• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2006

Purpose: To evaluate the clinical manifestations, the patterns and the functional outcome of the amputations due to the diabetic foot complications. Materials and Methods: Fifty patients (50 feet) of diabetic foot amputations were followed for more than 1 year. The mean age was 62.5 years, and the mean follow-up period was 46 months. Retrospective analysis was performed using chart review and interview with the patients. The outcome was assessed with modified AOFAS scale. Results: The diabetic foot lesions were infection in 45 feet, gangrene in 35 feet and ulcer in 15 feet. Toe amputation was most commonly performed procedure (23 cases) followed by below knee and ray amputation. Postoperative modified AOFAS score was average 51.5 points, and 94% were satisfied with outcome. Minor amputations showed better outcome than the major amputations. Conclusion: Overall postoperative functional outcome was encouraging with high patient satisfaction rate (94%). Better outcome was obtained with the minor amputations.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.54 no.3
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• pp.261-264
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• 2016

As endemic malaria is not commonly seen in the United States, most of the cases diagnosed and reported are associated with travel to and from the endemic places of malaria. As the number of imported cases of malaria has been increasing since 1973, it is important to look into these cases to study the morbidity and mortality associated with this disease in the United States. In this study, we would like to share our experience in diagnosing and treating these patients at our institution. We did a retrospective chart review of 37 cases with a documented history of imported malaria from 1998 to 2012. Among them, 16 patients had complicated malaria during that study period, with a mean length of hospital stay of 3.5 days. Most common place of travel was Africa, and chemoprophylaxis was taken by only 11% of patients. Travel history plays a critical role in suspecting the diagnosis and in initiating prompt treatment.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.11
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• pp.4981-4984
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• 2016

Background: Adnexal torsion results in ischemia of structures distal to twisted pedicle and acute onset of pain is responsible for about 3% of all gynecologic emergencies. Ovarian torsion classically occurs in a pathological enlarged ovary, as with cancer, but diagnosis remains a challenge. Objective: Our purpose was to evaluate clinical risk factors predictive of torsion with gangrenous adnexa. Material and methods: A retrospective descriptive study and chart review of surgically proven ovarian torsion/adnexal torsion cases at the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department of Prapokklao Hospital, Chanthaburi, Thailand between January 2011 and December 2015 was conducted. Result: Seventy-eight cases were identified. Mean age at presentation was 35.5 years. The average maximum diameter of the ovarian tumors was 10.8 cm. The percentage of gangrenous ovarian cysts in this study was 46.2 (36/78). The precision to determine the pathological site by patient, physician and ultrasonography was 8.5, 24.2 and 83.3 percent, respectively with statistically significant variation. Conclusion: Ovarian/adnexal torsion remains a challenge condition especially in young nulliparous women. Sophisticated investigation does not guarantee ovary preservation. Combining clinical acumen, appropriate tests and detailed consideration may be the best practice at the present time.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.17-31
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• 1995

Pharmacist-managed Anticoagulation Service(ACS) was estabilished and the effectiveness of warfarin monitoring by ACS in maintaining therapeutic INR was evaluated. The primary goal of ACS is to maximize the control of therapy, to maintain therapeutic INR and to decrease morbidity and hospitalization caused by inadequate dosage regimen. Clinical pharmacists performed chartreview, laboratory interpretation, recommendations for warfarin dosage adjustments, physician and patient education, and coordination of follow-up in ACS. Patients receiving warfarin sodium were evaluated via retrospective chart review. Sixty-two patients were referred to ACS by primary physicians were compared with 117 patients in the physician-amtrolled group. The ACS patients maintained $88.6\%$ in the therapeutic range for anticoagulant therapy and the control group maintained $63.7\%$, where the difference was statistically significant.(P<0.001) The ACS improved warfarin dose determination, PT stability, patient compliance and provided improved therapy compared with the control group. ACS offers safe and efficient anticoagulant therapy in the ambulatory setting.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.56-63
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• 2018

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the usefulness of some iris parameters in predicting the 8 constitution Methods: From November 2012 to February 2018, we retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 171 patients who were visited to the Korean Oriental Clinic. We conducted a stepwise binary logistic regression analysis to find the association between Iris parameters and 8 constitutional Medicine. Results: Automic Nerve Wreath Ration (ANWR) was larger and toxic radii was longer in Earth and Wood constitutions than Metal and water constitution. ANWR was larger and pupil are ratio(PAR) was smaller in Wood constitutions than Earth constitutions. And others did not show significant results. Conclusions: This study suggests that the relationship between some of the iris parameters and 8 constitution was significant, but more accurate follow-up study is needed.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.65-73
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• 2011

Background : There are findings indicating that the autonomic nervous system (ANS) is affected negatively in atopic dermatitis (AD). Heart rate variability (HRV) is a tool to examine ANS. But, studies investigation the relationship between AD and HRV is rare. Objective : The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between atopic dermatitis severity and HRV and to find out the role of ANS in AD. Methods : Retrospective chart review was performed. The Severity Scoring Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) index and HRV parameter was investigated and analyzed. Results : There were 55 patients (25males and 30 females) who met the criteria. Objective SCORAD had significant positive correlation with HRT and Subjective SCORAD had significant negative correlation with SDNN, TP and VLF. Intensity item of SCORAD index had negative correlation with most HRV parameters, but TP, LF and LF/HF ratio had significant positive correlation with dryness. Conclusion : This study supports the concept that atopic dermatitis is a stress-responsive disorder and involves autonomic nervous system dysfunction.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.1-5
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• 2017

Purpose: Nefopam is a centrally acting non-narcotic analgesic that has mostly been used for postoperative pain. We examined the efficacy of nefopam analgesia (alone and in combination with ketorolac) for trauma patients in the emergency department. Methods: We performed a retrospective chart review to select trauma patients who received nefopam at the emergency department of Korea University Medical Center Guro Hospital between January 2012 and December 2012. Patients younger than 15 years were excluded. The primary outcome measure was change of pain score (numeric rating scale) from baseline (before medication) to 30 min after medication. The secondary outcome measure was requirement for additional analgesia (pethidine). Results: Records of 1465 trauma patients who received analgesics in the emergency department from January 2012 to December 2012 were examined. Patients were classified into five groups according to initial analgesic: nefopam (n=112), ketorolac (n=867), pethidine (n=365), nefopam+ketorolac (92), and nefopam+pethidine (22). There were no significant differences in pain score reductions among the five groups. Twenty-two patients in the nefopam group, 141 in the ketorolac group, and 29 in the nefopam+ketorolac group required rescue analgesia with pethidine; these rates were not significantly different. Conclusion: The efficacy of nefopam analgesia for trauma patients in the emergency department is comparable to that of more commonly used agents, including ketorolac and pethidine.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.199-205
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• 2014

Objectives: Current studies are debating on the association of vascular calcification and the benefit of treatment to lower serum phosphorus level in patients with chronic kidney disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of mortality and risk of vascular calcification in patients with CKD who were taking phosphate binders. Methods: This study was conducted through retrospective medical chart review for 420 patients aged 18 years and older who were admitted for chronic kidney disease. Results: Vascular calcification was not statistically significantly associated with increased mortality in patients with CKD [16.7% vs. 19.2%; 95% CI; 0.388 to 1.818 (p=0.656)]. Intervention of calcium-based phosphate binders was not significantly associated with vascular calcification in patients with CKD [9.1% vs. 12.5%; 95% CI; 0.364 to 1.358 (p=0.292)]. Ca x P product ${\geq}55mg^2/dL^2$ was not significantly associated with increased 1 year mortality in patients with CKD [25.4% vs. 17.5%; 95% CI; 0.851 to 3.013 (p=0.142)]. Intervention of sevelamer was significantly associated with reduced 1 year mortality in patients with CKD than that of patients who did not take sevelamer [6.3% vs. 25.3%; 95% CI; 0.044 to 0.880 (p=0.020)]. Conclusion: There was not a statistically significant association between vascular calcification and phosphate binder's use. But phosphate binder use was significantly associated with decreased mortality in patients with CKD.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.7
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• pp.3319-3322
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• 2014

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in Jamaican women. This study assessed the clinicopathologic features of cases in a hospital-based specialist clinic in Kingston, Jamaica. A retrospective chart review was performed for the 2-year study period and relevant clinical and surgico-pathologic data were recorded and analyzed. Median age of the 121 breast cancer patients was 52 years (range 22-84, IQR 20) and there was 1 case of male breast cancer. Most patients (65%) were referred from the surgical service after definitive breast cancer surgery, 20% were referred for pre-operative systemic therapy, and 15% had a diagnosis of metastatic disease. The surgico-pathologic group comprised 78 women who were referred for adjuvant therapy. The majority had presented with a palpable breast lump (91%), with median tumour size 3.5cm (range 0.4-13, IQR 4). Most tumours were node positive (56%). Approximately one-third of patients had stage III disease (33%). Most women presented with large palpable tumours and had lymph node involvement confirmed on surgicopathological evaluation, indicative of limited early breast cancer detection. A national screening mammography programme is recommended for detection of earlier lesions. Pre-operative systemic therapy should be considered as an option for eligible patients.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.115-130
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• 2003

Reperfusion delay in patients with acute myocardial infarction leads to increased morbidity and mortality. We sought to measure the rates of reperfusion delay and to identify factors associated with reperfusion delay after arrival to hospitals. We included 360 patients who had acute myocardial infarction with ST-elevation or left bundle branch block on electrocardiogram and received reperfusion therapy from the three participating academic medical centers from 1997 to 2000. Through retrospective chart review, we collected data about time to reperfusion therapy, patient and hospital factors potentially associated with reperfusion delay. Factors independently associated with reperfusion delay were determined by logistic regression analysis. Median door­to­needle time was 60.0 minutes, and median door­to­balloon time was 102.5 minutes. According to recommendation of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Guidelines, 226 out of 264(85.6％) of thrombolytic patients and 43 out of 96(44.8％) percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty(PTCA) patients experienced reperfusion delay. The significant factors associated with delay were type of reperfusion therapy, patient factors including hypertension and delayed symptom onset to presentation(>4 hours), and hospital factors including nocturnal presentation(6pm∼8am), weekend, and an individual hospital. A significant proportion of patients experienced reperfusion delay. The identified predictors of reperfusion delay may help design a hospital system to reduce the delay in reperfusion therapy