PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify motivational factors that may influence health behaviors of patients with coronary artery disease. METHODS: Structured questionnaires were used with a convenience sample of 164 subjects who were discharged from the hospital. The subjects were recruited for an interview at outpatient clinic in hospitals. The tools for the study were the motivational factors and health behaviors measure for the Elderly with cardiovascular disease. The data were analyzed using frequency, t-test, ANOVA, sheffe, Pearson correlation coefficient and stepwise multiple regressions. RESULTS: There were significant correlations between motivational factors and health behaviors, ranging from r=.192 to .692. Stepwise multiple regression analyses indicated that 51% of variance in health behaviors was explained by self-efficacy and perceived benefits among four motivational factors(F=34.988, p<.01). Self-efficacy contributed the greatest amount of variance in health behaviors(beta=.467), followed by perceived benefits(beta=.235). CONCLUSIONS: The results of the study indicate that motivation, especially self-efficacy, was very important in predicting health behaviors of patients with coronary artery disease. Thus it would be necessary to include motivational factors in designing rehabilitation program for people with coronary artery disease.
Aged ; Ambulatory Care Facilities ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Coronary Artery Disease* ; Coronary Vessels* ; Health Behavior* ; Humans ; Motivation ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Rehabilitation

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to investigate the relationships among fatigue, pain, anxiety, depression, and quality of life in Korean patients with multiple myeloma and to identify factors influencing their quality of life. METHODS: The study design was a crosssectional descriptive study. The participants were 92 multiple myeloma patients who visited the outpatient department at a university hospital in Seoul, Korea. The data were collected from January to April in 2013 with self-reporting questionnaires. RESULTS: The mean scores of quality of life in all dimensions were relatively low. Fatigue, pain, anxiety and depression were all correlated to the global heath/quality of life, functional quality of life, and symptom quality of life (p<.001). Fatigue, pain and depression accounted for 65.1% (p<.001) in global health/quality of life and 73.6% (p<.001) in functional quality of life, respectively. And fatigue and pain accounted for 66.4% (p<.001) in symptom quality of life. CONCLUSION: The results of the study showed that fatigue, pain and depression were major predictors of quality of life for patients with multiple myeloma. Therefore, psychological symptoms, such as depression, and physical symptoms should be integrated into the nursing intervention to improve their quality of life.
Anxiety ; Depression ; Fatigue ; Humans ; Korea ; Multiple Myeloma* ; Nursing ; Outpatients ; Quality of Life* ; Seoul ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a typical pathogen of nosocomial infection, and has recently emerged as an important community-acquired pathogen. MRSA is notorious as a multidrug-resistant organism. Its resistance to all beta-lactams is mediated by PBP2a which is encoded by mecA, and it is also resistant to many antimicrobials of other classes due to frequently co-carrying resistance genes, which accounts for becoming a clinical and laboratory issue. This article reviews the microbiological characteristics, surveillance methods, and molecular epidemiology of MRSA.
Adenosine ; beta-Lactams ; Carrier State ; Cross Infection ; Methicillin Resistance ; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus ; Molecular Epidemiology

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to explore the illness experiences of Korean patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma. METHODS: Data were collected through individual in-depth interviews with 9 patients. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. RESULTS: Five themes emerged as a result of the analysis. "Embarrassment from unfamiliar diagnosis and rapid progression" delineates lymphoma as a very cancer. "Maelstrom in dilemma of cancer treatment" describes suffering due to side effects and complications with lack of information about treatments. "Rearrangement of relationships due to social prejudice" describes interpersonal relationships with others and family members. "Keeping psychological stability through balancing alertness and oblivion" illustrates strategies to overcome the fear of recurrence. "A new life obtained by introspection" delineates the outcome of overcoming cancer through self-reflection. CONCLUSION: Patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma experienced tremendous physical and psychosocial problems. There are significant knowledge gaps between patients and health professionals. Based on the results of the study, health professionals could develop effective nursing interventions to improve the quality of life of non-Hodgkin lymphoma patients.
Diagnosis ; Health Occupations ; Humans ; Life Change Events ; Lymphoma ; Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin* ; Nursing ; Qualitative Research ; Quality of Life ; Recurrence

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to explore the levels of self-awareness, assertiveness, life stress, and empathy in nursing students and identify influential factors on empathy. METHODS: A predictive correlational design was used. The data was collected by questionnaires from a convenience sample of 319 nursing students in 2014 in Korea. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficients, and stepwise multiple regression. RESULTS: The mean items scores of self-awareness, assertiveness, life stress, and empathy were 3.49, 3.02, 2.20 and 3.58, respectively, of a possible score ranging from 1 to 5. Empathy significantly differed by gender, grade, satisfaction with nursing as a major, and clinical practice experience. Empathy was correlated with self-awareness and interpersonal relationship stress. As a result of multiple regression analysis, empathy accounted for 20.1% of the variance by self-awareness, gender, clinical practice experience and interpersonal relationship stress. The most important factor was self-awareness, which explained 11.6% of the variation. CONCLUSION: The results of the study reveal that strengthening self-awareness and relieving interpersonal relationship stress ought to be integrated in developing effective educational intervention for enhancing empathy in nursing students.
Assertiveness ; Empathy* ; Humans ; Korea ; Nursing ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Stress, Psychological ; Students, Nursing*

Varicose veins refer to tortuous engorged veins on the lower extremities. Although this is a common condition observed in clinical practice, objective diagnosis is important for optimal treatment.Current Concepts: Thorough physical examination is the first key step for diagnosis of varicose veins. Both legs should be examined between the inguinal region and the feet with the patient in an erect position. The presence and location of venous reflux should be confirmed using duplex ultrasonography (DUS), which serves as a simple, non-invasive modality to assess both the anatomy and physiology of leg veins. Reflux is defined as duration of retrograde flow greater than 0.5 seconds in superficial veins, 0.35 seconds in perforating veins, and 1.0 seconds in deep veins. Computed tomography venography can be used in selective cases as a complementary tool to obtain objective images of all varicose veins; however, this imaging modality cannot confirm venous reflux.Discussion and Conclusion: DUS is a key diagnostic tool for varicose veins. However, DUS results are operator dependent; therefore, this procedure should be performed by experienced technologists or clinicians, based on guidelines. The location and duration of reflux should be recorded.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the awareness of alcohol use during pregnancy and factors influencing the intention to abstain from alcohol during pregnancy by drinking levels. Methods: Utilizing a comparative descriptive design, a total of 359 female college students were recruited. Measurements were Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) variables related awareness of alcohol use during pregnancy, Korean Version of the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test, knowledge about alcohol use during pregnancy, and socio-demographic factors. Main variables were compared by drinking levels. The factors influencing the intention to abstain from alcohol during pregnancy were identified using hierarchical regression analysis. Results: Non-problematic alcohol behavior group (n=185) had higher the intention to abstain from alcohol during pregnancy than problematic alcohol behavior group (n=174) (t=3.13, p=.002). The significant TPB variables influencing the intention to abstain from alcohol during pregnancy were that attitudes (β =−.44, p<.001), subjective norms (β =.14, p=.026), and perceived behavior control (β =.19, p=.002) in non-problematic alcohol behavior group, whereas the corresponding variables in the problematic alcohol behavior group were attitudes (β =−.51, p<.001) and subjective norms (β =.21, p=.006). Conclusion It is necessary to increase the intention to abstain from alcohol during pregnancy for the female college students having problematic alcohol behavior. The following strategies are recommended for them; decreasing acceptable attitudes toward alcohol use during pregnancy and reinforcing the influence of social pressure toward to abstain from alcohol during pregnancy.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the awareness of alcohol use during pregnancy and factors influencing the intention to abstain from alcohol during pregnancy by drinking levels.METHODS: Utilizing a comparative descriptive design, a total of 359 female college students were recruited. Measurements were Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) variables related awareness of alcohol use during pregnancy, Korean Version of the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test, knowledge about alcohol use during pregnancy, and socio-demographic factors. Main variables were compared by drinking levels. The factors influencing the intention to abstain from alcohol during pregnancy were identified using hierarchical regression analysis.RESULTS: Non-problematic alcohol behavior group (n=185) had higher the intention to abstain from alcohol during pregnancy than problematic alcohol behavior group (n=174) (t=3.13, p=.002). The significant TPB variables influencing the intention to abstain from alcohol during pregnancy were that attitudes (β =−.44, p<.001), subjective norms (β =.14, p=.026), and perceived behavior control (β =.19, p=.002) in non-problematic alcohol behavior group, whereas the corresponding variables in the problematic alcohol behavior group were attitudes (β =−.51, p<.001) and subjective norms (β =.21, p=.006).CONCLUSION: It is necessary to increase the intention to abstain from alcohol during pregnancy for the female college students having problematic alcohol behavior. The following strategies are recommended for them; decreasing acceptable attitudes toward alcohol use during pregnancy and reinforcing the influence of social pressure toward to abstain from alcohol during pregnancy.
Alcohol Drinking ; Alcohol-Related Disorders ; Behavior Control ; Drinking ; Female ; Humans ; Intention ; Pregnancy

Purpose: We compared clinical outcomes between combined laser-assisted subepithelial keratomileusis and accelerated collagen cross-linking (Avedro-LASEK), and LASEK alone. Methods: This retrospective study analyzed 38 eyes of 19 patients who had undergone Avedro-LASEK, and 34 eyes of 17 patients who received LASEK alone. Uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), spherical equivalent (SE), keratometry, and corneal inflammation were evaluated preoperatively, and at 1 week, 1, 3, and 6 months, and 1 and 2 years after surgery. Results: The Avedro-LASEK group had a higher preoperative SE (p < 0.05) and thinner central cornea compared with the control group (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in UDVA, SE stability or keratometry between the two groups during the 2-year follow-up period. At the 2-year follow-up, the SE was ± 0.25 diopter (D) in 92% of the Avedro-LASEK patients and ± 0.5 D in 90.2% of the LASEK patients. Both groups showed high levels of refractive predictability. There was no significant difference between the flat K (p = 0.38) and steep K (p = 0.56) rates over time between the two groups. Corneal haze was observed in 21% of eyes in the Avedro-LASEK group, but neither decreased vision nor ectasia was observed during the follow-up period. Conclusions During the 2-year follow-up period, there were no significant differences in any parameters between the Avedro-LASEK and LASEK patients, and both procedures are considered effective for myopia correction because of their stability and effectiveness.

Understanding anatomic variations in neurovascular structure inside the femoral triangle is crucial for regional anesthesiologists performing femoral nerve block. During routine dissection of a cadaver, an ascending branch of the lateral circumflex femoral artery with an anomalous course passing through the femoral nerve, specifically the posterior division, was identified inside the femoral triangle on the left thigh. The novel variation identified in this study occurred in an early stage of prenatal development. Recognition of this anatomic variation will be helpful for reducing unexpected complications during the femoral nerve block and the tensor fascia latae flap. Penetration of the posterior division of the femoral nerve by the arterial branch might cause pain or paresthesia of the medial aspect of the leg in the distribution of the saphenous nerve.