• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.11-20
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• 2016

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to investigate the clinical effectiveness of Korean medical combination treatment for cervical disc herniation. Methods : This is an observational study. 102 patients diagnosed with cervical disc herniation by MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) were investigated from January, 2015 through to December, 2015 at Daejeon Jaseng Hospital of Korean Medicine. They were sorted according to the distribution of sex, age, causing factor, the period of disease, admission day and pain area. All patients were treated with acupuncture, Chuna treatment, and herbal therapy and physical therapy during the admission period. After treatment, NRS (Numeric Rating Scale), NDI (Neck Disability Index) and EQ-5D were assessed to evaluate the treatment efficacy. Results : There were more females than Males with a ratio of 1 : 1.37, the age of fifty was the most with 35.29 %, reason unknown was the most with 72.55 % and the subacute stage was the most with 38.24 %. According to disc herniation types, patients with protruded disc types were the most with 66.67 % and a lesion of C5/6 was the most with 41.18 %. For patients diagnosed with cervical disc herniation, neck and shoulder pain NRS decreased from $6.43{\pm}1.77$ to $3.96{\pm}1.96$(p<0.001) and radiating pain NRS decreased from $5.64{\pm}1.96$ to $3.57{\pm}1.88$ (p<0.001). NDI decreased from $41.72{\pm}14.04$ to $30.84{\pm}15.34$(p<0.001), and the EQ-5D index increased from $0.68{\pm}0.17$ to $0.79{\pm}0.14$(p<0.001) after treating cervical disc patients. Conclusion : Korean medical combination treatment might be effective in decreasing pain and raising the life quality of patients with cervical disc herniation.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.83 no.2
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• pp.141-146
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• 2020

Background: The burden of nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) pulmonary disease (PD) is increasing globally. To understand the treatment outcomes and prognosis of NTM-PD, a unified registry is needed. In this project, we aim to construct a multicenter prospective observational cohort with NTM-PD in South Korea (NTM-KOREA). Methods: The primary objective of this study is to analyze treatment outcomes according to the species. In addition, recurrence rate, adverse events, the impact of each drug on treatment outcomes as well as the impact of characteristics of mycobacteriology will be analyzed. The inclusion criteria for the study are as follows: fulfilling the criteria for NTM-PD having one of the following etiologic organisms: Mycobacterium avium complex, M. abscessus subspecies abscessus, M. abscessus subspecies massiliense, or M. kansasii; receiving the first treatment for NTM-PD after enrollment; age >20 years; and consenting to participate in the study. Seven institutions will participate in patient enrollment and about 500 patients are expected to be enrolled. Participants will be recruited from 1 March 2020 until 19 March 2024 and will be observed through 19 March 2029. During the follow-up period, participants' clinical course will be tracked and their clinical data as well as NTM isolates will be collected. Conclusion: NTM-KOREA will be the first nationwide observational cohort for NTM-PD in South Korea. It will provide the information to optimize treatment modalities and will contribute to deeper understanding of the treatment outcomes and long-term prognosis of patients with NTM-PD in South Korea.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.23-33
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• 2015

Objectives : This study was designed to assess the general distribution and clinical effectiveness of Korean medical treatment on lumbar disc herniation. Methods : This is an observational study. 72 patients admitted to Daejeon Jaseng Hospital of Korean Medicine with a diagnosis of herniated intervertebral disc(HIVD) by lumbar-CT of lumbar-MRI were observed from July, 2014 to April, 2015. They were analyzed according to sex, age, the period of disease, causal factors, symptoms on admission, admission day, disc herniation type and treatment efficacy. All patients received a combination of treatments during hospitalization, including acupuncture, Chuna, herbal medicines and physical therapy. A zero to ten numerating rating scale(NRS) assessing pain, Oswestry disability index(ODI) and EuroQol-5 dimension(EQ-5D) was used before and after treatments. Results : Average admission duration was $28.00{\pm}12.85$ days in lumbar disc patients. For lumbar patients, lower back pain NRS decreased from $5.89{\pm}2.00$ to $3.42{\pm}1.87$(p<0.001) and radiating pain from $5.96{\pm}2.12$ to $3.38{\pm}1.83$(p<0.001). ODI decreased from $46.69{\pm}19.25$ to $35.69{\pm}16.67$(p<0.001), and EQ-5D index increased from $0.63{\pm}0.26$ to $0.71{\pm}0.20$(p<0.05) after treatment in lumbar disc patients. Conclusions : Korean medical combination treatment might be effective in reducing pain and improving quality of life for patients with lumbar disc herniation. This study further confirmed the efficacy of Korean medical treatment on HIVD.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.1-19
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• 2022

Objectives: The objective of this study was to confirm the Chiljeong (七情) characteristics of Hwa-byung patients using the core seven-emotions inventory-short form. Methods: We conducted a retrospective observational study based on the electronic medical records from a Korean medicine hospital. We included patients who were diagnosed with Hwa-byung and examined with Core Seven-Emotions Inventory-short Form (CSEI-S) during hospitalization periods. We presented the characteristics of Hwa-byung by demographic information, CSEI-S, Hwa-byung scale, and Korean Symptom Checklist 95. A correlation analysis was performed between CSEI-S and other clinical and psychological characteristics. Results: The Chiljeong characteristics of Hwa-byung were high in the order of Sorrow (悲), Thought (思), Fear (恐), Fright (驚), Depression (憂), Joy (喜), and Anger (怒). There was no significant difference between each emotion. After combined Korean medical treatment, Sorrow (悲) and Thought (思) significantly decreased. There were static correlations between sorrow (悲) and fright (驚), thought (思) and sorrow (悲), depression (憂) and sorrow (悲), depression (憂) and fright (驚), thought (思) and depression (憂), fear (恐) and fright (驚), anger (怒) and thought (思), thought (思) and fright (驚), sorrow (悲) and fear (恐). Sorrow (悲) and Hwa-byung characteristics scale showed static correlation. Joy (喜) showed a static correlation with disharmony between the heart and kidney scores of the Hwa-byung pattern identification. Between KSCL-95 and CSEI-S, static correlation appeared in depression (憂) with depression, anxiety, and sleep problem scale, sorrow (悲) with depression and anxiety, fright (驚) with depression and obsessive symptoms. Conclusions: Despite several limitations due to the study design and small sample size, this research successfully used CSEI-S to study the Chiljeong (七情) characteristics of Hwa-byung for the first time.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.36-49
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• 2016

Objectives: Two historical evidence supported the concept of Gamrosu. The first one was Jeho-tang, a selected thirst quencher in Chosun Dynasty and the second one was Saeng-Maek-san, Dongeuibogam's recommendation as one of the qi-vigorating summer beverages. Gamrosu is a modified fasting therapy beverage which is manufactured from those two prescriptions and the carbohydrates (420.6 kcal/d). A retrospective observational study was conducted to evaluate the clinical outcomes. Methods: Thirty-three cases were reviewed at three local Korean Medical clinics that each site's participant has finished the modified fasting for 10 consecutive days. Clinical outcomes were reviewed at pre- and post-fasting sessions by retrieving the changes of body composition, blood pressure, blood chemistries & urine tests, and subjective symptoms & fatigue scores. Results: Demographics of the observed participants were 17 of male and 16 of female. Post-Gamrosu session, -6.89% of body weight, -8.97% of body fat mass were reduced with the nutrition indices being improved (P<0.001). -8.72% of systolic blood pressure, -39.86% of serum triglyceride, -6.75% of fast blood sugar and -8.12% of waist circumference were improved (P<0.05). The levels of high sensitivity C-reactive protein (-58.34%), CRP (-43.55%) and eosinophil (-21.30%) showed the significant diminished profiles (P<0.05). Liver/kidney functions and the standard of electrolytes were maintained within normal range in stable manners. The fatigue scale scores indicated significant lower scores. Conclusions: Taken together, obesity-related clinical outcomes after a modified fasting therapy with Gamrosu were sufficiently feasible and the observed findings should be considered for further prospective clinical studies.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.2583-2589
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• 2013

Purpose: Studies have indicated that diabetes mellitus (DM) is a risk factor for bladder cancer; however, not all evidence supports this conclusion. The aim of this meta-analysis was to collate and evaluate all primary observational studies investigating the risk of bladder cancer associated with DM. Methods: The PubMed and Google Scholar databases were searched to identify studies that estimated the association of DM and bladder cancer. Summary effect estimates were derived using a random-effects meta-analysis model. Results: A total of 23 studies (8 case-control studies, 15 cohort studies) including 643,683 DM and 4,819,656 non-DM cases were identified. Analysis of all studies showed that DM was associated with an increased risk of bladder cancer compared with non-DM overall (OR=1.68, 95% CI 1.32-2.13). Analysis of subgroups demonstrated this to be the case in both case-control studies (OR=1.59, 95% CI 1.28-1.97, $I^2$=58%) and cohort studies (RR=1.70, 95% CI 1.23-2.33, $I^2$=96%). There was no gender difference in DM-associated bladder cancer risk. Bladder cancer risk was increased in Asia and the North America region, but not in Europe. Furthermore, DM-associated bladder cancer risk was obviously higher in Asia than North America and Europe or in those with Caucasian ethnicity. With extension of follow-up time, the bladder cancer risk was not increased for the patients with DM. Conclusions: This meta-analysis provided further evidence supporting theDM association with a significantly higher risk of bladder cancer obtained from observational studies.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.151-160
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• 2020

Background: Blood stasis (BS) is commonly used for pattern identification in traumatic injuries, including traffic accidents (TAs). Various studies have identified the efficacy of Korean medicine treatments for TA patients, but studies focusing on the BS-based herbal medicine (BSHM), including Tongdo-san (TDS), are rare. Methods: This was a single-center, prospective observational study, conducted from August 24^th, 2018 to December 27^th, 2018, which included 40 TA patients. Participants underwent routine Korean medicine treatments including acupuncture, electronic moxibustion, cupping, physical therapy, and herbal medicine. In the herbal medicine treatment, participants took BSHM with more than 3 days including taking TDS. The primary outcome measures were the scores from a 100 mm visual analogue scale (VAS) and numerical rating scale (NRS). Secondary outcome measures included scores from EuroQol-5 dimension (EQ-5D) and EQ-VAS questionnaires, the BS and cold/heat indices, and safety assessments. Results: There were significant improvements in the VAS, NRS, EQ-5D, EQ-VAS scores, and BS index after treatment. In the sub-analysis, VAS, NRS, EQ-5D, and EQ-VAS scores were higher in groups with a higher BS index. The moderate and severe BS index groups showed more improvement than the minor BS index group, and there was a significant difference in the EQ-5D scores. There was no significant differences observed in cold/heat index groups scores. Conclusion: BS is associated with TA-related symptoms. BSHM, including TDS, may significantly reduce BS, pain, and discomfort.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.9
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• pp.4699-4701
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• 2012

Objective: To explore the effect of portal vein chemotherapy on liver metastasis after surgical resection of colorectal cancer. Methods: Patients fulfilling the eligibility criteria were assigned to receive either surgery plus 1-week continuous infusion of 5-FU (study group) or surgery alone (observational group). Patients in the study group received portal vein chemotherapy, whereby 5-FU (1000 mg/d) and heparin (5000 IU/d) infusion was initiated from the day of surgery and lasted for 7 consecutive days. Liver metastasis was monitored during five years follow-up postoperatively. Results: Sixty four patients were recruited and assigned to the study group (12 with colon and 20 with rectal cancer) or the control group (10 with colon and 22 with rectal cancer). Liver metastasis rate was 12.5% in study and 25.0% in observational group, the difference being significant (P<0.01). Conclusion: Portal vein chemotherapy could be an effective treatment in preventing liver metastasis after surgical resection of colorectal cancer.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.65-76
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• 2011

Objectives : The aim of this study is to survey adverse events of acupuncture in the course of peripheral facial palsy treatments. Methods : The prospective observational study included patients hospitalized to receive acupuncture treatments for peripheral facial palsy. All patients were surveyed daily for adverse events associated with the acupuncture treatments applied the day before. Results : A total of 50 patients received $37.68{\pm}20.37$ acupuncture treatments in average. 36 patients reported experiencing at least one adverse event. Total 163 adverse events were reported. Common adverse events were bleeding(62), bruise(33), pain(30), tiredness(11), hematoma(7). The others were paresthesia(4), erythema(3), delay of removing needles(2), edema(2), aggravation of symptoms(2), declining of appetite(2), pruritus(1), drowsiness(1), anxiety(1), sweating(1), headache(1). Conclusions : Acupuncture has adverse events, like any therapeutic approaches. However, it is a relatively safe treatment. In future study, organized large scale prospective survey should be carried out to fully prove that acupuncture is safe.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.16
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• pp.6863-6869
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• 2014

Objectives: Several preclinical and observational studies have shown that anti-diabetic medications (ADMs) may modify the risk of lung cancer. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis evaluating the effect of metformin, sulfonylureas (SUs), thiazolidinediones (TZDs), and insulin on the risk of lung cancer in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). Materials and Methods: We conducted a systematic search of Pubmed and Web of Science, up to August 20, 2013. We also searched the Conference Proceedings Citation Index (CPCI) and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) for abstracts from major meetings. Fixed or random effect pooled measures were selected based on heterogeneity among studies, which was evaluated using Q test and the I2 of Higgins and Thompson. Meta-regression was used to explore the sources of between-study heterogeneity. Publication bias was analyzed by Begg's funnel plot and Egger's regression test. Associations were assessed by odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: A total of 15 studies (11 cohort, 4 case-control) were included in this meta-analysis. In observational studies no significant association between metformin (n=11 studies; adjusted OR=0.99, 95%CI: 0.87-1.12), SUs (n=5 studies; adjusted OR=0.98, 95%CI: 0.79-1.22), or TZDs (n=7 studies; adjusted OR=0.92, 95%CI: 0.75-1.13), insulin (n=6 studies; adjusted OR=1.13, 95%CI: 0.79-1.62) use and risk of developing lung cancer was noted. There was considerable inherent heterogeneity between studies not explained by study design, setting, or location. Conclusions: Meta-analysis of existing studies does not support a protective or harmful association between ADMs use and risk of lung cancer in patients with DM. There was considerable heterogeneity across studies, and future, well-designed, prospective studies would be required for better understanding of any association.