• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.25-28
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• 2018

Objectives: This study aimed to describe recent patterns in the types of statistical test used in original articles that were published in Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Materials and Methods: Thirty-six original articles published in the Journal in 2015 and 2016 were ascertained. The type of statistical test was identified by one researcher. Descriptive statistics, such as frequency, rank, and proportion, were calculated. Graphical statistics, such as a histogram, were constructed to reveal the overall utilization pattern of statistical test types. Results: Twenty-two types of statistical test were used. Statistical test type was not reported in four original articles and classified as unclear in 5%. The four most frequently used statistical tests constituted 47% of the total tests and these were the chi-square test, Student's t-test, Fisher's exact test, and Mann-Whitney test in descending order. Regression models, such as the Cox proportional hazard model and multiple logistic regression to adjust for potential confounding variables, were used in only 6% of the studies. Normality tests, including the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, Levene test, Shapiro-Wilk test, and $Scheff{\acute{e}}^{\prime}s$ test, were used diversely but in only 10% of the studies. Conclusion: A total of 22 statistical tests were identified, with four tests occupying almost half of the results. Adoption of a nonparametric test is recommended when the status of normality is vague. Adjustment for confounding variables should be pursued using a multiple regression model when the number of potential confounding variables is numerous.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.11-20
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• 1998

The purposes of this study were to determine the effect of different degrees of severity of diabetic neuropathy on balance function, and to evaluate dynamic balance and functional performance in diabetes patients. Twenty-four subjects with diabetes mellitus were divided into three groups according to results of sensory nerve conduction study. All subjects were evaluated for dynamic balance which was measured using computerized dynamic posturography, and functional performance which was measured using the Berg balance scale. One-way analysis of variance was used to determine whether there were any statistically differences of dynamic balance function and functional performance among the three groups. The Spearrnan's rank correlation was used to determine statistical significance between dynamic balance and age. The results were as follows: 1. Dynamic balance measured using computerized dynamic posturography was significantly lower in the no response group than in the normal amplitude group (p<0.05). 2. Functional performance tested by the Berg balance scale was not statistically different among the three groups (p>0.05). 3. an inverse relationship was found between dynamic balance measured using computerized dynamic posturography and age (r=-0.68, p<0.05). These results suggest that patients with severe diabetic neuropathy have loss of dynamic balance function. Therefore, patients with severe diabetic neuropathy need to have their balance evaluated and receive appropriate education.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.11-16
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• 2020

Purpose: D-dimer levels are known to be associated with poor outcomes in patients with various cancers, but their significance at the end of life remains unclear. This study investigated D-dimer levels as a prognostic indicator for terminal cancer patients in the last hours of life. Methods: The retrospective study was conducted at a palliative care unit of a tertiary cancer center, using a database to analyze the records of patients treated from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2018. In total, 67 terminal cancer patients with available data on D-dimer levels were included. Patients' demographic data, clinical information, and laboratory values, including D-dimer levels, were collected. Survival was analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method and the log-rank test. A Cox proportional-hazards model was used to identify prognostic factors of poor survival. Results: The most common site of cancer was the lung (32.8%) and the median survival time was 5 days. Most laboratory results, particularly D-dimer levels, deviated from the normal range. Patients with high D-dimer levels had a significantly shorter survival time than those with low D-dimer levels (4 days vs. 7 days; P=0.012). In the Cox regression analysis, only a high D-dimer level was identified as a predictor of a poor prognosis (hazard ratio, 1.83; 95% confidence interval, 1.09~3.07). Conclusion: Our results suggest that at the very end of life, D-dimer levels may serve as a prognostic factor for survival in cancer patients.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.74-82
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to compare the anaerobic threshold (AT) between subjects with and without non-specific chronic low back pain (NCLBP). The patient group included 15 women with NCLBP. The normal group included 15 women without NCLBP who were age-, height-, weight-, and activity level-matched. The subjects performed a Balke treadmill protocol which was symptom-limited progressive loading test. Their heart rate (HR), ventilatory gas and metabolic equivalents (METs) were measured using the automatic breath gas analyzing system. After the test, each subjects' ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) were evaluated. The visual analog scale (VAS) was assessed pre- and post-test. The independent t-test and Wilcoxon's signed-rank test were used for analysis of the data. Time, HR, the volume of oxygen consumption ($VO_2$), relative $VO_2$, and METs at the AT level of the patient group were significantly lower than those of the healthy group (p<.05). However, there were no significant differences in RPE, VAS, and breathing frequency at the AT level (p>.05). The findings of this study indicate that patients with NCLBP had a lower aerobic fitness than healthy subjects. Thus, implementation of rehabilitation program to increase aerobic fitness may be considered in patietns with NCLBP, and further studies are required to determine the etiological factors of decreased aerobic fitness.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Costume
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• v.61 no.10
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• pp.135-150
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• 2011

The ranking belts for Joseon dynasty officials that are based on references and relics are studied in this paper in terms of architecture, detailed names, and structural changes according to different time. Officials' uniforms consist of hats, clothes, belts, and shoes. Among these, the belt is an important sign that represents the wearer's ranking. The ranking belts of the Joseon dynasty which were brought from Ming at the late stage of the Koryo dynasty became classified as the following four classes : Seo-dai(a rhinoceros' horn, 犀帶), Gum-dai(gold, 金帶), Eun-dai(silver, 銀帶), and Heug-gag-dai(black horn, 黑角帶). A ranking belt consists of a basic belt body and a plaque that represents the wearer's rank. A plaque consists of 20 plates: three front-center plates that represent the Sam-tai(三台) constellation, six front-side plates that represent the Namduyug constellation(南斗六星), seven back plates that represent the Big Dipper(北斗七星), left side Bo(輔), right side Pil(弼), and a couple of Tamie at both ends. The architecture of the belt body; the basic frame for ranking belts, shows some differences between the former and the latter periods of the Joseon dynasty. In the former period, the belt had a pair of a buckle so that the wearers were able to adjust the belt size. But later, the belt didn't have the buckles to adjust the belt size and consequently it only performed a locking or unlocking function. Therefore, the belts in the latter period were longer than normal and one size fit all. In addition to the functional change of buckles, the shapes of the ranking belts show changes from the round shape to the square shape as time goes on.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.2781-2785
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• 2016

Background: Matric metalloproteinase (MMP) 13 gene expression is increased in esophageal squamous cell carcinomas (ESCCs) and associated with increasing tumor invasion, lymph node involvement and decreased survival rates. Levels of the circulating enzyme may be elevated and used as a marker of tumor progression. In this study, clinical application of MMP-13 serum levels was evaluated for early detection, prediction of prognosis and survival time of ESCC patients. Materials and Methods: Serum levels of MMP13 were determined by ELISA in 66 ESCC patients prior of any treatment and 54 healthy controls for comparison with clinicopathological data through statistical analysis with Man Whitney U and Log-Rank tests. In addition, clinical value of MMP13 levels for diagnosis was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) test. Results: The serum level of MMP-13 in patients (>250 pg/ml) was significantly higher than in the control group (<100 pg/ml) (p value=0.004). Also the results showed a significant correlation between MMP-13 serum levels with tumor stage (p value = 0.003), depth of tumor invasion (p value=0.008), involvement of lymph nodes (p value = 0.011), tumor size (p value = 0.018) and survival time. While there were no significant correlation with grade and location of tumors. ROC analysis showed that MMP-13 level is an accurate diagnostic marker especially to differentiate pre-invasive/ invasive lesions from normal controls (sensitivity and specificity: 100%). Conclusions: These findings indicate a potential clinical significance of serum MMP13 measurement for early detection and prognostic assessment in ESCC patients.

• Journal of Clinical Nutrition
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.51-55
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• 2018

Purpose: This study was conducted to assess how extreme obesity affects 30-day mortality in this patient group. Methods: A total of 802 patients who underwent emergency gastrointestinal surgery from January 2007 to December 2017 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were divided into three groups according to their body mass index (BMI): group 1, normal weight (BMI: $18.5{\sim}22.9kg/m^2$); group 2, overweight (BMI: $23.0{\sim}29.9kg/m^2$ ); and group 3, obesity ($BMI{\geq}30kg/m^2$). Patients with a BMI under 18.5 were excluded from the analysis. Chi-squared test, Fisher's exact test, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, and the log-rank test were used to assess and compare 30-day mortality rates between groups. Results: The mortality rates of group 1, group 2, and group 3 were 11.3%, 9.0%, and 26.9%, respectively (P<0.017). The mortality rate did not differ significantly between group 1 and 2 (11.3% vs. 9.0%; P=0.341), but group 1 and 2 showed better survival rates than group 3 (11.3% vs. 26.9%; P=0.028, 9.0% vs. 26.9%; P=0.011). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis revealed that group 3 had higher mortality than the other two groups (P=0.001). Conclusion: Obesity ($BMI{\geq}30kg/m^2$) was one of the risk factors influencing critically ill patients who underwent emergency surgery.

• Journal of Home Health Care Nursing
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.306-320
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• 2020

Purpose: This study aimed to explore the subjective perception structures and types of empathy among nurses caring for patients with behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) using Q-methodology. Methods: Thirty-eight Q-samples (statements) were derived from in-depth interviews with 10 nurses working in long-term care hospitals and nursing homes. The Q-sorting was conducted in rank order (the responses obtained by each of the 30 nurses working at 3 long-term care hospitals and 4 nursing homes) into a normal distribution grid (from -4 to +4). The types of empathy among participants were analyzed using the PC-QUANL program. Results: Five types of empathy accounting for 48.5% of the total variance were categorized as follows: (1) taking the patients' personality into consideration while helping, (2) interacting closely and emotionally, (3) supporting the patient as a companion, (4) performing the duty in a defensive manner, and (5) resolving patients' problems by focusing on their needs. Conclusion: This study shows that there are various types of empathy in nurses caring for patients with BPSD. Therefore, it is necessary to develop strategies and educative programs to enhance empathy competency and deal with burnout based on the type of empathy.

• Journal of East-West Nursing Research
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.106-116
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• 2023

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the impact of obesity on the incidence of diabetes mellitus in adults with pre-diabetes. Methods: This study employed a longitudinal study design and utilized secondary data drawn from the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study. This study used data from a sample of 3,693 adults with prediabetes who were followed every two years from 2001 to 2018. Statistical data analysis for frequency, number of cases per 1,000 person-years, log-rank test, Kaplan-Meier curve, and Cox's proportional hazards regression analysis was performed using IBM SPSS statistics version 26. Results: During the observation period, there were 1,309 (35.4%) patients with diabetes, and the total number of person-years was 35,342. The incidence of diabetes was higher in the obese group compared to the normal weight group (body mass index [BMI]: hazard ratio=1.57, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.40~1.77, waist: hazard ratio=1.55, 95% CI=1.38~1.76, waist to hip ratio [WHR]: hazard ratio=1.53, 95% CI=1.24~1.89, body fat [BF] (%): hazard ratio=1.42, 95% CI=1.27~1.61). Conclusion: An increase in BMI, waist circumference, and WHR, which are indicators of obesity, can exacerbate the risk factors for diabetes. Thus, a decrease in BMI, waist circumference, and WHR is necessary to prevent pre-diabetes. In particular, health care professionals should provide individualized weight management program interventions, including adult obesity programs and obesity counseling in partnership with local health departments, to reduce BMI and waist circumference in people at high risk for diabetes.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.15-20
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• 2024

Purpose: Achilles tendon rupture is a frequently encountered ankle pathology associated with a substantial burden of intense pain and functional deficits. Chronic Achilles tendon ruptures with considerable defects pose intricate repair challenges that are often marred by complications such as re-rupture and persistent pain. Various treatment methods, including allograft transplantation, have been proposed, but the literature on this technique is limited. In this study, we propose a surgical approach utilizing allotendon transplantation and a calcaneal tunneling technique and provide clinical evaluation details. Materials and Methods: Fifteen patients with chronic Achilles tendon ruptures treated with allotendon between 2020 and 2022 were included in the study. Patients were evaluated at 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively using Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores and Achilles Tendon Total Rupture Scores (ATRSs). Complications were assessed postoperatively. Results: The average VAS score was 7 before surgery, 7.3 immediately after surgery, and 4.3 at 1 month, 2.5 at 3 months, and 1.3 at 6 months after surgery. Because the sample was limited to 15 individuals and distributions were non-normal, the analysis was conducted using the non-parametric Wilcoxon's signed-rank test, and statistical significance was accepted for p-values<0.05. Results showed a significant improvement in ATRS and VAS scores versus preoperative and immediate postoperative values. VAS scores showed a decreasing trend after surgery, whereas average ATRS scores increased from 14 before surgery, 33.8 at 1 month, 82.7 at 3 months, and 93.9 at 6 months. Conclusion: This study suggests that allograft transplantation using the described calcaneal tunnel technique provides an effective treatment for chronic Achilles tendon ruptures. However, extensive research and long-term clinical trials are required to validate and better understand the technique's efficacy.