Purpose: The study aimed to design and develop an automated personalized self-care (APSC) program for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The secondary aim was to present a clinical protocol as a mixed-method research to test the program effects. Methods: The APSC program was developed in the order of analysis, design, implementation, and evaluation according to the software development life cycle, and was guided by the self-regulatory theory. The content validity, heuristics, and usability of the program were verified by experts and patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Results: The APSC program was developed based on goal setting, education, monitoring, and feedback components corresponding to the phases of forethought, performance/volitional control, and self-reflection of self-regulatory theory. Using the mobile application, the participants are able to learn from educational materials, monitor their health behaviors, receive weekly-automated personalized goals and feedback messages, and use an automated conversation system to solve the problems related to self-care. The ongoing two-year study utilizes a mixed method design, with 180 patients having type 2 diabetes mellitus randomized to receive either the intervention or usual care. The participants will be reviewed for self-care self-efficacy, health behaviors, and health outcomes at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months. Participants in the intervention group will be interviewed about their experiences. Conclusion The APSC program can serve as an effective tool for facilitating diabetes health behaviors by improving patients’ self-care self-efficacy and self-regulation for self-care. However, the clinical effectiveness of this program requires further investigation.

Purpose: Preventing diabetic complications involves regular outpatient follow-up and maintaining low variability in hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels. This study investigated the factors associated with diabetic complications, with a specific focus on the impact of regular outpatient follow-up and HbA1c variability, among patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods: The study design was secondary data analysis of electronic medical records from a university hospital in Korea. It included patients aged 40–79 with type 2 diabetes who were prescribed diabetes medication within three months of their first HbA1c test by an endocrinologist and were followed up for at least five years. Follow-up regularity, adjusted standard deviation of HbA1c levels, and diabetic complication indices were collected. Data were analyzed using the Chi-square test, independent t-test, repeated measures analysis of variance, and multiple regression analysis. Results: The study included 1566 patients. Lower follow-up regularity was observed in patients of older age, with comorbidities, diabetic complications, insulin treatment, a history of hospitalization, lower baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and total cholesterol (TC), and higher HbA1c variability. Higher HbA1c variability was observed in younger patients without comorbidity but with insulin treatment, a history of hospitalization, higher baseline blood glucose (BG), HbA1c, TC, and triglyceride levels. HbA1c variability had the strongest influence on BG and HbA1c levels at the five-year follow-up. Baseline eGFR and TC were the most influential factors for their respective levels at the five-year follow-up. Follow-up regularity significantly affected BG, HbA1c, eGFR, and TC at five-year follow-up. Conclusions It has been shown that several variables besides regular follow-up and HbA1c variability have an influence. However, these are the two that can be corrected through nursing intervention and are important, so intervention on these is important.

This study aimed to explore the participation experiences of patients with type 2 diabetes in an Automated Personalized Self-Care program, assess the changes in self-care behavior and glycemic control, and evaluate the stages of change and readiness to change using the transtheoretical model (TTM). Methods: We examined 16 patients with type 2 diabetes who participated in a diabetes self-care program using a mobile application. Purposive sampling continued until data saturation. Using a mixed method study, we analyzed the participants’ characteristics, self-care behavior, stage of change, and readiness to change quantitatively and analyzed the qualitative data using Elo and Kyngas’s content analysis method. Results: The compliance group (CG) showed improved self-care behavior and glycemic control. In the CG, the proportion of participants in the action stage was higher in the exercise and diet domains and lower in the blood glucose testing and medication domains than in the non-compliance group (NCG). Readiness to change, motivation for health behaviors, and social motivation were higher in the CG, whereas personal motivation was higher in the NCG. In this qualitative study, three categories and 11 subcategories were identified. The findings suggest the CG regarded their experience in the program more frequently as positive, whereas the NCG perceived greater barriers to using the mobile application in the program. Conclusion: Based on the differences identified between the CG and NCG, TTM-based strategies are needed to facilitate the progression of NCG to the action stage.

Dynamic left ventricular (LV) outflow tract obstruction is a characteristic feature of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy; however, it can also occur in association with hyperdynamic LV contraction and/or changes in the cardiac loading condition, even in a structurally normal or near-normal heart. Here, we report a case of anemia-induced systolic anterior motion of the mitral valve and the resultant intraventricular obstruction in a patient who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting and suffered from anemia associated with recurrent gastrointestinal bleeding.
Anemia ; Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic ; Coronary Artery Bypass ; Dyspnea* ; Echocardiography ; Heart* ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Mitral Valve* ; Thoracic Surgery*

Grisel syndrome is a rare, non-traumatic atlanto-axial subluxation associated with an inflammatory or infectious process in the upper neck. According to the two-hit hypothesis, which is widely accepted for the pathogenesis of Grisel syndrome, preexisting ligamentous laxity of the atlanto-axial joint is regarded as the first hit. An inflammatory or infectious process of the atlanto-axial joint acts as the second hit, resulting in non-traumatic atlanto-axial subluxation. We report on a 6-year-old girl with atlanto-axial subluxation following retropharyngeal and cervical lymphadenitis. She was diagnosed with Grisel syndrome, for which an initial computed tomography did not show any preexisting ligamentous laxity of the atlanto-axial joint. A literature review found only 4 case reports on Grisel syndrome with an initially normal atlanto-axial joint. The present case offers some evidence that a single hit, such as inflammatory changes in the atlanto-axial joint, might cause Grisel syndrome, even without underlying ligamentous laxity.
Atlanto-Axial Joint* ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Joint Instability ; Ligaments ; Lymphadenitis ; Neck ; Torticollis

Ramsay Hunt syndrome is a disorder characterized by herpetic eruptions on the auricle, facial paralysis, and vestibulocochlear dysfunction, and is attributed to varicella zoster virus infection in the geniculate ganglion. Ramsay Hunt syndrome accounts for about 10% cases of facial palsy. We report a 46-year-old healthy man developed left side skin vesicles on the face with severe pain. We thought of the trigeminal herpes zoster. He was treated with intravenous acyclovir, and stellate ganglion block daily. Four days later, brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed small areas of enhancement in the seventh cranial nerve and eighth cranial nerve, not in the fifth cranial nerve. Eight days later, the left facial palsy was come. We confirmed him as Ramsay Hunt syndrome. We started steroid therapy immediately. He recovered completely a month later. The patient was improved through the early antiviral therapy, steroid medication and stellate ganglion block.
Acyclovir ; Brain ; Facial Nerve ; Facial Paralysis ; Geniculate Ganglion ; Herpes Zoster ; Herpes Zoster Oticus ; Herpesvirus 3, Human ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Middle Aged ; Skin ; Stellate Ganglion ; Trigeminal Nerve ; Vestibulocochlear Nerve

OBJECTIVE: To identify the correlation between change in spinal deformities after surgical release and age at the time of surgery, and the effectiveness of surgical release in patients with neglected congenital muscular torticollis (CMT). METHODS: This was a retrospective study of 46 subjects with neglected CMT who had undergone surgical release at age ≥5 years at a tertiary medical center between January 2009 and January 2014. Spinal deformities were measured on anteroposterior plain radiographs of the cervical and whole spine, both preoperatively and postoperatively, to assess 3 parameters: cervicomandibular angle (CMA), lateral shift (LS), and Cobb angle (CA). We analyzed the change in spinal deformities after surgical release in consideration of age at the time of surgery. RESULTS: The median age at the time of surgery was 12.87 years. All 3 parameters showed significant improvement after surgical release (median values, pre- to post-surgery: CMA, 12.13° to 4.02°; LS, 18.13 mm to 13.55 mm; CA, 6.10° to 4.80°; all p<0.05). There was no significant correlation between age at the time of surgery and change in CMA (R=0.145, p=0.341) and LS (R=0.103, p=0.608). However, CA showed significant improvement with increasing age (R=0.150, p=0.046). CONCLUSION: We assessed the correlation between change in spinal deformities after surgical release and age at the time of surgery. We found that that surgical release is effective for spinal deformities, even in older patients. These findings enhance our understanding of the effectiveness and timing of surgical release in patients with neglected CMT.
Congenital Abnormalities ; Humans ; Retrospective Studies ; Spine ; Torticollis* ; Treatment Outcome

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) is a major proinflammatory cytokine involved in the pathophysiology of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Etanercept is an effective inhibitor of TNF-alpha and has shown a beneficial effect in patients with JRA. However, the most important cause of concern related to etanercept administration is infection. We report a case of encephalitis in a JRA patient receiving long-term treatment with etanercept. The patient was a 4-year-old boy with refractory JRA, and he received etanercept subcutaneously at a dose of 0.4 mg kg(-1) day(-1) twice a week for 14 months, along with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, methotrexate, oral steroids, and sulfasalazine. The patient presented with sudden fever, headache, vomiting, a generalized tonic seizure, and changes in mental status. We suspected a central nervous system infection, and simultaneously administered antibiotics, an antiviral agent, and steroids. After 2 days of hospitalization, his mental function returned to normal, and he showed no further seizure-like movements. Brain magnetic resonance imaging scan of the patient showed a multifocal cortical lesion on both sides of the temporoparietooccipital lobe, which indicated encephalitis. Although we were unable to identify the causative organism of encephalitis, we think that the encephalitis may be attributed to infection, and the use of etanercept may have increased the risk of severe infection. Therefore, etanercept was discontinued and the patient recovered shortly after. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of encephalitis in a juvenile rheumatoid arthritis patient treated with etanercept.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Arthritis, Juvenile Rheumatoid ; Brain ; Central Nervous System Infections ; Encephalitis ; Fever ; Headache ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Methotrexate ; Preschool Child ; Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor ; Seizures ; Steroids ; Sulfasalazine ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; Vomiting ; Etanercept

PURPOSE: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) and obesity are the worldwide public health problem. Obesity is an already well-established risk factor for CKD. The objective of this study is to evaluate the relationship between high BMI and increased risk for nephropathy by clinical data. METHODS: Study group were 26 patients who had BMI> or =25 kg/m2 and control group were 49 patients with BMI<25 kg/m2. Both groups received renal biopsy in Kyung Hee Medical Center between 2003. Jan.-2007. Dec. BMI was calculated from measured weight and height when they were admitted to the hospital. We collected laboratory data such as CBC and blood chemistry. RESULTS: Our hypothesis was that overweight and obesity are associated with incidence and progression of CKD. From kidney biopsy, we found IgAN 17, MesPGN 5, HSPN 2, Intestitial nephritis 1, IgMN 1 (total 26) in the study group whereas IgAN 22, MesPGN 17, HSPN 3, MGN 3, benign hematuria 2, MPGN 1, Intestitial nephritis 1, (total 49) were found in the control group. There was no significant difference between the two groups. Overweight patients demonstrated significantly higher platelet, TG, ALT, and uric acid level compared to control group. CONCLUSION: We identified a significant relationship between overweight and development of CKD. These results suggest that overweight children have an increased risk for CKD than those who are not obese. So, we should pay attention to children with overweight who have CKD and earlier weight management is crucial to prevent aggravation of CKD.
Biopsy ; Blood Platelets ; Child ; Glomerulonephritis, Membranoproliferative ; Hematuria ; Humans ; Incidence ; Kidney ; Nephritis ; Obesity ; Overweight ; Public Health ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic ; Risk Factors ; Uric Acid

PURPOSE: This study was designed to investigate quality of life (QOL) differences between younger (<50 years) and older (> or =50 years) breast cancer survivors and to determine the unique effect of age on QOL after adjusting age-correlated variables. METHODS: One thousand two hundred fifty patients were enrolled. Clinicopatholgical and social parameters were reviewed and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast cancer instrument (FACT-B) and the Ladder of Life scale were used to measure the QOL. Among 1,250 eligible patients, 1,094 patients completed the questionnaire and were used for analysis. Chi-square test, t-test and a series of multiple regression analyses were conducted to verify age-related differences in QOL between two groups and to evaluate the unique contribution of age variable on QOL of breast cancer patients. RESULTS: Significant socio-demographic and clinical differences existed based on age categories, including education, job, time since surgery, chemotherapy and daily activity. Also, there were significant age-related differences in FACT-B total, physical well-being, social/family well-being, functional well-being and breast cancer subscale and in subjective QOL. Older patients > or =50 years showed significantly lower QOL than younger patients <50 years. However, after controlling for age-correlated variables including job, education, time since surgery, chemotherapy, and daily activity, there was no unique age difference in QOL among breast cancer survivors. CONCLUSION: Our study results suggest that older women with breast carcinoma suffered significantly lower QOL, even though the unique age effect was not found. Therefore, various interventions for enhancing QOL for women with breast carcinoma should be provided to older age group.
Breast ; Breast Neoplasms ; Female ; Humans ; Quality of Life ; Survivors ; Surveys and Questionnaires