The Meaning of Illness among Korean Americans with Chronic Hepatitis B

PURPOSE: This ethnography was done to explore the meaning of illness in Korean Americans with chronic hepatitis B. METHODS: The participants were 6 patients with chronic hepatitis B and 6 general informants who could provide relevant data. Data were collected from iterative fieldwork with ethnographic interviews within Korean communities in two cities in the United States. Data were analyzed using causal chain analysis developed by Wolcott. RESULTS: The analyses revealed three meanings for the illness: hidden disease, intentionally hidden disease, and inevitably hidden disease. The contexts of meaning of illness included characteristics of the illness, social stigma, structure of health care system and communication patterns and discourse between health care providers and clients. CONCLUSION: The meaning of illness was based on folk illness concepts and constructed in the sociocultural context. Folk etiology, pathology and interpretation of one's symptoms were factors influencing illness behavior. These findings could be a cornerstone for culture specific care for Korean Americans with chronic hepatitis B.

Qualitative Research Investigating Patterns of Health Care Behavior among Korean Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B

PURPOSE: This ethnograpy was done to explore patterns of health care behavior in patients with chronic health problems. METHODS: The participants were 15 patients with chronic hepatitis B and 2 family members. Among the patients 4 had progressed to liver cirrhosis and liver cancer. Data were collected from iterative fieldwork in a department of internal medicine of I hospital. Data were analyzed using text analysis and taxonomic methods. RESULTS: Illness and disease, relationship between health care givers and clients, and communication patterns between health professions and clients were discussed as the context of health care behavior. Health care behavior of the participants was categorized by its focus: every day work centered, body centered, organ centered, and pathology centered. CONCLUSION: Participants' health care behavior was guided by folk health concept and constructed in the sociocultural context. Folk etiology, pathology, and interpretation of one's symptoms were influencing factors in illness behavior. These findings must be a cornerstone of culture specific care for the chronic diseases.

The Complications of Stoma Take-down

PURPOSE: The study aimed to investigate the complications accompanying stoma take-down and to elucidate the significant factors associated with complications. METHODS: We recruited 341 patients who underwent stoma take-down in our hospital between January 2000 and December 2005. Data on various complications during this procedure, i.e., wound infection, prolonged ileus, and anastomotic leakage, were collected with respect to patient- and operation-associated parameters. RESULTS: Complications of stoma take-down developed in 72 (21.1%) patients: 53 (20.3%) patients in a loop ileosotmy, 10 (21.3%) patients in a loop colostomy, and 9 (27.3%) patients in a Hartmann colostomy, The overall complication rate was significantly associated with the urgency of the primary operation (elective vs. emergent, 17.8% vs. 29%, P=0.017), and with the operation time ( 80 min, 16.5% vs. 29.3%, P=0.005). Among the complications, ileus developed in 46 (13.5%) patients, wound infection in 17 (5.0%) patients, and anastomotic leakage in 5 (1.5%) patients. Wound infection was related to the type of stoma between a loop ileostomy and a Hartmann colostomy (3.5% vs. 12.1%; P=0.014), but no other factors were associated with other complications. CONCLUSIONS: There were significant differences in overall complications in relation to urgency of the primary operation and the operation time, but there was no statistical difference in complications between a loop ileostomy and a loop colostomy take- down groups. The significance of these factors appears to be reduced with accurate surgical technique and patient care.

Ileostomy Related Complications

PURPOSE: Ileostomy may affect various aspects of life style of the patient. Moreover the complication after ileostomy formation or closure may lower the life quality of the patient. The purpose of this study is to investigate ileostomy related complications and elucidate associated factors. METHODS: We recruited 103 patients who underwent ileostomy in Asan Medical Center between July 1989 and June 2000. All ileostomies are constructed through the rectus muscle at the right lower quadrant of the abdomen. To mnimize peristomal skin irritation, at least two to three centimeters of the ileum lies above the skin level. We analyzed complications after ileostomy formation in relation to underlying diseases, types and purpose of ileostomy. Also, we analyzed complication after ileostomy closure in relation to underlying diseases, time interval and method of take-down. Results are compared using chi-square test. Statistical significance was assigned to a P value of<0.05. RESULTS: Complications of ileostomy formation were developed in 17 (16.5%) cases; 8 peristomal dermatitis, 3 wound infection, 2 prolapse, 1 stenosis, 1 perforation, 1 bleeding, 1 high output ileostomy. There was no significant difference of complication rate in relation to underlying diseases, types and purpose of ileostomy. Ileostomy take-down was performed in 55 (53.4%) cases of 103 patients. Complications related with ileostomy take-down were developed in 18 (32.7%) cases; 7 wound infection, 5 intestinal obstruction, 2 incisional hernia, 2 enterocutaneous fistula, 1 anastomosis leakage, 1 bleeding. There was no significant difference of complication rate in relation to time interval or method of take-down. However, complication rate of ileostomy take-down was significantly increased in patient with inflammatory bowel disease. CONCLUSIONS: Ileostomy formation is simple and safe surgical procedure. We couldn't find any factor affecting the morbidity of ileostomy formation or closure. However, complication rate after ileostomy closure, especially in patient with inflammatory bowel disease, is relatively high.

Factors Affective Sexual Function after Abdominoperineal Resection for Patients with Rectal Cancer

BACKGROUND: Abdominoperineal resection (APR) combined with autonomic nerve preservation (ANP) is proven to reduce sexual dysfunction. However, Sexual dysfunction after APR combined ANP occurs as many as 59% of case. PURPOSE: The aims of this study were to assess prog nostic value of various postoperative factors affective sexual function after APR combined with ANP and to suggest a clinical relevant factors for the improvement of sexual function. METHODS: This was a cross sectional descriptive study. Data were collected using individual-based interviews from 63 patients who underwent APR during the period of Feb. 2001 and April. 2001. The tool for this study was developed by the researcher through modification of the QLQ-CR38 (European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer, 1999). RESULTS: The severity of sexual function showed significant differences according to occupation, intervals after operation, colostomy irrigation. Intervals of longer than 18 month after operation was associated with better sexual function. In multiple regression analysis, colostomy related problems, colostomy irrigation, colostomy complications, intervals after operation, recurrence affected sexual function significantly. CONCLUSIONS: Colostomy related problems, colostomy irrigation, colostomy complications, intervals after operation and recurrence appear to be associated with sexual function after APR.

The Significance of Preoperative Stoma Site Marking

PURPOSE: The complication after colostomy formation may place undue hardship and emotional trauma on the ostomates. The purpose of this study was to find the effect of preoperative stoma site marking on postoperative stoma related complication. METHODS: We recruited 127 colostomy patients who underwent sigmoid or descending end colostomy, by elective operation. Transverse colostomy, loop colostomy, and emergency operation were excluded in this study. We divided the patients into two groups according to pre-operative stoma site marking by an enterostomal therapist. Postoperative stoma related complications were compared and analysed prospectively using chi-square test and paired t-test. Significance was assigned to a P value of < 0.05. RESULTS: Among 127 patients, 49 were marked preoperatively (marking group) while 78 were not marked (non- marking group). Overall stoma related complications were developed in 32 (25%) cases. Major complications including prolapse, parastomal hernia, stenosis were developed in 10 (8%) cases and minor complications including peristomal dermatitis and wound infection were developed in 22 (17%) cases. Stoma related complications were developed in 7 (14%) cases in the marking group and 25 (32%) cases in the non-marking group (P<0.05). Major complications were developed in 2 (4%) cases in the marking group and 8 (10%) cases in the non-marking group. Minor complications were developed in 5 (10%) cases in the marking group and 17 (22%) cases in the non-marking group. However, the difference in major and minor complications between the groups was not statistically significant. Of minor complications in the non-marking group, 9 (53%) cases due solely to postoperative frequent stool leakage caused by inappropriate location of the stoma. However, in the marking group, postoperative stool leakage was not observed. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative stoma site marking by an enterostomal therapist may reduce postoperative stoma related complication. All elective procedure that result in stoma formation should be assessed and marked preoperatively.

A Survey on the Delay Time Before Seeking Treatment and Clinical Symptoms in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction / 간호학회지

Many patients of acute myocardial infarction showed delay time before seeking treatment although they needed immediate thrombolytic therapy once they perceived their symptoms. The objectives of this study were to identify the relationship between clinical symptoms and the delay, and to find the time spent before seeking the treatment. This study was a retrospective research. The delay time for the treatment consisted of the length of delay from symptom onset to patients' decision (T1), from patients' decision making to finding transportation (T2), and from taking transportation to the first hospital arrival(T3). The subjects were 89 patients who were admitted in the ICU and Cardiac Ward at Chonnam University Hospital with the first attack of acute myocardial infarction. The data was collected for three months from March 1st to May 31st of 1998 through questionnaires and reviewing patients' charts: The chart information was suppled by two nurses working at the ICU and Cardiac Ward. The data was analyzed by using frequency, mean and ANOVA through the SAS program. The results of study summarized as follows: 1. Sixty two patients (69.7%) were male and twenty seven patients (30.3%) were female, the ratio of male to female was 2.3 : 1. 2. In daily life, the 70.8% of the patients felt chest pain and discomfort fatigue in 67.4%, dyspnea in 57.3%, and pain in arm, neck, and jaw in 52.8%. During the attack, 97.8% of the patients felt chest pain and discomfort dyspnea in 82.1%, pain in arm, neck, jaw in 67.4% and perspiration in 51.7%. 3. The length of time a patient spent seeking time for treatment (T1+T2+T3) was 94.6 minutes, in which the time for patients' decision making for treatment (T1) was 70.3 minutes, time for finding transportation (T2) was 8.2 minutes, and time for the transportation of the patient to the first hospital (T3) was 16.1 minutes. Time for patients' decision making to go to a hospital(T1) was 74.2% of the total time sought for treatment.

A Survey on the Delay Time Before Seeking Treatment and Clinical Symptoms in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction / 간호학회지

Many patients of acute myocardial infarction showed delay time before seeking treatment although they needed immediate thrombolytic therapy once they perceived their symptoms. The objectives of this study were to identify the relationship between clinical symptoms and the delay, and to find the time spent before seeking the treatment. This study was a retrospective research. The delay time for the treatment consisted of the length of delay from symptom onset to patients' decision (T1), from patients' decision making to finding transportation (T2), and from taking transportation to the first hospital arrival(T3). The subjects were 89 patients who were admitted in the ICU and Cardiac Ward at Chonnam University Hospital with the first attack of acute myocardial infarction. The data was collected for three months from March 1st to May 31st of 1998 through questionnaires and reviewing patients' charts: The chart information was suppled by two nurses working at the ICU and Cardiac Ward. The data was analyzed by using frequency, mean and ANOVA through the SAS program. The results of study summarized as follows: 1. Sixty two patients (69.7%) were male and twenty seven patients (30.3%) were female, the ratio of male to female was 2.3 : 1. 2. In daily life, the 70.8% of the patients felt chest pain and discomfort fatigue in 67.4%, dyspnea in 57.3%, and pain in arm, neck, and jaw in 52.8%. During the attack, 97.8% of the patients felt chest pain and discomfort dyspnea in 82.1%, pain in arm, neck, jaw in 67.4% and perspiration in 51.7%. 3. The length of time a patient spent seeking time for treatment (T1+T2+T3) was 94.6 minutes, in which the time for patients' decision making for treatment (T1) was 70.3 minutes, time for finding transportation (T2) was 8.2 minutes, and time for the transportation of the patient to the first hospital (T3) was 16.1 minutes. Time for patients' decision making to go to a hospital(T1) was 74.2% of the total time sought for treatment.

Reliability, Validity, and Cultural Relevancy of the Korean Version of the POMS / 간호학회지

The Profile of Mood States (POMS) is the most widely used self-report instrument for the measurement of affect or mood in clinical and nonclinical populations. This paper reports on the translation and testing of a Korean version of the POMS. The translation involved three steps: translation, checking agreement, and panel discussions to arrive at consensus. Then, the Korean version of the POMS was tested with a sample of 47 healthy Koreans who lived in the U.S.: they completed the instrument in the morning, at the beginning of work and in the evening, at the end of work. Internal consistencies for the total scale and subscales were high(alphas= .93 and .94). Face and content validity and the cultural relevance of the Korean version of the POMS were tested through review by five bilingual Korean nursing scholars who were familiar with Korean version of the POMS was then compared with Haeok Fatigue Behavior Check-list and demonstrating significant concurrent validity (r= .87, p<.001). Construct validity was established by demonstrating significant differences between the scores on the scores on the Fatigue and Vigor subscales (p< .001) at the beginning work and at the end of work.

Comparative Analysis between Natural Evacuation and Irrigation Technique in Patients with Colostomy

Sixty-three patients with permanent sigmoid colostomy were surveyed to evaluate their satisfaction and complications with the "irrigation technique" and the "atural evacuation" of the colostomy management (irrigation technique; 32 patients, natural evacuation; 31 patients). All patients had colostomy for at least 12 months without disease recurrence. Each patient was interviewed in addition to standard questionnaire. The irrigation was not associated with any major complication including colonic perforation. The irrigation was used younger age group than the natural evacuation (53+/-10 vs. 62+/-12, P=0.01). The frequency of bowel movement was lower in the irrigation than in the natural evacuation (5.1+/-2.5/wk vs. 10.8+/-9.0/wk, P=0.04). Five patients (16%) of the irrigation experienced spontaneous bowel action but only one patient suffered from it. The time spent for managing irrigation was 59+/-13 minutes. Twenty-three patients (74%) of the natural evacuation suffered from one or moreproblems such as expensive apparatus, leakage, skin irritation or odor. Sixteen patients (52%) of the natural evacuation and 2 patients (6%) of the irrigation were restricted in social activity (P=0.0001). Thirteen patients (42%) of the natural evacuation and 1 patient (3%) of the irrigation were dissatisfied with colostomy management (P=0.002). Thus, the irrigation technique seems to be more effective and satisfactory method for managing colostomy without compromising patient's social activity when it is performed in appropriately selected patients.