The purpose of this study was to test psychometric properties Health-Related Hardiness Scale(HRHS) for Korean elderly. HRHS has been developed by Pollock to measure the effect of hardiness in individuals with actual health problems. Items were generated to measure dimensions based on theoretical definitions of health-related control, commitment, and challenge. In 1990, Pollcok and Duffy revised HRHS to be 34 items. In this study, 34-item HRHS(Pollock & Duffy, 1990) was translated into Korean and administered to 193 elderly involving in 95 hospitalized patients and 98 outpatients or healthy people. The subjects were 80 women and 112 men with an age range of 65 to 95 years(M=71 years) in whom 82.6% classified themselves as moderate or pretty active. Most subjects(80.2%) had education of elementary school or less. The 34-item HRHS consists of three subscales: control, commitment, and challenge, and was measured with 1(strongly disagree) to 6(strongly agree) Likert scale. The higher the score is, the higher people's hardiness. Factor analysis was performed to confirm whether the scale represents three sub-areas as suggested in the literature. Two factors were isolated, using principle components analysis. Two factor solution was accepted for the study since Pollock described the possibility of classifying sub-areas into two divisions. These two factors, commitment/challenge and control accounted for 31.9% of variance of the scale. Factor loadings were string, ranging from .41 to .77. The moderate correlation with task self-efficacy scale also supported the validity(r=.35, p<.05). The scale was found to be internally consistent, showing Cronbanch;s alpha of .90 for the total items with the range of .82 and .90 for three subscales. The findings revealed the potential applicability of HRHS to nursing intervention studies for elderly.
Aged* ; Clinical Trial ; Education ; Female ; Humans ; Clinical Trial ; Male ; Nursing ; Outpatients ; Psychometrics*

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Iodine is essential for thyroid hormone production and the iodine intake of Koreans is high. Few studies have examined the association between iodine intake and thyroid disease in the Korean population due to the lack of an iodine database. Therefore, this study established an iodine database, evaluated iodine intake levels, and explored the association between iodine intake and thyroid disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We obtained data for 9998 subjects who had both biochemical and dietary data from the 2007-2009 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. RESULTS: An iodine database was established for 667 food items. The median iodine intake in the population was 375.4 microg per day. The iodine contribution by food group was 65.6% from seaweed, 18.0% from salted vegetables, and 4.8% from fish. When subjects were divided into five groups across quintiles of iodine intake per 1000 kcal, excluding extreme subjects who consumed above the upper limit, age, sex, income, education, drinking, and smoking differed across the groups. While the energy and fat intakes decreased, other nutrients increased across the quintile groups. The consumption of seaweeds, fish, eggs, and salted vegetables increased across the quintile groups. After adjusting for all potential confounding variables, the odds ratio for thyroid disease in the highest quintile was 1.63 compared to that in the lowest quintile (p for trend=0.0352). CONCLUSION: The iodine intake of the Korean population is high, with high consumption of seaweeds, salted vegetables, and fish positively associated with thyroid disease.
Adult* ; Confounding Factors (Epidemiology) ; Drinking ; Education ; Eggs ; Humans ; Iodine* ; Korea ; Nutrition Surveys ; Odds Ratio ; Ovum ; Seaweed ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Thyroid Diseases* ; Thyroid Gland* ; Vegetables

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate the usefulness of the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) and the relationship between AUDIT score and liver function test. METHODS: AUDIT questionnaires were distributed to 440 blue-collar workers. We compared liver function test with firstly, normal and hazardous drinking as defined by WHO, and secondly, with normal, hazardous and harmful drinking as measured by Kim et al.(1999). We also compared influencing factors on abnormal liver function. RESULTS: By simple analysis in the normal BMI group, abnormal liver function was significantly affected by hazardous drinking (odds ratio 2.81) based on the guideline of WHO. By chi-square test for linear trend in the normal BMI group, abnormal liver function was significantly affected by hazardous drinking (odds ratio 1.23) and harmful drinking (odds ratio 2.14) based on the guideline of Kim et al.By multiple logistic regression analysis, abnormal liver function was significantly affected by AUDIT questionnaires No. 1-3 (odds ratio- high risk 2.39), age (odds ratio- thirties 1.95, forties 2.40, fifties 3.85), BMI (odds ratio- overweight 1.66, obesity 4.53), guideline by WHO (odds ratio- hazardous drinking 2.10), and guideline by Kim et al (odds ratio- harmful drinking 2.20) CONCLUSIONS: We found that the problem of alcohol drinking as measured by AUDIT was significantly associated with abnormal liver function. Therefore we suggest that AUDIT will be useful for the predictive test of abnormal liver function and screening test of hazardous and harmful drinking.
Alcohol Drinking ; Drinking ; Liver Function Tests* ; Liver* ; Logistic Models ; Mass Screening ; Obesity ; Overweight ; Questionnaires

Background and Objectives: This study aimed to provide morbidity and mortality information on very low birth weight (VLBW) infants with congenital heart disease (CHD-VLBWs). Methods: The study used a 10-year cohort of VLBW infants from a single institution. CHD was classified according to International Classification of Diseases, Version 9, Clinical Modification. Mortality and neonatal outcomes were assessed by comparing the CHD-VLBWs with gestational age- and birth weight-matched controls. Results: The prevalence of CHD-VLBWs was 7.5% (79/1,050), mean gestational age was 31.1±3.2 weeks, and mean birth weight was 1,126.2±268.3 g; 50.6% of the infants were small for the gestational age. The CHD-VLBWs more commonly had bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), and the longer they were exposed to oxygen, the more frequently they developed BPD. Those with cyanotic heart disease developed severe BPD more frequently. Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) occurred frequently in the CHD-VLBWs and was not associated with their feeding patterns. CHD-VLBWs had a higher mortality rate; prematurity-related diseases were the leading cause of death before surgery, while heart-related problems were the leading cause of death after surgery. We found no significant difference in mortality from prematurity-related disease between the CHD-VLBWs and controls. In the subgroup analysis of CHD, the cyanotic CHD group had a higher incidence of BPD and higher mortality rate than the acyanotic CHD group. Conclusions CHD-VLBWs showed higher BPD, NEC, and mortality rates than those without CHD. There was also a higher incidence of BPD and mortality in VLBW infants with cyanotic CHD than in those with acyanotic CHD.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The treatment for steroid-refractory acute graft versus host disease (GVHD) after allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT) needs to be standardized. We report our clinical experience with etanercept for steroid-refractory acute GVHD. METHODS: Eighteen patients who underwent allo-SCT and presented with steroid-refractory acute GVHD at Ajou University Hospital were studied retrospectively. They were given 25 mg of etanercept subcutaneously twice weekly for 4 weeks. The clinical responses were evaluated with regard to the severity of acute GVHD. RESULTS: The median patient age was 43.5 years. Using nonparametric tests, etanercept had a down-grading effect on acute GVHD (p = 0.005), although no patient experienced complete remission. Partial responses were seen in 80%, 17%, and 57% of grade II to IV patients, respectively. Skin and gut GVHD were well controlled with etanercept, whereas hepatic GVHD was not. Four patients died of fatal infections. No factors affecting the clinical outcome of etanercept were identified. CONCLUSIONS: Etanercept has a modest effect on steroid-refractory acute GVHD after allo-SCT, with tolerable side effects.
Acute Disease ; Adult ; Aged ; Allografts ; Female ; Graft vs Host Disease/etiology/*therapy ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation/*adverse effects ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G/adverse effects/*therapeutic use ; Immunosuppressive Agents/adverse effects/therapeutic use ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor/*therapeutic use ; Retrospective Studies ; Steroids/therapeutic use ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVES: This study was carried out to identify seasonal variations of urinary concentrations of N-methylformamide (NMF) among workers employed at a synthetic leather factory. METHODS: Study subjects consisted of 16 male and 6 female workers who were involved in the direct treatment of dimethylformamide (DMF) in a synthetic leather factory. By using health examination data and the results of air measurements and biologic monitoring conducted in February and July, 2001, we identified seasonal variations of the DMF concentrations in the air and NMF concentrations in urine. RESULTS: 1) In winter and summer, average temperatures at the working sites were 3.2 degrees C and 26.5 degrees C, respectively and average humidities were 35.4 % and 84.5 %, respectively. 2) Airborne DMF concentrations were not significantly different between summer (13.78 ppm) and winter (11.55 ppm). 3) NMF concentrations in urine were found to be significantly higher in summer (96.09 mg/g creatinine) than in winter (31.23 mg/g creatinine) (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The seasonal difference in the urinary excretion values of NMF may be due to increased dermal absorption of DMF with the higher ambient temperature and humidity in summer and the increased area of exposed skin.
Absorption ; Dimethylformamide ; Environmental Monitoring ; Female ; Humans ; Humidity ; Male ; Seasons* ; Skin

OBJECTIVES: We examined the effects of INM 176 (K-1107) compared with placebo on the cognitive functions of 92 old aged subjects with cognitive impairment. METHODS: This was a prospective, 12 week, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. The elderly who achieved a score of less than 25 points on the K-MMSE or showed a high risk of Alzheimer's disease from the 7-Minute Neurocognitive Screening Battery were considered to have objective impairment and were selected as subjects for this study. The subjects were randomized to placebo or INM 176 group. The outcome measures were from the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-cognitive subscale (ADAS-Cog), the Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) and the Korean Geriatric Depression Scale (KGDS) and two kinds of computerized priming tests. After setting the total error score in the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive section (ADAS-cog) as the repeated measurement factor, an analysis of variance of the combined factor design was done between the placebo and INM 176 group. RESULTS: The interaction effect of time (pre- and post- trial) and group (placebo and INM 176 group) was significant in the analysis of the ADAS-cog's total error score. The INM 176 group's total error score in the ADAS-cog decreased significantly (p<0.01), whereas the placebo group showed a slight increase. The mean changes in IADL and GDS from baseline scores favored in the INM 176 group than in the placebo group. Outcome changes of ADAS-cog, IADL, KGDS scores during the 12 week clinical trail of INM 176 and placebo demonstrated favorable responses in the INM176 administered group. CONCLUSIONS: This is a preliminary clinical trial result of INM176 as a memory pill. Based on these results, INM176 may be a candidate molecule for the improvement of cognitive functions, including memory. Further clinical trial should demonstrate its efficacy.
Activities of Daily Living ; Aged ; Alzheimer Disease ; Depression ; Humans ; Mass Screening ; Memory* ; Outcome Assessment (Health Care) ; Prospective Studies

It is known that rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients show increased incidence of multiple myeloma (MM), despite its rarity. Only one case of MM with seronegative RA was reported in Korea, thus far. We report a case of MM with seropositive RA. The patient was a 66 year old female who had been diagnosed with seropositive RA 4 years ago. Over the last 1 month, the patient experienced general weakness and weight loss of 10 kg. It was found that her serum creatinine had increased and her urine analysis showed proteinuria. To evaluate renal failure and proteinuria, renal biopsy, bone marrow biopsy and electrophoresis were carried out. A diagnosis of myeloma cast nephropathy was made. We report this rare case of MM represented as acute renal failure during the treatment for RA, and include a review of the literature.
Acute Kidney Injury* ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid* ; Biopsy ; Bone Marrow ; Creatinine ; Diagnosis ; Electrophoresis ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Korea ; Multiple Myeloma* ; Proteinuria ; Renal Insufficiency ; Weight Loss

No abstract available.
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation*

BACKGROUND: Chronic placental inflammation (CPI) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of diseases in premature infants, whereas retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a major complication primarily affecting preterm and very low-birth-weight (VLBW) infants. This study aims to investigate the association between CPI and ROP in VLBW infants. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of clinical records of VLBW infants born between 2013 and 2016. Placental pathology findings including CPI cases were analyzed using logistic regression to study infants’ morbidities and other clinical characteristics. RESULTS: A total of 402 infants with a mean (standard deviation) gestational age of 28.5 (2.8) weeks and birth weight of 1,027.2 (304.4) g were included. The incidence of ROP was 24.1%. CPI was found in 90 infants (22.4%), among which 28.9% (26 of 90) developed ROP, and 21.1% (19 of 90) underwent laser photocoagulation. Lower gestational age, lower birth weight, longer duration of oxygen supply, and presence of CPI were associated with the development of ROP. After adjustment for gestational age, birth weight, sex, duration of oxygen supply, and other overlapping placental pathology, CPI was associated with the odds for type 1 ROP that required laser photocoagulation (adjusted odds ratio, 2.739; 95% confidence interval, 1.112 to 6.749; p = .029). CONCLUSIONS: CPI was associated with severe ROP requiring treatment with laser photocoagulation in VLBW infants.
Birth Weight ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Infant, Very Low Birth Weight ; Inflammation ; Light Coagulation ; Logistic Models ; Odds Ratio ; Oxygen ; Pathology ; Retinopathy of Prematurity ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors