• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.312-324
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• 2021

Purpose: Tuberculosis is an infectious condition with a high disease burden, and the stigma in patients with tuberculosis causes negative health outcomes. The purpose of this study was to define and clarify the concept of self-stigma among patients with tuberculosis. Methods: The analysis was conducted using Walker and Avant's conceptual approach. Twenty-seven studies met the selection criteria. Results: Self-stigma in patients with tuberculosis can be defined by the following attributes: 1) self-esteem decrement; 2) fear; 3) negative emotions to oneself; 4) social withdrawal; and 5) discrimination. The antecedents identified were 1) inappropriate knowledge of tuberculosis, 2) spread of improper health information through media and social communications, 3) stereotypes and prejudices, 4) visibility due to symptoms appearing, 5) recognizing the risk of infection, and 6) low financial status. The consequences were 1) concealing the disease, 2) treatment delay, 3) poor treatment adherence, 4) poor quality of life, and 5) deterioration in or lack of social activities. Conclusion: The definition and attributes of self-stigma identified by this study can be applied to enhance the understanding of stigma in tuberculosis patients and to improve communications between healthcare providers and researchers. It can also be used to develop theories and measurements related to stigma in patients with tuberculosis.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.87 no.4
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• pp.514-523
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• 2024

Background: The government of Korea implemented a strategy of prevention and early diagnosis in high-risk groups to reduce the tuberculosis (TB) burden. This study aims to investigate the TB epidemiology and gap in understanding of TB prevalence among homeless individuals by analyzing active TB chest X-ray (CXR) screening results in Korea. Methods: The Korean National Tuberculosis Association conducted active TB screening with CXR for homeless groups from January 1 to December 31, 2021. Sputum acid-fast bacilli smear and culture were performed for the subjects suggestive of TB on CXR. We performed a cross-sectional analysis of the data in comparison with the national health screening results from the general population. Results: Among 17,713 homeless persons, 40 (0.23%), 3,077 (17.37%), and 79 (0.45%) were categorized as suggested TB, inactive TB, and observation required, respectively. Prevalence of suggested TB in the homeless was significantly higher (3-5 fold) than in the national general health screening based on age category (p<0.005). Twenty-nine cases were confirmed as TB, yielding a prevalence of 164 cases per 100,000 individuals; 19 of these 29 cases showed inactive TB on CXR. Body mass index (p=0.0478) and CXR result (p<0.001) significantly correlated with confirmed TB based on multivariable analysis. Conclusion: Nutrition status and CXR results, especially that of inactive TB, should be considered in active TB screening of the homeless population, where TB prevalence is higher than the general population.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.85 no.3
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• pp.279-282
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• 2022

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.83 no.1
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• pp.14-19
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• 2020

Lung cancer remains the most common cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Although there are many possible treatments, including targeted therapies such as epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors and anaplastic lymphoma kinase inhibitors, new therapeutic strategies are needed to improve clinical outcomes. Immunotherapy through the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors has provided one of the most important breakthroughs in the management of solid tumors, including lung cancers, and has shown promising results in numerous clinical trials. This review will present the current status of immunotherapy for lung cancer and future perspectives on these treatments.

• The Korean Journal of Medicine
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• v.93 no.6
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• pp.509-517
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• 2018

A small number of viable tuberculosis bacilli can reside in an individual with latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) without obvious clinical symptoms or abnormal chest radiographs. Diagnosis and treatment of LTBI are important for tuberculosis (TB) control in public and private healthcare facilities, particularly in high-risk populations. The updated 2017 Korean guidelines for TB recommend that tuberculin skin tests, interferon-gamma release assays, or a combination of them can be used for the diagnosis of LTBI, depending on the age and immune status of the patient as well as their TB contact history. For diagnosis of LTBI, exclusion of active TB is essential, and the possibility of healed TB in those without a history of treatment for TB but at risk of its development must be considered. The treatment options for LTBI include isoniazid, rifampicin, isoniazid/rifampicin, and isoniazid/rifapentine. The benefits and risks of these agents based on the age of the patient and their hepatotoxicity must be considered when selecting the appropriate drug. Standardized diagnosis and treatment of LTBI based on the updated 2017 guidelines will contribute to the control of TB in Korea as well as to further revisions of the guidelines.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.78 no.3
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• pp.232-238
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• 2015

Background: A relationship between low vitamin D levels and the development or outcomes of respiratory diseases has been identified. However, there is no data on the vitamin D status in patients with acute eosinophilic pneumonia (AEP). We evaluated the vitamin D status in patients with AEP among South Korean military personnel. Methods: We prospectively compared the serum levels of total 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], 25(OH)D3, and 25(OH)D2 among patients with AEP, pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB), and community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). Results: In total, 65 patients with respiratory diseases, including AEP (n=24), PTB (n=19), and CAP (n=22), were identified. Of the 24 patients with AEP, 2 (8%) had deficient total 25(OH)D levels (<10 ng/mL), 17 (71%) had insufficient total 25(OH)D levels (${\geq}10$ to <30 ng/mL), and only 5 (21%) had sufficient total 25(OH)D levels (${\geq}30$ to <100 ng/mL). The difference in the total 25(OH)D levels among patients with AEP, PTB, and CAP was not statistically significant (p=0.230). The median levels of total 25(OH)D, 25(OH)D3, and 25(OH)D2 were 22.84, 22.84, and 0.00 ng/mL, respectively, and no differences in the 25(OH)D level were present among patients with AEP, PTB, and CAP with the exception of the total 25(OH)D level between patients with AEP and PTB (p=0.042). Conclusion: We have shown that low vitamin D levels are frequently found in patients with AEP and are comparable with those in patients with PTB and CAP.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.83 no.1
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• pp.89-95
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• 2020

Background: Same-day sputum microcopy is recommended in areas where sputum smear microscopy external quality assessment (EQA) is effectively implemented and sturdy. In Addis Ababa, the status of EQA and drop-out of same-day sputum smear microcopy has not yet been assessed. The objective of this study was to assess the quality of same-day sputum smear microscopy and diagnostic drop-out of presumptive tuberculosis (TB) patients in health facilities (HFs) across Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Methods: Amulti-analysis was conducted from September 2016 to July 2017 to determine the status of external quality assessment and diagnostic drop-out of presumptive TB patients registered for same-day sputum smear microscopy. Data was coded and entered in Microsoft Excel, and subsequently transferred and analyzed using SPSS version 20.0. Results: The drop-out of same-day sputum smear microscopy was 209 (6.2%). More than 33% of the specimens collected for purposes of same-day sputum smears were of poor quality. Among the selected HFs for the study: 13 (46.4%) used filter reagents prior to sputum smear staining while 75% of the selected HFs for the study used smear microscopy services interruption in a year. The sensitivity and specificity of the HFs participating in regional quality assessment scheme for the diagnosis of TB was 97.4% and 99.6%, respectively. Conclusion: The diagnostic drop-out of same-day sputum smear microscopy was high in Addis Ababa. Strengthening EQA, competency-based laboratory professionals training on sputum smear microscopy might reduce the reading errors in sputum smear. Awareness creation of the community on the benefits gained from completion of specimen provision for the same-day approach decreases diagnostic drop-out and enhances TB control program.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.127-135
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• 1984

Personal and social characteristics, disease status, reason of delay of receiving drug from City Health Center and knowledge and attitude on the pulmonary tuberculosis were compared between the faithful group in treatment and the unfaithful group among the patients for pulmonary tuberculosis registered in a City Health Center in order to analyze the factors which influenced the faithfulness to treatment. Record as well as interview survey was done toward all patients of 247 who were registered and being cared during over 6 months in a City Health Center from April 1, 1982 to March 31, 1983, and results were as follows; 1. There was no statistically significant difference in sex and age distribution between the faithful group in treatment and the unfaithful group. 2. There was no statistically significant difference in marital status distribution between the faithful group and unfaithful group in treatment. 3. The lower education group comprised higher proportion than the higher education group among the faithful group in treatment. 4. The proportion of the emlployed was higher than unemlpoyed among the unfaithful group in treatment. 5. The proportion of mild case was higher than severe case among the unfaithful group in treatment. 6. As for the onset of delay of receiving drug, 'less than 3 month after starting treatment' was 59.5% among the unfaithful group in treatment. 7. The reasons of delay of receiving drug were 'no time' (42.2%). 'being away from home' (25.0%), 'being sick' (13.8%), and 'forgot the appointed date' (12.0%). 8. There was no statistically significant difference in the knowledge on the communicability of the tuberculosis between the faithful groups in treatment and the unfaithful group. 9. There was no statistically significant difference in the knowlege on B.C.G. as vaccination drug of tuberculosis between the faithful group and the unfaithful group in treatment. 10. There was no statistically significant difference in the satisfaction on the treatment of health center between the group of faithful and unfaithful in treatment. 11. There was no statistically significant difference in the belief on the complete recovery of tuberculosis between the faithful group and the unfaithful group in treatment. 12. The rate of consulting on tuberculosis treatment with life partner was higher among the faithful group in treatment than the unfaithful group.

• Laboratory Medicine Online
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.94-102
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• 2017

Malaria, tuberculosis, and hepatitis are common and notorious infectious diseases in Myanmar. Despite intensive efforts to control these diseases, their prevalence remains high. For malaria, which is a vector-borne disease, a remarkable success in the reduction of new cases has been achieved. However, the annual number of tuberculosis cases has increased over the last few decades, and the prevalence of chronic viral hepatitis infection has been high in Myanmar and other nearby countries. Early detection and prompt treatment are crucial to control these diseases. We have devoted our research efforts to understanding the status of these infectious diseases and working towards their eventual elimination for the last four years with the support of the Korea International Cooperation Agency. In the modern era, an infection that develops in one geographical area can spread globally because national borders do not effectively limit disease transmission. Our efforts to understand the status of infectious diseases in Myanmar will benefit not only Myanmar but also neighboring countries such as Korea.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.236-244
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• 1991

The prevalence rate of pulmonary tuberculosis is 1.8% in 1990, and endobronchial tuberculosis may exist in 10 to 40% of active disease. Endobronchial tuberculosis usually leaves bronchial stenosis as the complication despite of modern chemotherapy, and it is often misdiagnosed as bronchial asthma. When bronchial stenosis involves major airway, its treatment needs such special measures as steroid therapy, surgical intervention and/or laser therapy, but the therapeutic result is often disappointing. To exploit a new treatment modality for bronchial stenosis, balloon dilatation was carried out in 12 patients with endobronchial tuberculosis. Under local anesthesia, 4F-Fogarty balloon was inserted via bronchofiberscope in ten cases and 10F-Gruentzig balloon was introduced under fluoroscopic guide in two others. Endobronchial tuberculoses were subdivided into two(16.7%) with actively caseating type, seven (58.3%) with fibrostenotic type, and three (25.0%) with stenotic type without fibrosis, according to the bronchoscopic findings. In 7 healed cases which were all stenotic with fibrosis, three (42.9%) took favorable turn in clinical status but four (57.1%) were not improved with balloon dilatation. In 5 active cases, all (two with actively-caseating type and three with stenotic type without fibrosis) were improved with this method. $FEV_{1.0}$ or FVC increased 10% or more after procedure in seven (70.0%) of ten and bronchial lumen remained enlarged in eight (66.7%) of twelve, in whom follow-up examination was done after the procedure. Balloon dilatation of bronchial stenosis is more effective, when endobronchial tuberculosis is in active stage than in healed fibrotic stage. It is suggested that bronchial stenosis can be minimized by early diagnosis and early application of balloon dilatation in the course of disease.