The Effects of Laughter Therapy Program on Perceived Stress, and Psycho-Neuro-Endocrino-Immuno Responses in Obese Women

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of the laughter therapy program on perceived stress and psycho-neuro-endocrine-immune responses in obese women. METHODS: A nonequivalent control group with a pretest-posttest design was used. The participants (n=60), whose age ranged from 30 to 50 years (pre-menopausal and body mass index of over 25 kg/m2), were assigned to the experimental group (n=24) or control group (n=26). The experimental group was provided with the laughter therapy program (12 sessions) for 6 weeks. RESULTS: There were significant differences in perceived stress, psychological stress response, fasting blood sugar, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor alpha between the two groups after the program. However, there were no significant differences in normalized low frequency (norm LF), normalized high frequency (norm HF), LF/HF ratio, and cortisol between the two groups after the program. CONCLUSION: It was found that the laughter therapy program had positive effects on some variables in terms of perceived stress and psycho-neuro-endocrine-immuno responses. It is suggested that the laughter therapy in this study can provide the direction for developing a program for obese women.

Effects of Role Conflict and Ambiguity, and Fatigue on Self-Resilience in Clinical Nurses: After the MERS outbreak / 산업간호학회지

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the degree of role conflict and its ambiguity, and fatigue in clinical nurses and to analyze the effect of these on their self-resilience in order to provide fundamental data for improving their working environment after the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome outbreak. METHODS: After the collection of data from 258 clinical nurses in five general hospitals, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and multiple regression were performed using IBM SPSS Statistics 20.0. RESULTS: A significant positive correlation was found between nurses' role conflict and ambiguity and fatigue; while a negative correlation was found between nurses' role conflict and ambiguity and self-resilience. A significant negative correlation was found between fatigue and self-resilience. According to the study results, the factor that affected clinical nurses' self-resilience the most was role conflict and its ambiguity, followed by marital status, fatigue, educational level, religion, and related tasks, which together accounted for 38% of self-resilience in clinical nurses. CONCLUSION: To improve weaknesses in nursing care after the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome outbreak, the scope of nursing care was changed upon the expansion of integrated nursing and care-giving services. Therefore, in the rapidly changing environment of nursing, policies to improve nursing performance, as well as successful reaction capability, are suggested.

Effects of Role Conflict and Ambiguity, and Fatigue on Self-Resilience in Clinical Nurses: After the MERS outbreak / 한국직업건강간호학회지

PURPOSE@#This study aimed to investigate the degree of role conflict and its ambiguity, and fatigue in clinical nurses and to analyze the effect of these on their self-resilience in order to provide fundamental data for improving their working environment after the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome outbreak.@*METHODS@#After the collection of data from 258 clinical nurses in five general hospitals, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and multiple regression were performed using IBM SPSS Statistics 20.0.@*RESULTS@#A significant positive correlation was found between nurses' role conflict and ambiguity and fatigue; while a negative correlation was found between nurses' role conflict and ambiguity and self-resilience. A significant negative correlation was found between fatigue and self-resilience. According to the study results, the factor that affected clinical nurses' self-resilience the most was role conflict and its ambiguity, followed by marital status, fatigue, educational level, religion, and related tasks, which together accounted for 38% of self-resilience in clinical nurses.@*CONCLUSION@#To improve weaknesses in nursing care after the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome outbreak, the scope of nursing care was changed upon the expansion of integrated nursing and care-giving services. Therefore, in the rapidly changing environment of nursing, policies to improve nursing performance, as well as successful reaction capability, are suggested.

The Relation between Stress of Clinical Practice and Burnout among Nursing Students: The Mediation Effect of Spiritual Well-being / 한국간호교육학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to examine the factors that influence the clinical practice of nursing students and to identify the mediating effects of spiritual well-being in the relation between stress of clinical practice and burnout caused by clinical practice. METHODS: Data were collected by self-report questionnaires targeting 420 nursing students in three nursing colleges located in Gyeonggi and Chungnam province. RESULTS: Burnout of clinical practice according to general characteristics of the study subjects showed significant difference in religion (t=1.895, p=.049). Stress of clinical practice and burnout of clinical practice showed positive correlation (r=.42, p<.001), existential spiritual well-being showed negative correlation between stress of clinical practice (r=-.17, p<.001) and burnout of clinical practice (r=-.47, p<.001). In addition, religious spiritual well-being in spiritual well-being showed no mediating effects and existential spiritual well-being showed mediating effects between burnout in clinical practice stress. CONCLUSION: In order to alleviate the stress of clinical practice for burnout of clinical practice prevention of nursing students, solutions to improve the existential spiritual well-being will be required in the future.

Histone deacetylase inhibitor, CG200745, attenuates cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis in DOCA-induced hypertensive rats

CG200745 is a novel inhibitor of histone deacetylases (HDACs), initially developed for treatment of various hematological and solid cancers. Because it is water-soluble, it can be administered orally. We hypothesized that the HDAC inhibitor, CG200745, attenuates cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis in deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-induced hypertensive rats. For establishment of hypertension, 40 mg/kg of DOCA was subcutaneously injected four times weekly into Sprague-Dawley rats. All the rats used in this study including those in the sham group had been unilaterally nephrectomized and allowed free access to drinking water containing 1% NaCl. Systolic blood pressure was measured by the tail-cuff method. Blood chemistry including sodium, potassium, glucose, triglyceride, and cholesterol levels was analyzed. Sections of the heart were visualized after trichrome and hematoxylin and eosin stain. The expression of hypertrophic genes such as atrial natriuretic peptide A (Nppa) and atrial natriuretic peptide B (Nppb) in addition to fibrotic genes such as Collagen-1, Collagen-3, connective tissue growth factor (Ctgf), and Fibronectin were measured by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Injection of DOCA increased systolic blood pressure, heart weight, and cardiac fibrosis, which was attenuated by CG200745. Neither DOCA nor CG200745 affected body weight, vascular contraction and relaxation responses, and blood chemistry. Injection of DOCA increased expression of both hypertrophic and fibrotic genes, which was abrogated by CG200745. These results indicate that CG200745 attenuates cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis in DOCA-induced hypertensive rats.

Update in surgical treatment of shoulder injuries

Increased life expectancy, combined with advancements in medicine, has given rise to an increased prevalence of shoulder injuries. Additionally, the recent social trend in Korea of participation of younger generations in sports activities has also contributed to this increased prevalence. Many healthcare institutions, however, are performing surgery for shoulder injuries without thorough consideration of the complete clinical picture. Only a few of these injuries require surgery, and most of them can be treated and improved with conservative management. The need for surgery should be decided in conjunction with the consideration of the patient's age, living environment and level of physical activity. Here, we give a brief introduction to indications and methods for surgical treatment of shoulder injuries such as rotator cuff injuries, calcifying tendinitis, shoulder instability, osteoarthritis of the glenohumeral joint, and adhesive capsulitis.

Update in surgical treatment of shoulder injuries

Increased life expectancy, combined with advancements in medicine, has given rise to an increased prevalence of shoulder injuries. Additionally, the recent social trend in Korea of participation of younger generations in sports activities has also contributed to this increased prevalence. Many healthcare institutions, however, are performing surgery for shoulder injuries without thorough consideration of the complete clinical picture. Only a few of these injuries require surgery, and most of them can be treated and improved with conservative management. The need for surgery should be decided in conjunction with the consideration of the patient's age, living environment and level of physical activity. Here, we give a brief introduction to indications and methods for surgical treatment of shoulder injuries such as rotator cuff injuries, calcifying tendinitis, shoulder instability, osteoarthritis of the glenohumeral joint, and adhesive capsulitis.

Laparoscopic High Ligation of Hernia Sac of Inguinal Hernia in Pediatric Patients

PURPOSE: Although laparoscopic surgery in children has expanded in recent years. laparoscopic hernia repair in children is still debatable. We aimed to summarize and describe our results of laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair and techniques among children. METHODS: Between March 2011 and August 2013, 117 children (81 male, 36 female) underwent laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair at the department of surgery. The clinical outcomes were collected retrospectively. RESULTS: The mean follow-up period was 26.2 months. Thirteen patients were ex-premature infants and a contralateral patent processus vaginalis (PPV) was present in 44 of the 110 unilateral inguinal hernia patients. There were two postoperative complications (transient hydrocele, umbilical port site infection). The mean operative time was 47 minutes. Recurrence, metachronous hernia, and testicular atrophy were not observed during the follow-up period. CONCLUSION: Our preliminary experiences suggest that the laparoscopic purse-string suture of internal inguinal opening of the hernia sac could be an effective and reliable alternative for management of pediatric inguinal hernia.

Endoscopy Nurse Participation May Increase the Polyp Detection Rate by Second-Year Fellows during Screening Colonoscopies

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aim of this study was to assess the effects of endoscopy nurse participation on polyp detection rate (PDR) and adenoma detection rate (ADR) of second-year fellows during screening colonoscopies. METHODS: This was a single-center, prospective, randomized study comparing a fellow alone and a fellow plus an endoscopy nurse as an additional observer during afternoon outpatient screening colonoscopies. The primary end points were PDR and ADR. RESULTS: One hundred ninety-one colonoscopies performed by a fellow alone and 192 colonoscopies performed by a fellow plus an endoscopy nurse were analyzed. The PDR was significantly higher when the nurse was involved (53.1% vs. 41.3%, p or =2 polyps, advanced adenomas, polyp size, polyp location, and polyp shapes between the two groups. There was no difference in the PDR according to the level of experience of the endoscopy nurse. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopy nurse participation as an additional observer during screening colonoscopy performed by second-year fellow increases the PDR; however, the level of experience of the nurse was not an important factor.

The Concentration of Cadmium in Urine, and Its Role in Health-risk Assessment of Residents in the Vicinity of Abandoned Mines in Gyeongsangbuk-do, Korea / 대한산업의학회지

OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to assess the concentration of urine cadmium and health risks of residents in the vicinity of abandoned metal mines in Gyeongsangbuk-do. METHODS: The concentration of cadmium in the soil, water, and agricultural crops was measured in Gyeongsangbuk-do, Butdeun and Suksan, which have abandoned metal mines. We measured the concentration of cadmium in the urine of residents from the following areas: 78 from village A, 99 from village C and 147 from control areas. Other health-risk assessments were performed on each resident, such as measuring the concentration of beta2-MG and a bone density test. RESULTS: In abandoned mine areas, the mean concentration of cadmium was higher in agricultural soil and in the crops than in that of control areas. The concentration of cadmium in the stream exceeded the guideline level. In regard to provisional tolerable daily intake (PTDI) of cadmium, the actual intake rate through crops was 33.81%, 72.74% in abandoned mine areas and 5.03%, 6.16% in control areas. Residents in abandoned mine areas, A village and C village had a geometric mean of urine Cd of 1.90 microgram/g cr and 1.45 microgram/g cr. These measurements were significantly higher than those of residents in control areas, B village and D village, 0.59 microgram/g cr and 0.65 microgram/g cr (p<0.01). Following adjustments for age, sex, smoking habit, and occupational history, the concentration of urine cadmium of residents in the Butdeun abandoned meta mine was higher by 1.62 microgram/g cr as compared with the control group (p<0.01). Residents from the Suksan abandoned metal mine also had a higher concentration by 1.07 microgram/g cr (p<0.01). A multiple linear regression analysis was performed for the factors associated with T-score, and this showed that the concentration of urine cadmium was not an influential factor. CONCLUSIONS: Based on these measurements, areas with abandoned metal mines contaminated streams, agricultural soil, and crops of the adjacent areas, with cadmium. Because residents in the adjacent areas intake contaminated crops, their urine cadmium was increased. Despite a lack of evidence demonstrating the detrimental effect of increased urine cadmium in residents, an additional study is needed to assess the health risks of residents in the vicinity of abandoned metal mines.

A case of lymphoplasmacytic sclerosing pancreatitis with pancreatic adenocarcinoma / 대한내과학회지

Lymphoplasmacytic sclerosing pancreatitis (LPSP) is a rare entity that has been described under many different names; LPSP is an autoimmune form of chronic pancreatitis. LPSP may simulate a neoplastic process both clinically and radiologically. We report a case of LPSP with pancreatic adenocarcinoma. A 70-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital for evaluation of pancreatic duct dilatation. The CA 19-9 level was normal and the antinuclear antibody titer was negative. An abdominal CT revealed a low density nodule, 8 mm in size, in the body of the pancreas with parenchymal atrophy and mild dilatation of the main pancreatic duct in the body and tail portion. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreaticography demonstrated a stricture of the main pancreatic duct in the body of the pancreas and mild dilatation of the upstream duct. She underwent subtotal pancreatectomy and splenectomy. The results of the pathologic examination of the resected tissue included pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma with pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia in the background of lymphoplasmacytic sclerosing pancreatitis.

Comparison of the Predictability of Cardiovascular Disease Risk According to Different Metabolic Syndrome Criteria of American Heart Association/National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and International Diabetes Federation in Korean Men / 당뇨병

BACKGROUND: We compared the prevalences of two criteria of metabolic syndrome, that is, American Heart Association/National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (AHA/NHLBI) and International Diabetes Federation (IDF), in Korean male adults and compared the predictability of insulin resistance and future cardiovascular diseases using Framingham Risk Score. METHODS: In total 23,467 male adults (mean age 43.3 years) who participated in medical check-up in 2005, the prevalences of metabolic syndrome according to AHA/NHLBI and IDF criteria and the presence of insulin resistance, defined by the highest quartile of Homeostasis Model Assessment of insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR), were compared. The relative risk (calculated risk/average risk) for 10-year risk for coronary artery disease (CHD) assessed by Framingham Risk Score were compared. RESULTS: 5.8% of the subjects had diabetes mellitus. 20.7% and 13.2%of the subjects had metabolic syndrome defined by AHA/NHLBI and IDF criteria, and the two criteria showed high agreement with kappa value of 0.737 (P 1.0) for 10-year CHD were higher in AHA/NHLBI-defined subjects compared with IDF-defined subject (3.295 vs. 3.082). The Kappa values for the analysis of agreement between each criteria and prediction of insulin resistance or cardiovascular disease risk, were too low for comparison. CONCLUSION: In Korean males, the prevalence for metabolic syndrome defined by AHA/NHLBI criteria was higher than those defined by IDF criteria. IDF criteria detected more subjects with insulin resistance, but didn't have better predictability for CHD compared with AHA/NHLBI criteria.

Operative Treatment of Chronic Recurrent Dislocation of Peroneal Tendon: A Case Report / 대한족부족관절학회지

Traumatic dislocation of the peroneal tendon is an infrequent injury. This injury is caused by forceful dorsiflexion of the foot accompanied by a powerful contraction of the peroneal muscles. This mechanism of injury tears the superior peroneal retinaculum and allows the tendons to snap anteriorly. We experienced a case of chronic recurrent dislocation of the peroneal tendon, which was treated by bone block surgery using autograft of lateral fibula and reattachment of the superior peroneal retinaculum. The clinical result was satisfactory.

The association of sex hormones and the metabolic syndrome in apparently healthy Korean male adults / 대한내과학회지

BACKGROUND: Recent studies report an association of decreased testosterone levels with type 2 diabetes mellitus, insulin resistance, hyperinsulinemia, dyslipidemia and metabolic syndrome. However, studies on correlations of testosterone with dyslipidemia, insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome in Koreans are scarce. We analyzed the relationship between levels of sex hormones and metabolic syndrome, lipid profiles and insulin resistance in Korean adult males. METHODS: A total of 289 males were selected among the participants in a medical health check-up from June to July 2003 at Kangbuk Samsung Hospital Health Promotion Center. Metabolic syndrome was defined according to the Modified National Cholesterol Education Program-Adult Treatment Panel (NCEP-ATP) III. The serum total testosterone level was measured using a radioimmunoassay and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) was measured using a radioimmunometric assay. RESULTS: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 15.6% and the total testosterone level showed a significant correlation with the levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, fasting insulin, and uric acid even after adjustment for age and body mass index (BMI). Serum SHBG showed a significant correlation with diastolic blood pressure, uric acid, triglyceride, fasting insulin and insulin resistance indices. In logistic regression analysis in which age, drinking history, and smoking status were adjusted, decreased total testosterone and SHBG levels as well as increased estradiol levels showed significant correlations with an increased prevalence of metabolic syndrome. CONCLUSION: This study shows that decreased total testosterone and SHBG levels and an increased estradiol level were significantly correlated with increased metabolic syndrome prevalence and dyslipidemia in healthy Korean male adults. Further studies are suggested for the association of sex hormone replacement and the changes in the metabolic status.

Jejunal Diverticular Bleeding Diagnosed by Double-Balloon Enteroscopy: A Case Report and Review of Literatures / 대한소화기학회지

Jejunal diverticula is a rare disease and an unusual cause of obscure gastrointestinal hemorrhage. Obscure gasterointestinal bleeding is difficult to treat because the bleeding site cannot be identified by routine endoscopy and contrast studies. A wireless capsule endoscopy is not invasive and can visualize the entire small bowel. However, this method has limitations of incapability of taking biopsies and performing endoscopic interventions such as polypectomy or stent insertion. The double-balloon enteroscopy is being used frequently for the diagnosis and management of various small bowel diseases. We report a case of proximal jejunal diverticular bleeding diagnosed by double-balloon enteroscopy and treated with angiographic embolization.

Seroprevalence of Brucellosis among Risk Population in Gyeongsangbuk-do, 2006 / 예방의학회지

OBJECTIVES: Cases of human brucellosis in Korea have recently increased due to the increasing incidence of bovine brucellosis. The authors conducted this study to elucidate the status of brucellosis through seroepidemiologic study. METHODS: We selected our study population from a high risk group. We conducted a questionnaire survey and obtained blood samples to determine the seroprevalence of brucellosis antibodies for 10 days in February, 2005. The titers of brucellosis were measured by the combination of standard tube agglutination test (STA) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test. RESULTS: Our study subjects comprised 1,075 cases: 971 livestock workers, 51 veterinarians, and 53 artificial inseminators. In the STA test, 27 cases (2.5%) had titers of greater than or equal to 1:20. Of 1,068 cases (7 cases were excluded due to previous brucellosis), 7 cases of brucellosis were diagnosed with titers of 1:160, giving a seroprevalence of brucellosis of 0.66%. The seroprevalence in the male group was 0.95%, and that of livestock workers, veterinarians, and artificial inseminators was 0.52%, 4.17%, and 0.00%, respectively. The Spearman's correlation coefficient between the positive rate of bovine brucellosis per capita and household and human brucellosis was 0.806 and 0.744, respectively. The concordance rate between the Korea National Institute of Health and the Gyeongsangbuk-do Institute of Health and Environment by the STA and ELISA tests was 94.7% and 100.0%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The study results indicated in higher seroprevalence rate among veterinarians than among livestock workers and artificial inseminators. Because veterinarians may be exposed to this high risk, effective working guidelines for veterinarians to guard against brucellosis must be developed. Moreover, more extensive epidemiologic research for laboratory workers and meat handlers is needed.

A Case of Monophasic Fibrous Synovial Sarcoma Confirmed Primary Pulmonary Origin by 18F-FDG PET/CT / 결핵및호흡기질환

Most malignant mesenchymal tumors of the lung are metastases of a primary tumor from elsewhere in the body. A primary pulmonary synovial sarcoma is a very rare neoplasm that accounts for approximately 10% of soft tissue sarcomas and makes up only 0.5% of all primary lung malignancies. We report a case of a primary pulmonary synovial sarcoma in a 60-year old woman. In this case, a lung metastasis was excluded using 18F-FDG PET /CT imaging.

Prevalence and clinical characteristics of microalbuminuria in Koreans: a population-based cross-sectional study / 대한내과학회지

BACKGROUND: Microalbuminuria (MA) is independent predictor of cardiovascular disease and it cause mortality regardless of the presence of diabetes (DM) and hypertension (HTN). However, few published studies on this topic have been reported in Korea. Therefore, we investigated the MA prevalence and relationship between MA, insulin resistance and cardiovascular risk factor. METHODS: A total of 5,915 (3,053 men and 2,852 women) health screen examinees were enrolled in this study. We measured the anthropometric and biochemical parameters of the atherogenic indexes. RESULTS: The MA prevalence was 7.7% in all participants. The prevalence of MA in the men and women was 9.5% and 5.7%, respectively. Elevated levels of serum fasting glucose, serum fasting insulin, HOMA index, total cholesterols, LDL cholesterol, TG, Body Mass Index (BMI) and the systolic and diastolic blood pressure were significantly associated with MA. The results of multiple logistic regression analysis about MA showed that frequent drinking, low BMI, newly diagnosed DM and elevated levels of HOMA index and blood pressure were significantly associated with MA prevalence. Also, excluding newly diagnosed diabetic and hypertensive subjects, the MA prevalence was 5.7% (6.9% in men, 4.7% in women) and in multiple logistic regression analysis, the MA prevalence significantly increased in the individuals with pre-HTN rather than in the normotensives. CONCLUSIONS: The MA prevalence was 7.7% in all subjects. Except the newly diagnosed diabetic and hypertensive subjects, it was 5.7%. The MA prevalence was significantly increased in the individuals with pre-HTN rather than in the normotensives and MA was related with insulin resistance.

Treatment of Osteoporotic Stable Burst Fracture with Percutaneous Vetebroplasty

PURPOSE: To evaluate the result of percutaneous vertebroplasty in the treatment of osteorporotic stable burst fracture that has not neurologic symptom. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted in 37 vertebrae of 33 patinets with osteoporotic stable burst fracrure treated by percutaneous vertebroplasty from February 2000 to May 2003. Stable burst fracture was classified by McAfee. The operation was performed in the patient without neurologic symptom, BMD T-score was below -2.5 and hot uptake was seen in (99m)Tc bone scan. The operation was held from post-traumatic 7 to 32 days, average 17 days. Follow up period was from 5 months to 38 months, average 11 months. The result of the treatment was assesed by clinical finding (pain scale and work status by Denis) and radiologic findings (percentage height restored and change of kyphotic angle). RESULTS: In clinical assessment, 27 had a satisfactory pain scale below the P3, 25 had a satisfactory work status below the W3. In the radiologic findings, percentage height restore was increased from 0% to 62%, average 23.3%. The preop. kyphotic angle was from -20 degree to 42 degree, average 8.9 degree. The postop. kyphotic angle was from -20 to 42 degree, average 6.5 degree. The kyphotic angle was decreased average 2.4 degree after operation. CONCLUSION: Treatment of osteoporotic stable burst fracture with percutaneous vertebroplasty is the minimal invasive treatment that has satisfactory pain relief and reduction of fracture.

Assessment of nutritional status and prognosis in advanced metastatic cancer / 대한내과학회지

BACKGROUND: Depletion of nutritional reserves and significant weight loss can lead to an increased risk of morbidity, reduced chemotherapy response, and shorter survival in patients with cancer. Numerous methodologies are used for the assessment of nutritional status. However, it remains unclear which of these tools is the most appropriate in the setting of cancer chemotherapy. The PINI (prognostic inflammatory nutritional index) is a simple scoring system that has been used to evaluate nutritional status and prognosis in critically ill patients. The aim of this study was designed to investigate the relationship between nutritional status after the palliative chemotherapy and prognosis in advanced metastatic cancer. METHODS: This study included 130 patients with ECOG PS (Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status) 1~3 in advanced metastatic cancer following the palliative chemotherapy. ECOG PS, body mass index, alpha 1-acid glycoprotein, C-reactive protein, albumin, prealbumin, transferrin, protein, lactate dehydrogenase, PINI ratio, and survival time were evaluated. RESULTS: In 130 patients, the median age was 57 years. The ECOG PS was 1 68 patients, 2 43, 3 19. The mean value of PINI was PS 1 16.0+/-47.8, PS 2 55.6+/-106.9, PS 3 106.3+/-141.6. The mean survival was PS 1 144.0+/-71.8, PS 2 68.9+/-41.2, PS 3 32.0+/-6.9 days. In the PS 3 group, the mean values of alpha 1-acid glycoprotein, C-reactive protein, and lactate dehydrogenase were significantly higher than in the PS 1 group. In the PS 3 group, the mean values of albumin, prealbumin, and transferrin were significantly lower than in the PS 1 group. The survival time was correlated with the ECOG PS (r=-0.602, p<0.001,), PINI (r=-0.318, p<0.001,), alpha 1-acid glycoprotein (r=-0.265, p=0.002), C-reactive protein (r=-0.345, p<0.001), albumin (r=0.324, p<0.001), prealbumin (r=0.260, p=0.003) and transferrin (r=0.277, p=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The PINI may be a useful scoring system for the assessment of nutritional status and prognosis in advanced metastatic cancer following palliative chemotherapy, but the ECOG PS is most strong correlation with the survival time.