• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.1-10
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• 2019

Purpose : To investigate the relationship between breathing pattern disorder and joint position error (JPE) in patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP). Methods : Thirty nine patients with CLBP participated. End-tidal $CO_2$ and respiration rate (RR) were measured using a capnography. Breathing-hold time (BHT) and Nijmegen Questionnaire (NQ) were investigated. Thoracic excursion was measured with a cloth tape measurement technique. Joint position error were measured using a small laser point mounted on a lightweight headband. they were asked to relocate the head, after the neck movement on the horizontal plane. Pearson 's test was used for correlation analysis between respiratory variables and JPE in patients with CLBP. Independent t-test was used to verify the difference between thoracic and diaphragm breathing pattern in patients with CLBP. The significance level was set at 0.05. Results : There was a significant correlation between JPE (LR) and JPE (RR, EX) (r=.639, r=.813) (p<.001) and a low negative correlation with end-tidal $CO_2$ (r=-.357) (p<.05). There was a significant correlation between RR and JPE (EX) (r=.750) (p<.001). There was a low correlation between JPE (EX) and NQ (r=.333) (p<.05). There was a somewhat high negative correlation between NQ and thoracic excursion (r=-.528) (p<.001). There was a somewhat high negative correlation between thoracic excursion and JPE (LR, RR, EX) (r=-.470, r=-.484, r=-.602) (p<.001). There were no significant differences in the RR, BHT, NQ, and thoracic excursion between the thoracic and diaphragmatic breathing (p>.05). There was a significant difference in the JPE (EX), end - tidal $CO_2$, and VAS values between the thoracic and diaphragm breathing (p<.05). Conclusion : There was a correlation between JPE (EX) and NQ in patients with CLBP, and correlation between thoracic excursion and JPE (LR, RR, EX) and NQ. There was a significant difference in the JPE (EX), end-tidal $CO_2$ level, and VAS value in the comparison of thoracic breathing and diaphragm breathing. The results showed that breathing patterns and JPE were related to each other.

• Journal of Appropriate Technology
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.163-173
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• 2020

For the successful execution of an ODA project, it is necessary to know what areas are weak and necessary to the country of demand exactly. The health sector is also a top priority in most of developing countries. This study was carried out to introduce non-communicable disease (NCD) in Fiji for ODA projects planning. The major causes of death in Fiji in 2016 are diabetes, ischemic heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, lower respiratory infect, asthma in ranking. The major causes of death in Korea in same year are cancer, ischemic heart diseases, cerebrovascular diseases, pneumonia, suicide, diabetes in the order of ranking. The chronic disease as non-communicable disease (NCD) has been increasing continuously due to changes in lifestyle and consumption patterns and population aging in prevalence rate. This global trend is also apparent in Fiji and Korea, reflected in increasing mortality and personal costs for the treatment and management of NCD. The need for a sustained comprehensive treatment tailored for individual patients has suggested from many studies and the development of a systematic program to manage NCD patients to provide such care have been recommended. The Fiji government developed Non-communicable Diseases Strategic Plan 2015-2019 and has tried to reduce the prevalence rate of non-communicable diseases by factors. The WHO global action plan guiding national-level NCD policies requires an NCD prevention and control model at the community level, presenting strategic goals and detailed options for the introduction and application of the approach to communities. It is necessary to develop an NCD prevention and control model, consisting of a strategy of community intervention, education for students and NCD patients, and the legal enactment of NCD that adequately meets the needs of community members.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.96-109
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• 2023

Objectives : The objective of this study is to predict how future infectious diseases will affect healthcare utilization patterns within korean medicine hospitals and, specifically, departments of ophthalmology, otolaryngology and dermatology of Korean medicine. Methods : We retrospectively analyzed medical records of patients who visited Kyung Hee University Korean Medicine Hospital during Pre COVID-19(from March 1st, 2018 to Feb 29th, 2019) and Post COVID-19(from March 1st, 2019 to Feb 28th, 2022). The data was analyzed by visit type and diagnosed disease code. Results : 1. After the COVID-19 break-out, the number of first visit patients increased but those of revisit patients, total patients, and revisit/first visit ratio decreased in all departments. 2. In Kyung Hee University Korean Medicine Hospital, the decrease rate of the number of total patients diagnosed with diseases of respiratory system(J00-J99) was the highest, while that for diseases of circulatory system(I00-I99) was the lowest. 3. In the department of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology of Korean Medicine, the decrease rate of the number of total patients with nose disease was the highest, followed by eye disease and ear disease. 4. In the department of Dermatology of Korean Medicine, the number of total patients with dermatitis remained consistent, while the number of total patients with skin appendage disease showed relatively high decrease rate. Conclusions : Severe or chronic diseases showed relatively low decrease rate of the number of total patients. While mild diseases or diseases with high probability of exposure to COVID-19 infection during treatment showed high decrease rate of the number of total patients.

• The Journal of the Institute of Internet, Broadcasting and Communication
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.119-129
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• 2023

Sleep apnea causes various secondary disease such as hypertension, stroke, myocardial infarction, depression and cognitive impairment. Early detection and continuous management of sleep apnea are urgently needed since it causes cardio-cerebrovascular diseases. In this study, wearable device for monitoring respiration during sleep using PVDF film was developed to detect vibration through trachea caused by breathing, which determines normal breathing and sleep apnea. Variables such as respiration rate and apnea were extracted based on the detected breathing sound data, and a noise reduction algorithm was established to minimize the effect even when there is a noise signal. In addition, it was confirmed that irregular breathing patterns can be analyzed by establishing a moving threshold algorithm. The results show that the accuracy of the respiratory rate from the developed device was 98.7% comparing with the polysomnogrphy result. Accuracy of detection for sleep apnea event was 92.6% and that of the sleep apnea duration was 94.0%. The results of this study will be of great help to the management of sleep disorders and confirmation of treatment by commercialization of wearable devices that can monitor sleep information easily and accurately at home during daily life and confirm the progress of treatment.

• Clean Technology
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.135-144
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• 2023

Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus are the two most frequently encountered pathogens responsible for chronic wound infections, often coexisting in such cases. These infections exhibit heightened virulence compared to single infections, leading to unfavorable patient outcomes. The interaction among microorganisms within polymicrobial infections has been shown to exacerbate disease progression. Polymicrobial infections, prevalent in various contexts such as the respiratory tract, wounds, and diabetic foot, typically involve diverse microorganisms, with Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus being the most commonly identified pathogens. This study aimed to compare the growth patterns of bacteria under a concentration gradient of toxic chemicals, focusing on a Gram-negative strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and a Gram-positive strain of Staphylococcus aureus. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), which signifies the concentration at which bacterial growth is inhibited, was determined by performing broth microdilution and assessing the bacteria's growth curves. The growth curves of both Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus were confirmed, and the exponential growth phases were applied to calculate the doubling times of bacteria. The MIC value for each toxic chemical was determined through broth microdilution. These results allowed for the identification of disparities in growth rates between Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, as well as differences in resistance to individual toxic substances. We expect that this approach has a strong potential for further development towards the innovative treatment of bacteria-associated infections.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.25-39
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• 1985

This study was conducted to assess the morbidity and medical facilities utilization patterns of the residents in urban low income area. Study population included 2,002 family members of 468 households in the low income area (LA) of Nam-san 4 Dong, Jung Gu of Taegu city and 1,709 family members of 374 households in surrounding neighbourhood control area (CA). Well trained nursing school students interviewed mainly with housewives according to the pretested questionaire between July 1 and July 30, 1984. Age-sex distribution of the study population in LA was similar to that in CA. The average monthly income of a household in LA was 236,000 won and 356,000 won in CA. Educational level of the residents in LA was lower than that in CA; average years of school education of the 20 years old or above in LA was 6.9 years compared with 8.5 years in CA. The average family members per room in LA was 2.6 and 2.2 in CA, and proportion of Medicaid program beneficiary was 29.4% in LA and 1.9% in CA. Prevalence rate of illness during 15-day period was 131 per 1,000 population in LA and 71 in CA(p<0.01) and that of the chronic illness for 1 year was 134 per 1,000 population in LA and 89 in CA(p<0.01). The most common illness experienced during 15 days was respiratory disease(24.0% in LA ana 29.8% in CA) and followed by gastro-intestinal disorders(21.0% in LA, 20.6% in CA). Injury or poisoning was 10.3% in LA and 3.3% in CA. Castro-intestinal disorder was the most common chronic illness in both LA (22.7%) and CA (21.7%), and followed by musculoskeletal disease in LA and neuralgia in CA. Mean activity restricted days among the persons with illness during 15-day period was 4.0 days in LA and 2.2 days in CA. Among persons with illness during 15 days, 17.9% in LA and 11.6% in CA did not seek any medical treatment and the most frequently utilized medical facility was pharmacy in LA (35.5%) and local clinic or hospital OPD in CA (42.1%). Among persons with chronic illness, 15.2% in LA and 9.2% in CA did not seek for medical treatment, and residents in LA as well as residents in CA utilized local clinic or hospital OPD more frequently than pharmacy or drugstores, especially those who have medical insurance. The most common reason for not treating illness experienced during 15-day period and chronic illness was economical constraint in both LA and CA. The higher prevalence rate of illness during 15-day period and chronic illness in LA than that in CA seems to be highly correlated with their lower economic status and educational level and crowded living condition. The utilization pattern of medical facilities was associated with the medical security status. A program to improve the economic status and living condition should be integrated with the health program to promote the health of the population in low income area.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.853-860
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• 1997

Background : Chronic cough, defined as a cough persisting for three weeks or longer, is a common symptom for which outpatient care is sought. The most common etiologies of chronic cough are postnasal drip, asthma, and gastroesophageal reflux. Methacholine challenge is a useful diagnostic study in the evaulation of chronic cough, particularly useful in chronic cough patients with asthmatic symptom. Patients with chronic cough may have dysfunction of bronchial and extrathoracic airways. To evaluate if dysfunction of the bronchial and extrathoracic airways causes chronic cough, we assessed bronchial (BHR) and extrathoracic airway (EAHR) responsiveness to inhaled methacholine in patients with chronic cough. Method : 111 patients with chronic cough were enrolled in our study. Enrolled patients had no recorded diagnosis of asthma, bronchopulmonary disease, hypertension, heart disease or systemic disease and no current treatment with bronchodilator or corticosteroid. Enrolled patients consisted of 46 patients with cough alone, 24 patients with wheeze, 22 patients with dyspnea, 19 patients with wheeze and dyspnea. The inhaled methacholine concentrations causing a 20% fall in forced expiratory volume in 1s($PC_{20}FEV_1$) and 25% fall in maximal mid-inspiratory flow ($PC_{25}MIF_{50}$) were used as bronchial and extra thoracic hyperresponsiveness. Results : There were four response patterns to methacholine challenge study : BHR in 27 patients, EAHR in 16 patients, combined BHR and EAHR in 8 patients, and no hyperresponsiveness in 60 patients. In patients with cough alone, there were BHR in 3 patients, EAHR in 9 patients, and combined BHR and EAHR in 2 patients. In patients with wheeze and/or dyspnea, there were BHR in 24 patients, EAHR in 7 patients, and BHR and EAHR in 6 patients. Compared with patients with wheeze and/or dyspnea, patients with cough alone had more common EAHR than BHR. In patients with wheeze and/or dyspnea, BHR was more common than EAHR. Conclusion : These results show that among patients with hyperresponsiveness to methacholine, those with dyspnea and/or wheezing had mainly bronchial hyperresponsiveness, whereas those with chronic cough alone had mainly extrathoracic airway hyperresponsiveness.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.52 no.3
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• pp.207-218
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• 2002

Background : Intensive care units (ICUs) are generally considered epicenters of antibiotic resistance and the principal sources of multi-resistant bacteria outbreaks. The antibiotic resistance in newly opened intensive care unit that has no microbial colonization on and around the devices was investigated. Materials and Methods : The authors analyzed the antibiotic resistance patterns for common hospital acquired-pneumonia pathogens in the ICUs(Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter spp.) at the newly opened ICU of Hanyang University Medical Center, Kuri Hospital during 6 years(1995-2000). Results : 1) Regarding Staphylococcus aureus, the resistance rate to methicillin was 15% at 1995, 21% at 1996, 20% at 1997, 23% at 1998, 22% at 1999, 55% at 2000. 2) Regarding Pseudomonas aeruginosa, the resistance rate to $3^{rd}$ cephalosporin was 50% at 1995, 50% at 1996, 78% at 1997, 40% at 1998, 77% at 1999, 39% at 2000. Imipenam was 0% at 1995, 27% at 1996, 65% at 1997, 12% at 1998, 16% at 1999, 12% at 2000. Ciprofloxacin was 0% at 1996, 56% at 1997, 36% at 1998, 57% at 1999, 58% at 2000. Tobramycin was 7% at 1995, 10% at 1996, 67% at 1997, 36% at 1998, 65% at 1999, 12% at 2000. Gentamycin was 14% at 1995, 36% at 1996, 67% at 1997, 36% at 1998, 65% at 1999, 12% at 2000. Amikacin was 14% at 1995, 30% at 1996, 61% at 1997, 16% at 1998, 39% at 1999, 18% at 2000. 3) Regarding Acinetobacter spp., the resistance rate to $3^{rd}$ cephalosporin was 92% at 1996, 89% at 1997, 88% at 1998,84% at 1999, 77% at 2000. Imipenem was 50% at 1996, 48% at 1997, 45% at 1998, 49% at 1999, 50% at 2000. Ciprofloxacin was 0% at 1996, 48% at 1997, 33% at 1998, 27% at 1999, 71% at 2000. Tobramycin was 67% at 1995, 100% at 1996, 89% at 1997, 95% at 1998, 87% at 1999, 77% at 2000. Gentamycin was 67% at 1995, 100% at 1996, 89% at 1997, 95% at 1998, 87% at 1999, 83% at 2000. Amikacin was 33% at 1995, 83% at 1996, 82% at 1997, 88% at 1998, 75% at 1999, 69% at 2000. Conclusion : The S.aureus resistance to methicillin, the Pseudomonas aeruginosa resistance to ciprofloxacin, and the Acinetobacter spp. resistance to ciprofloxacin have rapidly increased during 6 years. There is a need to pay speicial attention when using the the antibiotics for the above pathogens. This data may be useful in antibiotic therapy in newly opened intensive care units.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.51 no.5
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• pp.416-425
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• 2001

Background : The incidence of drug-resistant tuberculosis has recently decreased in Korea. However, it is still one of the major obstacles in treating pulmonary tuberculosis. This study was performed to determine the prevalence and clinical characteristics associated with drug-resistance in pulmonary tuberculosis at the tertiary referral hospital in Pusan, Korea. Methods : The medical records of 138 patients, who had been diagnosed as active pulmonary tuberculosis were retrospectively reviewed, and results of drug susceptibility from May 1997 to June 2000. The relationships among those with a history of previous tuberculosis treatment, the extent of lung involvement, the presence of cavities on the initial chest X-ray films and patterns of drug resistance were analyzed. Results : The total number of patients who had drug resistance to at least one drug was 55(39.9%). Among them 34(24.6%) had resistance to isoniazid(INH) and rifampin(RFP). There was drug resistance in 20(22%) of 91 patients without previous tuberculosis therapy, and among them 9(9.9%) were multi-drug resistant. Thirty-two(74.5%) out of 47 patients with previous therapy were drug-resistant and 25(53.2%) were multidrug resistant. For all 138 patients, resistance to INH was the most common(34.1%), followed by RFP(26.1%) and ethambutol(EMB)(14.5%). Drug resistance to INH, RFP, PZA and streptomycin(SM) were independently associated with a history of previous treatment(odds ratio; 9.43, 9.09, 8.93 and 21.6 respectively, p<0.01). The extent of lung involvement on the chest films was significantly associated with the drug resistance to INH and RFP(odds ratio; 2.12 and 2.40 respectively, p<0.01). The prevalence of drug resistance to RFP, INH and RFP was significantly more common in patients with a cavitary lesion on the chest films by multivariate analysis(odds ratio; 4.17 and 4.81 respectively, p<0.05). Conclusion : This study revealed that patients with a prior treatment history for pulmonary tuberculosis, and the presence of a cavitary lesion on chest films had a higher prevalence of anti-tuberculosis drug resistance. A very careful clinical and microbiological examination is needed for patients with such characteristics.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.428-437
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• 2000

Background : Five year survival rate of postoperative stage I non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC) reaches to 66%. In the remaining one third of patients, however, cancer recurs and the overall survival of NSCLC remains dismal. To evaluate clinical and pathologic characteristics of recurred NSCLC, the patterns and factors for postoperative recurrence in patients with staged I and II NSCLC were studied. Method : A retrospective analysis was performed in 234 patients who underwent radical resection for pathologic stage I and II NSCLC. All patients who were followed up for at least one year were included in this study. Results : 1) There were 177 men and 57 women The median age was 63. The median duration of the follow up period was 732 days (range 365~1,695 days). The overall recurrence rate was 26.5%, and the recurrence occurred $358.8{\pm}239.8$ days after operation. 2) The ages of recurred NSCLC patients were higher ($63.2{\pm}8.8$ years) than those of non-recurred patients ($60.3{\pm}9.8$ years)(p=0.043). The recurrence rate was higher in stage II (46.9%) than in stage I (18.8%) NSCLC p<0.001. The size of primary lung mass was larger in recurred ($5.45{\pm}3.22\;cm$) than that of non-recurred NSCLC ($3.74{\pm}1.75\;cm$, p<0.001). Interestingly, there were no recurrent cases when the resected primary tumor was less than 2cm. 3) Distant recurrence was more frequent than locoregional recurrence (66.1% vs. 33.9%). Distant recurrence rate was higher in females and in cases of adenocarcinoma. Brain metastasis was more frequent in patients with adenocarcinoma than in those with squamous cell carcinoma (p=0.024). Conclusion: The tumor size and stage were two important factors for determining the possibility of a recurrence. Because distant brain metastasis was more frequent in patients with adenocarinoma, a prospective study should be conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of preoperative brain imaging.