No abstract available.
Humans ; Skin* ; Veterans* ; Vietnam*

No abstract available.
Humans ; Veterans ; Vietnam

In Vietnam war, US army applied a great amount of herbicides (especially the agent orange) which was contaminated with a very poisonous chemical named dioxin. There were a high prevalence of some cancers among people who were exposed to dioxin. In oncology, the p53 gene plays an important role as a tumor suppression gene. This study was carried out to investigate the p53 gene in peripheral blood lymphocyte from a number of veterans who served in dioxin exposed regions in Vietnam. The 1st group (exposed group) include 25 veterans who served in the dioxin exposed regions in Vietnam for at least three years. The 2nd group (control group) include 15 veterans who served only in Northern Vietnam. DNA samples were extracted from peripheral blood lymphocyte. PCR was carried out for 35 cycles with the specific primers P18-M10. PCR products were checked by electrophoresis. The results showed that: exposed group: The frequency of the investigated p53 gene is 40% (10/25 samples). Control group: the frequency of the investigated p53 gene is 73.3% (11/15 samples). There is a significant difference between the frequency of the p53 gene in the group of dioxin exposed veterans and that of the control group (p<0.05).
Genes, p53 ; Veterans ; Lymphocytes ; Dioxins

Humans ; Male ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; Veterans

PURPOSE: The Korea Veterans Health Service (KVHS) implemented the ‘designated hospital system’ so that veterans can receive prompt medical attention at hospitals near their residences when experience medical emergencies, including hip fractures. We analyzed the hospital-selection process of Korean veterans following a hip fracture. We then evaluated (the validity and considerations) for choosing designated hospitals. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study population consisted of 183 veteran patients (84 treated at a single veterans hospital and the remaining 99 treated at 39 designated hospitals) who underwent hip fracture between January 2010 and February 2015 in the Honam region of South Korea. The subjects were divided into the ‘nearest group’ (those who chose the hospital closest to their residences) and the ‘non-nearest group’ (those who did not choose the hospital closest to their residences). We compared the age, ambulatory status, combined disease and fracture type, factors that we speculated may impact hospital choice. RESULTS: Although the patients had difficulty moving due to hip fractures, 116 (63.4%) patients choose hospitals that were not closest to their residences. Patients with three or more comorbidities (P=0.028) and older ages (P=0.046) were statistically more likely to fall into the non-nearest group. Ambulatory status and fracture type were shown not to significantly impact choice between nearest and non-nearest hospital. Patients in the non-nearest group tended to seek care at larger hospitals. CONCLUSION: Korean veterans with hip fractures tended to seek care at larger hospitals, regardless of distance. We must therefore consider the number of beds and departments when choosing designated hospitals.
Comorbidity ; Emergencies ; Hip Fractures* ; Hip* ; Hospitals, Veterans ; Humans ; Korea ; Veterans Health ; Veterans*

Sigmoidscopy is thought to be one of the basest and most essential tools for evaluation of colorectal patient because it could be performed in an out patient clinic with only minimal bowel preparation. AIM: The aim of this study was to assess the patient's best position for sigmoidoscopy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between March 4, 1997 and April 18, 1997, all patients who visited the colorectal clinic at the Dept. of Surgery, Korea Veterans Hospital were alternately underwent sigmoidoscopy in these four different positions: supine(S), left lateral(L), right lateral(R), and jack-knife(J). Sigmoidocopy was routinely performed for all patients who had lower gastrointestinal problems and was done by two well traind surgeons who had performed more than 100 sigmoidoscopies previously to this study, The patients who could not be tolerate insertion of the total length (60 cm) of the sigmoidoscope due to poor bowel preparation and/or complete obstruction by a mass were excluded. We evaluated the patient's complaints according to minimal, moderate, and severe discomfort and time between start and complete insertion of the 60 cm length of the sigmoidoscope. Statistical analysis was performed by an appropriate Anova test and Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: There were no differences among these four groups relative to age(5; 58.0+/-12.7, L; 64.3+/-10.0, R; 62.0+/-10.1, J; 56.0+/-12.9), gender(5; 76%, L; 70%, R; 72%, J, 83%,male ratio), degree of discomfort (mild: 42.9% (5), 50% (L), 33.3%(R), 66.7%(J), moderate: 42.9%(5), 34.6%(L),25%(R), 13.3%(J), severe: 14.3%(5), 15.4%(L), 41.7%(R), 20%(J)) and duration of insertion of the sigmoidoscope(5; 264.4 +/-192.9, L; 226.5 +/-267, R; 301.6+/-361.3, J; 202.5 +/-117.8 seconds). Also, there were no statistical significances between the two groups according to the surgeon who performed the procedure. CONCLUSION: The best position for sigmoidoscopy does not depend on the patient's position. Therefore, allowing the patient to change his position during the procedure would be the best way for an easy and comfortable sigmoidscopy.
Hospitals, Veterans ; Humans ; Korea ; Sigmoidoscopes ; Sigmoidoscopy*

Background: Dioxin affects nervous system via the system of nervous communicative hormones and endocrine hormones, causing disorders and nervous behavior wrongs. Reproductive health is one of the serious effects of exposing Agent Organe/Dioxin. Objectives: To evaluate the birth defects of the nervous system of children, from the generation of veterans exposed to Agent Orange/Dioxin during wartime and to assess congenital nervous defects related factors, characteristics in these subjects. Subject and methods: A retrospective cohort, interview and examine 12.369 exposed and 7.659 unexposed Hanoi veterans, their birth defective children were examined by the pediatrics. During the 2002-2003 timescale. Results: A statistically high significant rate of reproductive failures and birth defects for exposed veterans, compared to unexposed ones, spontaneous abortion with relative risk RR = 4.18, hydatidiform mole with RR = 3.0, still births with RR = 2.2, birth defects with RR = 2.12. Nervous birth defects were highest; representing more than 40% of live births; the relative risk of the exposed group is 2.3 fold higher than the unexposed group, with p < 0.01. The birth defects increased significantly: mild mental retardation with RR = 3.5, severe mental retardation with RR = 3.5, Down's syndrome with RR = 2.16. Conclusions: Nervous birth defects of children of the Hanoi veterans exposed to Agent Orange during wartime accounted for the highest rate. Congenital nervous defects in male were higher than female. Exposed time, exposed levels and direct exposure to Agent Orange were significant related factors in this study. The increase of birth defects was in correlation with exposed levels.
congenital nervous defects ; birth defects ; veterans

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the mediating role of psychological capital (PCP) in the relationship between occupational stress and turnover intention in nurses. METHODS: Data were collected from a sample of 447 nurses working at four Veterans Administration Hospitals throughout South Korea from July 1 to July 31, 2014. We collected data from the nurses using the following surveys: the Short Form Korean-Occupational Stress Scale, the Korean version of the Turnover Intention Scale, and the Korean version of the Psychological Capital Questionnaire. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to examine the mediating role of PCP. RESULTS: The level of occupational stress was 1.81 ± 0.23, the level of turnover intention was 3.29 ± 0.86, and the PCP level was 3.95 ± 0.52. There were significant correlations among the three variables (occupational stress, turnover intention, and PCP). PCP played a partial mediating role (β=−0.22, p = .008) in the relationship between occupational stress and turnover intention (p < .001) among nurses working at the Veterans Administration Hospitals. CONCLUSION: Based on the findings of this study, we recommend that South Korean hospitals offer occupational stress management programs that incorporate relevant programs in efforts to strengthen the overall components of PCP among nurses to reduce turnover intentions. Further studies are required to determine the most effective intervention programs for hospital settings.
Humans ; Intention* ; Korea* ; Linear Models ; Negotiating* ; Nursing Care ; Personnel Turnover ; United States Department of Veterans Affairs* ; Veterans*

BACKGROUND: This study was done to estimate the size of long-term care in-patients in one Veterans Hospital. Using KADL and KIADL (developed in 2002, verified validity & reliability), we evaluated the activities of daily living among in-patients in Daegu Veterans Hospital. METHODS: During the two months in June and July 2003, interviews were conducted by two interviewers. Daegu Veterans Hospital is 300-bed hospital and 257 in-patients were interviewed. Information from patients, care-givers, nurses and others were obtained. We classified a patient as severely disabled reguiring long-term care if one's total-KADL score over 16. RESULTS: The patients studied were representative of in-patients of Daegu Veterans Hospital. Their characteristics were males, old aged, slightly lower education but with high income compared to community based people. Among the total, 34% were classified as severe disabled (total-KALD score over 16) needing long-term care. The distribution of total-KADL was bi-modal (both the independent group and the dependent group occupied a high percentage). But the distribution of total-KIADL was more skewed to the independent group and we were able to estimate that the real long-term care need might be over 34%. Average admission period during the recent six months was 83.3 days in all-covered patients and 55.3 days in partial-covered patients. There was no significant correlation between the total-KADL/KIADL score and the admission period. It was suggested that Daegu Veterans Hospital was utiliged as a long-term care hospital. CONCLUSION: Among the total, 34% of admitted patients was classified as a long-term care group. Considering KIADL, the percentage of patients needing long-term care may be greater than those studied.
Activities of Daily Living ; Daegu ; Education ; Hospitals, Veterans* ; Humans ; Long-Term Care* ; Male ; Veterans

PURPOSE: This study was performed to compare the: i) 1-year survival rate of patients with hip fractures, ii) factors affecting mortality in patients with hip fractures, and iii) results of functional recovery at commissioned hospitals (CH) and veterans hospitals (VH) to characterize the quality of care provided in the Korean commissioned hospital system. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study population consisted of 183 veteran patients (84 and 99 treated at a single VH and 39 CH, respectively) who underwent hip fracture surgery between January 2010 and February 2015. This study compared baseline characteristics (i.e., age, comorbidities, fracture types and surgical treatment approaches) of the two groups vs. clinical outcomes, and evaluated the waiting time, length of hospital stay, total medical expenses, mortality rate within one year, and functional recovery at last follow up. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in age, fracture types, comorbidities, ambulatory status before fracture, waiting time, or length of hospital stay between the two groups, however, the total medical cost was higher in the CH group (P=0.009). There was no significant difference in mortality within one year after hip fracture (P=0.224) or functional recovery at last follow-up (P=0.463) between the two groups. CONCLUSION: The results of this study confirm that the Korean commissioned hospitals system is operating in accordance with its purpose. However, further studies are needed to better characterize the medical expenses of CHs vs. veterans hospitals.
Comorbidity ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hip Fractures ; Hip ; Hospitals, Veterans ; Humans ; Length of Stay ; Mortality ; Survival Rate ; Veterans