The National Forensic Hospital is the only forensic psychiatric hospital in Korea. As of January 2016, the average number of patients assigned to each psychiatrist is more than 120. In this situation, the role of psychopharmacologic treatment becomes very important. To investigate the prescription patterns of major psychotropic medications (i.e., antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, and antidepressants), we reviewed the medical records of the patients diagnosed with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder who were admitted in January 2016. The data from 418 patients (403 with schizophrenia and 15 with schizoaffective disorder) were retrospectively collected and analyzed. The average number of major psychotropic medications prescribed for each patient during hospitalization was as follows: antipsychotics, 3.5±1.8; mood stabilizers, 0.5±0.7; and antidepressants, 0.5±0.8. The three most frequently prescribed antipsychotics were risperidone (21.7%), olanzapine (15.5%), and quetiapine (14.4%). More than half of the patients (233, 55.9%) were prescribed an antipsychotic polypharmacy regimen. This study found that patients with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder in forensic psychiatric hospital tend to be prescribed many psychotropic medications.
Antidepressive Agents ; Antipsychotic Agents ; Forensic Psychiatry ; Hospitalization ; Hospitals, Psychiatric ; Humans ; Inpatients* ; Korea ; Medical Records ; Polypharmacy ; Prescriptions ; Psychiatry ; Psychopharmacology ; Psychotic Disorders* ; Quetiapine Fumarate ; Retrospective Studies ; Risperidone ; Schizophrenia*

Tensiomyography (TMG) is known as non-invasive method which assesses the muscular characteristics such as contraction velocity or maximal displacement of the belly. The aim of this study was to evaluate muscular responses by TMG after muscle injury and to introduce using TMG first in Korea. This study was performed with a subject who was diagnosed with muscular injury and consent measuring and following up TMG analyses. A female patient, who was diagnosed left hip adductor muscle strain, underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and TMG at intervals of two weeks. We obtained decreased in displace maximum (Dm, 4.14 vs. 5.69) and altered curve shape in the injured muscle at the initial TMG assessment in comparison to the non-injured side. After two weeks, MRI findings and symptom were improved and Dm in the injured side increased as in the non-injured muscle. These findings suggest that a decrease in Dm indicate increased in muscle stiffness after muscle injury, and an increase in Dm as in the non-injured side after two weeks indicate recovered status. TMG may be useful as a simple and non-invasive device for monitoring muscle function after muscle injury and during the recovery.
Female ; Hip ; Humans ; Korea ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging

A case-control study was conducted to investigate the association between the risk of cancer and selenium concentration in blood and toenails. Seventy three patients and two hundreds eighty three controls were selected at the Yeungnam University Hospital between May and September in 1991. The selected cases were patients who had been hospitalized for stomach or colon cancer at the Department of General Surgery. The controls were people who visited to check physical examination at the Automated Mediscreening Center. The selenium concentration in whole blood and toenails were measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometer equipped with graphite furnace atomizer. The following information was ascertained for all cancer patients and controls: sex, age, body mass index, blood pressure, total serum cholesterol, and history of smoking and drinking. The mean selenium concentration in blood and toenail for all cancer patients were 143.6±10.8 µg/l and 1.04±0.62 µg/g and for the controls. 167.0±14.5 µg/l and 1.15±0.55 µg/g, respectively. The difference in blood and toenail selenium concentrations of the two cancer sites was not statistically significant. Metastasis did not influence the concentration of selenium in blood and toenails. In the multiple logistic regression analysis, the blood selenium concentration (aOR: 0.888, 95% CI: 0.860-0.918), age, BMI and total serum cholesterol were significant variables for risk of cancer, but the selenium concentration in toenail was not shown to be a significant variable in this regression analysis. The coefficient for blood selenium concentration adjusted for age, sex, diastolic blood pressure, total serum cholesterol, body mass index and smoking was -0.1184 (p<0.01). These findings suggest that low selenium concentration is associated with gastrointestinal cancers. Further epidemiologic studies including important variables such as other antioxidant micronutrients will be necessary.
Absorption ; Blood Pressure ; Body Mass Index ; Case-Control Studies ; Cholesterol ; Colonic Neoplasms ; Drinking ; Epidemiologic Studies ; Gastrointestinal Neoplasms ; Graphite ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Micronutrients ; Nails* ; Nebulizers and Vaporizers ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Physical Examination ; Selenium* ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Stomach

Tension pneumocephalus is a rare complication of craniotomy, however, it should be managed promptly due to rapid neurological deterioration. We report a case of tension pneumocephalus after transsphenoidal surgery for a giant pituitary tumor. It may have developed because of the cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea and presence of an external lumbar drain.
Cerebrospinal Fluid Rhinorrhea ; Craniotomy ; Pituitary Neoplasms* ; Pneumocephalus*

PURPOSE: Poisoning is a major health problem for the elderly, and poisoning can cause fatal side effects. However, the characteristics and clinical features of elderly patients with acute poisoning have not been well studied in the previous domestic research. So, we tried to analyze the clinical characteristics and toxic substances of the patients who were 65 years old or older and who were admitted to the regional emergency medical center due to acute poisoning. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records and poisoning protocols of the patients who were 65 years of age or older and who had with acute poisoning and who visited the ED in our emergency center from January 2005 to December 2009. We collected the demographic information, the gender, the underlying diseases, the causes and toxic substances, the initial presentation, the treatment and the outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 2179 poisoned patients visited the hospital during 5 years, and among them 244 were 65 years of age or older (11.2%). The mean age was 75.6+/-6.9 years and the male:female ratio was 1:1.7. The most common cause of poisoning was suicide (73.4%) and the most common source of poisonous substances was their own drugs. Of the substances used for poisoning, benzodiazepine was the most common drug (25.8%), followed by sedatives other than benzodiazepine (25.4%), insecticide (12.7%), chemical agents (12.3%) and herbicides (8.2%). The most common initial presentation was mental change (64.8%). CONCLUSION: In this Korean study, unlike the foreign studies, the most common cause of poisoning in elderly patients was intentional poisoning. The admission rate was 68.8% and mortality rate was 10.2%.
Aged ; Benzodiazepines ; Emergencies ; Herbicides ; Humans ; Hypnotics and Sedatives ; Medical Records ; Retrospective Studies ; Suicide

PURPOSE: This study is designed to evaluate the reliability for studies of tensiomyography (TMG). TMG can evaluate muscle function noninvasively and selectively. METHODS: We measured 12 male volunteers (age, 26.5±7.6 years; height, 175.3±4.7 cm; weight, 78.8±13.3 kg) in this study and measured TMG during three occasions over 3 consecutive days. None of the participants has had any history of neuromuscular disorders or muscle diseases. Vastus lateralis, vastus medialis (VM), rectus femoris (RF) in quadriceps and biceps femoris, semitendinosus in hamstrings muscles were measured. Coefficient of variation (CV%) and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) have been calculated about maximal displacement (Dm, mm) and contraction time (Tc, ms) which are main parameters. RESULTS: Most of the ICC of Dm were over 0.8 and the highest among the muscles except both VM. And, most ICC of Tc was lower than Dm except both BF (right, 18.31; left, 15.03). But, the ICC of Tc was lower than Dm except left RF (0.890) and VM (0.859). CONCLUSION: This study has shown that the Dm is high levels of the ICC and CV(%) in thigh muscle except VM. In the future, we plan to establish the method of measurement more clearly for reducing the errors of measurements. The technique of correct palpation of measurable muscles using TMG devices is also necessary.
Humans ; Male ; Methods ; Muscles ; Palpation ; Quadriceps Muscle ; Thigh ; Volunteers

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to identify the coverage rates for influenza vaccination and related factors depending on chronic disease in Korean adults aged 50 and older. METHODS: The 2016 Korea Community Health Survey was used for analysis. Chi-square test was performed to investigate the coverage rates for influenza vaccination depending on chronic disease, and a multiple logistic regression analysis was used to identify the factors associated with influenza vaccination, by chronic disease. RESULTS: In men with ≥1 chronic disease, 39.8% of 50-64 years of age, and 86.8% of elderly (over 65 years of age) received influenza vaccination. In women with ≥1 chronic disease, 58.7% of 50-64 years of age, and 89.9% of elderly (over 65 years of age) received influenza vaccination (p<0.001). The chronic diseases associated with influenza vaccination were hypertension (odds ratio [OR], 1.27; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.19 to 1.37), diabetes (OR, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.28 to 1.55) in men aged 50-64, hypertension (OR, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.20 to 1.49), diabetes (OR, 1.17; 95% CI, 1.02 to 1.33), chronic cardiovascular disease (OR, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.07 to 1.60) in elderly (over 65 years of age). In women aged 50-64, hypertension (OR, 1.39; 95% CI, 1.30 to 1.49), diabetes (OR, 1.51; 95% CI, 1.35 to 1.68), chronic cardiovascular disease (OR, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.05 to 1.64), and hypertension (OR, 1.55; 95% CI, 1.40 to 1.71), diabetes (OR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.12 to 1.43) in elderly (over 65 years of age). CONCLUSIONS: Populations in aged 50-64 are recommendation subject for vaccination or classified as high-risk group in case with chronic disease. Though subject over 60 years old is age close to the elderly, the coverage rates for vaccination was low. It is necessary to devise strategies to raise the coverage rates for vaccination.
Adult* ; Aged ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Chronic Disease* ; Female ; Health Surveys* ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Influenza, Human* ; Korea ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Republic of Korea ; Vaccination*

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to identify the coverage rates for influenza vaccination and related factors depending on chronic disease in Korean adults aged 50 and older.METHODS: The 2016 Korea Community Health Survey was used for analysis. Chi-square test was performed to investigate the coverage rates for influenza vaccination depending on chronic disease, and a multiple logistic regression analysis was used to identify the factors associated with influenza vaccination, by chronic disease.RESULTS: In men with ≥1 chronic disease, 39.8% of 50-64 years of age, and 86.8% of elderly (over 65 years of age) received influenza vaccination. In women with ≥1 chronic disease, 58.7% of 50-64 years of age, and 89.9% of elderly (over 65 years of age) received influenza vaccination (p<0.001). The chronic diseases associated with influenza vaccination were hypertension (odds ratio [OR], 1.27; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.19 to 1.37), diabetes (OR, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.28 to 1.55) in men aged 50-64, hypertension (OR, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.20 to 1.49), diabetes (OR, 1.17; 95% CI, 1.02 to 1.33), chronic cardiovascular disease (OR, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.07 to 1.60) in elderly (over 65 years of age). In women aged 50-64, hypertension (OR, 1.39; 95% CI, 1.30 to 1.49), diabetes (OR, 1.51; 95% CI, 1.35 to 1.68), chronic cardiovascular disease (OR, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.05 to 1.64), and hypertension (OR, 1.55; 95% CI, 1.40 to 1.71), diabetes (OR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.12 to 1.43) in elderly (over 65 years of age).CONCLUSIONS: Populations in aged 50-64 are recommendation subject for vaccination or classified as high-risk group in case with chronic disease. Though subject over 60 years old is age close to the elderly, the coverage rates for vaccination was low. It is necessary to devise strategies to raise the coverage rates for vaccination.
Adult ; Aged ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Chronic Disease ; Female ; Health Surveys ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Influenza, Human ; Korea ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Republic of Korea ; Vaccination

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to identify the coverage rates for influenza vaccination and related factors depending on chronic disease in Korean adults aged 50 and older. METHODS: The 2016 Korea Community Health Survey was used for analysis. Chi-square test was performed to investigate the coverage rates for influenza vaccination depending on chronic disease, and a multiple logistic regression analysis was used to identify the factors associated with influenza vaccination, by chronic disease. RESULTS: In men with ≥1 chronic disease, 39.8% of 50-64 years of age, and 86.8% of elderly (over 65 years of age) received influenza vaccination. In women with ≥1 chronic disease, 58.7% of 50-64 years of age, and 89.9% of elderly (over 65 years of age) received influenza vaccination (p<0.001). The chronic diseases associated with influenza vaccination were hypertension (odds ratio [OR], 1.27; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.19 to 1.37), diabetes (OR, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.28 to 1.55) in men aged 50-64, hypertension (OR, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.20 to 1.49), diabetes (OR, 1.17; 95% CI, 1.02 to 1.33), chronic cardiovascular disease (OR, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.07 to 1.60) in elderly (over 65 years of age). In women aged 50-64, hypertension (OR, 1.39; 95% CI, 1.30 to 1.49), diabetes (OR, 1.51; 95% CI, 1.35 to 1.68), chronic cardiovascular disease (OR, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.05 to 1.64), and hypertension (OR, 1.55; 95% CI, 1.40 to 1.71), diabetes (OR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.12 to 1.43) in elderly (over 65 years of age). CONCLUSIONS Populations in aged 50-64 are recommendation subject for vaccination or classified as high-risk group in case with chronic disease. Though subject over 60 years old is age close to the elderly, the coverage rates for vaccination was low. It is necessary to devise strategies to raise the coverage rates for vaccination.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to investigate the estimated proportion for influenza vaccination and to identify factors associated with influenza vaccination in Korean diabetic patients. METHODS: Data from the fourth, fifth, and sixth (except for 2013) Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (n=3,726) was used. A chi-square test was performed to investigate the estimated proportion for influenza vaccination, and a multiple logistic regression analysis was used to identify the factors associated with self-reported influenza vaccination. RESULTS: In men, 28.8% of diabetes patients 30–64 years of age, and 76.1% of elderly (over 65 years of age) diabetes patients received influenza vaccination. In women, 37.7% of diabetes patients 30–64 years of age, and 78.4% of elderly diabetes patients received influenza vaccination (p < 0.0001). The determinants of influenza vaccination were marriage, hypertension (odds ratio [OR], 1.55; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.07–2.24), residence within a mega city, unemployment (OR, 3.94; 95% CI, 1.24–12.54), and exercise via (weekly) walking for diabetic men; and hypertension (OR, 1.71; 95% CI, 1.16–2.52), chronic disease (OR, 1.81; 95% CI, 1.08–3.02), and exercise via walking (OR, 2.65; 95% CI, 1.49–4.73) for diabetic women. CONCLUSION: Influenza vaccination remains relatively low in young diabetic patients. It is necessary to recommend vaccination to young diabetic patients, and to devise other strategies to improve vaccination.
Aged ; Chronic Disease ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Influenza, Human ; Korea ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Marriage ; Nutrition Surveys ; Unemployment ; Vaccination ; Walking