0.18 ~ 0.27 uU/mL for Control1, 0.53 ~ 0.71 uU/mL for Control2, and 7.30 ~ 8.52 uU/mL for Control3. For FT4, the result of the normal test shows ranges of 0.85 ~ 0.94 ng/dL for Control1 and 4.23 ~ 4.57 ng/dL for Control2, while the result of two-point calibration curve test shows ranges of 0.61 ~ 0.75 ng/dL for Control1 and 3.88 ~ 5.71 ng/dL for Control2. For TSH, the CV% of the normal test for Control1, Control2 and Control3 are 10.5, 3.3 and 3.6 respectively, while the CV% of the two-point calibration curve test for Control1 and Control1 are 12.4, 8.2 and 5.1 respectively. The result shows an outstanding correlation of TSH: y = 0.9985x - 0.0459 $R^2=0.9986$. For FT4, the CV% of the normal test for Control1 and Control2 are 0.70 and 0.71 respectively, while the CV% of the two-point calibration curve test for Control1 and Control1 are 8.7 and 16.2 respectively. The result shows an outstanding correlation of FT4: y = 1.2674x - 0.1133 $R^2=0.9824$. Conclusion The two-point calibration curve can be efficiently applied for TSH in cases where the number of test samples is not large, since the number of samples to be re-tested increases when the result is abnormal from the calibration curve. The two-point calibration curve test should not be applied for FT4 where the results do not consistently comply with the quality assessment range. Depending on how the two-point calibration curve is applied, up to 5 test tubes can be conserved per test, and the reduced time for reagent dispensing is anticipated to have a positive effect on the TAT (turnaround time).

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• 제18권4호
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• pp.259-271
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• 1985

The purpose of this study was to develop supplementary foods for infants and young children in order to improve their nutritional status. Three formulas composed of rice, soybeans, fish, dry skim milk and sesame in varying proportions were studied. The three formulas, $RS_{1}S_{2}$, $RFS_{1}S_{2}$, and $RMS_{1}S_{2}$, were consisted of Rice(R), Soybean$(S_{1})$, Sesame$(S_{2})$ (60 : 35 : 5) , Rice, Fish(F), Soybean, Sesame (60 : 10 : 25 : 5) , and Rice, Dry Skin Milk (M), Soybean, Sesame (60 : 10 : 25 : 5), respectively. A proximate analysis and amino acid determination were made on the developed formulas. In the animal assay, growth rate, PER and FER were evaluated and biochemical analyses were also carried out. A storage test and the cost evaluation were also conducted. The summarized results are as follows : 1) The proximate composition of the three formulas were 7.3-7.4% of moisture, 15.9-21.5% of crude protein, 7.8-9.6% of crude fat and 2.5-2.8% ash. 2) The result of amino acid analysis showed that the 1st limiting amino acids of $RS_{1}S_{2}$ and $RFS_{1}S_{2}$ were lysine (amino acid score, 76.6) and threonine (amino acid score, 93.3), and that of $RMS_{1}S_{2}$ and the commercially prepared formula were sulfur containing amino acids (amino acid score, 82.0 and 54.4). When the contents of the amino acids of the three formulas were compared with mother's milk and cow's milk, the balance of the amino acid of each formula was superior to mother's milk but inferior to cow's milk. 3) In the animal assay, the growth rate of all groups increased gradually during the experimental period. 4) The C- PER, which was corrected on the basis of the casein PER of 2.5 was 2.99, 3.38 and 3.10 in the $RS_{1}S_{2}$, $RFS_{1}S_{2}$ and $RMS_{1}S_{2}$ respectively. The C- PER of $RFS_{1}S_{2}$ and $RMS_{1}S_{2}$ were Significantly (P<.05) higher than that of the casein. 5) The FER of the casein, $RS_{1}S_{2}$, $RFS_{1}S_{2}$, and $RMS_{1}S_{2}$ were 0.37, 0.39, 0.43 and 0.39, respectively. The FER of $RFS_{1}S_{2}$ and $RMS_{1}S_{2}$ were also significantly (P<.05) higher than that of the casein. 6) The concentrations of hematocrit, hemoglobin, total protein and albumin in the serum of the rats of all groups were not significantly different among groups. 7) The storage stability test showed that the total plate count (TPC), the coliforms count and the bacterial spore count in the ingredients were quiet low. However, after 30 and 60 days storage, the count in $RFS_{1}S_{2}$ increased and were higher at room temperature than refrigerated temperature. 8) In the cost evaluation, the cost of the developed formulas was \1,826-2,626 / kg. This was less than that of the commercially prepared formula (\3,300-4,073 / kg) and that of the imported formula (\4,250-8,720 / kg).

• 지역사회간호학회지
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• 제6권1호
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• pp.5-33
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• 1995

The objective of the study are two-fold: one is to explore the relationship between environment, organizational structure, and organizational effectiveness of public health centers in Korea, and the other is to examine the validity of contingency theory for improving the organizational structure of public health care agencies, with special emphasis on public health nursing administration. Accordingly, the conceptual model of the study consisted of three different concepts: environment, organizational structure, and organizational effectiveness, which were built up from the contingency theory. Data were collected during the period from 1st of May through 30th of June, 1990. From the total of 249 health centers in the country, one hundred and five centers were sampled non proportionally, according to the geopolitical distribution. Out of 105, 73 health centers responded to mailed questionnaire. The health centers were the unit of the study, and a various statistical analysis techniques were used: Reliability analysis(Cronbach's Alpha) for 4 measurement tools; Shapiro-Wilk statistic for normality test of measured scores of 6 variables: ANOVA, Pearson Correlaion analysis, regressional analysis, and canonical correlation analysis for the test of the relationships and differences between the variables. The results were. as follows : 1. No significant differences between forma lization, decision-making authority and environmental complexity were found(F=1.383, P=.24 ; F=.801, P=.37). 2. Negative relationships between formalization and decision-making authority for both urban and rural health centers were found(r=-.470, P=.002 ; r=-.348, P=.46). 3. No significant relationship between formalization and job satisfaction for both urban and rural health centers were found (r=-.242, P=.132, r=-.060, P=.739). 4. Significant positive relationship between decision - making authority and job satisfaction were found in urban health centers (r=.504, P=.0009), but no such relationship was observed in rural health centers. Regression coefficient between them was statistically significant($\beta=1.535$, P=.0002), and accuracy of regression line was accepted (W=.975, P= .420). 5. No significant relationships among formalization and family planning services, maternal health services, and tuberculosis control services for both urban and rural health centers were found. 6. Among decision-making authority and family planning services, maternal health services, and tuberculosis control services, significant positive relationship was found between de cision-making authority and family planning services(r=.286, P=.73). 7. A significant difference was found in maternal health services by the type of health centers (F=5.13, P=.026) but no difference was found in tuberculosis control services by the type of health centers, formalization, and decision-making authority. 8. A significant positive relationships were found between family planning services and maternal health services and tuberculosis control services, and between maternal health services and tuberculosis control services (r=-.499, P=.001 ; r=.457, P=.004 ; r=.495, P=.002) in case of urban health centers. In case of rural health centers, relationships between family planning services and tuberculosis control services, and between maternal health services and tuberculosis control services were statistically significant (r=.534, P=.002 ; r=.389, P=.027). No significant relationship was found between family planning and maternal health services. 9. A significant positive canonical correlation was found between the group of independent variables consisted of formalization and de cision-making authority and the group of dependent variables consisted of family planning services, maternal health services and tuberculosis control services(Rc=.455, P=.02). In case of urban health centers, no significant canonical correlation was found between them, but significant canoncial correlation was found in rural health centers(Rc=.578, P=.069), 10. Relationships between job satisfaction and health care productivity was not found significant. Through these results, the assumed relationship between environment and organizational structure was not supported in health centers. Therefore, the relationship between the organizational effectiveness and the congruence between environment and organizational structure that contingency theory proposes to exist was not able to be tested. However decision-making authority was found as an important variable of organizational structure affecting family planning services and job satisfaction in urban health centers. Thus it was suggested that decentralized decision making among health professionals would be a valuable strategy for improvement of organizational effectiveness in public health centers. It is also recommended that further studies to test contingency theory would use variability and uncertainty to define environment of public health centers instead of complexity.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• 제6권1호
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• pp.37-47
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• 2002

목 적 : 신증후군의 발생빈도, 임상양상, 스테로이드와 면역억제제에 대한 반응 및 조직학적 소견을 관찰하고자 한다. 대상 및 방법 : 22년간 전북대학교별원 소아과에 특발성 신증후군으로 입원했던 환자 185명 중 4개월 이상 관찰이 가능했던 159명을 대상으로 입원당시 병력, 임상증상, 검사소견, steroid에 대한 반응, 재발빈도 및 추적 기간을 관찰하였으며 재발이 빈번하거나 steroid 요법에 반응이 좋지 않았던 72례에서의 약물의 효과와 신생검을 실시한 76례에서 조직학적 소견을 관찰하였다. 결 과 : 연도별로 매년 3례에서 17례 입원하였으며 연도별 큰 차이는 없었고 남녀비는 4:1로 남아에서 많았다. 연령별 분포는 3-5세 사이가 34례($21.4\%$)로 가장 많았으며 계절별로는 겨울에 입원한 환아가 46례로 많았다. 발병에서 입원까지 기간은 발병 3개월 이내에 내원한 환아가 107례($68.2\%$)로 가장 많았으며 입원당시 주증상으로는 전신부종($75.5\%$), 복수($28.3\%$), 고환 부종($20.1\%$), 상기도 감염($19.5\%$), 핍뇨($15.1\%$) 등 이었다. Steroid 요법후 2주 이내에 대부분에서 이뇨가 일어났으며 단백뇨는 첫 2주 이내에 $66\%$에서 소실되었다. Steroid 요법에 대한 반응는 완전관해 110례($69\%$), 부분관해 29례($18\%$), 무반응 20례($13\%$)이였다. 혈뇨, 고혈압, 혈청 creatinine상승 등의 신염 소건은 각각 $32\%,\;23.9\%,\;10.7\%$ 였으며 steroid 요법에 반응이 없는 군에서 높았다. 초기 steroid 요법에 반응이 좋았던 환아에서 1년 이상 추적 관찰이 가능했던 78례 중 1년 이내에 재발한 경우는 55례($75\%$)이였다. Steroid 요법에 반응이 없거나 재발이 빈번한 환아에서 면역억제제를 투여하였으며 cyrlopho- sphamide를 투여한 62례 중 38례에서 어느 정도 효과가 있었으며 cyclosporine의 경우 7례 중 6례에서 효과가 있었다. Steroid 요법에 반응이 없거나 재발이 빈번한 76례에서 신생검을 실시하였으며 미세변화형이 53례($69.7\%$)로 가장 많았다.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제44권6호
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• pp.392-398
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• 2011

Background: The tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) with pulmonary atresia (PA) and a ductus-dependent pulmonary circulation (no major aorto-pulmonary collateral arteries (MAPCAs)) has been treated with staged repair or primary repair depending on the preference of surgeons or institutions. We evaluated the 19-year outcome of staged repair for this anomaly to find out whether our surgical strategy should be changed. Materials and Methods: Forty-four patients with TOF/PA with patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) who underwent staged repair from June 1991 to October 2010 were included in this retrospective study. The patients with MAPCAs were excluded. The average age at the first palliative shunt surgery was $40.8{\pm}67.5$ days (range: 0~332 days). Thirty-one patients (31/44, 70%) were neonates. The average weight was $3.5{\pm}1.6$ kg (range: 1.6~8.7 kg). A modified Blalock-Taussig (BT) shunt was performed in 38 patients, classic BT shunt in 4 patients, and central shunt in 2 patients. Six patients required concomitant procedures: pulmonary artery angioplasty was performed in 4 patients, pulmonary artery reconstruction in one patient, and re-implantation of the left pulmonary artery to the main pulmonary artery in one patient. Four patients required a second shunt operation before the definitive repair was performed. Thirty-three patients underwent definitive repair at $24.2{\pm}13.3$ months (range: 7.3~68 months) after the first palliative operation. The average age at the time of definitive repair was $25.4{\pm}13.5$ months (range: 7.6~68.6 months) and their average weight was $11.0{\pm}2.1$ kg. For definitive repair, 3 types of right ventricular outflow procedures were used: extra-cardiac conduit was performed in 30 patients, trans-annular patch in 2 patients, and REV operation in 1 patient. One patient was lost to follow-up after hospital discharge. The mean follow-up duration for the rest of the patients was $72{\pm}37$ months (range: 4~160 months). Results: Ten patients (10/44, 22.7%) died before the definitive repair was performed. Four of them died during hospitalization after the shunt operation. Six deaths were thought to be shunt-related. The average time of shunt-related deaths after shunt procedures was 8.7 months (range: 2 days~25.3 months). There was no operative mortality after the definitive repair, but one patient died from dilated cardiomyopathy caused by myocarditis 8 years and 3 months after the definitive repair. Five-year and 10-year survival rates after the first palliative operation were 76.8% and 69.1%, respectively. Conclusion: There was a high overall mortality rate in staged repair for the patients with TOF/PA with PDA. Majority of deaths occurred before the definitive repair was performed. Therefore, primary repair or early second stage definitive repair should be considered to enhance the survival rate for patients with TOF/PA with PDA.

• 한국안광학회지
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• 제8권2호
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• pp.37-45
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• 2003

본 연구는 50세 이상 근용안경을 착용하는 사람 중 동공간 거리에 영향을 주는 요인인 안면, 안검 안와 및 안구 등에 질환이나 기형이 없는 총 검사 대상자 1071명(남자 432명, 여자 639명)을 성별, 연령별로 근용 동공간 거리 524명(남자 202명, 여자 322명), 근용도수 측정자 1071명 조사하였다. 성별 평균 근용도수를 비교 분석한 결과 남자는 평균 S+2.34Dptr, 여자는 S+2.23Dptr로 그 차는 남자가 0.11Dptr 정도 더 높게 측정되었지만 아주 미소한 차로 나타나 나이가 많아짐에 따라 조절력의 감소 변화는 남녀 모두 같은 것으로 조사되었다. 현재 판매되고 있는 상품화된 근용안경을 F.P.D별 5개 그룹으로 분류하여 각 그룹별 O.C의 평균값(1그룹 64.04mm, 2그룹 66.96mm, 3그룹 68.28mm, 4그룹 62.03mm, 5그룹 72.00mm, 5개 그룹 평균 66.66mm)과 검사 대상자 남녀별 근용 P.D의 평균값(남자 60.04mm, 여자 58.23mm)을 비교했을 때 상품화된 근용안경의 O.C가 모두 크게 조사되었으며, 근용 P.D는 남자가 여자보다 평균 l.81mm가 더 큰 것으로 조사되었다. 또한 상품화된 근용안경의 O.C의 평균값 66.66mm와 근용안경 착용자의 근용 P.D의 차로 인한 프리즘 발생량을 남녀별로 비교한 결과 남자는 최저 $0.23{\Delta}$에서 최고 $5.06{\Delta}$로 평균 $1.66{\Delta}$, 여자는 최저 평균 $0.46{\Delta}$에서 최고 $5.79{\Delta}$의 영향을 받게되는 것으로 조사되었다. 그리고 상품화된 근용안경을 공용으로 착용할 경우 남녀가 각각 받는 프리즘영향은 근용 P.D가 큰 남자보다 P.D가 작은 여자가 평균 0.45 프리즘 디옵터의 영향을 더 많이 받는 것으로 조사되었다.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제5권1호
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• pp.37-43
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• 1992

Postoperative hypoxemia in the absence of hypoventilation occurs more often after thoracic or upper abdominal surgery than lower abdominal operations or surgery on extremities. Although the factors which produce postoperative alveolar collapse have not been fully evaluated, the dominant factor of postoperative hypoxemia is shunt of blood passing collapsed alveoli and the postoperative pain is associated with restriction of depth of breathing, sighing and movement. In 1979, the first successful clinical usage of epidurally administered morphine for control of postoperative pain was reported by Behar and associates. This study was carried out for twenty patients who received posterolateral thoracostomy with bleb resection between May 1990 and May 1991 and who were primary spontaneous recurrent pneumothoraxes under general endotracheal anesthesia. For the relief of post-thoracotomy pain following of the general anesthesia, we selected ten patients as control group which were treated intermittently IM with injection of pethidine(50 mg) according to the conventional method and another ten patients as study group which were managed with thoracic epidural analgesia. The tip of the catheter was inserted to T4-5 epidural space through T12-L1 or L1-2 interspinous region before the induction of the general anesthesia and then the epidural analgesics(0.25% bupivacaine 15 ml+morphine 3 mg) was injected once a day via the catheter until 4 th POD in the study group. The epidural catheters were removed at postoperative 4 th day in study group. Clinical observations were done about vital signs, ABG, tidal volume, FVC and occurence of adverse effects during postoperative 2hr, 8hr, 1st day, 2nd day, 7th day in both groups. The results were as follows; (1) The values of $V_T$ and FVC were significantly improved in study group(85% and 66%) as compared with control group(76% and 61%) during the postoperative 4 day of the epidural analgesia. (2) After the end of the epidural analgesia(7th POD), the values of FVC were improved invertly rather in control group(98%) than study group(84%). It suggested that the reduction of FVC in study group were caused by the raised pain sensitivity following the end of epidural analgesia. (3) The side effects of epidural analgesia such as transient urinary retention(2 cases), itching sensation(1) and headache(1) were noted.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• 제26권3호
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• pp.160-165
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• 2008

목 적: 국소 진행성 폐암에서 동시 항암화학 방사선 요법이 표준 요법으로 자리 잡고 있다. 그러나 항암제의 그 사용시기와 방법에 있어서는 확립된 바가 없어서 gemcitabine, cisplatin 병용화학요법과 동시 방사선치료의 치료효과 및 안전성을 확인하였다. 대상 및 방법: 동시 항암화학 방사선요법시 gemcitabine $500\;mg/m^2$, cisplatin $30\;mg/m^2$ 요법은 2주 간격으로 환자의 순응도에 따른 방사선치료 기간의 변동을 감안해서 $3{\sim}4$회 치료하는 것을 원칙으로 하였고 흉부방사선치료는 1일 1회 1.8 Gy 씩, 주5회 분할조사 하였으며, 원발병소와 종격동 및 전이를 나타낸 림프절을 포함한 부분에 50.4 Gy를 조사 후 질환이 진행되지 않았을 경우 원발 병소에 18 Gy를 추가 조사하였다. 공고 화학요법은 3주 간격으로 $2{\sim}3$회 치료하였다. 치료반응의 판정은 동시 항암화학 방사선요법 후와 공고 화학요법 후에 각각 WHO의 판정기준에 따라 평가했다. 결 과: 29명의 대상 중, 동시 항암화학 방사선요법 후 완전관해는 1명(4%), 부분 관해는 20명(69%)이었고 공고 화학요법이 마친 후 치료 판정에서 완전 관해는 3명(10%), 부분 관해는 21명(72%)이였다. 중앙 생존 기간은 16개월($2.4{\sim}39.2$개월)이고 1년 생존율은 62.7%, 2년 생존율은 43.9%, 3년 생존율은 20%이었다. 치료 도중 독성의 빈도는 3도 이상의 과립구 감소증이 11명(37.9%)이었고 3도 이상의 식도염이 15명(51.7%)이 발생하였다. 2도 이상의 폐렴은 6명(20.7%)에서 발생하였다. 결 론: 국소진행성 비소세포폐암환자에서 gemcitabine $500\;mg/m^2$과 cisplatin $30\;mg/m^2$의 2주 간격 투여와 동시 항암화학방사선치료는 높은 치료반응률을 나타내었다. 그러나 3도 이상의 식도염과 폐렴이 예상보다 많이 관찰되어 이에 대한 부작용을 줄이기 위한 적절한 방법들이 강구되어야 할 것이며, 항암제의 용량조절, 방사선조사량의 조절과 특수 방사선치료방법들의 개발이 필요하리라고 판단되었다.

• Child Health Nursing Research
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• 제6권2호
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• pp.224-239
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• 2000

This descriptive study was conducted to understand the contents and degree of parental stress level in the NICU patients, and to give a baseline data in developing nursing intervention program. Subjects were the 62 mother of hospitalized newborn in NICU of 1 University Hospital in Taejon City from May 1st, 1999 to November 30th, 1999, who agreed to take part in this study. The instrument used in this study were Parental Stressor Scales : NICU(PSS:NICU) developed by Miles et al. and validated by 3 NICU practitioners and 3 child health nursing faculties. The questionnaire has 4 dimensions and 45 items; sight and sounds of NICU(5 items), babies' appearance and behavior(19 items), parental role alteration and relationship with their baby(10 items), communication with health team(11 items). The questionnaire asks parents to rate each item on a five-point Likert type scale that ranges from (1) to (5). Total scores representing overall stress from the NICU environment are calculated by summing response to each item. A high score indicates high stress. A subscale score is calculated by summing the responses to each item in the subscale. Cronbach's α coefficients were .93. The data was analyzed as average, Frequency, Standard deviation, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficient by use of SPSS/PC+. The results of this study is summarized as follows ; 1. The total perceived stress level score of mothers was slightly high(3.6±.7). The highest scored dimension was 'appearance and behavior of the baby'(3.9±1.5), and next were 'relationship with their baby and parental role change'(3.5±1.4), 'communication with health team'(3.4±.9), 'sight and sounds of NICU'(3.2±.8). 2. Two variables were statistically significant with PSS:NICU total scale ; mother's perceived severity of the baby's condition (r=.482, P=.002) and mother's religious attendance(t=2.83, P=.01). The more the mother perceive their baby's condition severe, the higher the total stress score. There were high stress score noted in the mother of no religious attendance. 3. Four variables were statistically significant with NICU environment subscale ; mother's educational background(F=3.45, P=.04), religious attendance(t=2.28, P=.04), sex of the baby(t=2.83, P=.01) and NICU patients' hospital day(r=.359, P=.004). That is mother with high educational background and girl baby were high NICU environment subscale score. 4. Four variables were statistically significant with appearance and behavior of the baby subscale ; when first saw baby(F=3.52, P=.04), incubator care(t=2.83, P=.01), mother's perceived severity of the baby's condition(r=.303, P=.017), number of NICU visit(r=.441, P=.002). That is, seeing the baby first in the NICU and recieved incubator care was very stressful. Also, the more the mother perceive their baby's condition severe and more NICU visit, the higher the appearance and behavior of the baby subscale stress score. 5. Four variables were statistically significant with relationship with their baby and parental role change subscale ; when first saw baby(F=3.37, P=.04), sex of the baby(t=2.36, P=.03), incubator care(t=5.60, P=.00), mother's perceived severity of the baby's condition(r=.401, P=.001). That is, seeing the baby first in the NICU and girl baby was very stressful. Also, the more the mother perceive their baby's condition severe, the higher the relationship with their baby and parental role change subscale stress score. 6. Three variables were statistically significant with communication with health team subscale ; mother's educational background (F=3.63, P=.04), incubator care(t=4.24, P=.00), gestational age(r=-.394, P=.047), and birth weight(r=-.460, P=.004). That is, mother with high educational background and receiving incubator care were high communication with health team subscale score. Also, the shorter the gestational age and smaller the baby's birth weight, the higher the communication with health team subscale score. In conclusion, information about physical environment of NICU, the mother's perceived severity of baby's illness state, maternal role change related variables and the knowledge of characteristics of NICU patients must be included in nursing intervention program of mother's of NICU patients in reducing the maternal stress and anxiety level.