Defining the Relationship between Daily Exposure to Particulate Matter and Hospital Visits by Psoriasis Patients

Background@#Although particulate matter likely provokes inflammatory reactions in those with chronic skin disorders like atopic dermatitis, no study has examined the relationship between particulate matter and psoriasis exacerbation. @*Objective@#This study evaluated possible associations between particulate matter and hospital visits for psoriasis patients in 7 major cities in South Korea. @*Methods@#We investigated the relationship between psoriasis and particulate matter. To do this, we used psoriasis patient data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service database. In addition, PM 10 and PM 2.5 concentration data spanning a 3-year time frame were obtained from the Korea Environment Corporation. @*Results@#A pattern analysis generated by the sample cross-correlation function and time series regression showed a correlation between particulate matter concentration and the number of hospital visits by psoriasis patients. However, the prewhitening method, which minimizes the effects of other variables besides particulate matter, revealed no correlation between the two. @*Conclusion@#This study suggests that particulate matter has no impact on hospital visit frequency among psoriasis patients in South Korean urban areas.

Evaluation of the Public Health Emergency Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic in Daegu, Korea During the First Half of 2020 / 예방의학회지

Objectives@#This study evaluated the response in Daegu, Korea to the first wave of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic according to a public health emergency response model. @*Methods@#After an examination of the official data reported by the city of Daegu and the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as well as a literature review and advisory meetings, we chose a response model. Daegu’s responses were organized into 4 phases and evaluated by applying the response model. @*Results@#In phase 1, efforts were made to block further transmission of the virus through preemptive testing of a religious group. In phase 2, efforts were concentrated on responding to mass infections in high-risk facilities. Phase 3 involved a transition from a high-intensity social distancing campaign to a citizen participation–based quarantine system. The evaluation using the response model revealed insufficient systematic preparation for a medical surge. In addition, an incorporated health-related management system and protection measures for responders were absent. Nevertheless, the city encouraged the participation of private hospitals and developed a severity classification system. Citizens also played active roles in the pandemic response by practicing social distancing. @*Conclusions@#This study employed the response model to evaluate the early response in Daegu to the COVID-19 pandemic and revealed areas in need of improvement or maintenance. Based on the study results, creation of a systematic model is necessary to prepare for and respond to future public health emergencies like the COVID-19 pandemic.

The relationship between stress and oral health-related quality of life in public officials during the COVID-19 pandemic / 대한구강보건학회지

Objectives@#The purpose of this study was to identify whether stress experienced by those working in the local civil service was related to their oral health during the COVID-19 pandemic. @*Methods@#A survey was conducted on 431 civil servants from eight districts, currently working in the Daegu City Hall had COVID-19 related work duties during the pandemic. @*Results@#Several factors associated with oral health related quality of life were explored. Demographic details revealed that men had significantly better oral health related life quality as compared to women; further, being younger, being unmarried, and having a lower position had better outcomes for oral health related quality of life. Regarding the relationship between oral health behavior and oral health related quality of life, it was found that the better the subjective oral health, the higher the rate of not visiting the dentist in the past year. The COVID-19 pandemic has been a particularly important time to explore in order to understand how the stress experienced by local government officials is related to their oral health. It has been especially noted that the higher the work stress, the worse the oral health related quality of life amongst individuals. @*Conclusions@#Results of this study emphasize that at a time when fatigue among civil servants is increasing due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, oral conditions caused by stress should be identified and greater awareness should be created about oral health care.

The Role of Health Committee for Health Management of Rural Residents in the COVID-19 Epidemic / 農村醫學 地域保健

Objectives@#The purpose of this study was to suggest the direction of the Healthy Village project for rural residents in accordance with the prolonged COVID-19 by investigating the digital environment for major health problems, the role of a health leader, necessary projects, and non-face-to-face projects for Healthy Village members in the COVID-19 epidemic. @*Methods@#Telephone interview surveys were conducted with 585 residents from November 30, 2020 to December 21, 2020. @*Results@#Health problems perceived by residents were in the order of concerns about infection (48.5%), depression (32.5%), difficulties in using medical services (9.4%), and lack of exercise (7.7%). The role of the health committee in the COVID-19 situation was “encouraging people to follow quarantine rules” with 91.3%. As a necessary health village project, there was a high demand for the provision of health products and mental health projects. 17.9% said that there is a computer or smart device connected to the Internet in their home, and 42.2% said that there is someone in the village who can easily get help if there is a problem in accessing and using Internet information. 36.9% were able to watch videos, and 22.2% were able to use the Internet through public facilities. @*Conclusion@#In a public health crisis, where the provision of public health and medical services to rural residents is not smooth, it is necessary to manage health and quarantine through health leaders in the village, and it is required to establish a digital environment infrastructure that can conduct community participatory health village projects in a non-face-to-face environment.

A Survival Analysis of Gastric or Colorectal Cancer Patients Treated With Surgery: Comparison of Capital and a Non-capital City / 예방의학회지

OBJECTIVES: The objective of the present study was to compare prognosis of patients with gastric or colorectal cancer according to places where they received surgeries. METHODS: The cancer patients underwent surgeries in sampled hospitals located in Daegu were matched 1:1 to the patients who visited sampled hospitals in Seoul using propensity score method. After the occurrences of death were examined, Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival analysis and the log-rank test was performed to compare the survival curves. RESULTS: A total of six out of 291 gastric cancer patients who had surgeries in Daegu died (2.1%) and ten deaths (3.4%) occurred from patients went Seoul hospitals. Out of 84 gastric cancer patients who had chemotherapy after surgeries in Daegu, 13 (15.5%) patients died while 18 (21.4%) deaths occurred among patients underwent surgeries in Seoul. Six deaths (6.9%) out of 87 colorectal cancer patients who had surgeries in Daegu were reported. Five patients (5.7%) died among the patients underwent surgeries in Seoul. Among the colorectal cancer patients with chemotherapy after surgeries, 13 patients (12.4%) who visited hospitals in Daegu and 14 (13.3%) patients who used medical centers in Seoul died. There were no significant differences according to places where patients used medical services. CONCLUSIONS: The result of this study is expected to be used as basic data for policy making to resolve centralization problem of cancer patients and to help patients to make rational choices in selection of medical centers.

Quality of Life in Patients with Osteochondromatosis / 대한정형외과학회잡지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to help predict the prognosis of multiple osteochondromatosis patients with the investigation of social function, pain, physical function and quality of life of patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-five cases were diagnosed as multiple osteochondromatosis from March 1993 to June 2014. We performed a survey on pain, daily life, school or work life assessment of research and development-36. Forty-five people who responded to the survey completely were enrolled. Variable factors, including physical functioning, role limitations due to physical health, role limitations due to emotional problems, energy/fatigue, emotional well-being, social functioning, pain, and general health state were considered as elements related to quality of life. In addition, we investigated significant factors for multiple osteochondromatosis patients, and analyzed the survey by scoring. Related factors included age (over 18 years and under 18 years), gender, body mass index, operation, joint deformity, recurrence of disease, family history, the number of involved joints and the location of tumor. Statistical analyses were performed using SAS ver. 9.3 (SAS Inc., Cary, NC, USA). p-values of <0.05 were deemed statistically significant. RESULTS: Patients with a family history of multiple osteochondromatosis showed a significantly decreased result of assessment, physical function, vitality of life, social activities, and health state. In addition, there was a tendency of a poor influence in pain, emotional wellbeing, and general health. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that family history is a significant factor influencing and predicting the quality of life. In other words, the developed patients in the household including patients with severe enough for the rest of the family to know have poor prognosis. Through this study multiple osteochondromatosis is a chronic disease having a profound impact on quality of life.

Family Avoidance of Communication about Cancer: A Dyadic Examination / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

PURPOSE: This study aimed to examine the following questions: to what extent do patients and caregivers perceive their family members to be avoidant of communication regarding patient's cancer, and to what extent do these perceptions interrelate; and how do such perceptions influence their own and each other's communication behaviors, communication outcome, mental health, and quality of life. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A national survey was performed with 990 patient-caregiver dyads (participation rate, 76.2%). To examine the dyadic interaction, we developed linked patient and family member questionnaires, including the Family Avoidance of Communication about Cancer (FACC) scale. RESULTS: The mean scores (standard deviations) of patient- and caregiver-perceived FACC were low at 10.9 (15.5) and 15.5 (17.5), respectively (p < 0.001), and concordance was low, a well (Spearman's rho, 0.23). Patient-perceived FACC was associated with lower levels of disclosure and behaviors of holding back communication, as well as lower levels of mental health outcome and quality of life. The same was true for caregivers (all p < 0.05). Patient-perceived FACC was associated with caregiver holding back, caregiver's depression level, and caregiver quality of life (all p < 0.05). Both patient- and caregiver-perceived FACC were independently associated with communication difficulty within the family. CONCLUSION: Future research would benefit from the measurement of FACC from both patients and caregivers, and promote family intervention to enhance openness to communication, which would be helpful for improving mental health and quality of life for both patients and caregivers.

Effects of Social Support and Class Cohesiveness on Health-related Quality of Life in Middle School Students / 農村醫學 地域保健

OBJECTIVES: Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is an important outcome for middle school students. This study was designed to illustrate the effect of social support and class cohesiveness associated on HRQoL. METHODS: The subjects comprised 516 students from three middle schools in Daegu, South Korea that responded to a self-administered questionnaire in February 2014. The purposes of the questionnaire were explained to the subjects. RESULTS: The total mean of HRQoL was 81.1+/-15.3. Social functioning showed the highest score of 87.1+/-15.3 and emotional functioning showed the lowest score of 73.8+/-21.5. Teacher support (B=3.185, p=0.001) had a significant effect on the physical health summary scores. Class cohesiveness (B=2.237, p=0.022), friendships (B=5.102, p<0.001) and teacher support (B=2.498, p=0.006) had a significant effect on the psychosocial health summary scores. Finally, class cohesiveness (B=2.137, p=0.016), friendships (B=4.133, p<0.001) and teacher support (B=2.670, p=0.001) had a significant effect on the overall scores. CONCLUSION: The results of this study provide a basis for the development of strategies to improve health-related quality of life for middle school students, namely that relevant programs should be based on the improvement of social support and class cohesiveness.

Factors Related to Increasing Trends in Cigarette Smoking of Adolescent Males in Rural Areas of Korea / 예방의학회지

OBJECTIVES: Cigarette smoking prevalence among adolescent males in rural areas of Korea has increased in recent years. The aim of this study was to explore the factors related to increasing trends in cigarette smoking among adolescent males living in rural areas. METHODS: The raw data from the Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey from 2006 to 2009 were used. Data were analyzed by using the method of complex survey data analysis considering complex sampling design. Multiple logistic regression models were used to explore the factors affecting cigarette smoking. We evaluated the linear time trends in the prevalence of factors that were related to current smoking status and the linear time trends in cigarette smoking in groups stratified by the exposure to each factor using logistic regression models. Finally, we examined the contributions of the factors to the time trends in cigarette smoking by adjusting for each of those factors in the baseline regression models and changes in the adjusted odds ratio by survey year. RESULTS: A statistically significant increasing trend in smoking was observed after adjusting for the factors affecting cigarette smoking. Significant factors related to cigarette use were perceived stress, experience with depression, current alcohol drinking, exposure to secondhand smoke, and academic performance. The factor related to increasing trends in cigarette smoking was academic performance. CONCLUSIONS: Stress about academic performance is an important factor affecting the increase in cigarette smoking among adolescent males in a rural area of Korea.

Interaction Between Persistent Organic Pollutants and C-reactive Protein in Estimating Insulin Resistance Among Non-diabetic Adults / 예방의학회지

OBJECTIVES: Chronic inflammation is now thought to play a key pathogenetic role in the associations of obesity with insulin resistance and diabetes. Based on our recent findings on persistent organic pollutants (POPs) including the lack of an association between obesity and either insulin resistance or diabetes prevalence among subjects with very low concentrations of POPs, we hypothesized that POP concentrations may be associated with inflammation and modify the associations between inflammation and insulin resistance in non-diabetic subjects. METHODS: Cross-sectional associations among serum POPs, C-reactive protein (CRP), and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were investigated in 748 non-diabetic participants aged > or =20 years. Nineteen types of POPs in 5 subclasses were selected because the POPs were detectable in > or =60% of the participants. RESULTS: Among the five subclasses of POPs, only organochlorine (OC) pesticides showed positive associations with CRP concentrations, while polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) showed inverse associations with CRP concentrations. There were statistically significant interactions between CRP and OC pesticides and between CRP and PCBs, in estimating HOMA-IR (P for interaction <0.01 and <0.01, respectively). CRP was not associated with HOMA-IR among subjects with low concentrations of OC pesticides or PCBs, while CRP was strongly associated with HOMA-IR among subjects with high concentrations of these POPs. CONCLUSIONS: In the current study, OC pesticides were associated with increased levels of CRP, a marker of inflammation, and both OC pesticides and PCBs may also modify the associations between CRP and insulin resistance.

Associations of Serum Ferritin and Transferrin % Saturation With All-cause, Cancer, and Cardiovascular Disease Mortality: Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Follow-up Study / 예방의학회지

OBJECTIVES: Even though experimental studies have suggested that iron can be involved in generating oxidative stress, epidemiologic studies on the association of markers of body iron stores with cardiovascular disease or cancer remain controversial. This study was performed to examine the association of serum ferritin and transferrin saturation (%TS) with all-cause, cancer, and cardiovascular mortality. METHODS: The study subjects were men aged 50 years or older and postmenopausal women of the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1988-1994. Participants were followed-up for mortality through December 31, 2006. RESULTS: Serum ferritin was not associated with all-cause, cancer, or cardiovascular mortality for either men or postmenopausal women. However, all-cause, cancer, and cardiovascular mortality were inversely associated with %TS in men. Compared with men in the lowest quintile, adjusted hazard ratios for all-cause, cancer, and cardiovascular mortality were 0.85, 0.86, 0.76, and 0.74 (p for trend < 0.01), 0.82, 0.73, 0.75, and 0.63 (p for trend < 0.01), and 0.86, 0.81, 0.72, and 0.76 (p for trend < 0.01), respectively. For postmenopausal women, inverse associations were also observed for all-cause and cardiovascular mortality, but cancer mortality showed the significantly lower mortality only in the 2nd quintile of %TS compared with that of the 1st quintile. CONCLUSIONS: Unlike speculation on the role of iron from experimental studies, %TS was inversely associated with all-cause, cancer and cardiovascular mortality in men and postmenopausal women. On the other hand, serum ferritin was not associated with all-cause, cancer, or cardiovascular mortality.

Trends in Cigarette Use Behaviors Among Adolescents by Region in Korea / 예방의학회지

OBJECTIVES: Understanding recent trends in cigarette smoking among adolescents is important in order to develop strategies to prevent cigarette smoking. The aim of this study was to compare recent trends in cigarette smoking for adolescents living in rural areas, small towns and metropolitan cities in Korea. METHODS: The raw data from the Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey (KYRBWS) from 2005 to 2009 were used. Data were analyzed by using the method of complex survey data analysis considering complex sampling design. Logistic regression models were used to evaluate significant linear time trends in cigarette smoking. The indicators of cigarette use behaviors were 'current smoking rate', 'frequent smoking rate', 'heavy smoking rate' and 'smoking experience rate before 13 years of age'. All analyses were conducted according to gender. RESULTS: Statistically significant increasing trends in current smoking rate and frequent smoking rate were observed and borderline significant increasing trends in heavy smoking rate were shown among rural boys. Among metropolitan city boys, statistically significant increasing trends were also seen for frequent smoking. Statistically significant decreasing trends in current smoking rate were observed among small town and metropolitan city girls. Smoking experience rate before 13 years of age for rural girls decreased significantly. CONCLUSIONS: Cigarette smoking prevalence among adolescents in the rural areas has increased in the last five years especially among boys. Our findings suggest that anti-tobacco program for adolescents should be conducted primarily for those in rural areas.

Follow-up study on mortality in Korean stroke patients

Stroke is the most common cause of death as single-diseases in South Korea. And it generates additional medical cost through high incidence of related disabilities and complications, which would become more important with the rapid aging process in Korean society. This study was preformed to identify stroke patients' mortality and its associated factors. Patients diagnosed as stroke (ICD-10 code I60-I63) in 2003 were identified. Their follow-up mortality rate in 5 years and related factors (stroke type, sex, age, type of first admission hospital, comorbidity score) were analyzed using national health insurance claim data and national cause of death statistics. The mortality rate peaked in early days after attack, and decreased subsequently as the survive time gets longer. The mortality rate was higher in hemorrhagic stroke than ischemic stroke, in female than male, with the older age, and with the higher comorbidity score. It is recommended that the early intervention at general hospital or tertiary referral hospital should be promoted to decrease the mortality rate in stroke patients, and related quality assurance programs have to be enforced.

A Case of Linear Atrophoderma of Moulin / 대한피부과학회지

Linear atrophoderma of Moulin is a disease characterized by hyperpigmented linear atrophoderma which follows Blaschko's lines. There is no preceding inflammation or subsequent sclerodermatous changes. The disease had not been reported in Korean literature since Moulin reported for the first time in 1992. The patient was a 21-year-old Korean female who presented multiple hyperpigmented linear macules on the face, arm and lower extremities since birth. All the lesions followed Blaschko" lines. Histopathologic findings showed mild acanthosis and perivascular lymphohistiocytic infiltration. No changes of dermal collagen and elastic fibers were observed.

Two Cases of Phthiriasis Occurring on Unusual Sites / 대한피부과학회지

The pubic louse, Pthirus pubis is a blood-sucking ectoparasite adapted to hold onto pubic, axillary and body hairs. It is usually confined to the pubic and inguinal region. However, it may also rarely involve the scalp and eyelashes. We report two cases of phthiriasis occurring on unusual sites, the first case occurring on the scalp of a 5 month-old male infant, and the second case on the eyelashes of a 49-year-old fe-male.

Isolation and Identification of Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 from Patients with Herpes Progenitalis / 대한피부과학회지

In the present study, we have tried to isolate and identify herpes simplex virus type 2(HSV 2) from clinical specirnens, which were inoculated into Vero cell line and grown. Eight strains of viruses were isolated from 20 suspected cases diagnosed from the pr ivate clinics in Seoul. Viruses isolated from 4 rnale and 1 female cases with active lesion were identified to the HSV 2 by indirect immunofluorescence using monoclonal antibody to HSV-2. In addition, morphology of the isolated viruses were observed under electron microscope.

Facial Cutaneous Mycosis by Paecilomyces lilacinus / 대한피부과학회지

A 19-year-old man noticed a very slowly spreading erythematous macular lesion on his cheek when he was 5 years old. This asymptomatic and well circumscribed patch was covered with fine scales. He sought first medical attention at the age of 12 years and diagnosis was cutaneous tuberculosis was made by skin biopsy. Seven years after the second biopsy was made and it revealed a few spores within giant cells in the upper dermis. By mycologic study, it was identified as Paecilomyces lilacinus. The patient was put on the treatment of topical and oral antifungal agents. The skin lesion showed signs of improvement after 12 weeks of treatment.

A Case of Hair Follicle Nevus / 대한피부과학회지

Hair follicle nevus is one of several nevi, in which hair and hair follicle are involved. Crowding of numerous tiny but mature hair follicles with thick fibrous root sheath are the characteristie histologic finding of the nevus. The patient was one month old male infant with pedunculated. mass l cm in size on the left preauricular area. Histologically the skin of the lesion is covered by acanthotic epidermis. In the corium are numerous small mature hair follicles with thick fibrous sheath and a few small Iobules of sebaceous gland embedded in a fibrovascular stroma. There are, however, no central plate of cartilage and adipose tissue.

T and B Cells, T cell Subsets in Vitiligo Vulgaris / 대한피부과학회지

The basic pathophysiology of vitiligo is still obscure. Most researchers emphasized that poasible immunologic role is very important in pathophysiology of vitiligo. Also the type of vitiligo is classified by various type baaed on clinical manifestations. These facts promoted us to analyse the immunologic state in each type of vitiligo in order to verify whether there is present any immunologic alteration in this permatosis or any differences of immune state in each type of vitiligo. The following immune cells were analysed, T cell, B cell, and T cell subsets such as helper T cell and suppresaor T cell. Vitiligo vulgaris in our study showed alteration of immune cell such as low level of T cell and helper T cell.

Xeroderma pigmentosum: Report of a Case / 대한피부과학회지

Xeroderma pigmentosum is a genodermatosis characterized by extreme sun sensitivity, photophobia, freckly hyperpigmentation, atrophy, telangiectases, keratoses and finally malignant degeneration of the skin. It is rare and prebobly inherrited as a recessive trait, Photosensitive cutaneous symptoms developed in complication with squamous cell ca is presented. A 20-year-old male were studied. Routine laboratory examinations were within normal limits including hemogram, urinalysis, blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinina, liver function tests(including bromsulphalaein excretion) and serum electrolytes, chest X-Ray. The histopathological picture showed characteristic xeroderma pigmentosum and squamous cell ca. Clinical, histopathological and biochemical features of this disease are also discuseed.