Social Distancing in COVID-19: What Are the Implications for Musculoskeletal Problems and the Quality of Life?

Purpose@#This study examined the effects of social distancing in COVID-19 on musculoskeletal problems and the quality of life. @*Methods@#One hundred and thirty-five subjects participated in this study and responded to an online survey on stress from the social distancing in COVID-19, computer and smartphone usages, musculoskeletal pain, and quality of life. The stress from social distancing was assessed by a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). The Neck Disability Index (NDI), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire (BCTQ) were provided to assess the musculoskeletal pain, and Short Form-36 (SF-36) was provided to assess the quality of life. Frequency analysis, descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, and independent t-test were used for data analysis. @*Results@#Statistically significant, but low positive correlation stress from the social distancing (VAS) and NDI (r=0.19, p<0.05) and ODI (r=0.18, p<0.05), and negative correlation between stress from the social distancing (VAS) and SF-36 (r=-0.17, p<0.05). The NDI score was significantly greater in the group with high stress than in the group with low stress from social distancing (p<0.05). @*Conclusion@#This study is meaningful in that it evaluated, through the physical therapy approaches, the potential side-effects on physical and mental health in various social changes caused by COVID-19. The results of this study may be used as basic data in future studies related to COVID-19.

Social Distancing in COVID-19: What Are the Implications for Musculoskeletal Problems and the Quality of Life?

Purpose@#This study examined the effects of social distancing in COVID-19 on musculoskeletal problems and the quality of life. @*Methods@#One hundred and thirty-five subjects participated in this study and responded to an online survey on stress from the social distancing in COVID-19, computer and smartphone usages, musculoskeletal pain, and quality of life. The stress from social distancing was assessed by a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). The Neck Disability Index (NDI), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire (BCTQ) were provided to assess the musculoskeletal pain, and Short Form-36 (SF-36) was provided to assess the quality of life. Frequency analysis, descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, and independent t-test were used for data analysis. @*Results@#Statistically significant, but low positive correlation stress from the social distancing (VAS) and NDI (r=0.19, p<0.05) and ODI (r=0.18, p<0.05), and negative correlation between stress from the social distancing (VAS) and SF-36 (r=-0.17, p<0.05). The NDI score was significantly greater in the group with high stress than in the group with low stress from social distancing (p<0.05). @*Conclusion@#This study is meaningful in that it evaluated, through the physical therapy approaches, the potential side-effects on physical and mental health in various social changes caused by COVID-19. The results of this study may be used as basic data in future studies related to COVID-19.

Isolation and characterization of mesenchymal stem cells from human amnion and decidua / 대한산부인과학회지

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to isolate a population of multipotent cells from human amnion and decidua, respectively. METHODS: Human placentas (gestational age, 30~42 weeks) were obtained after vaginal or cesarean deliveries. Amnions and deciduas were divided mechanically. The collected cells from the amnion and decidua were cultured. Cultured cells were immunophenotypically characterized. The adipogenic, osteogenic and neurogenic differentiation capacities were tested, and their growth kinetics were analyzed. RESULTS: We successfully isolated MSCs from both the amnion and decidua. The phenotype of MSCs cultured from different fetal and maternal parts of the placenta was comparable. The growth kinetics of MSCs derived from amnions and deciduas were similar. Isolated MSCs were differentiated into various cell lines such as adipogenic, osteogenic, myogenic and neurogenic cells. CONCLUSIONS: The human amnion and decidua could be an excellent source of MSC because they are easily obtainable after delivery and showed a higher expansion capacity than that of MSCs from adult bone marrow.

A Case of Clear Cell Carcinoma of Endometrium / 대한산부인과학회잡지

Clear cell carcinoma of the endometrium is a relatively rare malignancy that is considered to be one of the most aggressive types of endometrial carcinoma. It is an infrequent variant sharing a common Mullerian origin, accounting for 1 to 5 percent of all endometrial cancers. Histologically, these tumors consists of hobnail cells which have translucent or slightly eosinophilic cytoplasm and protrude to lumen of gland. These tumors occur predominantly in postmenopausal women and carry a relatively unfavorable prognosis comparing with other histologic types of endometrial cancer. We experienced a case of clear cell carcinoma of endometrium in a 81-year old women and this case is presented with a brief review of the literaturs.

A Study on Menstrual Index of Korean Women / 대한산부인과학회잡지

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to evaluate the patterns of menstruation including menorrhagia using menstrual index, to find out correlations between patient's own judgement and actual patterns of menstruation in Korean women, and to develop the menstrual diary using menstrual index as a screening of menstrual disorders. METHODS: Seventy-seven women teachers of elementary school undergoing routine health screening test were asked to complete a pictorial blood loss assessment chart and a set of interview sheets regarding menstrual history and their subjective judgement on their amount of menstruation. Spearman correlation test was used to assess the correlation between menstrual index which was obtained from pictorial chart and serum hemoglobin concentration. RESULTS: The mean menstrual intervals were 29.8 days (SD+/-5.1), the mean menstrual duration was 5.6 days (SD+/-1.3), the mean value of menstrual index was 170.3 (SD+/-89.2) which varied from 12 to 411, the mean serum hemoglobin concentration was 12.3 g/dL. Significant correlation was found between the serum hemoglobin concentration and the menstrual index (r=-0.29, p=0.01). Seventeen of 20 women who had anemia (serum hemoglobin concentration below 12.0 g/dL) and 25 of 26 women who had menorrhagia (menstrual index above 200) considered her menstruation as 'normal'. CONCLUSION: Many women who have anemia due to menorrhagia are not aware of the serious consequences of menorrhagia. Writing a 'menstrual diary' using menstrual index would be easier and more practical method in predicting menorrhagia.

Amifostine Pretreatment for Protection against Cisplatin-based Combination Chemotherapy in Gynecologic Cancer Patients / 대한산부인과학회잡지

OBJECTIVE: Amifostine (Ethyol(R)), an organic thiophosphate, has shown the ability to protect normal, but not neoplastic, tissues from the damaging effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy in various kinds of cancers. This study was designed to determine ifostine could reduce the serious hematologic and nephrologic toxicities associated with cisplatin based combination chemotherapy in gynecologic cancer patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty patients who received cisplatin-based combination chemotherapy were randomized into two groups. They received chemotherapy with or without pretreatment of amifostine before each course. The occurrence of hematologic and renal toxicities were evaluated. Stastical analysis was done by independent t-test and Chi-square test. RESULTS: Hematologic toxicity was evaluated with nadir count of neutrophil and platelet. The nadir count of neutrophil was 2034.2+/-1199.20/microliter in group with pretreatment using amifostine vs 1070.85+/-472.66/microliter in control group (p<0.01). Platelet count was not statistically different. (p<0.16) Grade 3 neutropenia was observed in nine (45%) patients in pretreatment group vs four (20%) patients with control group (p<0.09). Grade 4 neutropenia occurred in one patient only in control group. Renal toxicity was evaluated by serum creatinine and creatinine clearance. Protracted serum creatinine elevation was not significant in both groups. (p<0.14) Reduction of creatinine clearance was less in patients with pretreatment (p<0.01). There were no significant side reactions in subjects using amifostine. CONCLUSION: Pretreatment with amifostine reduces the neutropenia and nephrotoxicity associated with cisplatin-based combination chemotherapy with gynecologic cancer patients.

Amifostine Pretreatment for Protection against Cisplatin-based Combination Chemotherapy in Gynecologic Cancer Patients / 대한산부인과학회잡지

OBJECTIVE: Amifostine (Ethyol(R)), an organic thiophosphate, has shown the ability to protect normal, but not neoplastic, tissues from the damaging effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy in various kinds of cancers. This study was designed to determine ifostine could reduce the serious hematologic and nephrologic toxicities associated with cisplatin based combination chemotherapy in gynecologic cancer patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty patients who received cisplatin-based combination chemotherapy were randomized into two groups. They received chemotherapy with or without pretreatment of amifostine before each course. The occurrence of hematologic and renal toxicities were evaluated. Stastical analysis was done by independent t-test and Chi-square test. RESULTS: Hematologic toxicity was evaluated with nadir count of neutrophil and platelet. The nadir count of neutrophil was 2034.2+/-1199.20/microliter in group with pretreatment using amifostine vs 1070.85+/-472.66/microliter in control group (p<0.01). Platelet count was not statistically different. (p<0.16) Grade 3 neutropenia was observed in nine (45%) patients in pretreatment group vs four (20%) patients with control group (p<0.09). Grade 4 neutropenia occurred in one patient only in control group. Renal toxicity was evaluated by serum creatinine and creatinine clearance. Protracted serum creatinine elevation was not significant in both groups. (p<0.14) Reduction of creatinine clearance was less in patients with pretreatment (p<0.01). There were no significant side reactions in subjects using amifostine. CONCLUSION: Pretreatment with amifostine reduces the neutropenia and nephrotoxicity associated with cisplatin-based combination chemotherapy with gynecologic cancer patients.