This study examined burdens of primary family carcgivcrs of paticnto with cerebrovascular accidents (CVA) along with related factors. In addition, their needs for support group intervention were assessed to develop a support group to reduce the burdens of caregiving. Eighty-one primary family caregivers of patients with CVAs at a general hospital in Seoul participated in this study . The patients with CVAs aged from 26 to 83 years with mean age of 63 years. About 90% of the patients had some paralysis and 56.6% suffered speech problems. Fifty-eight percent of the primary family caregivers were spouses of the patients and 80.2% were women. Primary family caregivers' burdens were assessed by the Burden Scale originally devel oped by Zarit (1980) and Novak & Geust(1989) and modified by Jang (1995) for use in Korea. The instrument consists of six subscales time-dependent burden, developmental burden, physical burden, emotional burden, social burden, and financiaI burden. The results were as follows : 1. The average of burden score was 91.7, indicating moderate to severe level of burden. The time-dependent burden was scored highest followed by physical, developmental, social, financial, and emotional burdens. 2. of the characteristics of patients, age, gender, and severity of the disease were found to be associated with the level of burden. Of the characteristics of primary family caregivers, age and educational level were significantly related to the level of burden. Time of care since the CVA and the quality of relationship between a patient and a caregiver prior to the stroke were significant situational factors affecting the level of burden. 3. The need for support group intervention for the caregivero was very high (95.1%). The earcgivcrs of patients who had a CVA for the first time showed higher levels of need compared to those of patients who had a CVA more than once. The caregivers indicated a support group held once a month near home or hospital would be welcomed. In addition, they replied that a group composed of 9 to 10 caregivers and guided by health care professionals (e.g., physicians and nurses) would be most desirable. More than 85% of the earegivers identified the areas that they wanted intervention in as follows : knowledge, skills, and resources to care for a patient with a CVA. the counsel of health care professionals, share of their experiences with those who have similar situations, stress management skills, and methods to overcome emotional isolation due to the great responsibility for a patient. Given the results, support group is expected to be an effective way to reduce the burdens of primary family caregivers of patients with CVAs. As a follow up It is necessary to examine the effect of support group intervention on the patient's recovery and rehabilitation.
Caregivers* ; Delivery of Health Care ; Female ; Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Korea ; Paralysis ; Rehabilitation ; Self-Help Groups* ; Seoul ; Spouses ; Stroke*

PSTT has been established as a separate entity distinct from choriocarcinoma since 1983, because of its different morphological features, biologic behavior and response to chemotherapy. Most cases of PSTT have indolent clinical courses, but there have been several reports showing malignant behavior resulted in death of the patient. We report a case of PSTT showing vaginal metastatis. In biopsy specimen, it was difficult to make differential diagnosis from squamous cell carcinoma of uterine cervix due to uniform and mononuclear cytologic characteristics. Immunohistochemical stains for hPL and hCG were not typical for either PSTT or choriocarcinoma. We suggest that poorly differentiated PSTT may synthesize the lesser amount of hPL than typical PSTT and it may behave more aggressively.
Diagnosis, Differential ; Biopsy

No abstract available.
Female ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy, Ectopic*

No abstract available.
Parturition*

Eccrine nevus is a rare benign cutaneous lesion, frequently present at birth or at an early age. Herein we report on a 1-year-old girl with erythematous papules in a zosteriform arrangement associated with hyperhidrosis on the left side of her trunk.
Female ; Humans ; Hyperhidrosis ; Nevus* ; Parturition

No abstract available.
Compliance* ; Humans

No abstract available.
Compliance* ; Humans

No abstract available.
Nocardia Infections* ; Nocardia*

BACKGROUND: To assess and report the outcomes of resuscitation, we apply the 1997 published In-Hospital Utstein Style to an actual emergency department. This study was designed to develope the data base for comparing and studing the outcomes of resuscitation. METHODS: This study was carried out in a tertiary hospital from July 1998 to June 1999. The subjects were adult patients over the age of 20 years who received resuscitation at the emergency department. After making out the protocol for the In-Hospital Utstein Style, we gathered data prospectively. RESULTS: Among 51,347 patients, 36 patients received 42 resuscitations. Forty-two(42) cases(100%) had witnessed arrest. Advance life support(ALS) intervention at the time of cardiac arrest included intravenous catheterization, 41cases(97.6 %); intravenous drug injection, 20 cases(47.6%); endotracheal intubation, 20 cases(47.6%); and artificial ventilation, 12 cases(28.6%). Immediate causes of cardiac arrest were respiratory depression, 11 cases(26.2%); hypotension, 11 cases(26.2 %); metabolic, 9 cases(21.4%); and myocardial ischemia/infarction, 5 cases(11.9%). Initial EKG ryhthms were pulseless electrical activity, 31 cases(73.8 %); ventricular tachycardia/fibrillation, 6 cases(14.3%); and asystole, 5 cases(11.9%). the average interval from cardiac arrest to initial defibrillation was 1.8+/-2.2 minutes, and the average interval from cardiac arrest to epinephrine injection was 2.6+/-3.1 minutes. The average duration of resuscitation was 22.6+/-18.4 minutes. Return of spontaneous circulation occured in 26 cases/42 case(61.9%). Of the 2 survivng patients who were discharged, 1 patient is still alive after 6 months, and the other is still alive after 1 year. CONCLUSION: Although the In-Hospital Utstein Style has many complementary factors, its results were very objective thus use of the In-Hospital Utstein Style is recommended for determining the outcomes of resuscitation.
Adult ; Catheterization ; Catheters ; Electrocardiography ; Emergencies* ; Emergency Service, Hospital* ; Epinephrine ; Heart Arrest ; Humans ; Hypotension ; Intubation, Intratracheal ; Prospective Studies ; Respiratory Insufficiency ; Resuscitation* ; Tertiary Care Centers ; Ventilation

An understanding of the characteristics of occupational lung cancer is important to establish policies that prevent carcinogen exposure and to compensate workers exposed to lung carcinogens. This study analyzed the characteristics of occupational lung cancers in workers who were compensated under the Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance Law between 1994 and 2011. A total of 179 occupational lung cancers were compensated. The main carcinogenic exposure was asbestos, followed by crystalline silica and hexavalent chromium. The mean exposure duration and latency were 19.8 and 23.2 yr. The most common industry was manufacturing, followed by construction and transportation. The most common occupation was maintenance and repair, followed by foundry work, welding, painting, and spinning or weaving. Although asbestos was predominant carcinogen, the proportion of these cases was relatively low compared to other developed countries. Proper surveillance system is needed to monitor occupational lung cancer and improve prevention measures.
Adult ; Aged ; Asbestos/toxicity ; Chromium/toxicity ; Female ; Humans ; Insurance Benefits/legislation & jurisprudence ; Lung Neoplasms/economics/*epidemiology/etiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Occupational Diseases/economics/*epidemiology/etiology ; Occupational Exposure ; Republic of Korea/epidemiology ; Silicon Dioxide/toxicity ; Smoking ; Workers' Compensation/statistics & numerical data