Glaucoma screening is an important means of detecting early cases of glaucoma. It is particularly valuable if targeted either at groups who otherwise do not have access to the health care system or at groups who have the risk factors for glaucoma such as aging, being male and having a medical history of diabetes or vascular diseases. We conducted glaucoma screenings by tonometry and direct ophthalmoscopy in the outpatient department of ophthalmology at Korea University Haewha Hospital and in the homes for the aged that are located in Seoul between Sep. 1987 and Sep. 1989. A total of 282 subjects were screened in the outpatient department and 198 subjects were screened in the homes for the aged. Referral rate was 6.7% and 3.0%, respectively. Groups who have the risk factors showed greater referral rates than groups who have not, but they are not statistically significant(p>0.05).
Aged ; Aging ; Delivery of Health Care ; Glaucoma* ; Homes for the Aged ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Manometry ; Mass Screening* ; Ophthalmology ; Ophthalmoscopy ; Outpatients* ; Referral and Consultation ; Risk Factors ; Seoul ; Vascular Diseases

Glaucoma screening is an important means of detecting early cases of glaucoma. It is particularly valuable if targeted either at groups who otherwise do not have access to the health care system or at groups who have the risk factors for glaucoma such as aging, being male and having a medical history of diabetes or vascular diseases. We conducted glaucoma screenings by tonometry and direct ophthalmoscopy in the outpatient department of ophthalmology at Korea University Haewha Hospital and in the homes for the aged that are located in Seoul between Sep. 1987 and Sep. 1989. A total of 282 subjects were screened in the outpatient department and 198 subjects were screened in the homes for the aged. Referral rate was 6.7% and 3.0%, respectively. Groups who have the risk factors showed greater referral rates than groups who have not, but they are not statistically significant(p>0.05).
Aged ; Aging ; Delivery of Health Care ; Glaucoma* ; Homes for the Aged ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Manometry ; Mass Screening* ; Ophthalmology ; Ophthalmoscopy ; Outpatients* ; Referral and Consultation ; Risk Factors ; Seoul ; Vascular Diseases

This study investigated the correlation between health-related habits and the biochemical characteristics of the blood of Korean bus drivers. A total of 178 bus drivers working in the Masan area participated in this study. The general characteristics and health-related habits of the subjects were surveyed using a serf-administered questionnaire. The biochemical date were collected from regular health check-ups done through their workshop health insurance company in lune, 1999. The results were as follows : The average age of the subjects was 38 years, and 44.2% had a driving career of between 10 and 19 years. About 90% of the subjects ate irregularly, and 36% ate. health floods. Their rates of drinking, smoking and exercise were 74.6%, 83.6% and 70.8%, respectively. Their frequency of drinking was significantly increased as the length of their driving career increased (p<0.001). Their levels of total serum cholesterol, in relation to the length of their driving career was significantly higher in the over 20 year group than in the below 10 year group (p<0.05). Their systolic blood pressures, according to age, were significantly higher in the 51 to 60 age group than in the other groups (p<0.05). Their total um cholesterol levels signiscantly increased with increasing age (p<0.001). Their diastolic blood pressures (p<0.001) and blood glucose levels (p<0.05) were significantly higher among the subjects who drinking alcohol almost everyday, than among other subjects. Their systolic blood pressures who significantly increased with increasing frequency of their drinking (p<0.001). The systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure were positively related to age, the amount of drinking, the frequency of drinking and the obesity index, and negatively related to exercise and the duration of exercise. The hemoglobin was positively related to age, preference for a meat diet and the obesity index. The blood glucose was positively related to the amount of drinking, and the total serum cholesterol was positively related to age, length of driving career, period of smoking and the obesity index. The results of this study indicated that bus drivers need regular exercise, moderation of their drinking and smoking, and control of their body weights so as to prevent chronic diseases.
Blood Glucose ; Blood Pressure ; Body Weight ; Cholesterol ; Chronic Disease ; Diet ; Drinking ; Education ; Floods ; Humans ; Insurance, Health ; Meat ; Obesity ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Surveys and Questionnaires

This study was carried out on 178 bus drivers in the Masan area to investigate their health and nutritional status. THe nutritional status of the subjects was surveyed using a self-administered questionnaire, and blood analyses were conducted through annual health examinations in June, 1999. The results were as follows: About 51% were classified as normal, 33% as health-concerned, and 17% as disease-suspected. The levels of total serum cholesterol were significantly higher in the over 20 year group (194.64 +/- 41.42 mg/dl) than in the under 10 year group (175.00 +/- 31.33 mg/dl) with respect to the length of their driving careers. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) was significantly higher in the 51 to 60 age group than in the other groups (p < 0.05). The total serum cholesterol increased with increasing age (p < 0.001), and SBP increased with increasing Body Mass Index (BMI)(p < 0.001). Diastolic blood pressure (DBP), total cholesterol (p < 0.01), hemoglobin (p < 0.05)and glutamate-pyruvate-aminotransferase (GPT)(p < 0.05) were significantly higher in the BMI of over 20, than in the BMI under 20. The GPT was significantly higher in the BMI over 25 than in the BMI under 25. In The mean daily energy intake was 1912.7 kcal (76.5% of the RDA) and the protein intake was 74.3 g (106.2% of the RDA). Compared with the recommended allowance, the energy, calcium, thiamin, and riboflavin intakes were below, and the Fe, vitamin A, vitamin C intakes were above the Korean RDA. The average carbohydrate, protein, fat ratio of energy intake was 66 : 15 : 19, respectively. The length of their driving careers had a positive correlation with their ages and total serum cholesterol levels, and their ages had a positive correlation with their blood pressures, total serum cholesterol and hemoglobin levels and BMI. Their BMI had a positive correlation with their ages, blood pressures, total serum cholesterol, hemoglobin, GPT and GOT levels. The results of this study indicate that bus drivers needed regular exercise, and control of their body weights to prevent chronic diseases, and that their health status should be monitored as the length of their driving careers and ages increase.
Ascorbic Acid ; Blood Pressure ; Body Mass Index ; Body Weight ; Calcium ; Cholesterol ; Chronic Disease ; Energy Intake ; Humans ; Nutritional Status* ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Riboflavin ; Vitamin A

Background: Gingivitis and periodontal disease are common conditions requiring early management. Regular scaling prevents periodontal disease but is often avoided due to pain and discomfort, leading to worsened conditions. Dental fear, particularly related to scaling, is a significant barrier; however, few studies have explored it. This study aimed to identify the factors that influence scaling fear in adults. Understanding these factors will enable dental professionals to mitigate these fears and promote regular scaling. Methods: An online survey was conducted, targeting adults aged 19 years and older with prior scaling experience. Using convenience sampling, 270 responses were analyzed. The survey included 30 items measuring general characteristics, periodontal disease knowledge, scaling awareness, and scaling fear. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 23.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA) with multiple regression to identify factors affecting scaling fear. Results: The mean scores were 4.76±1.35 for periodontal disease knowledge, 3.82±0.55 for scaling awareness, and 2.87±0.63 for scaling fear. Scaling awareness (β=–0.236, p＜0.001), periodontal disease knowledge (β=–0.157, p=0.01), and the number of scaling sessions in the past two years (β=–0.147, p＜0.05) significantly influenced scaling fear. Conclusion Scaling awareness and periodontal disease knowledge are key to reducing fear of scaling. Dental professionals should educate patients and provide clear explanations to build trust and create positive experiences. Oral health education programs should be expanded to improve awareness, reduce fear, and foster regular scaling attendance.

Background: Gingivitis and periodontal disease are common conditions requiring early management. Regular scaling prevents periodontal disease but is often avoided due to pain and discomfort, leading to worsened conditions. Dental fear, particularly related to scaling, is a significant barrier; however, few studies have explored it. This study aimed to identify the factors that influence scaling fear in adults. Understanding these factors will enable dental professionals to mitigate these fears and promote regular scaling. Methods: An online survey was conducted, targeting adults aged 19 years and older with prior scaling experience. Using convenience sampling, 270 responses were analyzed. The survey included 30 items measuring general characteristics, periodontal disease knowledge, scaling awareness, and scaling fear. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 23.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA) with multiple regression to identify factors affecting scaling fear. Results: The mean scores were 4.76±1.35 for periodontal disease knowledge, 3.82±0.55 for scaling awareness, and 2.87±0.63 for scaling fear. Scaling awareness (β=–0.236, p＜0.001), periodontal disease knowledge (β=–0.157, p=0.01), and the number of scaling sessions in the past two years (β=–0.147, p＜0.05) significantly influenced scaling fear. Conclusion Scaling awareness and periodontal disease knowledge are key to reducing fear of scaling. Dental professionals should educate patients and provide clear explanations to build trust and create positive experiences. Oral health education programs should be expanded to improve awareness, reduce fear, and foster regular scaling attendance.

Background: Gingivitis and periodontal disease are common conditions requiring early management. Regular scaling prevents periodontal disease but is often avoided due to pain and discomfort, leading to worsened conditions. Dental fear, particularly related to scaling, is a significant barrier; however, few studies have explored it. This study aimed to identify the factors that influence scaling fear in adults. Understanding these factors will enable dental professionals to mitigate these fears and promote regular scaling. Methods: An online survey was conducted, targeting adults aged 19 years and older with prior scaling experience. Using convenience sampling, 270 responses were analyzed. The survey included 30 items measuring general characteristics, periodontal disease knowledge, scaling awareness, and scaling fear. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 23.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA) with multiple regression to identify factors affecting scaling fear. Results: The mean scores were 4.76±1.35 for periodontal disease knowledge, 3.82±0.55 for scaling awareness, and 2.87±0.63 for scaling fear. Scaling awareness (β=–0.236, p＜0.001), periodontal disease knowledge (β=–0.157, p=0.01), and the number of scaling sessions in the past two years (β=–0.147, p＜0.05) significantly influenced scaling fear. Conclusion Scaling awareness and periodontal disease knowledge are key to reducing fear of scaling. Dental professionals should educate patients and provide clear explanations to build trust and create positive experiences. Oral health education programs should be expanded to improve awareness, reduce fear, and foster regular scaling attendance.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the corneal thickness values before and after refractive keratoplasty with the Topcon SP-2000 noncontact specular microscope(Topcon American Corp.) and the common standard ultrasonic pachymeter. METHODS: Corneal thickness was measured in 40 eyes of 20 patients, 5 times each before and after keratoplasty, with the Topcon SP-2000P and an ultrasonic pachymeter (DGH 1000, DGH Technology Inc.). The main outcome measures were accuracy and reproducibility as assessed with coefficient of variation (CV) of corneal thickness measurements. RESULTS: The reproducibility of corneal thickness measurements was better with the ultrasonic pachymeter (CV 0.36%) than with the Topcon SP-2000 (CV 1.23%). Mean corneal thickness measured by the Topcon SP-2000P before and after keratoplasty was significantly less than the mean values obtained with the ultrasonic pachymeter (14.4 micro meter; P<.0001, 5.6 micro meter; P<.01; respectively). Compared with theoretical ablated corneal thickness, ablated corneal thickness measured with the Topcon SP-2000P was significantly less (P<.01) than values obtained with the ultrasonic pachymeter (P=0.07) CONCLUSIONS: The noncontact Topcon specular microscope provides measurements of corneal thickness that are significantly less than those of the ultrasonic pachymeter, both before and after keratoplasty. These results indicate that these 2 techniques are not clinically comparable, thereby precluding interchangeable use of their data in planning or assessing keratoplasty.
Corneal Pachymetry* ; Corneal Transplantation ; Humans ; Outcome Assessment (Health Care) ; Ultrasonics*

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: To investigate whether transcranial direct-current stimulation (tDCS) can improve cognition in stroke patients. METHODS: Forty-five stroke patients (20 males and 25 females, average age: 62.7 years) with cognitive dysfunction were included in this prospective, double-blinded, randomized case-control study. All patients were right-handed and the mean elapsed time after stroke was 39.3 days. Three different treatments groups were used: (1) anodal stimulation of the left anterior temporal lobe, (2) anodal stimulation of the right anterior temporal lobe, and (3) sham stimulation. tDCS was delivered for 30 minutes at 2 mA with 25 cm2 electrodes, five times/week, for a total of 3 weeks, using a Phoresor II Auto Model PM 850 (IOMED(R)). The evaluation of cognitive impairment was based on a Computerized Neuropsychological Test (CNT), Korean Mini-Mental State Examination (K-MMSE). The Korean version of the Modified Barthel Index (K-MBI) was used to assess activities of daily living functionality. These evaluations were conducted in all patients before and after treatment. RESULTS: Each group included 15 patients. Pre-treatment evaluation showed no significant differences between the three groups for any of the parameters. There was significant improvement in the verbal learning test on the CNT in the left anodal stimulation group (P < 0.05). There were, however, no significant differences in the K-MMSE or K-MBI scores among the three groups. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrated the beneficial effects of anodal tDCS on memory function. Thus, tDCS can successfully be used as a treatment modality for patients with cognitive dysfunction after stroke.
Activities of Daily Living ; Case-Control Studies ; Cognition* ; Electrodes ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Memory ; Neuropsychological Tests ; Prospective Studies ; Stroke* ; Temporal Lobe ; Verbal Learning

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the synergic effects of mirror therapy and neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) for hand function in stroke patients. METHOD: Sixty patients with hemiparesis after stroke were included (41 males and 19 females, average age 63.3 years). Twenty patients had NMES applied and simultaneously underwent mirror therapy. Twenty patients had NMES applied only, and twenty patients underwent mirror therapy only. Each treatment was done five days per week, 30 minutes per day, for three weeks. NMES was applied on the surface of the extensor digitorum communis and extensor pollicis brevis for open-hand motion. Muscle tone, Fugl-Meyer assessment, and power of wrist and hand were evaluated before and after treatment. RESULTS: There were significant improvements in the Fugl-Meyer assessment score in the wrist, hand and coordination, as well as power of wrist and hand in all groups after treatment. The mirror and NMES group showed significant improvements in the Fugl-Meyer scores of hand, wrist, coordination and power of hand extension compared to the other groups. However, the power of hand flexion, wrist flexion, and wrist extension showed no significant differences among the three groups. Muscle tone also showed no significant differences in the three groups. CONCLUSION: Our results showed that there is a synergic effect of mirror therapy and NMES on hand function. Therefore, a hand rehabilitation strategy combined with NMES and mirror therapy may be more helpful for improving hand function in stroke patients than NMES or mirror therapy only.
Electric Stimulation ; Female ; Hand ; Humans ; Male ; Muscles ; Paresis ; Stroke ; Wrist