• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.142-149
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• 2009

Purpose : The aim of this study was to determine the diagnostic value of serum procalcitonin (PCT) compared with that of C-reactive protein (CRP) and the total white blood cell count (WBC) in predicting bacterial infections in febrile infants<6 months of age. Methods : A prospective study was performed with infants <6 months of age who were admitted to the Department of Pediatrics with a fever of uncertain source between July and September 2008. Spinal taps were performed according to clinical symptoms and physical examination. Serum PCT levels were measured using an enzyme-linked fluorescent assay. Results : Seventy-one infants (mean age, 2.62 months) were studied. Twenty-six infants (36.6%) had urinary tract infections (UTIs), and 22 infants (31.0%) had viral meningitis. The remaining infants had acute pharyngitis (n=1), herpangina (n=1), upper respiratory tract infections (n=7), acute bronchiolitis (n=8), acute gastroenteritis (n=4), and bacteremia (n=2). The median WBC and CRP levels were significantly higher in infants with UTIs than in infants with viral meningitis. However, there were no differences in the median PCT levels between the groups (0.14 ng/mL vs. 0.11 ng/mL, P=0.419). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.792 (95% CI, 0.65-0.896) for WBC, 0.77 (95% CI, 0.626-0.879) for CRP, and 0.568 (95% CI, 0.417-0.710) for PCT. An elevated WBC count (>11,920/${\mu}L$) and an increased CRP level (>1.06mg/dL) were significant predictors of UTIs based on multiple logistic regression analysis. Conclusion : Serum PCT concentrations should be interpreted with caution in infants <6 months of age with a fever of uncertain source.

• 한국사회정책
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.125-163
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• 2018

Social and health problems related to drinking are serious. Drinking behavior is affected not only by personal factors but also by environment factors. The purpose of this study is to find out how the alcoholic beverage stores in community influence the drinking behaviors of individuals after adjusting the individual level variables and provide it as basic data for alcohol related regulatory policies. In order to identify the factors affecting drinking behavior, we conducted a multilevel logistic regression analysis with high-risk drinking and current drinking as dependent variables. Individual-level data provided by 2015 community health survey from respondents of urban residents, and regional level data provided by the National Statistical office. The variables such as age, education level, and income level were used as individual level variables and the number of basic living allowances, divorce rate, and the number of pubs were used as community level variables. According to the research results, after controlling all variables, the number of bar, retail per $1km^2$ in residential area effect on current drinking. But, they are not effect on high risk drinking. In the high risk drinking, only the divorce rate effect on drinking behavior. As a result of the stratified analysis, there was no difference in the current drinking. But, it shows that the higher the number of retail stores and the total alcohol availability, the higher risk drinking behavior in the 60s. The results of this study suggest that policies aimed not only on individuals but also on the local environment are necessary.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.83 no.6
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• pp.1327-1341
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• 2022

Purpose To evaluate the pattern of use and the perception of digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) among Korean breast radiologists. Materials and Methods From March 22 to 29, 2021, an online survey comprising 27 questions was sent to members of the Korean Society of Breast Imaging. Questions related to practice characteristics, utilization and perception of DBT, and research interests. Results were analyzed based on factors using logistic regression. Results Overall, 120 of 257 members responded to the survey (response rate, 46.7%), 67 (55.8%) of whom reported using DBT. The overall satisfaction with DBT was 3.31 (1-5 scale). The most-cited DBT advantages were decreased recall rate (55.8%), increased lesion conspicuity (48.3%), and increased cancer detection (45.8%). The most-cited DBT disadvantages were extra cost for patients (46.7%), insufficient calcification characterization (43.3%), insufficient improvement in diagnostic performance (39.2%), and radiation dose (35.8%). Radiologists reported increased storage requirements and interpretation time for barriers to implementing DBT. Conclusion Further improvement of DBT techniques reflecting feedback from the user's perspective will help increase the acceptance of DBT in Korea.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.56 no.6
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• pp.600-610
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• 2004

Background : The plasma B-type natriuretic peptide(BNP) concentration increases with the degree of pulmonary hypertension in patients with chronic respiratory disease. The aim of this study was to examine the prognostic role of BNP in the acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD). Method : We selected 67 patients who were admitted our hospital because of an acute exacerbation of COPD. Their BNP levels were checked on admission at the Emergency Department. Their medical records were analyzed retrospectively. The patients were divided into two groups according to their in-hospital mortality. The patients' medical history, comobidity, exacerbation type, blood gas analysis, pulmonary function, APACHE II severity score and plasma BNP level were compared. Results : Multiple logistic regression analysis identified three independent predictors of mortality: $FEV_1$, APACHE II score and plasma BNP level. The decedents group showed a lower $FEV_1$($28{\pm}7$ vs. $37{\pm}15%$, p=0.005), a higher APACHE II score($22.4{\pm}6.1$ vs. $15.8{\pm}4.7$, p=0.000) and a higher BNP level ($201{\pm}116$ vs. $77{\pm}80pg/mL$, p=0.000) than the sSurvivors group. When the BNP cut-off level was set to 88pg/mL using the receiver operating characteristic curve, the sensitivity was 90% and the specificity was 75% in differentiating between the survivors and decedents. On Fisher's exact test, the odds ratio for mortality was 21.2 (95% CI 2.49 to 180.4) in the patients with a BNP level > 88pg/mL. Conclusion : The plasma BNP level might be a predictor of mortality in an acute exacerbation of COPD as well as the $FEV_1$ and APACHE II score.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.3-12
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• 2014

Objectives : We aimed to explore the relationship among fatigue and perceived stress, depressive mood in the working population. We also examined associations with demographic and life style factors and investigated the effect of individual coping skills on these associations. Methods : Fatigue Severity Scale(FSS), Perceived Stress Scale(PSS), Brief Encounter Psychosocial Instrument - Korean version(BEPSI-K), Beck Depression Inventory(BDI), Stress Coping Skill Questionnaire were administered to 621 civil servants. All of above and other demographic factors are self-administered questionnaire survey and this study is cross sectional. Results : Mean FSS score was 3.04 which was lower than 3.22, the severity cut off score. FSS, PSS, BEPSI-K, BDI were all higher in female. Subjects with active coping skills showed relatively low fatigue, perceived stress, depressive mood than those with passive coping skills. Logistic regression analyses indicated that the PSS, BDI, BEPSI-K in working population increase the risk of fatigue and regular exercise lowers the risk. Conclusions : Adults who were afflicted by stress, experienced depressive mood or were physically inactive were at much higher risk of feeling fatigue. Since no other large data sets are available for fatigue, the results from this study could serve a very useful purpose, to furnish a basis for comparison with future research results based on more complete data.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.27-33
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• 2005

Purpose : To determine incidence, characteristics and risk factors associated with intrauterine intraventricular hemorrhage(IU-IVH) among premature infants. Methods : The medical records of infants with intraventricular hemorrhage(IVH) admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of Asan Medical Center from January 1999 to June 2003 were reviewed retrospectively. Infants whose IVH with cystic change were detected within five days of life were defined as the IU-IVH group. The control group included those without any IVH. Various maternal and neonatal factors were evaluated between the IU-IVH and control groups, and risk factors for IU-IVH were identified using multiple logistic regression analysis. Results : The incidence of IU-IVH was 49/1024(15.9%). Mothers who are younger, primiparous, use less antenatal steroid, and neonates with greater incidence of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome, had higher incidences of IU-IVH compared to neonates with normal neurosonography. Risk factors associated with IU-IVH included neonatal respiratory distress syndrome and placenta infarct by placenta biopsy. Most infants with IU-IVH were ${\geq}1,501g$, ${\geq}34$ weeks gestational age and had low grade IVH. The size of the cysts associated with IU-IVH remained the same or disappeared in 96 %. IU-IVH does not seem to affect short-term neurodevelopmental outcome although a longer period of follow-up is needed. Conculusion : IU-IVH occurred mostly in ${\geq}1,501g$, ${\geq}34$ weeks infants with grade I IVH without developmental delays. However, the high incidence of total IVH merits more attention in terms of awareness of its existence as an unusual IVH among premature infants.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.50 no.12
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• pp.1206-1211
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• 2007

Purpose : The aim of this study was to investigate the risk of low birth weight associated with delayed first childbearing in Korea. Methods : The national birth certificate data of the singletons and first babies in Korea from January 2001 to December 2003 (n=736,167) was used. Outcome measures were rates of low birth weight infant, very low birth weight infant between 6 maternal age group (<20 years, 20-24 years, 25-29 years, 30-34 years and >35years). Odd ratios were calculated by multiple logistic regression on marital state, maternal education, maternal occupation, paternal occupation, duration of marriage and address. Results : Compared with women aged 25 to 29 years, women aged 30-35 years, 35-40 years and over 40 years had higher odds ratios of low birth weight, odd ratios were 1.3, 2.1, 2.4 respectively. Even though adjusted by marital state, maternal education, maternal occupation, paternal occupation, duration of marriage and address, odds ratios were 1.3, 1.9, 2.0 respectively. Compared with women aged 25 to 29 years, women aged 30-35 years, 35-40 years and over 40 years had higher odds ratios of very low birth weight, odd ratios were 1.8, 3.3, 3.7 respectively. Even though adjusted, odd ratios were 1.6, 2.7, 2.6 respectively. Compared with the incidence of low birth weight in each maternal age, maternal education, marital state, married, high school graduated thirties women was lower incidence than unmarried, high school graduated twenties women. Conclusion : These findings suggest that delayed childbearing increase the risk of low birth weight and very low birth weight, but if pregnant women have better socioeconomic condition, the impact of advanced maternal age on the risk of low birth weight will be decreased.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.759-764
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• 2011

This study was conducted to provide the basic data for the health management of the primary school, by finding and analyzing the factors affecting the degrees of atopic dermatitis symptom's severeness. The subjects of our study were collected 273 pupils mothers, whose children are undergoing through the atopic symptoms. The investigation process took the entire month of the November in 2006. The result of the older the pupils, the severer their symptoms(p<0.05). The longer the period(p<0.01), the more widely spread over the body, and the severer the symptoms(p<0.01). In the dietary habit, the more meat they eat, the severer the symptom(p<0.05). and in relation to the eating the food outside home, the more frequently they eat the fast-food, the severer the symptom. In the multiple logistic regression analysis, using the degrees of atopic dermatitis symptom's severeness as the dependent variables. it is discovered that the longer infection period they have and the more frequently they have the fast-food, the severer the symptom of the atopic dermatitis. The parent's love for the child, the monthly cost for the management of the infection, and the parent's feeling toward the child, can have a greate influence on the physical health, the feelings and the relation with the friends of the infected child, when the child shows the symptoms of scratching his skin. The conclusions of When all the results above are put together, the dietary habit of eating the meals mostly prepared with the meat should be corrected, and the education to form the pupil's right dietary habit, such as, putting the limit on the fast-food, must be made, in order to prevent the symptom of the atopic dermatitis from getting worse. And by the recognizing the atopic dermatitis as the family health problem, the comprehensive family health management, including the mother should be made.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.333-341
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• 1999

Background and Methods: In order to evaluate characteristics and modulatory factors of blood pressure in peritoneal dialysis(PD), studies were conducted on the 69 patients who had underwent peritoneal equilibration test(PET). Results: The results were as follows; 1) All patients received an antihypertensive drug before PD, but, 15 of 69 patients successfully quit taking the antihypertensive drug after peritoneal dialysis. 2) During peritoneal dialysis, mean arterial pressure(MAP) was significantly decreased for the first 3 months, and this lasted for 1 year, and antihypertensive drug requirements were significantly decreased continuously up to 9 months(p<0.05). 3) After changing the modality from hemodialysis to peritoneal dialysis, MAP(mmHg, from $107.0{\pm}4.5$ to $98.6{\pm}8.8$, p<0.05), antihypertensive drug requirements(from $5.6{\pm}2.6$, to $2.0{\pm}2.5$, p<0.01) and erythropoietin dosages(Uint/week, from $4600{\pm}2660$ to $2000{\pm}1630$, p<0.05) were decreased. 4) Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that MAP(p<0.01) and daily ultrafiltration volume(p<0.05) can contribute to the determination of antihypertensive drug requirements. However the relationship between antihypertensive drug requirements and PET results or dialysis adequacy indices(weekly Kt/V, weekly creatinine clearance) was not revealed. Conclusion: In conclusion, the prescription of antihypertensive drugs should be considered according to daily ultrafiltration volume, especially during first year after initiating PD, and follow-ups for over a year may be needed.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.155-162
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• 2002

Purpose : The purpose of this study is to provide preliminary information on the hospice care needs of hospice volunteers. Methods : The sample of this study was obtained from those who completed the hospice volunteer education program in three different areas in Korea. This study was conducted by a self-administered questionnaire. The sample analyzed for this study contained 88 hospice volunteers. Frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, and logistic regression analysis were performed to produce the findings of this study. Results : The characteristics of the study sample were $40{\sim}49$ aged, middle class, christianity, married women with high school diplomas. They attended at the hospice center with less than 1 year experience. Majority of them had no family members who received a hospice care. The hospice care was strongly required in the field of information, particularly regarding their diseases and treatments. The identified hospice care needs were the prevention and treatment of gangrene in the field of physical needs, the maintenance of closer relationship with their doctors in the field of emotional needs, and the support of supporting medical insurance in the field of socioeconomic needs. The significant predictors were 'having hospice care taker among family members' in the field of the total hospice care needs and physical needs. Two predictable variables were found in the field of emotional needs. However, none were found to be a predictable variable in the field of information and socioeconomic needs. Conclusion : The findings or this study have a weekness of generalizability due to the sampling methodology used in this study. Thus, further research should be designed in relation to this topic with a probability sampling method.