Vitamin-Mineral Supplement Use Patterns in Elderly Koreans: Data from the 2007-2008 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey / 가정의학회지

BACKGROUND: Vitamin-mineral supplements are the most popular dietary supplements in Korea. However, few studies have assessed the relationship between vitamin-mineral supplementation and associated factors among the Korean elderly. The purpose of this study was to assess the use of vitamin-mineral supplements among elderly in Korea as well as its association with sociodemographic factors, health-related behaviors, medical conditions, and nutrient intake. METHODS: This study was based on data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, conducted by the Korean Ministry of Health and Welfare from 2008 to 2009. Data from 3,294 elderly men and women (65 years of age and older) were analyzed. Multivariable-weighted logistic regression model analysis was used to evaluate the association between vitamin-mineral supplement use and sociodemographic factors, health-related habits, and medical conditions. RESULTS: Vitamin-mineral supplementation was reported by 16.3% of the participants. The most common reason for using dietary supplements was recommendations from friends and acquaintances. Highly educated person, female participants had a greater likelihood of taking vitamin-mineral supplements. In addition, analysis of nutrient intake from food sources alone revealed a lower proportion of vitamin-mineral supplement users with nutrient intakes below the estimated average requirements for vitamin A, vitamin C, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, calcium, iron, and phosphorus, compared to nonusers. However, vitamin-mineral supplementation was not associated with health-related behaviors or medical conditions. CONCLUSION: Highly educated person, elderly Korean women had a greater likelihood of using vitamin-mineral supplements. In addition, nutrient intakes from food sources alone were significantly higher among vitamin-mineral supplement users. Finally, vitamin-mineral supplementation may be an indicator of healthier diet in elderly Koreans.

Feasibility and Safety of Transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation Paired with Notched Music Therapy for the Treatment of Chronic Tinnitus

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: A recent study demonstrated that tinnitus could be eliminated by vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) paired with notched sounds in a rat tinnitus model. The aims of this clinical study were to investigate the effects and safety of transcutaneous VNS (tVNS) by patch-type electrode paired with notched music for treating chronic tinnitus. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Thirty patients with refractory chronic tinnitus for >12 months were included in this study. A patch-type electrode was attached to the auricular concha of the patient's left ear and tVNS was performed for 30 min (pulse rate 25 Hz, pulse width 200 micros, and amplitude 1-10 mA) using a transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation eco2. During tVNS, the patients listened to notched music cleared of the frequency spectrum corresponding to the tinnitus with a 0.5 octave notch width. RESULTS: After 10 treatment sessions, 15/30 patients (50%) reported symptom relief in terms of a global improvement questionnaire. The mean tinnitus loudness (10-point scale) and the mean tinnitus awareness score (%) improved significantly from 6.32+/-2.06 to 5.16+/-1.52 and from 82.40+/-24.37% to 65.60+/-28.15%, respectively (both p<0.05). None of the patients had any specific side effects, such as changes in heart rate or blood pressure. CONCLUSIONS: This study has demonstrated the feasibility and safety of tVNS paired with notched music therapy in patients with chronic tinnitus, with the use of a pad-type electrode attached to the auricular concha.

Pyogenic Liver Abscess Following Acupuncture and Moxibustion Treatment / 가정의학회지

Acupuncture treatment is generally regarded as a relatively safe procedure. However, most procedures have some complications and acupuncture treatment is no exception. Reported complications of acupuncture treatment were mostly mild or temporary symptoms, but certain severe adverse effects were also observed. We report here for the first time a case of liver abscess following acupuncture and moxibustion treatment.

Effect of Autotransfusion Using the Drained Blood after Bilaterla Total Knee Arthroplasty / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: This study investigated the clinical usefulness of an autotransfusion of drained blood using postoperative wound drainage and a reinfusion system to reduce the allogenic blood transfusion without complications. METHODS: Eighty patients were allocated randomly to either a control group using a standard drainage system or an autotransfusion group using postoperative wound drainage and a reinfusion system. The collection period was 12 h, and the drainage blood retransfused after 6 h, or a maximum of 500 ml of blood was collected after connecting the reinfusion system. Immediately before reinfusion, blood samples were taken from the reinfusion system and analyzed for the functional and metabolic status of the drained blood and compared with the preoperative values of patient. The hemoglobin level, blood loss, allogenic blood requirement and transfusion-related complications were assessed. RESULTS: The drained blood had lower hematological values, a prolonged PT and aPTT, a lower fibrinogen, and metabolic acidotic status than the preoperative values of the patients. There were no significant differences in the amount of blood loss compared with the control group. However, the autotransfusion group required significantly less allogenic blood (almost 20% less) without significant complications. CONCLUSIONS: Autotransfusion by reinfusion with drained blood in bilateral total knee arthroplasty reduces the allogenic blood requirement without significant complications.

The Effect of Yoga Program on Reduced Blood Pressure in Elderly's Essential Hypertension / 간호학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of a Yoga program on decreasing blood pressure in elderly patients with essential hypertension and to suggest a yoga program effective as a nursing intervention tool to reduced blood pressure with increasing life satisfaction. METHOD: The subjects of this study were 24 elderly's essential hypertension, who practiced yoga by three times a week for 8 weeks. In order to evaluate the effect of the yoga program, blood pressure, physiological parameters (Total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglycerides) and level of life satisfaction were measured before and after the training. Collected date were analyzed by SPSSWIN program. RESULT: 1) There were significant reduction in systolic and diastolic blood pressure. 2) There were significant reductions in total cholesterol, LDL, triglycerides but no significant increased in HDL. 3) Blood pressure changes were time specific: Both of systolic and diastolic blood pressures were significantly reduced after 2weeks. 4) There was a significant increase in life satisfaction. CONCLUSION: The results proved that a yoga program was an effective nursing intervention to reduce blood pressure and to increased life satisfaction for elderly patients with essential hypertension.