• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.60 no.1
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• pp.24-29
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• 2017

Purpose: Previously, Kawasaki disease (KD) treatment with low-dose aspirin was administered for 6-8 weeks after the acute phase. However, inflammatory marker levels normalize before 6-8 weeks. In this study, we aimed to investigate the clinical outcome of short-term low-dose aspirin treatment based on inflammatory and thrombotic marker levels. Methods: We performed a retrospective review of the medical records of patients with KD who were hospitalized at Chungnam National University Hospital between September 2012 and May 2014. When fever subsided, low-dose aspirin treatment was started. Inflammatory (white blood cell count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and C-reactive protein) and thrombotic markers (D-dimer) were monitored at follow-ups conducted in 1- to 2-week intervals. The low-dose aspirin administration was terminated when both markers were normalized and no cardiovascular complications were observed. Results: Eighty-four patients with KD (complete KD, n=49; incomplete KD, n=35) were enrolled. The inflammatory and thrombotic marker levels were normalized within 3-4 weeks on average. At the beginning the low-dose aspirin treatment, 9 patients had coronary artery lesions but 75 did not. When the low-dose aspirin administration was terminated at the time the inflammatory marker levels were normalized, no new CALs developed during the follow-up at 6-8 weeks. Conclusion: Most of the inflammatory marker levels were normalized within 3-4 weeks after the acute phase of KD. New cardiovascular complications did not develop during the course of the short-term aspirin treatment based on the inflammatory marker levels, clinical findings, and echocardiography.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.5-16
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• 2000

The aim of this study was to investigate the differences in the level of disease condition and ADL by self-efficacy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The subjects of the study consisted of eighty-four outpatients with rheumatoid arthritis at a university hospital in Taegu between July 20, 1999 and August 25, 1999. The instruments used in this study were the self-efficacy developed by Lorig et al. (1989), the pain scale developed by Lee and Song(1987), the erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR), the pain joint count to measure disease condition scale, and the ADL scale developed by Katz et al. (1970) and Barthel(1973). Analysis of data was done by use of descriptive statistics: Pearson Correlation, Chi-square test, t-test, ANOVA and Scheffe, with the SPSS program. The major findings can be summarized as follows: 1. The first hypothesis, "There will be differences in the level of disease condition by self-efficacy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis" was partially supported. 1-1. "There will be differences in the level of pain by self-efficacy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis" was supported(F=3.422, p=.037). 1-2. "There will be differences in the level of ESR by self-efficacy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis" was the Disease Condition and supported (F=3.314, p=.041). 1-3. "There will be differences in the level of pain joints count by self-efficacy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis" was rejected(F=2.602, p=.080). 2. The second hypothesis, "There will be differences in the level of ADL by self-efficacy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis" was supported(F=7.067, p=.001). With the above results, it can be concluded that the higher level of self-efficacy contributed to the better level of disease condition and ADL in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Therefore, by providing nursing intervention to promote the level of self-efficacy of rheumatoid arthritis patients with low self-efficacy, disease condition and ADL would be much better.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.58 no.10
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• pp.374-379
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• 2015

Purpose: Incomplete Kawasaki disease (KD) is frequently associated with delayed diagnosis and treatment. Delayed diagnosis leads to increasing risk of coronary artery aneurysm. Anterior uveitis is an important ocular signs of KD. The purpose of this study was to assess differences in laboratory findings, including echocardiographic measurements, clinical characteristics such as fever duration and treatment responses between KD patients with and those without uveitis. Methods: We conducted a prospective study with 110 KD patients from January 2008 to June 2013. The study group (n=32, KD with uveitis) was compared with the control group (n=78, KD without uveitis). Laboratory data were obtained from each patient including complete blood count (CBC), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), platelet count, and level of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, serum total protein, albumin, C-reactive protein (CRP), and N-terminal probrain natriuretic peptide (NT-pro BNP). Echocardiographic measurements and intravenous immunoglobulin responses were compared between the two groups. Results: The incidence of uveitis was 29.0%. Neutrophil counts and patient age were higher in the uveitis group than in the control group. ESR and CRP level were slightly increased in the uveitis group compared with the control group, but the difference between the two groups was not significant. No significant differences in coronary arterial complication and treatment responses were observed between the two groups. Conclusion: Uveitis is an important ocular sign in the diagnosis of incomplete KD. It is significantly associated with patient age and neutrophil count.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.63 no.2
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• pp.218-227
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• 2020

Objective : To evaluate and compare the clinical and radiographic features of 25 patients with infectious spondylitis treated with anterior debridement and reconstruction using autogenous bone grafts vs. a metal cage with allogenic bone grafts. Methods : The study analyzed 25 patients diagnosed with infectious thoracolumbar spondylitis who underwent anterior radical debridement and reconstruction. Autogenous bone grafts were used in 13 patients (group 1), and a metal cage with allogenic bone grafts was used in 12 patients (group 2). Clinical outcomes were assessed by the visual analogue scale (VAS) scores and neurological status. Additionally, the serological results and the radiographic results using the sagittal Cobb angle were compared. Fusion was evaluated by computed tomography (CT) imaging at 24 months postoperatively. Results : Both groups showed a significant decrease in the postoperative mean VAS scores; however, only, group 1 patients showed a significantly higher VAS score than group 2 patients, 1 month postoperatively (p=0.002). The postoperative neurological status significantly improved. Elevated C-reactive protein levels and erythrocyte sedimentation rate values returned to normal limits at the 2-year follow-up without recurrent infection. No significant intergroup difference was observed in Cobb angle. Bony fusion was confirmed in all patients at CT 24 months postoperatively. Conclusion : Although the use of a metal cage with allogenic bone grafts for anterior column reconstruction remains controversial, our results suggest that it can be considered as an effective treatment of option for anterior column reconstruction in patients with infectious spondylitis.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.219-228
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• 2005

Objectives : to evaluate the effects of Jetongdan, the newly developed herbal medicine, on the quality of life in patients with osteoarthritis of knee Methods : Placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial on the 80 patients with osteoarthritis of the knee was fulfilled. After enrollment, they took medication as they enrolled. And they were asked to answer the questionnaires (Korean Health Assessment Questionnaire (KHAQ), Lequesne's functional index (LFI), visual analogue scale (VAS)) and analysed with the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) at baseline, after 4 weeks and 8 weeks of medication. Results : Total KHAQ score, some categories of KHAQ like hygiene, activities were significantly improved after 8 weeks of medication. And the change of the KHAQ score was significantly correlated with the change of VAS. But LFI, VAS, ESR level was not significantly improved, and it was considered because of the short medication period and small size of study population. Conclusion : In conclusion, Jetongdan could improve the health-related quality of life in patients with osteoarthritis of knee. Further study in the large population, in long period were recommended.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.70 no.3
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• pp.257-260
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• 2011

A 65-year-old woman was admitted due to poor oral intake and a dry cough over the previous 3 months. The physical examination was remarkable for bibasilar crackles, and plain chest radiography showed reticulation in both lower lung fields. A pulmonary function test demonstrated a restrictive pattern with a reduced diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide. High resolution computed tomography showed reticulation and honey-combing in both peripheral lung zones, which was consistent with usual interstitial pneumonia pattern. Her skin showed livedo reticularis. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein level were elevated, and hematuria was noted on urinary analysis. A serologic test for auto-antibodies showed seropositivity for Myeloperoxidase-Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (MPO-ANCA). A kidney biopsy was performed and showed focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. She was diagnosed as having pulmonary fibrosis with microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) and treated with high dose steroids. Here we report a case of pulmonary fibrosis coexistent with microscopic polyangiitis.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.60 no.2
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• pp.38-44
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• 2017

Purpose: Kawasaki disease (KD) is an immune-related multisystemic vasculitis that occurs in children, especially ensuing from a coronary artery abnormality. Sodium level is known to be related to vascular injury, which could affect the progress of KD. The purpose of this study was to determine the serum sodium levels that could predict the occurrence of cardiac and coronary artery events in KD. Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of medical records for 104 patients with KD from January 2015 to December 2015. Patients with serum Na levels of <135 mEq/L at the time of initial diagnosis were assigned to the hyponatremia group. Laboratory findings and echocardiographic data were analyzed for various aspects. Results: Among the 104 patients with KD, 91 were included in the study, of whom 48 (52.7%) had hyponatremia. The degree of fever, white blood cell count, percentage of neutrophils, percentage of lymphocytes, total bilirubin level, brain natriuretic peptide level, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and C-reactive protein level were higher in the patients with hyponatremia. They also demonstrated a trend of larger coronary artery diameters based on Z scores. Conclusion: The severity of vascular inflammation in acute KD with hyponatremia might worsen the prognosis of coronary vasculature. Although no statistically significant correlation was found between the initial serum sodium levels and coronary arteriopathy in the patients with KD in this study, a long-term follow-up study with a larger number of enrolled patients should be designed in the future to elucidate the relationship between serum sodium level and coronary arteriopathy in patients with KD.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.25-34
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• 2010

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of a 4-week aromatherapy on pain and inflammation in patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. Methods: A quasi-experimental study using a nonequivalent control group, pretest-posttest non-synchronized design was used. To analyze the data, descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, independent samples t-test, and Fisher's exact test were used. Results: After a 4-week aromatherapy, tender joint count (M=5.67 to 4.17), swollen joint count (M=4.13 to 2.54), and patient's assessment of pain (M=43.33 to 31.08) decreased significantly for the aromatherapy participants compared to the control group. But there was no significant difference between the groups in erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Conclusion: These findings suggest that aromatherapy could decrease joint pain, tenderness, and swelling in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, but some modifications in aromatherapy intervention and research method will be required to examine the effects of aromatherapy on inflammatory level in this population.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.1531-1533
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• 2016

Background: Polycythaemia rubra vera (PV) is a Philadelphia chromosome negative myeloproliferative neoplasm characterized by increased red cell production, independent of the mechanisms that regulate normal erythropoiesis. The aim of this study was to analyze the clinico-epidemiological profile of Pakistani patients with PV. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective cross sectional study, 26 patients with PV were enrolled from January 2010 to December 2014. They were diagnosed based on WHO criteria. Results: The mean age was $53.4{\pm}9.31years$ (range 36-72) and the male to female ratio was 2:1. Overall 30.7% of patients were asymptomatic. In symptomatic patients, major complaints were headache (30.8%), abdominal discomfort (23.1%), blurred vision (15.3%), pruritus (11.5%) and vascular incidents (11.5%). Physical examination revealed plethoric face and splenomegaly as predominant findings, detected in 34.6% and 30.7%, respectively, with the mean splenic span of $15.9{\pm}2.04cm$. The mean hemoglobin was $18.1{\pm}1.9g/dl$ with the mean hematocrit of $55.6{\pm}8.3%$. The mean total leukocyte count was $12.8{\pm}7.1{\times}10^9/l$ and the platelet count $511{\pm}341.9{\times}10^9/l$. Mean erythrocyte sedimentation rate was $3.5{\pm}1.22mm/hr$. Serum lactate dehydrogenase, serum creatinine and uric acid were $552.7{\pm}309.2$, $0.8{\pm}0.17$ and $6.60{\pm}1.89$ respectively. Conclusions: PV in Pakistani patients, unlike in the West, is seen in a moderately young population. The disease is frequently seen in male gender and primarily patients present with symptoms related to hyperviscosity.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.39-49
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• 2011

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of pain release through the four weeks aquatic exercise among the female subjects aged above 50 and who suffered from arthritis. Methods : The assessment was validated by blood analysis which measured the fluctuations of Erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR), C-reactive protein(CRP) and Rheumatoid factor(RF). Among the 50 subjects of this experiment, the control group has only taken a regular treatment from the clinic and the other experimental group has done aquatic exercise. The experimental group has practiced the aquatic exercise 50 minutes a day for one month excluding the weekends. Results : Blood analysis revealed that ESR was decreased in both the control group and the experimental group and the major effect of CRP was diminished only in the experimental group. No significance of RF was found in both the control group and the experimental group. Conclusion : These results indicate that the aquatic exercise is an effective treatment for arthritis that is compatible with the similar results from the previous studies. In line with this, the aquatic exercise program can provide an effective treatment and control of the disease with the arthritis patient. Accordingly, the regular basis aquatic exercise proved to be quite satisfactory treatment in this regard and we contend that it is vital for the arthritis patients.