• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.54 no.8
• /
• pp.329-334
• /
• 2011

Purpose: The purpose of this article is to describe the clinical and epidemiologic features and outcomes among children hospitalized with pandemic influenza A/H1N1 2009 infection. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the charts of hospitalized pediatric patients (<18 years) diagnosed with pandemic influenza A/H1N1 2009 infection by reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction at a tertiary hospital in Seoul, Korea, between September 2009 and February 2010. Results: A total of 72 children were hospitalized with pandemic influenza A/H1N1 2009 infection (median age, 6.0 years; range, 2 months to 18 years). A total of 40% had at least 1 underlying medical condition, including asthma (17%), malignancies (19%), and heart diseases (17%). Of the 72 patients, 54 (76%) children admitted with H1N1 infection showed radiographic alterations compatible with pneumonia. There was no significant difference in pre-existing conditions between pandemic influenza A/H1N1 infected patients with or without pneumonia. Children with pandemic influenza A/H1N1 pneumonia were more likely to have a lower lymphocyte ratio (P=0.02), higher platelet count (P=0.02), and higher level of serum glucose (P=0.003), and more commonly presented with dyspnea than did those without pneumonia (P=0.04). Conclusions: No significant differences in age, sex, or presence of preexisting conditions were found between children hospitalized with pandemic influenza A/H1N1 H1N1 influenza infection with pneumonia and those without pneumonia. Higher leukocyte count, higher glucose level, and a lower lymphocyte ratio were associated with the development of pandemic A/H1N1 2009 influenza pneumonia.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
• /
• v.21 no.1
• /
• pp.107-119
• /
• 2017

Purpose : Recently, cancer has become a chronic disease that requires supervision because of early diagnosis and the development of therapeutic technology. As a result, cancer patients are interested in improving the quality of their lives besides the treatment of cancer itself. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct a qualitative research to understand the vivid experiences of cancer patients and structure their treatment experience. Among qualitative researches, grounded theory is developed based on the data collected in the field. The grounded theory research method is easy to analyze for the process and structure of the treatment experience. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to provide basic data on the integrated medical experience of cancer patients Methods : Participants were conveniently selected, and the criteria for selection were for those who had more than 1 month of hospitalization so that they could dictate their situation and experience in a meaningful manner. Data was collected through in-depth interviews and continued until the data were saturated through theoretical sensitivity and continuous comparison methods. The collected data were analyzed through the process of open-coding, axial coding, and selection coding, which are the research methods of grounded theory. Results : Cancer patients differ in their path, purpose, and attitudes depending on their respective situations and the internal and external resources of individuals. There is also a difference in the perception of their situation among the cancer patients and their families. Cancer patients were shown to recognize and cope with problems in the integrated medical treatment process, and have been classified into 6 different types after the results. Cancer patients showed positive changes in terms of physical, emotional, and lifestyle after their integrated medical treatment. Cancer patients perceived the integrated medical treatment process as a horizontal relationship structure and with diversity. Conclusions : The experience of integrated medical treatment of cancer patients is a process of rehabilitation that heals the body and restores life within the interaction of support system, contextual situation, and internal resources of the individual. Despite this, there is a need not only for the efforts of integrated medical service providers but also institutional support in the future with regards to the current weaknesses and points for improvement. In addition, there is a need for an objective criterion to measure the outcome of integrated medicine for the standardization of integrated medical services.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.52 no.6
• /
• pp.667-672
• /
• 2014

While imported falciparum malaria has been increasingly reported in recent years in Korea, clinicians have difficulties in making a clinical diagnosis as well as in having accessibility to effective anti-malarial agents. Here we describe an unusual case of imported falciparum malaria with severe hemolytic anemia lasting over 2 weeks, clinically mimicking a coinfection with babesiosis. A 48-year old Korean man was diagnosed with severe falciparum malaria in France after traveling to the Republic of Benin, West Africa. He received a 1-day course of intravenous artesunate and a 7-day course of Malarone (atovaquone/proguanil) with supportive hemodialysis. Coming back to Korea 5 days after discharge, he was readmitted due to recurrent fever, and further treated with Malarone for 3 days. Both the peripheral blood smears and PCR test were positive for Plasmodium falciparum. However, he had prolonged severe hemolytic anemia (Hb 5.6 g/dl). Therefore, 10 days after the hospitalization, Babesia was considered to be potentially coinfected. A 7-day course of Malarone and azithromycin was empirically started. He became afebrile within 3 days of this babesiosis treatment, and hemolytic anemia profiles began to improve at the completion of the treatment. He has remained stable since his discharge. Unexpectedly, the PCR assays failed to detect DNA of Babesia spp. from blood. In addition, during the retrospective review of the case, the artesunate-induced delayed hemolytic anemia was considered as an alternative cause of the unexplained hemolytic anemia.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
• /
• v.7 no.1
• /
• pp.24-30
• /
• 2004

Purpose: Acute diarrhea in young children is a major problem in pediatric hospitals worldwide. We evaluated the clinical efficacy of orally administered Lactobacillus acidophilus in the treatment of acute diarrhea in children. Methods: From September 2002 to July 2003 at National Police Hospital 41 children aged 3 months to 5 years with acute diarrhea were enrolled in this study. The patients were randomized to one of two groups to receive either $0.5{\times}10^8$ colony forming unit (CFU) of L. acidophilus or matching placebo on admission and every 8 hours during hospitalization. Results: The mean duration of diarrhea in all 41 children was decreased (p=0.001) in the L. acidophilus (40.5 hours) group compared to the placebo (56.6 hours) group. Stool frequency was also reduced (p=0.01) on the 3rd day in the L. acidophilus group. Rotavirus was identified in 58% of the patients. The decrease of duration of diarrhea was more significant in rotavirus-negative patients (p=0.002) compared to the rotavirus-positive patients (p=0.027). Conclusion: L. acidophilus shows to be an effective therapeutic agent in acute diarrhea in children. Further studies are needed to confirm the present findings.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.20 no.10
• /
• pp.1458-1467
• /
• 2010

The present study was retrospectively designed to define whether preoperative levels of leukocytes and D-dimer are potentially useful factors in predicting perioperative outcomes of coronary heart disease (CHD). There was no relationship between preoperative leukocyte counts (Pre-OP leukocyte) and preoperative D-dimer levels (Pre-OP D-dimer). Pre-OP leukocyte counts each had positive correlation with cardiac troponin-I, creatine kinase-MB or C-reactive protein (cardiac markers) levels at preoperative and postoperative periods. Pre-OP D-dimer levels were positively associated with each cardiac marker at the same periods. Pre-OP leukocyte counts positively related with aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase (liver markers), whereas Pre-OP D-dimer level positively or negatively correlated with bilirubin (liver marker), creatinine (renal marker) or glucose levels at preoperative and/or postoperative periods. Pre-OP leukocyte and Pre-OP D-dimer were inversely associated with Pre-OP high density lipoprotein cholesterol levels or left ventricular ejection fraction. Pre-OP leukocyte counts each had positive correlation operation duration and postoperative mechanical ventilation-time (PMVT), whereas Pre-OP D-dimer levels had positive relationship with PMVT, intensive care unit-staying period and hospitalization. The retrospective data suggest that Pre-OP leukocyte and Pre-OP D-dimer levels may be clinically useful factors for predicting perioperative outcomes in patients with CHD.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.27 no.3
• /
• pp.275-282
• /
• 2017

Adenovirus (ADV) and human bocavirus (hBoV) cause acute respiratory tract infections, and are often associated with increased rates of hospitalization and death, particularly in infants and young children. The aim of this study was to analyze the clinical features and molecular phylogeny of ADV and hBoV isolated in Busan, from January 2011 to November 2013. In total, 3,230 specimens (throat swabs) were collected from patients with influenza-like illnesses and acute respiratory tract infections. Multiplex real-time RT-PCR was performed to detect eight respiratory viru [rhinovirus, adenovirus, respiratory syncytial virus, human coronavirus, human metapneumovirus, human bocavirus, parainfluenza virus and influenza virus] and detected 1,485(46.0%) cases. Among 1,485 positive specimens, 257(8.0%) cases were ADV and 68(2.1%) cases of hBoV. A significant clinical feature of ADV is fever and headache whereas hBoV is wheezing. Serotypic distributions of isolated ADV and hBoV were analyzed by sequencing of hexon and VP1/VP2 gene, respectively. ADV was identified seven different serotypes(1~6, 8), revealing a high similarity among the isolates (>97%). The predominant types of ADV were type 1 in 2011, type 3 and 4 in 2012, type 3 in 2013, respectively. ADV type 3 was major causative type during outbreaks in 2013. All of the hBoV was identified as hBoV type 1.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• v.23 no.4 s.32
• /
• pp.436-450
• /
• 1990

This study was designed to investigate the mar factors affecting selection of delivery facilities by pregnant women. Five hundred women hospitalized at 23 Seoul-area delivery facilities, such as university hospitals, general hospitals, hospitals, and clinics were selected and given questionnaires from April 24 to May 7, 1990. A total of 350 questionnaires were collected and analysed for the study. The results are as follows ; 1. In general, variables which significantly affected the choice of delivery facilities included the age of women, their educational level, the educational level of their husbands, monthly average incomes and residential areas. 2. In analyzing the obstetrical characteristics of the women, those variables significantly affecting the choice of delivery facilities were the gestational period, the facilities for prenatal care, the frequency of prenatal care, the type of delivery, the frequency of miscarriage, previous delivery experiences and the awareness on prenatal care. 3. In comparing the motivation factors for selecting the delivery facilities, all the factors except convenience and need for hospitalization differed significantly among delivery facilities. 4. The factor analysis was assessed for twenty possible factors motivating the choice of delivery facilities. Six factors including personal service, scale of the facility, reputation, urgency, convenience, and experience were noted explaining by 57.7%. 5. In the discriminant analysis used to clarify the major factors affecting the selection of delivery facilities, the 16 significant variables were regarded as independent variables, and the type of delivery facilities was considered a dependent variable. The stepwise method was applied to the analysis. Detected discriminant variables were the facilities for prenatal care, scale factor, personal service factor, urgency factor, convenience factor, reputation factor, experience factor, gestational period, types of delivery, frequency of miscarriage, age and income. These 12 discriminant variables were tested, with reference to discriminant prediction, on their importance in the choice of the delivery facility, by the discriminant functional formula. The test showed a hit-rate of 67.7%. The results suggest that general characteristics, obstetrical characteristics, and motivations for selecting the delivery facilities differ significantly according to the types of the delivery facilities. This study implies that all types of delivery facilities should attempt to acommodate characteristics and motivations of pregnant women. The facilities should be prepared to increase their patients satisfaction with required medical conditions by improving service and responding to the pregnant women's preferences.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
• /
• v.15 no.2
• /
• pp.297-305
• /
• 1998

Recently, several alternatives have been attempted in the management of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) to reduce morbidity of traditional transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). Among new modalities, transurethral electrovaporization (TEVP) is considered as a promising alternative. To evaluate the safety and initial efficacy of JEVP using the roller loop electrode (ProSurg Inc. USA) on BPH patients, we compared the results of TEVP with those of TURP and visual laser ablation of the prostate (VLAP). In this study, a total of 115 patients with symptomatic BPH were underwent TEVP (n=17), TURP (n=59) or VLAP (n=39) since 1995. Before treatment, patients were evaluated with an International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and the measurement of maximal uroflow rate (MFR) and postvoid residual urine (PVR). After treatment, the operative and hospital records were reviewed. The uroflowmetry and IPSS were re-evaluated 3-10 months after treatment. In clinical outcome of re-evaluation compared to the preoperative parameters, there was a clinically significant improvement in three procedures. TEVP resulted in 62% reduction in IPSS (TURP, 73% : VLAP, 69%), 84% improvement in MFR (TURP, 113% : VLAP, 91%), and 74% reduction in PVR (TURP, 88% : VLAP, 78%). TEVP had shorter duration of hospitalization and catheterization than the others. TEVP was associated with lower rates of treatment-related complication than TURP. In conclusions, TEVP is considered as a useful procedure to treat symptomatic BPH. And, the advantages of TEVP over TURP include excellent intraoperative hemostasis, lower morbidity, shorter hospital stay and simple technique. In addition the advantages over VLAP include lower cost, shorter duration of catheterization and early symptom improvement.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
• /
• v.11 no.2
• /
• pp.99-105
• /
• 2008

Purpose: In terminally ill cancer patients, accurate prediction of survival is necessary for clinical and ethical reasons, especially in helping to avoid harm, discomfort and inappropriate therapies and in planning specific care strategies. The aim of the study was to investigate prognostic factor of dying patients. Methods: We enrolled the terminal cancer patients from Kangnam St. Mary's Hospital from 2004 until their death. We observed symptoms shown in dying patients and assess 17 common symptoms shown in terminally ill cancer patients, performance status, pain and analgesic use. Results: Average period from hospitalization to death was 11.7 days. The most important prognostic factor is performance status (KPS), average KPS at enrollment is 48% and at last 48 hours is 25%. Physical symptoms that have significant prognostic importance are poor oral intake, weakness, constipation, decreased Karnofsky performance status, bed sore, edema, jaundice, dry mouth, dyspnea. Dying patients showed markedly decreased systolic blood pressure, cyanosis, drowsiness, abnormal respiration, death rattle frequently at 48 hours before death. Conclusion: If we assess the symptoms more carefully, we can predict the more accurate prognosis. The communication about the prognostic information will influence the personal therapeutic decision and specific care planning.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.36 no.1
• /
• pp.58-68
• /
• 2015

Objectives : To evaluate the long-term survival effects of traditional Korean medicine (TKM) on refractory metastatic lung cancer and small cell lung cancer (SCLC), which have historically poor survival rates. Methods : A retrospective study was conducted using the medical records of two patients in Daejeon University hospital. The first patient, with SCLC, was treated from January 2000 to December 2009 and the other, with metastatic pulmonary cancer from primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), was treated from September 2004 to February 2014. The patients were treated with herbal medicines at one-month intervals. During hospitalization, acupuncture and indirect moxibustion were performed concurrent with the administration of Western therapy. Treatment efficacy was assessed monthly using chest radiography, chest computed tomography, and laboratory examination data, and by measuring patient performance status. Results : Both patients exhibited a stable disease course for more than 9 years after the initial diagnosis of intractable lung cancer, suggesting that their disease status was controlled by TKM. Conclusions : We suggest that a combination of TKM with conventional Western therapy for refractory lung cancer patients is effective in controlling various symptoms related to lung cancer and improving quality of life, and may potentially prolong overall survival.