During acute stages of hospitalized stroke patients, family caregivers face many challenges. They often experience emotional distress. social isolation. and financial constraints. However. the burden of caregiving of stroke patients in acute stages has never been studied properly. The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors related to the caregivers' burden with acute stroke. The subjects were 123 acute stroke patients and their caregivers who were admitted to neurology and neurosurgery units at Dan Kook University Hospital in Chung-Nam area. An interview was performed with the use of standardized questionnaire which included data pertaining to the patients/caregivers characteristics, caregiver burden (Modified Zarit's Burden Scale), and social support (Fersonal Resource Questionnaire). Our results showed that the mean burden score was 3,11. indicating high level of burden, Among the sub-domain scores, financial burder was the highest, In univariate analysis, the factors related to caregiver burdens were: inability to communicate between patients and caregiver (p<.001): low cognitive function of the patients(p<.001): low level of ADL(p<.001), the gender of caregiver(p<.001) the current employment status of caregivers(p<.01) the presence of social support for caregiver(p<.001), and the availability of alternative caregivers (p<.001). In multiple regression analysis, social support for family caregivers (87%), low level of patient's cognition (2%), availability of 2nd caregiver (1%). and gender of caregiver (female, 0,4%) were significant explanatory factors of overall burden, The caregivers' burden in acute stages during hospitalization following stroke was high, Recognition of high levels of caregivers' burden and those relating factors affecting caregiver burden may allow us to develop different nursing strategies to unload the level of burden for caregivers in acute stages of stroke.
Caregivers ; Cognition ; Employment ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Neurology ; Neurosurgery ; Nursing ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Social Isolation ; Stroke*

It has been believed that cancer is an omnious factor threatening the future and life itself. Patients having the disease experience anxiety, fear, feeling of weakness, depression and feelings of uncertainty and hopelessness. Most cancer patients, however, have expectations of possible recovery and a better future, very different from the patients who feel hopeless. Therefore. hope allows people to respond effectively to the fatal disease they have and prevents them from detoriorating physically and spiritually, positively influencing their survival, response to treatment and sense of security. Studies previously performed showed that hope is positively correlated with social and family supports, self-esteem, spiritual well-being, responsive action, health promotion behavior and quality of life. Thus, the study attempted to provide basic information on nursing cancer patients by investigating their levels of hope and determining predictive factors which influence hope. For the study 200 cancer patients in two university hospitals located in Pusan were sampled as subjects. Data were collected for twenty nine days from Feburary 1, 1999 to March 1. Instrumets for the study included 10 items from the self-esteem scale by Rosenberg (1965), 39 hope measurements by Kim and Lee(1965), 16 of the social support scale by Tae(1986) and 16 of the general characteristics scale, all of which totaled 81 items. The data were analyzed using the SPSS program. General characteristics of the investigated based on numbers and percentage. Hope, self-esteem and social support were analyzed using means, minimum, maximum and standard deviation. Relations among the foregoing three factors were analyzed using Pearson' correlation coefficient. Levels of hope in cancer patients were determined using t-test, ANOVA and Scheffe test. Predictive factors influencing hope were investigated using multiple stepwise regression analysis. Results of the study are summarized as follows: 1. An average level of hope was 185.55+/-23.39 points(96 min. and 234 max.) 2.Levels of hope showed a significant difference among them according to sex (t=-3.69, P=.000), age(F=4.714, P=.000), job(F=3.247, P=.008), monthly income (F=6.113, P=.003), treatment charge (F=3.796, P=.011), supportive resources (F=10.554, P=.000), diagnosis(F=2.287, P=.029), perceived health status(F=22.184, P=.000), level of pain(F=3.334, P=.021), religion (F=4.911, P=.001) and religion's effect in life (F=11.706, P=.000), 3. For the subjects, self-esteem and social support were 38.32+/-7.21(13 min, and 50 max.) and 52.97+/-8.49points(28 min, 80 max.). Concerning social support, average levels of family support and medical support were found 35.95+/-6.05(18 min, and 40 max) and 27.02+/-4.99 points(20 min and 40 max). The hope the cancer patients showed significant correlations with self-esteem (r=.588, P=.000), family support(r=.224, p=.001) and medical support(r=.221, P=.002). 4.The five variables related to hope (self-esteem, religion's effect in life, perceived health status, social support and age) accounted for 54.2 percent of the hope level; especially, self-esteem was the highest at 34.6%. As shown in the above results, predictive factors which most influence hope in cancer patients were self-esteem and religion's effect of life. Therefore, nursing interventions to increase self-esteem should be developed. Regarding religion's effects, studies on spiritual aspects should be carried out in a way that contributes to promotion of hope.
Anxiety ; Busan ; Depression ; Health Promotion ; Hope* ; Hospitals, University ; Humans ; Nursing ; Quality of Life ; Uncertainty

No abstract available.
Alopecia Areata* ; Alopecia* ; Bone Density*

Isolated abducens nerve paresis related to ruptured vertebral artery (VA) aneurysm is rare. It usually occurs bilaterally or ipsilaterally to the pathologic lesions. We report the case of a contralateral sixth nerve palsy following ruptured dissecting VA aneurysm. A 38-year-old man was admitted for the evaluation of a 6-day history of headache. Abnormalities were not seen on initial computed tomography (CT). On admission, the patient was alert and no signs reflecting neurologic deficits were noted. Time of flight magnetic resonance angiography revealed a fusiform dilatation of the right VA involving origin of the posterior inferior cerebellar artery. The patient suddenly suffered from severe headache with diplopia the day before the scheduled cerebral angiography. Neurologic examination disclosed nuchal rigidity and isolated left abducens nerve palsy. Emergent CT scan showed high density in the basal and prepontine cistern compatible with ruptured aneurismal hemorrhage. Right vertebral angiography illustrated a right VA dissecting aneurysm with prominent displaced vertebrobasilar artery to inferiorly on left side. Double-stent placement was conducted for the treatment of ruptured dissecting VA aneurysm. No diffusion restriction signals were observed in follow-up magnetic resonance imaging of the brain stem. Eleven weeks later, full recovery of left sixth nerve palsy was documented photographically. In conclusion, isolated contralateral abducens nerve palsy associated with ruptured VA aneurysm may develop due to direct nerve compression by displaced verterobasilar artery triggered by primary thick clot in the prepontine cistern.
Abducens Nerve ; Abducens Nerve Diseases ; Aneurysm ; Aneurysm, Dissecting ; Angiography ; Arteries ; Brain Stem ; Cerebral Angiography ; Diffusion ; Dilatation ; Diplopia ; Follow-Up Studies ; Headache ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Angiography ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Muscle Rigidity ; Neurologic Examination ; Neurologic Manifestations ; Paresis ; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage ; Vertebral Artery

No abstract available.
Gynecology*

Bilateral abducens nerve palsy related to ruptured aneurysm of the anterior communicating artery (ACoA) has only been reported in four patients. Three cases were treated by surgical clipping. No report has described the clinical course of the isolated bilateral abducens nerve palsy following ruptured ACoA aneurysm obliterated with coil. A 32-year-old man was transferred to our institution after three days of diplopia, dizziness and headache after the onset of a 5-minute generalized tonic-clonic seizure. Computed tomographic angiography revealed an aneurysm of the ACoA. Magnetic resonance imaging showed focal intraventricular hemorrhage without brain stem abnormalities including infarction or space-occupying lesion. Endovascular coil embolization was conducted to obliterate an aneurysmal sac followed by lumbar cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) drainage. Bilateral paresis of abducens nerve completely recovered 9 weeks after ictus. In conclusion, isolated bilateral abducens nerve palsy associated with ruptured ACoA aneurysm may be resolved successfully by coil embolization and lumbar CSF drainage without directly relieving cerebrospinal fluid pressure by opening Lillequist's membrane and prepontine cistern.
Abducens Nerve ; Abducens Nerve Diseases ; Aneurysm ; Aneurysm, Ruptured ; Angiography ; Arteries ; Brain Stem ; Cerebrospinal Fluid Pressure ; Diplopia ; Dizziness ; Drainage ; Headache ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Infarction ; Intracranial Aneurysm ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Membranes ; Paresis ; Seizures ; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage ; Surgical Instruments

PURPOSE: We studied the value of clinical signs, laboratory findings and (99m)technetium dimercaptosuccinic acid(DMSA) scan in predicting the presence of vesicoureteral reflux(VUR) in children with first febrile urinary tract infection(UTI). METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 84 hospitalized children with first febrile UTI was performed. They underwent DMSA scan and voiding cystourethrography(VCUG) during the acute phase, and were divided into three groups according to the results of the VCUG: absence of VUR, mild(grade I-II) and severe VUR(grade III-V). We studied the relation of VUR to age, gender, fever duration, causative organism, white blood cell count, serum C-reactive protein and result of DMSA scan. RESULTS: Among 84 patients, 6 had mild and 17 had severe VUR. Thirty-eight had abnormal DMSA scan. results Patients with VUR were older than those without VUR(P<0.01). There was a lower probability of infection with Escherichia coli in patients with severe VUR than in those with mild and absent VUR(P<0.01). An abnormal DMSA scan correlated with the presence and severity of VUR(P<0.05). Severe VUR was present in 10.9% of patients with normal DMSA scan. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of the DMSA scan in predicting the presence of VUR were 69.6%, 63.9%, 42.1%, and 84.8%, respectively. CONCLUSION: An abnormal DMSA scan correlated to the presence and severity of VUR, but the sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value of the DMSA scan were low. Therefore, patient with an abnormal DMSA scan requires a VCUG. In order to prevent missing the 10.9% of patients with severe VUR but normal DMSA scans, a VCUG should be performed in patient with normal DMSA scan.
C-Reactive Protein ; Child* ; Child, Hospitalized ; Escherichia coli ; Fever ; Humans ; Leukocyte Count ; Retrospective Studies ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Succimer ; Urinary Tract Infections* ; Urinary Tract* ; Vesico-Ureteral Reflux

OBJECTIVE: Obtaining real-time image is essential for neurosurgeons to minimize invasion of normal brain tissue and to prompt diagnosis of intracranial event. The aim of this study was to report our three-year experience with a mobile computed tomography (mCT) for intraoperative and bedside scanning. METHODS: A total of 357 mCT (297 patients) scans from January 2009 to December 2011 in single institution were reviewed. After excluding post-operative routine follow-up, 202 mCT were included for analysis. Their medical records such as diagnosis, clinical application, impact on decision making, times, image quality and radiologic findings were assessed. RESULTS: Two-hundred-two mCT scans were performed in the operation room (n=192, 95%) or intensive care unit (ICU) (n=10, 5%). Regarding intraoperative images, extent of resection of tumor (n=55, 27.2%), degree of hematoma removal (n=42, 20.8%), confirmation of catheter placement (n=91, 45.0%) and monitoring unexpected complications (n=4, 2.0%) were evaluated. A total of 14 additional procedures were introduced after confirmation of residual tumor (n=7, 50%), hematoma (n=2, 14.3%), malpositioned catheter (n=3, 21.4%) and newly developed intracranial events (n=2, 14.3%). Every image was obtained within 15 minutes and image quality was sufficient for interpretation. CONCLUSION: mCT is feasible for prompt intraoperative and ICU monitoring with enhanced diagnostic certainty, safety and efficiency.
Brain ; Catheters ; Decision Making ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hematoma ; Intensive Care Units ; Korea ; Medical Records ; Neoplasm, Residual

OBJECTIVES: Differential diagnosis based on descriptive psychopathology between bipolar and unipolar depression in the clinical setting is a still huge challenge. Projective psychological tests might provide additional clues. This study aimed to find distinct Rorschach test characteristics of bipolar depression in comparison with unipolar depression. METHODS: Medical records and raw data of the Rorschach Inkblot test applied using standardized procedure for the Exner Comprehensive System were retrospectively reviewed for patients with bipolar disorder or unipolar depression. Individual variables of the Rorchach test were compared among three groups, i.e., (hypo) mania (n=59), bipolar depression (n=56) and unipolar depression (n=25). RESULTS: Bipolar depression group, in accordance with (hypo) manic group, showed more color reponses (WSumC), more extroverted and intuitive decision-making (EBright), and higher emotional expression (CF+C) and instability (ebright), compared to unipolar deperssion group. On the contrary, the (hypo) mania group displayed more cognitive errors (Sum6, WSum6) compared to both depression groups. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that Rorchach test might provide valuable markers for differential diagnosis between bipolar and unipolar depression, and that some of those markers could be regarded as trait markers of bipolar disorder.
Bipolar Disorder ; Depression ; Depressive Disorder ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Humans ; Medical Records ; Psychological Tests ; Psychopathology ; Retrospective Studies ; Rorschach Test

This study compared the effects of programs according to management type by preparing a manual for oral muscle exercises that integrates oral movement and oral massage. The program was performed on 14 elderly patients in a seniors' college self-practice program group and 28 elderly patients in a social welfare center expert intervention group. In the self-practice group, an expert demonstrated oral muscle exercises and subsequently encouraged self-practice by selecting an oral muscle exercise leader. In the expert intervention group, an expert demonstrated oral exercises on a one-on-one basis and subsequently gave oral muscle massages. In the self-practice group, there was no difference in saliva secretion (p=0.213) or oral dryness (p=0.206), after the intervention, the expert intervention group showed improvements in saliva secretion (p=0.009) and oral dryness (p=0.007). There was no difference in program satisfaction between groups (p=0.143), and both groups reported high satisfaction. As seniors may have difficulty in maintaining oral health behaviors, a certain amount of expert intervention may be needed. The results suggest that both a self-practice oral exercise program and an expert intervention program can be effective elderly patients.
Aged* ; Exercise ; Gangwon-do* ; Humans ; Massage ; Oral Health ; Saliva ; Social Welfare ; Xerostomia