Non-Psychopharmacologic Therapy of Tic or Tourette's Disorder

Tic disorder is a childhood neuropsychological disorder characterized by abrupt, involuntary, and repetitive stereotyped muscle movement or vocal sound. Tourette's disorder shows a chronic prognosis, and can last for life if no treatment is applied. Although tic disorder has been known for ages, the underlying cause is still not well known. Non-pharmacological treatments have long been used for the tic disorder, but few clinical studies were conducted. However, the European Society for the Study of Tourette's Syndrome recently issued non-pharmacologic guidelines for treatment of tic disorders based on the research findings obtained so far. In addition, guidelines for non-pharmacologic evidence-based treatment were reported in Canada, North America. By synthesizing the newly reported foreign guidelines for treatment and review articles, the aim of this study is to investigate the non-pharmacologic therapies used for treatment of tic disorder or Tourette's disorder.

Management of COPD / 대한내과학회지

The prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in Korea is reported to be 17.5% in aged over 45 years. The overall approach should be individualized and dependent upon the severity of the disease and clinical status of the patient. Objectives of COPD treatment are improvement of airflow obstruction, prevention and management of co-morbidity and complication of COPD and upgrading in the quality of life. Pharmacologic therapy includes bronchodilators such as beta-2 agonists, anticholinergic and theophylline. Another key pharmacologic agent is glucocorticosteroid which reduces acute exaceerbation and inflammatory burden in COPD airways. Non-pharmacologic management is not less important. Education including smoking cessation, rehabilitation, home oxygen therapy along with appropriate vaccination. More importantly, doctor-patient-patron relationship plays a central role in long-term management of COPD.