• 대한한의학회지
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• 제24권1호
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• pp.133-140
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• 2003

Objectives : Kochiae Fructus (dried fruits of Kochia scoparia L. Schrad,) is used in the treatment of skin diseases as internal or external medicine in Oriental Medicine, but there has not been experimental study of Kochiae Fructus as an external medicine. The purpose of this study was to investigate if it has certain effects on the skin or not. Methods : By a skin prick test method, we evaluated the effects of wet dressing with Kochiae Fructus decoction in different concentrations on histamine-induced itch, erythema and wheal responses, and compared them with the effects of calamine lotion and distilled water in 8 healthy volunteers aged 26-32. Results : The mean intensity and duration of itch were most decreased after wet dressing with a Kochiae Fructus decoction of 100mg/150ml. The time required for erythema to reach the maximal size was around 5 minutes in all groups, and the size of erythema was smallest on the skin taking wet dressing with the Kochiae Fructus decoction of highest concentration. The size of wheal was also smallest after wet dressing with the highest concentration Kochiae Fructus decoction. The effects of wet dressing with Kochiae Fructus decoction on skin were dependent on their concentrations. Conclusions : Kochiae Fructus suppressed the histamine-induced skin responses, which supports the ancient herbal literatures which describe that Kochiae Fructus has a certain effectiveness on some skin diseases.

• The Korean Journal of Medicine
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• 제99권3호
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• pp.145-148
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• 2024

Food allergy is an adverse reaction that occurs after ingesting food and is caused by an aberrant immune response. Taking a detailed medical history is the most important part of diagnosing food allergies. When an immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated food allergy is suspected, food-specific IgE testing can confirm the diagnosis. Allergen skin-prick tests or serum tests for specific IgE should be considered as the first line of testing, and depending on the offending food, a further prick-to-prick test with fresh food or a component-resolved diagnostic test may be helpful. Interpretation of the results should be based on the patient's medical history.

• 한국환경보건학회지
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• 제29권3호
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• pp.35-42
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• 2003

Nitric Oxide(NO) is produced in many organs of the body, including the lung and airways, and it is detectable in the exhaled air. The measurement of exhaled NO(eNO) provides a simple non-invasive means for measuring airway inflammation, such as asthma. We measured eNO among adult male workers to examine the distribution of eNO in healthy people and to find factors affecting eNO. We measured eNO in a sample of 921 adult workers who also performed lung function test and skin prick test. Exhaled NO was measured in a sitting posture without using a nose clip and NO free gas. NO was measured at three expiratory rates(l8; 42; 71 $m\ell$/sec) and the flow rate of 71 $m\ell$/sec was used in analysis. The average eNO concentration was 5.29 $\pm$ 2.98 ppb. The level increased with age but not significantly(P=0.0529). Exhaled NO showed positive relations to the height(P=0.0001), pollen 1 (P=0.0124), asthma history(P=0.0212), allergic rhinitis symptom(P=0.0302). Exhaled NO Concentration of smokers( 4.62 ppb) was significantly lower than that of nonsmokers(5.99 ppb; P<0.0001).

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제45권3호
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• pp.239-243
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• 2007

Many allergists are currently focusing on the development of new diagnostic tools, and are attempting to improve both the sensitivity and specificity. A multiple allergen simultaneous test-chemiluminescent assay (MAST-CLA) is one of the most popular diagnostic tools used in the Republic of Korea. However, there remains controversy among allergists with regard to the cut-off point for a positive result. The present study was conducted in order to determine the validity of MAST-CLA as compared with that of the skin prick test, with particular emphasis on arthropod allergens, on the basis of percentage agreement rates and k-values, and also to suggest the optimal positive cutoff points using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. The study was conducted with 97 subjects (54 men, 43 women). Optimal individual cut-off points were calculated as follows; class II for Dermatophagoides farinae, class I for Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, and trace for a cockroach mix. These findings suggest that attempting to apply optimal individual cut-off points will be a good way of improving diagnostic tests, particularly MAST-CLA.

• 한국환경보건학회지
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• 제34권2호
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• pp.117-123
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• 2008

Allergic diseases have been dramarically increased over recent years, especially in industrialized countries. Oxidative stress has been believed to playa significant role in the occurrence of the allergic inflammatory responses. Although previous studies concerning oxidative stress and systemic inflammation have been reported, few data is available, and other allergic diseases, except for asthma, are hardly studied about the association with oxidative stress. This study evaluated the relationship between allergic disease and Malondialdehyde (MDA) as an indicator of oxidative stress. The study population was 197 male adults living in an industrial area. The ISAAC questionnaire was used to confirm wheezing and rhinitis, and atopy was evaluated by skin prick test. MDA was analyzed by spectrophotometer. To examine bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR), methacholine test was performed, and the index of bronchial responsiveness (BR index) was calculated. We used multivariate logistic regression model and general linear model with SAS program. We found significant associations of MDA with brindex (p=0.023), rhinitis (p=0.016), atopy (p=0.03), adjusted by age, smoking, and body mass index (BMI). On the contrary, there was no significant difference of MDA with the status of asthma. Our result suggests that oxidative stress may playa major role in the occurrence of allergic response in male adults.

• 한국임상약학회지
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• 제22권3호
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• pp.268-273
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• 2012

The definition of anaphylaxis is 'a serious, life-threatening generalized or systemic hypersensitivity reaction' and is considered as the life threatening adverse drug reaction. We experienced a case of cefotetan induced anaphylaxis with negative pre-skin test, used for surgical prophylaxis. A 82-year-old female was scheduled for total knee replacement therapy. She had no previous history of allergy and her skin test results were also negative. On her right knee surgery, she underwent cefotetan therapy as a surgical prophylaxis for a week with no problems identified. Next left knee surgery, she also received the prophylaxis of intravenous cefotetan. However, a few minutes later, anaphylactic reaction developed with vomiting, severe hypotension, bronchospasm, and dyspnea. After immediate intensive care treatment, she recovered without significant complications. Though commonly used laboratory data in case reports, such as the specific IgE, tryptase, histamine, or allergic skin prick test were limited, we successfully confirmed anaphylaxis based on clinical criteria for diagnosing anaphylaxis based on WAO 2011 guideline with through concurrent patient°Øs medical history review and the process of identifying the causes.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• 제26권
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• pp.11.1-11.6
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• 2011

Objects: The prevalence of asthma has increased in recent decades globally. The objective of the present study is to elucidate whether hospitalization for bronchiolitis in infancy and low socioeconomic status interact for bronchial hyperreactivity during teenage years. Method: We studied 522 children age 13-14 years attending schools in rural and urban areas to investigate the risk factors for bronchial hyperreactivity (BHR), defined as a provocation concentration of methacholine that causes a decrease of 20% ($PC_{20}$) in forced expiratory volume within 1 second. Clinical examination, skin prick test, spirometry, and methacholine challenge were performed on all study subjects, who provided written consent. We used multivariate logistic regression to investigate the risk factors for BHR, and analyze the interaction between hospitalization for bronchiolitis in infancy and low socioeconomic status. Results: Forty-six (10.3%) positive BHR cases were identified. In the multivariate logistic analysis, as independent predictors of BHR, adjusted odds ratio of bronchiolitis diagnosed before 2 years of age in low income families was 13.7 (95% confidence interval, 1.4 to 135.0), compared to reference group, controlling for age, gender, parental allergy history, skin prick test, and environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure. Interaction was observed between bronchiolitis before 2 years old and low socioeconomic status on children's bronchial hyperreactivity (p-interaction=0.025). Conclusions: This study showed that bronchiolitis diagnosed before 2 years of age and low socioeconomic status interacted on children's bronchial hyperreactivity. Prevention of acute respiratory infection in early childhood in low socioeconomic status is important to prevent BHR as a precursor of asthma.

• 농촌의학ㆍ지역보건
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• 제40권3호
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• pp.148-157
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• 2015

이 연구는 일개 시 지역에서 환경오염의 가능성이 높은 도심 주민과 특별한 산업 시설이 없는 농촌 주민을 대상으로 설문조사와 피부단자검사를 시행하여, 알레르기비염의 유병률을 파악하고, 각각의 다른 환경이 두 지역 주민의 알레르기비염에 어떤 영향을 미칠 수 있는지를 조사하였다. 정확한 유병률을 구하기 위해서 병원에 방문한 환자가 아닌 일반 지역 주민을 대상으로 하였고, 증상만을 평가하는 설문조사로는 과대평가될 수 있으므로 객관적인 피부단자검사를 병행하였으며, 연령에 따라 알레르기 원인 물질에 대한 감수성이 다르게 나타나고 노출된 기간과 질병 이환율을 고려하기 위해서 연령군을 어린이, 청소년, 성인군으로 나누어 고려하였다. 본 연구에서는 일반적으로 확진된 알레르기비염의 유병률이 도심에서 8.4%, 농촌에서는 6.9%로 차이를 보이지 않았다(8.4% vs. 6.9%). 하지만, 연령에 따라서 어린이, 청소년, 성인군으로 나누어 비교한 결과, 어린이와 청소년에서는 도심과 농촌 간에 유의한 차이가 없음을 보였지만, 성인에서는 도심 지역에서 최근 1년 동안의 알레르기비염의 증상 유병률(30.5% vs. 22.4%)과 확진된 알레르기비염의 유병률(8.2% vs. 3.7%)이 농촌지역보다 유의하게 높은 결과를 보여서 산업화, 도시화로 인한 환경 유해물질이 알레르기비염 유병률에 영향을 줄 것으로 생각이 된다.

• 약학회지
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• 제58권4호
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• pp.229-244
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• 2014

Background: Antibiotic skin test(AST) is very useful for the diagnosis of drug allergies to prevent immediate allergic reactions. Although it is a safe and widespread method, it is performed very diversely by doctors and nurses without consistency and it also differs from countries and hospitals. This study aims to evaluate the current practice of AST by nurses in Korea and to compare it to the general guidelines. Methods: During January 1, 2013 to May 20, 2013, the study was conducted as questionnaires and case-based survey. The questionnaires were given to the nurses who were randomly selected in various University Hospitals (University Hospitals N=276, and Medical center N=19). The case-based surveys were given to the nurses who were conducting AST at various wards of a University Hospital (N=130). The analysis and evaluations of the responses were carried out. Results: The response rate for the questionnaires was 97.6% and 130 cases of the actual case-based surveys were collected. There were clear differences between the survey results and the general guidelines, such as the method of skin test (skin prick test was not conducted), the method of patient selection for AST, test drugs, concentration, volume and interpretation of AST. AST conducted by nurses was highly variable and inconsistent, even among nurses who worked in the same wards and hospitals. Manufactured standard concentration antibiotic solution of AST showed consistency of concentration to a certain degree. Conclusion: Although the general guidelines have been published by several countries including Korea, these are not a great help to nurses as they lack details for conducting AST, practical consideration for nurses in the clinical setting, propagation and education. Standardized guideline for nurses should be published and it should be a safe, clear, comfortable and easily accessible protocol. Futhermore, additional antibiotic solutions to standardize skin test should be developed and manufactured. Lastly, it would be the pharmacists role to compare their hospitals antibiotic skin test methods with the standard guidelines and develop a protocol within the hospital for patients' safety, and to strive to consistently implement it.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• 제37권8호
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• pp.669-674
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• 2004

The purpose of this study was to develop the antiallergic and hypoallergic fennented soybean foods without side effect. We manufactured Chungkukjang with addition of herbal (aloe, cinamon, licorice root) extract. Sensory evaluation was performed to evaluate the acceptability by the consumer. Clinical evaluation was performed with 10 atopic dermatitis (AD) patients who showed positive reaction with specific IgE and skin prick test. Cross-over study between nonnal Chungkukjang and Chungkukjang with aloe extract was performed. In sensory evaluation, Chungkukjang with aloe extract obtained best score overall. In clinical evaluation, 7 out of 10 AD patients showed positive reaction to soy-bean and 4 out of 10 AD patients showed positive reaction to normal Chungkukjang. 2 out of 10 AD patients showed positive reaction to Chungkukjang with aloe extract. In conclusion, Chungkukjang could be recommended as functional food with hypoallergic effect. As adding aloe extract to Chungkukjang, hypo allergic effect was increased.