• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.65-73
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• 2009

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess the clinical and polysomnographic characteristics of Korean patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS), especially in relation to differences due to age and gender. Methods: All subjects were consecutive patients who were proven to have OSAS with nocturnal polysomnography. They were interviewed with a structured interview format including sociodemographic information, past medical history, medication, and sleep-related history. Simultaneously, they were also given Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) to answer in order to check subjective sleep quality and subjective sleepiness. Results: Mean age of the 308 subjects was $49.5{\pm}$13.3 years, with 77.6% of the subjects being males and 22.4% of the subjects being females. The aging effects on the sleep architecture in Korean OSAS corresponded with normal aging, but with the effect of OSAS itself superimposed, the extent of aging effects was more marked than that of normal aging. The severity of Korean patients of OSAS was not correlated with age. When divided into age subgroups, significant correlation was found between RDI and BMI in patients of each subgroup of those in the 4th to 7th decades. The oldest subgroup (>70 years) described their subjective sleep quality as poorer than any other age subgroups, despite of less subjective drowsiness. The severity of OSAS and the change of sleep architecture of male subjects turned out to be severer than those of female ones. The female/male ratio of the subjects tended to increase with aging. Conclusions: The aging effect on the sleep architecture in Korean OSAS seems to be a mixture of the changes by normal aging and sleep disorder per se. The severity of OSAS was not correlated with age, but highly correlated with BMI. The severity of OSAS and the change of sleep architecture of male patients were severer than those of female ones.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.154-162
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• 2011

Purpose: With increasing prevalence of hypertension (HTN) in children and adolescent, pediatricians have become more interested in blood pressure (BP) measurements. The ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) is known to be useful to differentiate true HTN and white coat HTN. The object of this study is to assess the clinical usefulness of ABPM in Korean children and adolescents. Methods: A retrospective review of 51 patients in Kyungpook National University Hospital from January 2002 to February 2010 was done. All patients were 6-18 years old and underwent ABPM. We calculated the mean value of ABP, BP load, nocturnal dip and compared the results with the patients' diagnosis and characteristics. Results: The mean age of the 51 patients was $17.8{\pm}1.8$ years and 19 children were obese. 37 patients (72.5%) were truly hypertensive and 1 patient was diagnosed as masked HTN and 7 children (14%) as white coat HTN. The rest of the patients were normotensive. Among patients with white coat HTN, 5 were in a prehypertensive state. Mean systolic and diastolic BP load of patients with true HTN were significantly higher than non-hypertensive children (P<0.001). Although the nocturnal dip of all patients were below 10%, there was no statistical significance. The obese patients showed higher systolic and diastolic BP. Their systolic and diastolic BP load were significantly higher than non-obese patients (P<0.001). Conclusion: ABPM in children and adolescents seems to be a valuable tool in the assessment of white coat HTN and in the confirmation of true HTN. A considerable number of white coat HTN patients are revealed to be in a prehypertensive state and need close follow-up.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.27-32
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• 2006

Objectives: Nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP) is the treatment of choice and has been shown to reduce the frequency of nocturnal respiratory events, improve sleep architecture, and decrease daytime sleepiness in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). However, little is known about the compliance of nCPAP treatment in Korea. Our objective was to look into the nCPAP compliance and examine the factors influencing it. Methods: We reviewed the records of one hundred and twenty consecutive patients with OSAS referred for nocturnal polysomnography with nCPAP pressure titration during the period of January 1995 through April 1999 to the Seoul National University Hospital. We performed a telephone interview and obtained data from eighty-three patients. Results: In sixty patients who had accepted nCPAP treatment, twenty-six patients (43.3%) were still using nCPAP device, while thirty-four patients (56.7%) stopped using it. Fifteen patients (25%) were using nCPAP device everyday. In thirty-four patients who discontinued nCPAP use, twenty-five patients (73.5%) did within the first three months, and thirty-one (91.2%) within the first year. Significant predictor of long-term nCPAP use was the presence of subjective daytime sleepiness before nCPAP application. Conclusions: Long-term compliance with nCPAP treatment appears to be associated with the presence of subjective daytime sleepiness before nCPAP application. Long-term compliance with nCPAP may be mostly predicted from the usage pattern within the first three months of use.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.122-132
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• 2005

Objectives: The objective of this study is to assess cognitive functions and their relationship with sleep symptoms in young narcoleptic patients. Methods: Eighteen young narcolepsy patients and 18 normal controls (age: 17-35 years old) were recruited. All narcolepsy patients had HLA $DQB_1$ *0602 allele and cataplexy. Several important areas of cognition were assessed by a battery of neuropsychological tests consisting of 13 tests: executive functions (e.g. cognitive set shifting, inhibition, and selective attention) through Wisconsin card sorting test, Trail Making A/B, Stroop test, Ruff test, Digit Symbol, Controlled Oral Word Association and Boston Naming Test; alertness and sustained attention through paced auditory serial addition test; verbal/nonverbal short-term memory and working memory through Digit Span and Spatial Span; visuospatial memory through Rey-Osterrieth complex figure test; verbal learning and memory through California verbal learning test; and fine motor activity through grooved pegboard test. Sleep symptoms in narcolepsy patients were assessed with Epworth sleepiness scale, Ullanlinna narcolepsy scale, multiple sleep latency test, and nocturnal polysomnography. Relationship between cognitive functions and sleep symptoms in narcolepsy patients was also explored. Results: Compared with normal controls, narcolepsy patients showed poor performance in paced auditory serial addition (2.0 s and 2.4 s), digit symbol tests, and spatial span (forward)(t=3.86, p<0.01; t=-2.47, p=0.02; t=-3.95, p<0.01; t=-2.22, p=0.03, respectively). There were no significant between-group differences in other neuropsychological tests. In addition, results of neuropsychological test in narcolepsy patients were not correlated with Epworth sleepiness scale score, Ullanlinna narcolepsy scale score and sleep variables in multiple sleep latency test or nocturnal polysomnography. Conclusion: The current findings suggest that young narcolepsy patients have impaired attention. In addition, impairment of attention in narcolepsy might not be solely due to sleep symptoms such as excessive daytime sleepiness.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.70-80
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• 2003

We report the first direct measurement of $CO_2$ flux over Kwangneung broadleaf deciduous forest, one of the tower flux sites in KoFlux network. Eddy covariance system was installed on a 30 m tower along with other meteorological instruments from June to August in 2002. Although the study site was non-ideal (with valley-like terrain), turbulence characteristics from limited wind directions (i.e., 90$\pm$45$^{\circ}$) was not significantly different from those obtained at simple, homogeneous terrains with an ideal fetch. Despite very low rate of data retrieval, preliminary results from our analysis are encouraging and worthy of further investigation. Ignoring the role of advection terms, the averaged net ecosystem exchange (NEE) of $CO_2$ ranged from -1.2 to 0.7 mg m$^{-2}$ s$^{-1}$ from June to August in 2002. The effect of weak turbulence on nocturnal NEE was examined in terms of friction velocity (u*) along with the estimation of storage term. The effect of low uf u* NEE was obvious with a threshold value of about 0.2 m s$^{-1}$ . The contribution of storage term to nocturnal NEE was insignificant; suggesting that the $CO_2$ stored within the forest canopy at night was probably removed by the drainage flow along the hilly terrain. This could be also an artifact of uncertainty in calculations of storage term based on a single-level concentration. The hyperbolic light response curves explained ＞80% of variation in the observed NEE, indicating that $CO_2$ exchange at the site was notably light-dependent. Such a relationship can be used effectively in filling up the missing gaps in NEE data through the season. Finally, a simple scaling analysis based on a linear flow model suggested that advection might play a significant role in NEE evaluation at this site.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.156-164
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• 1995

Objectives : Patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome(OSAS) often complain of nocturnal enuresis. There are a few reports that OSAS patients have altered renal function, and there are some evidences that the increased release of atrial natriuretic peptide(ANP) may be involved in the pathogenesis of nocturnal urinary symptoms of OSAS patients. In this study, we measured plasma ANP concentrations during waking and sleep in OSAS patients and normal controls to investigate whether there were differences of ANP concentrations between OSAS patients and normal subjects. Methods : 27 patients with OSAS and 10 normal subjects were studied. All subjects underwent a full-night polysomnographic study. Venous blood samples were separately drawn during waking and sleep. Plasma ANP concentrations were measured using radioimmunoassay. Results : In OSAS patients, ANP concentrations during sleep($122.9\;{\pm}\;29.9pg/ml$) were significantly higher than ANP concentrations during waking($60.2\;{\pm}\;5.8pg/ml$)(p < 0.05). However, in normal subjects, there was no significant difference between ANP concentrations during waking($59.2\;{\pm}\;5.7pg/ml$) and sleep($69.6\;{\pm}\;3.0pg/ml$)(p > 0.05). There was no significant difference of ANP concentrations during waking between OSAS patients($60.2\;{\pm}\;5.8pg/ml$) and normal controls($59.2\;{\pm}\;5.7pg/ml$)(p > 0.05), and also there was no significant difference during sleep between OSAS patients($122.9\;{\pm}\;29.9pg/ml$) and normal subjects($69.6\;{\pm}\;3.0pg/ml$)(p > 0.05). Plasma ANP concentrations during sleep showed significant positive correlations with apnea index(r = 0.3846, p < 0.05) and respiratory disturbance index(r = 0.3939, p < 0.05) in OSAS patients. Conclusion : These data suggest that, in OSAS patients, plasma ANP concentrations during sleep are significantly higher than plasma ANP concentrations during waking, and there is a positive correlation between the plasma ANP concentration during sleep and the severity of sleep apnea.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.76-81
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• 2011

Objectives: This study aims to analyze the association between the severity of sleep apnea, sleep and mood related scales, and activity during sleep in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) patients. Methods: 176 drug-free male patients confirmed as OSAS (average age=$43{\pm}11$ years) were selected through nocturnal polysomnography (NPSG). OSAS was diagnosed with apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) >5, mean AHI was $39.6{\pm}26.0$. Sleep related scales were Stanford Sleepiness Scale (SSS), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Morningness-Eveningness Scale (MES). Mood related scales were Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) I, II and Profile of Mood States (POMS). NPSG was performed overnight with both wrist actigraphy (WATG). Parameters produced from WATG were total activity score, mean activity score and fragmentation index. We analyzed the correlation between each scale, AHI scored from NPSG and activity score analyzed from WATG. Results: ESS showed significant positive correlation with PSQI, BDI, BAI and STAI I, II, respectively (p<0.01). SSS showed significant positive correlation with PSQI and BAI (p<0.05, p<0.01). BAI showed significant positive correlation with total activity score, mean activity score and fragmentation index (p<0.05, p<0.01, p<0.05).Total activity score showed significant positive correlation with ESS and BAI, respectively (p<0.05). Fragmentation index showed significant positive correlation with ESS, PSQI and BAI (p<0.05, p<0.01, p<0.05). AHI, indicator of sleep apnea is showed no significant correlation with each sleep and mood related scale. Conclusion: The degree of daytime sleepiness tends to be associated with night sleep satisfaction, depression and anxiety, and the activity during sleep rather than the severity of sleep apnea.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.123-135
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• 2005

Objective : The aim of this study was to rivew systemically literature and clinical trials in the treatment of urinary incontinence or lower urinary tract syndrome(LUTS). Methods : Computerized literature searches were carried out on two electronic database, and computerized searching on some korea oriental medicine journals in library of Kyung-Hee Medical center. Results : 1. Three reports of review study, six reports of experimental study and fourteen reports of clinical trials were collected and reviewed. Three reports of review study were all printed in the korea oriental medicine journal. From 2000, researches and studies have been increased in quantity and improved in quality. 2. Urinary disturbance include variable symptoms of lower urinary tract symptoms, urinary incontinence, in theaspect of Oriental medicine these symptoms are anurin, dysuria, urinary incontinence, nochumal enuresis, uracratia and so on. 3. Roughly physiological procedure of Acupuncture in Treatment of Urianry Disturbance may be that effect of acupuncture stimulation for parasympathetic nerve, sleep-arousal system in cerebrum, pontine/spinal urination center and pudendal/pelvic nerve affect bladder in expansion of bladder capacity, inhibition of urinary contraction and affection in periurethral muscle by continuous excitement of spinal annular circuit and synapse of neuron. 4. Clinical result for acupuncture treatment in urinary disturbance is summarized that acupuncture treatment in urianation disturbance of Neurogenic Bladder, Incontinence, Cycitis, Nocturnal Enuresis, Prostatitis/Pelvic Pain Syndrom and so on is significant clinical trials and technique. Conclusion : Hereafter, in the old age society these variable urinary disturbance patients are increased and desire of treatment may be also increased. So study of various and formal treatment and tecnnique is needed.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.337-346
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• 2007

This study aimed to evaluate a relation of bruxism with clinical effects of botulinum toxin type A(BTX-A) injection. 5 bruxers and 5 nonbruxers with bilateral masseter hypertrophy were participated in this study. After injecting 25 unit of BTX-A(Allergen Inc, $Botox^{(R)}$) into each masseter muscle, the thickness of masseter(Mm) and anterior temporalis(Ta) muscles was measured by ultrasonography and the maximum bite force was evaluated during a 9-month period. Self-estimation on the recovery of occlusal force during mastication was done as well. Regardless of presence of bruxsim, all subjects showed significantly reduced Ms thickness(p<0.001) and maximum bite force at $1^{st}$ molars(p=0.027) with their peak at 3 months after injection, which then started to return. No significant difference was observed in Ta thickness and the bite force at the central incisors. While self-estimated occlusal force was the least at 2 weeks after injection and then rapidly returned to the baseline level with full recovery at the time of 6 to 9 months after injection, the maximum bite force measured by bite force recorder did not recover the original value, particularly in the nonbruxer group. It is assumed that nocturnal bruxism can influence recovery of atrophic masseter and decreased occlusal force due to BTX-A injection. These findings suggest a need of occlusal appliance to control bruxism or clenching habit for longer clinical effect of BTX-A injection.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.22-28
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• 2004

Objective: The purpose of this study is to investigate the prevalence rate of OSA in subjects whose main sleep complaint is insomnia and to find differential factors of OSA in these insomniac subjects. Method: We reviewed the medical records and polysomnographic findings of patients referred to the Sleep Laboratory at Seoul National University Hospital from January 1996 to December 2002. Four-hundred and seventy subjects complained of insomnia as their main sleep problem (235 males and 235 females, mean age $53.6{\pm}12.4\;years$). First, we investigated the prevalence rate of OSA in these insomniac patients. Second, we compared the clinical and demographic characteristics of the OSA-associated group with those of the non-associated group. Third, we examined whether the degree or presence of differential factors within the OSA group correlate with severity of OSA, as determined by the respiratory disturbance index (RDI). Results: Among 470 insomniac subjects, 125 subjects (26.6%) were diagnosed as OSA by nocturnal polysomnography. OSA-associated subjects were significantly older ($58.4{\pm}12.3\;years$ vs. $51.8{\pm}11.2\;years$, p<0.01), and had significantly higher body mass index (BMI) ($23.4{\pm}3.3\;kg/m^2$ vs. $22.5{\pm}3.1\;kg/m^2$, p=0.44) than non-associated subjects. The OSA-associated group had more subjects with male gender (64.0% vs. 44.9%, p<0.01), hypertension (20.0% vs. 9.3%, p<0.01) or snoring (96.0% vs. 63.5%, p<0.01). Within the OSA-associated group, age had a significant positive correlation with RDI (p=0.01). Conclusion: We found that a considerable portion of patients complaining of insomnia as their main sleep problem were diagnosed as OSA. Snoring, old age, male gender, obesity, and comorbid hypertension were found to be differential factors of OSA in insomniac patients. We suggest that diagnostic efforts including nocturnal polysomnography are needed for insomniac patients with any of the above risk factors of OSA.