OBJECTIVES: The alcohol dependence in elderly people has been prevalent because of increase in geriatric population. However, it is difficult to find out alcohol dependence in the aged, because they have less specific clinical features as compared with adult alcoholics. The aims of this study were to screen alcohol dependence among elderly Koreans and to know the clinical characteristics of Korean delerly alcoholics. METHODS: The questionnaires translated into Korean such as Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test(MAST-K), the Brief MAST and the MAST-Geriatirc Version(MAST-KG) were used to screen alcohol dependence in the elderly alcoholic inpatients aged over 60(N=43), adult alcoholic inpatients within 20-59 Yrs of age(N=60), which were compared with age matched normal healthy aged(N=18) or adult controls(N=45). The demographic data such as sex, age, education, occupation, socioeconomic status, marital status, numbers of children, dwelling and religion as well as alcohol history such as duration of alcohol drinking, onset age, family history, impulsivity, somatic illness and motivation were also obtained to identify characteristic features of Korean aged alcoholics by structured interviews. RESULTS: 1) The aged alcoholics had the charateristic features of more in males, lower age, low education levels, more in blue-collar workers, lower socioeconomic class, more in single few babies, more living alone, having no religion without statistical significance. 2) The onset age of alcohol dependence was significantly higher in the aged alcoholics(45.3+/-13.6Yrs) than in the adult alcoholics(27.7+/-8.7Yrs)(p<0.0001). The duration of problematic alcohol drinking was significantly longer in the aged alcoholics(22.0+/-15.1Yrs) than in adult alcoholics(14.2+/-8.4Yrs)(p<0.01). Otherwise, there were no significant difference between aged and adult alcoholics in the family history, imulsivity, somatic illness and motivation. 3) The mean score of the MAST-K was significantly higher in the aged alcoholics(20.6 +/-5.4) than in the normal aged(6.7+/-4.4)(p<0.0001), which was significantly lower than in the adult alcoholics(26.2+/-8.0)and in normal adult controls(9.5+/-3.2)(p<0.05). The mean score of the Brief MAST was significantly lower in the aged alcoholics(9.3+/-3.5) than in the adult alcoholics(14.5+/-6.6)(p<0.0001). The mean score of the MAST-KG was significantly higher in the aged alcoholics(10.6+/-3.5) than in the normal aged(4.8+/-4.3)(9<0.0001). The former was significantly lower than in adult alcoholics(12.9+/-4.3)(p<0.005), and the mean score was 4.5+/-2.8 in normal adult controls. 4) The items which showed statistically significant differences between aged alcoholics and normal aged controls could be found in 10 items of the MAST-K(item 2, 3, 4, 5, 11, 14, 17, 21, 22 and 23). 2 items of the Brief MAST(items 2 and 9), and 7 items of the MAST-KG(items 6, 13, 18, 19, 22, 23 and 24)(p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The scores of the MAST-K, the Brief MAST and the MAST-KG were significantly lower in the aged alcoholics than those in the adult alcoholics(p<0.05). The statistically significant differences between aged alcoholics and normal aged controls could be found in 10 items of the MAST-K, 2 items of the Brief MAST and 7 items of the MAST-KG. Therefore, a briefer rating scales around 10 items are needed to screen alcohol dependence among Korean elderly people.
Adult ; Age of Onset ; Aged ; Alcohol Drinking ; Alcoholics ; Alcoholism* ; Child ; Education ; Humans ; Impulsive Behavior ; Inpatients ; Korea* ; Male ; Marital Status ; Mass Screening* ; Michigan* ; Motivation ; Occupations ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Social Class ; Weights and Measures

No abstract available.
Ileum*

PURPOSE: The study was done to investigate the effect of ethanol inhalation on postoperative nausea in patients using Patient Controlled Analgesia (PCA). METHODS: The data were collected from June 1st 2006 to September 30th, 2007. The subjects were 70 patients who had had orthopedic surgery under general anesthesia. The levels of the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) was used to measure postoperative nausea. The experimental group was given ethanol inhalation using ethanol pads and the control group received normal saline pads. All participants were instructed to take two deep sniffs with the pad one inch from the nose. This was repeated every five minutes for three doses. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS/WIN 12.0 program. RESULTS: The study supported all hypotheses. "The experimental group given first dose of ethanol inhalation would have a lower level postoperative nausea compared to the control group"(t = -5.900, p = .000). "The experimental group given second doses of ethanol inhalation would have a lower level postoperative nausea compared to the control group"(t = -7.507, p = .000). "The experimental group given third doses of ethanol inhalation would have a lower level postoperative nausea compared to the control group"(t = -6.685, p = .000). CONCLUSION: According to these results, the ethanol inhalation can be considered an effective nursing intervention for relieving the postoperative nausea in patients using PCA.
Analgesia, Patient-Controlled ; Anesthesia, General ; Ethanol ; Humans ; Inhalation ; Nose ; Orthopedics ; Passive Cutaneous Anaphylaxis ; Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting

PURPOSE: The purposes of this study were to verify the effects of aromatherapy on labor pain and perception of the childbirth experience. METHODS: This study was a nonequivalent control group pretest- posttest design. The subjects of this experiment consisted of forty eight primiparas without problems during the gestation period. Twenty four primiparas in the experimental group were given general obstetric nursing care with aromatherapy every two hours. Twenty four primiparas in the control group were given general obstetric nursing care only. Data was collected for labor pain measured by a labor pain expression scale, uterine contraction activity measured by Montevideo units in the latent phase, active phase, and transition phase and the perception of childbirth experience 24hours after birth. Data was analyzed by t-test, and repeated measures of ANOVA with an SPSS program. RESULTS: No significant group effects were found, but significant time effects were found for labor pain, and uterine contraction activity. There was no significant difference in postpartum mothers' perception about childbirth. CONCLUSION: In this study, effects of aromtherapy decreasing labor pain expression, and increasing the perception of childbirth was not found.
Aromatherapy* ; Female ; Labor Pain* ; Obstetric Nursing ; Parturition* ; Postpartum Period ; Pregnancy ; Uterine Contraction

No abstract available.
Cytogenetics*

When bronchogenic carcinoma is coexisting with pulmonary tuberculosis, it is difficult to differentiate bronchogenic carcinoma from pulmonary tuberculosis radiologically. Thus, the object of this study is to define differential diagnosis of bronchogenic carcinoma by computed tomography. We analized CT scans of 27 patients with radiologic findings of pulmonary tuberculosis and mass of which twelve cases were pulmonary tuberculosis and fifteen cases were primary lung cancer. The location of parenchymal infiltration and the mass was the same in 60%(9/15) of the primary lung cancer in cases and 83%(10/12) of the pulmonary tuberculosis cases. The common location of the mass was the both upper lobes in 92%(11/12) of the pulmonary tuberculosis cases and 53%(8/15) of the primary lung cancer cases. The common locations of the mediastinal lymphadenopathy were 4R, 2R of the pulmonary tuberculosis cases and 4R, 10R of the primary lung cancer cases. In the feature of post enhanced lymph nodes, homogenous increased density was more frequent in primary lung cancer. Measurements of the maximum thickness part of the cavity wall was not a reliable indication of malignancy.
Carcinoma, Bronchogenic ; Diagnosis* ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms* ; Lung* ; Lymph Nodes ; Lymphatic Diseases ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary*

Injury to major retroperitoneal vessels is a recognized life-threatening complication of lumbar diskectomy. CT can depict vessel tearing and consequent retroperitoneal hemorrhage. We report a case of retroperitoneal hemorrhage due to right common iliac vein injury during lumbar diskectomy with a brief review of the literature.
Diskectomy* ; Hemorrhage* ; Iliac Vein* ; Tears*

PURPOSE: This study aimed to examine the effects of subjective memory complaints, depression and cognitive function on performance of activities of daily living (ADL) in individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). METHODS: A total sample consisted of 250 MCI patients diagnosed within one year. All participants were assessed with a battery of standardized neuropsychological tests, self-report measures of subjective memory complaints and depression, and performance of basic and instrumental ADL. Correlational and multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to identify the factors associated with performance of basic and instrumental ADL, respectively. RESULTS: Executive function and depression explained 9.4% of the variance in basic ADL. Reduced executive function and greater depressed mood were associated with worse performance on basic ADL. Executive function, subjective memory complaints, and time since onset of cognitive symptoms accounted for 22.2% of the variance in instrumental ADL in individuals with MCI. Lower executive function (t=−2.02, p=.044), greater memory complaints (t=5.36, p<.001), and longer periods of experiencing cognitive symptoms (t=2.24, p=.026) were associated with worse instrumental ADL performance. CONCLUSION: These results may help healthcare professionals develop interventions to improve cognitive outcomes with better understanding of the relationship among cognition, mood, and behavioral performance in individuals with MCI.
Activities of Daily Living ; Cognition ; Delivery of Health Care ; Depression ; Executive Function ; Humans ; Linear Models ; Memory Disorders ; Memory ; Mild Cognitive Impairment ; Neurobehavioral Manifestations ; Neuropsychological Tests

This study aimed to review the definitions of reproductive health rights, investigate reproductive health status, and suggest policy strategies to promote reproductive health in Korea. Current laws, the Constitution of the World Health Organization, works from Guttmacher-Lancet Commission on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, the Program of Action of the International Conference on Population Development, the Nairobi Statement on ICPD25, and the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women were reviewed to define reproductive health rights. The reproductive health status focusing on high-risk pregnancy was analyzed. Definitions of reproductive health rights include the right of every person to have lifetime access to the information, resources, services, and support needed to achieve bodily integrity, privacy and personal autonomy regarding their reproductive health. Most indices of reproductive health in Korea analyzed here are and would remain negative. Reproductive health should be approached from the perspectives of rights. We should continuously monitor the indicators of reproductive health and policies corresponding to low fertility rates in Korea should focus on improving women’s reproductive health. This suggests support for obstetrics and gynecology check-ups and treatments before pregnancy and postpartum care, the provision of education on the importance of prepregnancy health care for men and women and comprehensive information and counseling services. It is also necessary to establish a delivery infrastructure for safe pregnancy and childbirth and unify governmental ministries related to pregnancy and childbirth.

The purpose of the study was to develop a Web site for the middle-aged women and test the usability of the site. Users' need for information were identified via online survey of 189 middle-aged women. It was found that they had various health problems but very few did any health prevention or health promotion activities. A web site for the middle-aged women was developed based on the result of needs assessment. The site includes content on exercise, diet including weight control, osteoporosis, climacteric, aging, breast and cervical cancer. Besides this health information, FAQ on women's health, my health knowledge test, statistics, link to related institutes and web sites, newspaper articles/mass media clips, journal articles, conferences, papers and other educational information were added. The site was developed as a subsystem of the Healthguide(http://healthguide.kihasa.re.kr). As a way of utilizing the homepage, twenty two women aged 40-50 were recruited at a community-based gathering and health promotion education program was conducted. To test the effectiveness of the education, knowledge, attitude and behavior changes of before and after education were compared. There were significant differences of knowledge and behavior in breast cancer, cervical cancer, osteoporosis, menopause and sexual life. It is expected that Web-based women's health information will contribute to women's health promotion and provide an effective learning media for health education.
Academies and Institutes ; Aging ; Breast ; Breast Neoplasms ; Climacteric ; Congresses as Topic ; Diet ; Education ; Female ; Health Education ; Health Promotion ; Humans ; Learning ; Menopause ; Middle Aged* ; Needs Assessment ; Periodicals ; Osteoporosis ; Program Development ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms ; Women's Health