• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.125-134
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• 2002

Purpose: The objectives for this study were to identify the factors that correlate with appraisal of illness and to explore what variables are predictive of cancer patients primary caregivers' cognitive appraisal for stress. Method: The subjects were selected by convenient sampling and 130 caregivers who completed a questionnaire. Measures used in this study included the Family Inventory of Resources for Management, Social Support Index, Family Crisis Oriented Personal Evaluation Scales and Family Coping Coherence Index. Pearson correlation was used to identify the relationship among factors and multiple regression was used to determine the individual and cumulative effect of potential predictors on the caregivers' appraisal. Results: Patient's level of activity, severity of the disease, quality of relation between patient and caregiver, caregiver's subjective health status, economic status, family resources and coping were significantly correlated. Among the variables, coping, family resources, economic status and quality of relation between caregiver and patient predicted 49.2 percent of the variance in appraisal of caregivers' stress condition. Conclusion: These findings suggest that coping mechanisms and family resources are important for positive appraisal. Nurses should provide adequate nursing care for the primary caregiver about professional care information and supportive counseling.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.104-119
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• 1998

This study was conducted to determine the important factors in the illness behavior of panic disorder patients. And then, find the best ways to lead the patients who have recurrent panic attacks to the adequate therapeutic situations. We studied 53 patients diagnosed as panic disorder according to DSM-IV among the outpatients who had been followed up at Bong Seng Memorial Hospital for 6 Ms, from May 1997 to October 1997. To evaluate the illness behaviors, we designed a checklist including socio-demographic data, degree of subjective distress from medical and psychiatric treatment, panic symptoms, life events, places of help-seeking, Anxiety Sensitivity Index. Using the checklist, we had semistructured interviews with the panic disorder patients to elucidate their help-seeking behaviors from first panic attack to diagnosing as panic disorder. The results were as follows ; 1) After first panic attack, the patients initially sought help at 1) Emergency room 40%, 2) Rest &/or Personal emergency care 35%, 3) Pharmacy 10%, 4) Outpatient care at hospital 10%, 5) Oriental medicine 5%. 2) Considering the panic symptoms, derealization, paresthesia and the severity of panic symptoms were the most important factors affecting the patient's help-seeking behaviors who had experienced the first panic attack. 3) Most of all the patients (80%) were apt to visit the hospitals within 15 days after experiencing about 3 panic attacks. 4) Before diagnosed as panic disorder, the patients had visited 3-5 health care centers during about 1 year. 5) Primary care physicaians(for example, emergency care physicians, family doctors and internists) had the most important roles in treating or guiding the patients to the adequate therapeutic situations. From the above results, the authors propose that non-psychiatric physicians have to know the panic disorder or attacks exactly. When patients complaint sudden onset physical symptoms e.g. palpitation, dyspnea, dizziness or the cognitive symptoms like the fear of death or insanity, physicians should consider the possibility of panic attack and encourage the patients to be evaluated for psychiatric illness.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.225-234
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• 2017

Objectives Local gyrification reflects the early neural development of cortical connectivity, and is regarded as a potential neural endophenotype in psychiatric disorders. Several studies have suggested altered local gyrification in patients with bipolar I disorder (BD-I). The purpose of the present study was to investigate the alterations in the cortical gyrification of whole brain cortices in patients with BD-I. Methods Twenty-two patients with BD-I and age and sex-matched 22 healthy controls (HC) were included in this study. All participants underwent T1-weighted structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The local gyrification index (LGI) of 66 cortical regions were analyzed using the FreeSurfer (Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging). One-way analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used to analyze the difference of LGI values between two groups adjusting for age and sex as covariates. Results The patients with BD-I showed significant hypogyria in the left pars opercularis (uncorrected-p = 0.049), the left rostral anterior cingulate gyrus (uncorrected-p = 0.012), the left caudal anterior cingulate gyrus (uncorrected-p = 0.033). However, these findings were not significant after applying the multiple comparison correction. Severity or duration of illness were not significantly correlated with LGI in the patients with BD-I. Conclusions Our results of lower LGI in the anterior cingulate cortex and the ventrolateral prefrontal cortex in the BD-I group implicate that altered cortical gyrification in neural circuits involved in emotion-processing may contribute to pathophysiology of BD-I.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.129-134
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• 2008

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is occurred by apnea by the obstruction of upper trachea while sleeping, followed by repetitive drop on arterial oxygen saturation ($SpO_2$). Therefore, the present study was focused on relation between $SpO_2$ of while having difficulty in breathing and clinical characteristics of OSAS while sleeping. The study took place at Ewha women university Mokdong hospital with 149 subjects (male 121, female 28) who were examined for polysomnography (PSG) from May 2007 to February 2008. All subjects were adhered to electrodes and sensors to measure electroencephalogram (EEG), electrooculogram (EOG), chin & leg electromyogram (EMG), airflow at nasal and oral cavities, breathing movement of chest and abdominal snoring sound and $SpO_2$. Lowest $SpO_2$ in male was meaningfully low with higher body mass index (BMI), louder snoring sound and thick neck circumference (p<0.01). While mean $SpO_2$ based on the degree of AHI did not show significant difference, lowest $SpO_2$ was significantly low with high AHI (p<0.001). Also, lowest $SpO_2$ was closely correlated with BMI (r=-00.343, p<0.001), snoring sound (r=0.177, p<0.05), apnea index (r=-0.589, p<0.001), hypopnea index (r=-0.336, p<0.001) and apnea-hypopnea index (r=-0.664, p<0.001). $SpO_2$ was closely related to clinical characteristics of OSAS, like male, BMI, snoring sound and neck circumference. Also, polysomnography accompanied by recent development of sleep study is considered as critical test to diagnose OSAS, decide the severity of illness, and evaluate the treatment plan.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Emergency Medicine
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.509-518
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• 2018

Objective: The evidence that hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy is more effective for improving the acute neuropsychological status (ANS) of carbon monoxide poisoning than normobaric oxygen (NBO) therapy is not convincing. This is because the levels of carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) do not correlate with the clinical severity of carbon monoxide poisoning and there is no universally accepted severity scale of carbon monoxide poisoning. This paper suggests a new scale for the clinical and neurological severity of carbon monoxide poisoning, called the ANS, and assesses the effect of HBO therapy for each level of ANS compared to NBO therapy. Methods: A total of 217 patients who had been hospitalized because of carbon monoxide poisoning from January 2009 to July 2013 were studied. ANS was suggested as a new severity scale of carbon monoxide poisoning considered in the Glasgow Coma Scale, acute neuro-psychologic signs and symptoms, or cardiac ischemia on the initial medical contact. HBO therapy is indicated in those who have a loss of consciousness, seizure, coma, abnormal findings on a neurological examination, pregnancy, persistent cardiac ischemia, level of COHb >25%, or severe metabolic acidosis (pH <7.2). The end point is the day of discharge, and recovery is defined as a normal neuro-psychological status without any sequelae. Results: The levels of troponin T and creatinine increased significantly with increasing ANS score. In the moderate to severe group (ANS 2 and 3), the recovery rate was significantly higher when treated with HBO therapy than with NBO therapy (P=0.030). On the other hand, the development of delayed neuro-psychological sequelae (DNS) did not correlate with any level of ANS, type of oxygen therapy, or recovery on discharge. Conclusion: In the moderate to severe poisoned group, HBO therapy is more effective for improving the ANS from carbon monoxide poisoning than NBO therapy. On the other hand, the development of DNS of HBO therapy is no more preventable than with NBO therapy. Although the level of ANS is low, the patient needs to be provided with sufficient information and a follow-up visit is recommended for any abnormal symptoms because the ANS does not correlate with the development and degree of DNS.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.99-105
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• 2007

Purpose: Pyrethroid is an insecticide that produces moderate intoxication in mammals, with neither exposure to skin nor inhalation resulting in severe systemic manifestations. In 2005 we made a nationwide survey of agrichemical human intoxication. The object of this study is to analyze pyrethroid intoxications based on the 2005 survey. Methods: We prospectively collected data from 1 August 2005 to 31 July 2006 by a standard investigation protocol. We analyzed demographic data, exposure data (cause, amount, ingredients), clinical features, and courses. Results: A total of 125 cases of pyrethroid intoxication were surveyed. The mean patient age was $56.78{\pm}16.158$ years old, and the mean amount ingested was $121.85{\pm}110.732ml$. Patients were classified into four severity groups according to symptoms and mental status: the asymptomatic group (27 patients, 21.6%), the mild symptom group (48, 38.4%), the moderate symptom group (21, 16.8%), and the severe symptom group (7, 5.6%). There were statistically significant differences in mental status, severity, and mean ICU days between two groups. Admission days by severity grade for the asymptomatic, mild, moderate, and severe symptom groups were $5.49{\pm}16.051,\;3.65{\pm}4.143,\;4.59{\pm}3.335,\;and\;8.14{\pm}7.199days$, respectively (p=0.047). Conclusion: Nationwide surveillance was extremely telling in uncovering a high frequency of agrichemical intoxication in Korea. In pyrethroid intoxication, severity grading can be a useful prognostic tool.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.8-16
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• 2018

Purpose: In this study, the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of patients admitted for viral croup were analyzed to evaluate disease severity based on the organism that caused the infection. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 302 patients who were admitted to the Department of Pediatrics at the Wonju Severance Hospital between May 2013 and December 2016 for viral croup. Patients who showed positive results on multiplex polymerase chain reaction were subsequently diagnosed with respiratory virus infection. The Westley scoring system was used to evaluate the severity of viral croup. Results: Of the 302 patients, 149 were admitted due to severe viral croup, including 88 boys and 61 girls, with a boy-to-girl ratio of 1.44:1. About 110 cases of parainfluenza virus infection have been reported, which accounted for almost half of the total cases. The other identified viruses included influenza virus, human rhinovirus, and respiratory syncytial virus. Analysis of the association between severe viral croup and causative pathogen revealed that only parainfluenza type 2 virus showed a significantly high risk. Parainfluenza type 2 virus did not show an age-based difference in frequency but showed relatively a higher frequency of infections during the summer and fall. Conclusions: In this study, parainfluenza virus type 2 was the only virus associated with severe viral croup. To facilitate proper preventive management, treatment, and prognosis evaluation of viral croup, prospective and multicenter studies should assess the additional variables and the severity of the virus. Additionally, further studies should be conducted to assess age-dependent influences, as well as the regional and seasonal incidence of viral infection.

• Anxiety and mood
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.92-100
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• 2011

Objectives : The aim of this study was to investigate Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)-related symptom severity, level of functional impairment and personality profiles between full-blown PTSD, partial PTSD and non-PTSD groups among 59 adolescent survivals from the Incheon fire disaster. Method : Using Short Screening Scale for DSM-IV PTSD, victims of the disaster were assigned to a full-blown PTSD group (n=18), a partial PTSD (n=22), or a non-PTSD group (n=19). Assessments included the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), the Impact of Event Scales (IES), the McBride's Degree of General Labor Loss, and the Korean Version of Temperament and Character Inventory (K-TCI). Results : Significantly severe PTSD symptoms (F=4.832, df=2, p<.05) and functional impairment (F=12.144, df=2, p<.01) were demonstrated by PTSD groups as compared to the non-PTSD group. Interestingly, full and partial PTSD did not differ in these comparisons. Similarly, the subtypes of PTSD did not differ with respect to personality profiles using the K-TCI ; however, personality profiles were sharply differentiated between the PTSD and non-PTSD group. Conclusion : Although high subject homogeneity and small sample size may limit the results of this study, the present results highlight the possibility of the underestimation as well as the insufficient, treatment and compensation of partial vs full PTSD.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.61 no.3
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• pp.84-89
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• 2018

Purpose: Timely antibiotic therapy in selected cases of diarrhea associated with bacterial infections can reduce the duration and severity of illness and prevent complications. The availability of a predictive index before identification of causative bacteria would aid in the choice of a therapeutic agent. Methods: The study included patients admitted to the pediatrics unit at Konyang University Hospital for acute inflammatory diarrhea from August 1, 2015 to July 31, 2016 who underwent multiplex polymerase chain reaction testing. Of 248 patients, 83 had positive results. The clinical symptoms and blood test results were examined in 61 patients with Campylobacter spp. (25 patients), Salmonella spp. (18 patients), and Clostridium perfringens (18 patients) infections. The mean age of the 61 patients (male:femal=31:30) was $84.0{\pm}54.8months$, and the mean hospital stay was $4.6{\pm}1.7days$. Results: There were no statistical differences in sex, age, clinical symptoms, or signs. Patients with Campylobacter infection were significantly older (P=0.00). C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in patients with Campylobacter infection were higher than those in the other 2 groups, at $9.6{\pm}6.1mg/dL$. The results of receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis showed that the cutoff age was ${\geq}103.5months$ (sensitivity, 72%; specificity, 86%) and the CRP cutoff level was ${\geq}4.55mg/dL$ (sensitivity, 80%; specificity, 69%). Conclusion: Age (${\geq}103.5months$) and higher CRP level (${\geq}4.55mg/dL$) were good predictors of Campylobacter enterocolitis. If neither criterion was met, Campylobacter enterocolitis was unlikely (negative predictive value 97.2%). When both criteria were met, Campylobacter enterocolitis was highly likely.

• Asia-pacific Journal of Multimedia Services Convergent with Art, Humanities, and Sociology
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• v.7 no.11
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• pp.525-536
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• 2017

Purpose: The aim of this study was to identify the factors influencing ICU (intensive care units) length of stay of adult patients with critical illness. Methods: This study was adopted descriptive design. 270 patients who were admitted to ICU in general hospital, Seoul were analyzed. Results: A total of 270 patients, 116 (43%) patients had stayed more than 5 days. The length of stay of intensive care unit was significant positive correlation with the FCI(Functional Comobidity Index) score(r=0.33, p<.001) and APACHE(Aacute Physiology and Chronic Health Evlauaion) II(r=0.19, p=.001). In multiple logistic regression, the predictors of ICU length of stay were admission route (p=0.013), FCI score (p<0.001), APACHE II(p=0.012). Conclusions: Heatlh care providers in ICU should be aware that patients who admit to emergency departments and have higher disease severity are more considered to reduce their ICU length of stays.