• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.330-340
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• 2010

Objectives: This study aims to evaluate and explain the socioeconomic inequalities of all-cause mortality after breast cancer surgery in South Korea. Methods: This population based study included all 8868 females who underwent radical mastectomy for breast cancer between January 2002 and June 2003. Follow-up for mortality continued from January 2002 to June 2006. The patients were divided into 4 socioeconomic classes according to their socioeconomic status as defined by the National Health Insurance contribution rate. The relationship between socioeconomic status and all-cause mortality after breast cancer surgery was assessed using the Cox proportional hazards model with adjusting for age, the Charlson’s index score, emergency hospitalization, the type of hospital and the hospital ownership. Results: Those in the lowest socioeconomic status group had a significantly higher hazard ratio of 2.09 (95% CI =1.50 - 2.91) compared with those in the highest socioeconomic group after controlling for all the identifiable confounding variables. For allcause mortality after radical mastectomy, all the other income groups showed significantly higher 3-year mortality rates than did the highest income group. Conclusions: The socioeconomic status of breast cancer patients should be considered as an independent prognostic factor that affects all-cause mortality after radical mastectomy, and this is possibly due to a delayed diagnosis, limited access or minimal treatment leading to higher mortality. This study may provide tangible support to intensify surveillance and treatment for breast cancer among low socioeconomic class women.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.610-619
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• 2008

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Factors affecting patients' decision-making for dental prosthetic treatment should be examined in terms of understanding improving patients' oral health. PURPOSE: The main purpose of this dissertation was to investigate patients' dental prosthetic treatment and factors affecting patients' decision-making for dental prosthesis treatment in Deagu and Gyungbook areas. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study was based on the preliminary survey of dental patients conducted from July 1 to August 31 in 2006. A total of 700 questionnaires had been distributed and 640 were collected. 629 questionnaires were used for the statistical analysis. Descriptive and inferential statistics, such as frequencies, cross tabulation analysis, correlation analysis, logistic regression analysis, and multiple regression analysis were introduced. In the multiple regression analysis and logistic regression analysis, twenty-two independent variables were employed to explore the factors which have impacts on decision-making and satisfaction. RESULTS: The results of this dissertation are as follows: Logistic regression analysis turned out that monthly income, age, degree of expectation, marital status, and employer-insured policy of national insurance statistically increased the odds of decision-making of dental prosthesis treatment. But educational attainment decreased the odds ratio of the decision-making of dental prosthesis treatment. However, the rest independent variables do not have statistically significant impacts on the decision-making of dental prosthesis treatment CONCLUSION: Among independent variables, marital status had the most significant influence on the decision making of dental prosthesis treatment. Finally, suggestions for the future study and policy implications to improve satisfaction of the patients' dental prosthetic treatment were discussed.

• Journal of Korean Clinical Nursing Research
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.359-367
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• 2016

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of physical, psychological, and social factors on the health status of patients undergoing hemodialysis using longitudinal data. Methods: Two surveys were conducted within a period of two-year. A total of 75 patients participated in both surveys. Eight variables including symptoms, treatment belief, hope, meaning-focused coping, family support, friend/peer support, healthcare provider support, and health status were measured. Data were analyzed by paired t-test, Pearson's correlation coefficients, and hierarchical multiple regressions. Results: The mean age of the participants was 47.31 and the average duration of dialysis was 8.27 years. There was no difference in scores on perceived health status between the two year-interval surveys. The two-year follow-up on perceived health status was correlated with baseline perceived health status, friend/peer support, meaning-focused coping, hope, and symptoms. As the result of the regression analysis, friends/peer support (${\beta}=.31$, p=.013) and baseline perceived health status (${\beta}=.30$, p=.020) were found to be significant predictors of subsequent health status which explained 39.0% of the variance. Conclusion: This study suggests the importance of psychosocial resources for positive health outcomes in patients with a chronic illness. Nursing interventions aimed to provide renal peer support need to be developed and tested.

• Journal of Technologic Dentistry
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.157-164
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• 2012

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to survey periodontal status using oral health index in the elderly population and determine methods for improving oral health status. Methods: The date collected from 'The fifth korean national health and nutrition examination survey 2010' was analyzed in this study. Statistical analysis was done using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 19.0 for windows. We determined frequencies and percentage, calculating means, and standard deviations, and determining statistical significance using logistic regression analysis, multiple regression analysis. Results: General characteristics showed differences in oral health behaviors associated with gender, age, residence, education. General characteristics showed differences in periodontal status associated with gender, family type, gender, residence, education. Oral health behaviors showed differences in periodontal status associated with using oral health care products, dental treatment. Conclusion: In conclusion, in order to improve oral health of the elderly, the importance and needs of periodontal status should be emphasized. periodontal status related education for the elderly should be operated.

• Child Health Nursing Research
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.280-289
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• 2023

Purpose: This study investigated weight status in survivors of childhood acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) and identified related factors. Methods: A retrospective review of the electronic medical records of survivors of childhood ALL (n=230) was conducted. We analyzed the survivors' characteristics, including sex, age, weight status at diagnosis, central nervous system involvement, risk classification, length of treatment, radiation therapy, and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Analysis of variance and the chi-squared test were applied to investigate influencing factors. Results: The weight status distribution was as follows: 23 individuals (10.0%) were classified as underweight, 151 individuals (65.7%) were healthy weight, and 56 individuals (24.3%) were overweight/obese. Age at diagnosis (F=10.03, p<.001), weight status at diagnosis (x²=43.41, p<.001), and risk classification (F=10.98, p=0.027) showed significant differences among the weight status groups. Survivors who were older at diagnosis and those in the very high-risk category had a higher likelihood of experiencing underweight status during their survivorship, while survivors who were overweight/obese at diagnosis were more likely to remain overweight/obese at the time of survival. Conclusion: Considering the potential health implications related to an unhealthy weight status in survivors of ALL, it is imperative to undertake early identification and implement interventions for at-risk individuals.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.120-137
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• 2013

Purpose: This study was to investigate status survey and cost of infertility patients in ${\bigcirc}{\bigcirc}$ Korean Medicine Hospital. Methods: From January 2012 to June 2012, 171 new patients were admitted to ${\bigcirc}{\bigcirc}$ Korean Medicine Hospital for treatment of infertility. We reviewed their medical records retrospectively and had telephone consultations to find out whether they were pregnant or not. Results: The mean age of outpatients was $32.72{\pm}4.08$ years and mean BMI of outpatients was $20.26{\pm}2.68$. 55.0% of patients who did not have childbirth or miscarriage. 82.5% of patients had normal menstrual period. 93.5% of patients visited OB/GYN, 33.3% were treated with ovulation induction, 18.7% underwent intrauterine insemination, and 18.1% underwent in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer. 99.7% were treated with acupuncture and moxibustion, 100% had taken Herbal Medicine. The mean treatment duration of outpatients was $8.84{\pm}8.17$ weeks, and the mean medical expense was $761,994{\pm}586,502$ won. It was found that 32.4% of patients were pregnant after treatment. Conclusions: We investigated status survey and cost of infertility patients. Further study about Korean medical treatments on infertility is required.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.19
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• pp.8479-8482
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• 2014

Performance status (PS) is a key factor in the selection of treatment in head and neck cancer patients (HNC). There is a probability in the development of an unfavorable PS with HNC advancing stages. This retrospective study was done on data of patients registered during the period from January 2010 to December 2012 at a cancer registry in the North Eastern India. PS was recorded according to the WHO scale. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was conducted to assess the probability of poor performance status with advancing stage. Out of 3,593 patients, there were 78.9% (2,836) males and 21.1% (757) females. Average PS0 was seen in 57.4% of all HNCs, less than 1% of all cases in HNCs with poor PS3-4 except in cases with thyroid, parotid and nose and PNS cancers, 0.7% stage IV (${\pm}M1$) HNC with PS4, favorable PS0-1 was seen in 84% to 100% of cases, RR=57.1 (CI=21.2-154.1) in M1 for PS4 and with advancing stages the probability of worsening of PS0 to PS4 was 3 times (P=0.021, 95% CI= 1.187-8.474). In HNC, the majority of patients presents with a favorable PS0-1 with different odds of worsening of PS with advancing stages and the presence of metastasis in stage IV is significantly associated with a poor PS.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.259-264
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• 2008

Objective : Total laminectomy (TL) is an effective surgical technique for the treatment of cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) along multiple levels. However, kyphosis and probable neurological deterioration have been frequently reported after laminectomy. We analyzed the changes in the cervical curvature after TL and subsequent changes in neurological status. Methods : We retrospectively reviewed the records of 14 patients who underwent TL for the treatment of cervical OPLL between Jan. 1998 and Dec. 2003. TL was selected according to the previously determined criteria. The curvature of the cervical spine was visualized on a lateral cervical spine X-ray and measured using Ishihara's Curvature Index (CI) before the operation and at the last follow-up examination. Perioperative neurological status was estimated using the modified Japanese Orthopedic Association score and the Improvement Rate (IR) at the same time as the images were evaluated. Results : The mean age of the patients was 57 years, the male/female ratio was 10:4, and the mean follow-up period was 41 months. The mean number of OPLL was 4.9, and the mean number of operated levels was also 4.9. The CI decreased after TL (p=0002), which was indicative of a kyphotic change. However, this kyphotic change showed no correlation with the length of the follow-up period, number of operated levels and preoperative CI. Neurological examination at the last follow-up showed an improved neurological status in all patients (p=0.001). There was no neurological deterioration in any case during the follow-up period. Moreover, there was no correlation between IR and the degree of kyphotic change. Postoperative complications, such as C5 radiculopathy and epidural bleeding, resolved spontaneously without neurological sequelae. Conclusion : Kyphotic change was observed in all but one patient who underwent TL for the treatment of cervical OPLL. However, we did not find any contributing factors to kyphosis or evidence of postoperative neurological deterioration.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.237-243
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• 2003

We investigated the role of ascorbic acid on the redox status in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. In the plasma of diabetic rats, the ratio of reduced/total ascorbic acid was significantly decreased as compared with normal control. Ascorbic acid supplementation increased the reduced and total ascorbic acid contents as compared with diabetic control. In the rutintreatment group, reduced and total contents of ascorbic acid were significantly decreased, however, the ratio of reduced/total contents of ascorbic acid had no difference as compared with diabetic rats. In the insulin-treatment group, this ratio is not significantly different as compared with diabetic control. However, in the insulin plus ascorbic acid treatment group, reduced form and the ratio of reduced/total ascorbic acid were significantly increased as compared with diabetic control. In addition, we measured the contents of malondialdehyde (MDA) in the plasma of diabetic rats. The contents of MDA was increased as compared with normal control, however, in insulin-treatment group, the contents of MDA was decreased as compared with diabetic rats. Ascorbic acid had no effects on the increases of MDA in diabetic rats. In conclusion, plasma ascorbic acid level and its reduced/total ratio reflects the status of the oxidative stress in the diabetic rats. Supplement of ascorbic acid did not correct the ratio of the reduced/total ascorbic acid. However, supplement of insulin and ascorbic acid corrected the ratio of reduced/total ascorbic acid.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.435-442
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• 2015

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the influencing factors of removable dentures satisfaction in the elderly. Methods: A self-reported questionnaire was filled out by 256 elderly in Jeollanam-do from September 1, 2013 to June 30, 2014. The questionnaire consisted of general characteristics of the subjects, denture related characteristics systemic health characteristics and dental health behavior. Removable dentures satisfaction was adapted from Ban. The questionnaire for Removable dentures satisfaction included general treatment satisfaction, masticatory function satisfaction, denture retention satisfaction, aesthetic satisfaction measured by Likert 5 scale. Cronbach's alpha was 0.850 in the study. Data were analyzed for a t-test, one-way ANOVA and multiple regression analysis by using SPSS(SPSS 18.0, USA) program. Results: According to subjective and systemic health condition and oral health condition, there was a statistically significant increase in general satisfaction of treatment, masticatory satisfaction of function, denture satisfaction of retention, aesthetic satisfaction. The overall satisfaction for removable denture showed a significant improvement. In the multiple regression analysis, variation of removable denture satisfaction was positively associated with oral health status{good(b=0.736, p=0.000)}, denture treatment services{dental hospital clinic(b=0.327, p=0.023)}, and systemic health status{good(b=0.241, p=0.047)}. Conclusions: Satisfaction of removable dentures may have a positive impact on oral health condition, hospital type, and associated systemic disease. It is necessary to develop incremental care programs for oral health and systemic health and to make public opinion to encourage the program.