Purpose: This scoping review aimed to identify the research trends for dysphagia among older Korean adults in long-term care facilities. Methods: A literature search was performed using Korean Studies Information Service System, Research Information Sharing Service, ScienceON, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and PubMed. A total of 1,395 articles were identified, and 10 articles were selected for the final analysis. Two reviewers independently performed the study selection and extraction using pre-tested forms to confirm those for final inclusion. Results: Most of the studies were published between 2011 and 2014. The quasi-experimental design was most frequently applied. The Gugging Swallowing Screen was the most widely used assessment tool. All studies, including dysphagia intervention programs, involved oral and facial exercise programs. In addition, they all used swallowing-related outcome variables to assess the effectiveness of the interventions. Conclusion Additional studies on dysphagia among older Korean adults in long-term care facilities should be conducted, and various interventions and assessment tools should be developed and implemented. This study is anticipated to establish a fundamental foundation for further dysphagia-related research and help improve the quality of life of Korean older adults in long-term care.

Objective: Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) had a significant impact on the mental health of healthcare workers. Related assessments should be included in plans for future pandemics. We investigated the connections between grief, viral anxiety, depression, and preoccupation in the context of COVID-19 in healthcare workers, to determine which factors will need to be incorporated. Methods: A total of 267 healthcare workers who had experienced the death of at least one patient during the COVID-19 pandemic were asked to respond to questionnaires assessing grief, viral anxiety, depression, loneliness, and preoccupation with COVID-19, based on their emotional state during the 2 weeks immediately after the death. Multivariate linear regression, causal mediation analysis and structural equation modeling were used to examine the psychological processes underlying grief. Results: Linear regression showed that viral anxiety (β=0.287, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.235–0.338, p<0.001) and depression (β= 0.157, 95% CI: 0.073–0.241, p<0.001) had independent associations with preoccupation with COVID-19. Causal mediation analysis revealed that both viral anxiety (proportion mediated: 0.51, 95% CI: 0.37–0.66, p<0.001) and depression (proportion mediated: 0.77, 95% CI: 0.50–1.08, p<0.001) were mediators between grief and preoccupation with COVID-19. In a structural equation model, viral anxiety and depression mediated most of the effects of grief on preoccupation with COVID-19, and loneliness was a mediator between grief and depression. Conclusion Contingency plans for the next pandemic are being formulated. Effective measures to protect the mental health of healthcare workers should be included, and such measures should consist of assessments for grief, viral anxiety, depression, and loneliness.

BACKGROUND: Labial diseases are common in dermatology. However, few studies have reported the clinical and histopathologic features of labial diseases in Korea. OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to investigate the clinical and histopathologic features of labial diseases. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 242 patients who received biopsy for labial diseases between January 2005 and May 2010. We compared clinical and histopahtologic diagnoses and analyzed the rate of concurrence. In addition, clinical features, including age, sex, and location, associated cutaneous lesions of 11 major labial diseases, which were confirmed by histopathology, were investigated. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 52.2 years. The male to female ratio was 1:1.5. Lower lip was the most commonly involved (77.4%). The most frequent final diagnosis was venous lake, followed by nonspecific inflammation, labial melanotic macule, plasma cell cheilitis, postinflammatory hyperpigmentation, squamous cell carcinoma, lichen planus, mucocele, Fordyce's disease, pyogenic granuloma, and actinic cheilits. Venous lake showed the highest match rate (86.3%), whereas cheilitis simplex exhibited the lowest match rate (0.0%). We also analyzed the clinical features of 11 major labial diseases. The majority of labial diseases occurred in old patients, except for mucocele, Fordyce's disease, or labial melanotic macule. Most diseases occurred predominantly in females, whereas squamous cell carcinoma, plasma cell cheilits, and Fordyce's disease were male-dominant. The most commonly involved location was the lower lip, except for Fordyce's disease. Associated skin lesions, such as ulcers, hyperkeratosis, or whitish patches, were observed in squamous cell carcinoma, plasma cell cheilitis, actinic cheilitis, and lichen planus. CONCLUSION: Compared to previous studies, the actual frequency of actinic cheilitis and squamous cell carcinoma was relatively lower while that of plasma cell cheilitis was relatively higher. We suggest that actinic cheilitis and squamous cell carcinoma are less frequently confirmed than previously expected and that plasma cell cheilitis should be included in the differential diagnosis of labial lesions, especially when they are located on the lower lip and occur in old patients.
Actins ; Biopsy ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Cheilitis ; Dermatology ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Granuloma, Pyogenic ; Humans ; Hyperpigmentation ; Inflammation ; Korea ; Lakes ; Lichen Planus ; Lichens ; Lip ; Male ; Methylmethacrylates ; Mucocele ; Plasma Cells ; Polystyrenes ; Retrospective Studies ; Skin ; Ulcer

BACKGROUND: Although seborrheic keratosis is one of the most common epidermal tumors, there are only rare studies on the clinicohistopathologic features of seborrheic keratosis in Korea. The majority of cases of typical seborrheic keratosis can be clinically differentiated with ease from other dermatoses such as melanocytic nevi, lentigo, basal cell carcinoma and melanoma. However, its differential diagnosis can sometimes be difficult. OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to investigate the clincohistopathologic characteristics of seborrheic keratosis, the frequency of biopsy and the accuracy of making the clinical diagnosis, as well as to analyze the cases where there is a mismatch between the clinical diagnosis and the histological diagnosis. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study and we searched for patients who were clinically diagnosed as having seborrheic keratosis between January 2000 and December 2008. The search found 1,248 patients and the patients were divided into two groups: a non-biopsy group (n=891) and a biopsy group (n=357). The clinical features, including age, gender, the anatomic site of lesion and the treatment method, were investigated in each group. In addition, the frequency of biopsy, the accuracy of the clinical diagnosis and the histopathological features were studied in the biopsy group. RESULTS: Between the two groups, we found that the clinical features, including the proportions between the involved body sites, such as trunk/face, and the treatment methods were different. However, these differences might be partly attributed to the clinical decisions such as the frequency of performing biopsy for making the differential diagnosis of skin malignancy. In both groups, the most frequent age period was in the seventh decade and the most common anatomical site was the face. Only one-third of patients who were clinically diagnosed as having seborrheic keratosis received biopsy for histopathologic confirmation and the lesions were mostly located on the face. The clinical diagnosis matched the histological diagnosis in 282/357 (79.0%) patients. In 75 patients who revealed a mismatch between the clinical and histological diagnosis, the skin lesion most frequently involved the face (57.3%) and the most common final diagnosis was basal cell carcinoma (13.3%). The frequency of a mismatch for the sun-exposed lesion was significantly higher than that of the non-sun exposed lesion (p=0.035). CONCLUSION: We present the clinical and histopathological features of seborrheic keratosis. If the lesion is presented with an atypical appearance or it located on a sun-exposed area and so it requires a differential diagnosis from other premalignant diseases or cutaneous malignancies, then we should perform a biopsy to make the differential diagnosis.
Biopsy ; Carcinoma, Basal Cell ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Humans ; Keratosis, Seborrheic ; Korea ; Lentigo ; Melanoma ; Nevus, Pigmented ; Retrospective Studies ; Skin ; Skin Diseases

Lupus pernio is the most characteristic cutaneous lesion of sarciodosis and this presents as an indurated red to blue-purple, swollen, shiny lesion that is often localized on the nose, cheeks, lips or ears of middle-aged female adults. It is a chronic malady that rarely shows spontaneous remission, and it sometimes causes deformity. It generally occurs as cutaneous lesions of sarcoidosis patients with a long duration of disease, and not as early cutaneous lesions of sarcoidosis. This case concerns a 43-year-old woman who presented with a 1 year history of firm erythematous and violaceous plaque with multiple erythematous and violaceous papules on the collumella and right nasal cavity. Skin biopsy showed noncaseasting granuloma. Herein, we report on a typical case of lupus pernio as the early cutaneous presentation of sarcoidosis, which has rarely been reported in the Korean literature. We suggest that early diagnosis and treatment is necessary to prevent deformity.
Adult ; Biopsy ; Cheek ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Ear ; Early Diagnosis ; Female ; Granuloma ; Humans ; Lip ; Nasal Cavity ; Nose ; Remission, Spontaneous ; Sarcoidosis ; Skin

PURPOSE: This study aimed to assess the discomfort and factors influencing the discomfort of cancer patients with peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC). METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted at a tertiary university-based hospital in Seoul in 2013. Subjects were eligible if patients were diagnosed with cancer and four weeks had passed since the PICC was inserted. Anxiety was assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and discomfort was assessed with 8 questions developed through qualitative interviews and a literature review. Questions were about pain, interruption of daily activity or leisure, satisfaction, usefulness and feelings towards the PICC. RESULTS: Total 111 patients participated in the study. Over 75% of patients reported annoyance with PICC line. There was low positive correlation between discomfort due to PICC and anxiety. In anxious patients, patients discomfort was significantly higher than that of non-anxious patients. Significant factors influencing discomfort were gender, age, education level, PICC complications and anxiety. CONCLUSION: Patient engagement in selecting the type of catheter and individualized care considering the level of anxiety and patient demographics might help to reduce discomfort in cancer patients.
Anxiety ; Catheters* ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Demography ; Depression ; Education ; Humans ; Leisure Activities ; Patient Participation ; Seoul ; Vascular Access Devices

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of group education reflecting unmet needs led by Nurse Practitioners (NPs) on essential knowledge regarding chemotherapy for cancer patients and their families undergoing chemotherapy. Methods: Conducted at a tertiary general hospital in Seoul from December 30, 2020, to April 30, 2022, this study, which is based on a one group pre-post design, involved 104 cancer patients and their families. It assessed differences in knowledge regarding chemotherapy and satisfaction levels by means of participation through video-based group education led by NPs. The data were analyzed with SAS version 9.4 using paired t-tests and multiple logistic regression analysis. Results: The average score of knowledge regarding chemotherapy increased from 80.0 to 89.8 (p<.001). In multivariable logistic regression analysis, being less than 50 years old (adjusted Odds Ratio [aOR]=13.56, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 1.76~10.20) and having a college degree or higher (aOR=3.99, 95% CI: 1.15~13.82) were associated with an increase in knowledge regarding chemotherapy. Satisfaction with participation in the group education program was also reported to be high. Conclusion This study aimed to develop and implement a group education program for cancer patients and their families undergoing chemotherapy, assess changes in knowledge levels, and investigate satisfaction with the program. As a result of the study, the average score of patients who received the group education program increased; thus, it is an effective method for improving the degree of knowledge about the daily life of cancer patients and the management of side effects.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is often undiagnosed but is an important risk factor affecting the health of an individual. The level of awareness of the illness among patients with OSA is low and is not correlated with severity of the illness. This study was conducted to compare awareness of OSA symptoms and illness between patients with OSA and simple snorers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two hundred eighty-two patients who were suspected of having OSA participated in this study. All subjects underwent overnight polysomnography. Those with an apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) ≥ 5 were classified as the OSA group, while those with an AHI < 5 were classified as the simple snoring group. A sleep questionnaire, which included items on awareness of the illness, OSA, and sleep symptoms, was administered to all subjects and their bed-partners. RESULTS: Simple snorers were much more aware of their symptoms such as snoring, irregular breathing, and apnea than were patients with OSA. Bed-partners of simple snorers were also more aware of the participants' sleep symptoms than were partners of patients with OSA. However, the duration of OSA symptoms was longer in the OSA group. In the correlation analysis, the level of awareness of OSA symptoms was negatively correlated with AHI, age, body mass index, and Epworth Sleepiness Scale score. Among the sleep questionnaire and polysomnography results, only Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index was positively correlated with level of awareness of OSA symptoms. The minority of the respondents had heard about the treatment methods of continuous positive airway pressure and oral appliance and preferred them as treatment options. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that simple snorers are more aware of their symptoms than are patients with OSA. A higher severity of OSA, represented by a higher AHI, is correlated with lower awareness of one's OSA symptoms.
Apnea ; Body Mass Index ; Continuous Positive Airway Pressure ; Humans ; Polysomnography ; Respiration ; Risk Factors ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive* ; Snoring* ; Surveys and Questionnaires

No abstract available.

Benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) is a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon and ubiquitous environmental toxin with known harmful effects to human health. Abnormal phenotypes of keratinocytes are closely associated with their exposure to B[a]P. Resorcinol is a component of argan oil with reported anticancer activities, but its mechanism of action and potential effect on B[a]P damage to the skin is unknown. In this study, we investigated the effects of resorcinol on B[a]P-induced abnormal keratinocyte biology and its mechanisms of action in human epidermal keratinocyte cell line HaCaT. Resorcinol suppressed aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) activity as evidenced by the inhibition of B[a]P-induced xenobiotic response element (XRE)-reporter activation and cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP1A1) expression. In addition, resorcinol attenuated B[a]P-induced nuclear translocation of AhR, and production of ROS and pro-inflammatory cytokines. We also found that resorcinol increased nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) activity. Antioxidant response element (ARE)-reporter activity and expression of ARE-dependent genes NAD(P)H dehydrogenase [quinone] 1 (NQO1), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) were increased by resorcinol. Consistently, resorcinol treatment induced nuclear localization of Nrf2 as seen by Western analysis. Knockdown of Nrf2 attenuated the resorcinol effects on ARE signaling, but knockdown of AhR did not affect resorcinol activation of Nrf2. This suggests that activation of antioxidant activity by resorcinol is not mediated by AhR. These results indicate that resorcinol is protective against effects of B[a]P exposure. The mechanism of action of resorcinol is inhibition of AhR and activation of Nrf2-mediated antioxidant signaling. Our findings suggest that resorcinol may have potential as a protective agent against B[a]P-containing pollutants.