Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the difference in satisfaction and learning benefits between e-portfolios compared to paper portfolios during clinical practice in medical schools. Methods: Utilization of and satisfaction with e-portfolios among 40 third-year medical students in the medicine department of Ajou University School of Medicine was collected using an online survey in December 2020. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and an analysis of variance. Results: Students perceived that e-portfolios were highly beneficial for consistently documenting activities during clinical practice, when compared to paper-based portfolios (mean±standard deviation [SD]=2.60±1.22). However, the least rated aspect was that e-portfolios require less time than paper-based portfolios (mean±SD=1.80±1.14). Additionally, among the various clinical practice courses using e-portfolios, the highest satisfaction was observed with the fewest content items in the e-portfolio. Conclusion To maximize the potential benefits of e-portfolios, improvements in implementation and usability are essential. Additionally, for effective utilization of e-portfolios in clinical practice, it is necessary to clearly define students’ required competencies and ultimate goals, and structure content accordingly.

Background: Patient-centered management is becoming increasingly important in gout, but there are limited studies exploring patients' perspectives and preferences. We aimed to investigate patients' perspectives and preferences regarding gout and gout management, and their impacts on adherence to urate lowering therapy (ULT). Methods: A paper-based survey was performed in patients with gout seen at the rheumatology outpatient clinics of 16 tertiary hospitals. The survey included questions regarding demographics, comorbidities, gout attacks, current treatment and adherence, and patients' perspectives and preferences regarding gout and gout management. Multivariate regression analysis was performed to determine the factors associated with ULT adherence. Results: Of 809 surveyed patients with gout, 755 (94.5%) were using ULT. Among those using ULT, 89.1% had ≥ 80% adherence to ULT. Majority of the patients knew management strategies to some extent (94.8%), perceived gout as a life-long disease (91.2%), and were making efforts toward practicing at least one lifestyle modification (89.2%). Most patients (71.9%) obtained information about gout management during their clinic visits.Approximately half of the patients (53.6%) preferred managing their disease with both ULT and lifestyle modification, 28.4% preferred ULT only, and 17.4% preferred lifestyle modification only. Adherence was better in patients with older age (odds ratio [OR], 1.03), those with better knowledge of gout management strategies (OR, 3.56), and those who had preference for ULT (OR, 2.07). Conclusion Patients' perspectives and management preferences had high impacts on adherence to ULT in gout. Consideration of patients' perspectives and preferences is important for achieving the desired clinical outcome in gout.

Background: Patient-centered management is becoming increasingly important in gout, but there are limited studies exploring patients' perspectives and preferences. We aimed to investigate patients' perspectives and preferences regarding gout and gout management, and their impacts on adherence to urate lowering therapy (ULT). Methods: A paper-based survey was performed in patients with gout seen at the rheumatology outpatient clinics of 16 tertiary hospitals. The survey included questions regarding demographics, comorbidities, gout attacks, current treatment and adherence, and patients' perspectives and preferences regarding gout and gout management. Multivariate regression analysis was performed to determine the factors associated with ULT adherence. Results: Of 809 surveyed patients with gout, 755 (94.5%) were using ULT. Among those using ULT, 89.1% had ≥ 80% adherence to ULT. Majority of the patients knew management strategies to some extent (94.8%), perceived gout as a life-long disease (91.2%), and were making efforts toward practicing at least one lifestyle modification (89.2%). Most patients (71.9%) obtained information about gout management during their clinic visits.Approximately half of the patients (53.6%) preferred managing their disease with both ULT and lifestyle modification, 28.4% preferred ULT only, and 17.4% preferred lifestyle modification only. Adherence was better in patients with older age (odds ratio [OR], 1.03), those with better knowledge of gout management strategies (OR, 3.56), and those who had preference for ULT (OR, 2.07). Conclusion Patients' perspectives and management preferences had high impacts on adherence to ULT in gout. Consideration of patients' perspectives and preferences is important for achieving the desired clinical outcome in gout.

Background: We purposed to evaluate the seasonality and associated factors of the incidence of gout attacks in Korea. Methods: We prospectively enrolled patients with gout attacks who were treated at nine rheumatology clinics between January 2015 and July 2018 and followed them for 1-year. Demographic data, clinical and laboratory features, and meteorological data including seasonality were collected. Results: Two hundred-five patients (men, 94.1%) were enrolled. The proportion of patients with initial gout attacks was 46.8% (n = 96). The median age, body mass index, attack duration, and serum uric acid level at enrollment were 50.0 years, 25.4, 5.0 days, and 7.4 mg/dL, respectively. Gout attacks were most common during spring (43.4%, P < 0.001) and in March (23.4%, P < 0.001). A similar pattern of seasonality was observed in the group with initial gout attacks. Alcohol was the most common provoking factor (39.0%), particularly during summer (50.0%). The median diurnal temperature change on the day of the attack was highest in the spring (9.8°C), followed by winter (9.3°C), fall (8.6°C), and summer (7.1°C) (P = 0.027). The median change in humidity between the 2 consecutive days (the day before and the day of the attack) was significantly different among the seasons (3.0%, spring; 0.3%, summer; −0.9%, fall; −1.2%, winter; P = 0.015). One hundred twenty-five (61%) patients completed 1-year follow-up (51% in the initial attack group). During the follow-up period, 64 gout flares developed (21 in the initial attack group). No significant seasonal variation in the follow-up flares was found. Conclusion In this prospective study, the most common season and month of gout attacks in Korea are spring and March, respectively. Alcohol is the most common provoking factor, particularly during summer. Diurnal temperature changes on the day of the attack and humidity changes from the day before the attack to the day of the attack are associated with gout attack in our cohort.

PURPOSE: To investigate the characteristics of non-glaucomatous eyes with peripapillary retinoschisis. METHODS: Six non-glaucomatous eyes with peripapillary retinoschisis were enrolled. Age, sex, refractive error, intraocular pressure, location and changes of peripapillary retinoschisis, and the presence of accompanied abnormalities were assessed. To determine possible abnormalities of the optic nerve head and macula, fundus photographs and cross-sectional images of the optic nerve head and macula obtained by optical coherence tomography were inspected. RESULTS: Three males and 3 females were enrolled. Age of the subjects ranged from 11 to 59 years (median, 45 years). Refractive error ranged from -6.25 to +1.00 diopter (median, -0.50 diopter). Peripapillary retinoschisis was located in the superior quadrant in four eyes, in the nasal quadrant in one eye, and in the inferior quadrant in one eye, respectively. No additional abnormalities were found in fundus photographs or in the cross-sectional images of the optic nerve head and macula that were obtained by optical coherence tomography. Longitudinal follow-up was available for two eyes and spontaneous resolution of peripapillary retinoschisis was observed in these eyes 6 and 9 months later, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Peripapillary retinoschisis was observed in non-glaucomatous eyes. This finding was observed in subjects of various ranges of age and refractive error, and in both sexes, without any other accompanying abnormalities.
Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Glaucoma ; Humans ; Intraocular Pressure ; Male ; Optic Disk ; Refractive Errors ; Retinoschisis* ; Tomography, Optical Coherence

We investigated the effect of propofol and fentanyl on microelectrode recording (MER) and its clinical applicability during subthalamic nucleus (STN) deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery. We analyzed 8 patients with Parkinson's disease, underwent bilateral STN DBS with MER. Their left sides were done under awake and then their right sides were done with a continuous infusion of propofol and fentanyl under local anesthesia. The electrode position was evaluated by preoperative MRI and postoperative CT. The clinical outcomes were assessed at six months after surgery. We isolated single unit activities from the left and the right side MERs. There was no significant difference in the mean firing rate between the left side MERs (38.7+/-16.8 spikes/sec, n=78) and the right side MERs (35.5+/-17.2 spikes/sec, n=66). The bursting pattern of spikes was more frequently observed in the right STN than in the left STN. All the electrode positions were within the STNs on both sides and the off-time Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale part III scores at six months after surgery decreased by 67% of the preoperative level. In this study, a continuous infusion of propofol and fentanyl did not significantly interfere with the MER signals from the STN. The results of this study suggest that propofol and fentanyl can be used for STN DBS in patients with advanced Parkinson's disease improving the overall experience of the patients.
Aged ; Anesthetics, Intravenous/*pharmacology ; *Deep Brain Stimulation ; Electrodes, Implanted ; Female ; Fentanyl/*pharmacology ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Microelectrodes ; Middle Aged ; Parkinson Disease/*prevention & control ; Propofol/*pharmacology ; Severity of Illness Index ; Subthalamic Nucleus/*drug effects/physiology ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

PURPOSE: To report a case of bilateral central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) after blunt trauma with rapid remission. CASE SUMMARY: A 44-year-old man visited our clinic after blunt trauma around the right eye. At the first examination, no ocular problem was detected except a periorbital contusion. After one week, the patient complained of visual disturbance in his right eye. Fundus examination showed subretinal fluid in his right eye, and fluorescein angiography (FAG) showed typical smoke-stack pattern leakage, which lead to a diagnosis of CSC. Three days later, the patient complained of visual disturbance in his left eye, which was then also diagnosed as CSC. After 2 more weeks, the subretinal fluid in the right and left eyes had decreased. After 3 weeks, the subretinal fluid was almost completely absorbed in both eyes. CONCLUSIONS: Central serous chorioretinopathy can develop after blunt trauma, especially with a rapid clinical course. Thus, periodic ophthalmologic examination is needed after the first examination for blunt trauma of the eye.
Adult ; Central Serous Chorioretinopathy* ; Contusions ; Diagnosis ; Fluorescein Angiography ; Humans ; Subretinal Fluid

PURPOSE: This study was performed to examine vascular pain due to gemcitabine and according to clinical factors. METHODS: The survey was performed with 525 cancer patients visiting chemotherapy infusion room in one general hospital. The data were collected via self-reported questionnaire, researchers observation, and reviewing medical records. Data were analyzed descriptive statistics, t-test, Kruskal-Wallis test, Tukey test using ranks, Jonckheere-Terpstra test, and Spearman correlation analysis were used. RESULTS: The mean scores of the intensity and onset time of vascular pain were 3.06+/-2.16 and 8.13+/-13.13 min, and each other were negative correlaton. Degree of intensity of vascular pain had a significant difference on gender (p=.003), age (p=.004), weight (p=.019), Body mass index (BMI) (p=.005), Body surface area (BSA) (p=.030), infusion time (p<.001), dose (p=.027), dose per minute (p<.001), the number of administered gemcitabine (p=.005), combination chemotherapeutic drug (p=.013) and tumor type (p=.002). Degree of onset time of vascular pain had a significant difference on infusion time (p=.044), combination chemotherapy (p=.001) and injection site (p=.001). CONCLUSION: Patients administrated gemcitabine were experiencing various vascular pain, and vascular pain had a difference on clinical factors. Therefore, oncology nurses should be considered significant clinical factors to implement effective interventions to patients administered gemcitabine.
Body Mass Index ; Body Surface Area ; Drug Therapy ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Medical Records ; Surveys and Questionnaires

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Aging gastric mucosa is known to have decreased mucosal defenses and increased susceptibility to injury by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Depending on the type of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), the underlying mechanisms and the extent of damage to the stomach or intestine may differ. This study was performed to evaluate the acute gastric damage caused by different doses of indomethacin, diclofenac and aspirin in rats of various ages. METHODS: For the acute models, indomethacin (10, 20 or 40 mg/kg), diclofenac (40 or 80 mg/kg) or aspirin (100 mg/kg) was given to 7- and 25-week-old and 1-year-old Sprague-Dawley rats by intragastric gavage. The gross ulcer index, damage area as assessed by imaging, histological index, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, and cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) levels were measured after 24 hours. RESULTS: The gross ulcer index and damage area increased with age in the presence of three NSAIDs (p<0.05). The increases in MPO levels induced by diclofenac and aspirin were significantly higher in 1-year-old than 7-week-old rats (p<0.05). cPLA2 expression induced by indomethacin (10 and 40 mg/kg) was greater in the 1-year-old rats, compared with 7-week-old rats (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: NSAID-induced acute gastric damage increased in a dose- and age-dependent manner.
Aging ; Animals ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal ; Aspirin ; Cytosol ; Diclofenac ; Gastric Mucosa ; Indomethacin ; Intestines ; Peroxidase ; Phospholipases A2 ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Stomach ; Ulcer

BACKGROUND: To establish effective preventive measures for hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection, a nationwide epidemiologic study on seroprevalence of anti-HAV and the disease prevalence is needed. The aim of this study was to analyze the recent sero-epidemiological changes of hepatitis A markers in Korea. METHODS: The results of 11,068 anti-HAV total and 32,360 anti-HAV IgM tests by electro-chemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA) that had been requested in recent four years (2005-2008) to a reference medical laboratory from 1,699 institutions nationwide were retrospectively analyzed according to the distribution of year, sex, and age groups. RESULTS: The overall positive rate of anti-HAV total was 62.8%. The overall positive rate of anti-HAV IgM was 11.0%, showing a significantly increasing trend by year: 7.7%, 10.9%, 8.9%, and 14.3% in 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008, respectively (P<0.0001). The positive rate of anti-HAV IgM was higher in male than in female subjects (11.8% vs 10.0%, P<0.0001), and 81.8% (2,916/3,566) of the anti-HAV IgM positive results were observed in the age groups of 21-40 yr. The annual positive rates of anti-HAV total and anti-HAV IgM showed significantly decreasing and increasing trends, respectively, in the age groups of > or =21 yr. Conclusion: In accordance with a decreasing sero-positivity of anti-HAV total, the prevalence of acute hepatitis A virus infection has been considerably increased during the recent four years in the age groups of > or =21 yr. The results of this study could be used effectively as a basic data for establishing effective preventive measures for hepatitis A including vaccination in these susceptible age groups.
Adult ; Biological Markers/blood ; Chemiluminescent Measurements ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Hepatitis A/*epidemiology ; Hepatitis A Antibodies/*blood ; Hepatitis A virus/*immunology ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin M/blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Republic of Korea/epidemiology ; Retrospective Studies ; Sex Factors ; Time Factors