BACKGROUND: The effect of Video Display Terminals(VDT) Syndrome is well documented. The purpose of this study is to examine the difference in systemic subjective symptoms between long term users of computers with that of the general population and to help plan to avoid the risk of developing Video Display Terminal Syndrome. METHOD: Data was collected for this study between August 1996 and February 1997. Two groups consisting of seventy(70) long term computer users(Exposed Subjects) and fifty nine(59) non users (Non Exposed Subjects), were selected for the survey. Data was gathered from the exposed subjects through their response to the survey questionnaire posted on the internet requiring detailed responses concerning ten systemic subjective symptoms that were experienced as a result of the long term exposure to VDT. Data was gathered from the non exposed subjects through written responses to the questionnaire. RESULTS: Among the more significant difference was the experience of ocular symptoms among the exposed group. The exposed group experienced in descending order eleven items of ocular symptoms. Congestion, strain, decreased visual acuity, ocular pain, and dryness. Among seven items of lifestyle, the exposed group characteristically exercised less(P<0.05) and did more home activity (P<0.05), characteristically lead healthier life than the non exposed group. Participation in exercise differed most among the groups. The exposed group participating in moderate exercise scored 517+/-551.6 compared to the non exposed group which exercised very vigorously(p<0.05). In comparison of subjective symptom and life styles per daily exposure time(over 8,10,16 hours daily) there was significant difference between 8 and 10hour exposers only in the stress item(P<0.05). In the exposure group there were less cardiovascular symptoms(P<0.05) due to more art activity(P<0.05), more cardiovascular symptoms and less sleep activity(P<0.001) and more ocular symptoms(P<0.05) due to higher levels of stress. CONCLUSIONS: By exercising, exposers can decrease the respiratory symptoms, and by seeking methods that enable efficient management of work time, the subjects can benefit from the reduced work time, and by seeking methods so that one receive less stress and can resolve them they can reduce their ocular symptoms, sleep problems, cardiovascular symptoms. And in their spare time, the subjects can be recommended to involve in art activity for each person, through PC indirectly. Designing the development of cyber gallery, museum, literature room, concert can reduce the oecur-rence rate of cardiovascular symptoms.
Computer Terminals ; Estrogens, Conjugated (USP) ; Humans ; Internet ; Life Style* ; Museums ; Visual Acuity ; Surveys and Questionnaires

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of a community-based muscle and joint self-management program with muscle stretching and muscle strengthening exercises for community-dwelling older adults. METHODS: The study was a pre-and-post design in a single group, which examined the effects after the intervention of muscle and joint self-management program for 6 weeks, on the 42 subjects of the elderly who registered in a Community Senior Center in J city. Data analyses were conducted with paired t-test by using a SAS (version 9.2 for Windows) program. RESULTS: The effectiveness of muscle and joint self-management program on shoulder flexibility and right knee extension (flexibility) were significantly improved (t=2.72, p=.010; t=−2.26, p=.029). Joint symptoms (pain, stiffness), physical functioning, depression, fatigue, and left knee extension were not significantly improved after the muscle and joint self-management program. CONCLUSION: The results showed the possibility of this 6-week exercise program in improving shoulder and knee flexibility for community-dwelling older adults.
Adult* ; Aged ; Depression ; Exercise ; Fatigue ; Humans ; Joints* ; Knee ; Muscle Strength ; Pliability ; Self Care* ; Senior Centers ; Shoulder ; Statistics as Topic

BACKGROUND: Chronic obstructive lung disease is characterized by smoke-related, gradually progressive, fixed airflow obstructions. However, some studies suggested that a reversible bronchial obstruction is common in chronic obstructive lung disease. Such reversibility persists despite the continued treatment with aerosolized bronchodilators and it appears to be related to the diminution in symptoms. The isolated volume response to a bronchodilator is defined as a remarkable increase in the FVC in response to the administration of a bronchodilator whereas the FEV1 remains unchanged. This has been suggested in patients with severe emphysema. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the relationship between the response to a bronchodilator and the severity of an airflow obstruction in COPD patients using the GOLD classification. METHODS: This study examined 124 patients with an airway obstruction. The patients underwent spirometry, and the severity of the airflow obstruction was classified by GOLD. The response groups were categorized by an improvement in the FVC or FEV1 > 12%, and each group was analyzed. RESULTS: Most subjects were men with a mean age of 65.9+/-8.5 years. The mean smoking history was 41.26+/-20.1 pack years. The isolated volume response group had relatively low FEV1 and FVC values compared with the other groups. (p<0.001) CONCLUSION: In this study, an isolated volume response to a bronchodilator is a characteristic of a severe airway obstruction, which is observed in patient with a relatively poorer baseline lung function.
Airway Obstruction ; Bronchodilator Agents ; Classification* ; Emphysema ; Humans ; Lung ; Male ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive* ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Spirometry

Pyogenic liver abscess is a serious clinical disease with severe complication in about 10-20% of cases. Metastatic septic endophthalmitis and CNS infection are rare but their incidence is increasing in liver abscess patients, especially Klebsiella pneumoniae as etiologic bacteria. Despite appropriate treatment, the outcome is devastating. We experienced a case of septic endophthalmitis, CNS infection (meninigitis, ventriculitis) and infective spondylitis associated with K. pneumoniae liver abscess. The patient had no specific risk factor. After intensive treatement such as systemic intravenous antibiotics with percutaneous abscess drainage and intravitreal injection, liver abscess was resolved completely. But, sequelae were severe. Socket reconstruction after evisceration with debridement on both eye and ventriculo-peritoneal shunt due to hydrocephalus were done. Our experience suggests that attention should be paid to the possibility of septic metastatic lesions as soon as the treatment of K. pneumoniae liver abscess is initiated.
Abscess ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Bacteria ; Debridement ; Drainage ; Endophthalmitis ; Humans ; Hydrocephalus ; Incidence ; Intravitreal Injections ; Klebsiella pneumoniae* ; Klebsiella* ; Liver Abscess* ; Liver Abscess, Pyogenic ; Liver* ; Meningitis ; Pneumonia ; Risk Factors ; Spondylitis ; Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt

Pyogenic liver abscess is a serious clinical disease with severe complication in about 10-20% of cases. Metastatic septic endophthalmitis and CNS infection are rare but their incidence is increasing in liver abscess patients, especially Klebsiella pneumoniae as etiologic bacteria. Despite appropriate treatment, the outcome is devastating. We experienced a case of septic endophthalmitis, CNS infection (meninigitis, ventriculitis) and infective spondylitis associated with K. pneumoniae liver abscess. The patient had no specific risk factor. After intensive treatement such as systemic intravenous antibiotics with percutaneous abscess drainage and intravitreal injection, liver abscess was resolved completely. But, sequelae were severe. Socket reconstruction after evisceration with debridement on both eye and ventriculo-peritoneal shunt due to hydrocephalus were done. Our experience suggests that attention should be paid to the possibility of septic metastatic lesions as soon as the treatment of K. pneumoniae liver abscess is initiated.
Abscess ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Bacteria ; Debridement ; Drainage ; Endophthalmitis ; Humans ; Hydrocephalus ; Incidence ; Intravitreal Injections ; Klebsiella pneumoniae* ; Klebsiella* ; Liver Abscess* ; Liver Abscess, Pyogenic ; Liver* ; Meningitis ; Pneumonia ; Risk Factors ; Spondylitis ; Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt

BACKGROUND: High sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) is more sensitive than standard CRP assay for evaluation of risk of coronary heart diseases and other atherosclerotic events. But, there were no data of association of serum hsCRP with risk factors of cardiovascular diseases and nonalcoholic fatty liver in Korean type 2 diabetic and nondiabetic subjects. METHODS : A hundred type 2 diabetic subjects (51 men and 49 women) from Severance Hospital and 200 nondiabetic subjects participating medical checkup in Health Promotion Center (105 men and 95 women) were recruited and subjects with acute illnesses and chronic inflammatory diseases such as upper respiratory infection, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, or viral hepatitis were excluded. A standardized interview was conducted by trained personnel; detailed information was collected on medical history, dietary habits and lifestyle characteristics, including smoking, alcohol and physical activity. Body mass index (BMI) was computed and biochemical study were undergone using fasting blood. All subjects were done abdominal ultrasonography for evaluation of fatty liver. Serum hsCRP concentration was measured by Nephelometer AnalyzerII (Behring Co.) and a lower detection limit of test was 0.18 mg/L. RESULTS : There was no difference in sex, BMI, presence of fatty liver, concentration of total cholesterol, triglyceride, high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and uric acid between diabetic and nondiabetic subjects. Age, total colesterol/HDL-C ratio, fasting blood glucose and incidence of hypertension were higher in diabetic than nondiabetic subjects, but a rate of smoking was higher in nondiabetic than diabetic subjects. The mean concentration of serum hsCRP was remarkably increased in type 2 diabetic subjects than nondiabetic subjects (1.34 +/- 1.87 vs 0.71 +/- 0.80 mg/L, p<0.05). After adjustment of different variables between both groups, there was significantly difference of the concentration of serum hsCRP (p<0.05). In nondiabetic subjects, by univariate analysis, there was a positive correlation between hsCRP and age (r=0.26, p<0.05), BMI (r=0.34, p<0.05), systolic blood pressure (r=0.21, p<0.05), diastolic blood pressure (r=0.16, p<0.05), triglyceride (r=0.27, p<0.05), total cholesterol/HDL-C ratio (r=0.22, p<0.05), uric acid (r=0.15, p<0.05) and a negative correlation between serum hsCRP and HDL-C (r=-0.16, p<0.05). Interestingly, subjects with fatty liver had shown increased serum hsCRP concentration than subjects without fatty liver (0.99 +/- 0.96 vs 0.58 +/- 0.69 mg/L, p<0.05). But there were no correlation of serum hsCRP with the history of smoking, sex, physical activity, fasting plasma glucose and presence of hypertension. After multiple regression analysis, only BMI and age were associated with serum hsCRP. In diabetic subjects, there were significant correlation of serum hsCRP with HDL-C and fasting plasma glucose, but other risk factors of cardiovascular diseases and fatty liver were not. When we compared serum hsCRP according to numbers of risk factors of cardiovascular diseases in nondiabetic subjects, group without risk factors had 0.41 +/- 0.55 mg/L, group with one risk factor had 0.48 +/- 0.40 mg/L, group with two risk factors had 0.75 +/- 0.88 mg/L, group with three risk factors had 1.08 +/- 0.87 mg/L and group with four risk factors had 1.55 +/- 1.21 mg/L. There was significant difference of serum hsCRP according to numbers of risk factors of cardiovascular diseases (p<0.05). CONCLUSION : Serum hsCRP is correlated with risk factors of cardiovascular diseases and may be useful tool for prediction of accelerated, atherosclerotic process in nondiabetic subjects. Although there is association of serum hsCRP with few risk factors of cardiovascular diseases, serum hsCRP is elevated in diabetic subjects. Therefore it is necessary to evaluate usefulness of serum hsCRP using carefully selected diabetic subjects. In addition, our study had shown that subjects with nonalcoholic fatty liver have increased risk of cardiovascular events.
Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; Blood Glucose ; Blood Pressure ; Body Mass Index ; C-Reactive Protein* ; Cardiovascular Diseases* ; Cholesterol ; Cholesterol, LDL ; Coronary Disease ; Fasting ; Fatty Liver ; Food Habits ; Health Promotion ; Hepatitis ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Incidence ; Life Style ; Limit of Detection ; Male ; Motor Activity ; Osteoarthritis ; Risk Factors* ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Triglycerides ; Ultrasonography ; Uric Acid

BACKGROUND: Tibolone is a novel synthetic compound with tissue-specific effects in bone, breast tissue and the endometrium. Tibolone, and active vitamin D, effectively prevent bone loss, and the maintain skeletal integrity of postmenopausal women. The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of tibolone, and active vitamin D (1-hydroxyvitamin D3), therapies given alone, or in combination, against bone loss in postmenopausal women. METHODS: One hundred and three postmenopausal women were treated with tibolone (n=40), alphacalcidol (n=27) or both drugs (n=36) for 12 months. All subjects took supplemental calcium carbonate (500 mg daily). The bone mineral densities (BMD) of the lumbar spine and proximal femur were measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) at the baseline and after 12 months. RESULTS: Tibolone therapy produced significant increase of 4.1 and 1.8% in the BMD at the lumbar spine (p<0.001) and femoral neck (p=0.009), respectively. The combination of tibolone and active vitamin D increased the BMD by 8.0 and 4.4% (p<0.001) at the spine and femoral neck, respectively. The differences in the change of BMD from the baseline at the lumbar spine was significant (p=0.038) in the combination treatment group compared that in the tibolone alone group. CONCLUSION: Tibolone alone, and in combination with active vitamin D, effectively increased the BMD at all skeletal sites in postmenopausal women. Combination treatment for osteoporosis is emerging as a promising modality in Korean postmenopausal women.
Absorptiometry, Photon ; Bone Density* ; Breast ; Calcium Carbonate ; Endometrium ; Female ; Femur ; Femur Neck ; Humans ; Osteoporosis ; Spine ; Vitamin D* ; Vitamins*