• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
• /
• 제21권2호
• /
• pp.119-128
• /
• 2021

Background: This study assessed anticipatory dental anxiety levels among 8- to 12-year-old children based on subjective and physiological measures and their correlation. The variations in anxiety based on sex, age, temperament, and academic performance were evaluated. Methods: An observational study was conducted in 60 children recruited from the waiting room over a 6-month period. The operator recorded subjective anxiety in the children using a novel visual facial anxiety scale. The operator also noted the demographic details and child's temperament using the nine dimensions of the Thomas and Chess criteria, and graded children as "easy," "slow to warm-up," and "difficult." The academic performance of the children was graded (parental ratings) on a five-point Likert scale. Physiological variables (heartrate [HR], oxygen saturation[SpO2], and blood pressure [BP]) were recorded by another evaluator. The correlation between anxiety levels and physiological variables was also assessed. The effects of age, sex, temperament, and academic performance on anxiety were evaluated. Results: The study included 60 children aged 8-12 years, including 36 boys and 24 girls. Seventy percent of children had mild to moderate levels of pre-extraction anxiety, while 30% of children demonstrated high anxiety. A significant positive correlation was noted between anxiety levels and HR (rs = 0.477, P < 0.001⁎) and systolic BP (rs = 0.294, P < 0.05), while a significant but inverse correlation was observed with SpO2 (rs = -0.40, P < 0.05). Anxiety did not influence diastolic BP. Children with difficult temperament and poor academic performance had significantly higher anxiety. Conclusion: A high percentage (70%) of children aged 8-12 years had mild to moderate anxiety prior to the extraction procedure. Increased HR, systolic BP, and reduced SpO2 were significantly associated with high levels of anticipatory dental anxiety. Pre-extraction anxiety was significantly related to the temperament and scholastic performance.

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
• /
• 제21권6호
• /
• pp.557-564
• /
• 2021

Background: Conscious sedation is a useful adjunct in the treatment of patients in dentistry; however, a lack of knowledge among the dental profession regarding sedation is a restricting factor in the practice of dental sedation. Therefore, this study was conducted to assess the knowledge and practice of sedation in dentistry among dental professionals in Tanzania. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted for five months targeting all practicing dental professionals in Tanzania. A modified questionnaire contained 14 questions regarding knowledge about sedative agents and a section on the practice of sedation. The data obtained from this study were coded and entered into a computer program and analyzed using SPSS software version 23.0. The data are presented as frequencies and percentages in tables and charts. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. Results: The age range of participants was between 24 and 63 years (mean 36.6 ± 7.7 years). There were 107 men (78.1%), and the male-to-female ratio was 3.6:1. The majority (76.6%) of participants only had an undergraduate dental degree. Thirty-one percent of participants only worked in publicly owned health facilities. Slightly more than half (59.9%) of participants had satisfactory knowledge regarding sedation in dentistry. There was no statistically significant association between the level of sedation-related knowledge and the demographic characteristics of the participants. Only 21.9% reported using sedation in their practice, and the most commonly used sedative drug was diazepam. The reasons for not using dental sedation in clinical practice included a perceived lack of knowledge on sedation, lack of equipment, and cost. Conclusion: Most dental professionals in Tanzania have basic knowledge of sedation in dentistry, although knowledge regarding sedative agents is generally low. The practice of sedation in dentistry in Tanzania is very low compared to that in middle- and high-income countries. Inadequate knowledge, lack of equipment, and the cost of practicing sedation are the main reasons for not practicing sedation.

• 대한청각학회지
• /
• 제24권1호
• /
• pp.29-34
• /
• 2020

Background and Objectives: Bilateral microphones with contralateral routing of signal (BiCROS) hearing aid is an option for hearing rehabilitation in individuals with asymmetric sensorineural hearing loss (ASNHL). The clinical factors influencing the trial and purchase of BiCROS were investigated. Subjects and Methods: We reviewed the medical records of 78 patients with ASNHL who were recommended to use BiCROS and analyzed the demographic and audiological factors influencing the trial and purchase of BiCROS. Results: Among the 78 patients, 52 (66.7%) availed of the free BiCROS trial and 21 (26.9%) purchased BiCROS. The mean pure tone audiometry (PTA) air conduction (AC) threshold of the better- and worse-hearing ears were 44.2±12.8 dB and 90.7±22.5 dB HL, respectively. The decision for trial or purchase of BiCROS was not influenced by age, sex, duration of hearing loss of the worse-hearing ear, or PTA AC threshold or speech discrimination score of both ears. The first and third quartiles of the PTA AC thresholds for the better-hearing ear of BiCROS buyers were 38.75 dB and 53.75 dB HL, respectively. The counterpart values for the worse-hearing ear were 72.50 dB and 118.75 dB HL, respectively. Conclusions: The clinical factors analyzed in this study were found to be irrelevant to the trial and purchase of BiCROS in patients with ASNHL. Nevertheless, the distribution range of the auditory thresholds of the subjects using BiCROS can be a useful basis for the counseling of patients with ASNHL and selection of candidates for BiCROS use.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• 제49권3호
• /
• pp.346-351
• /
• 2022

Background Postmastectomy breast reconstruction (PMR) increases patient satisfaction, quality of life, and psychosocial well-being. There is scarce data regarding the safety of PMR in chronic anticoagulated patients. Perioperative complications can reduce patient satisfaction; therefore, it is important to elucidate the safety of PMR in these patients. Methods A retrospective case-control study of patients who underwent PMR with implants and were on chronic anticoagulation was performed at our institution. Inclusion criteria were women ≥ 18 years old. Exclusion criteria included autologous reconstructions, lumpectomy, and oncoplastic procedures. Two controls for every one patient on anticoagulation were matched by age, body mass index, radiotherapy, smoking history, type of reconstruction, time of reconstruction, and laterality. Results From 2009 to 2020, 37 breasts (20 patients) underwent PMR with implant-based reconstruction and were on chronic anticoagulation. A total of 74 breasts (40 patients) who had similar demographic characteristics to the cases were defined as the control group. Mean age for the case group was 53.6 years (standard deviation [SD] = 16.1), mean body mass index was 28.6 kg/m² (SD = 5.1), and 2.7% of breasts had radiotherapy before reconstruction and 5.4% after reconstruction. Nine patients were on long-term warfarin, six on apixaban, three on rivaroxaban, one on low-molecular-weight heparin, and one on dabigatran. The indications for anticoagulation were prior thromboembolic events in 50%. Anticoagulated patients had a higher risk of capsular contracture (10.8% vs. 0%, p = 0.005). There were no differences regarding incidence of hematoma (2.7% vs. 1.4%, p = 0.63), thromboembolism (5% vs. 0%, p = 0.16), reconstructive-related complications, or length of hospitalization (1.6 days [SD = 24.2] vs. 1.4 days [SD = 24.2], p = 0.85). Conclusion Postmastectomy implant-based breast reconstruction can be safely performed in patients on chronic anticoagulation with appropriate perioperative management of anticoagulation. This information can be useful for preoperative counseling on these patients.

• 인간식물환경학회지
• /
• 제23권5호
• /
• pp.521-535
• /
• 2020

Background and objective: This study investigated plant type and color preference and conducted a psychological assessment for gardening activities of firefighters in a high-risk occupational group. Methods: A survey was conducted on 117 firefighters aged 39.01±9.17 in Sunchang in March 2020 to examine their preferences in plant type and color and conduct a psychological assessment of firefighters on gardening activities. Results: For plant experience and awareness, plant-related event showed the highest score, followed by plant preference tendency and plant growing experience. The level of plant gardening activities was higher among older age and higher job position. As a result of examining the quality of life according to the demographic characteristic with WHOQOL-BREF (World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment Instrument), it was found that the quality of life was higher among the 20s-30s than 50s, firefighter position than fire lieutenant or higher, those with higher average monthly income, and the singles group than married (p < .05). The administration group showed lower scores than the fire suppression group working in the field, showing statistical significance. Most firefighters showed high preference for herbal plants among the 12 types of flowering plants, in the order of Rosmarinus officinalis>Lavandula spp.>Mentha piperita, Calendula officinalis. Pelargonium spp. was preferred the least out of the flowering plants, Lycopersicon esculentum was preferred the most out of 12 types of vegetable plants, while Angelica acutiloba was preferred the least statistical significance. For the preference of plant colors, yellow was the most preferred color, followed by white, blue, orange, red, and green, showing statistical significance. For the psychological survey responses of emotion words toward 6 plants colors, it was found that 'bright' was the emotion felt most strongly by the white, yellow, and orange groups, 'calm' and 'comfortable' by the green and blue groups, and 'fancy' by the red group. Conclusion: The effect of agro-healing programs can be increased by using mostly yellow plants when creating indoor healing gardens at the workplaces of fire officials in a high-risk occupational group, and using herbal plants and Lycopersicon esculentum in the gardens for agro-healing activities.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• 제55권4호
• /
• pp.492-505
• /
• 2022

본 연구에서는 콩고기에 대한 인식으로 집단을 나누어 이에 따른 식생활 정체성을 파악함으로써, 이를 통해 향후 콩고기 시장 진입을 위한 기초자료로서 국내 소비자의 지속 가능한 식품 선택을 위한 활용에 기여하고자 하였다. 국내 소비자 260명을 대상으로 수집된 자료를 SPSS 통계 프로그램을 이용하여 분석을 진행하였다. 군집 별 국내 소비자를 대상으로 콩고기 인식에 따른 인구 통계학적 분석과 식생활 정체성에 관한 연구 결과는 다음과 같다. 콩고기 인식에 따라 '소극적인 소비자 집단', '적극적인 소비자 집단'으로 군집을 나누었으며, 콩고기 인식에 따른 인구통계학적 분석은 연령, 결혼여부, 교육수준, 가족구성원의 항목에서 유의적인 차이가 나타났다. 콩고기 인식별 식생활 정체성의 결과로는 '친사회적동기 (p < 0.01)', '중심성 (p < 0.01)', '사적 규범 (p < 0.05)', '개인적 동기 (p < 0.001)'에서 유의적인 차이가 나타났다. 유의한 차이가 나타난 4가지 요인 모두 '소극적인 소비자 집단'이 상대적으로 낮은 점수로 나타났다. 본 연구의 결과는 향후 국내 채식주의자의 특성을 정의하는데 활용될 수 있을 것이며, 건강과 환경 등 다양한 국내 소비자의 지속가능 한 삶을 위해 콩고기 시장 확대에도 도움될 것으로 판단된다.

• 한국환경보건학회지
• /
• 제48권6호
• /
• pp.306-314
• /
• 2022

Background: Due to the rapid aging of the South Korean population, neurological diseases such as dementia are increasing. Many studies have reported that the incidence of dementia is associated with environmental factors along with age. Objectives: This study analyzed the association between cognitive function and ten heavy metals in the body: arsenic, aluminum, chromium, manganese, cobalt, nickel, iron, copper, zinc, and lead. Methods: From 2018 to 2019, a total of 120 participants who suffered from cognitive impairment were recruited for this study. Blood and urine samples were collected and analyzed for heavy metal concentrations using an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer. Demographic information was obtained through face-to-face questionnaires completed by a trained investigator. Cognitive function was evaluated with the Korean version of the Mini-Mental State Examination and the Korean version of the Boston Name Waiting Test. The associations between cognitive function scores and heavy metal concentrations were analyzed using multiple logistic regression analysis. Results: The average age of the 120 participants was 72.7 years, and 69.2% were female. The mean of the MMSE-K and K-BNT scores were 22.9 and 37.9, respectively. The geometric mean of aluminum (Al) was 8.42 ㎍/L. MMSE-K was associated with iron (Fe), but the significance was removed in the logistic regression based on 24 points. K-BNT was significantly associated with aluminum and the odds ratio for K-BNT above 38 decreased by 45% as the aluminum concentration increased. Conclusions: The association between aluminum and the K-BNT score indicated that aluminum is associated with language-related cognitive decline. Based on this result, further study will be conducted by considering co-exposure effects of heavy metals including aluminum.

• 한국환경보건학회지
• /
• 제48권6호
• /
• pp.324-330
• /
• 2022

Background: Lung injuries due to exposure to humidifier disinfectants (HDs) were reported in 2011 in South Korea. As a result of the government's epidemiological investigation and toxicity test study, it was found that HDs caused health damage such as lung disease. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to classify HD exposure ratings and analyze the affecting factors that could identify the relationship with lung disease. Methods: Exposure assessment for HDs was conducted using a questionnaire during face-to-face interviews with the applicants. Ratings of high exposure (Class 1) and low exposure (Class 2) were cross-tabulated with clinical ratings (acceptable and unacceptable). Logistic regression analysis was carried out by setting the clinical rating of lung disease as a dependent variable and the socio-demographic and exposure characteristics obtained through the questionnaire as independent variables. Results: The concentration in air of polyhexamethylene guanidine (PHMG) was 71.96±107.47 ㎍/m³, and the exposure concentration was 15.21±23.28 ㎍/m³ . The exposure rating was overestimated with 97.1% of affected subjects having high exposure using margin of exposure (MOE), but only 9.9% matching the clinical class. In the overestimated group, it could be explained by the fact that the exposure time was long and the subjects had already recovered from damage symptoms. As a result of logistic regression analysis, ten variables were found to be significant influencing factors. Conclusions: A new exposure rating could be calculated based on the MOE, and factors affecting lung disease could be estimated through comparative evaluation with the clinical rating.

• 한국엔터테인먼트산업학회논문지
• /
• 제13권2호
• /
• pp.169-176
• /
• 2019

본 연구는 노인복지시설 이용자의 인구학적 특성에 따른 노화에 대한 태도와 우울에 미치는 영향을 알아보고자 하였다. 이를 위해 경기도 소재의 15곳의 기관에 280명의 시설이용 노인을 대상으로 하여 설문을 실시하였으며, 최종적으로 258명의 자료를 분석에 사용하였다. 측정도구는 노화에 대한 태도 척도, 치료자의 태도 척도, 우울의 척도를 사용하였다. 본 연구의 결과는 다음과 같다. 첫째, 성별에 따른 노인복지시설 이용자의 노화에 대한 태도, 우울에 차이가 없는 것으로 나타났다. 둘째, 최종학력에 따른 노인복지시설 이용자의 노화에 대한 태도, 우울에서는 최종학력이 높을수록 긍정적인 노화에 대한 태도와 우울을 나타냈다. 셋째, 노인복지시설 이용경험에 따른 노화에 대한 태도, 우울에서는 이용 경험이 있는 많은 노인들이 노화에 대한 신체적 변화에서 긍정적인 유의미한 차이가 나타났다. 따라서 연구결과 노화에 대한 태도가 부정적이어서 꼭 우울하다고 판단할 수는 없으나 최종학력에서는 높은 관련성이 있음을 알 수 있었다. 노인복지시설에서 근무하는 치료자들은 노인들을 치료, 케어함에 있어 최종학력이 낮을수록, 이용했던 시설의 수가 적을수록 노화에 대한 태도가 부정적일 수 있고 이는 곧 우울감을 높일 수 있는 요인이 될 수도 있음을 알아야 할 것이다.

• 한국환경보건학회지
• /
• 제49권3호
• /
• pp.159-168
• /
• 2023

Background: An ongoing environmental exposure assessment of humidifier disinfectants (HDs) has been conducted since November 2011 among individuals who experienced HD exposure-related adverse health effects. It is being performed in order to determine and quantify exposure to humidifier disinfectants in victims and their families. To date, the assessment has encompassed Cycles I-to-V. There is no report summarizing the characteristics of the subjects from the overall cycles. Objectives: We intended to examine the individual characteristics related to demographics, HD usage, and HD exposure using integrated data from Cycles I-to-V of the environmental exposure assessment of HDs and the changes with the cycles. Methods: We included 7,543 individuals who participated in Cycles I-to-V of the environmental exposure assessment of HDs. We summarized the participants' characteristics regarding their demographics (e.g., sex, education level, and age), HD usage history (e.g., product name, ingredient, and frequency of HD use), and HD exposure (e.g., daily time of HD use, cumulative time of HD use, and exposure intensity). In addition, their characteristics were compared across the cycles of the exposure assessment. Results: Among the 7,543 participants from Cycles I-to-V, there were more male participants than females (51.05% overall), except for Cycles I and III. Across all cycles, a higher proportion of survivors was observed than deceased individuals. While PHMG was the most prevalent ingredient in HDs throughout all the cycles, its proportion gradually decreased over the course of the examination cycles. Participants in Cycle I reported longer daily times of HD use compared to those in the subsequent cycles. On the other hand, cumulative time of HD use was shorter in the earlier cycles than in the later cycles. Conclusions: Using the integrated data from the full cycles of the environmental exposure assessment, this study identified changes in demographic characteristics as well as the HD exposure characteristics between the participants across different cycles.