BACKGROUND: With the rapid growth of the elderly population, osteoporosis has become a major health problem worldwide. Although health knowledge and self-efficacy are important assets to facilitate healthy behaviors and disease prevention, such information as it relates to individuals and their bone health is limited. The purpose of this study was to assess the levels of knowledge, self-efficacy, and health behaviors on promoting bone health in middle-aged Korean women. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional survey study. A convenience sampling of middle-aged women (> or =40 years) was done at a community health center in Korea. Bone mineral density was measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry with the DEXXUM T. The level of knowledge was measured with the Knowledge of Osteoporosis Scale, and self-efficacy with the Osteoporosis Self-efficacy Scale. A questionnaire for bone health behaviors was developed for this study. Collected data were analyzed through descriptive methods, independent t-test, analysis of variance, and Pearson's correlation analysis. RESULTS: A total of 150 middle-aged women whose mean age was 59.8+/-11.5 years participated in the study. Most (74%) were menopausal. Less than one-quarter of participants (22.7%) had osteoporosis and less than half (42%) had osteopenia based on the T-score at the left femur neck site. Level of knowledge (mean score, 10.35) and self-efficacy (mean score, 47.67) ranged from low to moderate. Intake of calcium and vitamin D-rich foods was insufficient in our subjects. Bone health behaviors had significant positive relationships with knowledge (r=0.22, P=0.008) and self-efficacy (r=0.29, P<0.001) on promoting bone health. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that educational interventions are needed to enhance knowledge and confidence and to encourage middle-aged women to engage in bone health behaviors.
Absorptiometry, Photon ; Aged ; Bone Density ; Bone Diseases, Metabolic ; Calcium ; Community Health Centers ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Femur Neck ; Health Behavior ; Humans ; Korea ; Middle Aged ; Osteoporosis ; Self Efficacy ; Vitamins

BACKGROUND: We evaluated the effectiveness of isolation measures using cohorting rooms and antimicrobial use in reducing the isolation rate of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (MDR-AB). METHODS: Four cohorting rooms (16 beds) for patients colonized or infected with multidrug-resistant organisms (MDRO) have been created in the general wards of our 894-bed hospital since October 2003. We prospectively evaluated the isolation rates of MRSA and MDR-AB, and amount of antimicrobial use during the 8-year study period. We also investigated the relationship between antimicrobial use density (AUD) and the isolation rates of MRSA and MDR-AB. RESULTS: After creating cohorting rooms, the isolation rates of MRSA decreased from 1.56 cases per 1,000 patient-days from 2004-2005 to 1.24 from 2006-2007 (P=0.57). The isolation rates of MDR-AB also decreased from 0.72 from 2004-2005 to 0.36 from 2010-2011 (P<0.01). The mean quarterly AUDs of glycopeptides and carbapenems were 30.17+/-6.80 and 19.5+/-7.10, respectively. There were no significant correlations between AUD values and the isolation rate of MRSA or MDR-AB. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that isolation measures using cohorting rooms to help limit the transmission of MDRO infection and colonization, especially MDR-AB, in resource-limited settings is feasible and efficacious.
Acinetobacter ; Acinetobacter baumannii ; Carbapenems ; Cohort Studies ; Colon ; Drug Resistance ; Glycopeptides ; Humans ; Methicillin Resistance ; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus ; Patient Isolation ; Patients' Rooms ; Prospective Studies

Background/Aims: Hypertension is considered a risk factor in immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN). However, after IgAN diagnosis, the relationship between early blood pressure control and renal prognosis remains unclear. This study aimed to analyze the association between the prognosis of IgAN patients and a controlled status of hypertension within the first year of IgAN diagnosis. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 2,945 patients diagnosed with IgAN by renal biopsy. The patients were divided into ‘normal,’ ‘new-onset,’ ‘well-controlled,’ and ‘poorly-controlled’ groups using blood pressure data from two consecutive measurements performed within a year. The Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Cox proportional-hazards regression model were used to survey the independent association between recovery from hypertension and the risk of IgAN progression. The primary endpoint was IgAN progression defined as the initiation of dialysis or kidney transplantation. Results: Before IgAN diagnosis, 1,239 patients (42.1%) had been diagnosed with hypertension. In the fully adjusted Cox proportional-hazards models, the risk of IgAN progression increased by approximately 1.7-fold for the prevalence of hypertension. In the subgroup analyses, the ‘well-controlled’ group showed a statistically significant risk of IgAN progression (hazard ratio [HR], 3.19; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.103 to 9.245; p = 0.032). Moreover, the ‘new-onset’ and ‘poorly-controlled’ groups had an increased risk of IgAN progression compared to the ‘normal’ group (HR, 2.58; 95% CI, 1.016 to 6.545; p = 0.046 and HR, 3.85;95% CI, 1.541 to 9.603; p = 0.004, respectively). Conclusions Although hypertension was well-controlled in the first year after IgAN diagnosis, it remained a risk factor for IgAN progression.

Perianal diseases are the most common reasons for surgery in HIV-positive patients. This study aimed to evaluate the outcomes of these surgical procedures in Korean patients, focusing on wound healing and postoperative complications. Retrospective analysis was performed on 72 HIV-positive patients who underwent surgery by a single surgeon for benign anal disease between 1998 and 2011. Of these, 68.1% (49/72) of patients received surgery for condyloma acuminata, 19.4% (14/72) for anal fistulas, 6.9% (5/72) for hemorrhoids, and 5.6% (4/72) for perianal abscesses. Patients with condyloma acuminata received surgical excision with electrical coagulation, and all wounds healed completely within 3 months, though 16.3% (8/49) of these patients experienced recurrence. Twelve of the 49 patients (24.5%) who were treated for condyloma acuminata underwent simultaneous operations for concomitant anal fistulas (n = 6), hemorrhoids (n = 4), and perianal abscesses (n = 2). Overall, 3 postoperative complications developed following a total of 94 procedures, and there was no significant increase in complication rate for patients with a low CD4+ T-cell count ( < 200/microL) compared to those with a higher count. The results demonstrate favorable results following perianal surgery in HIV-positive Korean patients.
Adult ; Aged ; Anus Diseases/complications/*surgery ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/cytology ; Condylomata Acuminata/surgery ; Female ; HIV Infections/*complications ; Hemorrhoids/surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications ; Rectal Fistula/surgery ; Republic of Korea ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Wound Healing ; Young Adult

PURPOSE: Partial obstruction of the small bowel causes hypertrophy of smooth muscle cells and enteric neurons. After small bowel obstruction, slow waves have also been reported to disappear or to be greatly reduced at the oral site of the obstruction in the murine ileum. The purpose of this research was to study the changes in migrating motor complexes (MMCs) after partial obstruction in order to compensate for the attenuated function of slow waves. METHODS: A ring of film (6 mm in length, 4 mm in internal diameter) was placed over the small intestine 5-6 cm oral to the ileocecal valve in 8-10 wk old female ICR mice. These rings resulted in a partial obstruction of the intestine after 2 wk. The mechanical activities of the small intestine were recorded and the amplitude, interval, and half-duration of the MMCs were analyzed. RESULTS: The MMCs from a partially obstructed ileum occurred every 1.58+/-1.06 min and had a half-duration of 6.90+/-5.54 sec. The interval and the half-duration of the control MMCs were 3.60+/-1.11 min and 31.5+/-11.4 sec, respectively. The difference in interval and the half-duration of the MMCs reached statistical significance (P=0.03; P=0.00). The amplitude and the area under the curve (AUC) of the MMCs of the obstructed ileum were much higher than those of the control (31.3+/-8.86 vs. 6.05+/-1.92 mN; 161.18+/-44.09 vs. 72.95+/-2.45 mN . sec/MMC wave; P=0.00, 0.02). CONCLUSION: The MMCs with higher amplitude and AUC, with shorter interval, and with shorter half-duration, compared with those of the control, were recorded from the partially obstructed murine ileum, reflecting efforts to overcome the effect of obstruction by increasing the power of contractions.
Animals ; Area Under Curve ; Contracts ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Motility ; Humans ; Hypertrophy ; Ileocecal Valve ; Ileum ; Intestinal Obstruction ; Intestine, Small ; Intestines ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; Myoelectric Complex, Migrating ; Neurons

PURPOSE: This study described female college students' knowledge, self-efficacy and health behaviors related to bone health. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional survey design was used. A total of 214 students were conveniently recruited from a school of nursing in Korea. Participants (mean age=21.2, SD=1.9 years) bone mineral density (BMD) was measured using dual energy x-ray absorptionmetry. Participants also completed a questionnaire consisting of knowledge test, self-efficacy scale and health behaviors related to bone health. Data were analyzed using SPSS/WIN 17.0 program. RESULTS: The mean BMD at left femoral neck site was 0.86 g/cm2 and 6.1~12.6%. Results showed that participants were below the expected range of BMD. Level of knowledge (correct rate=54%) and self-efficacy were moderate (mean 54.8 out of 84). More than 84% of subjects drank alcohol more than once a month and 58.4% did participate in regular exercise. Only 7.9% participants took calcium and vitamin-D rich foods every day. There were significant positive correlations between knowledge and self-efficacy (r=.17), health behaviors (r=.14) and self-efficacy and health behaviors (r=.28, all p<.05). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that health care professionals need to provide effective interventions for young women in order to enhance knowledge, self-efficacy and health behaviors related to bone health.
Bone Density ; Calcium ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Delivery of Health Care ; Female ; Femur Neck ; Health Behavior ; Humans ; Korea ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVE: We examined the effect of anpakkori, a traditional living arrangement, on depression among elderly people on Jeju Island in Korea. METHODS: A total of 593 subjects were assessed using a sociodemographic questionnaire developed by the authors, the Korean version of Geriatric Depression Scale (KGDS), the Social Support Scale, and the Activities of Daily Living/Instrumental Activities of Daily Living scales (ADL/IADL). Subjects were classified into three groups: those residing with their adult children, those living individually, and those living in the traditional Jeju anpakkori living arrangement. RESULTS: The prevalence of depression in this study was 53.1%, and the traditional Jeju living arrangement, anpakkori, was significantly correlated with the presence of depressive symptoms (p=0.005)[odds ratio (OR)=1.88, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.16-3.06]. CONCLUSION: Living in the traditional Jeju way may not be as good for establishing family solidarity as is living with adult children. Moreover, elderly individuals prone to depression tended to live in this anpakkori living arrangement. Careful psychological and social support systems that might prevent the development of depressive symptoms should be provided for those who live in anpakkori living arrangements.
Activities of Daily Living ; Adult Children ; Aged ; Depression ; Humans ; Korea ; Prevalence ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Residence Characteristics ; Weights and Measures

PURPOSE: To report a case of primary yolk sac tumor of the orbit. METHODS: A 15-month-old girl was referred for evaluation of ptosis and strabismus in the right eye which had developed over the previous two weeks. On examination, ptosis, exotropia, proptosis, and restriction of extraocular muscle movement of the right eye were noted. A computed tomography (CT) scan of the orbit showed a 2.4 cm x 3.4 cm-sized soft tissue mass in the posterior aspect of the right orbit which enveloped the optic nerve and invaded the maxillary sinus, posterior ethmoid sinus, nasal cavity, and intracranial space. Endoscopic biopsy of the nasal cavity mass was performed. RESULTS: Histologic evaluation revealed solid proliferation of germ cells with large, clear cytoplasm and intracellular, extracellular hyaline globules. Immunohistochemical staining for alpha-fetoprotein was positive. Results of further systemic evaluation were all negative. The tumor regressed after combined chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The patient has been disease free for 2 years. CONCLUSIONS: The possibility of yolk sac tumor should be considered in the differential diagnosis in a younger patient for an orbital mass with rapidly increasing size and adjacent bony destruction. Prompt diagnosis and appropriate therapeutic approaches are essential.
alpha-Fetoproteins ; Biopsy ; Cytoplasm ; Diagnosis ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Drug Therapy ; Endodermal Sinus Tumor* ; Ethmoid Sinus ; Exophthalmos ; Exotropia ; Female ; Germ Cells ; Humans ; Hyalin ; Infant ; Maxillary Sinus ; Nasal Cavity ; Optic Nerve ; Orbit* ; Radiotherapy ; Strabismus ; Yolk Sac*