A Qualitative Study on Discharge Planning Needs for Cancer Patients

Purpose@#The purpose of this study was to identify the unmet needs experienced by patients discharged after cancer surgery in order to develop a systematic discharge plan. @*Methods@#In-depth interviews were conducted on 20 patients within one year after major cancer surgery in Korea. Data were collected from August 19 to September 26, 2019, and the interview data were analyzed by Qualitative Content Analysis using the MAXQDA 2018 software to derive categories and subcategories of the study. @*Results@#The needs for discharge planning for cancer patients consisted of four categories (physical needs, informational needs, mental health needs, social needs) and seven subcategories. @*Conclusion@#To meet the unmet needs of cancer patients for discharge planning, proper support and services at a hospital, and at a community and national level should be in place. The categories and subcategories formulated through this study can be used as basic data for the development of a standard evaluation form and interventions when planning cancer patient discharge.

A Qualitative Study on Discharge Planning Needs for Cancer Patients

Purpose@#The purpose of this study was to identify the unmet needs experienced by patients discharged after cancer surgery in order to develop a systematic discharge plan. @*Methods@#In-depth interviews were conducted on 20 patients within one year after major cancer surgery in Korea. Data were collected from August 19 to September 26, 2019, and the interview data were analyzed by Qualitative Content Analysis using the MAXQDA 2018 software to derive categories and subcategories of the study. @*Results@#The needs for discharge planning for cancer patients consisted of four categories (physical needs, informational needs, mental health needs, social needs) and seven subcategories. @*Conclusion@#To meet the unmet needs of cancer patients for discharge planning, proper support and services at a hospital, and at a community and national level should be in place. The categories and subcategories formulated through this study can be used as basic data for the development of a standard evaluation form and interventions when planning cancer patient discharge.

The effect of interleukin-8 in the early stage after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with remnant preservation

Purpose@#We studied the effect of interleukin-8 (IL-8) as the factor for angiogenesis in the joint fluid of remnantpreserved anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (RP-ACLR). @*Materials and methods@#We measured 12 cytokines in joint fluid by multiplex assay and assessed the relationship between IL-8 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) concentrations. The signal intensity and mean sagittal diameter via postoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans were evaluated and the stress X-ray image was analyzed at 3, 6, and 12 months after operation. @*Results@#The IL-8 concentration was highest 3 months postoperatively in those patients who underwent RP-ACLR.Clinical data also showed that the signal intensity and stress radiography of the knee graft were significantly better at the early postoperative stage.Discussion: Our results show that IL-8 plays an important role in angiogenesis within 3 months after RP-ACLR. This effect yields better recovery after operation. RP-ACLR patients with high knee stability in clinical data were identical to those with high expression of IL-8 in experimental data. Therefore, IL-8 has been shown to help revascularization and ligamentization of the grafted tendon. These results indicate that IL-8 in RP-ACLR is an important factor for angiogenesis after operation. Unfortunately, the relationship of IL-8 and VEGF in vivo has not been studied. @*Conclusion@#Our results showed that the IL-8 concentration was very high within 3 months after RP-ACLR operation. The increase in concentration of IL-8 over time was consistent with the increase in VEGF concentration.In the IL-8 clinical setting, MRI analysis showed that ACL synovialization and tension were better in patients who underwent the remnant preservation method. In addition, it was shown that RP-ACLR may be advantageous for early anterior stability within 1 year post operation and beneficial for tendon graft in the early stage post operation.Taken together, our findings suggest that IL-8 may contribute to angiogenesis which is helpful for revascularization and ligamentization of the graft tendon in the early stages of RP-ACLR.

Hemodynamic effects of carbetocin administered as an intravenous bolus or infusion during cesarean delivery

Background@#Postpartum hemorrhage is the leading cause of maternal mortality. Oxytocin being the most popular uterotonic agent, has been routinely administered after both vaginal delivery and cesarean section. Carbetocin is a newer uterotonic agent and provides the benefit of a longer duration of action without additional administration post-delivery. @*Methods@#We recruited 34 women undergoing elective cesarean section under spinal anesthesia. All patient was received spinal anesthesia using 0.5% hyperbaric Marcaine 8–10 mg in conjugation with fentanyl 20 μg in the left lateral decubitus position. Hartmann’s solution 10–15 ml/kg was administered before carbetocin. The operation started as soon as sensory block at level T4–T6 was confirmed. A non-invasive hemodynamic monitoring cuff (Finometer®) was attached to the patient’s finger soon after the induction of spinal anesthesia. Using the Finometer, we recorded the heart rate and mean arterial pressure at every 15 s, starting from 15 s before the administration of carbetocin to 5 min after. After the removal of the placenta, the bolus group was administered intravenous bolus injection of carbetocin 100 μg and the infusion group was administered carbetocin 100 μg diluted in 50 ml normal saline, over 5 min using an infusion pump. @*Results@#The demographic data showed no significant difference between the two groups. Furthermore, there were no significant hemodynamic differences between the two groups. @*Conclusions@#The method of administration of carbetocin does not influence its hemodynamic effects.

Proteomic Classification and Identification of Proteins Related to Tissue Healing of Platelet-Rich Plasma

BACKGROUND: Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a plasma component of autologous blood containing a high concentration of platelets. PRP is used to promote healing of damaged tissues. However, there are not many studies on the composition and expression patterns of active proteins in PRP. The purpose of this study was to identify unknown factors that contribute to tissue healing by proteomic analysis of proteins in PRP.METHODS: Three men in their 30s with no basal disease participated in this study. All identified proteins were classified for tissue healing-related functions on the basis of the gene ontology analysis of adhesion molecule with Ig-like domain 2 (AmiGO2). PRP was prepared by using the ACP kit and GPS III kit.RESULTS: We identified a total of 125 proteins related to wound healing, along with three proteins for angiogenesis involved in wound healing, two proteins for fibroblast migration, four proteins for collagen biosynthesis process, two proteins for glycosaminoglycan biosynthesis process, and 13 proteins for glycosaminoglycan binding. So, in addition to the growth factors that have been already known to be involved in tissue healing, 25 new proteins were identified.CONCLUSIONS: We identified the unknown proteins associated with tissue healing in PRP. Our findings may serve as a foundation for the establishment of basic medical evidence for PRP applications.

Enhanced Tendon-to-Bone Healing of Chronic Rotator Cuff Tears by Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate in a Rabbit Model

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the influence of bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC) on tendon-to-bone healing in a rabbit rotator cuff model and to characterize the composition of growth factors in BMAC. METHODS: In this in vivo study, 40 rabbits were allocated into five groups: control (C), repair + saline (RS), repair + platelet-rich plasma (PRP; RP), repair + BMAC (RB) and repair + PRP + BMAC (RPB). A tear model was created by supraspinatus tendon transection at the footprint. Six weeks after transection, the torn tendon was repaired along with BMAC or PRP administration. Six weeks after repair, shoulder samples were harvested for biomechanical and histological testing. Ten rabbits were used for processing PRP and BMAC, followed by analysis of blood cell composition and the levels of growth factors in vitro. RESULTS: The ultimate load-to-failure was significantly higher in RPB group compared to RS group (p = 0.025). BMAC-treated groups showed higher values of biomechanical properties than RS group. The histology of BMAC-treated samples showed better collagen fiber continuity and orientation than RS group. BMAC contained significantly higher levels of the several growth factors than PRP. CONCLUSIONS: Locally administered BMAC enhanced tendon-to-bone healing and has potential for clinical applications.

Leukocyte-Poor Platelet-Rich Plasma-Derived Growth Factors Enhance Human Fibroblast Proliferation In Vitro

BACKGROUND: Leukocyte-poor platelet-rich plasma (LP-PRP) from peripheral blood is currently used as a concentrated source of growth factors to stimulate repair at sites of soft tissue injury. Fibroblasts are primary mediators of wound healing. Thus, we aimed to assess the positive effect of LP-PRP on human fibroblast proliferation in vitro. METHODS: LP-PRP was prepared from 49 donors. The fibroblasts were seeded, and at 24 hours after seeding, 1 × 107/10 µL LP-PRP was added once to each well. The cells were harvested 10 times during study period at our planned points, and we examined cell proliferation using the water-soluble tetrazolium salt-1 assay. We collected the supernatants and measured the amount of growth factors such as platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-AB/BB, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which are known to be involved in wound healing processes, by multiplex assay. RESULTS: Human fibroblasts treated with LP-PRP showed a significant increase in proliferation when compared to untreated controls (p < 0.001 at days 4, 6, and 8). Multiplex cytokine assays revealed various secretion patterns. PDGF-AB/BB appeared at early time points and peaked before fibroblast proliferation. IGF-1 and TGF-β1 secretion gradually increased and peaked on days 4 and 6 post-treatment. The early VEGF concentration was lower than the concentration of other growth factors but increased along with cell proliferation. CONCLUSIONS: Platelets in LP-PRP release growth factors such as PDGF, IGF-1, TGF-β1 and VEGF, and these growth factors have a promoting effect for human fibroblast proliferation, one of the important mediators of wound healing. These results suggest that growth factors derived from LP-PRP enhance the proliferation of human fibroblast.

Influences of Uncertainty and Social Support on the Quality of Life among Elderly Cancer Patients

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the influences of uncertainty and social support on the quality of life among elderly cancer patients. METHODS: A descriptive correlational study was conducted with 128 patients aged over 65 who were diagnosed with cancer from either the cancer center or the university hospital. Data were collected from October 8(th), to November 6(th), 2013 and analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficients and stepwise multiple regression with the SPSS/WIN 18.0 program. RESULTS: Uncertainty and quality of life showed significant negative correlation (r=−.48, p<.001). The predictors of quality of life were ambiguity as subunit of uncertainty, severeness of pain and primary caregiver. These explained 41% of the variance (F=4.47, p=.037) and the most influential factor was ambiguity. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that the quality of life was influenced by ambiguity and personal characteristics. The result suggests that intervention programs to reduce the level of uncertainty and pain of patients could improve the quality of life among elderly cancer patients.

Age-Related Changes in Nuclear Factor Erythroid 2-Related Factor 2 and Reactive Oxygen Species and Mitochondrial Structure in the Tongues of Fischer 344 Rats

OBJECTIVES: Previously the authors reported age-related changes in the activities of anti-oxidative enzyme activities and protein expressions in the tongues of rats. Because more information is required about relations between aging and oxidative stress and anti-oxidative enzyme efficiency, the authors investigated differences between the expression of master regulator of anti-oxidative enzymes (nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 [Nrf2]), levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and mitochondrial structures in the tongues of young and aged Fischer 344 rats. METHODS: Age-dependent changes in Nrf2 protein and ROS were determined by Western blotting and using chemical kits, respectively. Tongue specimens were examined by electron microscopy. The study was conducted using rats aged 7 months (young, n=8) or 22 months (old, n=8). RESULTS: Nrf2 protein levels in the tongues of aged rats were lower than in young rats. ROS levels were higher in older rats and mitochondrial structural deficits were observed their tongues. Three young rats showed moderate mitochondrial degeneration, whereas profound degeneration with mitochondrial cristae disruption, swelling, rupture, or intramitochondrial vacuole formation was observed in all 8 old rats. Notably, mitochondrial rupture was observed in 5 old rats. CONCLUSION: Antioxidant defense systems of old rats were compromised by Nrf2 deficiency, which could lead to the deleterious accumulation and release of ROS and probably mitochondrial structural deficits in aged tongue tissues.

Age-Related Changes in Antioxidative Enzyme Capacity in Tongue of Fischer 344 Rats

OBJECTIVES: Antioxidative enzyme efficiency changes in some organs with age. However, no study has been conducted on age-related antioxidant enzyme changes in tongue. In the present study, the authors investigated the activities of four antioxidative enzymes and their protein expressions in the tongues of young and old Fischer 344 rats. METHODS: Age-dependent changes in the enzyme activities of total superoxide dismutase (SOD), Mn-SOD, Cu/Zn-SOD, catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were determined using chemical kits, and the protein expressions levels of these enzymes by Western blotting. The study was conducted using rats aged 7 months (the young group, n=8) and 22 months (the old group, n=8). RESULTS: Total SOD, Cu/Zn-SOD, and GPx activities in the tongues of old rats were lower than in young rats, and similarly, corresponding protein expressions were downregulated in old rats. On the other hand, although the protein expressions of Mn-SOD and CAT were lower in old rats, their enzyme activities were not. CONCLUSION: The results of this study provide a possible mechanism for the tongue aging process, as in old Fischer 344 rats the antioxidant defense system was diminished with respect to enzyme activity levels and protein abundances.

Anatomic Double-Bundle Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Using an Outside-in Technique: Two- to Six-Year Clinical and Radiological Follow-up

PURPOSE: We evaluated the clinical and radiological outcomes of double-bundle anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction using an outside-in technique with a follow-up of two- to six-years, especially in terms of the sports activity level and radiological degeneration. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-seven patients who were available for a minimum two-year follow-up after double-bundle ACL reconstruction using an outside-in technique were retrospectively evaluated. The mean follow-up period was 43.7 months. The knee function and stability were evaluated before the operation, one year after the operation (short-term follow-up), and more than two years after the operation (last follow-up). RESULTS: Regarding the knee function, the Lysholm score, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) evaluation, and hop test showed significant improvement. Regarding the stability, the Lachman test, pivot shift test, KT-2000 arthrometer data, and anterior drawer radiographs using Telos showed significant improvement. Regarding the sports activity level, the patients who returned to pre-injury level activity was 68.7% according to the Tegner activity score and 76.1% according to the Cincinnati sports activity scale score. The incidence of aggravated degeneration or development of greater than IKDC grade A degeneration after surgery was 10.4%. CONCLUSIONS: Double-bundle ACL reconstruction using an outside-in technique showed favorable clinical and radiological outcomes with respect to the knee function and stability, joint degeneraion, and, especially, return to pre-injury sports activity.

Clinical Characteristics of Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma and Prognostic Factors in Patients Who Received Non-surgical Treatment / 대한소화기학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: This study was conducted to analyze the prognostic factors in patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) who did not receive surgery. METHODS: Between August 1997 and November 2007, the medical records of 175 patients (mean age; 66 years, male/female 126/49), who were diagnosed as ICC, were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: Clonorchiasis and hepatolithiasis was found in 14.9%, and 6.3% of all patients, and no risk factors were identified in 77.8% of them. Surgical resection was performed in 29.1% (51 patients), chemotherapy +/- radiotherapy in 12.6% (22 patients), and palliative therapy in 58.3% (102 patients). The proportion of patients with stage I was 23.4% (41 patients). The prognostic factors in patients who did not receive surgery were alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and bilirubin levels by univariate and multivariate analysis. The median survival of patients with normal ALP and bilirubin levels was six months, whereas only one month in patients with elevated ALP and bilirubin levels (p<0.001). Tumor characteristics of patients with elevated bilirubin and ALP levels were infiltrative tumor, bile duct involvement, and very huge tumor. CONCLUSIONS: The prognostic factors of ICC in patients who did not receive surgery were ALP and bilirubin levels, but not lymph node metastasis.

Comparison of therapeutic results between combination therapy of peginterferon alpha-2a plus ribavirin and interferon alpha-2b plus ribavirin according to treatment duration in patients with chronic hepatitis C / 대한간학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: This study compared the efficacy and safety of combined peginterferon alfa (PEG-IFN) and ribavirin with that of combined interferon alpha (IFN-alpha) and ribavirin, according to the treatment duration in Korean patients with chronic hepatitis C. METHODS: Medical records of 86 patients treated with PEG-IFN and ribavirin (mean age, 50.7 years; males/females, 57/29; genotypes 1/2, 59/27) and 134 patients treated with IFN-alpha and ribavirin (mean age, 50.9 years; males/females 74/60; genotypes 1/2, 79/55) were reviewed. Ribavirin was administered at doses of 600-1,200 mg and 600-800 mg in patients with genotypes 1 and 2, respectively. RESULTS: Sustained virological responses (SVRs) were evident in 68.4% and 41.7% of genotype 1 patients treated for 48 weeks in the PEG-IFN and IFN-alpha groups, respectively (P=0.021), and in 94.1% and 64.9% of genotype 2 patients treated for 24 weeks (P=0.026). Some genotype 1 patients treated for 24 weeks in the PEG-IFN group, who all exhibited negative HCV PCR results at week 12, showed an SVR of 87.5% (7/8). CONCLUSIONS: The rate of SVRs in Korean patients with chronic hepatitis C was higher for combined PEG-IFN and ribavirin than for combined IFN-alpha and ribavirin. Further study is needed to clarify the outcome of short-term therapy in patients with a rapid or early virological response.

Effect of sildenafil citrate on interleukin-1beta-induced nitric oxide synthesis and iNOS expression in SW982 cells

The purpose of this study was to identify the effect of sildenafil citrate on IL-1 beta induced nitric oxide (NO) synthesis and iNOS expression in human synovial sarcoma SW982 cells. IL-1 beta stimulated the cells to generate NO in both dose- and time-dependent manners. The IL-1 beta -induced NO synthesis was inhibited by guanylate cyclase (GC) inhibitor, LY83583. When the cells were treated with 8-bromo-cGMP, a hydrolyzable analog of cGMP, NO synthesis was increased upto 5-fold without IL-1 beta treatment suggesting that cGMP is an essential component for increasing the NO synthesis. Synoviocytes and chondrocytes contain strong cGMP phosphodiesterase (PDE) activity, which has biochemical features of PDE5. When SW982 cells were pretreated with sildenafil citrate (Viagra), a PDE5 specific inhibitor, sildenafil citrate significantly inhibited IL-1 beta -induced NO synthesis and iNOS expressions. From this result, we noticed that PDE5 activity is required for IL-1 beta -induced NO synthesis and iNOS expressions in human synovial sarcoma cells, and sildenafil citrate may be able to suppress an inflammatory reaction of synovium through inhibition of NO synthesis and iNOS expression by cytokines.

The usefulness of transient elastography (Fibroscan(R)) for predicting esophageal varices and esophageal variceal hemorrhage in patients with chronic liver diseases / 대한내과학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of transient elastography (Fibroscan(R)) for predicting esophageal varices and esophageal variceal hemorrhage in patients with chronic liver diseases. METHODS: We studied 245 patients (mean age: 50.1 years, male/female: 181/64) with chronic liver diseases to determine the relation between the clinical or serologic markers associated with liver fibrosis and tissue elastography, and these tests were performed in Feb 2007. The causes of chronic liver diseases were hepatitis B virus in 139 (56.7%), hepatitis C virus in 30 (12.2%), alcohol in 38 (15.5%), nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in 23 (9.4%), autoimmune liver disease in 3 (1.2%), and unknown 12 (4.9%). RESULTS: Transient elastography was correlated with APRI (r=0.712) and the grades of esophageal varices (r=0.635). The AUROC values of transient elastography were 0.916 (95% CI: 0.838-0.954) for the presence of esophageal varices, 0.875 (95% CI: 0.819-0.931) for the esophageal varices grade > or =2, and 0.895 (95% CI: 0.846-0.945) for esophageal variceal hemorrhage. The cutoff values for 90% specificity were 15.3 kPa for esophageal varices, 20.7 kPa for esophageal varices grade > or =2 and 34.8 kPa for esophageal variceal hemorrhage, while the negative predictive values were 90%, 94% and 97%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Transient elastography was correlated with the presence of esophageal varices, the grades of esophageal varices and the presence of esophageal variceal hemorrhage. Therefore, this data may help to screen those patients how might undergo upper gastrointestinal endoscopy.

The Effect of a Health Diary Program in Solitary Elderly / 간호학회지

PURPOSE: This study was to develop and to evaluate a health diary program for solitary elderly. METHODS: The research design was a nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design. There were 30 subjects the experimental group and 54 in the control group among solitary elderly over age 65. The independent variable was the health diary program, and the dependent variables were perceived health status, ADL, IADL, Blood pressure, blood sugar, quality of life, self efficacy and health promoting behaviors. The health diary program was performed for 50minutes, twice a week for 8 weeks. Data was collected from April 3 to June 23, 2006. RESULTS: The experimental group showed a significant difference in perceived health status, blood sugar, ADL, IADL, quality of life, self efficacy, and health promotion behaviors than the control group. There were no significant differences in systolic & diastolic blood pressure. CONCLUSION: A health diary program showed good effects on improving health status, quality of life, self efficacy, and health promotion behaviors. Therefore, we recommend this program be utilized as a health promoting program for the solitary elderly in the community.

Clinical Analysis Of Metastatic Spinal Cord Compression / 대한내과학회지

BACKGROUND: Spinal cord compression is a common neurologic complication of advanced cancer and it is a medical emergency because delay in treatment often results in irreversible neurologic dysfunction. We analyzed the clinical characteristics, treatment outcome, favorable factors which affect survival and the result of radiation therapy and surgery. METHODS: The records of 50 patients with epidural cord compression during the period from January 1994 to December 2003 were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: The most common cause of metastatic spinal cord compression was lung cancer (28%), followed by hepatoma (22%), and colorectal cancer (14%). 44 patients received radiation therapy and 2 patients were treated with surgery. The median survival was 2.9 months irrespective of treatment. The factors which affect survival were initial performance status, radiotherapy and ambulatory function (p<0.05). At diagnosis, 31 (62%) of 50 patients presented with paralytic status. Radiation therapy affected preservation of ambulatory function significantly (p<0.05). Among the patients treated with radiotherapy, 14 of 18 patients who were ambulatory and 5 of 26 paralytic patients before treatment remained ambulatory or became ambulatory (p<0.01). Surgery permitted patients to remain ambulatory, but only 2 patients were received surgery. CONCLUSION: We confirmed that radiation therapy is effective palliative treatment for patients with epidural cord compression. Initial performance status and ambulatory function were identified as important prognostic factors. Prompt diagnosis and treatment were necessary, if not, neurologic function was not regained in the majority of patients. Indivisualized and more aggressive therapy including surgery should be considered.

A Case of Congenital Factor VII Deficiency Presented with Subacute Subdural Hematoma / 영남의대학술지

A congenital factor VII deficiency is a rare disorder with an estimated incidence in the western contries of one in 500, 000. Because factor VII is important in initiation the coagulation cascade, a factor VII deficiency can result in significant bleeding with prolongation of the prothrombin time. We present a case of a factor VII deficiency with a subdural hematoma in an 18-year-old boy whose plasma activity of factor VII was < or =10%. Previously, he did not have any symptoms, such as hemarthrosis, easy bruising or bleeding after a minor trauma. He was administered fresh frozen plasma and a trephination was performed. His sister also had 51% lower level of factor VII.

Anti-apoptotic role of phospholipase D isozymes in the glutamate-induced cell death

Abstract Phospholipase D (PLD) plays an important role as an effector in a variety of physiological processes that reveal it to be a member of the signal transducing phospholipases. Recently, PLD2 was reported as a necessary intermediate in preventing apoptosis induced by hydrogen peroxide or hypoxia in rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells. The data presented here show that both PLD isozymes, PLD1 and PLD2 are also required in attenuating glutamate-induced cell death in PC12 cells. Treatment of PC12 cells with glutamate resulted in induction of apoptosis in these cells, which is accompanied by decreased PLD activity and increased ceramide concentration. Incubation of PC12 cells with exogenous C6-ceramide showed a time-dependent decrease of PLD activity. When cDNAs of PLD1 and PLD2 were transfected into PC12 cells respectively, overexpression of PLD1 or PLD2 resulted in inhibition of glutamate-induced apoptotic cell death. These data indicate that both PLD1 and PLD2 play a protective role against glutamate-induced cell death in PC12 cells.

The Correlation between Perceived Social Support and Hope of Stroke Survivors / 재활간호학회지

A Cerebrovascular accident(CVA), or Stroke is a medical emergency that occurred when the blood supply to the brain is interrupted or blocked. The stroke causes physical function disorder due to hemiparalysis and emotional disorder. Also the stroke patients experience helplessness, powerlessness, sense of alienation and loss of hope. These feelings make the rehabilitation difficult because they lose the will of life. The purpose of this study is to identify the correlation between perceived social support and hope of stroke survivors. The subjects for this study were 100 out-patients with stroke in one general hospital and oriental medicine hospital located in Mokpo. The data were analysed by frequency, t-test, ANOVA. Duncan test, Pearson's correlation, using the SPSS WIN 9.0 program. Data were collected from July 11 to September 9, 2000, using a structured questionnaire. The instruments used for this study: The social support scale developed by Park, Ji-won(1985) and the hope scale developed by Miller(1988). The results were as follows. 1. It was found that the higher the degree of perceived social support, the higher the degree of hope(r= .726, p= .000). Therefore hypothesis was supported. 2. The mean score of perceived social support was n.8(SD=21.0) with a score range from 27.0 to 104.0. 3. The mean score of perceived hope was 117.0(SD=25.7) with a score range from 57.0 to 160.0. 4. The level of social support depending on general characteristics were significantly different in variables such as marital status(t=3.131. p= .010), degree of income satisfaction(F= 16.027, p= ,000). 5. The level of hope depending on general characteristics were significantly different in variables such as marital status(t=2.681. p= .040), current job(t=-2.055, p= .043) degree of income, satisfaction(F=11.363, p= .000). For these subjects, there was a significant relationship between social support and hope. The stroke survivors need social support to inspire their hope. Nurses should plan interventions to enhance social support for patients with stroke. The above results may be used as the basic data to seek more efficient way of elevating nursing practice and rehabilitation for the patients with stroke.