The Relationship between Health Risk Appraisal and Health-related Quality of Life among Middle-aged Men

BACKGROUND: Recently, several health risk appraisal programs have been developed to suit Korean character which is currently implemented. This study was conducted to find out the correlation with health age and health-related quality of life through health risk appraisal. METHODS: From March 1, 2004 to July 30, 2004, 107 male patients aged 30 to 59 who visited the family medicine clinic in a university hospital and had agreed to participate in the study have been assessed to determine the correlation between health age and health-related quality of life by measuring tools of health risk appraisal, CMCHS V1.0 questionnaire and Yangseng measurement questionnaire. RESULTS: Among the total 107 subjects, 3 were excluded because of incomplete questionnaire. There were 28 people aged in their thirties, 36 in forties, and 40 in fifties. The health age and health-related quality of life showed a negative correlation. The correlation in men in their fift showed the strongest. Indexes between the health age and health perception, changes in health, vitality, morality Yangseng, diet Yangseng, sleep Yangseng and active and rest Yangseng have shown a strong negative correlation (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The lower the health age is, the better health-related quality of life in several domains of CMCHS V1.0 and Yangseng in middle aged Korean men.

Primary Care Physicians Attitudes Toward Medically Unexplained Symptoms

BACKGROUND: The medically unexplained symptoms present one of the most common problems in medical practice and the role of primary care physicians is becoming greater to manage them. Our goal was to investigate how the primary care physicians conceive and deal with patients complaining of medically unexplained symptoms (MUS). METHODS: A group of 840 primary care physicians, 524 internist and 316 family physicians in Seoul were surveyed. The questionnaire regarding the perception and the way of consultation about MUS was posted by mail. RESULTS: A total of 180 questionnaires were collected via mail and fax. Ten of them were uncompleted, and the response rate was 22%. Over half of the respondents felt that the consultation of MUS was difficult and they were concerned about the possibility of overlooking some of organic problems (57.6%). Average consultation rate of MUS in daily practice was 14%. The anxiety toward failure of treatment was the most common concern during the MUS consultation. Seventeen percent answered they knew the efficient method to deal with MUS patients. Respondents complained of the deficiency of contents and experiences to deal with MUS during the period of training (80%). More family physicians compared to internists perceived patients with MUS to have personality problems and they often tended to prescribe psychotropic drugs. Family physicians also answered that the training courses provided proper knowledge and contents regarding MUS consultation more than the internists. CONCLUSION: MUS consultation imposes a burden on primary care physicians. Therefore, continuing education not only for residency but for post graduates should be considered for effective management for MUS.