PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to understand and describe the illness experience of married Korean women with epilepsy. METHODS: Data were collected during 2015~2016 through individual in-depth interviews with 12 married women with epilepsy. Verbatim transcripts were analyzed using Giorgi's phenomenological analysis to uncover the meaning of the illness experience of the participants. RESULTS: The study results showed that the illness experience of married Korean women with epilepsy was clustered into a specific description of situated structure and a general description of situated structure. Six themes from 20 meaning units were identified: 1) Undermined self-esteem with stigma of being epileptic; 2) Limited social interaction; 3) Suffering sorrow as a ‘disqualified being’; 4) Shuttling back and forth across the boundary between healthy and epileptic; 5) Desperate struggle to meet the expectation of given role; 6) Self-empowering through self-restriction and realization. CONCLUSION: The findings from this study show that both the enacted and felt stigma of epilepsy impact on the life of married Korean women with epilepsy. Although the participants face social and interpersonal restriction and prejudices, they try their best to fulfill their role rather than to be cared for as patients. As the stigma and hardships of the participants are related to lack of knowledge, health professionals should focus not just on clinical intervention but also on providing targeted educational programs and counseling for these women to dispel the stigma of the disease and to increase their quality of life.
Counseling ; Epilepsy* ; Female ; Health Occupations ; Humans ; Interpersonal Relations ; Marriage ; Prejudice ; Qualitative Research ; Quality of Life

BACKGROUND: Nursing students may be exposed to patients with infectious diseases such as hepatitis B and hepatitis A through needle stick injuries or close contact during their clinical practice. This study surveyed the presence of antihepatitis B virus (anti-HBV), anti-hepatitis A virus (anti-HAV), and anti-varicella zoster virus antibodies in nursing students before the initiation of their clinical practice to help prevent subsequent infections. METHODS: From 2009 to 2013, the junior students of a nursing college in Jeollabuk-do were tested for antibodies against the hepatitis B, hepatitis A, and varicella zoster viruses before the initiation of their clinical practice. RESULTS: The students tested positive for anti-HBV (46.2-57.1%), anti-HAV (0-10.5%), and anti-varicella zoster antibodies (80.2-90.2%). No significant differences in the positivity rates were observed with respect to the year of their enrollment. CONCLUSION: This study was a survey of the seroprevalence of anti-HBV, anti-HAV, and anti-varicella zoster antibodies in nursing students before they started their clinical practice. The positivity rate of anti-HAV was lower than 10%. In order to prevent infection, it is necessary to test nursing students for the presence of antibodies against hepatitis B, hepatitis A, varicella, measles, mumps, and rubella, and check their vaccination history as recommended in the adult immunization schedule. Vaccination must be recommended for students who test negative for the respective antibodies.
Adult ; Antibodies* ; Chickenpox ; Communicable Diseases ; Hepatitis A ; Hepatitis A Antibodies ; Hepatitis B ; Hepatitis B Antibodies ; Herpes Zoster* ; Herpesvirus 1, Cercopithecine* ; Herpesvirus 3, Human ; Humans ; Immunization Schedule ; Jeollabuk-do ; Measles ; Mumps ; Needlestick Injuries ; Nursing* ; Rubella ; Seroepidemiologic Studies* ; Students, Nursing* ; Vaccination

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to investigate factors influencing influenza infection control compliance in nurses, including knowledge about, and awareness of infection control. METHODS: The study participants were 168 nurses who worked at a hospital in J Province. Data were collected by self-reported questionnaires in April 2015. Collected data were analyzed using SPSS/WIN 20.0 program. RESULTS: Mean score for knowledge about droplet precaution was 12.16 out of 16.00. Mean score for awareness about droplet precautions was 3.49 out of 4.00, and mean score for droplet precaution compliance was 3.33 out of 4.00. There was a positive correlation among knowledge, awareness and compliance (p<.001). Awareness, knowledge and experience of seasonal influenza education were the significant factors affecting the level of compliance (37.8%). CONCLUSION: Study results indicate that an educational program focusing on strategies to change nurses' awareness would be effective in improving infection control of respiratory virus and droplet precaution compliance in hospitals.
Compliance* ; Education ; Infection Control* ; Influenza, Human* ; Seasons

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of intravitreal injections of 4 mg or 8 mg triamcinolone acetonide(TA) on intraocular pressure (IOP) in macular edema. METHODS: This was a retrospective study conducted by reviewing follow-up records for the eyes of 60 patients with macular edema 6 months receiving a intravitreal TA injection. Two groups, A and B, who had received TA injections of either 4 or 8 mg, respectively, were compared. RESULTS: The average pre-injection IOP for group A was 12.8+/-2.6 mmHg, and the average post-injection IOP at 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months was 15.0+/-2.7, 14.6+/-3.2, 15.3+/-3.5, 15.8+/-4.0, and 14.4+/-2.8 mmHg, respectively. The average pre-injection IOP for group B was 12.5+/-2.4 mmHg, and the average post-injection IOP at 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months was 14.9+/-2.9, 14.3+/-3.0, 14.7+/-3.2, 15.2+/-4.4, and 14.5+/-4.5 mmHg, respectively. The difference in IOP elevation between the two groups was not statistically significant (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: There was no statistically significant difference between a 4 mg or 8 mg intravitreal TA injection with respect to IOP elevation.
Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Intraocular Pressure* ; Intravitreal Injections* ; Macular Edema ; Retrospective Studies ; Triamcinolone Acetonide* ; Triamcinolone*

BACKGROUND: Progressing stroke (PS) variably develops from initially the same size and severity, and is most frequently observed in lacunar infarctions. We investigated fractional anisotrophy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD) and infarct volume by using diffusion tensor imaging during the acute phase of ischemic stroke to determine whether these parameters are useful in characterizing and predicting PS. METHODS: In this study, 55 consecutive patients admitted within 24 hours of the onset of their first ischemic stroke were included. NIH stroke scale (NIHSS) and Canadian Neurological scale (CNS) were performed upon admission, twice a day, and at discharge. Modified Rankin scale and Barthel index were also evaluated. PS was defined as a 2-point drop in NIHSS and a 1-point drop in CNS from admission to day 3. A correlation analysis was performed between clinical scale scores and imaging parameters, and the distribution of those values was compared between the two groups with and without PS. RESULTS: Significant correlations were observed between clinical scale scores and infarct volumes. The FA ratio in 14 patients with PS was lower than the patients without PS (p=0.004). Other characteristics including infarct volume and MD ratio were not different. The FA ratio remained as an independent predictor of PS (OR, 1.055; p=0.011). CONCLUSIONS: In acute ischemic stroke within the first 24 hours, only infarct volume was correlated with clinical status. However, patients with PS showed lower FA values, which accounts for rapid and severe vasogenic edema involving the disruption of the cell membrane and axonal fibers. Moreover, FA may be a predictor of PS.
Anisotropy* ; Axons ; Cell Membrane ; Diffusion Tensor Imaging* ; Diffusion* ; Edema ; Humans ; Stroke* ; Stroke, Lacunar

Antireflux surgery has been indicated in gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) that does not respond to medical treatments. Although the most commonly performed operation is Nissen fundoplication, Belsey Mark IV fundoplication is indicated for more complicated cases, such as, in cases of a failed Nissen operation or a long lasting hiatal hernia. Here, we report a case of Belsey Mark IV fundoplication for a failed Nissen fundoplication. The infant developed frequent times of aspiration pneumonia after initial Nissen for a hiatal hernia with GERD during the newborn period. At 15 months of age, a 2nd Nissen operation was attempted, but fundoplication was not available because of excessive mesenteric adherence to the liver and cardia. Therefore, Belsey Mark IV fundoplication was performed via trans-thoracic approach, which can provide full esophageal mobilization and better visualization of the herniated fundus and the surrounding tissues. Subsequently, she has shown an improved general condition without GERD.
Cardia ; Fundoplication* ; Gastroesophageal Reflux ; Hernia, Hiatal ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Liver ; Pneumonia, Aspiration

Rice allergen has low antigenicity, and thus, anaphylactoid reactions to rice are exceedingly rare. We experienced a case of isolated rice allergy in a 5 month-old girl who had been fed a milk formula without incident. However, after feeding a powdered weaning milk formula containing rice, she developed symptoms of projectile vomiting and diarrhea, at this time rice specific antigen tests were all negative. One month later a challenge test was performed using a rice gruel, and her symptoms recurred. Endoscopic and microscopic findings showed hyperemic mucosa in the duodenum and subtotal villous atrophy. Thereafter, she showed no adverse reaction to almost all foods appropriate for her age, but after feeding rice gruel at 10 months, she developed symptoms of cyanosis and vomiting. However, none of the allergic symptoms were demonstrated at 13 months upon repeated challenge test. Currently, she is 28 months old and tolerates all foods including rice.
Atrophy ; Child, Preschool ; Cyanosis ; Diarrhea ; Duodenum ; Female ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity* ; Infant ; Milk ; Mucous Membrane ; Respiratory Sounds ; Vomiting ; Weaning

PURPOSE: We proposed a new classification of pediatric intussusception based on clinical and radiologic findings. METHODS: Data from 88 consecutive patients with intussusception were reviewed. We retrospectively analyzed six factors; patient age, sites of intussusception, symptoms, therapeutic methods, existence of enlarged mesenteric lymph nodes, and ultrasonographic (US) findings from clinical records. RESULTS: 1) There was one neonatal case (1.1%), the others (98.9%) were infants and children. 2) These 87 infant and child cases consisted of 14 cases (16.1%) of small bowel intussusception (SBI) and 73 cases (83.9%) of ileo-colic intussusception (ICI). Of the 14 SBI cases, 12 cases were symptomatic and 2 cases were asymptomatic. The symptomatic group comprised 8 transient cases (66.7%), 3 operative cases (25.0%), and 1 enema-reduction case (8.3%). Two asymptomatic cases were incidentally captured by computed tomography. Of the 73 ICI cases, 19 cases (26.0%) required operation, and 54 (74.0%) enema-reduction. 3) When transient SBI cases were compared with operated SBI cases, enema-reduced and operated ICI cases, the age (38.0+/-22.9 months) of transient SBI cases were significantly higher than those of the others (p=0.003). Mean mass size (20.8+/-2.7 mm) in transient SBI was significantly smaller than in the others (p=0.0001). 4) No correlation was found between the existence of enlarged mesenteric lymph nodes and therapeutic method or concomitant illness. 5) Most of the target types observed by US were in transient SBI cases, the remainder were in the enema-reduced ICI cases. In terms of the doughnuts type, all 8 cases (34.8%) with an external hypoechoic rim thickness of >8.9 mm were treated surgically. CONCLUSION: Pediatric intussusception may be classified based on clinical and radiologic findings, which are likely to indicate appropriate therapies.
Child ; Classification* ; Humans ; Infant ; Intussusception* ; Lymph Nodes ; Retrospective Studies