Uptake of Family-Specific Mutation Genetic Testing Among Relatives of Patients with Ovarian Cancer with BRCA1 or BRCA2 Mutation / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

Purpose@#The BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene is transmitted in an autosomal dominant fashion, and genetic testing of first-degree relatives of patients with family-specific mutation (FSM) is recommended. This study examined factors affecting the uptake of FSM testing among relatives of patients with peritoneal, ovarian, or fallopian tube (POFT) cancer with confirmed BRCA1 or BRCA2 germline mutation. @*Materials and Methods@#Data from medical charts of 392 eligible patients and their relatives who had undergone outpatient genetic counseling/testing were retrospectively reviewed. Clinical factors were compared between family members who had and had not undergone genetic counseling/testing. @*Results@#The uptake of FSM testing was 30.5% (129/423) among first-degree living relatives and 53.5% (69/129) within the overall family unit. The average time from genetic testing of the proband to the first FSM test within a family was 168 days (range, 23 to 681 days). Having a living father (33.8% vs. 13.3%, p=0.007) and daughter (79.4% vs. 60.3%, p=0.019) increased the uptake of FSM testing. FSM testing was more likely among female than among male relatives of cancer patients (40.9% vs. 17.6%, p < 0.001). @*Conclusion@#Approximately one-third of first-degree relatives of patients with a POFT cancer with BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation underwent FSM testing. Having a living father or daughter was a factor affecting the uptake of FSM testing, which was higher among female than among male relatives of the proband. This discrepancy might be due to a misconception that the BRCA gene is associated with women rather than with men.

Survival Effects of Cytoreductive Surgery for Refractory Patients after Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Advanced Epithelial Ovarian Cancer

Purpose@#Salvage second-line chemotherapy is usually recommended for patients with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer (AEOC) who develop progressive disease (PD) after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). Herein, we investigated the role of cytoreductive surgery (CRS) for such patients. @*Materials and Methods@#We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 36 patients with AEOC who developed PD after receiving NAC at two tertiary academic centers with different treatment strategies between 2001 and 2016. Patients who developed PD after NAC were consistently treated with CRS at one hospital (group A; n=13) and second-line chemotherapy at another (group B;n=23). The clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes were compared between the groups. @*Results@#Overall survival (OS) was longer in group A than in group B (19.4 months vs. 7.9 months; p=0.011). High-grade serous histology was associated with longer OS than non-high-grade serous types. In group A, optimal surgery resection (<1 cm) was achieved after CRS in 6 patients (46%). Multivariate analysis showed that the treatment option was the only independent predictive factor for OS (hazard ratio, 2.30; 95% confidence interval, 1.02–5.17; p=0.044). @*Conclusion@#CRS may result in a survival benefit even in patients with AEOC who develop PD after NAC.

The Influence of School-Based Social Skills Training Program on the Social Decision-Making of Children and Adolescents : A Preliminary Study / 생물치료정신의학

Objectives@#：The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of a school-based social skills training program on the social decision-making of children and adolescents and to assess plan for effective school-based mental health services. @*Methods@#：It was performed school-based social skills training (n=46, 7 sessions) in elementary and middle school students. Evaluations were conducted before and after the application of the program using a ultimatum game and dictator game, in order to identify changes. @*Results@#：Before social skills training program (SSTP), the younger students showed higher acceptance rates of unfair offers than the older students in ultimatum game (UG) [at 9:1 offers 0.79±0.08>0.55±0.12 (p=0.001); at 8:2 offers 0.81±0.11>0.59±0.11 (p=0.001)]. the rejection rates of unfair offers in UG significantly increased after SSTP[at 9:1 offers 0.64±0.19→0.43±0.18 (p=0.001) ; at 8:2 offers 0.67±0.16→0.54±0.16 (p=0.046) ; at 7:3 offers 0.83± 0.20→0.65±0.12 (p=0.001)]. the rejection rates of unfair offers in UG significantly increased at happy and at neutral facial expression of proposers after SSTP[happy facial expression condition, at 9:1 offers 0.89±0.12→0.68±0.19 (p=0.001) ; at 8:2 offers 0.82±0.19→0.72±0.14 (p=0.001) ; at 7:3 offers 0.99±0.07→0.92±0.17 (p=0.040] [neutral facial expression condition, at 9:1 offers 0.71±0.20→0.54±0.13 (p=0.001) ; at 8:2 offers 0.61±0.18→0.52±0.06 (p=0.001) ; at 7:3 offers 0.91±0.13→0.83±0.12 (p=0.001)]. the amount of money offered as a proposer in dictator game significantly increased after SSTP [3989.1±1952.3→4742.5±371.1, (p=0.012)]. @*Conclusion@#：The social skills training program positively influences the social decision-making. The school-based social skills training program can be expected to have positive results in school-based mental health services. Future investigation is needed to validate the long term effects of this program.

Effect of School-Based Social Skills Training Program on Peer Relationships: Preliminary Study

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a school-based social skills training program on peer relationships in children and adolescents and to assess the plan for effective school-based mental health services. METHODS: The Child and Adolescent Mental Health Promotion Team of Bugok National Hospital conducted 7-sessioned school-based social skills training for elementary and middle school students (n=90). Changes in peer relationships were evaluated before and after application of the program using a name generator question. RESULTS: The social skills training program increased peer relations, indicating significant changes in social network indices. CONCLUSION: The social skills training program positively influenced peer relationships. The school-based social skills training program can be expected to have positive effects on school-based mental health services. Future investigation is needed to validate the long term effects of this program.

Development of the short version of the Gynecologic Cancer Lymphedema Questionnaire: GCLQ-7 / 부인종양

OBJECTIVE: The Gynecologic Cancer Lymphedema Questionnaire (GCLQ) was designed to identify gynecologic cancer patients with lower limb lymphedema (LLL). The questionnaire consists of 20 items distributed over 7 symptom clusters. The present study aimed to develop an abridged form of the GCLQ for simpler screening and more effective follow-up of LLL. METHODS: Data that had been collected for the development and validation of the Korean version of the GCLQ (GCLQ-K) were used in this study. Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curves were drawn according to the individual items of the GCLQ-K. Based on discrimination ability, the candidate items were selected in each symptom cluster. After combining the items, the best model was identified and named GCLQ-7. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) was compared between the GCLQ-7 and the original GCLQ-K. RESULTS: In total, 11 candidate items were selected from the original GCLQ-K. Among the models made with the candidate items, GCLQ-7, the best model, was constructed with 7 items as follows: 1) limited knee movement, 2) general swelling, 3) redness, 4) firmness/tightness, 5) groin swelling, 6) heaviness, and 7) aching. This model exhibited an AUC of 0.945 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.900–0.991), which is comparable with that of the original GCLQ-K (AUC, 0.867; 95% CI, 0.779–0.956). The best cutoff value was 2 points, at which the sensitivity and specificity were 97.0% and 76.5%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The newly developed short version model, GCLQ-7, showed acceptable discrimination ability as compared with the original GCLQ-K.

Survival outcomes after extensive cytoreductive surgery and selective neoadjuvant chemotherapy according to institutional criteria in bulky stage IIIC and IV epithelial ovarian cancer / 부인종양

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the survival outcomes in patients with bulky stage IIIC and IV ovarian cancer, treated by primary debulking surgery (PDS) and selective use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) according to institutional criteria. METHODS: Medical records for advanced ovarian cancer patients who were treated at National Cancer Center (NCC) between December 2000 and March 2009 were retrospectively reviewed in the comprehensive cancer center. Bulky stage IIIC and IV ovarian cancer cases were included. Current NCC indication for NAC is determined based on patients' performance status and/or computerized tomography (CT) findings indicating difficult cytoreduction. After NAC, all traces of regressed metastatic ovarian cancer, potentially including chemotherapy-resistant cancer cells, were surgically removed. RESULTS: Of the 279 patients with bulky stage IIIC and IV, 143 (51%) underwent PDS and 136 (49%) received NAC. No gross residual and residual tumor measuring ≤1 cm was achieved in 66% and 96% of the PDS group and 79% and 96% of the NAC group, respectively. The median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) time were 20 months and not reached, but might be estimated more than 70 months in the PDS group and 15 and 70 months in the NAC group, respectively. CONCLUSION: Extensive cytoreductive surgery to minimize residual tumor and selective use of NAC based on the institutional criteria could result in improved survival outcomes. Until further studies can be done to define the selection criteria for NAC after surgery, institutional criteria for NAC should consider the ability of the surgeon and institutional capacity.

Effects of School-Based Social Skills Training Program on Alexithymic Tendency: Preliminary Study

OBJECTIVES: The purposes of this study are to evaluate the effect of a school-based social skills training program on the emotional regulation of children and adolescents and to assess the plan for effective school-based mental health services. METHODS: The Child and Adolescent Mental health promotion team of Bugok National Hospital conducted school-based social skills training (N=90, 7 sessions) for elementary and middle school students. Evaluations were conducted before and after the application of the program using a prosocial behavior questionnaire, a cohesiveness questionnaire, the Korean version of the 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale, a self-esteem scale, and the Novaco anger scale, in order to identify any changes. RESULTS: The social skills training program increased the prosocial behavior and cohesiveness of the children and adolescents and decreased their alexithymic tendency and degree of anger, but did not significantly change their self-esteem. CONCLUSION: The social skills training program positively influences the emotional and behavioral levels of children and adolescents. The emotional regulation program based on a social skills training program is expected to have positive results in school-based mental health services. Future investigations are needed to validate the long term effects of this program.

Association between Health Behaviors and a Family History of Cancer among Korean Women / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to examine the health-related behaviors related to a family history of cancer (FHCA) among Korean women underwent cancer screening. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 8,956 women who underwent cancer screenings during 2001-2011 at the National Cancer Center, Korea, were analyzed. The association between health-related behaviors and a FHCA were assessed using multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: Compared to women with no FHCA, women with FHCA were more likely to smoke (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.32; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.06 to 1.65), to be exposed to passive smoking (aOR, 1.21; 95% CI, 1.15 to 1.65), and less likely to engage in regular exercise (aOR, 1.20; 95% CI, 1.01 to 1.41). Combined effects of selected health behaviors for FHCA were significant, although no statistically significant interactions were observed between selected health behaviors. Compared to women with no FHCA, women with FHCA were more likely to simultaneously smoke and be exposed to passive smoking (aOR, 1.65; 95% CI, 1.17 to 2.31) and to simultaneously smoke and be physically inactive (aOR, 1.62; 95% CI, 1.00 to 2.64). CONCLUSION: The study found that women with a FHCA exhibited unhealthy behaviors compared to women without FHCA. Higher emphasis on lifestyle modifications using a new standardized tool is strongly recommended for those with a FHCA, as well as individuals who are at high risk, together with their family members.

Incidence of epithelial ovarian cancer according to histologic subtypes in Korea, 1999 to 2012 / 부인종양

OBJECTIVE: To investigate trends in the incidence of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC), according to histologic subtypes, in Korean women between 1999 and 2012. METHODS: Data from the Korea Central Cancer Registry recorded between 1999 and 2012 were evaluated. The incidences of EOC histologic subtypes were counted. Age-standardized incidence rates (ASRs) and annual percentage changes (APCs) in incidence rates were calculated. Patient data were divided into three groups based on age (59 years), and age-specific incidence rates were compared. RESULTS: Overall, the incidence of EOC has increased. Annual EOC cases increased from 922 in 1999 to 1,775 in 2012. In 1999, the ASR was 3.52 per 100,000 and increased to 4.79 per 100,000 in 2012 (APC, 2.53%; p<0.001). The ASRs in 2012 and APCs between 1999 and 2012 for the four major histologic subtypes were as follows (in order of incidence): serous carcinoma (ASR, 2.32 per 100,000; APC, 4.34%; p<0.001), mucinous carcinoma (ASR, 0.73 per 100,000; APC, -1.05%; p=0.131), endometrioid carcinoma (ASR, 0.51 per 100,000; APC, 1.48%; p=0.032), and clear cell carcinoma (ASR, 0.50 per 100,000; APC, 8.13%; p<0.001). In the sub-analyses based on age, clear cell carcinoma was confirmed as the histologic subtype whose incidence had increased the most since 1999. CONCLUSION: The incidence of EOC is increasing in Korea. Among the histologic subtypes, the incidence of clear cell carcinoma has increased markedly across all age groups since 1999.

Second Primary Cancer after Diagnosis and Treatment of Cervical Cancer / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to investigate the incidence and survival outcomes of second primary cancers after the diagnosis of cervical cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data from the Korea Central Cancer Registry between 1993 and 2010 were reviewed and analyzed. Standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) of second primary cancers among women with cervical cancer were analyzed. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were constructed for cervical cancer patients with or without a second primary cancer. RESULTS: Among 72,805 women with cervical cancer, 2,678 (3.68%) developed a second primary cancer within a mean follow-up period of 7.34 years. The overall SIR for a second cancer was 1.08 (95% confidence interval, 1.04 to 1.12). The most frequent sites of second primary cancers were the vagina, bone and joints, vulva, anus, bladder, lung and bronchus, corpus uteri, and esophagus. However, the incidence rates of four second primary cancers (breast, rectum, liver, and brain) were decreased. The 5-year and 10-year overall survival rates were 78.3% and 72.7% in all women with cervical cancer, and for women with a second primary cancer, these rates were 83.2% and 65.5% from the onset of cervical cancer and 54.9% and 46.7% from the onset of the second primary cancer, respectively. CONCLUSION: The incidence rates of second primary cancers were increased in women with cervical cancer compared to the general population, with the exception of four decreasing cancers. The 10-year overall survival rates were decreased in cervical cancer patients with a second primary cancer.

Efficacy and oncologic safety of nerve-sparing radical hysterectomy for cervical cancer: a randomized controlled trial / 부인종양

OBJECTIVE: A prospective, randomized controlled trial was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of nerve-sparing radical hysterectomy (NSRH) in preserving bladder function and its oncologic safety in the treatment of cervical cancer. METHODS: From March 2003 to November 2005, 92 patients with cervical cancer stage IA2 to IIA were randomly assigned for surgical treatment with conventional radical hysterectomy (CRH) or NSRH, and 86 patients finally included in the analysis. Adequacy of nerve sparing, radicality, bladder function, and oncologic safety were assessed by quantifying the nerve fibers in the paracervix, measuring the extent of paracervix and harvested lymph nodes (LNs), urodynamic study (UDS) with International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), and 10-year disease-free survival (DFS), respectively. RESULTS: There were no differences in clinicopathologic characteristics between two groups. The median number of nerve fiber was 12 (range, 6 to 21) and 30 (range, 17 to 45) in the NSRH and CRH, respectively (p<0.001). The extent of resected paracervix and number of LNs were not different between the two groups. Volume of residual urine and bladder compliance were significantly deteriorated at 12 months after CRH. On the contrary, all parameters of UDS were recovered no later than 3 months after NSRH. Evaluation of the IPSS showed that the frequency of long-term urinary symptom was higher in CRH than in the NSRH group. The median duration before the postvoid residual urine volume became less than 50 mL was 11 days (range, 7 to 26 days) in NSRH group and was 18 days (range, 10 to 85 days) in CRH group (p<0.001). No significant difference was observed in the 10-year DFS between two groups. CONCLUSION: NSRH appears to be effective in preserving bladder function without sacrificing oncologic safety.

Completeness of pedigree and family cancer history for ovarian cancer patients / 부인종양

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the completeness of pedigree and of number of pedigree analysis to know the acceptable familial history in Korean women with ovarian cancer. METHODS: Interview was conducted in 50 ovarian cancer patients for obtaining familial history three times over the 6 weeks. The completeness of pedigree is estimated in terms of familial history of disease (cancer), health status (health living, disease and death), and onset age of disease and death. RESULTS: The completion of pedigree was 79.3, 85.1, and 85.6% at the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd time of interview and the time for pedigree analysis was 34.3, 10.8, and 3.1 minutes, respectively. The factors limiting pedigree analysis were as follows: out of contact with their relatives (38%), no living ancestors who know the family history (34%), dispersed family member because of the Korean War (16%), unknown cause of death (12%), reluctance to ask medical history of relatives (10%), and concealing their ovarian cancer (10%). The percentage of cancers revealed in 1st (2%) and 2nd degree (8%) relatives were increasing through surveys, especially colorectal cancer related with Lynch syndrome (4%). CONCLUSION: Analysis of pedigree at least two times is acceptable in Korean woman with ovarian cancer from the first study. The completion of pedigree is increasing, while time to take family history is decreasing during three time survey.

Incidence of cervical, endometrial, and ovarian cancer in Korea, 1999-2010 / 부인종양

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the recent incidence of and trends in cervical, endometrial, and ovarian cancer in Korean females. METHODS: Data from the Korea Central Cancer Registry between 1999 and 2010 were analyzed. Age-standardized rates (ASRs) and annual percent changes (APCs) were calculated. RESULTS: The absolute incidence rates of the three major gynecologic cancers increased: 6,394 in 1999 to 7,454 in 2010. The ASR for gynecologic cancer was 23.7 per 100,000 in 1999 and decreased to 21.0 in 2010 (APC, -1.1%; 95% confidence interval [CI], -1.53 to -0.70) due to a definitive decrease in the incidence of cervical cancer (APC, -4.3%). Endometrial cancer has been definitively increasing (APC, 6.9% during 1999-2010), especially in females or =80 years old (APC, 9.5%). The incidence of ovarian cancer is increasing gradually (APC, 1.5%). CONCLUSION: ASRs and APC for gynecologic cancers overall are decreasing due to the decrease in the incidence of cervical cancer. However, the incidence of endometrial and ovarian cancer has been increasing.

Two Cases of Hypersexuality Probably Associated with Aripiprazole

Sexual dysfunction is a common side effect in patients treated with antipsychotics but significant differences exist across different compounds. We report hypersexuality symptoms in two female patients with schizophrenia who were receiving treatment with aripiprazole. The patients experienced more frequent sexual desire and greater sexual preoccupation after taking aripiprazole. We discuss the potential neuro-chemical mechanisms for this and argue that aripiprazole's unique pharmacological profile, partial agonism with high affinity at dopamine D2-receptor, may have contributed to the development of these symptoms.

Pelvic exenteration for recurrent cervical cancer: ten-year experience at National Cancer Center in Korea / 부인종양

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate survival and morbidity after pelvic exenteration (PE) for the curative management of recurrent cervical cancer. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated patients with recurrent cervical cancer who underwent PE from January 2001 to April 2011. Patients were identified from the registry of our institution. The clinical status and demographic information was obtained by reviewing the medical records. RESULTS: Sixty-one recurrent cervical cancer patients underwent PE. Patients who received radiotherapy, operation, chemotherapy before PE were 98%, 41%, and 23%, respectively. The total morbidity rate was 44%; 10 (16%) patients had early complications (30 days or less after PE), whereas 22 (36%) patients had late complications. Wound problems were common early complications (7/18), and bowel fistulas were common late complications (9/30). The five-year overall survival and five-year disease-free survival were 56% and 49%, respectively. Median follow-up was 22 months (range, 1.8 to 60 months). Affecting factors for overall survival were resection margin status, pelvic wall and rectal involvement. CONCLUSION: Our overall 5-year survival is encouraging. Although the morbidity rate is still high, PE is a potentially curative opportunity in gynecological malignancies with no other treatment options. The most important factors for overall survival after PE are the resection margin status, pelvic wall involvement and rectal involvement.

Pelvic exenteration for recurrent cervical cancer: ten-year experience at National Cancer Center in Korea / 부인종양

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate survival and morbidity after pelvic exenteration (PE) for the curative management of recurrent cervical cancer. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated patients with recurrent cervical cancer who underwent PE from January 2001 to April 2011. Patients were identified from the registry of our institution. The clinical status and demographic information was obtained by reviewing the medical records. RESULTS: Sixty-one recurrent cervical cancer patients underwent PE. Patients who received radiotherapy, operation, chemotherapy before PE were 98%, 41%, and 23%, respectively. The total morbidity rate was 44%; 10 (16%) patients had early complications (30 days or less after PE), whereas 22 (36%) patients had late complications. Wound problems were common early complications (7/18), and bowel fistulas were common late complications (9/30). The five-year overall survival and five-year disease-free survival were 56% and 49%, respectively. Median follow-up was 22 months (range, 1.8 to 60 months). Affecting factors for overall survival were resection margin status, pelvic wall and rectal involvement. CONCLUSION: Our overall 5-year survival is encouraging. Although the morbidity rate is still high, PE is a potentially curative opportunity in gynecological malignancies with no other treatment options. The most important factors for overall survival after PE are the resection margin status, pelvic wall involvement and rectal involvement.

Prediction of a high-risk group based on postoperative nadir CA-125 levels in patients with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer / 부인종양

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to determine the ideal cut-off of nadir serum CA-125 level for prediction of progression free survival. METHODS: Among 267 patients who achieved complete remission after chemotherapy, the correlation between nadir CA-125 and progression free survival were compared among the subgroups classified according to the distribution of CA-125. The diagnostic odds ratio and area under the receiver operator characteristics curve were compared at various cut-off points. RESULTS: The nadir CA-125 levels did not have prognostic value under 12 U/mL (to 75 percentile). In contrast, they were significantly correlated with progression free survival only when the CA-125 level was greater than 12, which was 75 percentile (p=0.034). In predicting progression free survival 18 U/mL showed a hazard ratio of 2.85 (95% confidence interval, 1.70 to 4.76; p<0.001); patients with nadir levels between 18 and 12 U/mL showed a the hazard ratio of 1.68 (95% confidence interval, 1.11 to 2.56; p=0.015) compared with those whose nadir levels were under 12 U/mL. CONCLUSION: The predictive power of the traditional cut-off of 10 U/mL to classify a risk group or to identify high risk patients was unsatisfactory. The optimal diagnostic performance was observed at the cut-off of 18 U/mL and this can be proposed to dichotomize cut-off values to predict outcomes among individual patients.

Psychiatric Characteristics of Adolescents with Minor Offenses and Follow-Up after a 6-Month Protective Disposition

OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the differences between the psychiatric characteristics of minor juvenile offenders and normal adolescents as well as differences in psychiatric symptoms after a six month protective disposition. Further, the current study aimed at determining psychiatric screening methods for evaluating delinquent adolescents. METHODS: The Latent Delinquency Questionnaire (LDQ), the Revised Children's Manifest Anxiety Scale (RCMAS), the Children's Depression Inventory (CDI), the Reynolds Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire (SIQ), the Piers-Harris Children's Self Concept Inventory (SCI), and the Korean Youth Self Report (K-YSR) were administered to 134 normal adolescents (114 males) and 109 minor offenders (97 males) aged 12 to 16 years. After six months, 46 offenders (all males) completed the RCMAS, CDI, SIQ, and SCI again. RESULTS: Adolescents with minor offenses had more delinquent, aggressive behavior and externalizing behavior problems, but were significantly less depressive, anxious, or suicidal than normal controls. Further, recidivists had more anxiety, depression, and delinquent behavior than non-recidivists. Minor offenders reported that their anxiety and depressive mood decreased after six months of protective disposition. CONCLUSION: Adolescents with minor offenses had more delinquent, aggressive behavior and externalizing behavior problems suggesting that psychiatric screening tools for minor offenders should measure disruptive behavior disorder.

Reliability and Validity of the 20-Item Toronto Alexithymia Scale in Korean Adolescents

OBJECTIVE: Adolescence is a period of developing emotional regulation. However, alexithymia has rarely been examined during this period. The objective of this study is to examine the factor structure and internal consistency of the Korean version of the 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20K) in normal adolescents in South Korea. METHODS: The TAS-20K was administered to a sample of 290 adolescents aged from 12 to 16 years old. Internal reliability, test-retest reliability, and factorial validity were evaluated. RESULTS: The three factors of the TAS-20K were confirmed by confirmatory factor analysis. The internal consistency, measured using Cronbach's alpha coefficient was acceptable for difficulty in identifying feelings, good for difficulty in describing feelings, and acceptable for externally oriented thinking. CONCLUSION: Our study indicates that the TAS-20K is an appropriate instrument to assess alexithymia in Korean adolescents.

ERRATUM: Role of high risk-human papilloma virus test in the follow-up of patients who underwent conization of the cervix for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia / 부인종양

No abstract available.