• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.161-169
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• 2020

The factors influencing the quality of life of physical and mental health in middle-aged women were examined. Secondary analysis was conducted using the data from the 2016 Korea Health Panel data. Method: The Korea Health Panel data 2016 were collected from February to August 2016 by the Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs and the National Health Insurance Corporation and included 2,437 people who responded to the questionire. Using the SPSS Win program, the data were analyzed using a t-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficient, and multiple regression analysis. For physical health, the factors affecting the HRQoL were hearing problems, visual problems, eating problems, and physical activity. For mental health, the factors affecting HRQoL were suicidal impulse, stress subjective health. Conclusion: The results indicated that to improve the HRQoL of middle-aged women, a psychological nursing intervention program will be needed to reduce the stress and suicidal thoughts and improve the positive cognitive attitude and subjective health condition.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.25-32
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• 2020

PURPOSE: This study examined the efficacy of an interferential current (IFC) treatment on the improvement of pain, disability, and quality of life in stroke patients with lumbago. METHODS: A double-blind, randomized clinical trial was conducted on 40 stroke patients with lumbago. The patients were allocated randomly into two groups: the IFC treatment group (n= 20) and the placebo treatment group (n= 20). The IFC group received 30 minutes of IFC treatment on the lumbar region, while the placebo group received IFC treatment but without real electrical stimulation. The intervention was administered five days a week for four weeks. The primary outcomes of pain intensity were measured using a visual analogue scale. The secondary measurements included the Barthel Index, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). RESULTS: The measurements were conducted before and after the two-week intervention period. Compared to the placebo treatment group, the IFC treatment group showed significantly greater improvement in the pain intensity (p<.05), ODI (p<.05), and SF-36 (p<.05) at the end of the intervention. No significant differences in the Barthel Index were found between the two groups. CONCLUSION: These findings show that an IFC treatment can improve pain, functional ability, and quality of life, highlighting the benefits of somatosensory stimulation from IFC in stroke patients with lumbago.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.180-188
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• 2020

Objectives: The Short Form 36 (SF-36) questionnaire is increasingly being used to measure health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in Indonesia. However, evidence that it is valid for use in Indonesian adults is lacking. This study assessed the validity and reliability of the SF-36 in Indonesian middle-aged and older adults. Methods: Adults aged 46-81 years (n=206) in Yogyakarta, Indonesia completed the SF-36, another measure of HRQoL (the EuroQoL visual analogue scale [EQ-VAS]), and measures assessing their demographic characteristics. Fifty-four percent (n=121) completed the SF-36 measure again 1 week later. Confirmatory factor analysis was conducted to confirm the factor structure of the SF-36. Internal consistency reliability was estimated using Cronbach's alpha, and test-retest reliability was assessed using intraclass correlations. Convergent and discriminant validity were assessed by computing correlations among SF-36 subscales, between subscales and the 2 component scores, and between component scores and EQ-VAS scores. Results: Most scaling assumptions were met. The hypothetical factor structure fit the data poorly (root mean square error of approximation [RMSEA]=0.108) and modification was required for a good fit (RMSEA=0.060). Scores on all subscales demonstrated acceptable internal consistency (α>0.70) and test-retest reliability (r>0.70). Divergent validity was supported by weak to moderate interscale correlations (r=0.19 to 0.64). As expected, the 2 summary scores were moderately to strongly correlated with the EQ-VAS (r>0.60). Conclusions: The findings adequately support the use of SF-36 in Indonesian middle-aged and older adults, although the optimal algorithm for computing component scores in Indonesia warrants further investigation.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.112-124
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• 2024

This study investigated the factors associated with HINT-8 (Korean health-related quality of life instrument with eight items), including health habits, hand grip strength, chronic disease, chewing function, mental health, and nutrient intake. In this study, the health-related quality of life (HRQoL; HINT-8) was assessed using the data from the 2019 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES VIII) among Koreans aged over 65, with HINT-8 being evaluated based on the general characteristics. Of the participants from KNHANES VIII, 1,455 subjects were analyzed using SPSS statistics complex samples (Windows ver. 27.0). The HINT-8 score was significantly lower in females and in those aged 75 years or older, lowest educational level, lowest income level, and single households. Logistic regression analysis, adjusted for the general characteristics, revealed a significant association between a lower HINT-8 group and various factors: low aerobic physical activity (OR=1.71, 95% CI=1.25~2.35), low hand grip strength (OR=1.34, 95% CI=1.02~1.78), chewing difficulties (OR=2.17, 95% CI=1.62~2.92), poor self-rated health status (OR=6.11, 95% CI=4.42~8.45), stressful mental status (OR=3.57, 95% CI=2.27~5.63) and poor calcium status (OR=1.45, 95% CI=1.11~1.88). On the other hand, this study could not reveal a significant association between a lower HINT-8 group and factors such as smoking, drinking, chronic disease, and nutrient intake status, except for calcium intake. This study suggests that HINT-8 is associated with aerobic physical activity, hand grip strength, chewing function, mental health, and calcium intake, but not with smoking, drinking, chronic disease, and nutrient intake.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.423-432
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• 2015

Objectives: In Korea, the percentage of elderly is increasing at an unprecedented rate, and is expected to account for 40% of the population by 2060. This massive demographic change stresses the importance of research on aging as it is necessary to improve the quality of life (QoL) of this population. This study aimed to examine the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of the rural elderly and to clarify its association with the nutrient adequacy ratio (NAR). Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed in S-gun, Chonbuk, a critical agricultural area. The elderly people without abnormal physical functioning composed our study population and the data were collected by personal visits to 336 elderly people aged over 65 years (110 males and 226 females). Subjects were interviewed with questionnaires pertaining to general characteristics and EuroQol (EQ-5D). Nutrient intakes were assessed two days by 24-hours recall method. Subjects were defined as high QOL group if EQ-5D index with Nam's model was above the median. Results: Generally, EQ-5D index was lower in women than in man, and lower in older subjects than in younger subjects. The percentages of people below the median were 42% (low QoL group) and 58% (high QoL group) were found to be the above the median. The high QoL group had higher NAR, especially for vitamin C, vitamin B1, vitamin B2 and folate. All dimensions in the EQ-5D were affected by NAR of some nutrients and especially anxiety/depression dimension was significantly correlated with NAR of 5 nutrients (protein, calcium, iron, vitamin C and vitamin B1) and EQ-5D scores. Conclusions: HRQol was significantly reduced in elderly with increasing age and this was more pronounced in women than in man. The NAR of some nutrients were associated with the EQ-5D index, especially anxiety/depression dimension, among rural elderly.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.9
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• pp.3799-3803
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• 2015

Background: The Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy - Breast (FACT-B) scale is widely used to measure health-related quality of life in cancer patients. The aim of the present study is to validate the FACT-B in a sample of Iranian women with breast cancer. Materials and Methods: The sample consisted of 300 women selected through non-random convenient sampling procedure from oncology hospitals and clinics in Kermanshah and Shiraz cities. They were asked to fill in the Persian versions of the FACT-B scale, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer quality of life EORTC QLQ30. Confirmatory factorial analysis of the methods, concurrent validity and discriminant, and Cronbach's alpha for internal consistency were applied. Results: Internal consistency using Cronbach's alpha was 0.63 to 0.93 for the subscales and 0.92 for the total scale. Significant correlations between FACT-B and other measures indicate that this scale had concurrent and discriminant validity. The values of fit indices were satisfactory. Conclusions: The Persian version of the FACT-B scale is valid and reliable and, therefore, the scale can be used in research and clinical settings to assess health-related quality of life in Iranian patients with breast cancer.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.12
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• pp.5121-5126
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• 2016

Objective: To investigate the impact of chemotherapy on quality of life (QoL) among breast cancer patients and to evaluate the relationship with age, cancer stage and presence of any comorbidity. Methods: A prospective study was conducted among breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy in Hospital Melaka from 1st January 2014 to 31st July 2014. The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30) was given to patients to fill in prior chemotherapy (baseline) and after the third cycle of chemotherapy. Socio-demographic and clinical data were collected and analyzed using SPSS version 20. Result: Respondents were 32 female patients [mean age (SD): 49.7(9.93) years]. They reported a significant lower global health status (P < 0.01) and significant higher symptoms of nausea and vomiting (P < 0.01), loss of appetite (P = 0.028) and diarrhea (P = 0.026) after the third cycle of chemotherapy as compared to baseline. Compare to, this study showed significant better emotional functioning (P < 0.01) and social functioning (P < 0.01) than the EORTC QLQ-C30 Reference Values 2008 for breast cancer cases. Under symptom scales higher scores were noted for appetite loss (P = 0.017), nausea and vomiting (P < 0.01). Age, stage and comorbidity had no clear associations with global health status in our patients (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Chemotherapy did reduce the QoL of breast cancer patients. Management of chemotherapy-induced loss of appetite, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting should be improved for a better outcome.

• Journal of Korea Entertainment Industry Association
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• v.13 no.8
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• pp.357-365
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• 2019

Purposes: This study aimed to investigate the differences in the health-related quality of life (EQ-5D) in Korean adults according to gender, age period, and the metabolic syndrome or not. Methods: The study subjects were 5,021 adults, who completed all of the KNHANES VI-2. The subjects were categorized, using life periods, into young, middle-aged, and older adults. Methods were selected based on the KNHANES VI-2. IBM SPSS 25.0 was used for a complex samples cross-tabulation, general linear model and a complex samples t-test. Results: The HRQoL (EQ-5D) was higher in male(p<.001), in the young group by age(p<.001), and in the non-metabolic syndrome group(p>.05). In condition of the metabolic syndrome by gender, the female group's EQ-5D was higher in the non-metabolic syndrome group; there was the result of the complex samples independent t-test revealed significant differences in EQ-5D(p<.01). Conclusion: The HRQoL (EQ-5D) was higher in male, young, and in the non-metabolic syndrome group. Also, in condition of metabolic syndrome in female, there was the result of the complex samples independent t-test revealed significant differences in EQ-5D.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.127-135
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• 2021

Background: Dialysis patients are prone to having disabilities. We aimed to evaluate the association between disability and various clinical outcomes in Korean dialysis patients. Methods: This study consisted of 1,615 dialysis patients from 27 centers. We evaluated disability by using four questions on the activities of daily living (ADLs) concerning whether help was needed for feeding, dressing/undressing, getting in/out of bed, or taking a bath/shower. We divided the patients into three groups: no disability (Non-D, none of the four ADL domains required help; n=1,312), mild disability (Mild-D, one ADL domain required some/full help; n=163), or moderate to severe disability (MS-D, two or more ADL domains required some/full help; n=140). We evaluated falls, frailty, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), mortality, and hospitalization. Results: The numbers of participants with a fall during the last 1 year were 199 (15.2%), 42 (25.8%), and 44 (31.4%) in the Non-D, Mild-D, and MS-D groups, respectively (p<0.001). The numbers of participants with frailty in the Non-D, Mild-D, and MS-D groups were 381 (29.0%), 84 (51.5%), and 93 (66.4%), respectively (p<0.001). In both univariate and multivariate analyses, the physical component scale and mental component scale scores decreased as the grade of disability increased (p<0.001 for both scores). Hospitalization-free survival rate at 500 days was 64.2%, 56.7%, and 51.1% in the Non-D, Mild-D, and MS-D, respectively (p=0.001 for trend). Patient survival rate at 500 days was 95.3%, 89.5%, and 92.3% in the Non-D, Mild-D, and MS-D, respectively (p=0.005 for trend). Conclusion: Disability was associated with falls, frailty, HRQoL scales, and survival trends in Korean dialysis patients.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.34-44
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• 2016

Purpose: A prospective phase II trial was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness and toxicity of regional hyperthermia and whole liver irradiation (WLI) for numerous chemorefractory liver metastases from colorectal cancer. Materials and Methods: Enrolled patients had numerous chemorefractory hepatic metastases from colorectal cancer. Five sessions of hyperthermia and seven fractions of 3-gray WLI were planned. Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) was determined using the Korean version of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer quality of life questionnaire C-30 and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Hepatobiliary version 4.0. Objective and pain response was evaluated. Results: A total of 12 patients consented to the study and the 10 who received WLI and hyperthermia were analyzed. WLI was completed as planned in nine patients and hyperthermia in eight. Pain response was partial in four patients and stable in four. Partial objective response was achieved in three patients (30.0%) and stable disease was seen in four patients at the 1-month follow-up. One patient died 1 month after treatment because of respiratory failure related to pleural metastasis progression. Other grade III or higher toxicities were detected in three patients; however, all severe toxicities were related to disease progression rather than treatment. No significant difference in HRQoL was noted at the time of assessment for patients who were available for questionnaires. Conclusion: Combined WLI and hyperthermia were well tolerated without severe treatment-related toxicity with a promising response from numerous chemorefractory hepatic metastases from colorectal cancer.