PURPOSE: The purpose of this review article is to introduce how the Korean Society of Genetic Nursing (KSGN) has evolved and tried to translate genomic knowledge to nursing practice, and then to suggest the future role of genetic nurses in Korea. METHODS: A literature review was performed and the current status of genetic counselling in Korea was explored. Then the educational and clinical experiences of the authors were incorporated. Finally, the main activities of Korean nursing for genetics were identified. RESULTS: Two types of genetic counsellor certification have been issued in Korea: one is issued by the Korean Society of Genetic Medicine, another by the Korean Society of Breast Cancer since June 2011. A few Korean nursing researchers have continuously performed research related to genetic nursing and undertook several research projects funded by the government since 2003. In February 2011, KSGN was established and is now trying to establish further international networks. CONCLUSION: Nursing genetic experts should be trained to integrate all specialties for genetic counselling, so they can provide holistic genetic services including ethical, legal, and social issues (ELSI).
Breast Neoplasms ; Certification ; Financial Management ; Genetic Counseling ; Genetic Services ; Genetics ; Genomics ; History of Nursing ; Korea ; Nursing ; Nursing Research ; Oncology Nursing* ; Professional Role

PURPOSE: This study was done to evaluate effectiveness of home healthcare services (HHCS) specialized for elders who received spinal surgeries. METHODS: A non-equivalent control group pre-post test quasi-experimental study was performed. HHCS was developed based on the Rice model of dynamic self-determination for self-care. For data collection, a control group (n=23) and an experimental group (n=23) were selected by matching age, BMI, pain, general characteristics and type of spine surgery. Measurement tools to evaluate uncertainty and knowledge were developed by the authors. The Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) and Japanese Orthopedic Association Back Pain Evaluation Questionnaire (JOABPEQ) were used to evaluate pain levels. Muscular strength in the legs was measured using a digital muscle tester and tape ruler. Questionnaires were used to evaluate disability in performing ADL and psychological distress levels. RESULTS: The experimental group showed significant decrease in uncertainty (p=.028), increased knowledge (p=.038), and partially decreased pain (p=.003-.331). Partial muscle strength increased significantly (p=.021-.644). Disability in performing ADL and psychological distress in the experimental group decreased significantly compared to control group (p=.002, p=.004). CONCLUSION: Results indicate HHCS is an efficient home care nursing program for these elders. Further experimental studies with larger samples are required to confirm effects of HHCS.
Activities of Daily Living ; Aged ; Body Mass Index ; Disabled Persons/*psychology ; Female ; Health Services for the Aged/*utilization ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Muscle Strength ; Pain Measurement ; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales ; Questionnaires ; Spinal Injuries/*surgery ; Stress, Psychological ; Uncertainty

Purpose: This study aimed to develop and evaluate the effects of the Unpleasant Symptom-Relief Program to mitigate preterm labor stress, anxiety, physical discomfort, and situational discomfort in hospitalized high-risk pregnant women. Methods: This study used a nonequivalent control group nonsynchronized design and analyzed 23 participants from the experimental group and 23 from the control group. The participants from both the groups were matched and diagnosed with preterm labor, incompetent internal os of the cervix, preterm premature rupture of membrane, placenta previa, or gestational diabetes mellitus. The effects of the Unpleasant Symptom-Relief Program were measured using tools such as preterm labor stress, anxiety, physical discomfort, and situational discomfort. The data were analyzed with IBM SPSS Statistics ver. 21.0 using descriptive statistics, t-test, chi-square test, paired t-test, and repeated measures analysis of variance. Results: The Unpleasant Symptom-Relief Program was effective in reducing preterm labor stress (F= 8.24, p=0.001), anxiety (F=17.80, p≤0.001), and situational discomfort (F=5.95, p=0.004). However, it was not effective in reducing the physical discomfort (F=1.20, p=0.311). Post hoc analysis between time points revealed effective reduction in the preterm labor stress and anxiety in both the groups immediately after the end of the program and at 7 days after the program. Situational discomfort was reduced at 7 days after the end of the program in both the groups. Conclusion The Unpleasant Symptom-Relief Program can be applied in practice by nurses. It can contribute to alleviating the symptoms and discomfort of high-risk pregnant women.

Purpose: This study was performed to evaluate changes in Achilles tendon (AT) characteristics of asymptomatic tendons in patients with acute AT ruptures on the contralateral side by using ultrasonography. Methods: From January 2016 to December 2018, 31 patients were enrolled. The contralateral asymptomatic ATs were assessed: (1) fluid collection of paratenon, (2) echogenicity, and (3) thickness. The ATs were divided into the distal, middle, and proximal thirds for evaluation and were assessed before the surgery, as well as at 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months after the surgery. At each time, pain in the tendons was recorded. Results: In all cases, it was observed that there was a hypoechoic lesion or fluid collection of the paratenon, which did not show a significant change over time. There was no significant difference in tendon thickness according to the period in the distal and proximal areas, and significant differences were observed only in the middle area (p＜ 0.05). A new pain around the tendon occurred most often at 6 weeks after surgery (eight cases of 31 cases, 25.8%). Eight cases of pain (47.1%) remained at 12 months after surgery. Conclusion In patients with acute AT rupture, ultrasonographic hypoechoic lesions or fluid collections of the paratenon were initially observed on the contralateral tendon, but this did not show significant changes over time. A significant change in tendon thickness was observed in the middle area, but this did not show a close association with pain.

Distal tibia fractures were mainly caused by high energy trauma and the lower legs were enveloped in poor soft tissue. Therefore, there are many open fractures and concomitant soft tissue injuries in distal tibia fractures. For the restoration of ankle function, the surgical treatment was performed in distal tibia fractures. However, it is difficult to treat the distal tibia fracture surgically. There are many complications in distal tibia fracture due to highly comminuted fracture and poor soft tissue condition. There are many surgical methods for distal tibia fractures, such as, external fixator, intramedulary nailling, open reduction & internal fixation, and minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis. We reviewed the surgical treatments of distal tibia fractures.
Animals ; Ankle ; External Fixators ; Fractures, Comminuted ; Fractures, Open ; Leg ; Soft Tissue Injuries ; Tibia

No abstract available.
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* ; Catheter Ablation* ; Neoplasm Metastasis*

PURPOSE: We have performed total knee arthroplasty for treating valgus and varus in the knees of one person. We investigated the clinical characteristics of these patients and the relationship between the kind of deformity and the postoperative result. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From March 2002 to May 2005, fourteen patients who had simultaneous varus and valgus knee deformities underwent total knee arthroplasties and they were followed for more than 12 months, and these were the subjects of our study. The average age was 64.6.years and the average follow-up period was 18.4 months. Follow-up imaging assessments were done and the clinical outcomes were evaluated using the HSS score at the last follow-up. RESULTS: Nine cases had more pain in the varus knee preoperatively and two cases had more pain in the valgus knee preoperatively. In 8 cases, degenerative scoliosises were associated with the knee deformity and among these cases, seven cases had vlagus deformities in the right knees. In two cases, hip deformities were noted in the ipsilateral side of the valgus deformity. The preoperative mean valgus angle and varus angle was 10.5 degrees and 7.8 degrees, respectively. The postoperative valgus and varus angle improved to 6.8 and 6.0 degree, respectively. The HSS score improved from 64.7 to 86.0 points for the valgus deformities and from 61.5 to 86.9 points for the varus deformities. Postoperative patellar clunk syndrome was identified in one valgus knee and arthroscopic resection was then performed. The knee had completely recovered on the last follow-up. CONCLUSION: Simultaneous or staged total knee arthroplasties in patients with simultaneous varus and contralateral valgus knee deformities achieved satisfactory outcomes with regard to the objective orthopedic criteria as well as the overall patient satisfaction in terms of pain relief and function. We found that scoliosis and ipsilateral hip deformities concurred with knee deformities, and this indicated that hip deformity and scoliosis are related with knee deformities. We found no significant difference between the kind of deformity and the postoperative result, yet a prospective study with more cases and longer follow-up is recommended in the future to reaffirm our findings.
Arthroplasty ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hip ; Humans ; Knee ; Orthopedics ; Patient Satisfaction ; Scoliosis

PURPOSE: We assessed and compared the clinical and radiologic outcomes of treatment in periprosthetic fractures of the femur after total knee arthroplasty. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We compared 22 knees, 22 patients of femoral periprosthetic fractures which had been fixed with absolute stabilization such as plate or screw fixation in 16 cases (group A), and with relative stabilization such as retrograde intramedullary nailing or Ender nailing in six cases (group B) from November 2004 to March 2013; the mean follow-up period was 51.9 months. RESULTS: The mean tibio femoral angle and the mean mechanical axis showed statistically significant change in group B, between before fracture and last follow-up. The mean bone union time and the mean hospital for special surgery score were not significantly different between group A and B. Nonunion was demonstrated in one case in each group, malunion was demonstrated in one case in group B. CONCLUSION: In the treatment of periprosthetic fractures of the femur after total knee arthroplasty, absolute stabilization had an advantage for regain of limb alignment. Among the complications, more cases of refracture and infection were observed in the absolute stabilization group, while more cases of nonunion and malunion were observed in the relative stabilization group.
Arthroplasty* ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee ; Axis, Cervical Vertebra ; Extremities ; Femur ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary ; Humans ; Internal Fixators ; Knee* ; Periprosthetic Fractures*

Background: The use of topical antibiotics (TA) for prophylactic purposes after clean dermatologic procedures (CDP) is generally not recommended, and the prescription of TA needs to be individualized in consideration of each patient’s situation and underlying disease. The aim of this study was to determine the proportion of patients who underwent CDP in outpatient settings and were prescribed TA inappropriately, as well as the factors that may affect the prescription of TA. Methods: Outpatient visits coded for CDP were selected using claims data from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service in 2018. Of these, patients receiving TA prescriptions were classified as having inappropriate TA use, and the proportion was estimated through technical analysis. A logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors influencing inappropriate prescriptions. Results: Data were analyzed using 423,651 visits, and TA was prescribed for approximately 1.9% of the visits. TA usage was higher among women (2.0%), 0–19 years of age (2.2%), medical aid (2.2%), clinic settings (2.4%), and metropolitan areas (2.0%). TA was prescribed more frequently in urology (8.6%), pediatrics (5.0%), and dermatology (4.2%) than in other specialties. Conclusion The prescription rate of TA after CDP was 1.9% using the 1.4 million patient sample from the national health insurance claims data in Korea, which is equally weighted to represent 50 million people. Although the proportion of inappropriate TA prescriptions in Korea is lower than that in other nations, it cannot be overlooked because of the large number of cases. Efforts to improve quality are required to reduce the number of inappropriate prescriptions.

In management of diabetes, glucose lowering is the basic target of treatment. Insulin is essential to type 1 diabetes. Non-insulin therapy in type 2 diabetes is very diverse and continuously developing to improve glucose control and prevent diabetes-related complications. In the recent 30 years, recommended specifications of anti-diabetic drugs are high glucose-lowering efficacy, low risk of hypoglycemia, less burden of weight gain, and cardiovascular safety. With development of SGLT2 inhibitors (sodium glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors) and GLP-1RA (glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist), the clinical benefits also include risk reduction of diabetes-related complications (hospitalization for heart failure, chronic kidney disease, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease), even in non-diabetic patients. Anti-diabetic medication can have a role in holistic management for prevention and treatment of diabetes and diabetes-related complications, as well as an improvement of mortality.