BACKGROUND: Care for prehospital cardiac arrest is one of the major concerns of emergency medical services. But, in Korea, prehospital emergency medical service systems are not yet well established. We tried to offer one of the fundamental data for development of these systems. METHODS: After application of exclusion criteria, 183 patients who transferred to emergency center of our hospital after cardiac arrest in consecutive 24 months from Jan,1,1994 to Dec,31,1995 were included in this study. Retrospective review of the hospital charts of these patients was done. For statistical analysis, we divided patients to some categories. t-test or chi-square analysis was used. RESULTS: 24 patients of the 183 patients were secondary visitors(cardiac arrest was occurred during transfer from other hospitals), 159 patients were primary visitors. In the primary visitor group, only one third was ambulance visitors, and there is no statistical differences between arrest time of ambulance visitors and non-ambulance visitors(35+/-27 vs 37+/-24 min, p=NS). No organized bystander CPR was done. After arrival, 131 patients received CPR and 87 patients(66.4%) were not responded, 31 patients(23.1%) experienced transient ROSC, 13 patients(10.0%) survived until discharge, and only 2 patients(1.5%) were returned to their lives. CONCLUSION: We failed to find significant statistical survival differences between ambulance visitors and non-ambulance visitors, between presumed cardiac etiology group and non-cardiac etiology group. Survival rate was high in witnessed arrest group than unwitnessed arrest group(14.5% vs 2.1%, p=0.015).
Ambulances ; Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation ; Emergencies ; Emergency Medical Services ; Heart Arrest* ; Humans ; Korea ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate

BACKGROUND: Sustained-release theophylline, which is generally prescribed as a twice-daily equal-dose regimen, is one of the more common asthma treatments. the development of a sustained-release drug delivery technology that enables improved control of the theophylline blood levels represents a significant advancement in both the efficacy and safety of dosing. METHOD: A crossover study was conducted with 25 adult chronic asthmatic patients requiring daily bronchodilator therapy. The study group included thirteen males and twelve females with ages ranging from 19 to 71 years. The overall approach was to place the patients first on the twice-daily preparation(Etheophyl®) for 28 days at 8 AM and 8 PM, and measure the pulmonary function and theophylline level on the 28th day. the patients were subsequently switched to the once-daily preparation(Uniphyl®) in the same daily dose at 8 PM on the 29th day and the same parameters were measured on the 56th day. RESULTS: the mean serum levels of theophylline were 8.18±1.66µg/ml in the Etheophyl®-treated period and 8.00±1.75µg/ml in the Uniphyl®-treated period. In addition, the FEV1 showed 71.40±7.48 percent in the Etheophyl®-treated and 69.18±9.00 percent in the Uniphyl®-treated period. Thus there were no significant differences between the once-daily and twice-daily preparation. CONCLUSION: The results indicated little clinical differences between the two medication. The two drugs are equally effective in controlling asthma over the four weeks of treatment.
Adult ; Asthma* ; Cross-Over Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Theophylline

During hypnosis patients sometimes fantasize entire complex scenarios and later define these experiences as memories of actual events rather than as imaginings. This article examines 2 cases reporting past-life identity during hypnotic trance state. In each case, elicitation of the past-life events is associated with social constructions, hypnotic procedures and structured interviews which provide demands for the requisite experiences, and which then legitimate the experiences as past-life identities. These 2 cases show their own idiopathic psychodynamics symbolically through past-life regression during hypnosis. This article supports the hypothesis that recall is reconstructive and organized in terms of current expectations and beliefs.
Humans ; Hypnosis*

Hypnobehavioral therapy was used to treat a 22-year-old male soldier for a stuttering problem, which began from the high school age and persisted f3r an ensuing 7-year period. A detailed clinical report illustrates how hypnosis was integrated with behavior modification to treat a rather distressing speech disorder. It seems reasonable that an active or behavioral component of suggestion may well produce more desirable changes in a resistant symptom such as stuttering. Alter the first hypnobehavioral therapy session, the patient realized that all was not hopeless. Results of this hypnobehavioral therapy Proved successful and facilitative.
Behavior Therapy ; Humans ; Hypnosis ; Male ; Military Personnel ; Stuttering ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVES: The objective was to identify restricted physical activity in patients with depression, and to determine the effects of that restricted activity, on their health-related quality of life (HRQOL). METHODS: Data was analysed from Year 1 of the 7th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES VII-1). From a total sample of 8,150 subjects, 277 adults aged ≥19 years who were diagnosed with depression were selected. The results were derived using restricted activity and HRQOL data measured from the subjects. RESULTS: Most of the participants were females ≥ 50 years old. HRQOL scores were high in the “self-care” dimension and low in the “pain/discomfort” and “anxiety/depression” dimensions. Their restricted activity due to illness in the past year, led to increases in participants being bedridden or absent from work. Many participants reported being bedridden for more than 3 months. A higher number of absences owing to illness in the past year, and longer durations of being bedridden, had a negative impact on HRQOL. Age, marital status, educational level, income level, and occupation were the sociodemographic variables that had an impact on HRQOL. CONCLUSION: Patients with depression experiencing stress in their daily lives should take measures to avoid illness and pain that may lead to them becoming bedridden, and employ lifestyle habits with support from families and community health promotion centres, where mental health counselling can be accessed.
Adult ; Depression ; Female ; Health Promotion ; Humans ; Korea ; Life Style ; Marital Status ; Mental Health ; Motor Activity ; Nutrition Surveys ; Occupations ; Quality of Life

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effect of smoking upon cardiopulmonary function, maximal oxygen uptake, and obesity index, in middle-aged and older workers to propose guidelines on healthcare for these age groups. METHODS: This study analyzed medical data from 2,753 white-collar workers aged 50 years or older from workplaces located in Seoul, South Korea. Blood pressure (BP), resting heart rate, maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), and body mass index (BMI) of each subject were measured. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS 21.0. RESULTS: In the smoking group BP and resting heart rate were significantly higher than in the non-smoking and smoking-cessation groups (p < 0.05). In addition, VO2max was lower in the smoking group compared to the other 2 groups. BP closely correlated with resting heart rate, abdominal fat ratio, and BMI. BMI was the highest in the group that stopped smoking and, BMI and abdominal fat ratio negatively correlated with VO2max. CONCLUSION: Smoking increases the risk of cardiopulmonary disease but obesity may be caused by stopping smoking. Therefore, healthcare guidelines on smoking cessation should also include nutritional advice.
Abdominal Fat ; Blood Pressure ; Body Mass Index ; Delivery of Health Care ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Korea ; Obesity* ; Oxygen* ; Seoul ; Smoke* ; Smoking Cessation ; Smoking*

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to identify the current state of physical activity in adults with diabetes and to investigate the effect of physical activity on depression. METHODS: The present study was conducted using data from the 2nd year of the 6th Korea National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey. From the total of 7,550 individuals, 418 adults diagnosed with diabetes were selected as participants, and their physical activity and depression levels were examined. RESULTS: The physical activity status of the participants showed that they did not usually engage in physical activities at work, and only a few participants were involved in moderate intensity physical leisure activity. Apart from walking for 10 minutes each day, which accounted for 1/3 of the participants, most of the participants did not engage in specific forms of exercise. An examination of the effects of physical activity on depression revealed that moderate intensity physical activity at work and leisure influenced depression. In terms of demographic characteristics, gender, occupation, income quintile, and subjective health status were all found to affect depression. CONCLUSION: For elderly (60 years or older) patients with diabetes, which accounted for the majority of the diabetic population, a systematic leisure program and professional education are necessary to help them to manage stress and depression in daily life. Additionally, provision of community and family support should encourage regular, moderate intensity exercise and promote lifestyle changes to encourage increased physical activity.
Adult* ; Aged ; Depression* ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Diagnostic Self Evaluation ; Education, Professional ; Humans ; Korea ; Leisure Activities ; Life Style ; Motor Activity* ; Occupations ; Walking

A rectocele with a weakened rectovaginal septum can be repaired with various surgical techniques. We performed laparoscopic posterior vaginal wall repair and rectovaginal septal reinforcement without mesh using a modified transperineal approach. A 63-year-old woman with outlet dysfunction constipation complained of lower pelvic pressure and sense of heaviness for 30 years. Initial defecography showed an anterior rectocele with a 45-mm anterior bulge and perineal descent. Laparoscopic procedures included peritoneal and rectovaginal septal dissection directed toward the perineal body, rectovaginal septal suturing, and peritoneal closure. The patient started a soft diet the following day and was discharged on the 5th postoperative day without any complications. The patient had no dyschezia or dyspareunia, and no problem with bowel function; 3-month follow-up defecography showed a decrease in bulging to 18 mm. Laparoscopic posterior vaginal wall and rectovaginal septal repair is safe and feasible for treatment of a rectocele, and enables early recovery.
Constipation ; Defecography ; Diet ; Dyspareunia ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Middle Aged ; Rectocele*

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate the physical activities, mental health, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of osteoarthritis patients.METHODS: This study was conducted using data from the first year of the 7th Korea National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey. There were 8,150 participants included in the survey, and 665 participants had been diagnosed with osteoarthritis. This study analyzed the measurements of physical activities, depression, and HRQOL in participants with osteoarthritis.RESULTS: The mean age of the participants was 67 ± 9.9 years and 83.1% were female. Participants rarely engaged in work-related physical activity, and engaged in leisure-related physical activities infrequently. Most of the participants (85.9%) did not do regular exercise, but 1/3 of the participants walked for over 10 minutes a day. “Pain/discomfort” had the least impact upon HRQOL, and among the depression subcategories, “difficult to sleep and tiredness” had the most impact. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that an adverse HRQOL score was statistically significantly associated with “location changes/physical activities” (p < 0. 01), “depression” (p < 0.001) and “age” (p < 0.001).CONCLUSION: Exercise programs should be in place which are manageable in everyday life for the elderly (> 65 years). Changes in daily routine so that patients become more active, should be supported by the family and community, together with assistance in managing psychological problems such as depression.
Aged ; Depression ; Female ; Humans ; Korea ; Logistic Models ; Mental Health ; Motor Activity ; Osteoarthritis ; Quality of Life

PURPOSE: There are known differences in embryology, clinical symptoms, incidences, molecular pathways involved, and oncologic outcomes of right-sided and left-sided colorectal cancers. However, immunologic study has only been characterized for healthy adults. The present study was designed to identify differences in immune cell populations in patients with right-sided and left-sided colorectal cancers.METHODS: A total of 35 patients who underwent colorectal resection for cancer between November 2016 and August 2017 at a tertiary teaching hospital were enrolled in this study. Patients were excluded if they had a disease affecting their immune system. Populations of immune cells, including mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT), gamma delta T, invariant natural killer T, T, natural killer, and B cells, were measured in the peripheral blood and cancer tissues using flow cytometry, and then assessed based on the origin of the colorectal cancer.RESULTS: Fifteen had right-side and 20 had left-side colorectal cancer. There were no significant differences between the 2 cohorts for patient characteristics including pathologic stage. Peripheral blood from patients with right-side colon cancers contained fewer MAIT (0.87% right-side vs. 1.74% left-side, P = 0.028) and gamma delta T cells (1.10% right-side vs. 3.05% left-side, P = 0.002). Although the group with right-side colorectal cancer had more MAIT cells in cancer tissues (1.71% vs. 1.00%), this difference was not statistically significant.CONCLUSION: There is a difference in population sizes of immune cells in blood between patients with right-sided and leftsided colon cancers. The immune cell composition was determined to be distinct based on embryologic origin.
Adult ; B-Lymphocytes ; Cohort Studies ; Colonic Neoplasms ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; Embryology ; Flow Cytometry ; Hospitals, Teaching ; Humans ; Immune System ; Incidence ; Population Density ; T-Lymphocytes