The Relationship Between Pulse Pressure, the Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate, and Urine Microalbumin/Creatinine Ratio in Korean Adults.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Pulse pressure (PP) is a predictor of adverse outcomes in patients on haemodialysis. Thus, the present study was conducted to assess the relationship between PP, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and urine microalbumin/creatinine ratio (uACR) in Korean adults. METHODS: Data of 9,409 adults (4,206 men and 5,203 women) aged ≥ 20 years from the Sixth Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2013-2014) were analyzed. RESULTS: A multivariate analysis revealed that systolic blood pressure (SBP) (ß = -0.170, 95% confidence interval [CI], -0.216 to -0.159), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (ß = 0.088, 95% CI 0.108-0.200; p < 0.001), and PP (ß = -0.134, 95% CI -0.215 to -0.157) were significant factors determining eGFR. In contrast, SBP (ß = 0.152, 95% CI, 0.985-1.456; p < 0.001), DBP (ß = -0.062, 95% CI -1.141 to -0.442; p < 0.001), and PP (ß = 0.118, 95% CI 0.965-1.436; p < 0.001) were the significant factors determining uACR. The odds ratios (ORs) of a high PP (PP ≥ 60 mmHg) with a normal group [eGFR ≥ 60 ml/min/1.73 m2 and uACR < 30 mg/g] as a reference were significant for decreased eGFR [eGFR < 60 ml/min/1.73 m2, 1.484 (95% CI, 1.003-2.196)], elevated uACR [uACR ≥ 30 mg/g, 2.592 (95% CI, 2.085-3.223)], and decreased eGFR plus elevated uACR [eGFR < 60 ml/min/1.73 m2 and uACR ≥ 30 mg/g, 3.889 (95% CI, 2.519-6.004)]. CONCLUSION: Enhanced PP was associated with a decreased eGFR and an increase in uACR in Korean adults. In addition, the PP increased greatly when a decrease in eGFR and an increase in uACR appeared simultaneously.

Development of e-learning multimedia contents for PBL.

The purpose of this study was to develop a PBL package for maternal and newborn care and apply e-learning multimedia contents for PBL. During the first semester of 2005, 64 Nursing students of a college were subjected to the e-learning multimedia contents for PBL. This course was blended so that part of the class sessions were held in a face to face setting and the other classes were held online. Learners' reactions and their instructional performance were measured.E-learning multimedia contents, composed of a learning contents system, PBL systems and an administrator/professor system, were developed. Ratings of their reactions as learners and of instructional performance averaged 3.3 points and 3.9 points (on a scale of 5) respectively. Some benefits of this program as reported by the learners are: the moving pictures similar to clinical situations, distinctive experience, ease of understanding, time saving, repetitive learning, etc. The nursing students reported this program was a positive experience and that it encouraged self-directed learning.