Journal of Korean medical science
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J. Korean Med. Sci. · Dec 2006
Main bronchial reconstruction with sparing of pulmonary parenchyma for benign diseases.
Main bronchial reconstruction is anatomically suitable for benign main bronchial stenosis. But, it has been hardly recommended for operative mortality and morbidity. This study was aimed at providing validity and the proper clinical information of bronchoplasty for benign main bronchial stenosis by reviewing the results we obtained over the last ten years for main bronchial reconstruction operations. ⋯ There were 2 cases of retained secretions, and these problems were resolved by bronchoscopy or intubation. All of the patients are still alive without obstructive airway problem. Bronchoplasty should be considered as one of the primary treatment modalities, if it is anatomically feasible.
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J. Korean Med. Sci. · Dec 2006
Validation in the cross-cultural adaptation of the Korean version of the Oswestry Disability Index.
Disability questionnaires are used for clinical assessment, outcome measurement, and research methodology. Any disability measurement must be adapted culturally for comparability of data, when the patients, who are measured, use different languages. This study aimed to conduct cross-cultural adaptation in translating the original (English) version of the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) into Korean, and then to assess the reliability of the Korean versions of the Oswestry Disability Index (KODI). ⋯ There is little evidence of differential item functioning in KODI. The results suggest that the KODI is internally consistent and reliable. Therefore, the KODI can be recommended as a low back pain assessment tool in Korea.
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J. Korean Med. Sci. · Dec 2006
A correlation between low back pain and associated factors: a study involving 772 patients who had undergone general physical examination.
Many factors are associated with the development of low back pain. Among them, exercise, obesity, smoking, age, educational level and stress are the most common. This study examined the association of these factors with low back pain. ⋯ When the other variables were constant, age, extent of obesity (body mass index), smoking and level of stress were not found to affect the development of low back pain. The level of education was associated with the development of low back pain. However, regular exercise 3-4 times per week or more would be most effective in reducing the incidence and duration of low back pain.
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Tuberculosis (TB) may produce abnormalities in the peripheral blood, including anemia. However, the evolution of TB-associated anemia with short-term combination anti-TB chemotherapy has not been well elucidated. The aim of this study was to characterize TB-associated anemia by clarifying its prevalence, characteristics, and evolution, through involving large numbers of patients with TB. ⋯ During or after anti-TB treatment, anemia was resolved in 175 (64.6%) out of 271 patients without iron intake. The mean duration of resolution from the initiation of anti-TB treatment was 118.8+/-113.2 days. In conclusion, anemia is a common hematological abnormality in patients with TB and close observation is sufficient for patients with TB-associated anemia, because TB-associated anemia is usually mild and resolves with anti-TB treatment.