• Title/Summary/Keyword: Symptom change

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Clinical Characteristics of Headache in Orofacial Pain Patients (구강안면통증 환자에서의 두통 양상의 분류)

  • Kang, Jin-Kyu;Ryu, Ji-Won;Kim, Seong-Taek;Choi, Jong-Hoon
    • Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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    • v.31 no.4
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    • pp.355-364
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    • 2006
  • Headache is a common disease which influences not only individually but also socially. Temporomandibular disorders(TMD) refers to pain and dysfunction within the temporomandibular joint(TMJ) and associated muscles. TMD is presented commonly, and 70% of population are found to have one or more related symptom. A number of studies have been conducted to verify the association between headache and TMD, and some authors have proposed that headache and TMD may be related. In this study, we studied the patterns of headache presented by the patients who visited the TMJ and Orofacial pain clinic. Among the patients participated in this study, tension type headache showed the highest prevalence(48.5%), followed by migraine without aura(15.0%), probable migraine(10.6%), migraine with aura(7.1%), probable tension type headache(4.8%), and other primary headaches(1.8%). The high prevalence of tension type headache may be due to the accompaniment of orofacial pain by pericranial muscle tenderness. Comparison of sex showed that the rate of migraine was higher in female than male(female to male ratio 35.8:25.3). In age analysis, the rate of migraine was high in the twenties(42.2%) and the thirties(40.0%). As the age increased, the rate of migraine decreased, and this trend was in accordance with the previous studies. The percentage of the patients who had previously received treatment was only 26.2%, and that of those who were aware of the diagnosis was merely 8.7%. Therefore, it is not common for headache patients to get treatment, however, since orofacial pain is often accompanied by headache, more systematic diagnosis as well as precise treatment would be necessary. Moreover, since TMD could induce and aggravate headache, proper evaluation and management of TMD would be essential for diagnosis and treatment of headache. In the future, more systematic and broad investigation on the influence of causative factors of TMD on headache as well as the change in headache pattern with the treatment of TMD would be required.

Comparison of Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy with Conventional Radiotherapy in Advanced Non-smal Cell Lung Cancer (진행된 비소세포 폐암 환자에서 Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy와 Conventional Radiotherapy의 비교)

  • Kim, Hui-Jung;Lee, Dong-Soo;Song, So-Hyang;Jung, Su-Mi;Kim, Young-Kyoon;Yoon, Se-Chul;Moon, Hwa-Sik;Song, Jeong-Sup;Park, Sung-Hak
    • Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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    • v.44 no.3
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    • pp.493-504
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    • 1997
  • Background : Non-small cell lung cancer is one of the most frequent cause of death due to cancer in men, and its incidence among women is rapidly increasing. Although there has been a recent surge of interest in combined modality therapy for stageIII non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC), the optimal treatment is still not well established. Thoracic irradiation has long been the gold standard for locally advanced unresectable NSCLC. However, although conventional radiotherapy(XRT) can palliate symptom and improve local control of disease, it has at most only a modest effect on survival. Recently, cisplatin(cis-diamminedichloroplatinum) has been reported to enhance the cell-killing effect of radiation For patients with unresectable NSCLC, cisplatin-based concurrent chemoradiotherapy(CCRT) had the advantage of therapeutic response over XRT alone and therapeutic side effect more commonly occurred in CCRT group in EORTC(European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer) and other trials. Objectives : We compared therapeutic response, compliance, and side effects between CCRT and XRT in patients with advanced NSCLC. Patients and Method : Thirty patients with biopsy-proven inoperable NSCLC were randomized to one of two treatment arms. Arm A consisted of XRT, radiotherapy for 4~6 weeks(1.8 Gy given 20~33 times, in five fractions a week), and arm B consisted of CCRT, radiotherapy for 2 weeks(3 Gy given to times, in five fractions a week), followed by 3 week rest period and then radiotherapy 2 more weeks(2.5 Gy given 10 times, in five fractions a week), combined with 6mg cisplatin per square meter, given daily before radiotherapy. We evaluate therapeutic response, compliance, change of performance status, side effects, and radiation pneumonitis by using the author's made scoring system. Results : There was no significant difference in therapeutic response and compliance. But there was a significantly lower laboratory complication and radiation pneumonitis in CCRT group (p < 0.05). There's significant negative correlation between stage and therapeutic response score in both groups(R=0.353, p < 0.05) In both groups, patients with squamous cell carcinoma had a tendency to higher therapeutic response score than those with adenocarcinoma. Conclusion : There was no difference between CCRT and XRT in respect to therapeutic response and compliance. But CCRT had a advantage of decreased side effects.

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A Clinical Study on Allergic rhinitis (알레르기 鼻炎의 臨床的 硏究)

  • Cho Soo-hyun;Jee Seon-young
    • The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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    • v.14 no.2
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    • pp.173-182
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    • 2001
  • This Study is attempted in order to observe a clinical analysis from Constitution medical view point about allergic rhinitis. We studied 71 patients who had visited Dept. surgery, opthalmology & otolaryngology, col1ege of Oriental Medicine, Kyungsan University, Pohang, Korea and were treated by medications of Sasang Constitution and Constitution-Acupunture with allergic rhinitis from March 1, 2000 to February 28, 2001. The results were as follows: 1. The sex distribution was 71 males($69\%$), 22 femail($31\%$), In age distribution, the average was 29.6. The peak age was thirties($36.7\%$), teen-ager was $23.9\%,\;fortieth\;was\;15.5\%,\;under\;10\;years\;old\;was\;9.9\%,\;twenties\;was\;7\%,\;fifties\;was\;5.6\%,\;sixtisth\;was\;1.41\%$. 2. In the age of onset, thirties was $29.6\%$, teen-ager was $19.7\%$, twenties was $18.3\%$, under 10 years old and fortieth was $14.1\%$, fifties was $3.8\%$, sixtisth was $1.41\%$. 3 In monthly distribution. september was $25.8\%$, january was $14.1\%$, october was $11.3\%$. november and august was $8.5\%$, april was $7\%$, febuary and may were $5.6\%$, june, july. December were each $4.2\%$, In the distribution of season. the peak season was fall from september to November. 4. In the duration of the disease, 1-3 years was $26.8\%$, 3-5 years was $19.7\%$, 6 months - 1 year $16.9\%$, 5-10 years was $14.1\%$, under 6 months was $11.3\%$, over 10years and over 15 years were each $5.6\%$. 5. In the three main symptom, hydrorrhoea was $71.8\%$, nasal obstruction was $67.6\%$, sneezing was $64.8\%$. In others, fatique was $25.6\%$, headache was $14.1\%$, itching and cough was $11.3\%$, laryngopharyngeal discomfort and red eye were $4.2\%,\;infirmity\;was\;2.8\%$. 6. Patients whose families have allergic disease account for 26 cases($36.6\%$). 7. There was no past history in 37 cases($52.l\%$). In past history distribution, digestive tract disease was $12.7\%$, paranasal sinusitis was $8.5\%$, allergic dermatitis was $7\%$, common cold was $4.2\%$. otitis media, bronchitis, asthma, tonsillitis were $2.8\%$. 8. Sasang Constitution classification was Soyanggin in 52 cases($73.2\%$), Taeumgin in 12 cases($16.9\%$). Soumgin in 7 cases($9.9\%$). 9. In the duration of treatment, it was 1-2 weeks in 26 cases($36.6\%$), 2-4 weeks was $21.1\%$, under 1weeks was $14.1\%$, 4-6 weeks was $11.3\%$, 6-8 weeks was $8.5\%$, 8-10 weeks was $5.6\%$, over 10 weeks was $2.8\%$. 10. We had a follow-up survey the effect of treatment in the 60 cases. there was fair in 25 cases($41.7\%$), good in 21cases($35\%$), excellent in 3cases($5\%$)로 total rate of treatment was $81.7\%$. The case of no change was $16.7\%$, the case of poor was $1.6\%$.

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From the Onset of Panic Symptoms to Getting to a Psychiatric Treatment : The Change by Improved Public Awareness of Panic Disorder in Korea (증상의 발현부터 치료의 시작까지 : 한국인의 공황장애 인식도 변화가 치료적 접근에 미친 영향)

  • Choi, Yong-Won;Seo, Ho-Jun;Han, Sang-Woo;Hong, Jin-Pyo;Lee, Kyoung-Uk;Kim, Se-Joo;Lim, Se-Won;Lee, Sang-Hyuk;Yang, Jong-Chul;Lee, Seung-Jae;Park, Seon-Cheol;Gim, Min-Sook;Chae, Jeong-Ho
    • Anxiety and mood
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    • v.15 no.2
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    • pp.61-67
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    • 2019
  • Objective : This study aimed to investigate the general process from the symptom onset to the psychiatric treatment in Korean panic patients and the effect of improved public awareness on it. Methods : This study has a retrospective design. The subjects were the new patients with panic disorder who visited the psychiatric outpatient clinic in twelve university-affiliated hospitals all across Korea. The medical chart was reviewed retrospectively and the data were collected including chief complaints of symptoms, recent stressors, the time to visit the psychiatric outpatient clinic, and visit of other departments and diagnostic approaches for their symptoms. Results : A total of 814 participants were included in the study. The most common department other than psychiatry the panic patients visited were cardiology (28.3%), general internal medicine (16.0%) and neurology (11.4%). The most frequently used diagnostic tests were a echocardiography (17.9%), 24-hour Holter monitoring (11.2%), and brain MRI (8.2%). Only 37.3% of participants visited psychiatric clinic directly. About 80% of participants visited psychiatric department within 1 year after their first panic symptoms and it took $13.8{\pm}13.7weeks$ on average. Comparing before and after 2012, the number of participants increased who visit directly the psychiatric clinic without visiting other departments (p=0.002) and without visiting emergency room (p<0.001). Conclusions : Our results suggest that a substantial number of patients visit departments other than psychiatry when they experience first panic symptoms. However, most patients begin psychiatric treatment within 1 year after their first symptoms and the number of patient are increasing who visit psychiatric department directly without visiting other departments.

Dopamine Transporter Density of the Basal Ganglia Assessed with I-123 IPT SPECT in Methamphetamine Abusers (Methamphetamine 남용자에서 I-123 IPT를 이용한 기저신경절 도파민운반체 밀도의 평가)

  • Lee, Joo-Ryung;Ahn, Byeong-Cheol;Kewn, Do-Hun;Sung, Young-Ok;Seo, Ji-Hyoung;Bae, Jin-Ho;Jeong, Shin-Young;Lee, Sang-Woo;Yoo, Jeong-Soo;Lee, Jae-Tae;Chi, Dae-Yoon;Lee, Kyu-Bo
    • The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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    • v.39 no.6
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    • pp.481-488
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    • 2005
  • Purpose: Functional imaging of dopamine transporter (DAT) defines integrity of the dopaminergic system, and DAT is the target site of drugs of abuse such as cocaine and methamphetamine. Functional imaging the DAT may be a sensitive and selective indicator of neurotoxic change by the drug. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the clinical implications of qualitative/quantitative analyses of dopamine transporter imaging in methamphetamine abusers. Materials and Methods: Six detoxified methamphetamine abusers (abuser group) and 4 volunteers (control group) were enrolled in this study. Brain MRI was performed in all of abuser group. Abuser group underwent psychiatric and depression assessment using brief psychiatric rating scale (BPRS) and Hamilton depression rating scale (HAMD), respectively. All of the subjects underwent I-123 IPT SPECT (IPT SPECT). IPT SPECT image was analysed with visual qualitative method and quantitative method using basal ganglia dopamine transporter (DAT) specific/non-specific binding ratio (SBR). Comparison of DAT SBR between abuser and control groups was performed. We also performed correlation tests between psychiatric and depression assessment results and DAT SBR in abuser group. Results: All of abuser group showed normal MRI finding, but had residual psychiatric and depressive symptoms, and psychiatric and depressive symptom scores were exactly correlated (r=1.0, p=0.005) each other. Five of them showed abnormal finding on qualitative visual I-123 IPT SPECT Abuser group had lower basal ganglia DAT SBR than that of control ($2.38{\pm}0.20\;vs\;3.04{\pm}0.27$, p=0.000). Psychiatric and depressive symptoms were negatively well correlated with basal ganglia DAT SBR (r=-0.908, p=0.012, r=-0.924, p=0.009). Conclusion: These results suggest that dopamine transporter imaging using I-123 IPT SPECT may be used to evaluate dopaminergic system of the basal ganglia and the clinical status in methamphetamine abusers.

Relationship between Stress and Eating Habits of Adults in Ulsan (울산지역 성인 남녀의 스트레스와 식습관)

  • Kim, Hye-Kyung;Kim, Jin-Hee
    • Journal of Nutrition and Health
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    • v.42 no.6
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    • pp.536-546
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    • 2009
  • This study was done to investigate the effect of stress on appetite and eating habits, and other health-related behaviors. The subjects of this study consisted of 188 males and 224 females in Ulsan area. The results were as follows: When stressed, 56% (n = 231) of the subjects experienced a change in appetite and of these, 32% (n = 132) experienced an increased appetite. Stress-induced eating may be one factor contributing to the development of obesity. There was a gender-specific response to stress in which women are more likely to use food to deal with stress, whereas men are more likely to use alcohol consumption or smoking. It was found that types of stressors were individual (52.9%), social (50.7%), family relations (34.5%), work demands (34.2%) and physical environment (32.3%). Stress-induced symptoms of the subjects were anxiety (38.3%), headache (36.7%) and neck or shoulder aches (36.2%), and females experienced those symptoms more than males. Those older than 50 years had a higher eating habit score and lower stress score compared with younger subjects. There were significant differences between sex, age, occupation, family type, BMI, exercise, sleeping hours and eating habits or stress level. This study may be helpful in advancing findings in this area to better provide health professionals with appropriate counseling tools to improve the health of all individuals.

Studies on the Breeding of Cold Hardiness and Technique of Overwintering Cultivation in Citrus (감귤(柑橘)의 내한성(耐寒性) 품종육성(品種育成) 및 내한(耐寒) 재배기술(栽培技術)에 관(關)한 연구(硏究))

  • Kim, Chi-moon;Song, Ho-kyung;Kim, Chung-suk
    • Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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    • v.4 no.2
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    • pp.126-140
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    • 1977
  • Present studies were carried out for breeding cold resistant clones of Citrus, improving overwintering techniques of Citrus in Jeju island as well as other southern region, Result obtained were as follows 1. In the vinyl house covered with two sheets of straw mat, 12 indivuals were found as non-injury and 15 were slightly injured by leaf freeging test at $-9^{\circ}C$ for 2 hours treatment. 2. In the condition of vinyl house covered with straw mat and viny film mulching and heat-in by sun-light, the inside temperature of vinyl house were not lowered below $-3^{\circ}C$ and the ground temperatura in vinyl house keeps above $0^{\circ}C$ during winter though outdoor temperature were lower by $-15^{\circ}C$(Daejeon area). 3. The vinyl tunnel inside the vinyl house and vinyl film mulching on ground position showed greater effectiveness for preventing heat loss from house but there were no significant difference between the color of vinyl film covered the tunnel. 4. In the vertical distribution of maximum temperature in vinyl house, the upper space was slightly higher than the lower position at high temperature condition, while minimum temperature was distributed as higher as the middle position, ground surface and upper position in order at low temperature condition 5. In the horizontal distribution of temperature in vinyl house, ground and surface-temperature of north side was lower than the other sides, and citrus planted within 30cm from north side wall died by cold injury and in the other side near wall appeared slight symptom of cold injury. 6. The insulating trench ($30{\times}30{\times}30cm$) packed with straw bundle installed under north wall might be effective to prevent heat loss of ground temperature. 7. In cloudy and snowy day, the temperature difference between indoor and outdoor were less, and the indoor temperature were maintained highly during night due to the effect of prevention of heat loss. 8. The highest temperature in a day was observed at about P.M. 3 both inside and outside of vinyl house and the lowest temperature was observed at about A.M. 6. The difference between the highest and lowest temperature of indoor in a sunny day was $19^{\circ}C$, compared with $9^{\circ}C$ on a cloudy or snowy day in late November. Especially, lowering of temperature in a snowy day was so less that the curve of temperature change was comparatively constant, 9. If the effective methods of citrus cultivation in vinyl house with improved clone such as hardiness. semi-dwarf and spur type are applied, it might be possible to cultivate the citrus tree safely in Jeju island as well as other southern rejion and to magnity the cultivation of citrus tree.

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Clinical Characteristics and Adherence of Patients Who Were Prescribed Home Oxygen Therapy Due to Chronic Respiratory Failure in One University Hospital: Survey after National Health Insurance Coverage (한 대학병원에서 조사된 재택산소요법을 받고 있는 환자의 특성과 재택산소요법 처방에 대한 순응도: 건강보험급여전환 후 조사)

  • Koo, Ho-Seok;Song, Young Jin;Lee, Seung Heon;Lee, Young Min;Kim, Hyun Gook;Park, I-Nae;Jung, Hoon;Choi, Sang Bong;Lee, Sung-Soon;Hur, Jin-Won;Lee, Hyuk Pyo;Yum, Ho-Kee;Choi, Soo Jeon;Lee, Hyun-Kyung
    • Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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    • v.66 no.3
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    • pp.192-197
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    • 2009
  • Background: Despite the benefits of home oxygen therapy in patients suffering chronic respiratory failure, previous reports in Korea revealed lower compliance to oxygen therapy and a shorter time for oxygen use than expected. However, these papers were published before oxygen therapy was covered by the national insurance system. Therefore, this study examined whether there were some changes in compliance, using time and other clinical features of home oxygen therapy after insurance coverage. Methods: This study reviewed the medical records of patients prescribed home oxygen therapy in our hospital from November 1, 2006 to September 31, 2008. The patients were interviewed either in person or by telephone to obtain information related to oxygen therapy. Results: During study period, a total 105 patients started home oxygen therapy. The mean age was 69 and 60 (57%) were male. The mean oxygen partial pressure in the arterial blood was 54.5 mmHg and oxygen saturation was 86.3%. Primary diseases that caused hypoxemia were COPD (n=64), lung cancer (n=14), Tb destroyed lung (n=12) and others. After oxygen therapy, more than 50% of patients experienced relief of their subjective dyspnea. The mean daily use of oxygen was 9.8${\pm}$7.3 hours and oxygen was not used during activity outside of their home (mean time, 5.4${\pm}$3.7 hours). Twenty four patients (36%) stopped using oxygen voluntarily 7${\pm}$4.7 months after being prescribed oxygen and showed a less severe pulmonary and right heart function. The causes of stopping were subjective symptom relief (n=11), inconvenience (n=6) and others (7). Conclusion: The prescription of home oxygen has increased since national insurance started to cover home oxygen therapy. However, the mean time for using oxygen is still shorter than expected. During activity of outside their home, patients could not use oxygen due to the absence of portable oxygen. Overall, continuous education to change the misunderstandings about oxygen therapy, more economic support from national insurance and coverage for portable oxygen are needed to extend the oxygen use time and maintain oxygen usage.

The Effect of Pulmonary Rehabilitation in Patients with Chronic Lung Disease (만성 폐질환 환자에서의 호흡재활치료의 효과)

  • Choe, Kang Hyeon;Park, Young Joo;Cho, Won Kyung;Lim, Chae Man;Lee, Sang Do;Koh, Youn Suck;Kim, Woo Sung;Kim, Dong Soon;Kim, Won Dong
    • Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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    • v.43 no.5
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    • pp.736-745
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    • 1996
  • Background : It is known that pulmonary rehabilitation improves dyspnea and exercise tolerance in patient with chronic lung disease, although it does not improve pulmonary function. But there is a controversy whether this improvement after pulmonary rehabilitation is due to increased aerobic exercise capacity. We performed this study to evaluate the effect of pulmonary rehabilitation for 6 weeks on the pulmonary function, gas exchange, exercise tolerance and aerobic exercise capacity in patients with chronic lung disease. Methods : Pulmonary rehabilitations including education, muscle strengthening exercise and symptom-Umited aerobic exercise for six weeks, were performed in fourteen patients with chronic lung disease (COPD 11, bronchiectasis 1, IPF 1, sarcoidosis 1 ; mean age $57{\pm}4$ years; male 12, female 2). Pre- and post-rehabilitaion pulmonary function and exercise capacity were compared. Results: 1) Before the rehabilitation, FVC, $FEV_1$ and $FEF_{25-75%}$ of the patients were $71.5{\pm}6.4%$. $40.6{\pm}3.4%$ and $19.3{\pm}3.8%$ of predicted value respectively. TLC, FRC and RV were $130.3{\pm}9.3%$, $157.3{\pm}13.2%$ and $211.1{\pm}23.9%$ predicted respectively. Diffusing capacity and MVV were $59.1{\pm}1.1%$ and $48.6{\pm}6.2%$. These pulmonary functions did not change after pulmonary rehabilitation. 2) In the incremental exercise test using bicycle ergometer, maximum work rale ($57.7{\pm}4.9$) watts vs. $64.8{\pm}6.0$ watts, P=0.036), maximum oxygen consumption ($0.81{\pm}0.07$ L/min vs. $0.96{\mu}0.08$ L/min, P=0.009) and anaerobic threshold ($0.60{\pm}0.06$ L/min vs. $0.76{\mu}0.06$ L/min, P=0.009) were significantly increased after pulmonary rehabilitation. There was no improvement in gas exchange after rehabilitation. 3) Exercise endurances of upper ($4.5{\pm}0.7$ joule vs. $14.8{\pm}2.4$ joule, P<0.001) and lower extremity ($25.4{\pm}5.7$ joule vs. $42.6{\pm}7.7$ joule, P<0.001), and 6 minute walking distance ($392{\pm}35$ meter vs. $459{\pm}33$ meter, P<0.001) were significantly increased after rehabilitation. Maximum inspiratory pressure was also increased after rehabilitation ($68.5{\pm}5.4$ $CmH_2O$ VS. $80.4{\pm}6.4$ $CmH_2O$, P<0.001). Conclusion: The pulmonary rehabilitation for 6 weeks can improve exercise performance in patients with chronic lung disease.

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The Effect of Glucocorticoid on the Change of Nitric Oxide and Cytokine Levels in Induced Sputum from Patients with Bronchial Asthma (기관지 천식 환자에서 부신피질 스테로이드 투여 전후 유도객담내 Nitric Oxide 및 Cytokine의 변화)

  • Kim, Tae-Yon;Yoon, Hyeong-Kyu;Choi, Young-Mee;Lee, Sook-Young;Kwon, Soon-Seog;Kim, Young-Kyoon;Kim, Kwan-Hyoung;Moon, Hwa-Sik;Park, Sung-Hak;Song, Jeong-Sup
    • Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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    • v.48 no.6
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    • pp.922-931
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    • 2000
  • Background : It has been well known that bronchia1 asthma is a chronic airway inflammatory disorder. Recently, sputum induced with hypertonic saline was introduced as a simple and useful nonivasive medium to investigate airway inflammation and symptom severity in patients with asthma. We examined the eosinophil, eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), interleukin(IL)-3, IL-5, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating facta (GM-CSF), and nitric oxide (NO) derivatives in induced sputum from patients with bronchia1 asthma in order to determine the role of NO and various inflammatory cytokines as a useful markers of airway inflammation or changes in pulmonary function tests and symptoms. Methods : A total 30 patients with bronchia1 asthma received oral prednisolone 30 mg daily for 2 weeks. Forced expiratory volume in one second ($FEV_1$), total blood eosinophil count and induced sputum eosinophil count, ECP, IL-3, IL-5, GM-CSF, and NO derivatives were determined before and after the administration of prednisolone. Results : Of the 30 patients, 13 (43.3%) were male and 17 (56.7%) were female. The mean age of patients was 41.8 years (range 19-64 years). Two patients could not produce sputum at the second study and 3 could not be followed up after their first visit. Two weeks after the prednisolone administration, there was a significant increase in $FEV_1$ (% of predicted value) from 78.1$\pm$20.6 % to 90.3$\pm$ 18.3 % (P<0.001). The eosinophil percentages in induced sputum were significantly decreased after treatment with prednisolone, with values of 56.1$\pm$27.2 % versus 29.6$\pm$21.3 % (P<0.001), and ECP were $134.5\pm68.1\;{\mu}g/L$ versus $41.5\pm42.4\;{\mu}g/L$ (P<0.001) respectively. After the prednisolone treatments, the eotaxin concentration also showed a decreasing tendency from 26.7$\pm$12.8 pg/ml to 21.7$\pm$8.7 pg/ml. There was a decreasing tendency but no significant differences in total blood eosinophil count (425.7$\pm$265.9 vs 287.7$\pm$294.7) and in the concentration of NO derivatives ($70.4\pm44.6{\mu}mol/L$ vs $91.5\pm48.3\;{\mu}mol/L$) after the prednisolone treatments. IL-3, IL-5, GM-CSF were undetectable in the sputum of most subjects either before the prednisolone treatments or after the treatments. Before the prednisolone treatments, a significant inverse correlation was observed between FEV1 and sputum ECP (r=-D.364, P<0.05) and there was a significant correlation between sputum eosinophils and eotaxin (r=0.369, P<0.05) Conclusion : The eotaxin and ECP concentration in induced sputum may be used as markers of airway inflammation after treatments in bronchia1 asthma. In addition, the measurement of sputum eosinophil percent ages is believed to be a simple method displaying the degree of airway inflammation and airway obstruction before and after the prednisolone treatment in bronchia1 asthma. However, unlike exhaled NO, the examination of NO derivatives with Griess reaction in induced sputum is considered an ineffective marker of changing airway inflammation and obstructing symptoms.

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