PURPOSE: This study was done to investigate nurses' knowledge of, and compliance with the multidrug-resistant organism (MDRO) infection control guidelines. METHODS: A survey questionnaire was developed based on the institutional and national guidelines and was administered to a convenience sample of 306 nurses in a university hospital. RESULTS: The mean score for knowledge was 33.87 (percentage of correct answers: 82.61%). The percentages of correct answers for basic concepts, route of transmission, hand washing/protective devices and environment management were 74.27%, 94.29%, 92.90% and 75.54% respectively. The mean compliance score was 4.15 (range: 1-5). The compliance scores for education, communication, contact precaution, disinfection, surveillance culture, and hand washing were 3.29, 4.05, 4.20, 4.50, 4.40 and 4.48 respectively. Nurses indicated "lack of time (30.06%)", "lack of means (10.78%)" and "lack of knowledge (9.48%)" as reasons for noncompliance. CONCLUSION: While most educational programs have focused on hand washing or use of protective devices to prevent transmission of MDRO in acute care settings, hospital nurses' knowledge of the basic concepts of MDRO and environmental management has remained insufficient. Nurses are relatively non-compliant to the guidelines in the areas of education (staff, patient, family) and communication. Comprehensive educational programs are needed to decrease hospital infection rates and to improve the health of patients.
Adult ; Attitude of Health Personnel ; *Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial ; Female ; Guideline Adherence ; *Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice ; Hospitals, University ; Humans ; Infection Control/methods/*standards ; Nursing Staff, Hospital/education/*psychology ; Practice Guidelines as Topic ; Questionnaires

Antiphospholipid syndrome nephropathy (APSN) is well documented in the literature as the renal involvement of the antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). A review of literature also shows that among antiphospholipid antibodies, lupus anticoagulant (LA) positivity is recognized as the strongest risk factor for APSN. In addition, APSN is also known to be associated with a poor functional outcome in the first posttransplant year. Therefore, it is a general belief that renal transplantation may be life threatening in APS patients. Furthermore, the presence of LA at the time of transplantation is particularly associated with a high rate of allograft APSN and the consequent poor transplantation outcomes. Here, we report the case that thrombotic acute kidney injury due to APSN after kidney transplantation can be successfully treated if anticoagulation therapy is timely applied with a prompt diagnosis.
Acute Kidney Injury ; Antibodies, Antiphospholipid ; Antiphospholipid Syndrome ; Humans ; Kidney ; Kidney Transplantation ; Lupus Coagulation Inhibitor ; Risk Factors ; Transplantation, Homologous ; Transplants

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the severity of menopausal symptoms and their impact on the quality of life (QOL) in breast cancer patients with chemotherapy-induced amenorrhea. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey design was used. Participants were 112 breast cancer patients with chemotherapy-induced amenorrhea. They completed the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General (FACT-G). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, one-way ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficients, and multiple regression with SPSS/WIN 23.0. RESULTS: The prevalence of symptoms among the participants were as follows: sleep problems, 88.4%; physical and mental exhaustion, 80.4%; joint and muscular discomfort, 76.8%; and depression, 70.5%. Menopausal symptoms had a significant negative association with QOL. The results of the regression analysis showed that psychological and urogenital symptoms were statistically significant in explaining patients' QOL and accounted for 70% of the total variance. CONCLUSION: Menopausal symptoms appear to be a significant problem for premenopausal breast cancer patients. Assessment and control of menopausal symptoms played a large role in maintaining the quality of life in breast cancer patients.

The Weight Management Health Note application, developed by the Korean Society for the Study of Obesity (KSSO), was designed to assist individuals in weight management and enhance overall well-being. The Committee of IT-Convergence Treatment of Metabolic Syndrome of the KSSO designed this application. Committee members reviewed and supervised the application’s underlying driving algorithms and scientific rationale. A healthcare-specific application developer subsequently finalized the application. This application encompasses a myriad of features, including a comprehensive food diary, an exercise tracker, and tailor-made lifestyle recommendations aligned with individual needs and aspirations. Moreover, it facilitates connections within a community of like-minded individuals endeavoring to manage their weight, fostering mutual support and motivation. Importantly, the application is rich in evidence-based health content curated by the KSSO, ensuring users access accurate information for effective obesity management. Looking ahead, the KSSO is committed to orchestrating diverse academic research endeavors linked to this application and refining its functionalities through continuous feedback from users. The KSSO aspires for this application to serve as a valuable resource for individuals striving to manage their health and enhance their quality of life.

The Weight Management Health Note application, developed by the Korean Society for the Study of Obesity (KSSO), was designed to assist individuals in weight management and enhance overall well-being. The Committee of IT-Convergence Treatment of Metabolic Syndrome of the KSSO designed this application. Committee members reviewed and supervised the application’s underlying driving algorithms and scientific rationale. A healthcare-specific application developer subsequently finalized the application. This application encompasses a myriad of features, including a comprehensive food diary, an exercise tracker, and tailor-made lifestyle recommendations aligned with individual needs and aspirations. Moreover, it facilitates connections within a community of like-minded individuals endeavoring to manage their weight, fostering mutual support and motivation. Importantly, the application is rich in evidence-based health content curated by the KSSO, ensuring users access accurate information for effective obesity management. Looking ahead, the KSSO is committed to orchestrating diverse academic research endeavors linked to this application and refining its functionalities through continuous feedback from users. The KSSO aspires for this application to serve as a valuable resource for individuals striving to manage their health and enhance their quality of life.

The Weight Management Health Note application, developed by the Korean Society for the Study of Obesity (KSSO), was designed to assist individuals in weight management and enhance overall well-being. The Committee of IT-Convergence Treatment of Metabolic Syndrome of the KSSO designed this application. Committee members reviewed and supervised the application’s underlying driving algorithms and scientific rationale. A healthcare-specific application developer subsequently finalized the application. This application encompasses a myriad of features, including a comprehensive food diary, an exercise tracker, and tailor-made lifestyle recommendations aligned with individual needs and aspirations. Moreover, it facilitates connections within a community of like-minded individuals endeavoring to manage their weight, fostering mutual support and motivation. Importantly, the application is rich in evidence-based health content curated by the KSSO, ensuring users access accurate information for effective obesity management. Looking ahead, the KSSO is committed to orchestrating diverse academic research endeavors linked to this application and refining its functionalities through continuous feedback from users. The KSSO aspires for this application to serve as a valuable resource for individuals striving to manage their health and enhance their quality of life.

Radiation recall dermatitis refers to an acute inflammatory reaction in a previously irradiated field triggered by the administration of certain drugs days to years after the exposure to radiation. Gefitinib is an epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor and is an effective treatment for patients with advanced stage of non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Here, we report a rare case of gefitinib induced radiation recall dermatitis. A 52-year-old woman with a metastatic NSCLC had received a palliative radiation therapy of 20 cGy on spine metastasis area (C6-T6). After 24 days of receiving radiation therapy, she had started to take gefitinib. Eight months after taking drug, pain, swelling and erythema of skin were occurred on previously irradiated field. These symptoms were resolved after the cessation of gefitinib for 6 days and the topical use of steroid.
Erythema ; Female ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Protein-Tyrosine Kinases ; Radiodermatitis* ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor ; Skin ; Small Cell Lung Carcinoma ; Spine

Radiation recall dermatitis refers to an acute inflammatory reaction in a previously irradiated field triggered by the administration of certain drugs days to years after the exposure to radiation. Gefitinib is an epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor and is an effective treatment for patients with advanced stage of non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Here, we report a rare case of gefitinib induced radiation recall dermatitis. A 52-year-old woman with a metastatic NSCLC had received a palliative radiation therapy of 20 cGy on spine metastasis area (C6-T6). After 24 days of receiving radiation therapy, she had started to take gefitinib. Eight months after taking drug, pain, swelling and erythema of skin were occurred on previously irradiated field. These symptoms were resolved after the cessation of gefitinib for 6 days and the topical use of steroid.
Erythema ; Female ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Protein-Tyrosine Kinases ; Radiodermatitis* ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor ; Skin ; Small Cell Lung Carcinoma ; Spine

We hereby observe four co-infection cases of pandemic influenza H1N1 and Mycobacterium tuberculosis with various clinical presentations. It may be prudent to consider M. tuberculosis co-infections when patients with pandemic influenza reveal unusual clinical features that do not improve despite appropriate treatments against the influenza, especially in Korea, in the endemic areas of M. tuberculosis.
Coinfection* ; Humans ; Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype ; Influenza, Human* ; Korea ; Mycobacterium tuberculosis* ; Mycobacterium* ; Pandemics* ; Tuberculosis

PURPOSE: This prospective study aimed to investigate the therapeutic efficacy of lamivudine in children with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. METHODS: During July 2003 through October 2015, children with chronic hepatitis B who visited our institution were included in this study. Fifty-five patients, who received first-line treatment of lamivudine (3 mg/kg, 100 mg maximum) for over three months, were enrolled. After initiating lamivudine, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), HBV-DNA, and HBV markers were followed up at 1 month, 3 months, and every 3 months, thereafter. The treatment endpoint was determined as 1) normalization of ALT, 2) HBeAg seroconversion, and 3) anti-HBe positivity for twelve consecutive months. RESULTS: Thirty-one male (56.4%) and 24 female (43.6%) patients were included. The mean age at treatment initiation was 8.1 years. The mean duration of treatment was 23.4 months. ALT normalization was found in 98.2% (54 of 55). Anti-HBe seroconversion was found in 70.6% (36/51). Loss of HBsAg was found in 10.9% (6/55). All biochemical responses occurred under age seven. The rate of virologic response (defined as HBV-DNA <2,000 IU/mL) at six months after treatment initiation was 78.7% (37/47). At twelve months after reaching treatment endpoint, 87.2% (34/39) maintained their virologic response. Resistance to lamivudine was found in 16.4% (9/55). CONCLUSIONS: Lamivudine treatment in Korean pediatric patients with chronic hepatitis B showed better outcomes compared with other studies that implemented similar protocols in foreign populations. Further studies are needed to investigate the efficacy of newly recommended antiviral drugs on the Korean pediatric population.
Adolescent ; Alanine Transaminase ; Antiviral Agents ; Child ; Female ; Hepatitis B e Antigens ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; Hepatitis, Chronic ; Humans ; Lamivudine ; Male ; Prospective Studies ; Seroconversion