Factors Influencing Medication Adherence and Status of Medication Use of the Elderly with Chronic Disease Taking Non-opioid Analgesics

PURPOSE: This study investigates the status of medication use of the elderly with chronic disease taking non-opioid analgesics and attempts to identify factors influencing medication adherence. METHODS: Data were collected from September 1 to October 19, 2016. A structured questionnaire was used for face-to-face interview with a convenience sample of 161, elderly people with chronic disease taking non-opioid analgesics. The survey included questions about status of medication use, medication adherence, symptom experience, depression and family function. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-tests, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficients, and stepwise multiple regression with IBM SPSS 23.0 program. RESULTS: The mean score of medication adherence of the elderly with chronic disease was 4.48±2.35. Experiences of side effects (β=.31, p<.001), use of over-the-counter pain medication (β=.19, p=.009), and family function (β=.16, p=.031) were identified as significant predictors. The final model explained 18.0% of the variation of medication adherence of the elderly with chronic disease taking non-opioid analgesics (F=12.30, p<.001). CONCLUSION: Therefore, as a strategy to improve medication adherence of the elderly with chronic disease, therapeutic intervention should be developed to improve family function and to manage with personalized plans considering experiences of side effects and use of over-the-counter pain medication.

Magnetic nanoparticle based purification and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using monoclonal antibody against enrofloxacin

Monoclonal anti-enrofloxacin antibody was prepared for a direct competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and purification system using monoclonal antibody (mAb) coupled magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs). The IC50 values of the developed mAb for enrofloxacin (ENR), ciprofloxacin, difloxacin, sarafloxacin, pefloxacin, and norfloxacin were 5.0, 8.3, 9.7, 21.7, 36.0, and 63.7 ng/mL, respectively. The lowest detectable level of ENR was 0.7 ng/mL in the prepared ELISA system. To validate the developed ELISA in the food matrix, known amounts of ENR were spiked in meat and egg samples at 10, 20 and 30 ng/mL. Recoveries for ENR ranged from 72.9 to 113.16% with a coefficient of variation (CV) of 2.42 to 10.11%. The applicability of the mAb-MNP system was verified by testing the recoveries for ENR residue in three different matrices. Recoveries for ENR ranged from 75.16 to 86.36%, while the CV ranged from 5.08 to 11.53%. Overall, ENR-specific monoclonal antibody was prepared and developed for use in competitive to ELISAs for the detection of ENR in animal meat samples. Furthermore, we suggest that a purification system for ENR using mAb-coupled MNPs could be useful for determination of ENR residue in food.

A Case of Lacrimal Gland Mixed Tumor

One case of Rt. lacrimal gland mixed tumor is reported. The patient is a 26 years sold Korean male with right exophthalmos which growth slowly for 4 years. Pneumogaphy was done preoperalively and x-ray findings revealed that large tumor in the superior wall of the orbit, ladmaI gland tumor. In this case, pathologic findings were mixed tumor of lacrimal gland with no evidence of malignaney. Superior lateral approch was performed, without any complication. The vision was inproved and cosmetic result was satisfactory.

Nine Cases of Ethambutol Toxicity on Human Eye

Author presented nine patients of eye toxicity from Ethambutol. They used daily the drug, 15~30mg per kilogram body weight during the period of one month to six months. With the relationship of drug induced toxic amblyopia and optic neuritis, seven patients out of nine showed severe visual disturbance. Five of them have the peripheral constriction. Three cases showed relative ring scotoma and one case showed relative central scotoma.