The nationwide epidemiological study of mental disorders including social phobia in Korea using DIS-III Korean Version was conducted in the Capital City of Korea(Seoul) and 20 rural areas and compaired to the other 3 countries. The results were as follows: 1) Total number of study of Korea was 5.100, USA 18571, Canada 3258 and Puerto Rico 1513. 2) The highest response rate was Puerto Rico and Korea, USA and Canada in order. 3) Female ratio was highest in the USA and Canada, next is Puerto Rico and Korea. 4) The lifetime prevalance of social phobia of the USA was 2.6%, Canada 1.7%, Puerto Rico 1.0% and Korea 0.5%. The Highest ratio was the USA and Canada, Puerto Rico and Korea in male and in female in order. 5) Mean age of onset, Canada was earliest(14.6yrs. old) and USA(15.8), Pueno Rico(19.8) and Korea(24.3). In male the earliest was USA and Canada, Puerto Rico and Korea. Onset of social phobia before onset of other psychiatric disorder, the highest was Puerto Rico and USA Korea and Canada. 6) Comorbidity was the highest in the USA and Canada, Puerto Rico and Korea. 7) The effect of social phobia of the risk of suicide attempts in persons with any other psychiatric disorder, in case of comorbid with social phobia was much more frequent than not comorbid with social phobia. 8) Eating fear in front of people was the highest in the USA and Canada, Korea and Puerto Rico in order. Fear of speaking in front of group was the highest in Puerto Rico and USA Canada and Korea. Fear of speaking to strangers was the highest in Korea and Canada, USA and Puerto Rico.
Age of Onset ; Canada ; Comorbidity ; Eating ; Epidemiologic Studies* ; Epidemiology* ; Female ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Mental Disorders* ; Phobic Disorders* ; Puerto Rico ; Suicide

OBJECTS: The purpose of this study was to present a model of inpatient group psychotherapy led by a doctor in charge, to evaluate this model in practice, and to give a effective inpatient treatment by application of this model. METHODS: The subject composed of 25 psychiatric inpatient. The authors performed this model of group psychotherapy for 6 months and evaluate this model by objective data. Also we analyzed this model globally to get comprehensive understandings. RESULTS: The results of the objective data were as follows: 1) This model was effective to subside patients' symptoms. And the patients estimated this model to be important and helpful to them. 2) Identification with therapist' among therapeutic factors was high rank. This meant that therapist him- or her-self is a important tool for therapy. 3) Therapeutic factors in upper level group was much different from those in lower level group. And various therapeutic factors was used complementarily between two groups. 4) To check '13 therapeutic factors' repeatedly made the patients acquire therapeutic factors spontaneously. And to check 'the most important event' repeatedly gave the opportunity of self-reflection. The results of global analysis to this model were as follows: 1) This group psychotherapy gave a field in which a therapist met patients as human being. 2) This model was easy to perform, and helpful to a comprehensive therapeutic approach. 3) This model was able to make the basis of continuous outpatient and day hospital treatment, and the basis of outpatient group psychotherapy or individual psychotherapy. 4) In this model, social workers, nurses, or students in practice played a role of the healthy ego. Therefore they were able to activate group psychotherapy. 5) This model was a practical and useful tool of the education for psychiatric residents, medical students, social works, and other students. CONCLUSION: This model of group psychotherapy was useful f3r inpatient treatment and easy to perform in general.
Education ; Ego ; Humans ; Inpatients* ; Outpatients ; Psychiatry* ; Psychotherapy ; Psychotherapy, Group* ; Social Workers ; Students, Medical

OBJECTIVE: The present study evaluated the characteristics and natural history of stroke patients. METHOD: Seven hundred and sixty seven consecutive patients admitted through acute care facility were reviewed. All medical records including age, case fatality, risk factors and radiological findings including CT or MRI were reviewed. To investigate the activities of daily living (ADL) of stroke patients, follow-up study was done in 303 patients through telephone interview or direct contact. Stroke was subdivided into cerebral infarct, intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) and subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). RESULTS: The proportion of stroke subtypes were infarct (45.9%), ICH (34.7%) and SAH (19.4%). The recurrence rate of stroke was higher in the infarct patient. Higher percentage of fatality was noted in the SAH patient. Higher incidence of hemorrhage was still observed compared to western country. Hypertension is the major risk factors for all stroke subtypes. But among hypertensive individuals, only 29% patients controlled the hypertension. Fifty-eight percent of stroke patients regained independent ADL. CONCLUSION: The result of this study shows the clinical pictures of stroke patients. Further research was needed to investigate the trends of stroke and control of risk factors and attention must be paid to the patients who is dependent in ADL.
Activities of Daily Living ; Cerebral Hemorrhage ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Incidence ; Interviews as Topic ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Medical Records ; Natural History ; Recurrence ; Risk Factors ; Stroke* ; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

The prevalence of obesity and overweight is increasing in mood disorder, and it is connected to an increased cardiovascular mortality. Because of them, treatment for obesity may be an essential part of mood disorder treatment. Similar to the general population, non-pharmacological treatment such as correction of life habits should be considered first of all. If this approaches are fail, pharmacological treatment for obesity would be required as next step. Any drug for obesity is not approved officially in mood disorder. So approved drugs in general population, and drugs supported by several studies are prescribed in clinical settings. Several treatment guidelines for mood disorder and studies support that orlistat, metformin, topiramate and bupropion is effective and safe.
Bupropion ; Drug Therapy* ; Metformin ; Mood Disorders* ; Mortality ; Obesity* ; Overweight ; Prevalence

No abstract available.
Humans ; Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome* ; Survivors*

In a consecutive series of 15 patients with unstable C1,2 cervical spine injuries treated with halo vest, 1992-1996, a total 7 patients (comprising 46%) among the patients with C1,2 cervical spine injuries, had odontoid fractures, no patient had neurologic injury. In all cases, initial treatment was Halter or skull traction for 1-2weeks. In the vitally stable state, they were stabilized with halo vest for 12-16 weeks. In 2 cases of C1,2 instability, initial treatment was internal fixation and halo vest for the same time. 2 cases of the patients, who were treated with halo vest, had additional posterior wiring and fusion due to instability checked after removal of halo vest. There was no other serious complications during the treatment. One case (25%) of 4 Anderson-d' Alonzo type II fractures was failed to unite. The halo vest was well tolerated in all patients and assured a high percentage of healing. Flexion-extension motion was measured with dynamic lateral cervical tomography. The age range was 17-67 (mean 41.3) years and male/female ratio was 3/2. Complications during the treatment were pin loosing (1 case) and halo vest frame breakage due to falling down. Pain on motion and stiffness of neck were the most frequently remained symptoms. But the symptoms were mild and did not usually have any major impact on return to work or leisure activities.
Humans ; Leisure Activities ; Neck ; Return to Work ; Skull ; Spine* ; Traction

OBJECTIVE: Patients with carpal tunnel syndrome are often refered for electrophysiologic evaluation of postoperative residual symptoms. We performed this prospective study to assess changes of the electrophysiological parameters after carpal tunnel release. METHOD: Fifty-four hands of 29 patients with electrodiagnostically confirmed carpal tunnel syndrome underwent surgical release of the transverse carpal ligament. Serial electrophysiological evaluation of the median nerve performed at 2 weeks, and 1, 3, 6 months after surgery in all patients. All the tests were performed by one electromyographer using Dantec Counterpoint machine. Median motor and sensory responses were obtained from abductor pollicis brevis and 3rd digit respectively. Repeated measure ANOVA test was done to observe the changes in each parameter on serial examination. RESULTS: The median motor latency (ML), motor amplitude (MA), sensory latency (SL) and sensory amplitude (SA) were as follows: preoperative ML (6.1 0.2 ms), MA (7.3 0.5 mV), SL (5.1 0.2 ms), SA (6.8 1.0 uV); postoperative week 2, ML (5.5 0.2 ms), MA (6.9 0.5 mV), SL (4.5 0.2 ms), SA (11.4 1.3 uV); postoperative month 1, ML (5.1 0.2 ms), MA (7.1 0.5 mV), SL (4.1 0.2 ms), SA (13.0 1.3 uV); month 3, ML (4.6 0.1 ms), MA (7.2 0.1 mV), SL (3.8 0.2 ms), SA (15.4 1.4 uV); month 6, ML (4.6 0.2 ms), MA (7.4 0.5 mV), SL (3.5 0.1 ms), SA (16.5 1.4 uV). CONCLUSION: Improvement was gradually seen up to the postoperative 3 months. However, the least amount of improvement was observed in the postoperative 3 to 6 month period.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome ; Hand ; Humans ; Ligaments ; Median Nerve ; Prospective Studies

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects of different recording electrodes on motor nerve conduction latencies. METHOD: Median motor conduction study was performed in 10 healthy subjects. Motor conduction latency was determined by placing different recording electrodes (surface disc, monopolar needle and concentric needle) at the motor point of the left abductor pollicis brevis muscle, and reference electrodes on the proximal interphalangeal joint of the thumb. Motor nerve conduction recording was performed by using a surface disc, monopolar needle, and concentric needle. For the intramuscular recordings, needles were inserted both superficially and deep. The stimulus electrodes were secured 8 cm proximal to the recording electrodes, and the same intensity was applied throughout the tests. RESULTS: Deep intramuscular monopolar and concentric needle electrodes recorded the shorter latencies, 3.0+/-0.4 ms and 3.0+/-0.3 ms, respectively. Superficial concentric needle electrode recorded the longest latency of 3.4+/-0.3 ms. Motor nerve conduction latencies using a surface disc and superficial monopolar electrode were 3.2+/-0.3 ms and 3.2+/-0.3 ms, respectively. CONCLUSION: We conclude that the distal motor nerve conduction latency is variable depending on the type of recording electrodes.
Electrodes* ; Joints ; Needles ; Neural Conduction* ; Thumb

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the usability of near-nerve needle recording techniques in cases of unrecordable sensory nerve action potentials (SNAPs) with a surface electrode and to determine a proper alternative value of the missing latencies. METHOD: Twenty six hands of 23 patients with a carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and an unobtainable median SNAP by surface electrode were evaluated by the near-nerve needle recording of median SNAPs. Using the nerve conduction data of 113 patients with CTS, we have established 3 alternative values: maximal, 95 percentile and predictive latencies. The alternative values were compared with the mean onset latencies by the near-nerve needle recordings of median SNAPs. RESULTS: Median SNAPs were obtainable in the 22 out of 26 hands by the near-nerve recording technique. The mean onset latency was 5.51+/-0.36 ms. The alternative values from 113 patients with CTS were as follows: maximum latency, 6.9 ms; 95 percentile latency, 5.6 ms; and predictive latency, 5.52 ms (Y = 0.123x X 5.52491; Y, onset latency; X, amplitude; r2=0.564; p=0.00). The Predictive latency was nearest to the mean onset latency. CONCLUSION: To minimize the selection bias and statistical errors, the near nerve recording techniques proved to be a valuable method in cases of unrecordable SNAPs with surface electrode. For compensation of missing data, a proper alternative value can be obtained by the predictive latency calculated from a linear regression.
Action Potentials ; Carpal Tunnel Syndrome ; Compensation and Redress ; Electrodes ; Hand ; Humans ; Linear Models ; Needles ; Neural Conduction ; Selection Bias

OBJECTIVE: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), a common entrapment neuropathy of the median nerve at the wrist, can be diagnosed clinically and electrophysiologically and treated successfully. The purpose of this study was to determine an association between clinical findings and the electrodiagnostic severity of this syndrome. METHOD: Medical records of 313 patients with CTS which was confirmed based on clinical and electrophysiological findings were reviewed. Clinical symptoms and signs (thenar atrophy, sensory change, positive Tinel sign and Phalen test) and electrodiagnostic values were recorded. CTS severity was determined according to the modified Stevens' criteria. The relationship between electrodiagnostic severity and clinical findings was investigated and statistically analyzed using the ANOVA and chi square tests. RESULTS: The median motor and sensory latencies became prolonged and amplitudes decreased with worsening electrophysiological severity of CTS, and the differences between severity groups were statistically significant. The frequency of symptoms and signs obtained was significantly greater in the more severe CTS groups. CONCLUSION: A positive correlation exists between the frequency of clinical findings and electrophysiological severity of CTS.
Atrophy ; Carpal Tunnel Syndrome* ; Electrodiagnosis ; Humans ; Median Nerve ; Medical Records ; Wrist