• Journal of Korea Multimedia Society
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• 제21권2호
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• pp.271-280
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• 2018

Recently, big data has been growing rapidly due to the development of IT technology. Especially in the medical field, big data is utilized to provide services such as patient-customized medical care, disease management and disease prediction. In Korea, 'National Health Alarm Service' is provided by National Health Insurance Corporation. However, the prediction model has a problem of short-term prediction within 3 days and unreliability of social data used in prediction model. In order to solve these problems, this paper proposes a disease prediction model using medicine prescription data generated from actual patients. This model predicts the total number of patients and the risk of disease in each region and uses the ARIMA model for long-term predictions.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• 제26권4호
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• pp.185-189
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• 2023

Purpose: Limited research has been conducted on the prevalence of non-medical opioid use (NMOU) in Korean cancer patients who have received prescription opioids (PO). This study aimed to identify the potential proportion of NMOU in cancer patients who had been prescribed opioids in Korea. Methods: A retrospective cohort analysis was conducted on 14,728 patients who underwent cancer-related treatment between January 2009 and December 2019, using electronically collected data from a tertiary hospital in Korea. Information regarding the type and duration of opioid use was gathered. A detailed review of medical charts was carried out, focusing on patients who had been prescribed opioids for over 60 days beyond a 12-month period following the completion of their cancer treatment (long-term PO users). Results: Out of the 5,587 patients who were prescribed PO and followed up for at least 12 months, 13 cases of NMOU were identified, representing 0.23% of the patient population. Among the 204 long-term PO users, the rate was 6.37% (13/204). The most commonly misused opioids were oxycodone and fentanyl. For the group confirmed to have NMOU, the median duration of prescription was 1,327 days in total. Of the 13 patients diagnosed with NMOU, 9 reported withdrawal symptoms, 3 exhibited craving behavior for opioids, and 1 experienced both symptoms. Conclusion: This study found that 0.23% of cancer patients who had been prescribed opioids in Korea demonstrated NMOU. Despite this relatively low rate, careful monitoring is necessary to minimize the risk of NMOU in this population, especially among long-term PO users.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제37권1호
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• pp.73-83
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• 2024

Background: Failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS) is a chronic condition that is characterized by persistent back pain following one or more spinal surgeries. Pharmacological interventions, such as the use of opioids and gabapentinoids, are frequently used in the treatment of FBSS. However, prolonged and excessive use of these medications can lead to dependence and adverse effects. This study investigates trends in opioid and gabapentinoid prescriptions among patients with FBSS in Korea from 2016 to 2020. Methods: Data from the Health Insurance and Review Agency were analyzed, and claims listing FBSS were selected for the study. Prescription patterns of opioids and gabapentinoids were classified based on the number of days prescribed per year. Results: Of the 390,095 patients diagnosed with FBSS, 41.6% of the patients were prescribed gabapentinoids, and 42.0% of them were prescribed opioids, while 10.6% of the patients were classified as long-term gabapentinoid users, 11.4% as long-term opioid users, and 7.4% of the patients were found to have long-term prescriptions for both drugs. The proportion of patients who received both gabapentinoid and opioid prescriptions increased annually. The doses of opioids prescribed have also increased along with the increase in the number of patients receiving opioid prescriptions. Conclusions: The prescription rates of opioids and gabapentinoids among patients with FBSS in Korea continue to increase steadily, posing potential risks of addiction and adverse effects. Further research is needed to better understand the actual status of addiction in patients with FBSS.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• 제31권2호
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• pp.96-103
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• 2021

Background: The number of elderly people with comorbidities who experience dysphagia associated with geriatric disorders, such as stroke, Parkinson's disease, and Alzheimer's dementia, is increasing. Consequently, the demand for long-term prescriptions of powdered medications is expected to rise. Most patients procure repackaged prescription medications from pharmacies; however, the guidelines regarding their expiration dates are unclear. Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess awareness among adults regarding the expiration dates and drug stability issues associated with repackaged prescription medications, including powdered medications. Methods: A questionnaire with 16 components was designed and distributed online (August 1-September 1, 2019) to adults aged 19 years or older. Statistical analyses, including descriptive analysis and chi-square test, were conducted on the obtained data. A p-value <0.05 was considered significant. Results: Data from 254 respondents were analyzed; 191 (75.20%) respondents worked in non-healthcare-related fields. A significant number of healthcare workers recognized the stability issues associated with powdered medications (p<0.001). However, a large proportion of healthcare workers were not aware of the expiration dates (p>0.05). Conclusions: More than half of the total respondents, including healthcare workers, were not familiar with the appropriate expiration dates of repackaged prescription medications. The establishment of evidence-based guidelines regarding drug expiration dates and the dissemination of awareness among patients are required. Furthermore, clinical practices including repackaging or pulverizing medications for long-term prescriptions should be avoided owing to the associated drug stability issues.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• 제34권1호
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• pp.30-38
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• 2024

Background: This study examined the public's perceptions of repeat dispensing as one of the measures to reduce the harmful effects of long-term prescriptions in Korea. Methods: From January 11 to 25, 2021, an online survey was conducted for adults using convenience sampling. A self-developed questionnaire was used. Results: There were 310 respondents, of which 228 (73.5%) preferred repeat dispensing. When considering the additional fee payment, 188 (60.6%) preferred repeat dispensing, and 54 (67.5%) out of a total of 80 chronic disease patients preferred it. It was confirmed that there was a difference in the willingness to repeat dispensing considering the additional cost depending on whether the patient had a chronic disease and the distance from home to the nearest pharmacy. As a result of subgroup analysis for patients with chronic diseases, frequency of outpatient visit, number of prescription days, method of packaging pharmaceuticals, and distance from home to the nearest pharmacy were identified as variables that could well predict the willingness to repeat dispensing considering paying additional fees. The preference for repeat dispensing may vary depending on conditions such as additional cost range, frequency and period of prescription use, disease and patient characteristics, so a careful approach is necessary. Conclusion: It is necessary for the government to consider the introduction of repeat dispensing with interest in the public demand.

• Anxiety and mood
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• 제11권2호
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• pp.143-148
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• 2015

Objective : This study examined benzodiazepine prescription patterns of outpatients visiting the psychiatry department in a single general hospital in Korea. Methods : A retrospective descriptive analysis of benzodiazepine prescriptions was performed on a database from 2014 in a general hospital in Korea. We analyzed the following factors of adult outpatients: demographic factors such as sex and age, amount of benzodiazepine prescribed, treatment duration, and diagnosis based on the ICD-10. Results : In 2014, benzodiazepines were prescribed to 46.4% of the outpatients. Percentage of benzodiazepine prescription increased with age and was highest in the age group 40-59 years. Prescription was more prevalent in women and the prescription percentage increased by treatment duration. Patients with the F4 diagnosis (neurotic, stress-related and somatoform disorders) were the most highly prescribed group. For all diagnosis groups, prescription was more prevalent in females or similar for both sexes except for patients with F5 diagnosis (behavioral syndromes associated with physiological disturbances and physical factors), with males being more predominant. Conclusion : Despite the concern regarding the rate of benzodiazepine prescription and administration to geriatric patients, long-term prescription and usage among older patients is still prevalent.

• The Journal of Korean Medical History
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• 제33권1호
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• pp.113-125
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• 2020

This paper analyzes information on Augmented Widen the Core Powder (加味普正散) (AWCP) in the Dr. Kim Young Hoon's medical record database, Cheongang Medical Records. AWCP is a prescription that is not found in the existing medical texts, yet is referred to in Dr. Kim Young Hoon's medical record database. By examining these records, this study shows that the original prescription for AWCP was Decoction for Rectifying the Qi with Cyperus and Kudzu (香葛正氣飮) and that this prescription was deeply related to Rectify the Qi Powder Worth More Than Gold (不換金正氣散) as well as Cyperus and Kudzu Decoction (香葛飮). In addition, AWCP had several names over a long period of time, and its name changed from the Powder of Relieving Lives and Rectifying the Qi (普救正氣散) to AWCP. In particular, this study shows that the term 'gami' (加味 augmented) indicates a change in prescription name, not a change in the composition of the prescription.

• Health Policy and Management
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• 제22권4호
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• pp.579-596
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• 2012

The purpose of the study is to examine the use of medication among adults by comparing the pattern of outpatient prescription drug use with the pattern of long term taking lifestyle drug use. Furthermore, the study investigates factors associated with the use of medication, particularity focusing on socioeconomic factors. Korea Health Panel data of 2008 was used to conduct the study analysis. By performing four different logistic regression models, the study noticed different patterns of the medication use between prescription drugs and lifestyle drugs. More specifically, the study showed that adults with lower education level tend to more frequently receive prescriptions while adults with higher education as well as income level tend to more use lifestyle drugs than their counterparts. Furthermore, other control factors such as age and gender were statistically significant for the use of both prescription and lifestyle drugs in different patterns. The study findings expect that reimbursement structure of drugs may be significantly associated with the different patterns and accordingly the accessability of medicine in particularly vulnerable population. Therefore, these policy factors should be considered in future study to more comprehensively understand about the diverse patterns in the medication use.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• 제23권6호
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• pp.1282-1291
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• 2009

A combined prescription of GGB and CHS (G&C prescription group) was used to investigate its effects on immune related factors and histological changes in atopic dermatitis(AD) induced mice. Significant decrease of atopic dermatitis clinical index in G&C prescription group. In DLN, G&C prescription group significantly modulated the immune cells. G&C prescription group also showed significant effect on the immune cells of the dorsal skin as well as DLN. The group indicated significant decrease of the biosynthesis of IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, GM-CSF, cytokines in serum. On the other hand, the biosynthesis of TNF-$\alpha$ was decreased. G&C prescription group significantly decreased the immunoglobulin IgE levels in serum. The results suggest that G&C prescription significantly improves atopic dermatitis through regulation of immune cells and cytokines. Comparative studies with Protopic ointment also showed that G&C prescription showed significant effect in AD patients, and active application of the prescription in clinicals is anticipated. However, the reason for the results that oppose to those of previous studies should be investigated. Also, therapeutic effects of both internal and external applications should be studied individually as well as for any synergistic effects. Safety, toxicity, as well as stability studies should follow to develop G&C prescription into long-term external clinical product.

• Anxiety and mood
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• 제1권1호
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• pp.31-36
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• 2005

Benzodiazepine (BDZ) has the possibilities of development of tolerance, withdrawal symptoms, and abuse/addiction, as well as chronically adverse effects. Although many guidelines have proposed the restricted prescription of them, their uses in many psychiatric areas as well as primary practice are still wide spread. So we tried to reappraise the clinical characteristics of BDZ and then to consider the appropriate use. Firstly, meta-analyses on long-term use of BDZ indicated the cognitive impairment, which could be improved after discontinuation of BDZ. Next, there have been some evidences that the long-term use of BDZ does not develop tolerance, contrary to our concern, and maintains good anxiolytic effects. Also, physiological dependence should be discriminated from abuse/addiction, assuming the reality that the risk of BDZ abuse/addiction is surely overestimated. These issues are discussed in detail.