• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.87 no.2
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• pp.176-184
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• 2024

Background: Results of studies investigating the association between body mass index (BMI) and mortality in patients with coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) have been conflicting. Methods: This multicenter, retrospective observational study, conducted between January 2020 and August 2021, evaluated the impact of obesity on outcomes in patients with severe COVID-19 in a Korean national cohort. A total of 1,114 patients were enrolled from 22 tertiary referral hospitals or university-affiliated hospitals, of whom 1,099 were included in the analysis, excluding 15 with unavailable height and weight information. The effect(s) of BMI on patients with severe COVID-19 were analyzed. Results: According to the World Health Organization BMI classification, 59 patients were underweight, 541 were normal, 389 were overweight, and 110 were obese. The overall 28-day mortality rate was 15.3%, and there was no significant difference according to BMI. Univariate Cox analysis revealed that BMI was associated with 28-day mortality (hazard ratio, 0.96; p=0.045), but not in the multivariate analysis. Additionally, patients were divided into two groups based on BMI ≥25 kg/m² and underwent propensity score matching analysis, in which the two groups exhibited no significant difference in mortality at 28 days. The median (interquartile range) clinical frailty scale score at discharge was higher in nonobese patients (3 [3 to 5] vs. 4 [3 to 6], p<0.001). The proportion of frail patients at discharge was significantly higher in the nonobese group (28.1% vs. 46.8%, p<0.001). Conclusion: The obesity paradox was not evident in this cohort of patients with severe COVID-19. However, functional outcomes at discharge were better in the obese group.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.69 no.6
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• pp.450-455
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• 2010

Background: High cortisol levels are frequently observed in patients with severe infections are of prognostic value in sepsis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical usefulness of serum cortisol in assessment for the severity of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). Methods: This study analyzed the results of 52 CAP subjects admitted in Changwon Fatima Hospital between July 2008 to May 2010. Total serum cortisol, infection markers such as C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT) and CURB (Confusion, Uremia, Respiratory rate, Blood pressure)-65 were examined retrospectively. Results: In clinically unstable subjects on admission day 4, baseline serum cortisol, CURB-65, and CRP were elevated significantly compared to those of stable subjects. Area under curve (AUC) of cortisol, CRP, and CURB-65 from ROC curves were 0.847, 0.783, and 0.724 respectively. In the subjects with serum cortisol ${\geq}22.82{\mu}g/dL$, CRP, PCT, CURB-65 score, and mortality were significantly elevated. Conclusion: These findings suggest that measurement of serum cortisol in early stage may provide helpful information in the assessment of CAP severity.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.25 no.10
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• pp.1013-1019
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• 1992

A clinical evaluation was performed on 1, 110 cases of chest trauma treated at the Department of Chest Surgery, Chonnam University Hospital, during the past 23 years from January 1968 to June 1990. The ratio of male to female was 5.5: 1. The most common causes of chest trauma was stab wounds in penetrating trauma and traffic accidents in nonpenetrating trauma. The most common injuries in chest trauma were hemothorax in penetrating trauma and rib fracture in nonpenetrating trauma. Hemothorax or pneumothorax was observed in 592 cases [53.3%] of the total cases and rib fracture was observed in 527 cases[47.5%] of the total cases. Rib fracture was prevalent from the 3th to 8th rib, and 1st and 2nd rib fractures were associated with major thoracic injuries and other organ injuries. Open thoracotomy was performed in 163 cases[14.7%] and conservative nonoperative treatment in the others. Overall mortality rate was 8.5%[94 cases], and common causes of the death were shock and respiratory insufficiency.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.922-928
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• 1990

Treatment of patients with esophageal carcinoma remains disappointing. Fewer than 20% *of patients with esophageal carcinoma treated with curative intent by surgery and radiation therapy will be alive at 5 years. Fifty five patients underwent treatment for carcinoma of the esophagus and cardia which retrospective clinical study done between January 1983, and December, 1989 in Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, National Medical Center, Seoul, Korea. There were 48 men. 7 women and the mean age was 56.2 years[range, 38 to 78 years]. The most frequent preoperative findings included dysphagia[46 cases], weight loss[33 cases] and substernal pain[19 cases]. 19 cases[34.5%] were underwent resectional surgery, which was total esophagectomy with esophagogastrostomy[ 5 cases], with colon interposition[3 cases], lower esophagectomy with esophagogastrostomy [10 cases], with total gastrectomy and esophagojejunostomy [1 case]. The operative mortality was 15.8%[3/19] and causes of death were respiratory failure in 2 cases, and 1 case of sepsis. Palliative procedures, such as feeding gastrostomy and jejunostomy[14 cases], bypass surgery without resection[ 4 cases], radiation therapy[ 3 cases] were done.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.73-83
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• 1979

The objectives of this study have been conducted to establish effective clinical teaching program to I.C.U in terms of proper assignment of the clients for the students, proper rotation schedule, priorities in critical nursing problems and selection of the teaching and learning. We have analyzed statistically 1,850 patients who have been admitted during a period from January 1977 to October 31 1979 in Ewha Woman's University Hospital. The results are as follows: 1. The proportion to the total inpatients number was 6.5% and mortality rate was 16.3%. 2. The average hospitalized days were 5.8 days in I.C.U and the total death was occured from 1 st hospital day to 5th hospital day. So it shows a certain difficulties for clinical experiences of the senior students in I.C.U. 3. In the age of the death, 41.3% of the patients were in the 41-60 year age group. It shows highest mortality rate in socially active and productive age groups. 4. The mortality rates of the departments of the medicine was 18.7%, general surgery 18.5%, and neurosurgery 14.7%. 5. The number of patients admitted to the department of neurosystem was 30.6%, cardiovascular system 22.6%, respiratory system 11.1 ％ and urinary system 2.9%. 6. On utilizing instruments and machine for diagnosis and client's assessment in I.C.U, they have utilized everything a usual. But they never utilize angiogram and cardiac catheterization in cardiovascular system, and retroperitoneal pneumography in the urologic system. Further more we would recommend as follows 1. In consideration of the average hospital days and the date of death, the rotation program for clincal experience need to be adjusted as continuing practice program in apposite to current alternative practice program for comprehensive nursing care. 2. Socioeconomic needs for the patient's families and himself should be emphasized by the students in addition to physical needs. 3. Course content for critical care might be built up in considering of core disease centered nursing problems. 4. The diagnostic procedures and client's assessment items which could not experience in our university hospital by the students might be considered and refilled as filled trips to another hospital and visual aids.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.70 no.1
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• pp.28-35
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• 2011

Background: The aim of the study was to describe the characteristics, treatments, and outcomes of critically ill patients with pandemic Influenza A/H1N1 2009 at a major medical center in Korea. Methods: This retrospective observational study examined critically ill adult patients with pandemic Influenza A/H1N1 2009, who were admitted to the AMC between August and December 2009. Results: 27 patients with confirmed pandemic Influenza A/H1N1 2009 were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) at the Asan Medical Center (AMC). The median age (IQR) was 59 years (41~67), and 66.7% of the patients were older than 51 years. A total of 81.5% of the patients had 2 or more co-morbidities. The median time (IQR) from symptom onset to presentation was 2 days (1~4), and the median time from presentation to ICU admission was 0 days (0~1.5). All patients received oseltamivir (300 mg/day) and 13 patients received triple combination therapy (oseltamivir, amantadine, ribavirin). Twelve patients required mechanical ventilation on the first day of ICU admission. A total of 6 patients (22.2%) died within 28 days of admission. The patients who died had significantly higher acute physiology and chronic health evaluation (APACHE) II and sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) scores at presentation. There were no significant differences in age, co-morbidities, or antiviral regimens between survivors and non-survivors. Conclusion: Critical illness related to pandemic Influenza A/H1N1 2009 was common in elderly patients with chronic co-morbidities. All patients were given high-dose oseltamivir or triple combination antiviral therapy. Nonetheless, patients with critical illnesses associated with pandemic Influenza A/H1N1 2009 had a death rate of 22.2%.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.648-654
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• 1989

A clinical study was performed on 363 cases of pulmonary tuberculosis treated surgically resection during the period of 3 years from January, 1986 to December, 1988 in the National Kong-Ju Hospital. The results obtained are follows: 1. The ratio of male to female was 1.6:1 in male predominance, age from 20 to 40 occurred 82.6% of the total cases. 2. The moderately advanced cases was the highest incidence with 53.2 % for extent of disease, duration of illness which 1 to 5 years before operation was 40.8 % of the total cases. 3. Preoperative sputum examination for AFB was 53.2 % in negative but in spite of chemotherapy, persistent positive sputum was 46.7%. 4. Indication for surgery were: total destroyed lung was 35.5 %, destroyed lobe or segment with or without cavity was 30.6%, empyema with or without bronchopleural fistula was 8.5%, according to type and site of surgical procedure, pleuropneumonectomy and pneumonectomy was the highest incidence with 53.4 %, left site was slightly more than right with 55.9 % of the total cases. 5. The incidence of postoperative complication was 10.2 % and then the highest incidence was empyema with or without bronchopleural fistula with 4%, according to type of surgical procedure, postpleuropneumonectomy and postpneumonectomy was 6.1 % of the total cases. 6. Postoperative mortality was 1.4 % of the total cases, according to cause of deaths, hypovolemic shock due to bleeding were 2 cases, respiratory failure were 2 cases and hepatic coma due to hepatic failure was 1 case.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.310-315
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• 2000

Background: A retrospectiye study was done for understanding morbidity and mortality after major lung resection. Material and Method: From June 1994 to August 1998, 203 patients received major lung resections for various causes. There were 142 males and 62 females with a mean age of 47.5 years. Initial complains were cough in 47.8%, sputum in 33.0%, hemoptysis or blood-tinged sputum in 23.2%, dyspnea in 18.2%, chest pain in 15.3%, weight loss in 10.8%, fever and chill in 4.9%. There were no complaints in 5.9% of the total patients. The underlying diseases were lung tumor(102 cases/50.2%), bronchectasis(28 cases/13.8%), aspergillosis(24 cases/1.8%), tuberculosis(20 cases/9.9%) and others (29 cases/66.5%) and pneumonectomy(68 cases/33.5%). The postoperative complications were classified as : empyema, BPF, respiratory problem, persistent air leakage over 7 days, arrhythmia, ventilator applied over 24 hours, bleeding, wound infection and chylothorax. The postlobectomy complications were revealed as follow: empyema(3.7%), BPF(2.2%), respiratory problem(5.2%), persistent air leakage over 7days(8.9%), arrhythmia(2.2%), ventilator applied over 24 hours(2.2%), bleeding(1.5%), wound infection(2.9%), chylothorax(0.7%). The postpneumonectomy complications were revealed as follow : empyema(5.9%), BPF (5.9%), respiratory problem(17.6%), persistent air leakage over 7days(0%), arrhythmia(5.4%), ventialtor apply over 24 hours(7.4%), bleeding (7.4%), wound infection(2.9%) and chylothorax(1.5%). Reoperation was done in 8 cases (4.0%). There were 5.8% operative mortalities in pneumonectomy and 0.7% in lobectomy.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.38 no.9 s.254
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• pp.616-621
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• 2005

Background: In the resection of lung cancer, pneumonectomy occupied $20 {\~}35\%$ of all resections, and significantly high operative mortality is reported in right pneumonectomy ($10{\~}25\%$). The aim of this study is to identify the characteristics of morbidity, operative mortality and factors affecting operative mortality after pneumonectomy. Material and Method: This study recruited the database which performed pneumonectomy for lung cancer in Korea Cancer Center Hospital from Aug 1987 to Apr 2002. Result: Total of 386 pneumonectomies were peformed in that period. Sidedness were left in 238, right in 148; and the procedures were standard resection in 207, and extended resection in 179. Morbidity occurred in 115 cases ($29.8\%$, 115/386). Mortality occurred in 12 cases ($3.1\%$, 12 in 386). This mortality rate was similar to that of lobectomy ($2.1\%$, 13 in 613) during the same period. Morbidity consisted of 42 hoarseness, 17 (9) pneumonia and ARDS, 8 empyema, 5 (1) broncho-pleural fistula, 5 reoperation for bleeding, 5 (1) arrhythmia, 1 (1) pulmonary edema, and 25 others (The number in the parenthesis is the number of mortality case for that morbidity). Several factors affecting the operative mortality were evaluated. At first, extended procedure ($3.3\%$, 6 in 179) affected the operative mortality similar to the standard procedure ($2.9\%$, 6 in 207)(p=0.812). Second, the rate of operative mortality in an elderly group over 60 years ($5.5\%$, 10 in 182) was significantly higher than the younger group under 60 years ($1\%$, 2 in 204)(p=0.016). Third, sidedness of resection affects to operative mortality. Right pneumonectomy ($6.8\%$, 10 in 148) showed higher operative mortality than that of left pneumonectomy ($0.8\%$, 2 in 238)(p=0.002). The group over 60 years showed higher incidence of respiratory morbidity ($11.0\%$, 20 in 182) than that of the group under 60 years ($3.4\%$, 7 in 204)(p=0.005). Right pneumonectomy also showed significantly higher incidence ($11.5\%$, 17 in 148) than that of left pneumonectomy ($4.2\%$, 10 in 238)(p=0.008). Conclusion: Age and sidedness of pneumonectomy were the risk factors of operative mortality and respiratory complications, Therefore, careful selection of patients and more attention perioperatively were demanded in right pneumonectomy. However, because the operative mortality is acceptable, pneumonectomy could be done safely if the pneumonectomy is necessary for curative resection of lung cancer.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.65 no.2
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• pp.99-104
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• 2008

Background: Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is ultimately an inflammatory state. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) level are inflammatory markers. The aim of this study was to evaluate the value of the ESR, CRP and APACHE II score as prognostic factors for patient with ARDS. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 87 ARDS patients. The predictors (APACHE II score, ESR and CRP) and outcomes (mortality and length of the total hospital stay, the ICU stay and mechanical ventilator care) were obtained from the patients' records. The patients were grouped according to survival as the Survivor and Non survivor groups. We compared the APACHE II score, the ESR and the CRP level between the survivor group and the nonsurvivor group. We evaluated the correlation between the predictors and the outcomes. The initial ESR, CRP level and APACHE II score were checked at the time of ICU admission and the second ESR and CRP level were checked $3.3{\pm}1.2$ days after ICU admission. Results: Thirty-eight (43.7%) patients remained alive and 49 (56.3%) patients died. The APACHE II score was significantly lower for the survivor group than that for the non survivor group ($14.7{\pm}7.6$ vs $19.6{\pm}9.1$, respectively, p=0.006). The initial ESR and CRP level were not different between the survivor and non-survivor groups (ESR $64.0{\pm}37.8mm/hr$ vs $63.3{\pm}36.7mm/hr$, respectively, p=0.93, CRP $15.5{\pm}9.6mg/dl$ vs $16.3{\pm}8.5mg/dl$, respectively, p=0.68). The decrement of the CRP level for the survivor group was greater than that for the non survivor group ($-8.23{\pm}10.0mg/dl$ vs $-1.46{\pm}10.1mg/dl$, respectively, p=0.003). Correlation analysis revealed the initial ESR was positively correlated with the length of the total hospital stay and the ICU stay (correlation coefficient of the total hospital days: R=0.43, p=0.001, correlation coefficient of the ICU stay: R=0.39, p=0.014). Conclusion: The initial APACHE II score can predict the mortality of ARDS patients, and the degree of the early CRP change can be a predictor of mortality for ARDS patients. The initial ESR has positive correlation with the ARDS patients' duration of the total hospital stay and the ICU stay.