• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제51권4호
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• pp.343-350
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• 2008

Asthma and allergic diseases are one of the most common disorders in children. Due to its increased prevalence, as well as the increased morbidity and mortality from these diseases, asthma and allergic diseases have come to be recognized as a major worldwide public health issue. In addition, socioeconomic burden of asthma and allergic diseases has increased in Korea also. The International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) investigated the worldwide prevalence of asthma and other allergic diseases using simple standardized methods because of the comparison of asthma and allergic diseases between the countries. In Korea, several epidemiologic studies have been conducted to determine the prevalence of asthma in children. Although these studies showed increased prevalence of asthma among Korean children (from 3.4% in 1964 to 10.1% in 1989), these findings were based on data from small numbers of subjects. The first Nationwide Study of Asthma and Allergies in Korean Children, which utilized the Korean version of ISAAC written and video questionnaire, was conducted in 1995 and the second Nationwide Study of Asthma and Allergies in Korean Children was conducted in 2000, directed by the Korean Academy of Pediatric Allergy and Respiratory Diseases. We report here the prevalence of asthma and other allergic diseases in Korean children and adolescents, and show the changes that occurred over this 5 year period. We also describe the risk factors for development of these diseases in Korean children. We developed Korean versions of the ISAAC written (WQ) and video (AVQ) questionnaires for allergic diseases. In 1995, the enrolled population consisted of 25,117 children selected from 34 elementary school and 14,946 children selected from 34 middle school across the nation, the response rate was 94.8%. In 2000, 27,831 children selected from 34 elementary school and 15,214 children selected from 34 middle school, and the response rate was 96.4%. From these studies, we can confirm that increase of the prevalences of asthma, allergic rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis in Korea, except the prevalence of food allergy. Especially, the video questionnaire showed increases in the lifetime and 12 month prevalence rates of wheeze at rest, exercise-induced wheeze, nocturnal wheeze, nocturnal cough, and severe wheeze over this period of time in middle school children. In addition, the increase of prevalences of symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of atopic dermatitis was noted significantly. Risk factor analysis showed that body mass index (BMI), passive smoking and living with a dog or cat were associated with higher risk of wheeze. Also the occurrence of fever during infancy and the frequent use of antibiotics were associated with the risk of wheeze. In conclusion, during the 5 year period from 1995 to 2000, the prevalences of asthma, allergic rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis has increased in Korean children. BMI, passive smoking, living with a dog or cat, the fever episodes in infancy, and the frequent use of antibiotics in infancy are important risk factors to development of asthma and atopic dermatitis. In the near future, the birth cohort study will be needed to investigate the causes of this increase and the natural course of allergic diseases, then we develop the methods to control asthma and allergic diseases.

• 정신신체의학
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• 제1권1호
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• pp.45-51
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• 1993

Stress perception was investigated in 53 outpatients with extrinsic type of bronchial asthma, using GARS scale and other questionnaires. 40% of the patients were found to be psychosomatic. The patients were more likely to consider their physical symptoms as severe than the allergist Severity of symptoms rated by the allergist had significantly positive correlation with scores of stress perception related to changes in relationship. However, no significant correlation was found between severity of symptoms rated by patients and scores of stress perception. Psychosomatic group was significantly higher in scores of stress perception related to illness and injury, financial burden, and change or no change in routine than non-psychosomatic group. Female. older age, higher education. presence of religion. and presence of psychological stressors at onset and/or aggravation of the illness were found to increase stress perception. These findings indicate ant extrinsic asthmatics an less likely to perceive psychological stress than physical symptoms, and that they are less vulnerable to psychological stressors than patients with other diseases.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제45권4호
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• pp.482-489
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• 2021

Background: Asthma is an incurable hyper-responsive disease of the pulmonary system that is caused by various allergens, including indoor and outdoor stimulators. According to the Global Asthma Network, 339 million people suffered from asthma in 2018, with particularly severe forms in children. Numerous treatments for asthma are available; however, they are frequently associated with adverse effects such as growth retardation, neurological disorders (e.g., catatonia, poor concentration, and insomnia), and physiological disorders (e.g., immunosuppression, hypertension, hyperglycemia, and osteoporosis). Methods: Korean Red Ginseng has long been used to treat numerous diseases in many countries, and we investigated the anti-asthmatic effects and mechanisms of action of Korean Red Ginseng. Eighty-four BALB/c mice were assigned to 6 treatment groups: control, ovalbumin-induced asthma group, dexamethasone treatment group, and 3 groups treated with Korean Red Ginseng water extract (KRGWE) at 5, 25, or 50 mg/kg/day for 5 days. Anti-asthmatic effects of KRGWE were assessed based on biological changes, such as white blood cell counts and differential counts in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, serum IgE levels, and histopathological changes in the lungs, and by examining anti-asthmatic mechanisms, such as the cytokines associated with Th1, Th2, and Treg cells and inflammation pathways. Results: KRGWE affected ovalbumin-induced changes, such as increased white blood cell counts, increased IgE levels, and morphological changes (mucous hypersecretion, epithelial cell hyperplasia, inflammatory cell infiltration) by downregulating cytokines such as IL-12, IL-4, and IL-6 via GATA-3 inactivation and suppression of inflammation via NF-κB/COX-2 and PGE₂ pathways. Conclusion: KRGWE is a promising drug for asthma treatment.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제55권9호
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• pp.309-315
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• 2012

Human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) is a major cause of severe respiratory tract illnesses in infants and young children worldwide. Despite its importance as a respiratory pathogen, there is currently no licensed vaccine for HRSV. Following failure of the initial trial of formalin-inactivated virus particle vaccine, continuous efforts have been made for the development of safe and efficacious vaccines against HRSV. However, several obstacles persist that delay the development of HRSV vaccine, such as the immature immune system of newborn infants and the possible Th2-biased immune responses leading to subsequent vaccine-enhanced diseases. Many HRSV vaccine strategies are currently being developed and evaluated, including live-attenuated viruses, subunit-based, and vector-based candidates. In this review, the current HRSV vaccines are overviewed and the safety issues regarding asthma and vaccine-induced pathology are discussed.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제63권4호
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• pp.337-345
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• 2007

연구배경: 천식 치료의 근간을 이루고 있는 흡입용 스테로이드제에 대한 반응은 천식 환자마다 다양하다. 또한, 코르티코스테로이드가 천식의 기도염증에서 중요한 매개체인 류코트리엔을 효과적으로 억제하지 못하는 것으로 보고되었다. 이에 저자들은 흡입용 스테로이드와 지속성 베타2 항진제의 병용요법으로도 증상이 완전히 조절되지 않는 지속성 천식 환자에서 montelukast를 추가하였을 때의 유효성을 평가하고자 하였다. 방법: 4주간의 준비기간을 거쳐서 흡입용 스테로이드와 지속성 베타2 항진제의 병용요법으로도 증상이 완전히 조절되지 않는 지속성 천식 환자 198명을 선정하여 8주 동안 montelukast 10mg 정을 1일 1회 취침 전 복용토록 하였다. ACQ 증상 점수와 $FEV_1%$ 치를 montelukast 치료 전후로 각각 측정하였으며, 치료 후에 환자와 연구자 각각 천식과 비염에 대하여 '호전되었음, 변화없음, 악화되었음' 중의 하나로 평가하도록 하였다. 결과: 8주간 montelukast를 추가한 후 ACQ 증상 점수의 평균 변화량은 -4.8점[95% CI (-5.7,-3.9)]으로, 유의하게 천식 증상이 호전됨을 보였다 (p<0.001). $FEV_1%$치는 증가하는 경향을 보였으나 통계적으로 유의하지는 않았다(p>0.05). 방문 2시점에서 시행한 천식에 대한 환자와 연구자의 종합 평가에서 각각 약 60%의 환자와 연구자가 '개선되었음'으로 평가하였으며(${\kappa}=0.85$), 비염의 종합 평가에서 각각 55%의 환자와 51%의 연구자가 '개선되었음'으로 평가하였다(${\kappa}=0.93$). 결론: 흡입용 스테로이드 및 지속성 베타2 항진제의 병용제제로도 천식증상이 완전히 조절되지 않는 중등증 이상의 지속성 천식 환자에서 류코트리엔 조절제의 추가는 천식의 조절을 향상시킬 수 있다.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제43권2호
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• pp.173-181
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• 1996

연구배경 : 점액섬모 청소율의 저하가 천식의 병태생리에 있어서 중요한 역할을 하리라고 생각되어 왔다. 실제로 직접적인 기관지 내시경 검사 또는 핵의학적 검사를 이용하여 시행한 연구에의 성인의 기관지 천식에서 점액성모 청소율의 저하가 있으며 천식 증상의 정도와 임상 상태에 따라 점액섬모 청소율이 변화한다는 것이 알려져 있다. 본 연구는 소아 천식 환자에서 점액섬모 청소율의 저하가 있는지 알아보고, 이의 저하가 어느 정도인지를 평가하고자 경증의 안정된 천식 환아군, 대표적 섬모 운동 이상질환인 비운동성 섬모 증후군 환이군 그리고 정상 대조군에서 점액섬모 청소율 스캔을 시행하였다. 아울러 천식 환아에서 기도과민성의 지표인 $PC_{20}$과 점액성모 청소율의 연관성을 알아보고자 하였다. 방법 : 13명의 경증의 안정된 천식환아와 8명의 비운동성 섬모증후군 환아를 대상으로 하였고 10명의 정상 대조군과 비교하였다. 점액섬모 청소율은 방사능 분무술을 사용하여 측정하였다 연무제로는 $^{99m}Tc$으로 표지된 Tin colloid를 사용하였고 nebulizer를 통해 생성하였고 흡인은 자발 호흡을 이용하여 mouthpiece를 통하였고 흡입한 후 gamma camera로 흡입직후; 30분, 60분, 90분, 120분에 각각 잔류 방사능을 측정하였다. 점액섬모 청소율은 각 시간에 따른 잔류 방사능량을 기저 방사능량에 대한 백분율로 계산하여 나타내었다. 천식 환아의 $PC_{20}$은 methacholine Chai등에 의한 방법으로 시행하여 구하였다. 결과 : 1) 모든 대상군에서 잔류 방사능 비율은 시간에 따라 저하되었다. 2) 30분, 60분 90분의 잔류 방사능 비율은 비운동성 성모 증후군 환아군, 천식 환아군, 정상 대조군 순이었으나 통계상으로는 비운동성 섬모 증환아군과 정상 대조군에서만 유의한 차이가 있었다. 3) 2시간 잔류 방사능 비율을 비교하였는데 천식환아에서 정상군에 비하여 유의하게 높았고 비운동성 섬모 증후군에 비하여 유의하게 낮았다. 4) 천식 환아에서 $PC_{20}$을 잔류 방사능 비율과 비교하였는데 $PC_{20}$과 잔류 방사능 비율과는 상관 관계가 없었다. 결론 : 점액섬모 청소율은 소아 천식 환아에서도 정상보다 저하되어 있었다. 이런 소견에서 정액섬모 청소율의 저하가 소아 천식에서도 성인에서와 마찬가지로 병태생리에 중요한 인자로 관여할 것으로 생각된다. 그러나 소아 천식 환아에서의 점액섬모 청소율의 저하의 정도는 비운동성 섬모 증후군 환아에 비하여 심하지 않았다.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제57권6호
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• pp.271-277
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• 2014

Purpose: A nationwide outbreak of Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MP) refractory to macrolide antibiotics occurred in Korea during 2011. Steroid therapy has been reported to be both efficacious and well tolerated in pediatric patients with refractory MP. We compared clinical features and laboratory characteristics between children with refractory MP requiring steroid treatment and those with macrolide-responsive MP and evaluated the risk factors associated with refractory MP. Methods: We investigated 203 children who were admitted to our institution with MP from June to November 2011. Refractory MP was defined by persistent fever over $38.3^{\circ}C$ with progressive pulmonary consolidation or pleural effusion despite administration of appropriate macrolide antibiotics for 5 days or longer after admission. Steroid therapy was initiated on the fifth day after admission for refractory cases. Results: There were 26 patients with refractory MP requiring steroid therapy. The mean duration of steroid therapy was 5.4 days and most of the patients were afebrile within 24 hours after initiation of steroid therapy. The prevalence of refractory MP was higher in patients with pleural effusion, lobar pneumonia affecting more than 2 lobes, higher levels of serum lactate dehydrogenase, increased oxygen requirements, and longer duration of hospitalization. Atopic sensitization and history of asthma were also associated with refractory MP after adjusting for age and gender. Conclusion: Children with refractory MP had more severe pneumonia. Atopic sensitization and history of asthma may be risk factors for refractory MP requiring steroid therapy in Korean children.

• 대한간호학회지
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• 제47권5호
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• pp.613-623
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• 2017

Purpose: This study was conducted to identify the effects of education regarding action plans according to a self-monitoring program on self-management adherence, knowledge, symptom control, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among adults with asthma. Methods: Thirty-four patients were randomly assigned to the intervention group and thirty-two to the control group in this study. A tailored 50-minute intervention based on the contents of self-monitoring and action plans developed by the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute was provided to the intervention group. Structured and well developed questionnaires were used to measure the dependent variables. Results: There were no differences in all general and clinical characteristics, and the dependent variables between two groups in the pre-test. In the post-test, there were differences in the level of self-management adherence (t=4.41, p<.001), knowledge (t=2.26, p=.027), symptom control (t=-2.56, p=.013), and total HRQoL (t=2.14, p=.036) between the two groups, although there was a difference only in the sub-domain of emotion (t=2.03, p=.047) in HRQoL. Conclusion: This study found that action plans according to self-monitoring that enhance a participatory interaction in the treatment and care could help patients with moderate to severe asthma to engagead equately in self-care, to control their symptoms, and to improve their HRQoL. Further studies are still needed to identify longitudinal effects of this program.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제31권3호
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• pp.361-371
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• 1998

Recent increases of asthma and allergies in childhood made the need for a standardized approach to international and regional comparisons of their prevalence and severity. To address these issues, 'International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC)' is currently underway. In Korea, 'Nationwide Study of Asthma and Allergies in Korean Children' began in 1995 according to ISAAC protocol. ISAAC written and video questionnaires were used in this survey, but their reliability and validity were not evaluated properly yet. In this study, our aim was to evaluate the reliability and validity of two kinds of questionnaires and their usefulness in international and regional comparisons. The test and retest of two questionniares were completed by male(n=110) and female(n=111) middle school students with two and three weeks interval each. Kappa(or weighted kappa) were calculated from each questions and validity coefficients were estimated from those statistics. In Korean version of written questionnaire, the questions for allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, allergic conjunctivitis, and food allergy proved to have high kappa values (or weighted kappa values) and validity coefficients and they can be used in further studies without any correction. But some questions about asthma(especially nocturnal cough, wheezing in exercise, and severe asthma) and drug allergy need to be revised for better under-standing to study subjects. Video questionnaire has the same degree of reliability and validity when compared to written questionnaire and this is the unexpected result. Accordingly, it also need to be revised to overcome the racial and cultural differences of the study subjects. In conclusion, the Korean version of written and video questionnaires may be considered to be useful methods in international and regional comparisons of asthma and allergic diseases in childhood after correction of some questions.

• Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Research
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• 제10권6호
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• pp.614-627
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• 2018

Purpose: Asthma is a heterogeneous disease that responds to medications to varying degrees. Cluster analyses have identified several phenotypes and variables related to fixed airway obstruction; however, few longitudinal studies of lung function have been performed on adult asthmatics. We investigated clinical, demographic, and inflammatory factors related to persistent airflow limitation based on lung function trajectories over 1 year. Methods: Serial post-bronchodilator forced expiratory volume (FEV) 1% values were obtained from 1,679 asthmatics who were followed up every 3 months for 1 year. First, a hierarchical cluster analysis was performed using Ward's method to generate a dendrogram for the optimum number of clusters using the complete post-FEV1 sets from 448 subjects. Then, a trajectory cluster analysis of serial post-FEV1 sets was performed using the k-means clustering for the longitudinal data trajectory method. Next, trajectory clustering for the serial post-FEV1 sets of a total of 1,679 asthmatics was performed after imputation of missing post-FEV1 values using regression methods. Results: Trajectories 1 and 2 were associated with normal lung function during the study period, and trajectory 3 was associated with a reversal to normal of the moderately decreased baseline FEV1 within 3 months. Trajectories 4 and 5 were associated with severe asthma with a marked reduction in baseline FEV1. However, the FEV1 associated with trajectory 4 was increased at 3 months, whereas the FEV1 associated with trajectory 5 was persistently disturbed over 1 year. Compared with trajectory 4, trajectory 5 was associated with older asthmatics with less atopy, a lower immunoglobulin E (IgE) level, sputum neutrophilia and higher dosages of oral steroids. In contrast, trajectory 4 was associated with higher sputum and blood eosinophil counts and more frequent exacerbations. Conclusions: Trajectory clustering analysis of FEV1 identified 5 distinct types, representing well-preserved to severely decreased FEV1. Persistent airflow obstruction may be related to non-atopy, a low IgE level, and older age accompanied by neutrophilic inflammation and low baseline FEV1 levels.