PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of nurses' pain experience on the inference of their patients' suffering. METHOD: Study subjects were sampled from 184 nurses who worked in general wards in one S university hospital located at Seoul. Nurses' pain experience consists of personal pain experience and professional pain experience. The Standard Measure of Inference of Suffering (Davitz and Davitz, 1981) was used for suffering inference measure, and patients' suffering which consists of physical pain and psychological distress. RESULT: Suffering inference scores of nurses without personal pain experience revealed a higher value than that of nurses with personal pain experience. But these differences were not statistically significant. The higher intense pain was experienced, the higher were suffering inference scores. This physical pain inference score was statistically significant(p=.044). Of the nurses who had personal pain experience, suffering inference scores of nurses with unrelieved pain experience revealed a higher value than that of nurses with relieved pain experience. Physical pain and psychological distress inference scores were statistically significant(p=.010, p=.006). Suffering inference scores of nurses without professional pain experience(internal medicine, general surgery, orthopedic surgery) revealed a higher value than that of nurses with professional pain experience. Professional pain experience of internal medical illness was statistically significant in psychological distress of internal medical illness (p=.044), and professional pain experience of orthopedic surgical illness was statistically significant in physical pain of orthopedic surgical illness(p=.027). CONCLUSION: Nurses who have experienced low pain intensity or good pain relief are inclined n to underestimate patient' pain. Although nurses who care for the same patient over a long time deal skillfully with that patient, nurses are inclined to underestimate that patients' pain. Nurses need to be aware of possible biases related to pain assessment as a result of pain experience.
Bias (Epidemiology) ; Humans ; Orthopedics ; Pain Measurement ; Patients' Rooms ; Seoul

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between assessed pain, functional status, and emotional status in elderly women with dementia. METHODS: The method was a descriptive correlational design. Subjects were sampled from 75 elderly women with dementia who were resident in nursing home. and their pain, functional status(physical function, cognitive function), emotional status(depression, agitation) were measured. The collected data were analyzed for correlations between pain and functional status and for emotional status using the SPSS 11.0 statistical program. RESULTS: The pain degree of the aged women in dementia were as follows; between 0 and 27 points, average 4.04 points, which was a possible point extent. Looking at the grades in detail items, the wry face expression was shown highest, an average of 0.84 points. The relation with cognitive function was(r=-.259, p<.025) a minus relation. And the relation with physical function was (r=.406, p<.001) a plus one. The relation with depression was (r=.462, p<.001), plus one. And (r=.592, p<.001) a plus relation was found with agitation. CONCLUSION: Pain is associated with impaired functional and emotional status. Major efforts are needed to improve nursing assessment and management of pain in this cognitive impaired population.
Aged* ; Dementia* ; Depression* ; Dihydroergotamine* ; Female ; Humans ; Nursing Assessment ; Nursing Homes

Purpose: To investigate the relationship between ophthalmic parameters—including optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT angiography findings—and foveal pit restoration in eyes that had undergone vitrectomy for idiopathic epiretinal membrane (iERM) removal. Methods: This study retrospectively analyzed data of patients who underwent pars planar vitrectomy for the removal of epirentinal membrane. Only eyes with iERM above stage 2 with a follow-up over 6 months were included. Baseline data and changes in ophthalmic parameters were analyzed from 3 months before to 12 months after surgery. Additionally, we stratified iERM patients into two groups (foveal pit restoration and no restoration group). Longitudinal comparison analyses between the two groups were done in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central foveal thickness (CFT) and foveal avascular zone (FAZ) areas measurements using swept-source OCT and OCT angiography. Results: Forty-three patients with a mean age of 75 ± 5 years were enrolled. After surgery, BCVA, FAZ, and CFT showed improvements over time (all p < 0.002). Thirty-one patients were designated into the foveal pit restoration (R) group and 12 patients into the no restoration (NR) group. Differences in BCVA and FAZ area in both groups existed up to 6 months. However, BCVA improved and FAZ expanded (R, 0.20 ± 0.05 vs. NR, 0.18 ± 0.04) in both groups showing no statistical difference 12 months postsurgery. The CFT decreased in both groups, but the R group was thinner at every point compared to the NR group (all p < 0.05). Conclusions The removal of epirentinal membrane in pars planar vitrectomy significantly improves BCVA, decreases the CFT and expands the FAZ. Foveal pit restoration improves BCVA, CFT, and FAZ area possibly at a faster rate in the early months but long-term improvements could be achieved regardless of the status of foveal pit restoration.

PURPOSE: This study is to develop a hypothetical structural model of the quality of life of single aged women and to explain the compatibilities between the models and actual data. METHODS: Ten theoretical variables were used to evaluate of the quality of life of single aged women. 300 of single aged women were selected as the subjects. A hypothetical prediction model of quality of life was tested by the covariance structure analysis with PC-LISREL 8.12. RESULTS: Economy, religion activity, leisure activity, social support, self-esteem, depression and health prompting behavior were the significant variables which affected to the quality of life directly in the single aged women. But social support, self-esteem affected to them indirectly. Knowing perceived health status directly but it affected indirectly to the quality of life in single aged women. CONCLUSION: In this study, it was discovered that self-esteem was the most important factor to affect to the quality of life in single aged women and the next was the depression and health promoting behavior. As a result, it was discovered that age, economic status, self-esteem and depression were the significant factors to affect to the quality of life in single aged women.
Aged ; Depression ; Female ; Humans ; Leisure Activities ; Models, Structural ; Quality of Life

To describe three cases of neovascular glaucoma (NVG) where iris or angle neovascularization regressed remarkably after subconjunctival bevacizumab injections used as the initial treatment before pan retinal photocoagulation (PRP) and/or filtering surgery. Three consecutive NVG patients whose intraocular pressure (IOP) was not controlled with maximal medication were offered an off-label subconjunctival injection of bevacizumab (2.5-3.75 mg/0.1-0.15 mL, Avastin). Bevacizumab was injected into the subconjunctival space close to the corneal limbus in two or three quadrants using a 26-gauge needle. Serial anterior segment photographs were taken before and after the injection. Following subconjunctival injection of bevacizumab, iris or angle neovascularization regressed rapidly within several days. Such regression was accompanied by lowering of IOP in all three cases. The patients underwent subsequent PRP and/or filtering surgery, and the IOP was further stabilized. Our cases demonstrate that subconjunctival bevacizumab injection can be potentially useful as an initial treatment in NVG patients before laser or surgical treatment.
Adult ; Angiogenesis Inhibitors/*administration & dosage ; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized/*administration & dosage ; *Conjunctiva ; Glaucoma, Neovascular/*drug therapy ; Humans ; Injections, Intraocular ; Iris Diseases/*drug therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome

PURPOSE: The study was done to analyze the effects of aroma inhalation method on preoperative anxiety of abdominal surgical patients. METHODS: The research design was a nonequivalent control group non-synchronized design. The data were collected from July 25 to October 21, 2005 at C Medical Center in Seoul. The patients were divided into two group of 24 subjects each. In order for measuring the all patient's anxiety before operation and aroma inhalation, Spidlberger(1975) trait anxiety, VAS(visual analogue scale) state anxiety, blood pressure, pulse rate were taken. After experimental group was taken aroma inhalation, VAS state anxiety, blood pressure, pulse rate were measured for two group. RESULTS: After aroma inhalation, VAS state anxiety level, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, pulse rate of the experimental group were decreased significantly than those of control group(p = .000, p = .000, p = .030. p = .000). CONCLUSION: The aroma inhalation method can be considered an effective nursing intervention that relieves the preoperative anxiety of abdominal surgical patients and stabilizes vital signs.
Anxiety ; Aromatherapy ; Blood Pressure ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Inhalation ; Research Design

PURPOSE: The study was done to analyze the effects of aroma inhalation method on preoperative anxiety of abdominal surgical patients. METHODS: The research design was a nonequivalent control group non-synchronized design. The data were collected from July 25 to October 21, 2005 at C Medical Center in Seoul. The patients were divided into two group of 24 subjects each. In order for measuring the all patient's anxiety before operation and aroma inhalation, Spidlberger(1975) trait anxiety, VAS(visual analogue scale) state anxiety, blood pressure, pulse rate were taken. After experimental group was taken aroma inhalation, VAS state anxiety, blood pressure, pulse rate were measured for two group. RESULTS: After aroma inhalation, VAS state anxiety level, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, pulse rate of the experimental group were decreased significantly than those of control group(p = .000, p = .000, p = .030. p = .000). CONCLUSION: The aroma inhalation method can be considered an effective nursing intervention that relieves the preoperative anxiety of abdominal surgical patients and stabilizes vital signs.
Anxiety ; Aromatherapy ; Blood Pressure ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Inhalation ; Research Design

OBJECTIVES: This study was performed to identify nurses' knowledge and attitudes on hormone replacement therapy (HRT) of menopausal women. METHODS: Data were collected from 221 nurses who were working at maternity hospitals in the whole country using questionnaires consisting of 9 questions related to menopause-related knowledge and HRT-related attitudes and knowledge. RESULTS: According to the nurses's responses, the diseases of concern in menopausal women were osteoporosis (78%), and depression (69%). Most nurses replied that the most effective treatment of menopausal symptoms is HRT, and nurses were very knowledgeable about its strengths (59%) and weaknesses (44%). Cancer was regarded as the major complication of HRT (71%), and its side effects were breast pain (77%) and vaginal bleeding (77%). Forty-six percent of nurses thought that the appropriate treatment duration of HRT is not necessary to limit the period. The most important considerations when conducting HRT were drug stability (59%) and improving the quality of life (36%). Ninety-fi ve percent of nurses responded that they personally would use HRT for menopausal treatment or would recommend their family. HRT for menopausal symptoms was being utilized before seeking medical treatment (40%) and after drug prescription (42%). CONCLUSION: Nurses have very positive attitudes about HRT but appeared to lack critical knowledge about HRT. Therefore, more educational programs for nurses about HRT should be required.
Depression ; Drug Prescriptions ; Drug Stability ; Female ; Hormone Replacement Therapy ; Hospitals, Maternity ; Humans ; Mastodynia ; Menopause ; Osteoporosis ; Quality of Life ; Uterine Hemorrhage ; Surveys and Questionnaires

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of balance taping procedures on lower back pain. METHOD: This study is nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design of quasi-experimental study. From May in 2004 to July in 2004, the research was done for females who have lower back pain in Gyeonggi province. Experimental group was 37, and control group was 36. The degree of lower back pain and that of the pain on activity of daily living(ADL) were each measured two times. RESULT: In the experimental group, the lower back pain score before taping was 6.38, that of 1 hour after the taping applied was 3.27. The lower back pain score of experimental group was significant statistically decreased and that of control group was almost not changed. Moreover, the pain score on ADL was statistically decreased in experimental group. Therefore balance taping is effective to reduce lower back pain and to improve ability of ADL. CONCLUSION: This study supports that balance taping may benefit individuals with lower back pain and balance taping therapy can be used as an independent nursing intervention. However, a larger study is in need to provide definite evidence and to determine long-term effects.
Activities of Daily Living ; Back Pain ; Female ; Gyeonggi-do ; Humans ; Low Back Pain* ; Nursing

PURPOSE: Recent reports suggest the association of human papilloma virus (HPV) with retinoblastoma. This study was performed to elucidate whether HPV infection is related to retinoblastoma among Koreans. METHODS: A total of 54 cases diagnosed with retinoblastoma were enrolled from Seoul National University Children's Hospital and Seoul Metropolitan Government-Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center. Presence of human papilloma viral DNA was detected by in situ hybridization in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded retinoblastoma tissues using both probes against high- and low risk HPV types. RESULTS: The mean age at diagnosis was 22.0 months (range, 1.1 to 98.0 months), and the mean age at enucleation was 27.8 months (range, 1.5 to 112.7 months) among the 54 patients with retinoblastoma. HPV was not detected in any of the retinoblastoma samples using either high risk or low risk HPV probes. CONCLUSIONS: Our study, being the first study in the Korean population, proposes that HPV infection may have no causal relationship with retinoblastoma in Koreans.
Child, Preschool ; DNA, Viral/*analysis ; Eye Infections, Viral/complications/diagnosis/*epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; In Situ Hybridization ; Incidence ; Infant ; Male ; Papillomaviridae/*genetics ; Papillomavirus Infections/complications/diagnosis/*epidemiology ; Prevalence ; Prognosis ; Republic of Korea/epidemiology ; Retinal Neoplasms/complications/pathology/*virology ; Retinoblastoma/pathology/*virology