• The Journal of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.43 no.1
• /
• pp.154-170
• /
• 2022

Objectives: The purpose of this study was review the current clinical studies about the effect of Korean traditional medicine treatment for meniscus injury. Methods: Clinical studies on Korean traditional medicine treatment of meniscus injury were searched through 11 online databases. We analyzed the authors, publication year, country, study design, subjects, treatment methods, treatment effects, evaluation tools and adverse events of the selected studies. Results: 23 studies which included 9 randomized controlled trials, 8 case reports, 4 retrospective observational studies, 2 non-randomized controlled trials were selected through the databases. A total of 9 Korean traditional medicine treatments were used, among them, acupuncture treatment was the most used. The most commonly used outcome was effective rate. Conclusions: Through this study, we could confirm that Korean traditional medicine is an effective treatment for meniscus injury. It was suggested that various clinical studies on the effects of Korean traditional medicine for meniscus injury are needed and it is necessary to establish more scientific evidence through studies with a high level of evidence.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.61 no.2
• /
• pp.147-153
• /
• 2023

Lampung is a malaria-endemic region in Indonesia with an annual parasite incidence of 0.06 per 1,000 population. The socio-demographic factors, clinical conditions, and artemisinin combination therapy (ACT) types might affect parasite clearance and parasite density. This study aims to investigate factors that influence parasite clearance and parasite density in malaria patients. A retrospective analytic observational and a cross-sectional approach was used to conduct this study. A total of 66 malaria patients were examined to investigate parasite density and clearance, socio-demographic profiles, clinical conditions, and ACT types. To analyze data, univariate, bivariate, and multivariate tests were used. Age (P=0.045; r=0.238) and ACT type (P=0.021; r=0.273) were the only variables that had a significant correlation with parasite clearance. Age (P=0.003; r=0.345) had a significant correlation with parasite density. The most influential factors related to parasite clearance were the ACT type (dihydroartemisinin piperaquine) (P=0.017; odds ratio (OR) 0.109; 95.0% confidence interval (CI), 0.018-0.675) and age (P=0.030; OR 0.132; 95.0% CI, 0.021-0.823). Age (P=0.046; OR 0.320; 0.105-0.978, 95.0% CI) was the most significant variable associated with parasite density.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
• /
• v.21 no.4
• /
• pp.77-86
• /
• 2011

Objectives: This study aims to evaluate domestic clinical studies related to the exercise program targeting farmers. Methods: Five Korean databases were seamed for prospective clinical trials of exercise program targeting farmers from 2001 to August, 2011. Only studies conducted in Korean language were searched. Results: Thirteen clinical studies were included among 3374 studies searched. Six were observational studies, four were non-randomized controlled trials, and three were randomized controlled trials. All of included studies reported favorable effects of exercise group compared to baseline of controlled group. Conclusions: We found various mistake in the applications of statistical methodologies in the studies of exercise program targeting farmers. It is necessary for more randomized controlled trials to evaluate effect of exercise program target farmers.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
• /
• v.33 no.4
• /
• pp.145-156
• /
• 2023

Objectives The purpose of this review is to analyze trends of domestic research in Korean medicine treatment for frozen shoulder. Methods Among the clinical papers published from January 1, 2000 to August 2023, papers that treated frozen shoulders with Korean medicine treatment were searched through five domestic databases (Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System, KMbase, Research Information Sharing Service, Science ON, Korean studies Information Service System). Results Finally, 12 studies were included. Three studies were clinical trials and 9 were observational studies. The most commonly used treatment was acupuncture. Range of movement (range of motion) and visual analogue scale were frequently used as measurement methods. Studies with significant effects were 66.6% in controlled trials and 100% in studies without control group. Conclusions In this study, literature on Korean medicine treatment for frozen shoulder was reviewed. As a result of the review, Korean medicine treatment for frozen shoulder showed significant results. However, there have been several limitations and suggest that more research and higher levels of research on Korean medicine treatment of frozen shoulder need to be conducted.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
• /
• v.13 no.2
• /
• pp.55-61
• /
• 2015

Purpose: Many studies have examined the mechanisms of impaired glucose homeostasis after organophosphate (OP) exposure, however no study has evaluated the clinical utility of blood glucose measurements in patients with OP poisoning. The current study was conducted to evaluate the initial glucose level at presentation and the glycemic variables during the first 3 days after admission as a predictor of mortality. Methods: This retrospective observational case series included 228 patients with a history of OP poisoning. Among other clinical data, information on the initial glucose level at presentation and mean glucose level, delta glucose level, and the presence of a hypoglycemic event during the first 3 days of admission, was collected. Results: Survivors had lower initial glucose levels at presentation and glucose variability during the first 3 days of admission compared to non-survivors. The frequency of hypoglycemic events was higher in non-survivors. In multivariate analysis, the initial glucose level (> 233 mg/dl) was an independent predictor of mortality, along with age. Conclusion: The initial glucose level at presentation can be helpful in prediction of mortality in cases of OP intoxication at bedside. The physician should pay attention to patients with a glucose level >233 mg/dl at presentation after ingestion of OP.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
• /
• v.12 no.1
• /
• pp.48-58
• /
• 2012

Objectives These prescribing recommendations have been written to guide clinicians on the appropriate use of Bangpungtongseong-san(BT) and Bangkihwangki-tang(BH) in the treatment of obesity. These recommendation are aimed at providing evidence based information concerning diagnosis and management of obesity. Methods We collected all relevant references about treatment effect of BT and BH on obesity in the forms of meta-analysis, systematic review, randomized controlled trial, case-control study, observational study and practice guideline from international and domestic databases and paper journals. We examined treatment effect, side effects, recommendations for dose, indication and contraindication of BT and BH. Results The treatment effect of BT and BH on obesity has been proved through clinical trial. BT is indicated for obese patients (Body mass index, $BMI{\geq}25$) with strong abdomen and a tendency to constipation, BH is indicated for obese patients ($BMI{\geq}25$) with a fair skinned, soft muscled, edematous and sweat easily. Conclusion We wish the information contained in theses recommendations will help clinicians reach a reasonable and beneficial decision with evidence-based results. Further studies are strongly needed to develop better treatment strategies for herbal medicines on obesity.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
• /
• v.25 no.4
• /
• pp.295-305
• /
• 2023

Purpose: This study compared health behaviors and health-related clinical characteristics between individuals with normal glucose levels without diabetes and those with undiagnosed diabetes. Factors that were associated with undiagnosed diabetes were identified by sex. Methods: This was an observational study with a cross-sectional design based on data from the eighth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, which used a stratified, multi-stage, cluster-sampling design to obtain a nationally representative sample. Multiple logistic regression analysis was employed to compute the odds ratios of health behaviors and clinical characteristics to identify risk factors for undiagnosed diabetes. Results: The overall prevalence of undiagnosed diabetes was 5.2% (weighted %, n = 700, p < .001). Among individuals with undiagnosed diabetes, 58.3% were men. Univariate logistic regression for undiagnosed diabetes identified sex, age, house income, educational level, and triglycerides as influencing factors. In multiple logistic regression by sex, the factors associated with undiagnosed diabetes in men were age, perceived health status, a diagnosis of angina, and triglycerides. Conclusion: Strategies should be targeted to improve health behaviors and clinical characteristics for specific age groups, men in bad perceived health status, women with high systolic blood pressure, and high triglycerides. Moreover, healthcare providers should understand the barriers to health behaviors and health-related quality of life to effectively deliver healthcare services.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
• /
• v.51 no.1
• /
• pp.63-68
• /
• 2024

Objective: This study was conducted to investigate the impact of previous delivery mode on pregnancy outcomes in patients with secondary infertility after frozen-thawed embryo transfer. Methods: This prospective observational study included 140 patients experiencing secondary infertility. Of these, 70 patients had a previous cesarean delivery (CD), while the remaining 70 patients had a previous normal vaginal delivery (NVD). The primary outcome was the implantation rate. The secondary outcomes included rates of clinical pregnancy, chemical pregnancy, miscarriage, and ectopic pregnancy. Results: The comparison of all fertility outcomes between the two groups revealed no statistically significant differences. The implantation rate was 40.4% in the CD group and 41.7% in the NVD group (p=0.842). The clinical pregnancy rate was 50% in the CD group and 49.3% in the NVD group (p=0.932), while the chemical pregnancy rate was 14.6% in the CD group and 19% in the NVD group (p=0.591). The miscarriage rates in the CD and NVD groups were 20% and 17.6%, respectively (p=0.803). One case of tubal ectopic pregnancy occurred in the NVD group (1.4%). Conclusion: The mode of prior delivery did not significantly impact pregnancy outcomes following frozen-thawed embryo transfer.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.28 no.4
• /
• pp.111-117
• /
• 2011

Objectives : This study aimed to report observed effectiveness and safety of Taegeuk acupuncture for patients in sub-health status. Methods : We analyzed clinical medical records of 36 outpatients who have visited the Pusan national university Korean medicine hospital between March and June, 2010. Patients received 6 sessions of Taegeuk acupuncture according to their constitutional types. Hepatic dullness sound and symptom reduction were used for the evaluation of clinical effectiveness of Taegeuk acupuncture. One traditional Korean medicine doctor performed all treatment procedures and assessments. Patients were allowed to continue their previous medication during acupuncture treatment. However, no additional traditional Korean medicinal interventions except the acupuncture were conducted during the whole treatment period. Results : After 6 sessions of Taegeuk acupuncture, mean hepatic dullness sound scores (0~100) were reduced from $97.3{\pm}9.0$ to $24.3{\pm}23.7$ with statistical significance (n=36, p<0.001). Mean symptom reduction scores (0~100) were changed from 0 to $53.3{\pm}29.6$ with statistical significance (n=24, p<0.001). 24 patients reported 44 cases of additional improvements of perceived health condition during or after the treatment course. No serious adverse events related to the Taegeuk acupuncture treatment were observed. Conclusions : Taegeuk acupunture may be a feasible, effective and safe treatment intervention for patients with chronic symptoms. Further well-designed studies are needed to confirm those observed improvements and evaluate benefits of Taegeuk acupuncture.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
• /
• v.39 no.1
• /
• pp.39-45
• /
• 2022

Background: The current guidelines for the diagnosis of acute pyelonephritis (APN) recommend that APN be diagnosed based on the clinical features and the presence of pyuria. However, we observed that some of the patients who are diagnosed with APN do not have characteristic clinical features or pyuria at the initial examination. We performed this study to investigate the characteristics of APN without pyuria. Methods: A retrospective, cross-sectional study was conducted on 391 patients diagnosed with APN based on clinical and radiologic findings, between 2015 and 2019. The clinical features, laboratory results, and computed tomography (CT) findings were compared between patients with normal white blood cell (WBC) counts and those with abnormal WBC counts (WBC of 0-5/high power field [HPF] vs. >5/HPF) in urine. Results: More than 50% of patients with APN had no typical urinary tract symptoms and one-third of them had no costovertebral angle (CVA) tenderness. Eighty-eight patients (22.5%) had normal WBC counts (0-5/HPF) on urine microscopy. There was a negative correlation between pyuria (WBC of >5/HPF) and previous antibiotic use (odds ratio, 0.249; 95% confidence interval, 0.140-0.441; p<0.001), and the probability of pyuria was reduced by 75.1% in patients who took antibiotics before visiting the emergency room. Conclusion: The diagnosis of APN should not be overlooked even if there are no typical clinical features, or urine microscopic examination is normal. If a patient has already taken antibiotics at the time of diagnosis, imaging studies such as CT should be performed more actively, regardless of the urinalysis results.