• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.177-189
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• 2017

Purpose: A meta-analysis was conducted to identify the effect of cognitive improvement programs for the elderly with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in Korea. Methods: Five databases, as well as relevant reference lists, of studies published from 2000 to 2016, were searched. Fourteen studies were identified. Quality assessments of included studies were conducted using the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network checklist. An R program was used to analyze effect sizes and to identify possible sources of heterogeneity among studies. The potential for publication bias was investigated using a funnel plot, Egger's regression test and sensitivity analysis. Results: The total effect size was large (Standardized Mean Difference [SMD]=1.44, 95% CI: 1.11~1.77), with cognition based intervention (SMD= 1.77, 95% CI: 1.26~2.29) and exercise intervention (SMD=1.13, 95% CI: 0.82~1.44). Statistically significant moderators were identified intervention type by meta-ANOVA analyses. Finally, no significant evidence of publication bias was found. Conclusion: There is clear evidence that cognitive improvement programs can greatly enhance cognition in elderly with MCI. Future research should examine the effects of non-pharmacological interventions targeting elderly populations with mild-to-severe cognitive impairment in order to develop and enhance the effectiveness of cognitive improvement programs in Korea.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.38 no.5
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• pp.576-582
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• 2017

Objectives: Hormone replacement therapy may relieve many symptoms of menopause; however, hormone replacement therapy may increase the risk of breast cancer, stroke, and dementia. This case study describes the effect of Hoechunboeum-tang on the menopausal disorder of hot flashes, which has been well documented as a cause of distress to patients undergoing menopause. Methods and Results: Two female patients suffering from severe hot flashes related to menopausal disorders were administered the herbal medicine, Hoechunboeum-tang. Measurements included hot flash frequency over a 24 hour period, hot flash severity (visual analogue scale), and hot flash-related daily interference and were recorded during the last week before herbal medicine and again after 7 and 15 days of herbal treatment. The patients were asked about their hot flash symptoms 6 months later and both reported that the symptoms had been successfully reduced after herbal treatment and were still reduced after 6 months. Conclusions: Hoechunboeum-tang could have a beneficial effect on menopausal disorder with hot flashes.

• Journal of mucopolysaccharidosis and rare diseases
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2021

Gaucher disease (GD, OMIM #230800 OMIM#230800) is a rare, autosomal recessive inherited metabolic disorder caused by mutation in GBA1 encoding the lysosomal enzyme, glucocerebrosidase. The deficiency of glucocerebrosidase leads to an accumulation of its substrate, glucosylceramide in macrophages of various tissues. Common clinical manifestations include cytopenia, splenomegaly, hepatomegaly, and bone lesions. The phenotype of GD is classified into three clinical categories: Type 1 (non-neuronopathic) is characterized by involvements on the viscera, whereas types 2 and 3 (neuronopathic) are associated with not only visceral symptoms but also neurological impairment, either severe in type 2 or variable in type 3. A diagnosis of GD can be confirmed by demonstrating the deficiency of acid glucocerebrosidase activity in leukocytes. Mutations in the GBA1 should be identified as they may be of prognostic value in some cases. Biomarkers including Chitotriosidase, CCL18, and glucosylsphingosine (lyso-GL1) are useful in diagnosis and treatment monitoring. Currently available disease-specific treatment in Korea consists of intravenous enzyme replacement therapy and substrate reduction therapy. For enhancing long-term prognosis, the onset of Parkinson's disease and Lewy body dementia, or the occurrence of a blood disease or cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma) should be monitored in older patients. The development of new strategies that can modify the neurological phenotype are expected, especially in Asia including Korea, where the prevalence of neuronopathic GD is relatively higher than that in western countries.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.141-150
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• 2023

Objectives: This study aimed to comprehend the characteristics of Korean medicine patterns in relation to varying degrees of cognitive impairment in an elderly population. Methods: The dataset included 127 elderly individuals with cognitive impairment obtained from three Korean medicine hospitals between 2018 and 2021. The participants were categorized into two groups based on Clinical Dementia Rating-Sum of Boxes (CDR-SB) scores: those with questionable impairment (QI) and those with very mild dementia (VMD). A diagnostic framework for Korean medicine patterns encompassing Qi deficiency, Yin deficiency, Phlegm dampness, and Heat-fire was employed. Liver blood markers, including aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and the AST/ALT ratio, were also analyzed. Results: The scores of the cognitive assessment tools (MoCA-K, MMSE-DS, and K-IADL) of the QI group significantly differed from those of the VMD group. CDR-SB exhibited a positive correlation with the scores of each pattern of Qi deficiency, Yin deficiency, Phlegm dampness, and Heat-fire, whereas ALT and AST values displayed negative correlations. Binomial logistic analysis, controlling for potential confounders, such as age, education years, body mass index, the presence of chronic disease, and the presence of medication, verified that the VMD group showed higher pattern scores and lower ALT and AST values than the QI group. Conclusions: Increases in pattern scores along with decreased AST and ALT levels might be indicative of more severe cognitive impairment.

• Korean Journal of Culture and Social Issue
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.339-357
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• 2009

As quickly becoming an ageing society in Korea, this study aims to investigate how family caregivers' burden with demented patients and social supports are related to their health and quality of life, and the interaction of caregiving burden and social supports on caregivers' health and quality of life. The participants were 207 family caregivers (106 females) of demented patients lived in Seoul, Kyunggi, and Chungcheong areas, whose average of age were 51.62 ( SD=9.25). The psychological tests used in this research included the following: Multidimensional Caregiver Burden Inventory, Chon's Physical Symptom Questionnaire, Hahn & Jang's Perceived Health Inventory, Negative Affect Self-Statement Questionnaire, and the Korean Version of Cambell's Subjective Well-being Scale, Social Support Survey in Medical Outcomes Study, and Kwon's Questionnaire for Maladjusted Problems of Demented. Results indicated that caregivers' burden with demented patient related to physical symptoms and depression positively, and perceived health and subjective well-being negatively. Social supports showed moderate effects on influences of caregiving burden in perceived health, depression, and subjective well-being of family caregivers with demented patients. It was identified the possibility of their buffering effect on negative results of caregiving burden with demented patients. Since caregiving burden accounted for the 34% of the variances for family caregivers' physical symptoms and depression, researchers discussed the promotion and intervention of their health and quality of life. Beside of different effects of social supports with level of caregiving burden, with previous studies it was discussed some saliant findings such as family caregivers with patients who showed severe dementia symptoms were perceiving even less supports from others.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.83-110
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• 1995

The purpose of this study was to investigate the status of the problematic behavior for the demented elderly and the stress among family members, and the effects of the problematic behavior upon the stress in order to offer the basic data for the adult and the elderly health education about dementia. For this purpose, 70 families who were resident in Seoul and Inchon were surveyed by quetionnaires. This was carried out from 26 July, 1994 to 11 September, 1994. Datum was analysed by using SPSS\PC+ including percentage, mean, t - test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation. So, the results of this study were as follows: 1. In view of socia-demographic characteristics, female were 82.9%, and of the female daughters-in-law of the demented elderly were 44.9%. 40th years old were 32.9% and 88.6% wase married. The christian were 34.8%, those who graduated university 47.1%, and those who had a job 32.9%. 2. Of the demented elderly, female were 74.3%, 80 years old were 37.1%, and their average age was seventy-seven point one years old. 66.2% of the elderly has been lived alone and the christian were 27.5%. In addition, those who graduated elementary school were 66.5%. 3. Of the behavior problem for the demented elderly, Activities of the Daily Living(ADL) was the most severe problem. The 2nd was cognitive function problem, the 3th, change of personality, the 4th, emotional disturbance, and the last, misconduct behavior. 4. For the status of behavior problems, females were more severe than male, and 80th years elderly ware the most severe groups. The longer disease period was, the severe problematic behaviors were, and in 4-6 years of the disease period the status was the highest(p＜0.05). Those who diagnosed the disease had more severe problems(p＜0.001). 5. The orders of the stress among family members caring for the demented elderly in this study were as follows : 1. The deficiency of supporting network 2. Decrease of elderly's cognitive activities 3. Assistance of BADL(Basic Activities of Daily Living) 6. Elderly's abnormal behavior 5. Assistance of IADL(Instrumental Activities of Daily Living), 6. As for the status of the stress among family members, female respondants were higher than male. On the ages, 20th years' stress score were the highest. Daughters-in-law were stressed more than other family members. The longer the time of caring per day was, the highest the status of the stress(p＜0.05), 7. Those who caring for female elderly and more than 80 years had more stressed. When the elderly was received the diagnosis, the family members were more stressed. On the disease period, 1-2 years was the highest and after 2 years the status of the stress was decreased and more than 6 years was the lowest(p＜0.05). 8. Behavior problems of the demented elderly were closely associated to the stress for family members. Of the problems, change of personality was the most related factor(r = 0.6552). The factors of Basic Activities of the Daily Living(BADL) was most correlated on assistance of Basic Activities of Daily Living (BADL), emotional disturbance the assistance of IADL(Instrumental Activities of Daily Living). Change of personality was most related to the stress of the decrease of cognitive activities and elderly's abnormal behavior. The deficiency of supporting network was most related to misconduct behavior.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.850-862
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• 2007

Background : Cerebrovascular disease is a major cause of death and disability in adults. Silent cerebral infarction (SCI) portends more severe cerebral infarction or may lead to insidious progressive brain damage resulting in vascular dementia. Known cardiovascular risk factors, such as arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus, smoking, hyperlipidemia and ischemic heart disease may increase the risk of SCI. This study was designed to evaluate the risk factors of SCI in an apparently normal adult population. Methods : We divided 340 neurologically normal adults (mean age=59.90$\pm$8.30, men:women = 146:194) who underwent brain computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at the Stroke Medical Center in Daejeon University Oriental Medicine Hospital in two groups, Silent inf. and Controls,and analyzed risk factors of SCI by interview, physical examination and blood test. Risk factors of SCI were assessed by interview, physical examination and blood test. We performed Pearson's chi-square test and two-sample t-test for univariate analysis and multiple logistic regressions for multivariate analysis to evaluate risk factors of SCI. Results : Old age, diabetes mellitus, and high lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels were associated with SCI on univariate analysis. Diabetes mellitus was demonstrated to be an independent risk factor for SCI on multivariate analysis. Conclusions : Advanced age, diabetes mellitus, and LDH levels are associated with SCI.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.92-102
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• 2018

Purpose: This study investigated the validity of the Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) as a predictor of periodontal disease (PD) over a 12-year period. Methods: Nationwide representative samples of 149,785 adults aged ${\geq}60$ years with PD (International Classification of Disease, 10th revision [ICD-10], K052-K056) were derived from the National Health Insurance Service-Elderly Cohort during 2002-2013. The degree of comorbidity was measured using the CCI (grade 0-6), including 17 diseases weighted on the basis of their association with mortality, and data were analyzed using multivariate Cox proportional-hazards regression in order to investigate the associations of comorbid diseases (CDs) with PD. Results: The multivariate Cox regression analysis with adjustment for sociodemographic factors (sex, age, household income, insurance status, residence area, and health status) and CDs (acute myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, peripheral vascular disease, cerebral vascular accident, dementia, pulmonary disease, connective tissue disorders, peptic ulcer, liver disease, diabetes, diabetes complications, paraplegia, renal disease, cancer, metastatic cancer, severe liver disease, and human immunodeficiency virus [HIV]) showed that the CCI in elderly comorbid participants was significantly and positively correlated with the presence of PD (grade 1: hazard ratio [HR], 1.11; P<0.001; grade ${\geq}2$: HR, 1.12, P<0.001). Conclusions: We demonstrated that a higher CCI was a significant predictor of greater risk for PD in the South Korean elderly population.

• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.197-207
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• 2014

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the status and characteristics of visiting nurses' management for elders with cognitive impairment living in a community focused on health centers in a metropolitan city and five medium-sized cities. Methods: Data were collected from 47 visiting nurses working in a metropolitan city and 47 visiting nurses working in five medium-sized cities from November to December 2012. Results: There were no statistically significant differences in knowledge, attitudes, and nursing behaviors of cognitive impairment between two groups (F=2.13, p=.148; F=3.64, p=.060; F=0.28, p=.595). Among the elders referred to a physician in a metropolitan city by visiting nurses, 42.4% were diagnosed as mild cognitive impairment and 15.2% were diagnosed as severe dementia. The major intervention programs which visiting nurses currently applied for elders were medication and exercise intervention programs, and the intervention programs which they would want to apply in the future were playing, music and recall intervention programs. Conclusion: The cognitive impairment screening test can be done effectively by visiting nurses. This study also suggests to develop various kinds of intervention programs to improve cognitive function for elders living in a community.

• Journal of The Korean Dental Society of Anesthesiology
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.146-152
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• 2011

Background: Elderly patients with progressive dementia including Alzheimer's disease (AD) are more and more often scheduled to undergo general anesthesia for various pathologies including dental problem. But, there is high risk of deterioration of underlying mental diseases and other co-morbidities. So it is important to implement preventive strategies and take adequate measures to minimize negative perioperative events in these patients. Methods: We reviewed the 17 cases of 11 patients with AD who underwent ambulatory general anesthesia for dental treatment at the clinic for the disabled in Seoul National University Dental Hospital. Results: The mean age was 68 (57-81) years. All of them were diagnosed with AD and some had hypertsnsion, bronchiectasis, urinary incontinence. For anesthesia induction, 3 cases (1 patient) was needed physical restraint, but others showed good or moderate cooperation. Drugs used for anesthesia induction was thiopental (11 cases), propofol (3 cases) and sevoflurane (3 cases). All patients received nasotracheal intubation without difficulties. Mean total anesthetic time was 3 hour 44 min ${\pm}$ 60 min and staying time at PACU was 83 ${\pm}$ 34 min. All the patients except one who showed hypertension discharged without any complication. There was no death or long term hospitalization because of severe complications. Conclusions: If general anesthesia is needed, pertinent diagnostic tests and workup about other medical problems, and appropriate anesthetic planning are essential for safety.