The purpose of this study was to investigate the perception and utilization of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) for diabetic patients in Busan. The subjects were 227 patients at two general hospitals (over 400 bed). This study was performed through the interviewing process using questionnaires conducted from January to April, 2010. Of a total of subjects, 109 patients (48.0%) had taken CAM at least one time. The patients used CAM recognized that they were 'auxiliary medicines' (39.4%), 'supplementary health foods' (32.1%) and 'medicines' (19.3%), but inexperienced patients perceived them as 'supplementary health foods' (29.6%), 'unscientific treatment' (22.6%) and 'medicines' (20.2%), It was significantly different between two groups of patients (p < 0.001). The number of CAM types used for the patients was 51. The CAM types were plant foods (64.3%), dietary supplement (23.6%) and animal diets (12.1%). The patients used an average of 5.9 different kinds of CAM and an average of 3.8 years them and paid \93,345 per month. The patients with diabetic complications and for longer morbidity periods used CAM for significantly (p < 0.05) longer periods. The mean effectiveness scores of the patients used CAM were 3.31/5.00 for efficacy satisfaction, 3.58/5.00 for fewer side effects compared to those of oral drugs, 3.60/5.00 for psychological stability, 3.81/5.00 for easiness to use, and 3.06/5.00 for economic satisfaction. Of the patients that used CAM, 55.9% did not consult with doctors about CAM. More than two-thirds of the patients (77.1%) did not feel the need to consult with doctors.
Animals ; Complementary Therapies ; Diabetes Complications ; Diet ; Dietary Supplements ; Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Plants ; Surveys and Questionnaires

In this study, we analyzed the quantitative electroencephalograms (EEGs) of forty-eight subjects (18 with methamphetamine dependence and 30 non-methamphetamine users as controls). Immediately following data collection, all personally identifying information was replaced with random numbers to prevent bias and protect privacy. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 20.0 for MS Windows. To investigate the general characteristics of the demographic background of the study subjects, frequency and technical analyses were conducted. Mann-Whitney U tests were performed to determine the difference in quantitative EEGs between methamphetamine users and non-methamphetamine users. Methamphetamine users demonstrated quantitative EEG abnormalities that were consistent with generalized encephalopathy.
Bias (Epidemiology) ; Brain Diseases ; Case-Control Studies* ; Data Collection ; Electroencephalography* ; Forensic Medicine ; Humans ; Methamphetamine* ; Privacy

Forty six patients (23 in-family and 23 out-family child sexual offenders) diagnosed with pedophilia participated in this study. For each patient, computerized objective data, obtained from the doctors, nurses, psychologists, and prosecutors involved, and the hospital information system, were collected. Immediately after the authors collected data that included any personal identifying information, it was replaced by random numbers to prevent bias and to protect privacy. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 20.0 for MS Windows. Comparative items on demographic characteristics were evaluated by a paired t test and chi-square test. Out-family child sexual offenders were younger, assaulted younger victims, and possessed a higher sexual recidivism rate than in-family sexual offenders did (P<0.05). The four scales of Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory showed a significant difference between in-family and out-family child sexual offenders. There was no statistically significant difference in the victim's gender and the incidence of comorbid psychiatric disease between in-family and out-family child sexual offenders.
Bias (Epidemiology) ; Child* ; Criminals* ; Forensic Medicine ; Hospital Information Systems ; Humans ; Incidence ; MMPI* ; Pedophilia* ; Privacy ; Psychology ; Sex Offenses ; Weights and Measures