• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.38-47
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• 2022

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to analyze the characteristics of tinnitus patients according to the presence of headache. Methods : The medical records of 110 tinnitus patients who visited oo Korean Medicine Clinic from June 2019 to June 2021 were retrospectively reviewed. Clinical characteristics including gender, age, onset, cause, tinnitus site, severity of tinnitus and accompanied symptoms were analyzed. Results : Among all patients, 40s and 50s and chronic tinnitus over 1 year was the most frequent group. After an average of 2 months of treatment, 61 patients(55.5%) showed improvement, and there were prescribed more frequently 50s and 60s and with tinnitus grade mild to moderate group. The proportions of female(65%, p=0.012) and herbal dialectics which 'tonify and replenish' and 'tranquilize'(32.5%, p=0.043) were prescribed more frequently in patients with headache than those without headache. Dizziness, ear pain, heart symptoms, fatigue, and neck stiffness were more frequent in patients with headache(p<0.05). In patients with improvement in tinnitus, tinnitus grade improved significantly in patients with improvement in headache compared to those with no improvement in headache(1.83±0.79 vs 0.80±0.84, p=0.018). Conclusions : In tinnitus patients treated with Korean medicine, there was no significant difference in the improvement of tinnitus according to the presence or improvement of headache, but the patients with improvement of both tinnitus and headache showed significantly more degree of improvement in tinnitus severity than patients with only tinnitus improved. Based on these findings, further study is needed regarding the correlation headache and tinnitus in clinical setting.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.247-251
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• 2022

This study is to show the clinical effect of Korean medicine integrated treatment for medial collateral ligament tear with bone contusion by traffic accident. The patients were treated using Korean medicine integrated treatment including acupunture, pharmacoacupunture and herbal medication. The effect of treatment was measured by Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC), EuroQol-5 Dimension Index (EQ-5D) and Numeric Rating Scale (NRS). After treatment, case 1 improved WOMAC from 94 to 24, EQ-5D from -0.056 to 0.72, and NRS from 10 to 2. Case 2 showed an improvement in symptoms from WOMAC 91 to 14, EQ-5D from 0.077 to 0.862, NRS from 10 to 2.5. In addition, as a result of follow-up about 5 months after each onset, case 1 showed a further improvement with WOMAC 0, EQ-5D 0.95 and case 2 WOMAC 7, EQ-5D 0.913. These results suggest that Korean medicine integrated treatment might be a possible therapeutic option for the medial collateral ligament tear with bone contusion by traffic accident.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.66 no.1
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• pp.24-32
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• 2023

Objective : With the recent increase in mechanical thrombectomy (MT) for acute ischemic stroke (AIS), the role of neurosurgeons in AIS treatment has become increasingly important. This study aimed to assess the outcomes of patients with AIS treated by neurosurgeons and neurologists in the emergency room (ER) of a tertiary hospital in South Korea. Methods : From January 2020 to June 2021, 536 patients with AIS within 24 hours of symptom onset were admitted to our hospital via the ER. Based on the type of doctors who provided initial care for AIS in the ER, patients were divided into two groups : (a) neurosurgeon group (n=119, 22.2%) and (b) neurologist group (n=417, 77.8%). Results : Intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) was administered in 82 (15.3%) of 536 patients (n=17 [14.3%] in the neurosurgeon group and n=65 [15.6%] in the neurologist group). The door-to-tPA time was not significantly different between both groups (median, 53 minutes; interquartile range [IQR], 45-58 vs. median, 54 minutes; IQR, 46-74; p=0.372). MT was performed in 69 patients (12.9%) (n=25, 36.2% in the neurosurgeon group and n=44, 63.8% in the neurologist group). The neurosurgeon group achieved a shorter door-to-puncture time than the neurologist group (median, 115 minutes; IQR, 107-151 vs. median, 162 minutes; IQR, 117-189; p=0.049). Good clinical outcomes (3-month modified Rankin Scale 0-2) did not differ significantly between the two groups (96/119 [80.7%] vs. 322/417 [77.2%], p=0.454). Conclusion : The neurosurgeon group showed similar door-to-treatment time and clinical outcomes to the neurologist group in patients with AIS in the ER. This study suggests that neurosurgeons have comparable abilities to care for patients with AIS in the ER.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.71-82
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• 2023

Objectives: The existing reductionist approach has not reached complete understanding of the cause of schizophrenia. The objective of this study was to investigate yin-yang and five-element characteristics reflected on four time pillars of birth of patients with schizophrenia through comparison with the general population in the perspective of consilience-based holistic approach. Methods: This study was conducted using a random sequential recruitment method for the general population and individuals with schizophrenia aged 18 to 64 based on the exact date and time of birth using structured questionnaires. Relative positional relations of yin-yang and five-element with day master were primarily examined. In addition, the strength of day master with a score range of 0~100 points was assessed through operational score allocation. Results: Of 591 participants, 576 (346: general population, 230: individuals with schizophrenia) were analyzed. Between-group analyses showed no significant difference in the distribution of types of day master (χ²=10.41, df=9, p=0.318). However, significant between-group differences were shown in the distribution of the strength of day master (t=2.14, p=0.032) and frequency of restraining month branch (χ²=5.23, df=1, p=0.022). In logistic regression analysis, 10-point increase on the strength of day master decreased the probability of onset of schizophrenia over the age of 30 by 29.6% (p=0.002; 95% confidence interval, 0.566~0.876). Conclusions: Findings in this study suggest that four time pillars of birth might be associated with schizophrenia through yin-yang and five-element theory and synchronicity principle, implicating the plausibility of consilience-based holistic approach in the determination of risk factors or cause of schizophrenia.

• The Journal of the Society of Stroke on Korean Medicine
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.52-62
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• 2012

Object : The aim of this study was to examine the differences of symptom improvement between different diagnosis classification groups in acute cerebral infarction patients. Methods : We studied inpatients within a month after the onset of cerebral infarction who were admitted at Kyunghee University Oriental Medical Center from May 2011 to October 2012. We compared the improvement of Motricity Index and Scandinavian Stroke Scale score between Fire-heat group(n=20), Yin deficiency group(n=31), Dampness-phlegm group(n=30), and Qi deficiency group(n=13). Results : Yin deficiency group patients with cerebral infarction showed the most improvement in MI and SSS scores, and patients in Fire-heat group showed the poorest improvement in MI and SSS scores. There was a significant difference between the two groups, but there were no significant differences between all four diagnosis classification groups. Conclusions : This study provides evidence that diagnosis classification could be considered as an important factor in predicting the prognosis of acute cerebral infarction.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.1-19
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• 2024

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to analysis the clinical study trends on Korean Medicine treatment for Bell's palsy during pregnancy. Methods: Key words such as 'facial palsy', 'Bell's palsy, 'Korean medicine', 'herbal medicine', 'acupuncture', 'pregnancy' were searched through the 'RISS', 'OASIS', 'KISS', 'PubMed' and 'CNKI' databases. Results: Ten clinical studies with 107 patients were selected, and 1 randomized controlled trial and 9 case reports were included as the target studies. In the 9 case reports, the gestational age at the onset of facial palsy was most common in the third trimester (29-42 weeks) in 38 cases (56.7%). The most commonly used Korean medicine interventions were acupuncture, with the most frequently used acupoints being ST4, ST2, ST6, BL2, TE23, LI20, GB1, GB14, SI18, and CV24. The herbal medicine treatment most commonly utilized was Geumgwedanggwi-san (金匱當歸散), which is related to the principles of clearing heat, nourishing blood, and stabilizing the fetus (淸熱養血安胎). Among the 65 participants evaluated using the House-Brackmann facial nerve grading system, 81.5% showed complete recovery to grade 1, while 6% remained at grade 4 with no effect, indicating the efficacy of Korean medicine treatment for facial palsy during pregnancy. All the selected studies reported no abnormalities in the mothers or fetal growth, and all participants who had the reported delivery had full-term childbirth. Conclusions: The effect on Korean Medicine treatment for Bell's palsy during pregnancy had mostly positive results. However, further large, well-designed clinical trials are needed to establish the foundation of Korean Medicine treatment for Bell's palsy during pregnancy.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.553-559
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• 1998

Introduction: The most dramatic application of hypothermia in cardiac surgery is in deep hypothermic circulatory arrest(DHCA). Because man in natural circumstances is never exposed to this extreme hypothermic condition, one of the controversial aspects of clinical hypothermia is appropriate acid-base management($\alpha$-stat versus pH-stat). This study aims to compare $\alpha$-stat with pH-stat for: (1) brain cooling and re-warming speed during hypothermia induction and re-warming by cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB); (2) cerebral perfusion, metabolism, and their coupling; and (3) the extent of development of cerebral edema after circulatory arrest, in young pigs. Materials & Methods: Fourteen young pigs were assigned to one of two strategies of gas manipulation. Cerebral blood flow was measured with a cerebral venous outflow technique. After a median sternotomy, CPB was established. Core cooling was initiated and continued until nasopHaryngeal temperature fell below $20^{\circ}C$. The flow rate was set at 2,500 ml/min. Once their temperatures were below $20^{\circ}C$, the animals were subjected to DHCA for 40 mins. During cooling, acid-base balance was maintained according to either $\alpha$-STAT or pH-STAT strategies. After DHCA, the body was re-warmed to normal body temperature. The animals were then sacrificed, and their brains measured for edema. Cerebral perfusion and metabolism were measured before the onset of CPB, before cooling, before DHCA, 15 mins after re-warming, and upon completion of re-warming. Results & Conclusion: Cooling time was significantly shorter with $\alpha$-stat than with pH-stat strategy, while there were no significant differences in rewarming time between the two groups. Nosignificant differences were found in cerebral blood flow, metabolic rate, or flow/ metabolic rate ratio between two groups. Temperature-related differences were significant in cerebral blood flow, metabolic rate, and flow/metabolic rate ratio within each group. Brain water content showed no significant differences between two groups.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.56 no.10
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• pp.439-445
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• 2013

Purpose: Previous studies suggest that the concentration of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] in cord blood may show an inverse association with respiratory tract infections (RTI) during childhood. The aim of the present study was to examine the influence of 25(OH)D concentrations in cord blood on infant RTI in a Korean birth cohort. Methods: The levels of 25(OH)D in cord blood obtained from 525 Korean newborns in the prospective COhort for Childhood Origin of Asthma and allergic diseases were examined. The primary outcome variable of interest was the prevalence of RTI at 6-month follow-up, as diagnosed by pediatricians and pediatric allergy and pulmonology specialists. RTI included acute nasopharyngitis, rhinosinusitis, otitis media, croup, tracheobronchitis, bronchiolitis, and pneumonia. Results: The median concentration of 25(OH)D in cord blood was 32.0 nmol/L (interquartile range, 21.4 to 53.2). One hundred and eighty neonates (34.3%) showed 25(OH)D concentrations less than 25.0 nmol/L, 292 (55.6%) showed 25(OH)D concentrations of 25.0-74.9 nmol/L, and 53 (10.1%) showed concentrations of ${\geq}75.0$ nmol/L. Adjusting for the season of birth, multivitamin intake during pregnancy, and exposure to passive smoking during pregnancy, 25(OH)D concentrations showed an inverse association with the risk of acquiring acute nasopharyngitis by 6 months of age (P for trend=0.0004). Conclusion: The results show that 89.9% of healthy newborns in Korea are born with vitamin D insufficiency or deficiency (55.6% and 34.3%, respectively). Cord blood vitamin D insufficiency or deficiency in healthy neonates is associated with an increased risk of acute nasopharyngitis by 6 months of age. More time spent outdoors and more intensified vitamin D supplementation for pregnant women may be needed to prevent the onset of acute nasopharyngitis in infants.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.57-63
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• 2015

Background and Objectives: Internet addiction is an increasing problem in Korea. The previous studies in this area have targeted adolescents and young adults. This study was conducted to examine the risk of internet addiction in Korean adults and the effect of internet addiction on circadian rhythm. Materials and Methods: For this study, 508 subjects were chosen through population proportional sampling to represent the adult population in Korea, 325 of whom were included based on the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test-Korea (Audit-K), Zung's Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS), drug use in the past year, and suicide attempts. In these subjects, sociodemographic factors including age, gender, and residential area were analyzed, and Young's Internet Addiction Scale (IAS), Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ), and an online survey examining sleep onset time on weekdays and weekends, wake-up time, and caffeinated drink intake were executed. Results: Of the 325 subjects, 136 (41.8%) belonged to a high-risk internet addiction group ($IAS{\geq}40$), and 189 (58.2%) belonged to a normal group (IAS < 40). There was a high proportion of male subjects (p = 0.03) in the high-risk group compared to the normal group. There was a high proportion of younger subjects (p = 0.055) in the high-risk group compared to the normal group, but this difference was not statistically significant. Compared to the normal group, there was a high proportion of the evening type ($MEQ{\leq}41$) in the high-risk group (p = 0.024), who also showed a high proportion of caffeinated drink intake (p < 0.001). Also, the high-risk group was found to go to bed and wake up late, but there was no statistically significant difference with the normal group. Conclusion: This study showed that many adults have a high-risk of internet addiction, and there was a significant correlation between internet addiction and sleep in adult, as has been found in adolescents and early adults. In the future, a longitudinal study will be needed to verify the causal relationship between internet addiction and morningness-eveningness.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.45 no.11
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• pp.1403-1410
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• 2002

Purpose : In previous studies, various risk factors for recurrent febrile seizures have been identified. But none of these risk factors alone could sufficiently discriminate children at high or low risk for recurrent seizures. Therefore, we tried to identify patients at high risk of recurrent febrile seizures by combining risk factors. Methods : Two hundred and four children who had been admitted to our hospital from March, 1997 to July, 1999 with their first febrile seizures were enrolled in our study, and followed up over 2 years. We investigated the recurrence rate according to variables such as sex, age at first febrile seizure, family history of febrile seizures or epilepsy, type of the first seizure, neurologic abnormality and EEG abnormality. Results : Family history of febrile seizures and age at first febrile seizure(<12 months) were significant independent risk factors for recurrent febrile seizures. With these two combined factors, four groups were allocated and the recurrence rate by each group was designated as follows: group with no family history of febrile seizures and age at first febrile seizure ${\geq}12$ months (no risk factor), 43.8%; the group with no family history and age <12 months(one risk factor), 61.7%; group with family history and age ${\geq}12$ months(one risk factor), 64.5%; group with family history and age <12 months(two risk factors), 90.4%. Conclusion : A correlation between numbers of risk factors and recurrence rate was present and the children with a family history of febrile seizures and a young age at onset(<12 months) were regarded as a high risk group of recurrence.