• 대한불안의학회지
• /
• 제5권1호
• /
• pp.29-35
• /
• 2009

Background : In spite of the worldwide relevance of obsessive-compulsive disorder Ed-highlight : Unclear. Perhaps consider changing word choice. (OCD), there are considerable differences in prevalence, sex ratio, comorbidity patterns, and sociodemographic correlates. Data on subclinical OCD have been sparse to date. Methods : Data stemmed from the Korea Epidemiologic Catchment Area (KECA) study which had been carried out from April to December 2001. Korean versions of DSM-IV adapted Composite International Diagnostic Interview were administered to a representative sample of 6275 persons aged 18-64 living in the community. DSM-IV based criteria for subclinical OCD were applied. Results : The lifetime prevalence rates for OCD and subclinical OCD were 0.8% and 6.6%, respectively. In both OCD and subclinical OCD, the rates for males and females were not statistically different. OCD was demonstrated to be associated with depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, social phobia, generalized anxiety disorder, and alcohol and nicotine dependence. Additionally, subclinical OCD was associated with posttraumatic stress and somatoform disorders. Comorbidity rates in subclinical OCD were lower than those in OCD. Conclusions : The lifetime prevalence rate for OCD was less than 1% in the Korean general population. Age distribution and comorbidity patterns suggest that subclinical OCD represents a broad and heterogeneous syndrome and not simply a milder form of OCD.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
• /
• 제37권3호
• /
• pp.172-182
• /
• 2020

Objectives : In this study, we conducted a focus group interview among expatriates living in Korea, to investigate their experiences and perceptions of acupuncture and Korean Medicine in order to improve the usage of Korean Medicine in the medical tourism market. Methods : The inclusion criteria for the focus group interview was: (1) participants between the age of 20 to 75 years old; (2) those who had lived in Korea for more than 90 days, and (3) those who were able to express their thoughts freely in English. The participants were informed that the interviews will be recorded and transcribed. We ended recruitment once saturation of materials was met. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, and the data was analyzed after each interview. Results : The interviews were held between June to December 2016. Twenty-four participants were recruited but four dropped out and a total of twenty participants successfully finished the interviews. Six focus group interviews were conducted. Analysis revealed that Korean Medicine was relatively less known compared to Traditional Chinese Medicine or Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Participants automatically associated acupuncture with the management of pain or stress and replied that these were the areas that they thought acupuncture would be most effective. Positive experiences with acupuncture and with the acupuncture practitioners were factors that promoted the use of acupuncture whereas lack of awareness, accessibility and accreditation were factors that hindered its use. Other factors that hindered the use of acupuncture was needle phobia and the perception that acupuncture lacks scientific evidence. Conclusions : Awareness on Korean Medicine and acupuncture is low. Participants lack awareness on what diseases acupuncture can treat, the scientific evidence behind the mechanism of action, and the rigorous education system that Korean Medicine doctors must go through to get their license. Rigorous marketing should be encouraged, which includes greater exposure in the media, more honest reviews from patients, and promotion of the scientific evidence base.