• Korean journal of aerospace and environmental medicine
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.17-20
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• 2021

As the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic continues, doctors face many difficulties in managing patients with respiratory allergies. As research continues, much new knowledge has emerged about the link between COVID-19 infection and respiratory allergies. Studies to date have shown that there is no significant increase in the risk of COVID-19 infection in patients with respiratory allergies. However, in patients undergoing treatment for moderate to severe asthma or allergic rhinitis, more severe clinical manifestations, increased hospitalization period, and increased mortality may occur, so patients need to be managed with more care. In addition to personal efforts, social consideration should be accompanied to prevent deterioration in patients' quality of life with respiratory allergies due to COVID-19. Lastly, as clinical doctors, we should treat patients with respiratory allergies to protect ourselves appropriately by actively utilizing remote medical treatment and minimizing tests that generate droplets. Also, by appropriately educating patients and continuing drug treatment, efforts should be made to ensure that patients receive the best treatment even in a pandemic situation.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.179-186
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• 2021

Background: Patients with advanced asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have postural deviations such as thoracic hyperkyphosis, forward shoulder posture (FSP) due to an increase in head and cervical protraction, reduced shoulder range of motion and a corresponding increase in scapula elevation and upward rotation. Unlike congenital vertebral kyphosis that are permanent and rigid deformities with bony and other structural deformations which cause respiratory impairment, these deformities in these patients may be more flexible. Since the thoracic hyperkyphosis has been implicated as having adverse health consequences it is necessary to evaluated the relationship between thoracic kyphosis and cardiopulmonary functions of patients with COPD and asthma. Methods: It was a cross-sectional analytical study. Eighty-four eligible patients with COPD and asthma were recruited from the Respiratory Unit, Department of Medicine, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), and basic anthropometric parameters, pulmonary parameters, cardiovascular parameters, thoracic kyphosis (Cobb) angle and presence of respiratory symptoms of participants were assessed. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 20. Results: There was no significant correlation between the thoracic kyphosis and selected pulmonary parameters (Forced Expiratory Volume in one second (FEV1, p=0.36), Forced Vital Capacity (FVC, p=0.95), Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR, p=0.16), Thoracic expansion (TE, p=0.27)/cardiovascular parameters (Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP, p=0.108), Diastolic Blood Pressure (DBP, p=0.17) and Pulse Rate (PR, p=0.93) as well as the respiratory symptoms (SGRQ scores, p=0.11) in all subjects. Conclusion: There was no relationship between thoracic kyphosis and selected pulmonary/cardiovascular parameters as well as respiratory symptoms in patients with COPD and asthma.

• BMB Reports
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• v.43 no.7
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• pp.499-505
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• 2010

The present study aimed to investigate whether the polymorphisms in the TSLPR gene are associated with atopic and asthmatic disease in the Korean population. We identified eleven single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and two variation sites in the TSLPR gene, including the promoter region. The genotype and allele frequencies of g.33G>C of the TSLPR gene in asthma patients were significantly different from the respective frequencies of the control group (P = 0.006 and 0.003, respectively). Our additional analysis showed that the genotype and allele frequencies of the g.33G>C and g.19646A>G of the TSLPR gene were significantly associated in the atopic asthma patients rather than in the non-atopic asthma patients (genotype frequencies; P = 0.0001 and 0.0003 respectively, allele frequencies; P = 0.0005 and 0.0001 in that order). Our results suggest that the SNPs of the TSLPR gene could be associated with the susceptibility to atopic asthma in the Korean population.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.1-11
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• 2021

Objectives: This research aimed to identify the level of perception, knowledge, preventive behavior, and factors affecting preventive behavior of patients with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease against particulate matter. Methods: This research was a descriptive survey research, and the subjects were chronic pulmonary disease patients over the age of 19 and under 80 who visited a university hospital in Daegu City. Data was collected by convenience sampling through structured self-administered questionnaire survey from December 2019 to January 2020, and a total of 212 copies were used for analysis. Results: Out of 212 total subjects, 112 were asthma patients (52.8%) and 100 were chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients (47.2%). The average score (out of 10) of perception, knowledge and preventive behavior of patients with asthma for particulate matter was 7.92, 6.99, and 7.10, respectively, while those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease scored 7.72, 6.24, and 6.80, respectively. The knowledge score was significantly higher in patients with asthma than those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (p=0.007). Factors affecting particulate matter preventive behavior were perception score, knowledge score, and age for asthma patients, and perception score for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients. Conclusions: As a result of the above, the factors relate to the preventive behavior of patients with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were perception score, knowledge score, and age for asthma, and perception score for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Raising the level of particulate matter preventive behavior can prevent the deterioration of chronic pulmonary diseases caused by particulate matter, so the development of arbitration programs considering the characteristics of the patients according to the disease and continuous and repetitive education are required.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.61 no.4
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• pp.339-346
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• 2006

Background: There has no known epidemiologic survey on the frequency of complementary-alternative medicine (CAM) use in the treatment of adult asthma in Korea. This study examined the current use of CAM by asthma patients in Korea. Methods: One hundred adults with asthma, who had been admitted to Kyunghee university hospital between January 2000 and December 2003, were enrolled in this survey. They received a structured questionnaire interview and a clinical assessment of prevalence and pattern of CAM use. Results: 53% patients had an experience of at least one type of CAM during their asthma management. Users of CAM had more hospital visits than those who had never used CAM($1.46{\pm}0.68$ vs. $2.11{\pm}1.20$, p=0.001). Those in their $50^{th}$ decades had more experience of CAM (80%) than the other age groups. The methods of CAM used by our patients are as follows: Diet/nutritional therapy in 35 patients(69%), herbal therapy in 28 patients(53%), acupuncture in 9 patients(17%), moxa treatment in 6 patients(11%), breathing exercises in 1 patient(2%). Conclusions: More than 50% of patients with bronchial asthma have used CAM. A more detailed and large scaled study will be needed to define the actual status of the use of CAM in the treatment for asthma. Inaddition, further research on the scientific validation of the clinical efficacy of CAM in asthma management should be followed.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.79 no.4
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• pp.295-301
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• 2016

Background: Specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) sensitization to staphylococcal enterotoxin (SE) has been recently considered to be related to allergic disease, including asthma. Despite studies on specific IgE (sIgE) to SE and its relationship to asthma diagnosis and severity, the association of sIgE to SE with airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) remains unclear. Methods: We enrolled 81 asthma patients admitted to the Severance Hospital in Korea from March 1, 2013, to February 28, 2015 and retrospectively reviewed the electronic medical records of the enrolled subjects. The serum levels of sIgE to SE (A/B) of all subjects was measured using the ImmunoCAP 250 (Phadia) system with SE-sIgE positive defined as >0.10 kU/mL. Results: The SE-sIgE level was not significantly correlated with asthma severity (forced expiratory volume in 1 second [$FEV_1$], $FEV_1$/forced vital capacity, sputum eosinophils, and serum eosinophils), whereas the SE-sIgE level in patients with positive AHR ($mean{\pm}standard$ error of the mean, $0.606{\pm}0.273kU/mL$) was significantly higher than that in patients with negative AHR ($0.062{\pm}0.015kU/mL$, p=0.034). In regression analysis, SE sensitization (sIgE to SE ${\geq}0.010kU/mL$) was a significant risk factor for AHR, after adjustment for age, sex, $FEV_1$, and sputum eosinophils (odds ratio, 7.090; 95% confidence interval, 1.180-42.600; p=0.032). Prevalence of SE sensitization was higher in patients with allergic rhinitis and non-atopic asthma patients, as compared to patients without allergic rhinitis and atopic asthma patients, respectively, but without statistical significance. Conclusion: SE sensitization is significantly associated with AHR.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.555-563
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• 1999

Background: Chronic cough is a common symptom that requires the systematic diagnostic approach for proper evaluation. Postnasal drip syndrome(PNDS), bronchial asthma, gastroesophageal reflux disease(GERD), and chronic bronchitis are among the common causes. This study was conducted to evaluate the spectrum and the frequency of the causes of chronic cough. Methods: We prospectively evaluated 93 patients who had chronic cough despite normal chest radiographic finding. History and physical examination were done along with paranasal sinus radiograph, spirometry, bronchoprovocation test and 24-hours' ambulatory aesophageal pH monitoring as necessary. Results: Forty-nine(52%) of the 93 patients had PNDS, 15 patients(16%) bronchitis, 10 patients(11%) asthma, 4 patients (4%) GERD, 7 patients (8%) both PNDS and asthma, 4 patients (4%) undiagnosed condition and 4 patients(4%) were taking ACE inhibitor. Sixty-nine percent of the patients with PNDS improved after follow up, 73% patients with bronchitis, 80% patients with asthma, 50% patients with GERD, 100% patients with both PNDS and asthma, and 100% patients with ACE inhibitor. Conclusion: PNDS was the most common causes of chronic cough. Bronchitis was the second and asthma the third in frequency. The etiology of chronic cough can be determined easily by history and physical examination, successful therapy initiated in most patients. The response to specific therapy also was important in evaluation of chronic cough.

• Kosin Medical Journal
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.171-180
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• 2018

Objectives: We investigated whether asthma attacks in asthmatic children were caused by short-term exposure to particulate $matter(PM)_{2.5}$. Methods: Subjects were 411 patients who received inhalation therapy in National Fukuoka Hospital, from March to May 2013. All subjects were outpatients. We surveyed the air quality measurement results in the stations closest to the address of the patients. Data were used from the City of Fukuoka website data on air pollution. We carried out a case-crossover study and compared $PM_{2.5}$ concentration between 7 days after asthma attack occurred and the day asthma attack occurred and 1, 2 and 3 days before asthma attack occurred. Results: Highest hourly concentration of the day (OR 1.013, 95%CI 1.000-1.025) showed a significant association with 1 day before $PM_{2.5}$ concentration statistically. And 0-1 year-old infants were more vulnerable to the highest concentration of 1 day before $PM_{2.5}$ concentration(P < 0.05). Average concentration of $NO_2$ and $O_3$ and asthma attack also showed a significant association. Conclusions: Maximal daily $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations within 24 hours prior to the attack affect asthma exacerbation. 0-1 year-old infants are particularly vulnerable to $PM_{2.5}$ concentration. Asthma exacerbation is aggravated by $NO_2$ and $O_3$ concentration on the day of the asthma attack.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.47-58
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• 2021

Purpose : This study aimed to investigate the association between asthma and oral health and factors influencing asthma in adults. We also investigated whether asthma is related to mental health and physiological factors of blood. Methods : Data from 12,639 adults was taken from the 7th period (2016~2018) Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and analyzed using with SPSS 22.0 statistical program. Statistical analysis of data included frequency analysis, cross-analysis, and logistic regression analysis. For continuous data, an independent sample t-test was performed. The statistical significance level was defined as 0.05. Results : The probability of asthma occurrence was statistically different within general characteristics (gender, age, school grade, income, and drinking). By independent variables in a logistic regression analysis, the asthma diagnosis group had more people with speech discomfort (OR=1.37), chewing discomfort (OR=1.29), and oral pain (OR=.73). We found that people with asthma had a more unfavorable perception of their health (OR=1.73), suffered more depression (OR=.45), stress (OR=.66), and limited activity (OR=2.38). Moreover, the white blood cell count (OR=1.10) and high sensitivity C-reactive protein test (OR=1.06) also showed higher values than the control group. Conclusion : Our study showed that oral health and mental health were associated with the asthma, and influencing factors were oral health and behavior and mental health-related characteristics. Therefore, it is necessary to understand asthma-related risk factors for oral health and recognize the importance of systematic oral care education and regular dental visits for patients receiving asthma treatment. Thus, this study provides valuable insights on appropriate oral health management and prevention of asthma in patients.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.64 no.5
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• pp.229-238
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• 2021

Background: Bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR), an important physiological feature of asthma, is a prognostic marker of childhood asthma. Purpose: We aimed to investigate the factors associated with BHR in adolescents with childhood asthma. Methods: Two hundred and fifteen adolescents (≥13 years of age; 149 males, 66 females) who were diagnosed with asthma during childhood were enrolled, underwent methacholine challenge tests, and were divided into the BHR group (<25 mg/mL of provocation concentration causing a 20% fall in forced expiratory volume in 1 second [FEV₁] [PC₂₀], n=113) or non-BHR group (≥25 mg/mL of PC₂₀, n=102). We examined longitudinal changes in BHR and the risk factors for its persistence in the 108 adolescents for whom baseline data, including methacholine PC₂₀ at age 6 years, were available. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the factors associated with BHR in adolescents. Results: Mold sensitization (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 5.569; P=0.005) and increased blood eosinophil count (aOR, 1.002; P=0.026) were independently associated with BHR in boys but not girls. The odds of BHR decreased by 32% with each 1-year increase in age in boys (aOR, 0.683; P=0.010) but not girls. A reduced FEV₁/forced vital capacity ratio (<90%) was independently related with BHR in female patients only (aOR, 7.500; P=0.007). BHR decreased with age throughout childhood. A low methacholine PC₂₀ at age 6 years was independently associated with persistent BHR throughout childhood in male and female patients, whereas early mold sensitization was a risk factor for persistent BHR in male patients only (aOR, 7.718; P=0.028). Conclusion: Our study revealed sex-specific differences in the factors associated with BHR in adolescents with childhood asthma. Our findings suggest the risk factors that might affect asthma transition from childhood to adolescence and adulthood.