• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.1-4
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• 2002

Objective : Hyperhomocysteinemia has been proven to be an independent risk factor for stroke. The genetic mutation of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase(MTHFR) elevates serum homocysteine level, but it still remains controversial whether the MTHFR gene mutation could be a predictor of ischemic stroke. Therefore, we studied if this genetic defect could cause ischemic stroke independently. Methods : We gathered ischemic stroke subjects and age, sex-matched controls. Age, gender, past medical history, smoking habit, serum homocysteine level, and the MTHFR genotype were recorded. General characteristics of ischemic stroke subjects were compared to the controls. We classified the stroke according to the related vessels(small and large artery infarction) and single lesion and multiple infraction. Relevant risk of the MTHFR genotype was evaluated in each stroke subtype with multiple logistic regression analysis. Results : When the controls were compared to the whole ischemic stroke, there was no specific difference except some medical histories. However, further analysis based on stroke subtypes showed important results. The small artery infarction group, multiple infraction group had significant odds ratio of the MTHFR TT genotype adjusted for age, gender, medical history and smoking habit. Conclusions : The MTHFR TT genotype is an independent risk factor for certain types of ischemic stroke, small artery infarction and multiple infarction.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.97-107
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• 2014

Purpose: This study was performed to explore levels of stroke knowledge and identify subgroups with lower levels of stroke knowledge among adults in Korea. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was used and data were collected in 2012. A national sample of 990 Koreans aged 20 to 74 years participated in this study. Knowledge of risk factors, warning signs, and first action for stroke were surveyed using face-to-face interviews. Descriptive statistics and decision tree analysis were performed using SPSS WIN 20.0 and Answer Tree 3.1. Results: Mean score for stroke risk factor knowledge was 7.7 out of 10. The least recognized risk factor was diabetes and four subgroups with lower levels of knowledge were identified. Score for knowledge of stroke warning signs was 3.6 out of 6. The least recognized warning sign was sudden severe headache and six subgroups with lower levels of knowledge were identified. The first action for stroke was recognized by 65.7 percent of participants and four subgroups with lower levels of knowledge were identified. Conclusion: Multi-faceted education should be designed to improve stroke knowledge among Korean adults, particularly focusing on subgroups with lower levels of knowledge and less recognition of items in this study.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.6-10
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• 2003

To investigate the relative risk of obesity factors for stroke imd their correlation, we assessed odds ratio of obesity factors for stroke by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis. Correlations among obese factors were estimated by Pearson's correlation test. Study subjects were selected stroke Subjects within 1 month after onset and non-stroke referents in Kyung Hoo Medical Center in Seoul. Body mass index, hypertension history, habits of drinking and smoking, waist/hip ratio, total cholesterol and triglyceride were checked once at baseline. In this study, there was no significant difference between referents and stroke subjects in general characteristics except. waist/hip ratio and hypertension. By logistic regression, high waist/hip ratio (OR=7.05; 95％ Cl, 1.70-29.1l) and hypertension (OR=12.90; 95％ Cl, 3.63-45.61) had significant odds ratio in females, as did hypertension (OR=3.36; 95％ Cl, 1.01-11.16) in males. Much more significant correlations among obesity factors were found in stroke subjects than referents. In conclusion, waist/hip ratio was an independent risk factor for stroke in females, and hypertension was a predictor of stroke in all lenders. Interaction of obesity factors could be an important condition for stroke.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.338-348
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• 2023

Objective: Patients with a history of ischemic stroke are at risk for a second ischemic stroke. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between carotid plaque enhancement on perfluorobutane microbubble contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) and future recurrent stroke, and to determine whether plaque enhancement can contribute to risk assessment for recurrent stroke compared with the Essen Stroke Risk Score (ESRS). Materials and Methods: This prospective study screened 151 patients with recent ischemic stroke and carotid atherosclerotic plaques at our hospital between August 2020 and December 2020. A total of 149 eligible patients underwent carotid CEUS, and 130 patients who were followed up for 15-27 months or until stroke recurrence were analyzed. Plaque enhancement on CEUS was investigated as a possible risk factor for stroke recurrence and as a possible adjunct to ESRS. Results: During follow-up, 25 patients (19.2%) experienced recurrent stroke. Patients with plaque enhancement on CEUS had an increased risk of stroke recurrence events (22/73, 30.1%) compared to those without plaque enhancement (3/57, 5.3%), with an adjusted hazard ratio (HR) of 38.264 (95% confidence interval [CI]:14.975-97.767; P < 0.001) according to a multivariable Cox proportional hazards model analysis, indicating that the presence of carotid plaque enhancement was a significant independent predictor of recurrent stroke. When plaque enhancement was added to the ESRS, the HR for stroke recurrence in the high-risk group compared to that in the low-risk group (2.188; 95% CI, 0.025-3.388) was greater than that of the ESRS alone (1.706; 95% CI, 0.810-9.014). A net of 32.0% of the recurrence group was reclassified upward appropriately by the addition of plaque enhancement to the ESRS. Conclusion: Carotid plaque enhancement was a significant and independent predictor of stroke recurrence in patients with ischemic stroke. Furthermore, the addition of plaque enhancement improved the risk stratification capability of the ESRS.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.52 no.3
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• pp.188-193
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• 2020

Stroke is a major cause of death and disorder, and diabetes mellitus (DM) is a significant risk factor of stroke. This study examined the importance of target blood pressure (<140/<90 mmHg) management in patients with DM. Based on the data of the 6th National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, a total of 16,389 patients aged 18 to under 80 were assessed through regression analysis to estimate the risk of stroke through blood pressure control. The prevalence of stroke according to the presence or absence of DM was higher in the diabetic group, and a longer duration of DM indicated a higher risk of hypertension and stroke. The hazard ratio of stroke was lower in the maintenance group (0.57) of target blood pressure (<140/<90 mmHg) compared to the high blood pressure group(>140/>90 mmHg). Despite the accompanying treatment for DM and hypertension, the frequency of hypertension increased, and the prevalence of stroke increased after five years of DM. Hence, effective blood pressure management at this time is important. The risk of stroke should be reduced by continuously managing blood pressure in DM.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.59-65
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• 2008

Objective : This study was conducted to integrate the results of studies which show the relationship between risk factors(smoking, drinking, intaking coffee, exercise, BMI, family history, hypertension, DM, hyperlipidemia, heart disease, TIA) and the incidence of stroke in Korean adults. Methods : We surveyed 17 stroke-related articles, published between 1995 and 2007, and conduct meta-analysis. And we estimated common odds ratio(OR). Results : The overall OR of risk factors associated CVD were as follow : Smoking had a 2.488 OR, no regular exercise had a 1.942 OR, $BMI{\geq}25$ had a 1.848 OR, hypertension had a 6.053 OR, DM had a 2.931 OR, heart disease had a 5.455 OR, and TIA had a 5.238 OR. Conclusion : The result of this study suggest that smoking, no regular exercise, $BMI{\geq}25$, hypertension, DM, heart disease, and TIA are important risk factor of stroke.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.42-51
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• 2007

Background and Purpose : To prevent ischemic cerebral infarction, it is very important to reduce risk factors which might cause stroke. However, the relationship of coffee consumption with ischemic cerebral infarction still remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of coffee consumption on the risk of ischemic cerebral infarction in Koreans. Methods : A case-control study was conducted from April 1, 2001 to July 31, 2004. Cases (n=435) of first incident ischemic cerebral infarction were enrolled and were mostly matched by age to stroke-free hospital controls (n=407). All subjects were interviewed, examined and had anthropometric measurements by using an organized questionnaire. The coffee consumption was classified by the average frequency of intake, being none, 1 cup/day, 2-4 cups/day, more than 5 cups/day. Odds ratios (ORs) of ischemic cerebral infarction were proved multivariate analysis after adjustment for demographic factors, diet factors, and vascular risk factors. Results : When adjusted for sex, age, and other factors, coffee consumption and stroke do not have a significant association. (${\leq}$ cup/day OR=1.035, 95% CI=0.880-2.756; 2-4cups/day OR=1.452, 95% CI=0.864-2.440; ${\geq}$ 5 cups/day OR=1.557, 95% CI=0.705-3.435) Conclusions : In this study, we conclude that coffee consumption is not an important risk factor of ischemic cerebral infarction in Koreans. Prospective and cohort study on the relation between coffee consumption and the possibility of inducing ischemic cerebral infarctions in Koreans will be required in the future.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.25-36
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• 2002

Objective: The purposes of this study are to know the relations of abdominal obesity and ischemic stroke and to know what index could represent the abdominal obesity appropriately. Methods. We have done case-control study and recruited 97 ischemic stroke patients and 117 controls. Case is matched by control by individual matching. All participants had questionnaire, interview and then were examined waist-hip ratio, waist circumference and body mass index. Results : WC, WHR and Hypertension history had differences in two groups, case and control groups. But BMI and other factors weren't significant. According to Quartile of Waist Circumference, the two groups had the differences in hypertension history, diabetes history, smoking status, WHR, BMI, and weight and in the Quartile of Waist-Hip Ratio Quartile, past history of hypertension and diabetes, WC, BMI and weight had the significances. Sex, Age Adjusted and Multivariate Odds Ratio (95% Confidence Interval) of WC Quartile are 2.083, 1.628, 4.491 and 4.418, 4.964, 12.306, and in WHR, the Ors are 2.252, 5.743, 15.776 and 2.632, 8.918, 23.596. Conclusions: We knew from these results that abdominal obesity is very important risk factor of ischemic stroke and WHR more than WC is a good indicator of abdominal obesity, so we should reduce the WHR to prevent of ischemic stroke.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.250-261
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• 2007

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to evaluate the blood flow using doppler ultrasound of the MCA, ACA, PCA, BA, ICA in the patients with risk factor for stroke. Methods : 110 patients with risk factor for stroke were selected who had hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, or heart disease, as well as 89 healthy adults who did not have any symptoms of those diseases. To evaluate the blood flow, the Vs and Vm of the MCA, ACA, PCA, BA, and ICA in the two groups were measured. Result : In normal healthy adults, subjects showed a decrease in the Vs and Vm: with advancing in age, there was a significant difference in the Vs of MCA, PCA, BA, and ICA. There was a significant difference in the Vm of MCA, PCA, BA, and ICA. In normal healthy adults, females showed high velocities in all examined vessels. There was a significant difference in the Vs of BA. There was a significant difference in the Vm of BA, and ICA. There was a decrease in the Vs, and Vm of all examined vessels of patients with risk factors for stroke in comparison with normal healthy adults. There was no significant difference in the Vs. There was a significant difference in the Vm of MCA, ACA, and PCA. Results were the same between patients aged under 50 and total patients in the Vs and Vm of examined vessels. There were differences between patients aged over 50 and total patients in the Vs of MCA, PCA, BA and for patients aged over 50; patients with risk factor for stroke who had hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, or heat disease has higher Vs than healthy adults. Conclusions : There was a significant difference in the blood flow velocity between patients with risk factors for stroke and healthy adults. However, this result was different from results of comparison of TCD findings between patients and healthy individuals by age. Therefore, more detailed studies about aged patients are needed.

• Mood & Emotion
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.57-63
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• 2011

Objectives : This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of depression within two weeks after stroke. Methods : A total of 362 stroke patients were recruited. Depression (major and minor depressive disorders) was diagnosed by applying DSM-IV criteria. Data on socio-demographic characteristics (age, gender, education, marital state, living state, religion, occupation, income, life event, and social support), stroke severity (NIHSS), disability (BI), stroke hemisphere and location, vascular risk and disease, and previous history of stroke and depression were obtained. Results : Depression was present in 90 (24.9%) patients: major depression 29 (8%) and minor depression 61 (16.9%) patients. In the univariate analyses, depression was associated with older age, higher number of stressful life event, poorer social support, severe disability, anterior stroke location, previous history of stroke and depression. In the multivariate analyses, depression was independently associated with higher number of stressful life events and poorer social support. Conclusion : Depression was common and was determined by premorbid levels of stress and social support in stroke patients at acute stage. More intensive psychiatric care and intervention is needed for the high risk group.