Search

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the effects of exposure to endocrine disruptors, burnout, and social support from peers on premenstrual syndrome (PMS) in nurses., Methods: This descriptive correlational study was conducted among 122 nurses under the age of 49 working at a university hospital. The participants answered self-report questionnaires. The data were analyzed using the t-test, analysis of variance, Pearson or Spearman correlation coefficients, and hierarchical multiple regression in SPSS version 23.0., Results: The mean age of the nurses was 28.9 years. Of these nurses, 49.2% were working in a general ward, 24.6% in the intensive care unit, 14.8% in the emergency room, and 11.4% in an outpatient department. The explanatory power of the model was 38.3%, and it was statistically significant (F=11.74, p≤.001). Exposure to endocrine disruptors (β=0.32, p <.001) was the most powerful variable affecting PMS, followed by burnout (β=0.27, p =.001), working in the intensive care unit or emergency room (β=0.22, p =.003), family history of PMS (β=0.19, p =.009), and support from coworkers (β=-0.15, p =.043)., Conclusion: Based on these findings, it is necessary to develop an intervention program to reduce the symptoms of PMS. Additionally, further studies are needed to develop and evaluate measures to minimize exposure to endocrine disruptors and burnout in order to alleviate PMS among nurses., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest The authors declared no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2020 Korean Society of Women Health Nursing.)

Background/aims: Immunogenetic factors may play a role in determining the susceptibility of an individual to viral infection. CCR5 promoter polymorphisms are known to be associated with HIV infection. However, there has been no report on the association between CCR5 promoter polymorphism and HBV infection. Therefore, we investigated the relationship between the CCR5 promoter polymorphism and HBV infection., Methods: A total of 377 patients were classified into two groups according to their HBV infection status: (1) the spontaneous clearance group (SC); HBsAg (-), anti-HBc (+), anti-HBs (+) (2) the chronic HBsAg (+) carrier group (CC); HBsAg (+), anti-HBc (+), anti-HBs (-). CCR5 polymorphisms were detected by employing matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS)- based SNP scoring assay, termed Restriction Fragment Mass Polymorphism (RFMP), which exploits the differences in molecular masses between the common allele and rare allele bases of interest., Results: We found that the genotype frequencies of CCR5 A59029G significantly differed between the SC group (n=138) and CC group (n=239) (P<0.05). The CCR5 59029A allelic genotype was associated with an increased risks of chronic infection rather than spontaneous clearance (P=0.002), and the presence of the CCR5 59029G allele was significantly associated with the spontaneous clearance of HBV (P=0.001). Strong linkage disequilibrium between the CCR5-59029 and the CCR5-59353 polymorphic variants was identified. None of the 377 subjects had the CCR5-32 bp deletion mutation., Conclusions: The CCR5 promoter polymorphisms at position 59029 might play a role in the clearance of HBV infection. This primary experimental evidence needs further studies to clarify the clinical usefulness of CCR5 promoter polymorphisms as a target for the screening or treatment of HBV infection.

Background/aims: Recent studies have shown that the genotype of hepatitis B virus (HBV) may correlate with the disease natural history and treatment outcome. However, several of these studies used low sensitivity assays in a small number of patients, and this has precluded an accurate evaluation of Korean HBV genotypes. We analyzed Korean HBV genotypes in a large population by employing a new technology, restriction fragment mass polymorphism (RFMP) using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, in a sensitive and specific manner., Methods: Between February 1995 and December 2003, a total of 475 patients with chronic HBV infection were enrolled. The assay is based on the mass measurement of oligonucleotides having genotypic variations of the S gene. Clinical features including the virologic status and disease progression were also evaluated., Results: The median age of the total patients was 35.5 years. Out of 475 patients, there were 162 (34.1%) inactive carriers, 172 (36.2%) had chronic hepatitis, 77 (16.2%) had liver cirrhosis and 64 (13.5%) had hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). There were 454 patients (95.6%) with genotype C, 4 patients (0.8%) with genotype A, 16 patients (3.4%) with the mixed A and C genotype [7 patients (1.4%) with AA], and 1 patient (0.2%) with B genotype. Comparing genotype A and C, genotype A patients were all inactive carriers without HCC, whereas genotype C patients included those with chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis and HCC., Conclusions: HBV genotype C is highly prevalent in Korea. Although it is a small percentage, genotype A also exists and it seems to take a more benign clinical course than genotype C. Further studies are necessitated to assess the relationship between HBV genotypes and the various aspects of the diseases' clinical course.

Purpose : This study aims to assess the extent of work value, psychological ownership, the nursing work environment, and retention intention, examine the correlation between these variables, and identify the factors that influence retention intention. The goal is to provide foundational data to enhance retention intention. Method : The study involved 159 nurses employed at a tertiary general hospital and a general hospital. Data were gathered through structured questionnaires and analyzed using an independent t-test, one-way ANOVA, Scheffé test, Pearson correlation coefficient, and multiple regression analysis with a simultaneous stepwise method, all conducted using the SPSS 26.0 software. Results : The intention to remain in the profession was found to have a positive correlation with work value (r = .45, p .001), psychological ownership (r = .37, p .001), and the nursing work environment (r = .27, p= .001). Significant factors influencing the intention to stay included total clinical career (β = .17, p= .016), work value (β = .38, p .001), and psychological ownership (β = .19, p= .020). These variables accounted for 24.1% of the variance in the intention to remain in the profession (F = 17.71, p .001). Conclusion: To enhance the intention of hospital staff to remain in their positions, it is crucial to identify and bolster positive psychological competencies, such as a sense of work value and psychological ownership. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Klebsiella pneumoniae is known to cause an invasive syndrome characterized by primary liver abscess associated with metastatic infection. The characteristics of the metastatic infection involving the musculoskeletal system in this invasive syndrome are not well understood. The authors present a case report of a patient who developed abscesses of the lower extremities along with abscesses of multiple organs, such as the liver and eye, caused by K. pneumoniae. The patient was diagnosed early, and the infection was successfully controlled after several surgical treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Insulin resistance (IR) and inflammation are closely related to each other and share common pathophysiological and metabolic mechanisms. We aimed to investigate the combined effect of IR and inflammation on comorbidities of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods: A total 3,758 patients with T2DM were recruited through Huh’s Diabetes Center from January 2003 to June 2009. Insulin sensitivity was measured by a rate constant for plasma glucose disappearance (Kitt, %/min) using short insulin tolerance test. High sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) was used as a surrogate for inflammation. Results: Patients with the lowest tertile of Kitt (IR group) showed worse cardio-metabolic parameters while those with the highest tertile of hs-CRP levels had worse cardio-metabolic parameters. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome, fatty liver, albuminuria, and carotid atherosclerosis decreased with Kitt tertile, but increased with hs-CRP tertile. In multiple regression analysis, both Kitt and hs-CRP were independent risk factors for comorbidities of T2DM. In addition, they showed synergistic effects on these comorbidities. Conclusion: Both IR and inflammation were significantly associated with comorbidities of T2DM in a dose dependent manner. In addition, the coexistence of IR and inflammation may synergistically contribute to increased comorbidities of T2DM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With development of the internet and smartphones, various systems have been introduced to monitor patient blood sugar remotely, and their clinical effect on diabetes management has been analyzed in different patient groups. However, these systems need to be available cost-effectively to many patients for the long term. Also, there is need for a communication platform that can easily identify a patient’s blood sugar pattern and provide appropriate counseling and education. In addition, relevant educational contents must be provided so that patients maintain self-care for diabetes. With the rapid increase in diabetes patients, we must continuously develop the field of digital healthcare to efficiently monitor blood sugar and provide effective face-to-face management of these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patient-generated health data (PGHD) are health-related data generated, recorded, and collected by patients or caregivers. Its main advantage is that patients can actively participate in their own health care, since the data-generating agents are patients and caregivers, not hospitals. Due to the development and popularization of information and communications technology and digital devices, the number of studies using PGHD for better health care is increasing. When PGHD was used in the outpatient setting, healthcare providers were better able to understand each patients’ condition using more accurate data, and to monitor patient health status between visits. In particular, to manage chronic diseases such as diabetes, it is essential to monitor daily blood sugar and change nutrient intake in the context of medication, overall diet, and exercise. However, problems associated with data quality, data extraction, and insufficient evidence and research to guide use of this kind of data in clinical setting are yet to be solved. Further, the gap between patient and healthcare providers’ perceptions of PGHD persists. We suggest that PGHD, electronic medical record data in hospitals, and claims and genome data could be combined to good effect. This combination can help patients and healthcare providers make better decisions with respect to patient health and to maintain patient engagement. In addition, the collection of PGHD through sophisticated sensors, and data analysis through advanced portals could combine medical big data with daily big data. Eventually, a personalized healthcare automation system through PGHD-based algorithms could provide healthcare artificial intelligence services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine effects of moral sensitivity and nursing practice environment on person-centered care by nurses in long-term care hospitals. Methods: Participants in this study were 118 nurses, with a least 4 months experience working in a long-term care hospital in Daegu City or North Gyeongsang Province. Data were collected from March 17 to 28, 2017 using questionnaires about general characteristics, the Korean Version Person-centered Care Assessment Tool, the Korean Moral Sensitivity Questionnaire, and the Korean Version of the Practice Environment Scale of Nursing Work Index. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson's correlation and hierarchial multiple regression analysis with the IBM SPSS statistics 19.0 Program. Results: Person-centered care showed significantly positive correlations with moral sensitivity (r=.21, p=.024) and nursing practice environment (r=.62, p<.001). In the hierarchial regression analysis, moral sensitivity explained 4%(F=5.24, p=.024) of the variance in person-centered care and nursing practice environment accounted for 38% (F=35.15, p<.001) of the variance in person-centered care. Conclusion: Findings indicate that improvements in person-centered care should be developed to provide a good nursing practice environment in long-term care hospitals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify factors influencing geriatric nursing practice in nurses working in long-term care hospitals. Methods: The participants were 194 nurses working at 12 long-term care hospitals in B and G city. Data were collected from July 6 to August 8, 2016. SPSS/WIN 18.0 was used for analysis with t-test, ANOVA, Scheffé test, Pearson correlation coefficients, and stepwise multiple regression. Results: There was a significant correlation between geriatric nursing practice and empathy for the elders (r=.52, p<.001) and attitude toward caring for the elders (r=.33, p<.001). The factors influencing geriatric nursing practice in participants were empathy for the elders (β=.48, p<.001) and marital status (β=.19, p=.003). These factors contributed 29.1% of the total variance in geriatric nursing practice. Conclusion: Based on the results, educational programs to improve empathic ability for elders by nurses should be developed and implemented to improve geriatric nursing practice of nurses in long-term care hospitals. Also it is necessary to systematically support married nurses with empathy for the elders in long-term care, so that their careers are not cut off and they can continue to practice geriatric nursing successfully. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the etiology of acute pharygotonsillitis in pediatric patients. Methods: Pharyngeal swabs from patients with acute pharyngotonsillitis were evaluated for viruses and bacterial organisms from March 2010 through March 2011. Results: Of 615 patients, potentially pathogenic bacteria were isolated in 40 (6.5%), viruses were isolated in 310 (50.4%), and no pathogens were isolated in 267 patients (43.4%). Both viral and bacterial pathogens were found in 2 (0.3%). Of 40 patients with bacterial pathogens, group A streptococci were found in 31 (77.5%). Among 310 patients with virus infection, adenovirus was the most frequently recovered (203 patients; 65.5%), followed by rhinovirus (65 patients; 21.0%), enterovirus (43 patients; 13.9%) and coronavirus (18 patients; 5.8%). There were 25 patients who had been coinfected with 2 viruses. In viral pharyngotonsillitis, cough, rhinorrhea, conjunctivitis and diarrhea were prominent. On the other hand, pharyngeal injection and pharyngeal petechiae were prominent in bacterial pharyngotonsillitis. Conclusions: Virus infection was a big part of acute pharyngotonsillitis and there were differences in clinical manifestations among viral and bacterial infections. Therefore, we need to distinguish between virus infection and bacterial infection using clinical signs for preventing the abuse of antibiotics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aimed to identify latent classes of behavioral problem trajectories in children with allergic diseases and investigate their predictors., Methods: This study used data from the 5th to 7th Panel Study of Korean Children. The participants included 840 children aged 4~6 years with allergic diseases. Statistical analyses were conducted using latent class growth analysis and multinomial logistic regression., Results: The trajectories of both internalizing and externalizing behavioral problems in children with allergic diseases were classified into five groups, that is deteriorative, recovering, changing 1 (decreasing-increasing), changing 2 (increasing-decreasing), and low state persistent group. For the internalizing behavioral problems, predictors were temperament, father's education, family interaction, and disconnection in peer interaction. For the externalizing behavioral problems, predictors child's gender, temperament, marital conflict, parenting stress, family interaction, and parenting environment., Conclusion: Deteriorative group has high-risk behavioral problems in children with allergic diseases. We suggest to provide interventions considering latent problem trajectories based on ecological environments for allergic children., Competing Interests: The authors declared no conflict of interest., (© 2020 Korean Society of Nursing Science.)

Purpose: This study was performed to identify the prevalence of menstrual disorders in Korean women based on body mass index (BMI) and lifestyle factors, by utilizing the Korean National Health Insurance Database., Methods: A retrospective observational study design was used for the secondary data analysis. Data of women aged 15 to 49 years who were diagnosed with menstrual disorders were extracted from The National Health Insurance Service-National Health Screening Cohort in Korea from 2009 to 2016. The age-standardized prevalence rate of menstrual disorders was calculated using SAS version 9.4, and a Chi-square test and Cochran-Armitage test were performed., Results: In total, 2,219,445 cases were extracted from the database. The prevalence of menstrual disorders significantly increased from 8.6% to 11.6% (Z=135.16, p for trend <.001) over the past eight years. In particular, it was higher in underweight women than in women with normal weight across all years (Z=-4.18~-14.72, p <.001). Moreover, statistically significant differences in the prevalence of menstrual disorders were found to be associated with drinking and smoking in all years and with physical activity levels in part ( p <.05~.001)., Conclusion: These findings present compelling evidence on the prevalence of menstrual disorders based on a national database. Since the prevalence of menstrual disorders has steadily increased and differs based on BMI and lifestyle factors, educational and clinical interventions are necessary to promote risk awareness and appropriate behavioral changes among Korean women., Competing Interests: The authors declared no conflict of interest., (© 2020 Korean Society of Nursing Science.)

Purpose: This study aimed to identify parental factors associated with smartphone overuse in preschoolers., Methods: A systematic review was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines. Relevant studies published in peer-reviewed journals from 2009 to June 2019 were identified through systematic search in 10 electronic databases (PubMed, CINAHL, Cochrane Central, EMBASE, Web of Science, NDSL, KISS, KMbase, KoreaMed, and RISS). Standardized effect sizes were calculated to quantify the associations of parental factors with smartphone overuse in preschoolers using meta-analysis., Results: A total of 30 cross-sectional studies involving 7,943 participants met the inclusion criteria. The following were negatively correlated with smartphone overuse in preschoolers: mother's parenting self-efficacy ( r =-.35), mother-child attachment ( r =-.28), mother's positive parenting behavior ( r =-.28), mother's positive parenting attitude ( r =-.25), and father's parenting involvement ( r =-.15). Further, maternal factors such as smartphone addiction tendency ( r =.41), parenting stress ( r =.40), negative parenting behavior ( r =.35), negative parenting attitude ( r =.14), smartphone usage time ( r =.26), employment status ( r =.18), and age ( r =.12) were positively correlated with smartphone overuse in preschoolers., Conclusion: Several parental factors influence smartphone overuse in preschoolers. These findings emphasize the need to assess and enhance the parental factors identified in this study to prevent smartphone overuse in preschoolers. Accordingly, we recommend the development of preventive interventions to strengthen parent-related protective factors and mitigate risk factors., Competing Interests: The authors declared no conflict of interest., (© 2020 Korean Society of Nursing Science.)

Glycemic variability comprises 'glucose variability' and 'hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) variability.' Glucose variability relates to the within-day fluctuation of glucose level and may eventually reflect an increase in HbA1c level. Long-term glycemic variability, which is assessed by HbA1c fluctuation, reflects changes in glycemia over longer periods of time. Previous reports from several cohort studies have demonstrated that HbA1c variability is associated with the development or progression of microvascular complication in type 1 and 2 diabetes mellitus. However, data on the impact of HbA1c variability on macrovascular complications are controversial, and little is known about its impact on mortality. Further studies with a larger population including various ethnic groups are required to verify the impact of HbA1c variability on micro- and macrovascular complications of diabetes. Also, stabilized control of long-term glucose level should be emphasized based on these study results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study was conducted to explore predictors of health status of family caregivers of hospice patients. Methods: This study included 118 family caregivers of patients who were admitted to the hospice ward of three general hospitals in D city. The collected data were analyzed by frequency, percentage, t-test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficients, and stepwise multiple regression using the SPSS WIN 18.0 program. Results: The mean score for overall health of family caregivers was 2.68 (±0.42). Mean scores for variables related to health were 2.55 (±0.37) for sleep quality, 1.91 (±0.41) for anxiety and 2.78 (±0.33) for hope. Variables such as sleep quality, gender, anxiety and hope explained 59.8% of variance among family caregivers' health conditions. Conclusion: These results suggest the need for nurses to search for ways to promote health of hospice patients' family caregivers, such as improving the quality of sleep, easing their anxiety and encouraging hope. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Invasive Candida infections (ICI) have become the third most common cause of late-onset infection among extremely preterm infants in the neonatal intensive care unit. Candida colonization of the skin and gastrointestinal tract is an important first step in the pathogenesis of invasive disease. Factors such as exposure to broad spectrum antimicrobials, especially third generation cephalosporin, parenteral nutrition including lipid emulsion, central venous catheter, and abdominal surgery increase the risk of invasive infection. A definite diagnosis of ICI requires isolation the organism from blood or other sterile body fluid. Thrombocytopenia is very common in neonatal candidiasis, but it is also often seen in babies with bacteremia. Candida is capable of invading all vital organs and following candidemia, therefore a thorough evaluation to rule out end organ dissemination is important. Amphotericin-B is the drug of choice for treating ICI. Antifungal susceptibility test is increasingly used to manage ICI, especially in situations refractory to initial antifugal therapy. Invasive candidiasis among extremely preterm infants is associated with chronic lung disease, severe retinopathy of prematurity, and neurodevelopmental impairment at infancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are characterized by self-proliferation, an ability for symmetric/ asymmetric division and an ability to propagate cancer in vivo. Contrary to our expectation, CSCs show a quiescent nature, the morphology of small resting cells, resistance to multiple drugs/radiation, and side-population phenotypes distinct from major cancer cells. Research has been focused on overcoming drug resistance, discovery of biomarkers for CSCs, and tailored treatment targeting CSCs. Recently changing concepts of CSCs reflect the genetic heterogeneity, hierarchy of cancer tissue, and evolving dynamic mutations within one tumor. First, multiple CSC clones with different mutations including initiating driver mutations can coexist within one tumor. Second, CSCs stand at the top of the tumor hierarchy during therapy or disease progression, and the proportions of these clones are changing dynamically, depending on the cancer progression. Third, tailored treatments should be not fixed, according to the initial situation at diagnosis, but appropriate treatment should be attempted in accordance with the dynamic properties of CSCs at each stage of cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]