Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate polypharmacy and potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) use in elderly patients admitted to hospitals after falls. Methods: The study surveyed 283 patients 65 or older admitted January 1-December 31, 2016. Data were collected from electronic medical records, and medications administered immediately prior to admission were examined. PIM use for patients was investigated using the Beers criteria, and data were analyzed by Chi-square test and independent test. Results: The average age of participants was 79.42 ± 8.16, and the study included 226 women (79.9%) and 57 men (20.1%). The average number of self-administered medications daily was 4.94 ± 3.68, and 55.1% took five or more medications. PIM use was found in 107 patients (37.8%). There was a significant difference in polypharmacy according to age, and the proportion of medical aid beneficiaries and prevalence of cardiocerebrovascular, endocrine, and other chronic diseases were higher in the polypharmacy and PIM use patients than in the non-polypharmacy and non-PIM use patients. The number of chronic diseases and medications taken were significantly high among polypharmacy and PIM use patients. Conclusion It is necessary to minimize polypharmacy and PIM use, and establish a system for systematically evaluating and managing medication use to prevent falls in the elderly.

Therapeutic ionizing radiation can damage the permanent pacemaker. Reimplantation of pacemaker should be considered when the pacemaker site is included in the radiation field. We report a case of successful repositioning of preexisting pacemaker generator and leads with subcutaneous tunneling method across the sternum instead of insertion of new leads in a female patient with breast cancer who had DDD pacemaker.
Breast Neoplasms ; Dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane ; Female ; Humans ; Radiation, Ionizing ; Replantation ; Sternum

PURPOSE: In this study factors affecting quality of life in mothers who have children with precocious puberty were identified. METHODS: The participants were 102 mothers of children with precocious puberty. From September 12 to September 30, 2016, data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS/WIN 22.0. RESULTS: Regression analysis showed that the model's explanatory power was 45%(F=28.71, p<.001). Role stress (t=-4.83, p<.001), objective burden (t=-2.71, p<.001), and average monthly income (t=4.12, p<.001) were factors affecting quality of life among these mothers. The most influential factor was role stress (β=-.41), which showed a negative correlation. CONCLUSION: Role stress and objective burden were major factors that decreased the quality of life in these. The findings indicate that effective strategy programs for reducing role stress and objective burden are necessary to improve the quality of life in mothers of children with precocious puberty.
Child* ; Humans ; Mothers* ; Puberty, Precocious* ; Quality of Life*

Arteries originating from the celiac axis have numerous anatomical variations. When performing interventional and surgical procedures, it is important to be aware of these variations to have better outcomes and to prevent iatrogenic complications. We report on a case of a 62-year-old man who came to our institution to receive transarterial chemoembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma. The computed tomography and angiography revealed a rare anatomic variation: the entire left gastric artery originated from the left hepatic artery with no other accessory feature of the left gastric artery from celiac axis or aorta was seen. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the entirely replaced left gastric artery from the left hepatic artery that was confirmed by utilizing both computed tomographic and angiographic images.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify factors which influence the management of MultiDrug-Resistant Organisms (MDROs) by nurses in Intensive Care Units (ICUs). METHODS: Data were collected from December 8 to 20, 2013 and participants were 163 ICU nurses working in one general hospital. The Health Belief Model tool and knowledge and management of MDROs infection tools were used in the study. Descriptive statistics, t-test, analysis of variances, Pearson correlation coefficients and multiple regression were used to analyze the data. RESULTS: Knowledge, perceived susceptibility, and perceived benefits had a significant influence on MRSA (Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus,) and MDRAB (Multidrug Resistant Acinetobacter Baumannii) infection management when all the other variables were considered. Significant variable which had influence on VRE (Vancomycin Resistant Eenterococci) infection management were perceived susceptibility and perceived benefits. CONCLUSION: Perceived susceptibility and perceived benefits had significant influence on MDROs infection management. Emphasis needs to be on the perceived susceptibility and perceived benefits of MDROs infection management when providing an educational program for ICU nurses.
Acinetobacter ; Drug Resistance, Multiple ; Hospitals, General ; Infection Control ; Intensive Care Units* ; Critical Care* ; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus ; Staphylococcus

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to properly manage diseases such as blood sugar control so that patients with diabetes can benefit from both medication and health activities. Also, these health practices are greatly influenced by self-rated health, a subjective assessment of health status. Because self-rated health does not necessarily match the objective health status, it is important to identify which factors affect self-rated health. METHODS: For the study, the data was gathered from the 4th–6th National Health Nutrition Survey (2007–2015). Out of the total 73,353 participants in the survey, 2,303 patients with uncontrolled blood sugar with an HbA1c level of more than 7% were selected for the final study. Dependent variables fell into two categories depending on how the participant reported whether he or she was in good health or not. Independent variables included socio-demographics, health behavioral, and health status factors. This study performed logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Out of 2,303 participants, 18.1% reported that their heath was ‘good,’ despite the fact that their blood sugar level was not controlled. After running a logistic regression model, the odds ratio of groups that perceive subjective health awareness as good was higher in the groups of people as below: in the people over 60 years old; in the people who graduated from a junior college or higher than those who had a level of education of primary school completion or less; in the people living in Chungnam than those living in Seoul; and in the group with hypertriglyceridemia. CONCLUSION The study identified factors associated with those failed to perceive the blood sugar level as a severe health problem despite of the fact that blood sugar was not controlled. To improve public health, diabetes management policies need to be addressed to population groups with these problems above.

A 2-year-old male Tosa was admitted for treatment of a non-healing wound on the right forelimb. Skin tests were unremarkable; however, the lesion contained severe proliferative tissue. Surgical treatment was conducted due to the extensive skin defect and granulation tissue present. Following removal of the proliferative tissue, the wound was closed using the adjustable horizontal mattress suture method with multiple punctate relaxing incisions. The proliferative tissue healed completely after the surgical treatment. This technique can be considered an alternative treatment for the proliferative tissue when conditions require a skin graft or flap after surgical treatment.
Animals ; Child, Preschool ; Dogs* ; Forelimb ; Granulation Tissue ; Humans ; Lower Extremity* ; Male ; Skin ; Skin Tests ; Sutures* ; Transplants ; Wounds and Injuries

BACKGROUND: Although many studies on vitamin D have been conducted, they have not been consistent regarding the method of measurement, the individuals investigated, and the season of blood sampling. Thus, this study was performed to investigate 25-hydroxy vitamin D [25(OH)D] levels and the prevalence of 25(OH)D deficiency by age, region, and season using the standard method for vitamin D measurement. METHODS: A total of 17,252 health examinees (9,180 men and 8,072 women) who were administered the vitamin D test at 16 health promotion centers in 13 cities in Korea from January to December 2013 were selected for this study. Measurements of 25(OH)D2 and 25(OH)D3 were performed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) using the MSMS Vitamin D Kit. RESULTS: The levels of 25(OH)D were significantly lower among women than men. The median 25(OH)D value was lowest among men and women in their 20s when compared to other age groups. We observed the lowest levels in January and February and the highest levels in August, September, and October. The prevalence of 25(OH)D deficiency (having levels of <10 ng/mL) was significantly higher among women than men. When different age groups were analyzed, the highest rates of 25(OH)D deficiency were found in their 20s, and prevalence decreased with age (up to an age of 60 years). Lastly, the prevalence of 25(OH)D deficiency was highest in Seoul and the Gyeonggi area when compared to other regions. CONCLUSIONS: Level of 25(OH)D and the prevalence of 25(OH)D deficiency differed by sex, age, month (season), and region.
Female ; Gyeonggi-do ; Health Promotion ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Mass Spectrometry ; Prevalence* ; Seasons* ; Seoul ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry ; Vitamin D Deficiency* ; Vitamin D*

BACKGROUND: Although many studies on vitamin D have been conducted, they have not been consistent regarding the method of measurement, the individuals investigated, and the season of blood sampling. Thus, this study was performed to investigate 25-hydroxy vitamin D [25(OH)D] levels and the prevalence of 25(OH)D deficiency by age, region, and season using the standard method for vitamin D measurement. METHODS: A total of 17,252 health examinees (9,180 men and 8,072 women) who were administered the vitamin D test at 16 health promotion centers in 13 cities in Korea from January to December 2013 were selected for this study. Measurements of 25(OH)D2 and 25(OH)D3 were performed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) using the MSMS Vitamin D Kit. RESULTS: The levels of 25(OH)D were significantly lower among women than men. The median 25(OH)D value was lowest among men and women in their 20s when compared to other age groups. We observed the lowest levels in January and February and the highest levels in August, September, and October. The prevalence of 25(OH)D deficiency (having levels of <10 ng/mL) was significantly higher among women than men. When different age groups were analyzed, the highest rates of 25(OH)D deficiency were found in their 20s, and prevalence decreased with age (up to an age of 60 years). Lastly, the prevalence of 25(OH)D deficiency was highest in Seoul and the Gyeonggi area when compared to other regions. CONCLUSIONS: Level of 25(OH)D and the prevalence of 25(OH)D deficiency differed by sex, age, month (season), and region.
Female ; Gyeonggi-do ; Health Promotion ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Mass Spectrometry ; Prevalence* ; Seasons* ; Seoul ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry ; Vitamin D Deficiency* ; Vitamin D*

PURPOSE: This study systematically reviewed research on behavioral interventions based on the information-motivation-behavioral skills (IMB) model to investigate specific intervention strategies that focus on information, motivation, and behavioral skills and to evaluate their effectiveness for people with chronic diseases. METHODS: A systematic review was conducted in accordance with the guidelines of both the National Evidence-based Healthcare Collaborating Agency and Im and Chang. A literature search was conducted using electronic databases. Randomized controlled trials that tested behavioral interventions based on the IMB model for promoting health behaviors among people with chronic diseases were included. Four investigators independently reviewed the studies and assessed the quality of each study. A narrative synthesis was used. RESULTS: A total of 12 studies were included in the review.Nine studies investigated patients with HIV/AIDS. The most frequently used intervention strategies were instructional pamphlets for the information construct, motivational interviewing techniques for the motivation construct, and instruction or role playing for the behavioral skills construct. Ten studies reported significant behavior changes at the first post-intervention assessment. CONCLUSION: This review indicates the potential strength of the IMB model as a theoretical framework to develop behavioral interventions. The specific integration strategies delineated for each construct of the model can be utilized to design model-based interventions.
Behavioral Research ; Chronic Disease ; Delivery of Health Care ; Health Behavior* ; Humans ; Motivation ; Motivational Interviewing ; Pamphlets ; Research Personnel ; Role Playing