This study was a descriptive research in search of a nursing intervention scheme to improve stroke patients' quality of life by understanding the relationship of stroke patients' ADL. depression, self-efficacy and quality of life with various variables and identifying factors that affect their quality of life. Each subject was interviewed one to one based on a structured questionnaire. With regard to research tools, Modified Barthel Index (MBI: Fortinsky et al., 1981), which was translated by Choi, Hye-sook (996), was used in measuring ADL, Randloff's (1977) tool. which was translated by Choi, Soon-hee, was used in measuring depression, and the tool developed by Sherer et al. (1982), which is to measures self-efficacy under general conditions not limited to specific conditions, and modified by O, Bok-ja (1994) was used in measuring self-efficacy. The quality of life was measured using the scale of satisfaction of life developed by Diener et al.(1985). The results of this study were as follows: 1. The means of ADL of the subjects was 79.5+/-1.9, depression 26.8+/-0.4. self-efficacy 47.1+/-5.7, and the quality of life 12.3+/-.9. 2. The subjects' quality of life showed a statistically significant difference according to gender (t=7.9, p= .006), satisfaction with income (F= 5.8, p = .004), the burden of medical fee (F=3.7, p= .028) and the period of disease (F=2.8. p= .042). 3. With regard to relationship among ADL, depression, self-efficacy and the quality of life, ADL was in a relatively low positive correlation (r= .293, p= .003) with and the quality of life, depression in a high negative correlation (r=- .634. p= .000) with the quality of life. and self-efficacy in a positive correlation with the quality of life (r= .388. p= .000). 4. Factors that made a significant influence on the quality of life were depression (8=- .309. p= .001) and satisfaction with income (8=-2.611. p= .001). Based on these results, this study made following suggestions: 1. It is necessary to run rehabilitation programs to improve stroke patients' ADL, depression and self-efficacy. 2. It is necessary to perform research of monitoring stroke patients' quality of life in various areas using measuring tools.
Activities of Daily Living* ; Depression* ; Fees, Medical ; Nursing ; Quality of Life* ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Rehabilitation ; Stroke*

PURPOSE: The study was to examine the effects of the individual education about chemotherapy for cancer patients as well as their family who are receiving the first chemotherapy on self-care knowledge, self-care performance, family support, and anxiety level. METHODS: A non-equivalent control group was used in this interventional study. A total of 50 patients with cancer aged above 19 in the K university hospital, Seoul, Korea, participated in the study (Experimental group: n=25, Control group: n=25). The education about chemotherapy was offered one week after hospital discharge, which was followed by telephone counseling Data were analyzed by the SPSS/WIN 20.0 program using percentage, frequency, mean, standard deviation, x2 test, and independent t-test. RESULTS: The experimental group showed a significantly better self-care knowledge (t=4.094, p < .001), self-care performance (t=3.532, p=001), family support (t=2.170, p=.035), and anxiety control (t=4.780, p < .001) than the control group. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that the individual education should be considered for cancer patients and their family in the clinical fields.
Anxiety ; Counseling ; Drug Therapy ; Education ; Humans ; Korea ; Self Care ; Seoul ; Telephone

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to find out the quality of life and to identify the related characteristics for nursing care in pneumconiosis elderly patients. METHODS: The subjects for this study were 206 elderly patients who received pneumoconiosis treatment in the two pneumoconiosis specialized hospitals located in Gangwondo, Korea. The instrument used for this study was Quality of Life Index Pulmonary version III. The data was collected from February 17 to March 10, 2003, and analyzed by t-test, ANOVA, Duncan test using SPSS. RESULTS: The results of this study were as follows : 1. The highest frequency in chief complaints was dyspnea, 91 subjects(44.2%), and complications was tuberculosis, 88 subjects (42.7%). 2. The total mean score of the level of quality of life was 14.49+/-2.18. 3. The score of quality of life showed higher in good family relationship group than the other after diagnosed pneumoconisis(F=5.486, P=0.001). 4. The comparison of quality of life was significant according to oxygen use(t=2.674, P=0.008), bronchodilators use(t=2.678, P=0.008), and prospect of future health status concerning pneumoconiosis(F=2.960, P=0.021). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, adequate nursing intervention as effective management of respiratory symptoms and improvement of family support will be needed to improve the quality of life in pneumoconiosis elderly patients.
Aged* ; Bronchodilator Agents ; Dyspnea ; Family Relations ; Gangwon-do ; Humans ; Korea ; Nursing ; Nursing Care ; Oxygen ; Pneumoconiosis ; Quality of Life* ; Tuberculosis

: The purpose of this study was to understand the transition experience of nursing students from non-face-to-face classes to face-to-face classes in the COVID-19 situation. Methods : This study was to a qualitative research conducted using focus group interviews. The participants in this study were 11 nursing students at K University in Seoul, and were 4th grade students who experienced non-face-to-face classes, face-to-face classes, and clinical practice from 2020 to 2022, when COVID-19 began. The data collection period is from November 24 to December 7, 2022, and the collected data were analyzed by applying Colaizzi’s method. Results : As a result of the study, 4 categories, 8 theme clusters, and 20 themes were derived. The four categories were ‘starting face-to-face classes in anxiety’, ‘disappointed with half school life’, ‘an arduous effort to restore everyday life’, and ‘pride in being well prepared as a pre-nurse’. Conclusion : This study is meaningful in that it analyzed the difficulties and various experiences of nursing students in the process of transitioning to face-to-face classes, and can be used as basic data to plan learner-centered educational strategies and teaching methods in the post-COVID-19.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the present status of falls among inpatients in general hospitals and to identify the fall risk factors that reflect the characteristics of domestic hospitals. METHODS: Data were collected between December 15, 2016 and January 15, 2017 from 32 Korean hospitals having 500 or more beds. First, 42 risk factors were extracted based on literature review and expert opinions. Then the importance of each factor was evaluated by 223 nurses from medical and surgical adult ward and intensive care units in 40 hospitals. RESULTS: The incidence rate of falls in 18 hospitals was 3.87 per 1,000 total discharged patients and 0.55 per 1,000 patient-days, and the rate of injury-related falls was 40.5%. Major risk factors for falling were identified as the following: being over 65 years of age, history of falls during admission, physical mobility disorders requiring assistance, physical factors (dizziness or vertigo, unstable gait, general weakness, walking aids, visual problems), cognitive factors (delirium, lack of understanding on limitations), neurological disease, CNS medications CONCLUSION: The findings provide information that can be in the development of a fall risk assessment tool for inpatients in general hospitals in Korea.
Accidental Falls ; Adult ; Audiovisual Aids ; Expert Testimony ; Gait ; Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Incidence ; Inpatients ; Intensive Care Units ; Korea ; Risk Assessment ; Risk Factors ; Vertigo ; Walking

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to develop a valid Adult Fall Assessment Scale Korean version (FAS-K) for inpatients in general hospitals in Korea. METHODS: This a 14 item FAS-K was developed based on a review of national and international research and expert opinions in related field. Interrater reliability of FAS-K was analyzed using the ICC (Intraclass Correlation Coefficients). To examine the validity of FAS-K, a CVI (Content Validity Index), the Pearson correlation coefficients between FAS-K and two widely used scales, the Morse Fall Scale (MFS) and the Johns Hopkins Hospital Fall Risk Assessment Tool (JHFRAT), and the Mann-Whitney test were used. RESULTS: The ICC was .958. The CVI ranged from .70 to 1.00. The FAS-K was significantly associated with the MFS (r=.74, p<.001) and with the JHFRAT (r=.87, p<.001), verifying the concurrent validity of FAS-K. As for the construct validity of FAS-K, significant differences between the fall and non-fall groups were found not only in the MFS (Z=−3.23, p=.001) but also in the FAS-K (Z=−3.10, p=.002). CONCLUSION: The findings indicate that the FAS-K is a reliable fall risk assessment tool with high validity.
Accidental Falls ; Adult ; Expert Testimony ; Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Inpatients ; Korea ; Risk Assessment ; Weights and Measures

OBJECTIVE: To compare sexual function before and 12 months after between sacrocolpopexy and sacrocervicopexy. METHODS: This retrospective study examined a cohort of 55 sexually active women who underwent either supracervical hysterectomy with sacrocervicopexy (n=28) or total abdominal hysterectomy with sacrocolpopexy (n=27) for stage II to IV pelvic organ prolapse. Pelvic floor support was measured with Pelvic Organ Prolapse-Quantification examination. Pelvic floor function was measured with the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory-Short Form 20 and sexual function was measured with Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Function Questionnaire-Short Form 12 (PISQ-12). RESULTS: Baseline pelvic floor symptoms, demographics and PISQ-12 questionnaire scores were similar between the two groups. Overall improvements in sexual function were seen based on PISQ-12 scores in both groups, but were not statistically significant. No differences were seen in PISQ-12 scores regardless of sparing the cervix or surgical route. Responses to the PISQ-12 question of avoiding sexual intercourse because of vaginal bulging showed significant improvement in both group. No recurrences of prolapse occurred. CONCLUSION: In women with pelvic organ prolapse, sexual function after either sacrocolpopexy or sacrocervicopexy was not different. Sexual dysfunction in terms of avoidance of sexual activity because of vaginal bulging was greatly improved in both groups with statistical significance.
Cervix Uteri ; Cohort Studies ; Coitus ; Demography ; Female ; Humans ; Hysterectomy ; Pelvic Floor ; Pelvic Organ Prolapse ; Prolapse ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Sexual Behavior

Osteoprotegerin (OPG), a member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily, is known to inhibit osteoclastogenesis by acting as a soluble decoy receptor for the receptor activator of NF-kB ligand (RANKL). We report the presence of OPG on the membrane of osteoclasts and the possibility of the direct action of OPG on them. Highly pure osteoclast precursors were isolated from mouse long bones and induced to differentiate into mature osteoclasts by M-CSF and soluble RANKL (sRANKL). The presence of OPG on the membrane of these cells was confirmed by western blotting and immunostaining. Furthermore, sRANKL was found to be bound to the OPG on the osteoclast precursors. These results suggest that OPG might have a new role during the differentiation of osteoclasts beyond its role as a soluble decoy receptor. The mechanism of the existence of OPG on osteoclast precursors remains to be found.
Animals ; Bone and Bones/cytology/*metabolism ; Carrier Proteins/immunology/metabolism ; Cell Differentiation/drug effects/physiology ; Cell Membrane/*metabolism ; Cells, Cultured ; Glycoproteins/drug effects/*metabolism ; Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor/pharmacology ; Membrane Glycoproteins/immunology/metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Osteoclasts/drug effects/*metabolism ; Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear/drug effects/*metabolism ; Stem Cells/drug effects/metabolism

PURPOSE: Spontaneous isolated superior mesenteric artery dissection (SISMAD) is defined as superior mesenteric artery (SMA) dissection without an associated aortic dissection. SISMAD is an uncommon mesenteric ischemia, but can lead to death if not recognized early. Here, we present our experience on features characterizing SISMAD in an early period and review imaging findings. METHODS: Twelve symptomatic SISMAD patients who received conservative treatment between March 2005 and February 2012 were included in this study. Their clinical characteristics, imaging findings, treatment methods and outcomes were retrospectively analyzed. A diagnosis of SISMAD was confirmed by multidetection computed tomography (MDCT) and computed tomographic (CT) angiography. RESULTS: All patients complained of severe (6 patients) or moderate abdominal pain (6 patients), and 4 patients complained of radiating back pain at the same time. Eight patients had an acute onset (< or =3 days) of abdominal pain, and 4 patients had a chronic onset of the abdominal pain. The abdominal pain was located in the upper abdomen in 7 patients and in the periumbilical area in 5 patients. Angiographic types of SISMAD were classified into Sakamoto's type I (3 patients), type II (1), type III (4), and type IV (4). The dissection occurred within 3 cm from the orifice of the SMA in 9 patients (75%). The angiographic type of SISMAD was not associated with clinical symptoms and treatment methods. Ten out of 12 patients were treated with conservative management such as expectation and anticoagulation. Aneurysmal dilation of the SMA was noted in 4 patients, and 2 patients out of these 4 underwent surgical operations due to persistent abdominal pain and a growing aneurysm. No patients had a recurrence of symptoms and lesion progression on follow-up CT angiography. CONCLUSION: Patients with an acute onset of severe abdominal pain or chronic persistent abdominal pain should be suspicious of SISMAD and CT angiography should be performed.
Abdomen ; Abdominal Pain ; Aneurysm ; Angiography ; Back Pain ; Diagnosis ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Ischemia ; Mesenteric Artery, Superior* ; Methods ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies

PURPOSE: This study was undertaken to assess the change of the serum cholesterol level according to the duration of fever in children. METHODS: A retrospective study presents data on fasting serum cholesterol assessed 346 children aged from 3 to 14 years, admitted to National Medical Center from Jan. 1992 to Jun. 1994 due to febrile disease. These patients were divided into three groups according to the duration of fever at the time of cholesterol measurement. Group 1 comprised children in whom cholesterol was evaluated on the first 2day of fever, group 2 children in whom cholesterol was assessed on day 3 to 5 and group 3 subjects evaluated 6 to 20 days after the onset of fever. 200 healthy children without fever were also enrolled in this study. The fasting serum cholesterol levels were also measured in both febrile period and afebrile convalescent period in 34 children with febrile diseases during the 7months period of Apr. to Oct. 1994. RESULTS: As the retrospective study, the fasting serum cholesterol levels of group 1, 2 and 3 were lower than those of the controls. And the difference of the serum cholesterol levels between group 1 and group 3 was significant. The prospective study was significantly associated with a decrease of serum cholesterol in the febrile period compared with that in the convalescent period. CONCLUSIONS: Timing of blood collection for screening test and diagnostic measurement of serum cholesterol level should be carefully defined taking into account that febrile illnesses are biologic variables that may significantly affect serum cholesterol.
Child* ; Cholesterol* ; Fasting ; Fever* ; Humans ; Mass Screening ; Prospective Studies ; Retrospective Studies