Needs for Health Care Services for Active Aging of Home-Dwellers With Age

BACKGROUND: In a rapidly aging population, the importance of the quality of life of the elderly has been emphasized. The need for special care services according to an individual's physical, emotional, and social functions changes with aging. This study was conducted to analyze the needs of home dwellers in terms of health-care services for active aging. METHODS: The study subjects were 869 adults older than 40 years who lived in houses. They responded to a survey that inquired about the importance of each health-care item for active aging at home. The important items for active aging at home were graded by using a 5-point Likert scale. RESULTS: Among the items, "affection" topped the list, with 4.68 points, followed by cognitive function (4.67 points) and "social relations" (4.59 points). The top 3 items had no significant differences between the age groups. However, some items related to activities of daily living (ADL; including bathing, eating, and ambulating.) and instrumental ADL (IADL; including taking medicines and preparing meals) had significant differences between the age groups. Compared with the subjects in the older age groups, the subjects in the forties age group placed less importance on ADL and IADL. CONCLUSION: For the subjects who lived in houses, affection, cognitive function, and social relation are highly important for as active aging, regardless of age. ADL and IADL are regarded as more important in ≥50 years age groups.

Three Types of Cancer in a Patient with Neurofibromatosis Type I: Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor, Breast and Ampulla of Vater Cancer / 대한내과학회지

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF-1) is an autosomal dominant disorder with a prevalence of approximately 1 in 3,500 live births. NF-1 predisposes to various benign and malignant neoplasms. Neurological malignancies are most frequent, but the risks of non-nervous system tumors, such as of the esophagus, stomach, colon, liver, biliary tract, pancreas, lung, melanoma, thyroid gland, female breast and ovaries, are also increased. Malignant tumors are the most common cause of death in patients with NF-1. Cases with double primary tumors have been reported, but cases involving three or more primary cancers are rarely reported. Therefore, we present the case of a NF-1 patient diagnosed with gastrointestinal stromal tumor, breast cancer and ampulla of Vater cancer.