ABSTRACT
Purpose@#The purpose of this study is to identify the factors affecting the life satisfaction during the communal life of the elderly in rural areas. @*Methods@#A total of 143 subjects were selected through convenient sampling. Data were collected in self-reporting questionnaires from 1 August to 30 August 2019. The data were analyzed with SPSS/WIN 23.0. @*Results@#The Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) was significantly different according to age, education, and cohabitation. Depression was significantly different according to gender, age, education, and cohabitation. Life satisfaction was significantly different according to age, education, religion, and cohabitation. There was a positive correlation between Instrumental Activities of Daily Living and depression, except for life satisfaction. 41.0% of life satisfaction was explained by depression, religion, and IADL. @*Conclusion@#The results of this study may be useful in understanding the life satisfaction level of elderly communal life and developing more specific programs for mental activity programs, and depression management strategies are required.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: This study was undertaken to assaythe effectiveness of transforaminal epidural steroid injections (TFESIs) for sciatica and to identify potential predictors related to treatment outcome. METHODS: TFESIs were performed in 150 patients between August 2006 and March 2007. Seventy-five patients (35 women, 40 men; mean age, 59.1 years), who met the inclusion criteria, were studied. Therapeutic effects were evaluated twoweeks after injection. The following potential outcome predictors analyzed were as follows: one level vs. two level injection, Beck depression inventory score (20), Beck anxiety inventory score (16), cause of radiculopathy (spinal stenosis vs. herniated disk), gender, duration of radiculopathy (6 months), and Oswestry disability index score (60). The relationships between possible outcome predictors and therapeutic effects were evaluated. RESULTS: Forty-nine of the 75 patients (65.3%) had a satisfactory result two weeks after TFESIs. Of these, twenty-four of the 46 patients (52.2%) were treated by a one level injection and 25 (89.3%) of the 29 patients were treated by a two level injection. This outcome was statistically significant (P < 0.01). None of the other potential outcome predictors showed any statistical difference. CONCLUSIONS: TFESI is recommended as an effective method of managing radiculopathy. Two-level injectionsmay result in a better outcome than a one-level injection.