OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to discriminate the clinical differences, to measure the estrogen and homovanillic acid levels. to evaluate a correlation between estrogen and homovanillic acid. and to identify an association of cognitive deficit with estrogen and homovanilli acid among male and female schizophrenics. METHODS: In addition to the structured interviews, the plasma estrogen levels by radioimmunoassay and the homovanillic acid levels by HPLC were measured in 20 male and 21 female schizophrenics as well as 10 healthy male and 9 female controls. RESULTS: 1) The plasma estrogen levels were higher in females than males, and significantly higher in female schizophenics than female controls. The homovanillic acid levels were higher in female schizophrenics than female controls, and were lower in male schizophrenics than male controls. 2) The onset age seemed to be earlier in male schizophrenics, and the frequency of admission, duration of antipsychotic drug administration. dosage of antipsychotics and duration of illnesses were more in males. The estrogen and homovanillic acid levels were significantly higher in female schizophrenics. 3) The estrogen levels had a significant positive correlation with sex, age and onset age, while the homovanillic acid levels did with sex. However, estrogen wee not correlated with homovanillic acid levels. 4) The estrogen and homovanillic acid levels were not significantly different between male and female schizophrenics with cognitive deficits. In the schizophrenic patients without cognitive deficits, the estrogen levels were significantly higher in females, while here were no significant sex differences in homovanillic acid. 5) In the male and female schizophrenics predominantly with negative symptoms, there were no significant differences in estrogen and homocanillic acid levels. In those predominantly with positive symptoms, the estrogen levels wee significantly higher in females, while there were no sex differences in homovanillic acid levels. 6) In schizophrenics with undifferentiated subtype, the estrogen and homovanillic acid levels were significantly higher in females. In those with paranoid or disorganized subtypes. the estrogen levels were significantly higher females, while there were no sex differences in the homovanillic acid levels. 7) The mean values of PANSS-negative. PANSS-total, PANSS-CF, MMSE-K and estrogen levels were significantly higher in male schizophrenics with cognitive deficits. The mean values of illness duration, CGI PANSS-positive, PANSS-negative, PANSS-total, PANSS-CF and MMSE-K were significantly higher in female schizophrenics with cognitive deficits. 8) The variables which showed significant correlation with cognitive deficits were PANSS-nagative, PANSS-total, PANSS-CF, MMSE-K and estrogen levels in male schizophrenics. The variables which showed significant correlation with cognitive deficits were subtypes, onset age, illness duration, CGI, PANSS-positive, PANSS-negative, PANSS-total, PANMSS-CF and MMSE-K in female schizophrenics. The estrogen levels were significantly correlated with admission frequencies, history of antipsychotic administration, duration of antipsychotic administration and cognitive deficits in male schizophrenics. while age were not correlated with in females. The homovanillic acid levels had a significant correlation with subtypes and onset age in male schizophrenics, while there were no correlation among variables in females. CONCLUSIONS: Although the plasma concentrations of estrogen and homovaillic acid in female schizophrenics were significantly higher than males, we could not find an association between them. Furthermore, the various factors affecting on the cognitive deficits, estrogen and homovanillic acid levels seemed to be somewhat different according to sex.
Age of Onset ; Antipsychotic Agents ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Dopamine* ; Estrogens* ; Female ; Homovanillic Acid ; Humans ; Male ; Plasma ; Radioimmunoassay ; Schizophrenia* ; Sex Characteristics

OBJECTIVES: Sleep problems has been consistently reported as a suicidal risk factor in adults and, recently, also in adolescents. In this study, dividing study subjects by the previous suicidal behaviors (suicidal vs non-suicidal), we compared the group differences of suicidal risk factors, and examined the possibility of sleep as a suicidal risk factor. METHODS: Study subjects were 561 (271 boys and 290 girls) from a community sample of high school students. Suicidal Risk Behavior Checklist, Center for Epidemiological Study-Depression (CES-D), Symptom Checklist-90-Revision (SCL-90-R) Anxiety and Aggression subscale, Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) were done. RESULTS: Forty six students (8.1%) reported previous actual self-harm behavior as a suicidal attempt, 181 students (32.4%) reported having suicidal thought only. Three hundred thirty four students (59.5%) reported no previous suicidal behavior (thought and attempt, both). Suicidal behavior group showed higher score on risk behaviors such as school violence, substance use and internet addiction. CES-D, SCL-90-R, PSQI showed significant group difference. Logistic regression analysis showed suicidal risk were significantly associated with depression, stress in suicidal risk factors and sleep latency, daytime dysfunction in PSQI. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) shows the most prolonged sleep latency and increased index of all PSQI components except sleep efficiency in suicidal attempt group. CONCLUSIONS: Sleep Problems had a strong association with the suicidal risk behavior in adolescents. Sleep problems, especially, prolonged sleep latency, daytime dysfunction might be important markers for suicidal behavior. Screening for sleep problems in adolescents are encouraged for the parents, school teachers, and related medical physicians.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aggression ; Anxiety ; Checklist ; Depression ; Humans ; Internet ; Logistic Models ; Mass Screening ; Parents ; Risk Factors ; Risk-Taking ; Suicide ; Violence

PURPOSE: This study was done to investigate the satisfaction with life in adolescents, and to identify factors affecting satisfaction with life for them. METHOD: The participants were 1,057 adolescents. Data was collected through self-report questionnaires which were constructed to include satisfaction with life, self-esteem, hostility and hopelessness. The data was analyzed using the SPSS program. RESULT: Satisfaction with life for adolescents was significantly different according to school type, grade, scholastic achievement, religion, monthly income of family, conversation with parents and conversation with friends. Satisfaction with life in adolescents correlated with self-esteem, hostility and hopelessness. Significant predictors influencing satisfaction with life in adolescents were self-esteem, hopelessness, school type, conversation with parents, monthly income of family and religion, and these predictors accounted for 37.8% of the variance in satisfaction with life. CONCLUSION: The above findings indicate that satisfaction with life in adolescents is influenced by self-esteem, hostility and hopelessness. Therefore when nursing interventions are developed to improve satisfaction with life in adolescents, these factors need to be considered.
Socioeconomic Factors ; *Personal Satisfaction ; Male ; Korea ; Humans ; Female ; *Adolescent Psychology ; Adolescent

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to provide Simulation Problem-Based Learning (S-PBL) for community visit nursing students according to their Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) personality types for learner-focused education and to verify its effectiveness. METHODS: This study was conducted with subjects having the ST (Sensing-Thinking) and NF (iNtuition-Feeling) personality types, which are conflicting personality types, and forty-one subjects were allocated to the experimental group and nineteen subjects to the control group. The training, provided to subjects once a week, for a total of six times and 100 minutes each time, was with respect to the improvement of problem-solving ability, communication ability, and clinical practice competency. Data were analyzed through t-test and independent t-test. RESULTS: After training, the self-rated problem-solving competency (t=3.07, p=.003), communication ability (t=2.86, p=.006), and academic self-efficacy (t=2.44, p=.018) were significantly higher in the experimental group than in the control group. However, there was not a significant difference in the clinical practice ability rated by subjects themselves (t=1.50, p=.140) and by professors (t=1.08, p=.285), and in the communication ability rated by professors (t=0.72, p=.474). CONCLUSION: The community visit nursing S-PBL, according to MBTI personality types, is a helpful learning method for nursing students participating in self-directed learning of nursing theory and practice.
Communication ; Education ; Humans ; Learning ; Methods ; Nursing Theory ; Nursing* ; Personality Inventory ; Problem-Based Learning* ; Students, Nursing

No abstract available.
Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry* ; Humans* ; Steroids*

OBJECTIVES: The analysis of heart rate variability (HRV) is a useful non-invasive tool to investigate the autonomic nerve function. Previous studies on the relationship between HRV and depression have been reported controversial results. Similarly, the correlation between the serum lipids and depression is debatable. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between heart rate variability, lipid profile and depression. METHODS: A total of 42 patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) and 32 age and sex-matched normal subjects who had no previous history of major medical and mental illnesses were recruited for this study. A structured-interview was used to assess the general characteristics and psychiatric illness. HRV measures were assessed by time-domain and frequency-domain analyses. Psychological symptoms were measured using the Hamilton rating scale for anxiety (HAM-A), Hamilton rating scale for depression (HAM-D). In addition, the evaluation for lipid profile was performed by blood test. RESULTS: In serum lipid profile test, MDD group showed higher cholesterol (197.68+/-42.94 mg/dL vs. 176.85+/-34.68 mg/dL, p=0.044), TG (139.45+/-92.54 mg/dL vs. 91.4+/-65.68 mg/dL, p=0.018), LDL (130.03+/-33.18 vs. 106.62+/-27.08, p=0.004) level than normal control group. In HRV time domain analyses, the standard deviation of the NN interval (SDNN) was decreased in MDD group than normal control group, but was not significant (32.82+/-14.33 ms vs. 40.36+/-21.40ms, p=0.078). ApEn (Approximate Entrophy) was significantly increased in MDD group than normal control group (1.13+/-0.11 vs. 0.91+/-0.18, p<0.001). ApEn was correlated with LDL level (r=0.277, p=0.028), HAM-D scores (r=0.534, p<0.001) and HAM-A scores (r=0.470, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: MDD patients showed increased ApEn, one of the HRV measurement. And this ApEn was correlated with LDL, HAM-D and HAM-A scores. In this study, the analysis of ApEn would be a useful test of MDD.
Anxiety ; Autonomic Pathways ; Cholesterol ; Depression ; Depressive Disorder, Major ; Heart ; Heart Rate ; Humans

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the applicability of the Korean version of Fall Efficacy scale(FES) and Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale(ABC) to Korean older adult through an examination of instrument`s internal consistency and validity METHOD: A sample of 90 Korean older adults who lived in a community completed a survey instrument which included Korean version of FES and ABC. Because of comparable data derived from each scale, fear of falling and quality of life, activity daily living were included. Concurrent validity, criterion validity and correlational validity were tested. Reliability was tested by internal consistency, test-retest method. RESULTS: Cronbach`s alpha was 0.9043 in FES, and 0.99623 in ABC. Test-retest correlations in all scales were higher than 7.0. Statistically significant association was found between fear of falling and both scales. Correlation coefficient between Quality of life(SF-8) and ABC was -0.142(p=0.049). Both FES and ABC are correlated significantly each other. CONCLUSION: The Korean version of FES and ABC appears to be a reliable and valid method for meas- uring fear of falling. These instruments may be useful in assessing the independent contribution of fear of falling. ABC scale may be more useful to detect loss of balance confidence in more highly functioning seniors.
Adult ; Humans ; Quality of Life ; Reproducibility of Results* ; Weights and Measures

Ramsay-Hunt syndrome (RHS) is a well known disease caused by varicella-zoster virus infection in the geniculate ganglion of the facial nerve. Although the otic vesicle and facial palsy are easily recognized clinical signs of RHS, cases of associated multiple cranial nerve palsies present a difficult diagnostic challenge and furthermore, the mechanisms is unclear. We report a case of an 86-year-old man with otic crusted vesicles and peripheral typed facial palsy preceded by severe headache and fever. Several days later, he developed diplopia, dysphagia, hiccup and abdominal myoclonus. On fluid attenuated inversion recovery image of brain, diffuse subdural inflammatory exudates, which disappeared after treatment of acyclovir and corticosteroid, and ipsilateral facial nerve enhancement were observed in follow-up imaging.
Acyclovir ; Aged, 80 and over ; Brain ; Cranial Nerve Diseases ; Cranial Nerves ; Deglutition Disorders ; Diplopia ; Exudates and Transudates ; Facial Nerve ; Facial Paralysis ; Fever ; Follow-Up Studies ; Geniculate Ganglion ; Headache ; Herpesvirus 3, Human ; Hiccup ; Humans ; Myoclonus

This research has been done in order to improve quality of nursing and medical service. In order to improve those qualities the study has been done to know inpatient perception of kindness and meaning of kindness which patients receive from nurse and also what effect inpatient have when they experience kindness from nurse. The subjects were 454 people who admitted in K Hospital. Time period was from October to December 1995. This survey has been done by personal interview with a written questionnaire. Analysis of data has been done by X2-test and percentage. The results of the research may be summarized as follows. 1. The inpatients perception of kindness on nurse were explanation(26.8%), tolerance(16.3%), warm-heartedness(12.8%), interest(9.5%), ability(8.4%), confidence(6.4%), respect(4.0%), support(2.65%). 2. In order to find out general meaning of kindness, study classified by age, sex, education, job, experience of hospitalization, inpatient ward. As a result of X2-test, no special meaning of kindness was presented in inpatient perception of kindness. 3. Contents kindness which inpatient experienced were, warm-heartedness(23%), understanding(18.1%), interest(17.8%), ability(12.8%), tolerance(5.7%), confidence(2.6%). 4. Over half of subjects(59.1%) answered stability to effect on kindness of Nurse. Next are self-confidence(7.9%), respect(5.3%), confidence(4.6%), warm-heartedness(3.5%), understanding(2.6%). According to above results inpatient feels that meaning of kindness were explanation, tolerance, warm-heartedness. This meaning has no distinctive difference other than consistent meaning. Likewise, inpatient experience about contents of kindness is similar to meaning of kindness. As a result of this research, which show that kindness of nurse gives patient stability, respect and confidence, we would kindness is important for recovery of inpatient. Therefore, this research outcome could be able to help to improve quality of nursing and medical service.
Education ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Inpatients* ; Nursing ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Purpose: Nursing stress on life-sustaining treatment of nurses is a significant contributing factor to nursing care performance and patient care outcomes. We need to investigate the factors associated with nursing stress on life-sustaining treatment in hospital settings. The purpose of this descriptive study was to examine the relationship of role perception of life-sustaining treatment and good death perception with nursing stress on life-sustaining treatment among nurses in hospital settings. Methods: Using a cross-sectional study design, we recruited nurses at a hospital located in a metropolitan city in Korea. The nurses completed structured questionnaire questions which were composed of well-validated questionnaires. Descriptive statistics and hierarchical multiple regression model were utilized for data analysis. Results: A total of 205 nurses participated in the study (female 93.2%; aged 20~29 years 63.0%; single status 78.5%). In the hierarchical multiple regression model, there was a significant positive relationship between role perception of life-sustaining treatment and nursing stress on life-sustaining treatment (β=.27, p<.001). Higher education level and working at a ward setting were also significantly related to nursing stress on life-sustaining treatment (β=.13, p<.046 for education level; β=.22, p=.001 for work setting). However, there was no relationship between good death perception and nursing stress on life-sustaining treatment. Conclusion Education programs to reduce nursing stress on life-sustaining treatment are needed to develop for nurses who have higher role perception of life-sustaining treatment with higher education level working at ward settings in hospitals.