BACKGROUND: Health illiteracy is a problem often unrecognized by health care providers. It influences medical costs and the health status of adults. The purposes of this study were to determine the level of health literacy in community-dwelling adults and to identify the factors influencing it. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Seoul, Gyeonggi and Chungcheong province. A total of 420 adults aged 18 or older were interviewed by trained nursing students between November 1 to December 30, 2011. Health literacy was measured using the Short Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults. Data were analyzed using the PASW 18.0 program. RESULTS: The mean score of health literacy was 50.64+/-19.18. In the multiple linear regression analysis, health literacy was significantly associated with education (beta=0.17, P=0.001), alcohol use (beta=-0.12, P=0.010), and perceived health status (beta=0.11, P=0.029). These factors accounted for about 7% of health literacy. CONCLUSIONS: Health literacy is a very important public health issue. Our findings showed that educational level, alcohol use and perceived health status should be considered when assessing this issue in patients. Furthermore, the development of a standardized Korean assessment tool for health literacy and specified interventions for enhancing health literacy are needed to improve health outcomes.
Adult* ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Education ; Gyeonggi-do ; Health Literacy* ; Health Personnel ; Health Status ; Humans ; Linear Models ; Literacy ; Primary Prevention ; Public Health ; Seoul ; Students, Nursing

OBJECTIVE: In the mobile computing environments, doctors or patients with mobile devices can access services at any time, any place. It makes chronic diseases, such as asthma care successively and in long-term. This paper presents a new multiagent system using data mining technique for the management of asthma in mobile computing environments. METHODS: In mobile computing environments, mobile communication is prone to disconnection. To use the services when disconnected, we locally store the recommendation information in mobile devices. Then, when user reconnects network, the new information is delivered in mobile devices. Because mobile devices have a limitation of resource, we store only patterns and recent data. We adopted data mining technique from the large pool of accumulated patients data can be utilized to summarize observed correlations and trends. RESULTS: We propose multiagent system composed of a Pattern Agent, a Selection Agent and a Recommendation Agent. They make asthmatic-caring system access effectively in mobile computing environments. We describe the underlying architecture and the process. Then we make a prototype with asthmatic patients data in the Severance Hospital in Korea. CONCLUSION: The results of our study can be contributed to aid management of asthma in mobile computing environments.
Asthma* ; Chronic Disease ; Data Mining* ; Humans ; Korea ; Telemedicine

PURPOSES: This study examined uncertainty and nursing need according to illness phases(phase I, II, III) in cancer patients, and investigated relationships between uncertainty and nursing need. METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted with a sample of 121 adult cancer patients treated in two hospitals. RESULTS: As for the total score, the uncertainty was not significantly different across the subgroups by illness phase. As for the subscale score, however, two sub-scales of the uncertainty were different across the subgroups. 'The unpredictability' was highest in illness phase I and II groups, while 'the lack of information' was highest in the illness phase III group. Nursing need as the total score was not significantly different across the subgroups by illness phase. However, all subscale scores of the nursing need were significantly different across the subgroups. Educational need was highest in the illness phase I group; physical and emotional needs were highest in the illness phase III group. Uncertainty and nursing need were not related to each other at any illness phase. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that nursing need and uncertainty may change across illness phases. Clinicians need to consider this pattern in caring for cancer patients.
Adult ; Humans ; Uncertainty

Tracheal intubation for general anesthesia is usually performed using a rigid laryngoscope and reguires the mandible to be opened with forward and upward traction of the patient's jaw which may at times result in the inadvertant injury to temporomandibular joint(TMJ). The injury may include internal derangement, dislocation and hematoma of TMJ; subsequent intraarticular adhesion formation ; dislocation of the meniscus, and rarely auriculotemporal nerve damage from traumatic TMJ dislocation. We studied in 200 patients the size of mouth opening during intubation, the change of mouth opening by tracheal intubation evaluated after operation, and any TMJ disorder arising after tracheal intubation. The results were as follows; 1) The mean size of mouth opening before operation was 42.7+/-7.0 and 40.6+/-6.2mm in male and female patients, respectively. 2) The mean size of mouth opening during intubation was 24.7+/-2.6 and 23.4+/-2.7mm in male and female patients, respectively. When vecuronium was used to prevent fasciculation, the mean was 24.3+/-3.1 and 25.2+/-2.0mm in male and female patients, respectively. 3) One week following operation The mean size of mouth opening one week postoperation was 48.3+/-8.9 and 42.2+/-6.3mm in male and female patients, respectively. When vecuronium was used to prevent fasciculation, the mean size of mouth opening was 55.5+/-5.3 and 43.2+/-6.2mm in male and female patients, respectively. 4) Five patients complained of discomfort around TMJ after tracheal intubation. It seems that upward 45 mandibule lifting by laryngoscope caused trauma to TMJs.
Anesthesia, General ; Dislocations ; Fasciculation ; Female ; Hematoma ; Humans ; Intubation ; Intubation, Intratracheal* ; Jaw ; Laryngoscopes ; Lifting ; Male ; Mandible ; Mouth ; Temporomandibular Joint Disorders ; Temporomandibular Joint* ; Traction ; Vecuronium Bromide

Fanconi-Bickel syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive disorder of the carbohydrate metabolism recently demonstrated to be caused by mutations in GLUT2, the gene for the glucose transporter protein 2 expressed in the liver, pancreatic beta islet-cells, intestine and kidney. Typical clinical and laboratory findings of Fanconi-Bickel syndrome are hepatomegaly secondary to glycogen accumulation, glucose and galactose intolerance, fasting hypoglycemia, a characteristic proximal tubular nephropathy and severe short stature. Several cases have been reported in other countries after Fanconi and Bickel in Switzerland first reported this syndrome in 1949. We experienced the first Korean case of Fanconi-Bickel syndrome in a neonate presented with hyperglycemia and hypergalactosemia that was initially diagnosed as transient neonatal diabetes mellitus and galactosemia. We also identified a novel mutation(K5X) in the GLUT2 gene.
Carbohydrate Metabolism ; Diabetes Mellitus* ; Fanconi Syndrome* ; Galactose ; Galactosemias* ; Glucose ; Glucose Transport Proteins, Facilitative ; Glycogen ; Hepatomegaly ; Humans ; Hyperglycemia ; Hypoglycemia ; Infant, Newborn ; Intestines ; Kidney ; Liver ; Switzerland

PURPOSE: A transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) is the gold standard surgical treatment for men with benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH), but 10% of patients shows no improvement in voiding symptom following the procedure. We attempted to find if the prostatic calcification and inflammatory cell infiltration could affect the result of TURP in BPH. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 117 BPH patients who had undergone a TURP, performed by one urologist between March 1999 and February 2001, were evaluated. The prostatic volume, and the size and location of the prostatic calcifications were checked preoperatively. When the calcifications were located around the verumontanum or periurethral area they were classified as central, whereas, when they were located peripherally they were classified as peripheral. The IPSS, Qmax and residual urine were measured preoperatively, and at 6 months after the TURP. The tissues obtained from the TURP were evaluated histologically. Slides of the hematoxylin and eosin-stained tissue of each patient were examined from 5 to 15 chips with a light microscope. They were divided into three groups depending on the level of lymphocyte infiltration; mild: <100/mm2, moderate: 100-499/mm2 and severe: gt;or=500/mm2. RESULTS: In all groups, there were significant pre- and post-operative differences in the IPSS, Qmax and residual urine (p<0.05, t-test). The prostate weights were significantly decreased in the 'central' group preoperatively, and the Qmax was decreased in the 'central' group 6 months postoperatively (p<0.05, ANOVA). CONCLUSIONS: We found no influence of prostatic lymphocyte infiltration on the outcome of TURP. Although the preoperative prostate weight of the 'central' group was smaller than in the 'peripheral' group, if the prostatic calcifications were located around the verumontanum or periurethral area, the Qmax was poorer 6 months postoperatively. Therefore, the evaluation of the size and location of prostatic calcifications from TRUS may be useful in predicting the outcome of TURP.
Hematoxylin ; Humans ; Hyperplasia ; Lymphocytes* ; Male ; Prostate ; Prostatic Hyperplasia* ; Transurethral Resection of Prostate* ; Weights and Measures

PURPOSE: A transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) is the gold standard surgical treatment for men with benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH), but 10% of patients shows no improvement in voiding symptom following the procedure. We attempted to find if the prostatic calcification and inflammatory cell infiltration could affect the result of TURP in BPH. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 117 BPH patients who had undergone a TURP, performed by one urologist between March 1999 and February 2001, were evaluated. The prostatic volume, and the size and location of the prostatic calcifications were checked preoperatively. When the calcifications were located around the verumontanum or periurethral area they were classified as central, whereas, when they were located peripherally they were classified as peripheral. The IPSS, Qmax and residual urine were measured preoperatively, and at 6 months after the TURP. The tissues obtained from the TURP were evaluated histologically. Slides of the hematoxylin and eosin-stained tissue of each patient were examined from 5 to 15 chips with a light microscope. They were divided into three groups depending on the level of lymphocyte infiltration; mild: <100/mm2, moderate: 100-499/mm2 and severe: gt;or=500/mm2. RESULTS: In all groups, there were significant pre- and post-operative differences in the IPSS, Qmax and residual urine (p<0.05, t-test). The prostate weights were significantly decreased in the 'central' group preoperatively, and the Qmax was decreased in the 'central' group 6 months postoperatively (p<0.05, ANOVA). CONCLUSIONS: We found no influence of prostatic lymphocyte infiltration on the outcome of TURP. Although the preoperative prostate weight of the 'central' group was smaller than in the 'peripheral' group, if the prostatic calcifications were located around the verumontanum or periurethral area, the Qmax was poorer 6 months postoperatively. Therefore, the evaluation of the size and location of prostatic calcifications from TRUS may be useful in predicting the outcome of TURP.
Hematoxylin ; Humans ; Hyperplasia ; Lymphocytes* ; Male ; Prostate ; Prostatic Hyperplasia* ; Transurethral Resection of Prostate* ; Weights and Measures

Pulmonary embolism is one of the most common acute pulmonary disease in the adult general hospital populalion. However, the disease is still frequenfly unsuspected and underdiagnosed due to the nonspecifieity of both clinical findings and laboratory tests. The chest radiography in a patient suspected acute pulmonary embolism do not provide adequate information to establish or exclude the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism. Even in the case of infarction, there is no pathognomonic clues on the chest film. Rarely infarction presents unusual roentgenologic manifestation such as lobar consolidation, coin lesion, multinodular opacity, or massive pleural effusion. Especially, lobar consolidation in pulmonary embolism might mislead into the diagnosis of pneumonia. We experienced a case of pulmonary embolism presenting lobar consolidation in a 62 years old woman, originated from deep vein thrombosis. She took a compression stocking and underwent anticoagulant therapy with excellent outcome.
Adult ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Infarction ; Lung Diseases ; Middle Aged ; Numismatics ; Pleural Effusion ; Pneumonia ; Pulmonary Embolism ; Radiography ; Respiratory Insufficiency* ; Stockings, Compression ; Thorax ; Venous Thrombosis

Studies on the effect of drinking and exercise on metabolic syndrome (MetS) are lacking despite the high prevalence of the disease and the high drinking rate among Korean men. This study sought to elucidate the association of MetS with alcohol consumption and physical activity. Data on male drinkers aged 19 to 65 years were obtained from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey conducted from 2007 to 2009. Participants were divided into mild to moderate and heavy drinkers according to daily alcohol consumption. By the intensity of physical activity expressed as metabolic equivalents (METs), participants were categorized into inactive, moderate active, and health enhancing groups. Logistic regression models were used for analyses. Prevalence of MetS was significantly higher in heavy drinkers compared to mild to moderate drinkers. In heavy drinkers, low high density lipoprotein (HDL) was significantly less frequent while the remaining four components were more frequent. Compared to inactive group, health promoting group showed a 35% decrease in MetS after adjusting for confounding factors. Higher physical activity level was associated with less low HDL and high triglyceride (TG) in mild to moderate drinkers and smaller waist in heavy drinkers. In Korean men, higher level of physical activity was associated with less low HDL and high TG, and physical activity achieving more than 3,000 MET.min/wk decreased the risk for MetS. Higher physical activity level was also associated with less large waist circumference in heavy drinkers, while there was no significant association with development of MetS.
Alcohol Drinking* ; Drinking ; Humans ; Korea ; Lipoproteins ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Metabolic Equivalent ; Motor Activity* ; Nutrition Surveys ; Prevalence ; Triglycerides ; Waist Circumference

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Complementary and alternative medicines can be used to alleviate climacteric symptoms that significantly affect the quality of life of postmenopausal women. Isoflavones are the most common plant-based therapies for postmenopausal changes, but the results of previous studies have been controversial.MATERIALS/METHODS: To investigate whether isoflavones would affect menopausal symptoms as well as ovarian hormones, we performed a systematic review and metaanalysis. The PubMed and EMBASE databases were used to perform the systematic search.Included studies were limited to randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the impact of isoflavone supplementation on menopausal symptoms. RESULTS: Eleven studies were included for the final quantitative assessment. Isoflavone intervention was varied between 49.3 and 135 mg of isoflavones per day for 12 wk–2 yrs.The meta-analysis showed that supplementation of isoflavones significantly increased the estradiol levels (standardized mean difference [SMD] = 0.615, P = 0.035) and Kupperman index (SMD = 3.121, P = 0.003) but had no significant effect on hot flashes, folliclestimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone. However, both estradiol and the Kupperman index showed significant heterogeneity among studies (I2 = 94.7%, P < 0.001 and I2 = 98.1%, P < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS Although the results showed a significant SMD in estradiol and the Kupperman index, the results should be interpreted with caution due to the high heterogeneity. Further validation with a larger RCT will be necessary. Overall, isoflavone supplementation has distinct effects on the climacteric symptoms and hormonal changes in postmenopausal women.